US3843152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact energy absorbing apparatus for vehicle
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-12
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An impact energy absorbing apparatus including an energy absorbing bag confined within a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle and inflatable by pressurized fluid from an external pressure source when a collision occurs. The steering wheel assembly is provided at the base portion thereof with a cylindrical aperture coaxial with a steering shaft of the vehicle. The impact energy absorbing apparatus comprises a fluid discharger which includes a cylindrical discharging chamber in communication with the bag through the aperture and positioned inside the aperture with a predetermined space, whereby the bag is inflated by pressurized fluid from the pressure source through the discharger together with the air sucked along with the jet of the pressurized fluid from the space between the discharger and the aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 M Nonaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/2032; B60R21/26; B60R21/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a collision sensing means for detecting a collision of the vehicle and generating a signal when a collision is sensed; an external pressure source located at a body portion of the vehicle for issuing pressurized fluid therefrom in response to the signal generated from said sensing means; a steering wheel assembly mounted on the top end of a steering shaft of the vehicle and provided at the base portion thereof with a cylindrical aperture coaxial with the axis of said steering shaft, said aperture opening upward to a container space formed above said base portion within said steering wheel assembly and downward to the bottom of said base portion; an inflatable bag confined within said container space to restrain movement of the operator of the vehicle during a collision; a fluid discharger including a cylindrical discharging chamber formed by a pair of bottomed cylindrical large and small diameter walls and mounted on the upper protion of a steering column tube surrounding said steering shaft and assembled within said aperture coaxial with the axis of said steering shaft, said discharging chamber being in open communication with the interior of said bag by way of spokes of said steering wheel assembly crossing said aperture, and a cylindrical air passageway being formed between the periphery of said fluid discharger and an inner wall of said aperture, said pressure source being located at the body portion of the vehicle externally of said steering wheel assembly and said steering column tube; communication means for connecting said external pressure source with said discharging chamber, whereby said bag is inflated by pressurized fluid from said pressure source through said discharging chamber together with atmospheric air being sucked along with the jet of said pressurized fluid through said air passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
301 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a collision sensing means for detecting a collision of the vehicle and generating a signal when a collision is sensed; an external pressure source located at a body portion of the vehicle for issuing pressurized fluid therefrom in response to the signal generated from said sensing means; a steering wheel assembly mounted on the top end of a steering shaft of the vehicle and provided at the base portion thereof with a cylindrical aperture coaxial with the axis of said steering shaft, said aperture opening upward to a container space formed above said base portion within said steering wheel assembly and downward to the bottom of said base portion; an inflatable bag confined within said container space to restrain movement of the operator of the vehicle during a collision; a fluid discharger including a cylindrical discharging chamber formed by a pair of bottomed cylindrical large and small diameter walls and mounted on the upper protion of a steering column tube surrounding said steering shaft and assembled within said aperture coaxial with the axis of said steering shaft, said discharging chamber being in open communication with the interior of said bag by way of spokes of said steering wheel assembly crossing said aperture, and a cylindrical air passageway being formed between the periphery of said fluid discharger and an inner wall of said aperture, said pressure source being located at the body portion of the vehicle externally of said steering wheel assembly and said steering column tube; communication means for connecting said external pressure source with said discharging chamber, whereby said bag is inflated by pressurized fluid from said pressure source through said discharging chamber together with atmospheric air being sucked along with the jet of said pressurized fluid through said air passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid discharger is mounted nonrotatably on a switch container secured at the top portion of said steering column tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid discharger is made of synthetic resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a breakable film is hermetically secured on said base portion of said steering wheel assembly between said aperture and said bag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication means is a conduit installed along said steering column tube for leading pressurized fluid from said pressure source to said fluid discharger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid discharger further comprises a radial chamber at the bottom thereof which is provided with a mounting portion concentric with said walls and mounted on said column tube, said mounting portion being connected with said pressure source at said radial chamber by way of said communication means so as to diffuse the pressurized fluid supplied from said pressure source at the upper wall of said radial chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
An impact energy absorbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said walls of said fluid discharger are integrated at the bottom thereof where there is provided a mounting portion concentric with said walls and mounted on said column tube, said communication means being connected to an outer side wall of said fluid discharger so as to diffuse the pressurized fluid supplied into said discharging chamber at an inner side wall of said fluid discharger.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |