Patent · US Active

Steering wheel assembly for retracting a steering wheel in a vehicle

US9764756B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by

9References

23Claims

0Family size

Assignee

VOLVO CAR CORPORATION · SE

Inventors

Ichiro Sugioka · Newbury Park, US
Douglas Hall Frasher · Newbury Park, US
John Downs · Simi Valley, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jan 12, 2016
Grant date	Sep 19, 2017
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jan 12, 2036

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB62D1/183
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.