Motor vehicles – With means for promoting safety of vehicle – its occupant or... – By preventing unauthorized or unintended access or use
Patent
1997-12-18
2000-06-06
Mai, Lanna
Motor vehicles
With means for promoting safety of vehicle, its occupant or...
By preventing unauthorized or unintended access or use
180287, B60R 2500
Patent
active
060706864
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an adjusting device for a steering wheel.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
There are known adjusting devices for steering wheels in motor vehicles that permit an adjustment of the height of the steering wheel together with the steering column which holds the steering wheel by means of a swiveling movement, so that the driver of the motor vehicle can adjust the height of the steering wheel as needed. For example, a swiveling foot that can be operated manually by a crank may be provided on the steering column to adjust the height. It is known that the steering wheel can be pivoted out of the way so that more room is available to the driver for movement when entering and exiting the vehicle. Here again, the steering column together with the steering wheel is moved around a swiveling foot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The adjusting device according to the present invention has the advantage over the related art that due to the displaceability in the direction of the steering column, less space is required in the motor vehicle for adjusting the steering wheel, thus yielding even greater freedom of movement for the driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, the mechanism of a steering wheel that can be displaced in this way can be manufactured especially easily, and the casing for accommodating the steering column is less expensive.
A steering wheel locking device has the advantage that it makes attempted theft of the vehicle difficult.
Locking or unlocking the steering wheel by means of the steering wheel locking device when displacing the steering wheel combines in an advantageous manner a displacement of the steering wheel for convenient entry into or exit from the vehicle with automatic locking or unlocking, which is usually desired in entering into or exiting from a vehicle, so that active locking or unlocking becomes unnecessary.
This has also proven to be space-saving and inexpensive to manufacture if the steering wheel locking device is arranged on the casing of a display instrument located behind the steering wheel.
Furthermore, the tumbler lock for locking and unlocking the steering wheel by means of the steering wheel locking device can also be arranged on the casing, so the locking and unlocking of the steering wheel locking device can be combined well in the same space with the tumbler lock and is in advantageous proximity to a person operating this lock.
A lock bar element that engages in the steering wheel and prevents steering is a reliable antitheft device and is especially obvious to a potential car thief, thus achieving a deterrent effect.
At least partially recessing the steering wheel into the casing of the display instrument is an advantageous measure because the space of the display instrument casing already has a recess that is readily accessible for the steering wheel because of its location and design.
If the contour of the casing at least partially conforms to the outside contour of the steering wheel, an especially space-saving arrangement can be implemented in this way.
If the steering wheel can also be displaced or pivoted in a direction approximately perpendicular to the steering column, then the steering wheel has a maximum of possible adjustments, so the driver has a great freedom in adjusting the steering wheel when entering or exiting the vehicle and also in setting the desired steering wheel position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an adjusting device in the retracted state according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the steering wheel of FIG. 1 with the adjusting device in the extended state according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the steering wheel with the adjusting device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a steering wheel with an adjusting device in the retracted state according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a cut-away schematic side view
REFERENCES:
patent: 5025646 (1991-06-01), Waguespack, Jr.
patent: 5113716 (1992-05-01), Dumschat et al.
Mai Lanna
McKinley Kevin
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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