Displaceable steering wheel safety systems and related methods

US9994178B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Autoliv ASP, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Donald J. Paxton · Brigham City, US
• Dino Anthony Forton · Waterford Township, US
• Chandrakanth Siddharthan · Troy, US
• David Keyser · Oakland Charter Township, US
• Dion Kruse · Alingsås, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 17, 2016
• Grant date: Jun 12, 2018
• Expiry date: May 17, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/2173
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and systems for repositioning a steering wheel and/or airbag cushion prior to and/or during deployment of the airbag cushion resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments may comprise a steering wheel configured to be positioned between a first, operational configuration and a second, deployed configuration, wherein in the second configuration the steering wheel is positioned laterally relative to the first configuration, and wherein the steering wheel is configured to be repositioned between the first configuration and the second configuration. A steering wheel actuator may be configured to move the steering wheel laterally from the first configuration to the second configuration.