WO2008053327A1 - Vehicle steering apparatus - Google Patents

Vehicle steering apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008053327A1
WO2008053327A1 PCT/IB2007/003294 IB2007003294W WO2008053327A1 WO 2008053327 A1 WO2008053327 A1 WO 2008053327A1 IB 2007003294 W IB2007003294 W IB 2007003294W WO 2008053327 A1 WO2008053327 A1 WO 2008053327A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
steering wheel
airbag
airbag device
position adjusting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2007/003294
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Shigeru Hoshino
Original Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Publication of WO2008053327A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008053327A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
    • B60R21/05—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings associated with the steering wheel, steering hand lever or steering column
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
    • B62D1/184—Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
    • B62D1/185—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus and, more particularly, to a vehicle steering apparatus that includes a steering wheel, supported on a vehicle body, for steering a motor vehicle and an airbag device, which is deployed in the event of a collision to restrain a vehicle occupant, installed in the steering wheel so that.
  • an airbag device for use in a vehicle steering apparatus is integrally assembled with a steering wheel.
  • the airbag of the airbag device (normally stored in a collapsed state) is designed so that, the airbag is inflated and deployed between the steering wheel and a vehicle occupant (driver) seated on a vehicle backward side of the steering wheel in the event of a collision to restrain a vehicle occupant (who may possibly be thrown in the forward direction of the vehicle and make a secondary collision with the steering wheel by the inertia as a result of the vehicle collision).
  • Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-79944 describes a vehicle steering apparatus by which the distance between a steering wheel and a vehicle occupant (driver) is changed to a predetermined distance in case of a vehicle collision.
  • the steering wheel integrally equipped with an airbag device is designed to be pulled a predetermined distance in a vehicle forward direction.
  • the vehicle occupant (driver) holding the steering wheel may possibly be pulled in the vehicle forward direction as the steering wheel is pulled a predetermined distance in the vehicle forward direction. Therefore, it may sometimes impossible to secure the predetermined distance required for inflating and deploying an airbag.
  • the spacing between the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant is greater than the predetermined distance, the spacing between the inflated and deployed airbag and the vehicle occupant ought to become wider. The widened spacing increases the free moving distance over which the vehicle occupant moves. Thus, it is sometimes the case that the initial restraint of the vehicle occupant by the airbag is carried out too late.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle steering apparatus that inflates and deploys an airbag in a suitable relationship with a vehicle occupant regardless of the position of a steering wheel, thereby improving occupant restrainability of the airbag. More particularly, the present invention provides a vehicle steering apparatus that increases the distance between the airbag device and a vehicle occupant to thereby increase the airbag inflation and deployment space if there is insufficient space to properly inflate and deploy an airbag. Conversely, if the airbag inflation and deployment space is too great, the vehicle steering apparatus reduces the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant to thereby shorten a free moving distance over which the vehicle occupant moves prior to being restrained by the airbag, consequently improving initial occupant restrainability of the airbag.
  • the vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a steering wheel supported on a vehicle body, an airbag device provided in the steering wheel, and an airbag position adjusting unit that moves and adjusts the airbag device in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel.
  • the airbag device can be moved and adjusted by the airbag position adjusting unit in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel.
  • the initial position of the airbag device is set under the assumption that the vehicle occupant (driver) has an average physique, and the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant is set to become equal to a predetermined distance. If the vehicle occupant has a smaller-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant moves in the forward direction of the vehicle and, in response, the airbag device is also moved forward by a predetermined distance.
  • the vehicle occupant If the vehicle occupant has a larger-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant is moved in the rearward direction of the vehicle and, in response, the airbag device is also moved rearward by a predetermined distance.
  • the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant may be maintained at or near a predetermined distance.
  • the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant may be suitably adjusted regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant.
  • the airbag may be suitably inflated and deployed in between the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant. It is also possible for the inflated and deployed airbag to suitably restrain the vehicle occupant from being thrown in the forward direction of the vehicle as a result of the vehicle collision. This helps to improve vehicle occupant restrainability of the airbag.
  • the airbag device can be moved and adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel. The distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant can be maintained at or near the predetermined distance without adversely affecting the driving posture (the operability of the steering wheel).
  • the vehicle steering apparatus may include a steering wheel position adjusting unit that adjusts a position of the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This provides additional effects other than the operational effects noted above. If the vehicle occupant has a smaller-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant is moved in a vehicle forward direction as compared to a case where the vehicle occupant has the standard physique and, in response, the steering wheel is displaced to the vehicle forward side by a predetermined distance. If the vehicle occupant has a larger-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant is moved in a vehicle rearward direction and, in response, the steering wheel is displaced to the vehicle rearward side by a predetermined distance.
  • the steering wheel may be brought into a position assuring good operability. This helps improve occupant restrainability of the airbag by suitably adjusting the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant and, to obtain enhanced steering wheel operability by suitably adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle steering apparatus may include a measuring unit that measures the distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant and a controller that controls the airbag position adjusting unit to adjust a position of the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel so that a distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant comes close to a predetermined distance, based on the measured distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant.
  • the vehicle steering apparatus may include an airbag position detector that detects a position of the airbag device or the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a seat position detector that detects a position of a seat occupied by the vehicle occupant and a controller that, based on the seat position and the airbag position detected by the airbag position detector and the seat position detector, controls the airbag position adjusting unit to adjust a position of the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel so that a distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant comes close to a predetermined distance.
  • the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant can be maintained at the predetermined distance by adjusting the position of the airbag device in the longitudinal • direction of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle occupant.
  • the position of the airbag device is also adjusted by the airbag position adjusting unit in the same direction as that of the steering wheel but by a distance greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel.
  • the airbag device is adjusted in the same direction as the moving direction of the steering wheel but by a distance greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel, it becomes possible to adjust, regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant, the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant so that the distance can be maintained at or near the predetermined distance.
  • the airbag position adjusting unit may adjust the position of the airbag device when the position of the steering wheel is being adjusted by the steering wheel position adjusting unit.
  • the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant may be suitably adjusted when adjusting the position of the steering wheel, i.e., prior to occurrence of a vehicle collision. Therefore, there is no need to use an high speed actuator to adjust the position of the airbag device at a vehicle collision. This makes it possible to embody the present invention in a cost-effective manner.
  • the airbag position adjusting unit may keeps the airbag device in an initially set position with respect to the steering wheel under a normal situation (in case of non-occurrence of a vehicle collision) and includes an actuator for moving and adjusting the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the initially set position when a vehicle collision occurs (detectable by a collision predicting and detection unit or a collision detector).
  • the airbag device is kept in the initially set position while the vehicle is normally running. Therefore, there is no change in the positional relationship between the steering wheel and the airbag device, thus causing no sense of visual incongruity.
  • the actuator adjusts the position of the airbag device and eventually adjusts the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant, thereby accomplishing a desired operational effect.
  • the steering wheel position adjusting unit may include a column housing through which a shaft of the steering wheel is inserted and held in place, a pair of support mechanisms for supporting opposite end portions of the column housing in such a manner that the column housing can be moved and adjusted in the axial direction of the column, and a locking mechanism coupled to one of the pair of support mechanisms for locking axial movement of the column housing.
  • the airbag position adjusting unit may include a driving member that can rotate in forward and reverse directions, a driving sleeve for receiving torque from the driving member and rotating about the steering wheel shaft in forward and reverse directions, the driving sleeve held against axial movement, a driven sleeve having an inner circumference spline-coupled to an outer circumference of the driving sleeve, a connecting member rotatably provided in one end portion of the driven sleeve, and a fixing member engaged at one end with the connecting member and fixedly secured at the other end to a support shaft of the airbag device.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing one embodiment of a vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view illustrating major parts of the vehicle steering apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
  • Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are a view schematically illustrating operations of the vehicle steering apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a side view schematically showing another embodiment of a vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing major parts of one example of an embodiment in which a steering wheel position adjusting device and an airbag position adjusting device are all of a manual;
  • Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing major parts of another example of the embodiment in which the steering wheel position adjusting device and the airbag position adjusting device are all of a manual.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 show a vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering wheel 10, an airbag device 20, an airbag position adjusting device 30, a collision detecting sensor Sl, an airbag position detecting sensor S2, a seat position detecting sensor S3 and an electric control unit ECU.
  • the steering wheel 10 includes a pair of left and right non-circular grips 11 (which may possibly be a circular grip), a tubular hub 12 and a spoke 13 for interconnecting the grips 11 and the hub 12.
  • the hub 12 is integrally spline-coupled to a rear end portion of a main steering shaft 41 and is fixed against removal by means of a lock nut 42.
  • the main steering shaft 41 is of a hollow shape (excepting the tip end thereof) and is supported on a column housing 43 through a pair of bearings BrI and Br2 in a rotatable but axially immovable manner.
  • the main steering shaft 41 is connected at its tip end to a steering gear box (not shown) through a joint 44 and an intermediate shaft 45. Accordingly, when the steering wheel 10 is operated by a vehicle occupant (driver) D the vehicle wheels (not shown) are operated to steer a motor vehicle.
  • the column housing 43 is supported on a vehicle body (column supporting bracket) 70 through a front support mechanism 50 and a rear support mechanism 60 so that the position of the column housing 43 can be adjusted in the axial direction of the column (longitudinal direction of the vehicle).
  • the front support mechanism 50 includes a pair of left and right "L"-shaped brackets 51 and 52 fixed at their upper ends to the vehicle body 70 by means of bolts (not shown), and a bolt 53 inserted into mounting holes (not shown) formed in the lower end portions of the brackets 51 and 52 and also into a slot 43a formed in the front upper portion of the column housing 43.
  • the bolt 53 is kept against removal by means of a nut (not shown).
  • the column housing 43 is axially movably supported by a shaft portion of the bolt 53.
  • the rear support mechanism 60 includes a pair of left and right "L"-shaped brackets 61 and 62 fixed at their upper ends to the vehicle body 70 by means of bolts (not shown), and a bolt 63 inserted into mounting holes 62a formed in the lower end portions of the brackets 61 and 62 and also into a slot 43b formed in the rear lower portion of the column housing 43.
  • the bolt 63 is kept against removal by means of a nut (not shown).
  • the column housing 43 is axially movably supported by a shaft portion of the bolt 63.
  • the rear support mechanism 60 includes an operating lever 64 (see Fig. 1) fitted to the bolt 63.
  • the operating lever 64 can be operated into a locking position to cause a rotary cam (not shown) to lock up the column housing 43 against movement in the column axis direction. Furthermore, the operating lever 64 can be operated into an unlocking position to cause the rotary cam (not shown) to unlock the column housing 43, thereby allowing the column housing 43 to be moved in the column axis direction.
  • the column housing 43, the front support mechanism 50 and the rear support mechanism 60 serve as a steering wheel position adjusting device that can adjust the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the steering wheel position adjusting device includes the column housing 43 through which the main steering shaft 41 of the steering wheel 10 inserted and fixed in place, the pair of front and rear support mechanisms 50 and 60 for supporting the opposite ends of the column housing 43 so that the column housing 43 can be moved and position-adjusted in the axial direction of the column, and the locking mechanism coupled to one of the pair of front and rear support mechanisms 50 and 60 for locking the axial movement of the column housing 43.
  • the airbag device 20 includes a support shaft 21, a base plate 22 integrally secured to the support shaft 21, an inflator 23 attached to the base plate 22, an airbag 24 and a cover 25.
  • the airbag device 20 is installed inside the steering wheel 10 (so that it can be partially received within the space formed between the grips 11 and the spoke 13).
  • the airbag device 20 is supported on the vehicle body 70 through the main steering shaft 41, the pair of bearings BrI and Br2, the column housing 43 and the front and rear support mechanisms 50 and 60. Furthermore, the position of the airbag device 20 can be adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 in the axial direction of the column with respect to the steering wheel 10 but independently of the position of the steering wheel 10.
  • the inflator 23 may be a conventional inflator that is controlled by the electric control unit ECU to which the collision detecting sensor S 1 and the inflator 23 are electrically connected.
  • the airbag 24 is disposed inside the cover 25 in a folded state until the inflator 23 is activated.
  • the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed in a conventional manner from the folded state (the state shown in Fig. 2) toward the vehicle occupant D in between the steering wheel 10 and the vehicle occupant D. This makes it possible for the airbag 24 to restrain the vehicle occupant D.
  • the cover 25 is designed to be open by the airbag 24 during the initial deployment of the airbag 24.
  • the airbag position adjusting device 30 adjusts the position of the airbag device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel 10.
  • the airbag position adjusting device 30 includes a driving motor 31, a pinion gear 32, a driving sleeve 33, a driven sleeve 34 and a driven ring 35.
  • the driving motor 31 is mounted in the column housing 43 and controlled by the electric control unit ECU.
  • the driving motor 31 rotates the driving sleeve 33 in a forward or reverse direction through the pinion gear 32.
  • the driving sleeve 33 is fitted to the column housing 43 through a bearing Br3 so that it can be rotated with respect to the column housing 43 but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column.
  • the driving sleeve 33 has an external spline 33a formed on an outer circumference of a small-diameter portion of the driving sleeve 33 and the driven sleeve 34 has an internal spline 34a formed on an inner circumference of the driven sleeve 34.
  • the external spline 33a of the driving sleeve 33 is coupled to the internal spline 34a of the driven sleeve 34 so that they can transfer a torque and can move relative to each other in the axial direction of the column.
  • the driven sleeve 34 has a male thread portion 34b formed on an outer circumference of the driven sleeve 34.
  • the male thread portion 34b is engaged with a female thread portion 43c formed in the column housing 43, whereby the driven sleeve 34 can be rotated and moved in the axial direction of the column upon rotation of the driving sleeve 33.
  • the driven ring 35 is fitted to the inner circumference of the driven sleeve 34 through a bearing Br4 so that it can be rotated relative to the driven sleeve 34 but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column. Furthermore, the driven ring 35 is fitted in such a manner as to move together with the driven sleeve 34 as a unit.
  • the driven ring 35 has an annular groove 35a formed on an inner circumference of the driven ring 35.
  • a connecting pin 36 fixed to the support shaft 21 is received in the annular groove 35a of the driven ring 35 at its distal end (i.e., at the end portion protruding from the main steering shaft 41).
  • the connecting pin 36 is fixedly secured at its proximal end to the support shaft 21 and protrudes through an axially extending slit 41a formed in the main steering shaft 41 so that it can be moved along the slit 41a in the axial direction of the column.
  • the airbag position adjusting device 30 configured as above, if the driving motor 31 is rotated in a forward direction, the connecting pin 36 is displaced in a vehicle forward direction by means of the driven ring 35 and, consequently, the airbag device 20 is moved in the direction indicated by an arrow F in Fig. 2. If the driving motor 31 is rotated in a reverse direction, the connecting pin 36 is displaced in a vehicle rearward direction by means of the driven ring 35 and, hence, the airbag device 20 is moved in the direction indicated by an arrow R in Fig. 2.
  • the electric control unit ECU is electrically connected to the collision detecting sensor Sl, the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3 and is also electrically connected to the inflator 23 of the airbag device 20 and the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30. In accordance with a detection signal of the collision detecting sensor Sl, the electric control unit ECU may control the operation of the inflator 23 in a conventional manner.
  • the electric control unit ECU controls the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30 to adjust the distance between the airbag device 20, which includes the airbag 24 disposed in a folded state, or the steering wheel 10, and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D to be equal to (or close to) a predetermined distance Lo (see double-headed arrows shown in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C). Therefore, when the position of the steering wheel 10 is adjusted using the steering wheel position adjusting device, the position of the airbag device 20 is also adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30. Similarly, when the position of the seat ST is adjusted, the position of the airbag device 20 is also adjusted by means of the airbag position adjusting device 30.
  • the airbag position detecting sensor S2 detects the position of the airbag device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle based on the position of the support shaft 21 relative to the bracket 61.
  • the airbag position detecting sensor S2 outputs a positional information signal for the airbag device 20 to the electric control unit ECU.
  • the seat position detecting sensor S3 detects the position of the seat of the vehicle occupant D based on the position of the seat ST relative to a vehicle floor FR in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the seat position detecting sensor S3 output an information signal indicating the position of the seat of the vehicle occupant D to the electric control unit ECU.
  • the electric control unit ECU controls the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30 in accordance with the positional information signals supplied from the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3.
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is adjusted to become equal to (or close to) the predetermined distance Lo, as illustrated in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C.
  • Such an adjusting operation may be completed prior to a vehicle collision, allowing the vehicle occupant D to suitably adjust the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D. Therefore, there is no need to use an actuator that, in case of a vehicle collision, speedily adjusts the vehicle lengthwise position of the airbag device 20. This makes it possible to embody the present invention in a cost-effective manner.
  • the electric control unit ECU may control the operation of the inflator 23 in a conventional manner in response to the detection signal of the collision detecting sensor Sl.
  • a gas is supplied from the inflator 23 to deploy the airbag 24 between the steering wheel 10 and the vehicle occupant D to restrain the vehicle occupant D.
  • Fig. 3A illustrates a case that the vehicle occupant D has a smaller-than-average physique.
  • the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved toward the front of the vehicle.
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be changed to the predetermined distance Lo by moving the position of the airbag device 20, from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 B toward the front of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Laf.
  • the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 3B toward the front of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Lbf (where Lbf ⁇ Laf).
  • Fig. 3B illustrates a case that the vehicle occupant D has an average physique (a physique of intermediate size).
  • the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is moved further toward the rear of the vehicle as compared to the case illustrated in Fig. 3 A.
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 i and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be changed to the predetermined distance Lo by moving the position of the airbag device 20, from the position illustrated in Fig. 3A by a predetermined distance
  • Fig. 3C illustrates a case when the vehicle occupant D has a larger-than-average physique.
  • the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved even further toward the rear of the vehicle than the case shown in Fig. 3B.
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be changed to the predetermined distance Lo by moving the position of the airbag device 20, from the position illustrated in Fig. 3B by a predetermined distance Lar toward the rear of the vehicle.
  • the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 3B toward the rear of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Lbr (where Lbr ⁇ Lar).
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be suitably adjusted regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant D.
  • the airbag 24 may be suitably inflated and deployed in between the steering wheel 10 and the vehicle occupant D. It is also possible for the inflated and deployed airbag 24 to suitably restrain the vehicle occupant D who may be thrown in a vehicle forward direction as a result of a vehicle collision. This helps to improve vehicle occupant restrainability of the airbag 24.
  • the position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the airbag may be suitably adjusted regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant D.
  • the steering wheel 24 may be independently adjusted with respect to the steering wheel 10. This ensures that the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D can be maintained at the predetermined distance Lo without adversely affecting the driving posture (the operability of the steering wheel 10).
  • the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved toward the front of the vehicle and, accordingly, the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved to the vehicle forward side by a predetermined distance. Furthermore, if the vehicle occupant D has a larger-than-average physique, the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved toward the rear of the vehicle and, accordingly, the position of the steering wheel 10 is also moved to the vehicle rearward side by a predetermined distance.
  • the steering wheel 10 can be moved to a position assuring a good operability.
  • a manual steering wheel position adjusting device (telescope adjusting advice) is used to adjust the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • an electrically powered steering wheel position adjusting device may be provided instead.
  • the electric control unit ECU controls the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30 in accordance with the positional information signals supplied from the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3, whereby the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is adjusted to the predetermined distance Lo.
  • a sensor S4 may be employed to measure the distance between the airbag device 20 or the steering wheel 10 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D.
  • the sensor S4 may be attached to the cover 25 of the airbag device 20 or the steering wheel 10 to measure the distance between the airbag device 20 or the steering wheel 10 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D.
  • the electric control unit ECU may control the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30.
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 at the time when the vehicle occupant D adjusts at least one of the positions of the steering wheel 10 and the seat ST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to secure a convenient driving posture.
  • the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 at the moment when a motor vehicle makes a collision, e.g., immediately before a vehicle collision detected by a conventional collision predicting and detecting sensor S5 (see Fig. 4) or immediately after a vehicle collision detected by a collision detecting device (the collision detecting sensor Sl shown in Fig. 1).
  • the airbag position adjusting device 30 employs an actuator (corresponding to the driving motor 31 shown in Fig. 2) that normally keeps the airbag device 20 in an initially set position with respect to the steering wheel 10 but moves the airbag device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the initially set position in case of a vehicle collision. Therefore, there is no change in the positional relationship between the steering wheel 10 and the airbag device 20, thus causing no sense of visual incongruity.
  • the actuator adjusts the position of the airbag device 20 at a high speed and properly adjusts the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D, thereby accomplishing a desired operational effect.
  • the airbag position adjusting device 30 is of an electrically powered type, and the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is automatically adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 when the vehicle occupant D adjusts at least one of the positions of the steering wheel 10 and the seat ST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • a manual airbag position adjusting device may be used in place of the electrically powered airbag position adjusting device 30.
  • a manual steering wheel position adjusting device 110 may be operatively connected to a manual airbag position adjusting device 120.
  • a manual steering wheel position adjusting device 210 may be operatively connected to a manual airbag position adjusting device 220 as shown in Fig. 6.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a steer-by-wire type vehicle steering apparatus (that performs a steering operation while allowing a steering wheel to receive a steering reaction force against a column housing from a reaction motor.
  • the manual steering wheel position adjusting device 110 shown in Fig. 5 includes a column housing 140 that supports the steering wheel 10 in such a manner that it can be rotated but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column, a rack bar 111 integrally formed with the column housing 140 and a small-diameter pinion 112 that remains engaged with the rack bar 111.
  • the small-diameter pinion 112 is integrally fitted to a support shaft 131.
  • the manual airbag position-adjusting device 120 includes a rack bar 121 integrally formed with the airbag device 20 and a large-diameter pinion 122 that remains engaged with with the rack bar 121.
  • the large-diameter pinion 122 is integrally fitted to the support shaft 131.
  • the support shaft 131 is rotatably fitted to a bracket 132 fixedly secured to an instrument panel 133. Rotation of the support shaft 131 causes the pinions 112 and 122 to rotate together. Furthermore, the support shaft 131 is configured so that the rotation of the support shaft 131 may be restricted by a manual locking mechanism (not shown).
  • the column housing 140 is supported on the vehicle body (a column support bracket not shown in the drawings) through a support mechanism (not shown) so that the position of the column housing 140 can be adjusted in the axial direction of the column (longitudinal direction of the vehicle).
  • the column housing 140 supports a reaction motor 141.
  • the reaction motor 141 applies a steering reaction force to the steering wheel 10 and has a pinion 141a fixed to a rotating shaft of the steering wheel 10.
  • the pinion 141a is meshed with a ring gear 10a of the steering wheel 10.
  • the support shaft 131 may be rotated by unlocking the manual locking mechanism and, when unlocked, the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle may be adjusted.
  • the airbag device 20 can be moved in the vehicle forward direction (or the vehicle rearward direction) by a distance equal to or greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel 10.
  • the manual steering wheel position adjusting device 210 shown in Fig. 6 includes a column housing 240 that supports the steering wheel 10 in such a manner that it can be rotated but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column, a rod 211 integrally formed with the column housing 240 and a connecting pin 212 fixed to the rod 211.
  • the connecting pin 212 is slidably inserted into a slot 231a of a link 231 formed along the length of the link 231.
  • the manual airbag position adjusting device 220 includes a rod 221 integrally formed with the airbag device 20 and a connecting pin 222 fixed to the rod 221.
  • the connecting pin 222 is slidably inserted into a slot 231b of the link 231 formed along the length of the link 231.
  • the link 231 is rotatably fitted to an instrument panel 233 through a support pin 232. Rotation of the link 231 causes the connecting pins 212 and 222 to move together in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (axial direction of the column) depending on the rotation amount of the link 231. Furthermore, the rotation of the link 231 may be restricted by means of a manual locking mechanism (not shown).
  • the column housing 240 is supported on the vehicle body (a column support bracket not shown in the drawings) through a support mechanism (not shown) so that the position of the column housing may be adjusted in the axial direction of the column.
  • the column housing 240 is configured to support a reaction motor 241.
  • the reaction motor 241 applies a steering reaction force to the steering wheel 10 and has a pinion 241a fixed to a rotating shaft of the steering wheel 10.
  • the pinion 241a meshes with the ring gear 10a of the steering wheel 10.
  • the support shaft 231 is made rotatable through the unlocking operation of the manual locking mechanism and, when unlocked, the steering wheel 10 is then displaced in the vehicle forward direction (or the vehicle rearward direction).
  • the airbag device 20 may be moved in the vehicle forward direction (or the vehicle rearward direction) by a distance equal to or greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel 10.
  • no shock energy absorbing mechanism is mounted on the column housing 43 (a steering column) that rotatably supports the main steering shaft 41.
  • a shock energy absorbing mechanism may be mounted on the steering column in the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the steering wheel 10 is designed to be moved and adjusted in the axial direction of the column by means of the steering wheel position adjusting device.
  • the steering wheel 10 may be designed in the embodiment of the present invention so that it cannot be moved and adjusted in the axial direction of the column.
  • At least the airbag device may be moved and adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel. It may also be possible to arbitrarily design the respective configurations of the steering wheel support structure, the airbag device support structure and the airbag position adjusting device for moving and adjusting the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle independently of the steering wheel 10.
  • the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle steering apparatus that deploys an airbag (24) in a suitable position with respect a vehicle occupant (D) regardless of the position of a steering wheel (10), thereby improving occupant restrainability of the airbag. The vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering wheel (10) supported on a vehicle body, an airbag device (20) provided inside the steering wheel that deploys an airbag toward to restrain the vehicle occupant in the event of a collision, and an airbag position adjusting unit that adjusts the airbag device in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel (10).

Description

VEHICLE STEERING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus and, more particularly, to a vehicle steering apparatus that includes a steering wheel, supported on a vehicle body, for steering a motor vehicle and an airbag device, which is deployed in the event of a collision to restrain a vehicle occupant, installed in the steering wheel so that.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In general, an airbag device for use in a vehicle steering apparatus is integrally assembled with a steering wheel. The airbag of the airbag device (normally stored in a collapsed state) is designed so that, the airbag is inflated and deployed between the steering wheel and a vehicle occupant (driver) seated on a vehicle backward side of the steering wheel in the event of a collision to restrain a vehicle occupant (who may possibly be thrown in the forward direction of the vehicle and make a secondary collision with the steering wheel by the inertia as a result of the vehicle collision).
[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-79944 describes a vehicle steering apparatus by which the distance between a steering wheel and a vehicle occupant (driver) is changed to a predetermined distance in case of a vehicle collision. In this vehicle steering apparatus, the steering wheel integrally equipped with an airbag device is designed to be pulled a predetermined distance in a vehicle forward direction.
[0004] With the vehicle steering apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. P2002-79944, the vehicle occupant (driver) holding the steering wheel may possibly be pulled in the vehicle forward direction as the steering wheel is pulled a predetermined distance in the vehicle forward direction. Therefore, it may sometimes impossible to secure the predetermined distance required for inflating and deploying an airbag. In contrast, if the spacing between the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant is greater than the predetermined distance, the spacing between the inflated and deployed airbag and the vehicle occupant ought to become wider. The widened spacing increases the free moving distance over which the vehicle occupant moves. Thus, it is sometimes the case that the initial restraint of the vehicle occupant by the airbag is carried out too late.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a vehicle steering apparatus that inflates and deploys an airbag in a suitable relationship with a vehicle occupant regardless of the position of a steering wheel, thereby improving occupant restrainability of the airbag. More particularly, the present invention provides a vehicle steering apparatus that increases the distance between the airbag device and a vehicle occupant to thereby increase the airbag inflation and deployment space if there is insufficient space to properly inflate and deploy an airbag. Conversely, if the airbag inflation and deployment space is too great, the vehicle steering apparatus reduces the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant to thereby shorten a free moving distance over which the vehicle occupant moves prior to being restrained by the airbag, consequently improving initial occupant restrainability of the airbag.
[0006] The vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a steering wheel supported on a vehicle body, an airbag device provided in the steering wheel, and an airbag position adjusting unit that moves and adjusts the airbag device in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel.
[0007] With the aspect of the present vehicle steering apparatus, the airbag device can be moved and adjusted by the airbag position adjusting unit in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel. The initial position of the airbag device is set under the assumption that the vehicle occupant (driver) has an average physique, and the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant is set to become equal to a predetermined distance. If the vehicle occupant has a smaller-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant moves in the forward direction of the vehicle and, in response, the airbag device is also moved forward by a predetermined distance. If the vehicle occupant has a larger-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant is moved in the rearward direction of the vehicle and, in response, the airbag device is also moved rearward by a predetermined distance. The distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant may be maintained at or near a predetermined distance.
[0008] Accordingly, the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant may be suitably adjusted regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant. As a result, in case of a vehicle collision, the airbag may be suitably inflated and deployed in between the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant. It is also possible for the inflated and deployed airbag to suitably restrain the vehicle occupant from being thrown in the forward direction of the vehicle as a result of the vehicle collision. This helps to improve vehicle occupant restrainability of the airbag. Furthermore, the airbag device can be moved and adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel. The distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant can be maintained at or near the predetermined distance without adversely affecting the driving posture (the operability of the steering wheel).
[0009] Furthermore, it is possible to optimize inflation, deployment, and vehicle occupant restrainability of the airbag by moving and adjusting the position of the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so that the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant can be maintained at the predetermined distance. Moreover, even if the mountability of the airbag device restricts its movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when adjusting the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant to the predetermined distance, it is possible to improve inflation and deployment ability and vehicle occupant restrainability of the airbag by allowing the airbag device to come close to the predetermined distance.
[0010] In the aspect of the present invention, the vehicle steering apparatus may include a steering wheel position adjusting unit that adjusts a position of the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This provides additional effects other than the operational effects noted above. If the vehicle occupant has a smaller-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant is moved in a vehicle forward direction as compared to a case where the vehicle occupant has the standard physique and, in response, the steering wheel is displaced to the vehicle forward side by a predetermined distance. If the vehicle occupant has a larger-than-average physique, the vehicle occupant is moved in a vehicle rearward direction and, in response, the steering wheel is displaced to the vehicle rearward side by a predetermined distance. The steering wheel may be brought into a position assuring good operability. This helps improve occupant restrainability of the airbag by suitably adjusting the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant and, to obtain enhanced steering wheel operability by suitably adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0011] In the aspect of the present invention, the vehicle steering apparatus may include a measuring unit that measures the distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant and a controller that controls the airbag position adjusting unit to adjust a position of the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel so that a distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant comes close to a predetermined distance, based on the measured distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant. Furthermore, the vehicle steering apparatus may include an airbag position detector that detects a position of the airbag device or the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a seat position detector that detects a position of a seat occupied by the vehicle occupant and a controller that, based on the seat position and the airbag position detected by the airbag position detector and the seat position detector, controls the airbag position adjusting unit to adjust a position of the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel so that a distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant comes close to a predetermined distance. In these cases, the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant can be maintained at the predetermined distance by adjusting the position of the airbag device in the longitudinal • direction of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle occupant.
[0012] In the aspect of the present invention, when the position of the steering wheel is adjusted by the steering wheel position adjusting unit, the position of the airbag device is also adjusted by the airbag position adjusting unit in the same direction as that of the steering wheel but by a distance greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel. In this case, because the airbag device is adjusted in the same direction as the moving direction of the steering wheel but by a distance greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel, it becomes possible to adjust, regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant, the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant so that the distance can be maintained at or near the predetermined distance. [0013] In the aspect of the present invention, the airbag position adjusting unit may adjust the position of the airbag device when the position of the steering wheel is being adjusted by the steering wheel position adjusting unit. In this case, the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant may be suitably adjusted when adjusting the position of the steering wheel, i.e., prior to occurrence of a vehicle collision. Therefore, there is no need to use an high speed actuator to adjust the position of the airbag device at a vehicle collision. This makes it possible to embody the present invention in a cost-effective manner.
[0014] In the aspect of the present invention, the airbag position adjusting unit may keeps the airbag device in an initially set position with respect to the steering wheel under a normal situation (in case of non-occurrence of a vehicle collision) and includes an actuator for moving and adjusting the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the initially set position when a vehicle collision occurs (detectable by a collision predicting and detection unit or a collision detector). According to this aspect, the airbag device is kept in the initially set position while the vehicle is normally running. Therefore, there is no change in the positional relationship between the steering wheel and the airbag device, thus causing no sense of visual incongruity. In case of a vehicle collision, the actuator adjusts the position of the airbag device and eventually adjusts the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant, thereby accomplishing a desired operational effect.
[0015] In the aspect of the present invention, the steering wheel position adjusting unit may include a column housing through which a shaft of the steering wheel is inserted and held in place, a pair of support mechanisms for supporting opposite end portions of the column housing in such a manner that the column housing can be moved and adjusted in the axial direction of the column, and a locking mechanism coupled to one of the pair of support mechanisms for locking axial movement of the column housing.
[0016] In the aspect of the present invention, the airbag position adjusting unit may include a driving member that can rotate in forward and reverse directions, a driving sleeve for receiving torque from the driving member and rotating about the steering wheel shaft in forward and reverse directions, the driving sleeve held against axial movement, a driven sleeve having an inner circumference spline-coupled to an outer circumference of the driving sleeve, a connecting member rotatably provided in one end portion of the driven sleeve, and a fixing member engaged at one end with the connecting member and fixedly secured at the other end to a support shaft of the airbag device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing one embodiment of a vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view illustrating major parts of the vehicle steering apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are a view schematically illustrating operations of the vehicle steering apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a side view schematically showing another embodiment of a vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing major parts of one example of an embodiment in which a steering wheel position adjusting device and an airbag position adjusting device are all of a manual; and
Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing major parts of another example of the embodiment in which the steering wheel position adjusting device and the airbag position adjusting device are all of a manual.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 show a vehicle steering apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering wheel 10, an airbag device 20, an airbag position adjusting device 30, a collision detecting sensor Sl, an airbag position detecting sensor S2, a seat position detecting sensor S3 and an electric control unit ECU.
[0019] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the steering wheel 10 includes a pair of left and right non-circular grips 11 (which may possibly be a circular grip), a tubular hub 12 and a spoke 13 for interconnecting the grips 11 and the hub 12. The hub 12 is integrally spline-coupled to a rear end portion of a main steering shaft 41 and is fixed against removal by means of a lock nut 42. The main steering shaft 41 is of a hollow shape (excepting the tip end thereof) and is supported on a column housing 43 through a pair of bearings BrI and Br2 in a rotatable but axially immovable manner.
[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the main steering shaft 41 is connected at its tip end to a steering gear box (not shown) through a joint 44 and an intermediate shaft 45. Accordingly, when the steering wheel 10 is operated by a vehicle occupant (driver) D the vehicle wheels (not shown) are operated to steer a motor vehicle.
[0021] The column housing 43 is supported on a vehicle body (column supporting bracket) 70 through a front support mechanism 50 and a rear support mechanism 60 so that the position of the column housing 43 can be adjusted in the axial direction of the column (longitudinal direction of the vehicle). The front support mechanism 50 includes a pair of left and right "L"-shaped brackets 51 and 52 fixed at their upper ends to the vehicle body 70 by means of bolts (not shown), and a bolt 53 inserted into mounting holes (not shown) formed in the lower end portions of the brackets 51 and 52 and also into a slot 43a formed in the front upper portion of the column housing 43. The bolt 53 is kept against removal by means of a nut (not shown). The column housing 43 is axially movably supported by a shaft portion of the bolt 53. [0022] The rear support mechanism 60 includes a pair of left and right "L"-shaped brackets 61 and 62 fixed at their upper ends to the vehicle body 70 by means of bolts (not shown), and a bolt 63 inserted into mounting holes 62a formed in the lower end portions of the brackets 61 and 62 and also into a slot 43b formed in the rear lower portion of the column housing 43. The bolt 63 is kept against removal by means of a nut (not shown). The column housing 43 is axially movably supported by a shaft portion of the bolt 63. The rear support mechanism 60 includes an operating lever 64 (see Fig. 1) fitted to the bolt 63. The operating lever 64 can be operated into a locking position to cause a rotary cam (not shown) to lock up the column housing 43 against movement in the column axis direction. Furthermore, the operating lever 64 can be operated into an unlocking position to cause the rotary cam (not shown) to unlock the column housing 43, thereby allowing the column housing 43 to be moved in the column axis direction.
[0023] Therefore, when the operating lever 64 is operated into the unlocking position, it is possible to adjust the position of the column housing 43 in the axial direction of the column, whereby the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be adjusted. In this way, the column housing 43, the front support mechanism 50 and the rear support mechanism 60 serve as a steering wheel position adjusting device that can adjust the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. That is, the steering wheel position adjusting device includes the column housing 43 through which the main steering shaft 41 of the steering wheel 10 inserted and fixed in place, the pair of front and rear support mechanisms 50 and 60 for supporting the opposite ends of the column housing 43 so that the column housing 43 can be moved and position-adjusted in the axial direction of the column, and the locking mechanism coupled to one of the pair of front and rear support mechanisms 50 and 60 for locking the axial movement of the column housing 43.
[0024] Referring again to Fig. 2, the airbag device 20 includes a support shaft 21, a base plate 22 integrally secured to the support shaft 21, an inflator 23 attached to the base plate 22, an airbag 24 and a cover 25. The airbag device 20 is installed inside the steering wheel 10 (so that it can be partially received within the space formed between the grips 11 and the spoke 13). The airbag device 20 is supported on the vehicle body 70 through the main steering shaft 41, the pair of bearings BrI and Br2, the column housing 43 and the front and rear support mechanisms 50 and 60. Furthermore, the position of the airbag device 20 can be adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 in the axial direction of the column with respect to the steering wheel 10 but independently of the position of the steering wheel 10.
[0025] The inflator 23 may be a conventional inflator that is controlled by the electric control unit ECU to which the collision detecting sensor S 1 and the inflator 23 are electrically connected. The airbag 24 is disposed inside the cover 25 in a folded state until the inflator 23 is activated. When the inflator 23 is activated, in case of a vehicle collision, the airbag 24 is inflated and deployed in a conventional manner from the folded state (the state shown in Fig. 2) toward the vehicle occupant D in between the steering wheel 10 and the vehicle occupant D. This makes it possible for the airbag 24 to restrain the vehicle occupant D. The cover 25 is designed to be open by the airbag 24 during the initial deployment of the airbag 24.
[0026] The airbag position adjusting device 30 adjusts the position of the airbag device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel 10. The airbag position adjusting device 30 includes a driving motor 31, a pinion gear 32, a driving sleeve 33, a driven sleeve 34 and a driven ring 35. The driving motor 31 is mounted in the column housing 43 and controlled by the electric control unit ECU. The driving motor 31 rotates the driving sleeve 33 in a forward or reverse direction through the pinion gear 32. The driving sleeve 33 is fitted to the column housing 43 through a bearing Br3 so that it can be rotated with respect to the column housing 43 but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column. Furthermore, the driving sleeve 33 has an external spline 33a formed on an outer circumference of a small-diameter portion of the driving sleeve 33 and the driven sleeve 34 has an internal spline 34a formed on an inner circumference of the driven sleeve 34. The external spline 33a of the driving sleeve 33 is coupled to the internal spline 34a of the driven sleeve 34 so that they can transfer a torque and can move relative to each other in the axial direction of the column.
[0027] The driven sleeve 34 has a male thread portion 34b formed on an outer circumference of the driven sleeve 34. The male thread portion 34b is engaged with a female thread portion 43c formed in the column housing 43, whereby the driven sleeve 34 can be rotated and moved in the axial direction of the column upon rotation of the driving sleeve 33. The driven ring 35 is fitted to the inner circumference of the driven sleeve 34 through a bearing Br4 so that it can be rotated relative to the driven sleeve 34 but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column. Furthermore, the driven ring 35 is fitted in such a manner as to move together with the driven sleeve 34 as a unit. The driven ring 35 has an annular groove 35a formed on an inner circumference of the driven ring 35. A connecting pin 36 fixed to the support shaft 21 is received in the annular groove 35a of the driven ring 35 at its distal end (i.e., at the end portion protruding from the main steering shaft 41).
[0028] The connecting pin 36 is fixedly secured at its proximal end to the support shaft 21 and protrudes through an axially extending slit 41a formed in the main steering shaft 41 so that it can be moved along the slit 41a in the axial direction of the column. With the airbag position adjusting device 30 configured as above, if the driving motor 31 is rotated in a forward direction, the connecting pin 36 is displaced in a vehicle forward direction by means of the driven ring 35 and, consequently, the airbag device 20 is moved in the direction indicated by an arrow F in Fig. 2. If the driving motor 31 is rotated in a reverse direction, the connecting pin 36 is displaced in a vehicle rearward direction by means of the driven ring 35 and, hence, the airbag device 20 is moved in the direction indicated by an arrow R in Fig. 2.
[0029] The electric control unit ECU is electrically connected to the collision detecting sensor Sl, the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3 and is also electrically connected to the inflator 23 of the airbag device 20 and the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30. In accordance with a detection signal of the collision detecting sensor Sl, the electric control unit ECU may control the operation of the inflator 23 in a conventional manner.
[0030] In accordance with positional information signals supplied from the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3, the electric control unit ECU controls the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30 to adjust the distance between the airbag device 20, which includes the airbag 24 disposed in a folded state, or the steering wheel 10, and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D to be equal to (or close to) a predetermined distance Lo (see double-headed arrows shown in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C). Therefore, when the position of the steering wheel 10 is adjusted using the steering wheel position adjusting device, the position of the airbag device 20 is also adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30. Similarly, when the position of the seat ST is adjusted, the position of the airbag device 20 is also adjusted by means of the airbag position adjusting device 30.
[0031] The airbag position detecting sensor S2 detects the position of the airbag device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle based on the position of the support shaft 21 relative to the bracket 61. The airbag position detecting sensor S2 outputs a positional information signal for the airbag device 20 to the electric control unit ECU. The seat position detecting sensor S3 detects the position of the seat of the vehicle occupant D based on the position of the seat ST relative to a vehicle floor FR in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The seat position detecting sensor S3 output an information signal indicating the position of the seat of the vehicle occupant D to the electric control unit ECU.
[0032] With the present embodiment as configured as above, if the vehicle occupant D adjusts at least one of the positions of the steering wheel 10 and the seat ST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to secure a convenient driving posture, the electric control unit ECU controls the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30 in accordance with the positional information signals supplied from the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3. As a result, the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is adjusted to become equal to (or close to) the predetermined distance Lo, as illustrated in Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C.
[0033] Such an adjusting operation may be completed prior to a vehicle collision, allowing the vehicle occupant D to suitably adjust the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D. Therefore, there is no need to use an actuator that, in case of a vehicle collision, speedily adjusts the vehicle lengthwise position of the airbag device 20. This makes it possible to embody the present invention in a cost-effective manner.
[0034] In the event of a collision, the electric control unit ECU may control the operation of the inflator 23 in a conventional manner in response to the detection signal of the collision detecting sensor Sl. As a consequence, a gas is supplied from the inflator 23 to deploy the airbag 24 between the steering wheel 10 and the vehicle occupant D to restrain the vehicle occupant D.
[0035] Fig. 3A illustrates a case that the vehicle occupant D has a smaller-than-average physique. In this case, the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved toward the front of the vehicle. Accordingly, the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be changed to the predetermined distance Lo by moving the position of the airbag device 20, from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 B toward the front of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Laf. In the state illustrated in Fig. 3 A, the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 3B toward the front of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Lbf (where Lbf<Laf).
[0036] Fig. 3B illustrates a case that the vehicle occupant D has an average physique (a physique of intermediate size). In this case, the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is moved further toward the rear of the vehicle as compared to the case illustrated in Fig. 3 A. Accordingly, the distance between the airbag device 20 i and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be changed to the predetermined distance Lo by moving the position of the airbag device 20, from the position illustrated in Fig. 3A by a predetermined distance
Laf toward the rear of the vehicle. In the state illustrated in Fig. 3 B, the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 3A toward the rear of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Lbf (where Lbf<Laf).
[0037] Fig. 3C illustrates a case when the vehicle occupant D has a larger-than-average physique. In this case, the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved even further toward the rear of the vehicle than the case shown in Fig. 3B. Accordingly, the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be changed to the predetermined distance Lo by moving the position of the airbag device 20, from the position illustrated in Fig. 3B by a predetermined distance Lar toward the rear of the vehicle. In the state illustrated in Fig. 3C, the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 3B toward the rear of the vehicle by a predetermined distance Lbr (where Lbr<Lar).
[0038] Accordingly, with the present embodiment, the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be suitably adjusted regardless of the physique of the vehicle occupant D. As a result, in case of a vehicle collision, the airbag 24 may be suitably inflated and deployed in between the steering wheel 10 and the vehicle occupant D. It is also possible for the inflated and deployed airbag 24 to suitably restrain the vehicle occupant D who may be thrown in a vehicle forward direction as a result of a vehicle collision. This helps to improve vehicle occupant restrainability of the airbag 24. Furthermore, the position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the airbag
24 may be independently adjusted with respect to the steering wheel 10. This ensures that the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D can be maintained at the predetermined distance Lo without adversely affecting the driving posture (the operability of the steering wheel 10).
[0039] Moreover, with the present embodiment, if the vehicle occupant D has a smaller-than-average physique, the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved toward the front of the vehicle and, accordingly, the position of the steering wheel 10 is moved to the vehicle forward side by a predetermined distance. Furthermore, if the vehicle occupant D has a larger-than-average physique, the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is likely to be moved toward the rear of the vehicle and, accordingly, the position of the steering wheel 10 is also moved to the vehicle rearward side by a predetermined distance. The steering wheel 10 can be moved to a position assuring a good operability. Consequently, it is possible to improve occupant restrainability of the airbag by suitably adjusting the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D, and it is also possible to obtain enhanced steering wheel operability by suitably adjusting the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a manual steering wheel position adjusting device (telescope adjusting advice) is used to adjust the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Alternatively, an electrically powered steering wheel position adjusting device may be provided instead. In this case, it may be possible to also add a steering wheel position adjusting device (tilt adjusting device) that adjusts the position of the steering wheel 10 in the vehicle height direction.
[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the electric control unit ECU controls the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30 in accordance with the positional information signals supplied from the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3, whereby the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is adjusted to the predetermined distance Lo. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 4, a sensor S4 may be employed to measure the distance between the airbag device 20 or the steering wheel 10 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D. For instance, the sensor S4 may be attached to the cover 25 of the airbag device 20 or the steering wheel 10 to measure the distance between the airbag device 20 or the steering wheel 10 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D. In response to the positional information signal (a signal indicating the values as measured) supplied from the sensor S4, the electric control unit ECU may control the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor 31 of the airbag position adjusting device 30.
[0042] Moreover, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 at the time when the vehicle occupant D adjusts at least one of the positions of the steering wheel 10 and the seat ST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to secure a convenient driving posture. Alternatively, the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D may be adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 at the moment when a motor vehicle makes a collision, e.g., immediately before a vehicle collision detected by a conventional collision predicting and detecting sensor S5 (see Fig. 4) or immediately after a vehicle collision detected by a collision detecting device (the collision detecting sensor Sl shown in Fig. 1).
[0043] In this case, the airbag position adjusting device 30 employs an actuator (corresponding to the driving motor 31 shown in Fig. 2) that normally keeps the airbag device 20 in an initially set position with respect to the steering wheel 10 but moves the airbag device 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the initially set position in case of a vehicle collision. Therefore, there is no change in the positional relationship between the steering wheel 10 and the airbag device 20, thus causing no sense of visual incongruity. In case of a vehicle collision, the actuator adjusts the position of the airbag device 20 at a high speed and properly adjusts the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D, thereby accomplishing a desired operational effect. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 has the same configuration as that of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, except that the sensor S4 for measuring the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is used in place of the airbag position detecting sensor S2 and the seat position detecting sensor S3 and further that the collision predicting and detecting sensor S5 is employed in place of the collision detecting sensor Sl. Therefore, no description will be given on the same configuration.
[0044] Moreover, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the airbag position adjusting device 30 is of an electrically powered type, and the distance between the airbag device 20 and the body portion Da of the vehicle occupant D is automatically adjusted by the airbag position adjusting device 30 when the vehicle occupant D adjusts at least one of the positions of the steering wheel 10 and the seat ST in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Alternatively, a manual airbag position adjusting device may be used in place of the electrically powered airbag position adjusting device 30.
[0045] In this case, as schematically shown in Fig. 5, a manual steering wheel position adjusting device 110 may be operatively connected to a manual airbag position adjusting device 120. As a further alternative, a manual steering wheel position adjusting device 210 may be operatively connected to a manual airbag position adjusting device 220 as shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 5 and 6 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a steer-by-wire type vehicle steering apparatus (that performs a steering operation while allowing a steering wheel to receive a steering reaction force against a column housing from a reaction motor.
[0046] The manual steering wheel position adjusting device 110 shown in Fig. 5 includes a column housing 140 that supports the steering wheel 10 in such a manner that it can be rotated but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column, a rack bar 111 integrally formed with the column housing 140 and a small-diameter pinion 112 that remains engaged with the rack bar 111. The small-diameter pinion 112 is integrally fitted to a support shaft 131. On the other hand, the manual airbag position-adjusting device 120 includes a rack bar 121 integrally formed with the airbag device 20 and a large-diameter pinion 122 that remains engaged with with the rack bar 121. The large-diameter pinion 122 is integrally fitted to the support shaft 131.
[0047] The support shaft 131 is rotatably fitted to a bracket 132 fixedly secured to an instrument panel 133. Rotation of the support shaft 131 causes the pinions 112 and 122 to rotate together. Furthermore, the support shaft 131 is configured so that the rotation of the support shaft 131 may be restricted by a manual locking mechanism (not shown).
[0048] The column housing 140 is supported on the vehicle body (a column support bracket not shown in the drawings) through a support mechanism (not shown) so that the position of the column housing 140 can be adjusted in the axial direction of the column (longitudinal direction of the vehicle). The column housing 140 supports a reaction motor 141. The reaction motor 141 applies a steering reaction force to the steering wheel 10 and has a pinion 141a fixed to a rotating shaft of the steering wheel 10. The pinion 141a is meshed with a ring gear 10a of the steering wheel 10.
[0049] With the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the support shaft 131 may be rotated by unlocking the manual locking mechanism and, when unlocked, the position of the steering wheel 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle may be adjusted. The airbag device 20 can be moved in the vehicle forward direction (or the vehicle rearward direction) by a distance equal to or greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel 10.
[0050] The manual steering wheel position adjusting device 210 shown in Fig. 6 includes a column housing 240 that supports the steering wheel 10 in such a manner that it can be rotated but cannot be moved in the axial direction of the column, a rod 211 integrally formed with the column housing 240 and a connecting pin 212 fixed to the rod 211. The connecting pin 212 is slidably inserted into a slot 231a of a link 231 formed along the length of the link 231. On the other hand, the manual airbag position adjusting device 220 includes a rod 221 integrally formed with the airbag device 20 and a connecting pin 222 fixed to the rod 221. The connecting pin 222 is slidably inserted into a slot 231b of the link 231 formed along the length of the link 231.
[0051] The link 231 is rotatably fitted to an instrument panel 233 through a support pin 232. Rotation of the link 231 causes the connecting pins 212 and 222 to move together in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (axial direction of the column) depending on the rotation amount of the link 231. Furthermore, the rotation of the link 231 may be restricted by means of a manual locking mechanism (not shown).
[0052] The column housing 240 is supported on the vehicle body (a column support bracket not shown in the drawings) through a support mechanism (not shown) so that the position of the column housing may be adjusted in the axial direction of the column. The column housing 240 is configured to support a reaction motor 241. The reaction motor 241 applies a steering reaction force to the steering wheel 10 and has a pinion 241a fixed to a rotating shaft of the steering wheel 10. The pinion 241a meshes with the ring gear 10a of the steering wheel 10.
[0053] With the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, the support shaft 231 is made rotatable through the unlocking operation of the manual locking mechanism and, when unlocked, the steering wheel 10 is then displaced in the vehicle forward direction (or the vehicle rearward direction). The airbag device 20 may be moved in the vehicle forward direction (or the vehicle rearward direction) by a distance equal to or greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel 10.
[0054] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, no shock energy absorbing mechanism is mounted on the column housing 43 (a steering column) that rotatably supports the main steering shaft 41. However, a shock energy absorbing mechanism may be mounted on the steering column in the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, in the respective embodiments described above, the steering wheel 10 is designed to be moved and adjusted in the axial direction of the column by means of the steering wheel position adjusting device. However, the steering wheel 10 may be designed in the embodiment of the present invention so that it cannot be moved and adjusted in the axial direction of the column.
[0055] As is apparent from the preceding description, in the embodiment of the present invention, at least the airbag device may be moved and adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel. It may also be possible to arbitrarily design the respective configurations of the steering wheel support structure, the airbag device support structure and the airbag position adjusting device for moving and adjusting the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle independently of the steering wheel 10. The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments.
[0056] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle steering apparatus, comprising: a steering wheel supported on a vehicle body; an airbag device provided in the steering wheel for, in case of a vehicle collision, inflating and deploying an airbag toward a vehicle occupant; and an airbag position adjusting unit that adjusts the position of the airbag device in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel.
2. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a steering wheel position adjusting unit that adjusts the position of the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
3. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein; at least one of the position of the steering wheel and the position of the airbag device are manually adjustable.
4. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit adjusts the position of the airbag device in the same direction that of the steering wheel by a distance greater than the displacement amount of the steering wheel when the position of the steering wheel is being adjusted by the steering wheel position adjusting unit.
5. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a measuring unit that measures the distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant; and a controller that controls the airbag position adjusting unit so that the airbag device is at or near a predetermined distance from the vehicle occupant based on the measured distance between the airbag device or the steering wheel and the vehicle occupant.
6. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an airbag/steering wheel position detector that detects the position of the airbag device or the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a seat position detector that detects the position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of a seat occupied by the vehicle occupant; and a controller that controls the position adjusting unit so that the airbag device is at or near a predetermined distance from the vehicle occupant based on the detected positions of the airbag device or the steering wheel and the seat occupied by the vehicle occupant.
7. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit adjusts the position of the airbag device when the position of the steering wheel is being adjusted by the steering wheel position adjusting unit.
8. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit adjusts the position of the airbag device when a position of a seat occupied by the vehicle occupant is adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
9. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a collision detector that detects a collision of the vehicle, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit adjust the position of the airbag device when the collision detector detects the collision of the vehicle.
10. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5, 6 and 9, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit normally keeps the airbag device in an initially set position with respect to the steering wheel, and includes an actuator that adjusts the position of the airbag device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the initially set position when a vehicle collision occurs.
11. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit displaces the airbag device toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel, when the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant is smaller than a predetermined distance, and displaces the airbag device toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the steering wheel, when the distance between the airbag device and the vehicle occupant is greater than the predetermined distance.
12. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the steering wheel position adjusting unit comprises: a column housing through which a shaft of the steering wheel is inserted and held in place; a pair of support mechanisms that support opposite end portions of the column housing so that the column housing is moved and adjusted in a axial direction of the column; and a locking mechanism coupled to one of the pair of support mechanisms for locking axial movement of the column housing.
13. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the airbag position adjusting unit comprises: a driving member that rotates in forward and reverse directions; a driving sleeve that receives torque from the driving member wherein the driving sleeve rotates about a shaft of the steering wheel in forward and reverse directions, but does not move in the axial direction of the column; a driven sleeve having an inner circumference that is spline-coupled to an outer circumference of the driving sleeve; a connecting member rotatably provided in one end portion of the driven sleeve; and a fixing member engaged at one end with the connecting member and fixedly secured at the other end to a support shaft of the airbag device.
14. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position of the airbag device and the position of the steering wheel are independently adjusted.
PCT/IB2007/003294 2006-11-02 2007-10-31 Vehicle steering apparatus WO2008053327A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006299265A JP2008114704A (en) 2006-11-02 2006-11-02 Vehicle steering device
JP2006-299265 2006-11-02

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US10137925B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2018-11-27 Trw Limited Improvements to steering column assemblies
DE102021110250A1 (en) 2021-04-22 2022-10-27 Autoliv Development Ab Steering device with a displaceable airbag module, motor vehicle with such a steering device and method for protecting a driver

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EP3619109B1 (en) * 2017-05-01 2022-01-05 Bombardier Inc. Aircraft wing unit with upper wing skin defining pressure floor

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EP0414245A1 (en) * 1989-08-24 1991-02-27 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle steering apparatus
WO1998010960A1 (en) * 1996-09-16 1998-03-19 Lars Sundholm Steering wheel suspension system
DE19645373A1 (en) * 1996-10-22 1998-04-30 Petri Ag Method for securing a vehicle occupant and airbag module for carrying out the method
DE19820212A1 (en) * 1998-05-06 1999-11-18 Siemens Ag Reducing risk of vehicle occupant injury
JP2002079944A (en) 2000-09-08 2002-03-19 Nsk Ltd Impact absorbing steering column device
US20040211612A1 (en) * 1998-05-11 2004-10-28 Olaf Muller Steering column and adjustment method for a steering column

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EP0414245A1 (en) * 1989-08-24 1991-02-27 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle steering apparatus
WO1998010960A1 (en) * 1996-09-16 1998-03-19 Lars Sundholm Steering wheel suspension system
DE19645373A1 (en) * 1996-10-22 1998-04-30 Petri Ag Method for securing a vehicle occupant and airbag module for carrying out the method
DE19820212A1 (en) * 1998-05-06 1999-11-18 Siemens Ag Reducing risk of vehicle occupant injury
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JP2002079944A (en) 2000-09-08 2002-03-19 Nsk Ltd Impact absorbing steering column device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10137925B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2018-11-27 Trw Limited Improvements to steering column assemblies
DE102021110250A1 (en) 2021-04-22 2022-10-27 Autoliv Development Ab Steering device with a displaceable airbag module, motor vehicle with such a steering device and method for protecting a driver

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