Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-05
2001-01-09
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S777000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170862
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention pertains to automobile occupant safety apparatus and more particularly pertains to a motor vehicle steering column safety device.
Although analysis shows that vehicle air bag cushion systems are working generally as intended, these systems still have some drawbacks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), present “explosive-type” air bag inflator devices deploy air bags at speeds of approximately 200 mph. Data collected by NHTSA show that small-stature occupants who must sit closer to the steering wheel than average-sized occupants are especially vulnerable to injury due to the force of the deploying air bag. This is especially the case in low-speed collisions. These devices have caused serious injury and death to small-statured individuals, children, out-of-position occupants, and unbelted or improperly belted occupants, all of whom are closer to the air bag than an average-sized belt-restrained occupant upon vehicle collision.
A collapsible steering column also has been recognized as desirable to provide an added safety factor for all vehicle occupants. Some prior systems combine the collapsible steering column and air bag devices together, but the prior art depends upon two independent systems: (1) an air bag inflator system, and (2) an independent steering column collapsing means.
Two independent systems take longer to achieve the desired result than a single actuating means. None of the preceding devices collapses the steering column concurrently with inflating the air bag, and the timing of air bag inflation and steering column collapse may be the difference between life and death. Other energy absorbing steering columns have also been developed, but upon collision these apparatus deform and (1) make it impossible for the driver to transmit steering torque and/or (2) jeopardize rapid and efficient air bag inflation.
Finally, it is important that a collapsible steering column and air bag safety device meet original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) specifications and government standards and be economically feasible to implement into all foreign and domestic fleet automobiles.
Therefore, it is highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device.
It is also highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that inflates an air bag faster than explosive-type inflator systems.
It is also highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that is capable of protecting small-stature individuals, children, out-of-position occupants, and unbelted or improperly belted occupants.
It is also highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that collapses the steering column concurrently with inflating an air bag.
It is also highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device capable of delivering steering torque while collapsing the steering column concurrently with inflating an air bag cushion upon collision.
It is also highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that meets all of the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) specifications and required regulations, can be cheaply manufactured and easily installed into any make and model of vehicle.
It is finally highly desirable to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device which meets all of the above desired features.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that inflates an air bag faster than explosive-type inflator systems.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that is capable of protecting small-stature individuals, children, out-of-position occupants, and unbelted or improperly belted occupants.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that collapses the steering column concurrently with inflating an air bag.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device capable of delivering steering torque while collapsing the steering column concurrently with inflating an air bag cushion upon collision.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device that meets all of the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) specifications and required regulations, can be cheaply manufactured and easily installed into any make and model of vehicle.
It is finally an object of the invention to provide a new motor vehicle steering column safety device which meets all of the above desired features.
In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided a collapsible steering column for a motor vehicle that has an elongated hollow cylinder slidably mounted on a piston while also fast to the piston for rotary movement. The space between the interior wall of the cylinder and the piston is sealed in a gas-tight fashion. A head is attached to the top of the cylinder. The head has a frangible seal hermetically secured inside it so that the top of the piston, the interior wall of the cylinder and the seal define an air cavity. The cavity is under pressure such that the cylinder is supported by a column of pressurized gas. A coil spring inside the cylinder urges the piston and the bottom of the cylinder apart. The seal has a bore in which resides an explosive compound. Lead lines connect the explosive compound with an electronic collision sensor, which is located in the front of the vehicle. When a collision occurs, the sensor sends an electronic signal which ignites the explosive compound and fractures the seal permitting the gas to escape from the cavity causing collapse of the cylinder. The vehicle's steering wheel is secured to the top of the head, and the piston is connected by way of appropriate linkages to the front wheels of the vehicle so that axial rotation of the cylinder, by way of the steering wheel, causes the front wheels to turn in accordance with normal vehicle operations. An air bag stowed in the steering wheel may be connected to the top of the head to capture the air released from the cavity providing additional protection to the occupant.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3632135 (1972-01-01), Chute
patent: 3752500 (1973-08-01), Culver
patent: 5893580 (1999-04-01), Hoagland et al.
patent: 2408174 (1974-09-01), None
Hoagland Larry D.
Hoagland William V.
Culbreth Eric
Unique Technologies, L.P.
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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