Collapsible vehicle steering column with curve-following wheel - is displaced into recess contg. instrument panel by action of inertia sensor responsive to collision

摘要

Upper and lower sections (10, 12) of the column are jointed (13). The upper section (10) is connected to the housing (20) of an inertia sensor (21) by two levers (18, 19) spaced apart and rotatable in the bodywork. Triggering of the sensor (21) rotates both levers (18, 19) forward and downward. The steering-wheel rim is constrained to follow a curved path (26) into a recess under the dashboard (4) and in front of the instrument panel (27) visible to the driver (30). ADVANTAGE - The space between the steering-wheel and dashboard is utilised without introducing problems of the driver's sitting position.