EP2321168A1

EP2321168A1 - Safety steering column for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2321168A1
Application number: EP09778156A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alfred Keschtges
Original assignee: Kart-Tec Ltd & Co KG
Current assignee: Kart-Tec Ltd & Co KG
Priority date: 2008-08-27
Filing date: 2009-08-27
Publication date: 2011-05-18
Also published as: DE102008039827A1; WO2010022947A1; DE102008039827B4

Abstract

Disclosed is a safety steering column with a deformation element that allows a pivoting of the steering wheel about the end of the steering column in the event of an accident.

Description

Safety steering column for a vehicle

description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a safety steering column for a vehicle, in particular for a kart.

Background of the invention

Safety steering columns for vehicles are known in principle. These are, in particular, pipe-in-pipe arrangements which enable the steering column to be pushed together, which in particular prevents the steering column from penetrating into the vehicle. Steering wheels of vehicles without airbag usually have an energy absorbing baffle plate.

However, it has been shown that, depending on the accident situation, there is no contact between the driver and the entire steering wheel, but rather that a large part of the kinetic energy is dissipated, in particular in the lower region of the steering wheel rim. This can naturally lead to serious injuries. Further, in kart vehicles, particularly karted vehicles in which the driver is not strapped, there is the problem that the driver may slip into the kart in a frontal impact and thereby incur serious injury.

Object of the invention

The invention is based on the object, at least to reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction which is as light and simple as possible, in which, in the event of an accident, the energy reduction is distributed as uniformly and as extensively as possible over the steering wheel. So a small maximum pressure load should be achieved.

Another object of the invention is to easily avoid the driver's slip into a karting vehicle in a frontal collision, adjusted to the weight of the driver.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is already by a safety steering column for a vehicle and by a

Tear-off element according to one of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are to be taken from the respective subclaims.

The invention relates to a safety steering column for a vehicle, in particular for a karting vehicle. The

Safety steering column comprises a deformation element, which is arranged between the steering wheel and steering column and which allows under load pivotal movement of the steering wheel to the steering wheel end of the steering column.

For example, in the event of an accident, the driver first comes into contact with the lower rim of the steering wheel. At a given force, the deformation element gives way and the lower steering wheel rim can escape by the taking place thereby pivotal movement of the steering wheel to the end of the steering column in the direction of travel. The driver then comes in flat contact with substantially the entire surface of the steering wheel, so that the kinetic energy can be dissipated distributed over the entire surface of the steering wheel. Serious injuries, especially in accidents in the

Karting sports can be avoided in many accident situations. From a quasi-point load so a surface load.

It is understood that the deformation element is designed such that it does not yield during normal operation of the vehicle.

Steering wheel and steering column are preferably removable from the deformation element, in particular unscrewable, formed. Thus, the deformation element can be exchanged in a simple manner and in particular adapted to a different driver's weight. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the deformation element comprises a substantially U-shaped section, to one's ^"kel the steering wheel and at its opposite leg

Steering column is attached. The U-shaped section, which is preferably formed of sheet metal, in particular of steel, thus has a base and two legs. When loaded from the open side of the U-shaped section, such an arrangement yields more easily than when loaded on the base.

The safety steering column is preferably designed such that the steering wheel gives way more easily in the event of a load acting on a lower edge of the steering wheel than on a load acting on an upper edge.

When installed, therefore, preferably the base of the U-shaped portion is arranged in the direction of travel, whereas the open side of the U-shaped portion in

Direction of the driver shows. Thus, the legs of the U-shaped section bend together on contact of the driver with the lower rim of the steering wheel. Already when the steering wheel abuts flat in an accident, the base of the U-shaped section can also bend together. Thus, the deformation element acts simultaneously as a high energy absorber, which degrades the kinetic energy.

The deformation element is formed in a preferred embodiment of the invention such that it comprises a bent sheet, which at least partially in areas with a larger radius of curvature weakened against sections of lesser radius of curvature.

In particular, it is provided to weaken the base of the U-shaped section in the case of a U-shaped section. Such weakenings can be formed, for example, by lateral recesses, bores or even thinner designed sheet metal.

Upon deformation of the deformation element, the stress is distributed more uniformly over the entire U-shaped section. Areas with a larger radius of curvature, in particular essentially flat areas, thus contribute to a greater degree to the deformation. At the same time, the weakened portion is more effective as an energy absorbing crumple zone.

Next, the weakenings, in particular as a hole formed the simple vote of

Deformation element to serve the weight of the driver.

In particular, from bent sheet metal can be provided in a very simple manner, a deformation element with a low weight, in particular a weight of less than 1000, preferably less than 500 g.

In a further development of the invention, the deformation element comprises means for adjusting the angle of the steering wheel to the steering column. So the driver can adjust the steering wheel according to his wishes. InsObesondere is provided to contract the U-shaped configured section via a screw and so to adjust the angle of the steering wheel to the steering column.

In this case, the deformation element not only serves safety, but at the same time makes it possible to adapt the vehicle, in particular the karts, to the respective driver.

Preferably, the adjusting screw extends substantially parallel to the steering column and engages a bridge of the deformation element arranged between two steering wheel-side vanes. So a particularly simple adjustment is possible.

In a further development of the invention, the steering column is fastened to the vehicle with a tear-off element.

In particular for karts is provided to provide a steering column, which is a conventional lower

Attachment or a lower bearing of the steering column has and which is secured in an upper region with a tear-off, which breaks off at a predetermined force, so that the steering column can fold away in the direction of travel.

Such a configuration can prevent the frontal impact that the driver, in particular a karts, slips into the vehicle inside. Rather, the driver is lifted on the steering wheel on the Kart.

In differently designed vehicles is alternatively also conceivable to hang the steering column so that when Triggering the tear-off element can avoid the entire steering column forward.

The invention further relates to a tear-off element for the steering column of a vehicle, in particular for a safety steering column described above.

According to the invention, the tear-off element comprises means for attachment to a vehicle and a predetermined breaking point.

Preferably, the tear-off element is designed as a bearing for the steering column. The steering column is thus rotatably mounted in the tearing element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the predetermined breaking point is formed by webs arranged on the bearing.

Preferably, the tear-off element is designed as a one-piece plastic component in which the release force at which the tear-off element breaks off can be adjusted over the width of the web.

In this way, in particular if the webs by introducing milling grooves in a

Plastic injection molded part are formed with a tool to provide a plurality of tear elements with different release force.

Compared to the formation of the grooves through the injection mold, which is also possible, it has been found that the material has a more homogeneous strength when the grooves are subsequently milled. Preferably, the tear-off element is designed to be interchangeable and can thus be matched to the respective weight or the respective weight class of the driver.

In particular, tear-off elements are provided which trigger at a force between 0.5 and 20 kN, preferably between 2 and 8 kN.

The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a kart vehicle with a safety steering column described above.

In particular, when installed in a kart, the steering column is preferably at an angle between 30 and 70 °, more preferably between 40 and 60 ° to the horizontal.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a kart, which comprises a previously described tear-off element, in which therefore no deformation element, but only a tear-off is provided so that the steering column can dodge in the direction of travel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention used for karts, the safety steering column comprises both the deformation element and the tear-off element.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be described below with reference to the drawings Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, which show schematically illustrated embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail.

1 shows the components of a safety steering column with a tear-off element and a deformation element,

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show two different embodiments of a

Deformation element,

Fig. 4 shows a punched or cut out

Sheet metal part from which a deformation element is folded,

Fig. 5 shows a tear-off element.

In Fig. 1 the essential components of an embodiment of a safety steering column 1 are shown schematically in a perspective view.

The safety steering column 1 comprises a handlebar 2 and a steering wheel 3.

Between the steering wheel 3 and the handlebar 2, a deformation element 5 is attached.

The deformation element 5 comprises a substantially U-shaped profile, on one leg of which the steering wheel 3 is fastened by means of the screws 4. On the opposite side, the steering rod 2 is inserted into the deformation element 5 and fastened by means of the screw 6.

The deformation element 5, which thus between

Handlebar 2 and steering wheel 3 is arranged, has the task, in the event of an accident pivotal movement of the steering wheel to allow the upper end of the steering column 2.

Thus, the steering wheel 3 can lay substantially flat on the chest of the driver. The force is thereby distributed over a much larger area and arranged on the steering wheel baffle plate (not shown) can develop with almost their entire surface effect. The maximum pressure on the loaded area therefore decreases.

Next, in this embodiment, the deformation element 5 an adjustment of the angle of the steering wheel 3 to the steering column 2.

In this embodiment, the screw 9 is inserted through arranged on wings of the deformation element 5 holes 12 and fastened with the nut 10 for this purpose.

The nut 10 is designed as a self-locking nut. The screw 9 forms a bridge on which the eyebolt 8 can attack.

In the assembled state (not shown), the screw 9 is pushed through the eye of the eye bolt 8.

On the opposite side, the eyebolt 8 is pushed through the bore 13. By means of the nut 11, which is screwed onto the eyebolt 8, so the deformation element 5 can be contracted, whereby an adjustment of the angle of the steering wheel 3 to the steering column 2 is possible.

Next, the safety steering column 1 in this embodiment, a tear-off element 7.

In the assembled state, the tear-off element 7, which is fastened to the vehicle (not shown), forms an upper bearing of the handlebar 2. In the lower area there is another bearing 14 for the handlebar 2, of which only the bearing inner part is shown here. The associated bearing shell (not shown) is attached to the body of the vehicle.

In the event of an accident, the tear-off element 7 releases at a predetermined force, thus tearing off, which allows the steering column 2 to buckle.

Since the steering column is then still attached to the lower bearing 14, in the event of an accident, the driver resting on the steering wheel 3 is lifted by the steering column over the vehicle.

It is understood that this embodiment of the invention is intended primarily for karts.

However, other embodiments of the invention, preferably without the tear-off element 7, can also be used in other vehicles, in particular in vehicles without an airbag. 2 shows a perspective view of a deformation element 5. The deformation element 5 consists of a folded sheet-metal part, to which a receptacle 26 for the steering column is fastened, in particular welded.

On the opposite side threads 24 are provided for attachment of a steering wheel.

Between the threads 24 is a central

Bore 28, which can serve for centering the steering wheel or for attaching gauges.

In a substantially straight region, ie a region with a large radius of curvature at the base of the U-shaped profile, the deformation element has lateral recesses 20, which serve as weakening zones.

The deformation element 5 is thus weakened in the area with a large radius of curvature with respect to other areas with a smaller radius of curvature 25.

As a result, when the deformation element 5 is deformed, the stress is distributed more uniformly along the U-shaped profile.

The deformation element 5 furthermore has lateral wings 21. In a deformation, the wings 21 close the arranged on the opposite side web 22, whereby a lateral buckling of the steering wheel is prevented. Next, in the wings 21, a bore 12 is provided, through which a bolt or a screw can be inserted, which serves as a point of application for an adjustment (not shown).

The wings 21, which do not have to absorb high forces, have recesses 23 for reducing the weight.

The web 22 is also formed by the folded sheet metal part. The web 22 is also in the manner of a

U-profile of the remaining deformation element 5 angled. Thus, the web 22 is spaced from the leg of the U-shaped portion.

In the web 22, a bore 13 is arranged, which serves to carry out the eyebolt shown in Fig. 1, with which the upper leg of

Deformationselementes 5, to which the steering wheel is attached and the lower leg to which the steering column is attached, can be pulled together. So the angle of the steering wheel to the steering column can be changed.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a deformation element, wherein for weakening the base of the U-shaped portion of the deformation element 5 depending on the weight of the driver holes 27 are provided.

Fig. 4 shows a punched or cut sheet metal part, from which a deformation element is bent. The sheet metal part comprises a base 30 and the legs 31 and 32, through which the U-shaped base profile is formed in the finished state.

The leg 31 serves to attach the steering wheel, whereas the leg 32 serves to fasten the steering column. For this purpose, a recording is welded to the sheet (not shown).

On the leg 31, the wings 21 are arranged, which have recesses for weight savings.

The web 22 is formed in that on the leg 32, the sheet metal part is folded in a U-shape, so that the web 22 is the leg 32 opposite.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a tear-off element 7. The tear-off element 7 is made of plastic and is designed in particular as an injection-molded part.

In this embodiment, the tear-off part has two holes 40 with which it is attached to a vehicle, in particular a kart.

A transverse, in particular perpendicular to the holes 40 extending guide 41 serves as a bearing for the handlebar (not shown).

The guide 41 is cut on both sides by the grooves 43 and is held together only by a relatively narrow web 42. In the event of an accident, the web 42 breaks at a predetermined force.

Over the width of the web 42, the release force of the tear-off element can be determined in a very simple manner.

Thus, differently shaped tear-off elements for different weight classes can be provided.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to a

Combination of the features described above is limited, but that the skilled person will combine all features, as appropriate, arbitrary.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 safety steering column

2 steering column

3 steering wheel

4 screw

5 deformation element

6 screw

7 tear-off element

8 eyebolt

9 screw

10 mother

11 mother

12 hole

13 hole

14 lower bearing

20 recess

21 wings

22 footbridge

23 recess

24 threads

25 area with a small radius of curvature

26 recording

27 recess

28 hole

30 basis

31 thighs

32 thighs

40 hole

41 leadership

42 footbridge

43 groove

Claims

Claims :

A safety steering column for a vehicle, in particular for a kart, comprising a deformation element arranged between the steering column and the steering wheel, which permits a pivoting movement of the steering wheel about the steering wheel end of the steering column when loaded.

2. Safety steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation element comprises a substantially U-shaped section, on one leg of the steering wheel and on the other leg, the steering column is attached.

3. Safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element is formed as a bent sheet metal.

4. Safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element comprises a bent sheet, which is weakened at least in sections in areas with a larger radius of curvature in relation to areas with a smaller radius of curvature.

5. Safety steering column according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sheet is weakened by in particular edge-arranged recesses and / or bores.

6. Safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element comprises means for adjusting the angle of the steering wheel to the steering column.

7. Safety steering column according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the angle of the steering wheel to the steering column via an adjusting screw, with which a substantially U-shaped portion of the deformation element can be expanded or contracted, is adjustable.

8. Safety steering column according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjusting screw extends substantially parallel to the steering column.

9. Safety steering column according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjusting screw engages a bridge arranged between two steering wheel side wings.

10. Safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation element has a weight of less than 1000 g, preferably less than 500 g.

11. Safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering column is secured with a tear-off element on the vehicle.

12. demolition element for the steering column of a vehicle, in particular for a safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for attachment on a vehicle and a predetermined breaking point.

13. tear-off element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tear-off element is designed as a bearing for the steering column.

14. tear-off element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the predetermined breaking point is formed by webs arranged on the bearing.

15. tear-off element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tear-off element is formed as a one-piece plastic component.

16. tear-off element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tear-off element is designed such that it triggers at a force between 0.5 and 20 kN, preferably between 2 and 8 kN.

17. vehicle, in particular kart, comprising a

Safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims.

18. vehicle, in particular kart, comprising a tear-off element according to one of the preceding claims.

19. vehicle, in particular kart, comprising a safety steering column according to one of the preceding claims and a tear-off element according to one of the preceding claims.