Patent ID: 6312011
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B60R,B62D

Abstract:
A steering wheel for a vehicle adapted to be connected to a steering column, said steering wheel comprising:a steering wheel hollow having a casing and a base, said base being adapted to be connected to said steering column;an airbag disposed in said steering wheel hollow, said airbag inflating in event of a vehicle impact;a steering wheel rim, with respect to the steering wheel hollow, being offset axially toward a position of a driver;spokes connected between said casing and said steering wheel rim, said spokes having end regions remote from said steering wheel rim;a plate displaceably disposed in said steering wheel hollow;wherein the airbag is fastened on said plate, said plate in a rest position being substantially against the base of the steering wheel hollow and, as the airbag inflates, said plate is displaced within said steering wheel hollow away from said base defining a space between said plate and said base;wherein said steering wheel has at least one travel limiting member limiting maximum displacement of said plate away from said base; andwherein with the airbag inflated in a released position, when a sufficient load occurs on said spokes, said end regions of said spokes and end regions of the casing of the steering wheel hollow break off from said casing such that said broken off end regions of said spokes enter said space between the plate and the base of the steering wheel hollow, whereby the steering wheel is easily axially collapsable.