Safety device for vehicles

摘要

A description is given of a safety device for vehicles, which comprises a divided steering column 1a and 1b which can be displaced one inside the other. In normal usage the two steering-column sections 1a and 1b are locked relative to each other in terms of torque, tension and compression. In an embodiment with a pyrotechnic linear cylinder 20 the locking mechanism for the tensile and compressive forces is situated in the linear cylinder 20. Release takes place automatically in the event of actuation (accident with more than 10 g impact shock) with the ignition of the propellent charge 23 via a crash sensor. The pressure which then builds up is used to release clamping elements before the beginning of stroke. Instead of the linear cylinder 20 use may also be made of a strong tension spring which interacts with an acceleration-sensitive releasable coupling between the two steering-column sections 1a and 1b. Both embodiments are suitable for combining with an air bag in the steering wheel 2, the inflation volume of which can in this case be kept smaller - likewise reducing costs. <IMAGE>