WO2013058694A1 - Steering arrangement for vehicle - Google Patents

Steering arrangement for vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013058694A1
WO2013058694A1 PCT/SE2012/000164 SE2012000164W WO2013058694A1 WO 2013058694 A1 WO2013058694 A1 WO 2013058694A1 SE 2012000164 W SE2012000164 W SE 2012000164W WO 2013058694 A1 WO2013058694 A1 WO 2013058694A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
arrangement
wheel
fixing
steering arrangement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/SE2012/000164
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Motion Ab Clean
Göran FOLKESSON
Hans Folkesson
Yngve Håland
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Clean Motion AB
Original Assignee
Clean Motion AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Clean Motion AB filed Critical Clean Motion AB
Priority to EP12841959.5A priority Critical patent/EP2768716B1/en
Publication of WO2013058694A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013058694A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
    • B62K5/02—Tricycles
    • B62K5/027—Motorcycles with three wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
    • B60R21/05—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings associated with the steering wheel, steering hand lever or steering column
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
    • B62D1/19—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible
    • B62D1/195—Yieldable supports for the steering column
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
    • B62D1/19—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible
    • B62D1/197—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible incorporating devices for preventing ingress of the steering column into the passengers space in case of accident
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J27/00—Safety equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J27/00—Safety equipment
    • B62J27/30—Crash bars; Crash bungs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a steering arrangement for a vehicle with three wheels, where the upper part of the steering arrangement can move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, to reduce the risk of injury to a driver.
  • the support structure of the vehicle has commonly a tube section, in which a part of the steering arrangement is situated.
  • the tube section is not moveable in relation to the support structure of the vehicle.
  • bearings are arranged, so that the section of the steering arrangement in the tube section easily can be turned in relation to the tube section.
  • the upper part of the steering arrangement normally a handlebar, cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
  • the publication DE 40 13 808 is describing a motorbike, where the steering arrangement is fixed to the frame of the support structure by link arms and when the front wheel is moving towards the rear in a frontal collision the upper part of the steering arrangement is moving forward at the same time as the seat is moving upwards from the support structure.
  • the purpose of the invention is to obtain a steering arrangement for three-wheel vehicles, which will reduce the risk of injury to a driver in a frontal collision.
  • the steering arrangement according to the invention is designed such that the upper part of the steering arrangement will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, away from the driver, in a frontal collision.
  • the risk is reduced for a belted driver to be in contact with the steering arrangement of the vehicle. That is obtained by the steering arrangement being a rigid unit and that the fixation of the steering arrangement to the support structure of the vehicle contains a fixing arrangement where the fixing arrangement is resting on the support structure on that side of the support structure of the vehicle which is towards the front wheel of the vehicle and that the fixing arrangement has at least one deformable arrangement.
  • a steering arrangement with a fixing arrangement according to the invention makes a very light and a very simple fixation of the steering arrangement which is very cost effective.
  • a safety device such as a safety belt, which will reduce the forward movement of the driver in a frontal collision.
  • figure 1 a vehicle where a part of the front section of the vehicle has been deleted
  • figure 2 the vehicle with the embodiment according to figure 1 after a frontal collision
  • figure 3 a view of the steering arrangement according to section A - A in figure 1
  • figure 4 an embodiment of the fixation of the steering arrangement to the support structure of the vehicle, where the steering arrangement has a fixation plate
  • figure 5 the vehicle with the embodiment according to figure 4 after a frontal collision
  • figure 6 the vehicle with the embodiment according to figure 4 where an activation arrangement activates the deformable fastening elements.
  • FIG 1 shows a small and light vehicle (10), in the form of a three-wheel vehicle, with a driver area (11), where the driver area (11) is equipped with a safety belt (12).
  • the vehicle (10) has two wheels (13) at the rear section of the vehicle (10) and one wheel (14) at the front section of the vehicle (10).
  • the front wheel (14) is part of the steering arrangement (15) for the vehicle (10).
  • the steering arrangement (15) for the vehicle (10) consist in addition to the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) of a top section (16), with which the driver manoeuvres the steering arrangement (15), and an intermediate part (18), such as an axle, and a wheel attachment (19).
  • the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) is in the shown embodiment a handlebar, but may be a steering wheel.
  • the steering arrangement (15) also consists of a fixing arrangement (17) which secures the steering arrangement (15) to the support frame (22) of the vehicle (10).
  • the fixing arrangement (17) is situated between the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) and the wheel attachment (19).
  • the intermediate part (18) of the steering arrangement (15) runs through the fixing arrangement (17) and is held in the fixing arrangement (17) so that it can be turned.
  • the section of the fixing arrangement (17) where the intermediate part (18) is held can be in the form of a hollow body (20), such as a tube.
  • the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment (19) and the front wheel (14) constitute a rigid unit.
  • the fixing arrangement (17) consist of the hollow body (20) and a fixing element, in the shown embodiment a fixing component (21), as well as a deformation arrangement, in the shown embodiment a brace arrangement (23).
  • the fixing component (21) is arranged at that part of the hollow body (20) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) and the brace arrangement (23) is between the top section of the hollow body (20), which is towards the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), and a section of the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10).
  • the steering arrangement (15) with a preferred mainly vertical direction is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) by the fixing component (21) and the brace arrangement (23).
  • the front section of the vehicle (10) and the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) are pushed towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle.
  • the brace arrangement (23) will take the load and at a predetermined load the brace arrangement (23) will deform and the front wheel (14) moves towards the rear under energy absorption.
  • the fixing component (21) is so attached to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) that the fixing component (21) can only undertake minor movements, mainly perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
  • the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) is manufactured of a plastic material and the plastic material permits a minor movement of the fixing component (21).
  • Figure 2 shows the position of the steering arrangement (15) after a frontal collision.
  • the vehicle (10) equipped with a safety belt (12) which will reduce the forward movement of the driver and with the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) moved forward, away from the driver, the risk for injury to the driver is reduced in a frontal collision, specifically injuries to the head of the driver caused by the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15).
  • the distance that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) can move forward is decided by the position of the fixing arrangement (17) in relation to the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) and the position of the fixing arrangement (17) in relation to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10).
  • brace arrangement (23) To make it possible for the brace arrangement (23) to maintain the steering arrangement (15) in the preferred position during normal usage of the vehicle (10), when forces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10) may occur, for example when hitting a curb, and forces transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10), for example during braking when turning, but to deform at a predetermined force it is necessary to use two brace elements, which are arranged in an angle to each other, as shown in figure 3. By placing the brace elements forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, the brace elements will bend, which will give a controlled movement of the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) after the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) has begun the movement towards the rear.
  • the brace arrangement (23) is fixed directly to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10), but in a special embodiment, the brace arrangement (23) can form a unit with the fixing component (21) and the unit can be fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10), which will result in a more easy mounting of the steering arrangement (15) to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10).
  • the brace arrangement (23) With the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment
  • the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) is of a plastic material it can be necessary for the fixing component (21) to have a section which is resting against the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) on that side which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), so that the force from the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is taken up by the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) as a pressure force.
  • FIG 4 is showing an embodiment of the fixing arrangement (17) of the steering arrangement (15), where the fixing arrangement (17) consists of a hollow body (20) and a fixing element, in the shown embodiment a plate (27) arranged at that end of the hollow body (20) which is closest to the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), mainly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow body
  • the plate (27) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10), at that side of the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), with a deformation arrangement, in the shown embodiment a front fastening (28) containing for example nut and bolt. In the shown embodiment the plate (27) is held against the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) also by a rear fastening (29).
  • the front fastening (28) of the plate (27) will be exposed to a traction force.
  • the front fastening (28) is so designed that it will deform at a pre determined traction force and the forward part of the plate (27) will be released from the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10).
  • the plate (27) When the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is moving towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), the plate (27) will be exposed to a bending force in a section (30) situated between the hollow body (20) and the rear fastening (29).
  • the section (30) will deform, whereby the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) will move towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), and the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel by the vehicle.
  • the section (30) can have some form of weakening, such as a groove or recesses.
  • FIG. 5 shows the embodiment according to figure 4 after a frontal collision where the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) has moved towards the rear, so that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) has moved forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
  • the activation arrangement (42) in the embodiment shown in figure 6 is built together with the plate (27) of the steering arrangement (15) and has a pressure bar (44) and a pressure plate (45).
  • the pressure plate (45) and pressure bar (44) are moving towards the rear and getting in contact with the deformation arrangement, the brace arrangement (23) and the front fastenings (28), which after a predetermined movement of the pressure bar (44) will be activated and will be deformed.
  • the front section (43) easily can move the front wheel (14) towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, so that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) is moving forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
  • the activation arrangement may be fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10).
  • the activation arrangement (42) As the activation arrangement (42) is activated when the front section (43) of the vehicle (10) is deforming in a frontal collision and as the activation arrangement (42) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) the activation arrangement (42) may be designed with or be a part of an energy absorbing element which will reduce the force acting on the driver of the vehicle (10) in a frontal collision.
  • the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment (19) and front wheel (14) being a rigid unit and where the steering arrangement (15) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) via at least one deformable arrangement (23, 28, 30) which will deform in a frontal collision
  • the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), when the front wheel (14) is moving towards the rear, whereby the risk for injuries to a belted driver is reduced, especially injuries to the head of the driver.
  • a steering arrangement (15) according to the invention will give a very light and a very simple steering arrangement (15) which is very cost effective.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle in a frontal collision, where the vehicle (10) has a driver area (11) at the front section of the vehicle (10), in the centre of the vehicle (10), seen perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10). The steering arrangement (15) consists of the vehicle's (10) front wheel (14), a wheel attachment (19), an intermediate part (18), a top section (16), with which the driver manoeuvres the steering arrangement (15) and a fixing arrangement (17). The front wheel (14) of the steering arrangement (15), the wheel attachment (19), the intermediate part (19) and the top section (16) are turnably supported in the fixing arrangement (17) and the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), the wheel attachment (19), the intermediate part (18) and the top section (16) form a rigid unit. The fixing arrangement (17) has a fixing element (21, 27) arranged at that part of the fixing arrangement (17) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) and the fixing element (21, 27) is supported against the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) on that side of the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10). The fixing arrangement (17) has at least one deformable arrangement (23, 28) which deforms when the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is pushed towards the rear with a force over a predetermined value, so that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) moves forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle.

Description

Title.
Steering arrangement for vehicle.
Field of the invention.
The present invention relates to a steering arrangement for a vehicle with three wheels, where the upper part of the steering arrangement can move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, to reduce the risk of injury to a driver.
Background of the invention
It is commonly known from for example vehicles with two wheels, such as motorbikes, to have the steering arrangement at the front section of the vehicle and that the steering arrangement constitutes a unit with the front wheel of the vehicle. The support structure of the vehicle has commonly a tube section, in which a part of the steering arrangement is situated. The tube section is not moveable in relation to the support structure of the vehicle. At the open end sections of the tube section bearings are arranged, so that the section of the steering arrangement in the tube section easily can be turned in relation to the tube section. The upper part of the steering arrangement, normally a handlebar, cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
From the publication US 4,311,335 it is known to equip a driver of a light vehicle, such as a motorbike, with an arrangement holding the driver in position in a seat assembly. In a frontal collision the seat assembly will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. At the forward movement of the seat assembly, the seat assembly will affect sections of upper part of the steering arrangement, such as parts of the handlebar, so that parts of the handlebar will move forward. That will be obtained as the handlebar is turning in it's holding arrangement at the steering arrangement. The seat assembly with the driver is pushing the handlebar forward. Publication US 4,798,399 is showing and describing a three-wheel vehicle with a safety cage, which will protect the driver in an accident. To keep the driver in position in the safety cage the driver area has a safety belt, which is fixed to the safety cage.
Form the publication DE 33 37 231 it is known to pull forward the steering wheel in a vehicle, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, away from the driver, to reduce the risk of injury to the driver. The steering wheel is pulled forward as the steering wheel is connected to a part in the front section of the vehicle, for example the vehicle engine, which will move towards the rear in a frontal collision. The movement towards the rear of the steering wheel is obtained as the part in the front section of the vehicle is connected to the steering wheel by for example a wire.
The publication DE 40 13 808 is describing a motorbike, where the steering arrangement is fixed to the frame of the support structure by link arms and when the front wheel is moving towards the rear in a frontal collision the upper part of the steering arrangement is moving forward at the same time as the seat is moving upwards from the support structure.
Summary of the invention.
The purpose of the invention is to obtain a steering arrangement for three-wheel vehicles, which will reduce the risk of injury to a driver in a frontal collision. The steering arrangement according to the invention is designed such that the upper part of the steering arrangement will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, away from the driver, in a frontal collision. With a steering arrangement according to the invention the risk is reduced for a belted driver to be in contact with the steering arrangement of the vehicle. That is obtained by the steering arrangement being a rigid unit and that the fixation of the steering arrangement to the support structure of the vehicle contains a fixing arrangement where the fixing arrangement is resting on the support structure on that side of the support structure of the vehicle which is towards the front wheel of the vehicle and that the fixing arrangement has at least one deformable arrangement. A steering arrangement with a fixing arrangement according to the invention makes a very light and a very simple fixation of the steering arrangement which is very cost effective. To obtain good safety the driver area of the vehicle has to be equipped with a safety device, such as a safety belt, which will reduce the forward movement of the driver in a frontal collision.
Brief description of the drawings.
With reference to the attached drawings detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the invention will be presented as examples.
On the drawings are shown in figure 1 a vehicle where a part of the front section of the vehicle has been deleted, figure 2 the vehicle with the embodiment according to figure 1 after a frontal collision,
figure 3 a view of the steering arrangement according to section A - A in figure 1, figure 4 an embodiment of the fixation of the steering arrangement to the support structure of the vehicle, where the steering arrangement has a fixation plate,
figure 5 the vehicle with the embodiment according to figure 4 after a frontal collision and figure 6 the vehicle with the embodiment according to figure 4 where an activation arrangement activates the deformable fastening elements.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a small and light vehicle (10), in the form of a three-wheel vehicle, with a driver area (11), where the driver area (11) is equipped with a safety belt (12). The vehicle (10) has two wheels (13) at the rear section of the vehicle (10) and one wheel (14) at the front section of the vehicle (10). The front wheel (14) is part of the steering arrangement (15) for the vehicle (10). The steering arrangement (15) for the vehicle (10) consist in addition to the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) of a top section (16), with which the driver manoeuvres the steering arrangement (15), and an intermediate part (18), such as an axle, and a wheel attachment (19). The top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) is in the shown embodiment a handlebar, but may be a steering wheel. The steering arrangement (15) also consists of a fixing arrangement (17) which secures the steering arrangement (15) to the support frame (22) of the vehicle (10). The fixing arrangement (17) is situated between the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) and the wheel attachment (19). The intermediate part (18) of the steering arrangement (15) runs through the fixing arrangement (17) and is held in the fixing arrangement (17) so that it can be turned. The section of the fixing arrangement (17) where the intermediate part (18) is held can be in the form of a hollow body (20), such as a tube. The top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment (19) and the front wheel (14) constitute a rigid unit.
In the embodiment shown in figure 1 the fixing arrangement (17) consist of the hollow body (20) and a fixing element, in the shown embodiment a fixing component (21), as well as a deformation arrangement, in the shown embodiment a brace arrangement (23). The fixing component (21) is arranged at that part of the hollow body (20) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) and the brace arrangement (23) is between the top section of the hollow body (20), which is towards the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), and a section of the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10). The steering arrangement (15) with a preferred mainly vertical direction is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) by the fixing component (21) and the brace arrangement (23). In a frontal collision the front section of the vehicle (10) and the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) are pushed towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. When the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is pushed towards the rear the brace arrangement (23) will take the load and at a predetermined load the brace arrangement (23) will deform and the front wheel (14) moves towards the rear under energy absorption. The fixing component (21) is so attached to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) that the fixing component (21) can only undertake minor movements, mainly perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10). In the shown embodiment the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) is manufactured of a plastic material and the plastic material permits a minor movement of the fixing component (21). As a result of the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) moving towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, the brace arrangements (23) deformation and the minor movement of the fixing component (21) in the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
Figure 2 shows the position of the steering arrangement (15) after a frontal collision. With the vehicle (10) equipped with a safety belt (12) which will reduce the forward movement of the driver and with the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) moved forward, away from the driver, the risk for injury to the driver is reduced in a frontal collision, specifically injuries to the head of the driver caused by the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15). The distance that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) can move forward is decided by the position of the fixing arrangement (17) in relation to the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) and the position of the fixing arrangement (17) in relation to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10). To make it possible for the brace arrangement (23) to maintain the steering arrangement (15) in the preferred position during normal usage of the vehicle (10), when forces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10) may occur, for example when hitting a curb, and forces transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10), for example during braking when turning, but to deform at a predetermined force it is necessary to use two brace elements, which are arranged in an angle to each other, as shown in figure 3. By placing the brace elements forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, the brace elements will bend, which will give a controlled movement of the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) after the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) has begun the movement towards the rear. In the shown embodiment the brace arrangement (23) is fixed directly to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10), but in a special embodiment, the brace arrangement (23) can form a unit with the fixing component (21) and the unit can be fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10), which will result in a more easy mounting of the steering arrangement (15) to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10). With the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment
(19) and the front wheel (14) constituting a rigid unit and with the fixation of the steering arrangement (15) to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) via the fixing arrangement (17) of the steering arrangement (15) where the fixing arrangement (17) has a deformable arrangement in the shape of a brace arrangement (23) the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward when the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is moving towards the rear.
When the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) is of a plastic material it can be necessary for the fixing component (21) to have a section which is resting against the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) on that side which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), so that the force from the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is taken up by the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) as a pressure force.
Figure 4 is showing an embodiment of the fixing arrangement (17) of the steering arrangement (15), where the fixing arrangement (17) consists of a hollow body (20) and a fixing element, in the shown embodiment a plate (27) arranged at that end of the hollow body (20) which is closest to the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), mainly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow body
(20) . The plate (27) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10), at that side of the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), with a deformation arrangement, in the shown embodiment a front fastening (28) containing for example nut and bolt. In the shown embodiment the plate (27) is held against the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) also by a rear fastening (29). In a front collision the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is pushed towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), and as the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment (19) and the front wheel (14) is a rigid unit, the front fastening (28) of the plate (27) will be exposed to a traction force. The front fastening (28) is so designed that it will deform at a pre determined traction force and the forward part of the plate (27) will be released from the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10). When the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is moving towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), the plate (27) will be exposed to a bending force in a section (30) situated between the hollow body (20) and the rear fastening (29). The section (30) will deform, whereby the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) will move towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), and the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel by the vehicle. To obtain a controlled deformation of the section (30), the section (30) can have some form of weakening, such as a groove or recesses. The fixation of the plate (27) to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) can be with one or two front fastenings (28) as well as one or two rear fastenings (29), where some part of the front fastenings (28) will deform, so that the plate (27) is released at the front fastenings (28) at the predetermined load. Figure 5 shows the embodiment according to figure 4 after a frontal collision where the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) has moved towards the rear, so that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) has moved forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10). With the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment (19) and the front wheel (14) designed as a rigid unit and with the fixing arrangement (17) of the steering arrangement (15) equipped with deformable arrangements (28, 30), the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward when the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is moving towards the rear.
To make sure that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), even if the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) does not immediately move towards the rear in a frontal collision, for example if the collision happens with an object which is a great distance from ground level, can the deformation arrangement on the steering arrangement (15), the brace arrangement (23) and the front fastenings (28), be activated by an activation arrangement (42) which will get into contact with the front section (43) of the vehicle (10) when the front section (43) is deforming. The activation arrangement (42) in the embodiment shown in figure 6 is built together with the plate (27) of the steering arrangement (15) and has a pressure bar (44) and a pressure plate (45). When the front section (43) of the vehicle (10) is moving towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), the pressure plate (45) and pressure bar (44) are moving towards the rear and getting in contact with the deformation arrangement, the brace arrangement (23) and the front fastenings (28), which after a predetermined movement of the pressure bar (44) will be activated and will be deformed. At the continued deformation of the front section (43), the front section (43) easily can move the front wheel (14) towards the rear, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, so that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) is moving forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10). The activation arrangement may be fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10). As the activation arrangement (42) is activated when the front section (43) of the vehicle (10) is deforming in a frontal collision and as the activation arrangement (42) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) the activation arrangement (42) may be designed with or be a part of an energy absorbing element which will reduce the force acting on the driver of the vehicle (10) in a frontal collision.
With the above described embodiments where the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), the intermediate part (18), the wheel attachment (19) and front wheel (14) being a rigid unit and where the steering arrangement (15) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) via at least one deformable arrangement (23, 28, 30) which will deform in a frontal collision, the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) will move forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), when the front wheel (14) is moving towards the rear, whereby the risk for injuries to a belted driver is reduced, especially injuries to the head of the driver. A steering arrangement (15) according to the invention will give a very light and a very simple steering arrangement (15) which is very cost effective.
Even if the invention has been described with references to some preferred embodiments the steering arrangement may be modified in many ways within the framework of the invention idea as it is presented in the present claims.

Claims

Patent claims.
1. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle in a frontal collision, where the vehicle (10) has a support structure (22) with a driver area (11) at the front section of the vehicle (10), in the centre of the vehicle (10), seen perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), where the steering arrangement (15) has a mainly vertical direction, where the steering arrangement (15) consists of the vehicle's (10) front wheel (14), a wheel attachment (19), an intermediate part (18), a top section (16), with which the driver manoeuvres the steering arrangement (15) and a fixing arrangement (17), where the fixing arrangement (17) is between the wheel attachment (19) of the steering arrangement (15) and the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15), where the front wheel (14) of the steering arrangement (15), the wheel attachment (19), the intermediate part (19) and the top section (16) are turnably supported in the fixing arrangement (17) and that the fixing arrangement (17) is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h a t the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), the wheel attachment (19), the intermediate part (18) and the top section (16) form a rigid unit, that the fixing arrangement (17) has a fixing element (21, 27) arranged at that part of the fixing arrangement (17) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), mainly perpendicular to the mainly vertical direction of the steering arrangement (15), that the fixing element (21, 27) is supported against the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) on that side of the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) which is towards the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10), that the fixing arrangement (17) has at least one deformable arrangement (23, 28) which deforms when the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is pushed towards the rear , seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, with a force over a predetermined value, so that the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) moves forward, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle.
2. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 1 c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h a t the fixing element at the fixing arrangement (17) consists of a fixing component (21) which is fixed to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) in such a way that a minimal movement, mainly perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), can take place between the fixing component (21) and the support structure (22) if the vehicle (10).
3. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim l or 2 c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h a t the deformable arrangement at the fixing arrangement (17), is a brace arrangement (23) between that part of the fixing arrangement (17) which is towards the top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) and the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10).
4. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 3 cha racterized by that the brace arrangement (23) is arranged in front of that part (20) of the fixing arrangement (17) in which the front wheel (14), the wheel attachment (19), the intermediate part (18) and top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) are supported, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
5. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 2, 3 or 4 characterized by that the fixing component (21) and the fixation of the brace arrangement (23) to the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) form a unit.
6. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 1 characterized by that the fixing element at the fixing arrangement (17) consists of a plate (27).
7. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 6 cha racterized by that the deformable element at the fixing arrangement (17) is a front fastening (28), arranged between the plate (27) of the fixing
arrangement (17) and the support structure (22) of the vehicle (10) in front of that part (20) of the fixing arrangement (17) in which the front wheel (14), the wheel attachment (19), the intermediate part (18) and top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) are supported, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10).
8. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 7 cha racterized by that the front fastener (28) contains a nut and bolt arrangement.
9. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to any one of the claims 6, 7 or 8 cha racterized by that the plate (27) has a section (30) between the edge section of the plate (27) which is behind that part (20) of the fixing arrangement (17) in which the front wheel (14), the wheel attachment (19, the intermediate part (18) and top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) are supported, seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), and the connection of the plate (27) to that part (20) of the fixing arrangement (17) in which the front wheel (14), the wheel attachment (19, the intermediate part (18) and top section (16) of the steering arrangement (15) are supported, where the section (30) of the plate (27) will deform when the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is moving towards the rear after the front fastening (28) has been deformed.
10. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to any of the previous claims characterized by that the deformable element (23, 28) which deform when the front wheel (14) of the vehicle (10) is pushed towards the rear , seen in the direction of normal travel of the vehicle, is connected with an activation arrangement (42) which will be activated by the front section (43) of the vehicle (10) in a frontal collision.
11. Steering arrangement to reduce the risk for injury to a driver of a three-wheel vehicle according to claim 10 characterized by that the activation arrangement (42) has an energy absorbing section.
12. A three-wheel vehicle with a driver area (11) at the front section of the vehicle (10), in the centre of the vehicle (10), seen perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle (10), where the driver area has a steering arrangement (15) characterized by that the steering arrangement (15) of the vehicle (10) is according to any of the claims 1 to 11.
PCT/SE2012/000164 2011-10-21 2012-10-19 Steering arrangement for vehicle Ceased WO2013058694A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12841959.5A EP2768716B1 (en) 2011-10-21 2012-10-19 Steering arrangement for vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1100782-0 2011-10-21
SE1100782A SE536376C2 (en) 2011-10-21 2011-10-21 Control device for a three-wheeled vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013058694A1 true WO2013058694A1 (en) 2013-04-25

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2012/000164 Ceased WO2013058694A1 (en) 2011-10-21 2012-10-19 Steering arrangement for vehicle

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EP (1) EP2768716B1 (en)
SE (1) SE536376C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2013058694A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12060102B1 (en) 2023-04-17 2024-08-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Steering post reinforcement for three-wheeled vehicle

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US4325448A (en) * 1978-11-24 1982-04-20 American Microcar Incorporated Three-wheeled, motor-powered, pedal-started vehicle
US4413702A (en) * 1980-12-15 1983-11-08 Gail B. Mauer Vehicle control safety system
FR2645819A1 (en) * 1989-04-13 1990-10-19 Peugeot Safety steering column for a motor vehicle
DE4013808A1 (en) * 1990-04-28 1991-10-31 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Motor-cycle with combined saddle and pillion seat - is swung upwards in event of collision
US6032981A (en) * 1996-10-11 2000-03-07 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tilt-type steering device
US6276480B1 (en) * 1996-12-06 2001-08-21 Citymobil Ag Three-wheel motor vehicle
DE10309328A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2004-09-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Crash sensor system for motorcycles consists of e.g. pressure sensor to detect travel of front wheel or forks and their impact on parts behind during frontal collision
WO2008081218A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-10 Renault Trucks Truck with mechanical actuator to move the steering wheel to a safety position

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3578782A (en) * 1969-10-29 1971-05-18 Honda Motor Co Ltd Apparatus for the retraction of a steering wheel of a vehicle in the event of a front end collision thereof
US4325448A (en) * 1978-11-24 1982-04-20 American Microcar Incorporated Three-wheeled, motor-powered, pedal-started vehicle
US4311335A (en) * 1980-04-24 1982-01-19 Henry F. Winiecki Crash resistant motorcycle
US4413702A (en) * 1980-12-15 1983-11-08 Gail B. Mauer Vehicle control safety system
FR2645819A1 (en) * 1989-04-13 1990-10-19 Peugeot Safety steering column for a motor vehicle
DE4013808A1 (en) * 1990-04-28 1991-10-31 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Motor-cycle with combined saddle and pillion seat - is swung upwards in event of collision
US6032981A (en) * 1996-10-11 2000-03-07 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tilt-type steering device
US6276480B1 (en) * 1996-12-06 2001-08-21 Citymobil Ag Three-wheel motor vehicle
DE10309328A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2004-09-16 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Crash sensor system for motorcycles consists of e.g. pressure sensor to detect travel of front wheel or forks and their impact on parts behind during frontal collision
WO2008081218A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-10 Renault Trucks Truck with mechanical actuator to move the steering wheel to a safety position

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2768716A4 (en) 2016-07-20
SE1100782A1 (en) 2013-04-22
EP2768716B1 (en) 2018-05-16
SE536376C2 (en) 2013-09-24
EP2768716A1 (en) 2014-08-27

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