In the course of the automobile development the steering wheel assumed many supplementary functions. On one hand, a number of control and comfort elements has been integrated into it. On the other hand, the steering wheel has turned into an important part of the safety package in the vehicle. In terms of safety aspects, the steering wheel erves as a means to protect the driver during an impact by absorbing the resulting energy in a predefined way. As it is an exposed control interface in the range of vision in permanent contact with the driver, the steering wheel has a high potential to increase both the active and passive safety. Fast and intuitive transfer of information makes it possible to connect the driver to assistance systems. The direct contact and the peripheral field of view which subliminally is always present allow for a continuous and instinctive support of the driver, in case of an imminent danger even a warning is possible. An active steering wheel is able to evaluate the information delivered by sensors and to define a position adapted to the situation. Split seconds before the accident happens , far beyond human response time, the steering wheel takes a defined position and improves the performance of the restraint system. This paper uses the example of the new tasks for the steering wheel to show how future generations of PreCrash safety systems recondition the classical components of restraint systems. An overview over the structural elements of the next occupant protection systems is given.
Active intervention into passive systems: new steering wheel concepts for the PreCrash phase
Aktiver Eingriff in passive Systeme: neue Lenkradkonzepte für die PreCrash Phase
2005
17 Seiten, 17 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 9 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Active intervention into passive systems : New steering wheel concepts for the PreCrash phase
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