DE2158482A1 - SAFETY STEERING FOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Description

Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft Daim 9176/4

Stuttgart-Untertürkheim Nov. 23, 1971

"Safety steering for motor vehicles"

Addendum to patent (patent application P 20 34 008. 3)

The invention relates to a safety steering system for motor vehicles between the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering spindle arranged, plastically deformable deformation member, wherein within the deformation member an automatically inflatable gas cushion is arranged when a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle is exceeded, and wherein the side of the deformation member facing the driver is closed off by a cover, which is covered by the inflating gas cushion can be pushed out, according to patent (patent application P 20 34 008. 3).

Practical tests with such gas cushions have shown that the Lid that closes the space in which the folded gas cushion is housed, very specific requirements are made need to ensure proper functioning of the gas cushion in an emergency to ensure.

The cover should have the lowest possible weight and be light to be opened, since the extremely high gas velocities that occur when inflating a gas cushion would otherwise result in too great a delay would occur in the first phase of the inflation process. However, this would have two undesirable consequences. One time can be delayed Inflate the gas cushion will be damaged by the hot gases and

309822/0179

- 2 - Daim 9176/4

on the other hand, there would be a much intensified bang leading to Could damage the hearing of the vehicle occupants.

The present invention was therefore based on the object of a cover to create that fulfills the conditions outlined above and a smooth flow of the inflation process of a gas cushion not disabled.

There will therefore be a safety steering for motor vehicles with one the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering shaft arranged, plastically deformable deformation member, wherein within the deformation member an automatically inflatable gas cushion is arranged when a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle is exceeded, and wherein the side of the deformation member facing the driver by a Lid is complete, which can be pushed out by the filling gas cushion, according to patent ...... (patent application P 20 34 008. 3), proposed According to the invention, the lid is made of a light and thin-walled molded part, for example made of wire mesh or plastic is formed, which is held in a circumferential or partially interrupted groove of the adjacent part of the steering wheel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is the dem. Vehicle interior The facing side of the cover is provided with a coating that allows the cover to be visually matched to the surface of the neighboring Components causes.

Preferably, the lid is on one side, for. B. by a fabric or Foil strips, for example on the steering wheel or on parts connected to it

3098 22/0179

- 3 - Dairo 9176/4

held that a practically frictionless joint formed will.

If the lid consists of a wire mesh, it is particularly advantageous to if it is held by a one-sided extension of the wire mesh.

The object of the invention is to be based on one in the accompanying drawing in section illustrated embodiment will be explained in more detail.

In the safety steering shown in the drawing, a deformation member 3 made of sheet metal and surrounded by a foam 2 is arranged after the steering wheel 1. Inside the deformation member 3 there is provided a container 4 made of wire mesh, in which a folded gas cushion 5 is accommodated, which is connected to the steering wheel 1 via a fastening frame 6. A known gas generator, not shown, can be used to fill the gas cushion 5, which in an emergency generates a gas which flows into the gas cushion ^{in the direction of the arrow 11 G ″.}

The upper end of the space used to accommodate the folded gas cushion is formed by a wire mesh Lid 7, which is held in a circumferential groove 8 in the foam casing 2. The wire mesh from which the cover 7 is formed has on one side an extension 9 which is attached to the mounting frame 6 and then forms a practically frictionless joint when the cover 7 is pushed out of the groove 8 by the unfolding gas cushion 5 and pivoted to the side.

309822/0179

- 4 - Daim 9176/4

On its upper side facing the vehicle interior, the cover 7 has a coating 10 which, in its surface structure, e.g. the outer skin of the foam 2 can be adapted.

309822/0179

Claims (4)

- 5 - Daim 9176/4 claims 1. Safety steering for motor vehicles with one between the steering wheel and the upper end of the steering shaft arranged, plastically deformable deformation member, wherein within the deformation member a delay if a specified delay is exceeded of the vehicle automatically inflatable gas cushion is arranged, and wherein the side of the deformation member facing the driver is closed by a lid, which is through the filling Gas cushion can be pushed out, according to patent ..... (patent application P 20 34 008. 3), characterized in that the lid (7) is formed by a light and thin-walled molded part made of e.g. or partially interrupted groove (8) of the adjacent part (foam coating 2) of the steering wheel (1) is held. 2. Safety steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that with the side of the cover (7) facing the vehicle interior a coating (10) is provided. 3. Safety steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid (7) on one side, e.g. B. by a fabric or film strip, so on the steering wheel (1) or on parts connected to it "(Mounting frame 6) is kept that a practically frictionless working joint is formed. 4. Safety steering system according to claim 3, wherein the cover consists of a Wire mesh, characterized in that the cover (7) is held by a one-sided extension (9) of the wire mesh. 309822/0 179 Blank page