EP0488618A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering wheel structure for vehicle
Assignee: Mazda Motor Corp
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Filing: 1991-11-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A steering wheel structure including a steering wheel ring (2), a first spoke (5) extending downward from a steering shaft (9) and carrying the steering wheel ring (2) on the steering shaft (9), an air bag case (15) disposed on a tip end portion of the steering shaft, an air bag (11) received in the air bag case (15) in a folded state, an inflator (12) for inflating the air bag with gas, an igniter (13) for igniting a material in the inflator (12) to produce the gas, and displacing device (17a,17b) for allowing the spoke and lower portion of the steering wheel ring to be displaced when subjected to a forward force beyond predetermined value. An impact energy can be effectively and safely absorbed.
Inventors
- 👤 Keisuke Miyoshi
- 👤 Akira Marumoto
- 👤 Michitaka Ohta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2035; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B62D1/11; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A steering wheel structure comprising a steering wheel ring, a first spoke extending downward from a steering shaft at a neutral position of the steering wheel ring and carrying the steering wheel ring on the steering shaft, an air bag case disposed on a tip end portion of the steering shaft, an air bag received in the air bag case in a folded state, an inflator for inflating the air bag with gas, an igniter for igniting a material in the inflator to produce the gas, and displacing means for allowing the spoke and lower portion of the steering wheel ring to be displaced when subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A steering wheel structure as recited claim 1 further comprising a second and third spoke extending substantially in left and right directions at the neutral position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the first spoke is formed with a joint portion for joining the air bag case and with a flexible portion outer than the joint portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 2 wherein the first, second and third spokes are connected with the air bag case with connecting strength between the first spoke and the air bag being lower than those between the second and third spokes and the air bag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein a lower portion of the first spoke is disengaged from the air bag case when a forward force beyond a predetermined value acts on the lower portion of the steering wheel structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the first spoke is connected with a lower end portion of the air bag case through a frictional engagement which is released when a forward force beyond a predetermined value acts on the lower portion of the steering wheel structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 6 wherein an engagement force of the frictional engagement is controlled by a bolt extends perpendicular to a direction in which the first spoke is displaced when the lower portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the first spoke is connected with a lower portion of the air bag case through a connecting pin which is ruptured to disengage the first spoke from the air bag case when a lower portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the first spoke is connected with a lower portion of the air bag case through a plastic bolt which allows the first spoke to be displaced forward when a lower portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the first spoke is connected with a lower portion of the air bag case through a plastic grommet which allows the first spoke to be disengaged from a lower portion of the air bag case when a lower portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the first spoke is connected with a lower portion of the air bag case through a flexible bellows of most compressed condition which allows the first spoke to be displaced forward away from the air bag case when the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the steering wheel ring is provided with a lower half portion of a relatively low stiffness and an upper half portion of a relatively high stiffness so that the lower half portion of the steering wheel ring is displaced forward when a low portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 12 wherein the lower half portion of the steering wheel ring is of an elongated circular configuration in section in an up and down direction and the upper half portion is of an elongated circular configuration in section in a fore and aft direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 12 wherein the lower half portion of the steering wheel ring is smaller than the upper half portion in diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 12 wherein the lower half portion of the steering wheel ring is formed with a constricted portion constricted in an up and down direction to enhance the flexibility.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 2 further comprising a connecting member for connecting the first spoke with one of the second and third spokes, the connecting member being formed with a flexible portion which allows a lower portion of the steering wheel structure to be displaced forward when the lower portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 16 wherein the connecting member is provided with a releasing mechanism which releases the connecting member from the first spoke to allow a lower portion of the steering wheel structure to be displaced forward when the lower portion of the steering wheel is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 2 wherein the displacing means is formed on the first spoke which is provided with a weakened portion in stiffness which is deflected to allow a lower portion of the steering wheel structure to be displaced forward when the lower portion of the steering wheel structure is subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 18 wherein a cover member is provided on the first spoke over the weakened portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 19 wherein the cover member is formed commonly with a lower bracket of the air bag case through which the air bag case is joined with the first spoke.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 20 wherein the lower bracket is extended downward to constitute the cover member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A steering wheel structure as recited in claim 20 wherein the weakened portion is formed on the first spoke inner than a connecting point between the bracket with the first spoke.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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