STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR RETRACTING A STEERING WHEEL IN A VEHICLE

摘要

Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a steering wheel assembly, and corresponding method, for retracting a steering wheel in a vehicle. In the steering wheel retraction, a steering column is configured to first pivot upwards about a horizontal axis directed along the vehicle's width via a pivoting member. Thereafter, the steering wheel column is configured to slide, via an actuating member, in a forward direction towards the instrument panel of the vehicle. Thus, before moving the steering column in a forward direction, the steering wheel is moved away from the driver's legs by the pivoting action. This helps reduce the likelihood of the steering wheel hitting the driver's legs during the retraction.

主权项

1. A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle, the steering wheel assembly comprising:
a steering wheel; a steering column attachable to the steering wheel; a pivoting member attachable to the steering column and a cross-beam structure of the vehicle, wherein the pivoting member is configured to pivot the steering column in an upward direction about a horizontal axis directed along a width of the vehicle; and an actuating member configured to initiate a sliding of the steering column in a forward direction toward an instrument panel of the vehicle; wherein the steering wheel is retractable from a normal driving position by first pivoting the steering column upward via the pivoting member and thereafter sliding the steering column forward via the actuating member.