JPS6218382B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an occupant protection steering device for receiving and protecting a driver in the event of a vehicle collision.

Conventionally, as a restraint device for restraining and protecting a driver in the event of a vehicle collision, a seat belt device or a gas bag device consisting of a lap belt and a shoulder belt have been mainly used.

However, seatbelt devices consisting of a lap belt and a shoulder belt have the disadvantage that when the shoulder belt is worn, the user always feels restrained and the comfort is impaired, and gas bag devices have the disadvantage that when the bag is deployed and inflated, The drawback is that the occupants may suffer secondary injuries due to sound pressure or toxic gases flowing out from the bag.

In order to eliminate the drawbacks of the driver protection device, the present invention uses only a lap belt as a seat belt device to reduce the feeling of restraint when driving a vehicle and to prevent the driver from being thrown out of the vehicle. In the event of a vehicle collision using something other than a gas bag device, a protective member installed on a part of the steering wheel to catch and protect the driver is moved to the driver's side to catch and protect the driver from moving forward. It is intended to provide a restraining device.

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
This will be explained with a diagram. In Fig. 1, 1 is the vehicle body, 2 is a steering gear box fixed to the vehicle body 1,
3 is a driver protection steering device according to the present invention, 4 is a driver, 5 is a seat, 6 is a lap belt, and 3' and 4' indicated by dashed lines indicate the driver protection steering device 3 and 4, respectively, according to the present invention. The behavior of driver 4 is shown. Components of the driver protection steering device 3 are shown in FIG. Reference numeral 32 denotes a wheel shaft, which is integrally constructed with a wheel 32a and spokes 32s, which correspond to the protection member of the present invention. Reference numeral 31 denotes a steering shaft, which has at one end a steering force transmitting part 31a that transmits the steering force of the wheel 32a to the steering gear box 2 via the spokes 32S, and at the other end is connected integrally with the wheel shaft 32. It has a fitting surface 31b and a threaded portion 31C for fixed assembly so that it can be rotated. 3
Numeral 3 is a bolt that assembles and fixes the steering shaft 31 and the wheel shaft 32.
The steering shaft 31 and the wheel shaft 32 are made of resin or the like that is relatively weak against shearing force so that when the steering shaft 31 and the wheel shaft 32 are ejected in a collision, the steering shaft 31 and the wheel shaft 32 can be separated by breaking under a certain load or more. The wheel shaft 32 has an assembly hole 32b having a concave portion having the same shape as the fitting surface 31b of the wheel 32a and the steering shaft 31, a stop portion 32c that limits the protrusion length of the wheel shaft 32, and a pressure receiving surface 32d. have Reference numeral 34 denotes a housing that is assembled and held so that the wheel shaft can rotate and also be slidable when the bolt 33 is broken. A pressure housing 34c has a lock nut 35 fixed to one end with a screw, and the other end forms a pressure generating chamber 34b. are integrally molded or fixed by welding, etc. 36 is a gas generating agent housing, which is connected to the pressure housing 34c.
When the gas generating agent (not shown) in the gas generating agent housing 36 is ignited and burned, the generated gas is configured to create a high pressure in the pressure generating chamber 34b. 7 is a collision detection sensor;
Similar to those used in conventional gas bag devices, they are provided on the bumper and floor (not shown), and each transmits an electric signal corresponding to the acceleration at the time of a collision. Reference numeral 8 denotes a collision degree determination computer, which has the same function as that conventionally used in gas bag devices, and is a circuit for determining the collision degree based on electric signals transmitted from the two collision detection sensors 7 and igniting the gas generating agent. Close. Reference numeral 9 denotes a power source, which serves as a power source for operating the computer for determining the degree of collision and a power source for igniting the gas generating agent. 10 is the lead wire. The inside of the pressure housing 34c is made airtight with a seal washer (not shown) or the like to prevent excessive leakage of high-pressure gas so that a high pressure is generated when the gas generating agent is ignited and burned. Note that the wheel 32a
The spokes 32s are each made of a pipe and a spring material, so they are strong against circumferential force and transfer the rotational force of the wheel 32a to the steering shaft 3.
1, but when catching a driver, it deforms so as not to hurt the driver.
Reference numeral 37 denotes a holder for fixing and holding the housing 34 to the vehicle body. The distance that the steering shaft 31 moves is set to a position where the steering shaft 31 during sliding movement does not directly hit the driver, that is, a position where the driver is not pressed against the seat due to the movement of the steering shaft 31. limited to.

The operation of this apparatus with the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. During normal vehicle operation, as shown in Figs.
The rotation of the steering wheel 2a operates a steering gear (not shown) in the steering gear box 3 via the steering shaft 31 and the steering force transmission section 31a. At the time of a vehicle collision, the collision degree determination computer 8 issues an activation signal in response to a signal from the collision detection sensor 7, ignites and burns the gas generating agent, and generates gas in the pressure housing 34c. When the pressure generation chamber 34b becomes high pressure due to this generated gas, the wheel shaft 3
The pressure receiving surface 32d of No. 2 receives high pressure, and the bolt 33 receives a load that causes the wheel shaft 32 to try to come out of the housing 34. This load is small at the initial stage when the gas generating agent is ignited, but as the combustion of the gas generating agent progresses thereafter, the pressure inside the pressure housing 34c becomes high, and the bolt 3
When a predetermined breaking load or more is applied to the bolt 33, the bolt 33 breaks, and the wheel shaft 32 protrudes from the housing 34, as shown in FIG.
The stop portion 32c and the lock nut 35 collide,
The wheel shaft 32 moves to a position where sliding of the wheel shaft 32 is stopped. Then, the upper body of the moving driver 4 is restrained and the driver 4' is held by the wheel 32a so as to prevent the driver 4 from being thrown forward, and the high pressure gas in the pressure generating chamber 34b is used as a cushion to restrain the driver 4'. Protect.

Although this example shows a combination of a driver protection steering device and a lap belt, if the door or vehicle body is modified and reinforced to prevent the driver from being thrown out of the vehicle, it is possible to drive with knee pads instead of a lap belt. It is also possible to restrain the lower body of the driver, and it goes without saying that a system that restrains and protects the driver using a driver protection steering device and knee pads may also be used.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and various other aspects are possible.
A second embodiment is shown in FIG. This is because in the first embodiment, the wheel shaft 32 was slid by the pressure of the gas generated from the gas generating agent, whereas the bumper piston 4 is directly connected to the bumper 41.
2. Bumper oil housing 43, oil pipe 4
4, and oil 4 sealed in the pressure generation chamber 34b, the oil pipe 44, and the bumper oil chamber 43.
The bumper 41 is configured with a driving device made of a fluid material such as No. 5, etc.
Utilizing the energy deformed during a vehicle collision, the oil 45 in the bumper oil chamber 43 is pushed out by the bumper pistol 42 and sent into the pressure generating chamber 34b through the oil pipe 44, increasing the pressure in the pressure generating chamber 34b and causing the wheel to move. The shaft 32 is made to protrude, and the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained without using a gas generating agent.

A third embodiment is shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, a gas bag device 51 is attached to the wheel shaft 32.
This steering device for protecting the driver is equipped with a gas bag device 51 that deploys and inflates a bag 51a' which is a protective member on the protruding wheel shaft 32, so that the distance between the bag and the passenger can be shortened. It is possible to catch and restrain the occupants with a gas bag device that is smaller than conventional devices, which reduces the high sound pressure mentioned in the disadvantages of conventional devices.
Alternatively, secondary injury due to toxicity can be alleviated. In this case, the collision detection sensor for the gas bag device and the collision detection sensor for the occupant restraint steering shaft device may be the same. Alternatively, by separately providing collision detection sensors for the gas bag device and the driver protection steering shaft device, and changing the settings of each collision detection level, it is possible to operate each sensor separately depending on various collision levels. For example, in a collision at 30 to 40 km/h, only the gas bag device is activated, and in a collision at 40 km/h or more, both the gas bag device and the driver protection steering device are activated. can.

A fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. In the fourth embodiment, when the wheel shaft 32 receives the driver after sliding and moves in the opposite direction, the known ball 61
By using the slope 32e, the housing 34 is expanded by the balls 61 and plastically worked while absorbing energy. After the wheel shaft 32 slides beyond the gas vent hole 34d provided in the housing 34, the gas from the gas generating agent is released from the gas vent hole 34d to the engine room (not shown) or to the outside of the driver's cabin such as the outside of the vehicle, thereby performing compression work by the gas. It is also possible to reduce the influence of this amount so that the load that causes the housing 34 to be plastically deformed by the ball 61 is always close to a constant load. It is well known that the ball 61 does not provide sliding resistance when the wheel shaft 32 protrudes toward the driver.

The fifth embodiment is one in which the steering shaft is slidably moved, and is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
One end of the steering shaft 31 shown in the figure is a steering pressure receiving surface 31d, and the other end is a steering wheel cover 31e (protective member of the present invention) with low rigidity that can gently restrain the occupant. One end of the wheel shaft 32 has a gas supply hole 32e and forms a pressure generating chamber 32f, and the other end forms a rigid wheel 32g. The gas generating agent is attached to the wheel gas conducting chamber 71a in the wheel support housing 71 so as to generate gas, and the gas generating agent passes from the wheel gas conducting chamber 71a into the pressure generating chamber 32f through the gas supply hole 32e. The structure is such that the generated gas is guided. During normal vehicle operation, the steering shaft 31 as shown in FIG.
and the wheel shaft 32 is the rigid wheel 3
2g is fitted into and supported by the fitting groove 31f of the steering wheel cover 31e,
During a vehicle collision, when the steering shaft 31 receives gas pressure from the gas generating agent and the load exceeds a certain level, the fitting portion of the rigid wheel 32g and the steering wheel cover 31e separates, and the steering shaft 31 slides, causing the steering shaft 31, which has less rigidity, to move. The steering cover 31e receives the driver. Note that 32h is a convex portion provided on the wheel shaft 32 to limit the sliding distance of the steering shaft 31. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the vehicle can be steered by the rigid wheel 32g even after the steering shaft has slid, in addition to being able to gently receive the driver.

A sixth embodiment is shown in FIG. The sixth embodiment is a steering wheel cover 31 which is a protection member.
If the steering wheel cover 31e moves as it is when catching the driver, there is a risk of it hitting the driver's face. Therefore, the movable support part 80 is moved to optimally position the contact position between the driver and the steering wheel cover 31e. The support piston 81 is also supported by the gas generating agent 36a.
is activated to move the wheel shaft 32 downward. The movable support part 8
0 is a support piston 81 having a pressure receiving surface 81a at one end and a wheel support ring 81b at the other end, and normally the support piston 81 and the movable support housing 80
The gas generating agent 36a is assembled with screws or other means to fixedly support the gas generating agent 36a, but the support rod 82 is broken by the explosive force or explosive heat of the gas generating agent 36a in the event of a collision.

Of course, various configurations are possible by combining the first to sixth embodiments described above. Further, the shape of the wheel 32a should not be limited to the pipe shown in the first embodiment, but may be configured to use a large amount of cushioning material such as foamed urethane, and the spokes 32S must also be made of spring material. The wheel 32a and the spokes 32s may be of any type as long as they can soften the impact on the driver when they receive the driver.

With the above-mentioned functions, the driver protection steering device according to the present invention allows the driver to drive during normal driving without feeling restrained as when using a shoulder belt, and in the event of a vehicle collision, the driver protection steering device can be operated without feeling restrained like a gas bag device. It has the excellent effect of being able to catch and protect the driver from running forward without causing secondary injury, and with the same effect as the shoulder belt and gas bag device.

Furthermore, in the present invention, a pressure generation chamber into which fluid pressure is introduced is formed at the other end of the wheel shaft, and the wheel shaft is moved in the axial direction by the pressure inside this pressure generation chamber, so that the wheel shaft does not move. When protecting the driver with a protective member, the pressure in this pressure-generating chamber acts as a cushion, maximizing the interior space of the vehicle and absorbing energy, making the driver even safer. can be protected.

Furthermore, since the wheel shaft can be instantly moved toward the driver by the pressure in the pressure generation chamber, the driver can be quickly caught by the protective member, and the driver can freely enjoy the interior space of the vehicle without being restrained. The distance traveled can be minimized.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a secondary collision of the driver inside the vehicle.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the operating state of the device of the present invention installed in a vehicle, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention installed in a vehicle.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after operation of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the second embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a third embodiment of the inventive device, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a fourth embodiment of the inventive device, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the inventive device. FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the state after operation of the fifth embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing the sixth embodiment of the device of the present invention. 31... Steering shaft, 32a... Steering wheel forming a protective member, 31e...
Steering wheel cover serving as a protective member, 5
1a'...A gas bag provided in a part of the steering wheel and serving as a protective member, 36...A gas generating agent housing forming a main part of a moving device, 42, 45...A bumper piston and oil forming a main part of a moving device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A steering wheel that rotates in response to steering force from a driver, a steering shaft that transmits the rotational force of the steering wheel to a power passive device, and a wheel that is coaxially arranged with the steering shaft. a shaft, a protection member disposed at the end of the wheel shaft on the driver side to receive the upper body of the driver in the event of a vehicle collision, and a pressure generator formed at the other end of the wheel shaft to introduce fluid pressure. and a pressure generation source that generates fluid pressure to be introduced into the pressure generation chamber, and when a vehicle collides, fluid pressure is introduced from the pressure generation source into the pressure generation chamber, and the wheel shaft transfers this pressure in the axial direction. 1. A steering device for protecting a driver, wherein the protection member moves in an axial direction toward the driver. 2. The steering device for driver protection according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel and the protection member are integrally formed.