An emergency steering system for a vehicle, may include a planetary gear mounted in an inlet space of a gear box for a steering apparatus so that the planetary gear is ordinarily operated at a gear ratio of 1:1 and has an increased gear ratio in the event of failure of a main steering device; and a gear ratio increasing device mounted to an upper plate portion of the gear box to increase the gear ratio of the planetary gear.

An emergency steering system for a vehicle, may include a planetary gear mounted in an inlet space of a gear box for a steering apparatus so that the planetary gear is ordinarily operated at a gear ratio of 1:1 and has an increased gear ratio in the event of failure of a main steering device; and a gear ratio increasing device mounted to an upper plate portion of the gear box to increase the gear ratio of the planetary gear.

A vehicle steering wheel comprising a central part a movable structure comprising at least a portion of a rim pivotally mounted with respect to the central part (120, 16) between: a locked position and at least one retracted position; an actuator for pivoting the movable structure between its locked position and its retracted position; a locking device which is movably mounted between an engaged position for locking the movable structure in its locked position, and a disengaged position allowing the pivoting of the movable structure, wherein the locking device comprises a hinge portion a locking portion arranged to lock the movable structure, a locking arm connecting the hinge portion and the locking portion wherein the locking arm comprises a resilient inner hinge to allow recovery of mechanical play between the locking portion and the movable structure.

A vehicle steering wheel comprising a central part a movable structure comprising at least a portion of a rim pivotally mounted with respect to the central part (120, 16) between: a locked position and at least one retracted position; an actuator for pivoting the movable structure between its locked position and its retracted position; a locking device which is movably mounted between an engaged position for locking the movable structure in its locked position, and a disengaged position allowing the pivoting of the movable structure, wherein the locking device comprises a hinge portion a locking portion arranged to lock the movable structure, a locking arm connecting the hinge portion and the locking portion wherein the locking arm comprises a resilient inner hinge to allow recovery of mechanical play between the locking portion and the movable structure.

A steering column lock comprises a bearing-mounted, free-rotating keyhole cover that covers an underlying locking device. When installed on the steering column of a vehicle, the steering column lock prevents a would-be car thief from grabbing the lock with pliers or another tool and using the lock to turn the steering column and thus drive the vehicle, because rotation of the free-rotating outer cover does not cause rotation of the other portions of the lock.

A steering column lock comprises a bearing-mounted, free-rotating keyhole cover that covers an underlying locking device. When installed on the steering column of a vehicle, the steering column lock prevents a would-be car thief from grabbing the lock with pliers or another tool and using the lock to turn the steering column and thus drive the vehicle, because rotation of the free-rotating outer cover does not cause rotation of the other portions of the lock.

A rotary connector device includes a first case, a second case, and a stopper structure. The stopper structure includes a movable member, a movement conversion portion, and a stopper. The movable member is rotatable about a rotation axis along with the second case with respect to the first case. The movable member is movable in an axial direction defined along the rotation axis with respect to the first case and the second case. The movement conversion portion is to convert a relative rotation of the first case and the second case into a movement of the movable member in the axial direction with respect to the first case and the second case. The stopper is provided on at least one of the first case and the second case. The stopper is contactable with the movable member.

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.

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.

A steering wheel and column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column housing and a steering column shaft rotatably coupled to the steering column housing. A steering wheel includes a central hub coupled to the steering column shaft and a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub by one or more spokes extending radially from the central hub. A dampening system cooperates with the steering wheel and includes at least one mass damper body disposed adjacent to central hub. One or more vibration damping elements extend at least partially through the at least one mass damper body and the central hub. One or more resilient support members cooperate with the at least one mass damper body, central hub and the one or more vibration damping elements to absorb vibrations in the steering wheel and column assembly.