CN108615637B - Horn switch device and steering wheel assembly - Google Patents
Horn switch device and steering wheel assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN108615637B CN108615637B CN201611144997.3A CN201611144997A CN108615637B CN 108615637 B CN108615637 B CN 108615637B CN 201611144997 A CN201611144997 A CN 201611144997A CN 108615637 B CN108615637 B CN 108615637B
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- Prior art keywords
- contact plate
- contact
- pressure
- horn switch
- switch device
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
- H01H13/28—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using compression or extension of coil springs
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
- B60Q5/001—Switches therefor
- B60Q5/003—Switches therefor mounted on the steering wheel
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a horn switch device and a steering wheel assembly. The horn switch device includes a pressing member, a contact plate assembly, and a spring element. When the pressure-moving member is not subjected to an external force, the spring member maintains a space between the pressure-moving member and the contact plate assembly, thereby maintaining the first contact plate electrically isolated from the second contact plate, and when the pressure-moving member is pressed by the external force, the pressure-moving member comes into contact with the first contact plate, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate with the second contact plate, and wherein an edge of the second contact plate is provided with a protrusion protruding toward a side where the spring member is located. The steering wheel assembly includes a horn switch arrangement as described above.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a horn switch device for a motor vehicle and a steering wheel assembly including the horn switch device.
Background
Fig. 1A and 1B show details of a prior art horn switch assembly and its contact plate assembly. Fig. 1A is a sectional view illustrating a horn switch device 100 according to the related art, and fig. 1B is a plan view illustrating a contact plate assembly of the horn switch device according to the related art. The horn switch device 100 may be used in a steering wheel assembly of a motor vehicle, which conducts an electric circuit when subjected to a sufficient pressing force. As shown in fig. 1A, the horn switch device 100 includes a pressing member 1, a spring member 2, and a contact plate assembly 3. The contact plate assembly 3 includes a first contact plate 3a and a second contact plate 3b electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressing member. The second contact plate 3b extends around the first contact plate 3a, and both of them are integrally formed by molding. For example, it is formed in one piece by injection molding the insulating molding material 5 around the contact plate. The first contact plate 3a and the second contact plate 3b are respectively connected to both poles of a power source (not shown). The spring element 2 is arranged around a part of the pressure-actuated component 1 between the pressure-actuated component 1 and the second contact plate 3b, one end of the spring element 2 abutting and electrically connecting the pressure-actuated component 1 and the other end abutting and electrically connecting the second contact plate 3 b. When the pressure-sensitive member 1 is not subjected to an external force, the spring element 2 maintains the spacing between the pressure-sensitive member 1 and the contact plate assembly 3, thereby maintaining the first contact plate 3a electrically isolated from the second contact plate 3 b. When the pressing member 1 is pressed by an external force, the pressing member 1 contacts the first contact plate 3a, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate 3a and the second contact plate 3 b. When the first contact plate 3a and the second contact plate 3b are electrically connected, the circuit of the horn is turned on, and the horn makes a sound.
Referring next to fig. 1B, when injection molding is performed by molding the molding material 5 around the first contact plate 3a and the second contact plate 3B, the molding material 5 generally covers a portion of the surface of the second contact plate 3B facing the spring element 2 (as shown in portion a of fig. 1B). When the area of the molding material 5 covering the second contact plate 3b is too large, the electrical connection between the spring element 2 and the second contact plate 3b may be affected, even resulting in poor contact. In this case, when the pressing member 1 is pressed by an external force, the contact between the spring element 2 and the second contact plate 3b is poor, so that the switch cannot operate normally, especially in the case where the spring element 2 is in contact with only the molding material 5 on the surface of the second contact plate 3 b. As a result, the first contact plate 3a and the second contact plate 3b cannot be electrically connected, and therefore the circuit of the horn cannot be conducted.
In order to solve the above problem, the prior art solution introduces a gasket 4. In particular, the washer 4 is arranged on and in contact with the surface of the second contact plate 3b facing the spring element 2, and one end of the spring element 2 abuts against the washer 4. The gasket 4 increases the contact area with the second contact plate 3 b. In this way, when the pressure member 1 is pressed by an external force, the spring element 2 can be indirectly electrically connected to the second contact plate 3b through the washer 4 without easily causing a problem of poor contact. As a result, the circuit of the horn can be turned on.
However, the prior art solution of avoiding the horn being non-conductive by introducing the gasket 4 makes the structure of the horn switch device more complicated due to the introduction of additional components.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention aims to provide a horn switch device with a simple structure. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a horn switch device capable of avoiding contact failure due to an insulating molding material. In addition, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel assembly including the horn switch device.
The present invention provides a horn switch device, comprising: a pressing component; a contact plate assembly including a first contact plate and a second contact plate electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressure component, the second contact plate extending at least partially around the first contact plate; and a spring member disposed around at least a portion of the pressure-moving member between the pressure-moving member and the second contact plate, one end of the spring member abutting and electrically connecting the pressure-moving member, and the other end of the spring member abutting and electrically connecting the second contact plate, wherein, when the pressure-moving member is not subjected to an external force, the spring member maintains a space between the pressure-moving member and the contact plate assembly, thereby maintaining the first contact plate electrically isolated from the second contact plate, and when the pressure-moving member is pressed by the external force, the pressure-moving member contacts the first contact plate, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate to the second contact plate, and wherein an edge of the second contact plate is provided with a protrusion protruding toward a side where the spring member is located.
According to the horn switch device of the above embodiment, it is possible to maintain good contact between the spring member and the second contact plate only by providing the protrusion portion at the edge of the second contact plate without introducing an additional member. Therefore, the horn switch device of this embodiment is simple in structure and low in cost.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protrusion extends along at least a portion of an inner peripheral edge of the second contact plate. With this configuration, the molding material injected between the first contact plate and the second contact plate is prevented from flowing into and covering the surface of the second contact plate facing the spring element.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the pressure part is provided with a circumferential flange against which one end of the spring element can abut.
The present invention also provides a horn switch device, comprising: pressing the movable column; a movable contact member connected to the pressing column such that the movable contact member can move together with the pressing column; a contact plate assembly including a first contact plate and a second contact plate electrically isolated from each other and facing the movable contact member, the second contact plate extending at least partially around the first contact plate; and a spring member surrounding at least a portion of the pressing post and having one end abutting against the pressing post, wherein when the pressing post is not subjected to an external force, the spring member maintains a space between the movable contact member and the contact plate assembly so as to maintain the movable contact members electrically isolated from the first contact plate and the second contact plate, respectively, and wherein when the pressing post is pressed by the external force, the movable contact members are brought into contact with the first contact plate and the second contact plate, respectively, so as to electrically connect the first contact plate with the second contact plate. According to this embodiment, another horn switch device of simple structure is provided, and good electrical contact can be achieved with the movable contact member.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable contact member includes a U-shaped portion, wherein a bottom wall of the U-shaped portion extends parallel to the first contact plate and the second contact plate, and both end portions of the bottom wall are respectively bent into a first protrusion protruding toward the first contact plate, and a middle portion of the bottom wall is bent into a second protrusion protruding toward the second contact plate, and wherein when the pressing column is pressed by an external force, the first protrusion is in contact with the first contact plate, and the second protrusion is in contact with the second contact plate, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate with the second contact plate.
According to the horn switch device of the above embodiment, the U-shaped portion can be brought into contact with the contact plate assembly more reliably with the protrusion and the contact plate assembly, as compared with the embodiment in which the entire bottom wall is brought into contact with the contact plate (i.e., the flat surface is brought into contact with the flat surface) when the protrusion is not provided on the bottom wall.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the U-shaped portion includes a narrow-mouth portion and a wide-mouth portion, the wide-mouth portion being closer to the contact plate assembly than the narrow-mouth portion, the narrow-mouth portion being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pressure-actuating cylinder, the wide-mouth portion having a space therebetween. In this way, when the U-shaped portion is pressed along with the pressing post, the wide-mouth portion has a deformation space.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at the end of at least a part of the pressure stud, a projection is provided, which abuts against the first protrusion. The first protrusion is ensured to be in contact with the first contact plate by abutting the first protrusion with the convex portion.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the first protrusion and the first contact plate is larger than the distance between the second protrusion and the second contact plate.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable contact part further comprises two arc-shaped portions, each of the arc-shaped portions being connected to a free end of the U-shaped portion and being perpendicular to the U-shaped portion.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressing column is configured to be stepped and has a first shoulder portion against which the spring member abuts and a second shoulder portion against which the arc-shaped portion abuts in order from the outer peripheral surface of the pressing column toward the direction of the central axis thereof.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second contact plate is ring-shaped and the spring element is arranged outside the second contact plate.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable contact part is an elastic member.
The present invention provides a horn switch device, comprising: a pressing component; a contact plate assembly including a first contact plate and a second contact plate electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressure component, the second contact plate extending at least partially around the first contact plate; and a diaphragm spring disposed between the pressure member and the contact plate assembly, and one end of the diaphragm spring abuts against the pressure member, and the other end of the diaphragm spring abuts against and electrically connects one of the first contact plate and the second contact plate, wherein, when the pressure member is not acted by an external force, the diaphragm spring maintains an interval between the pressure member and the contact plate assembly, thereby maintaining the first contact plate electrically isolated from the second contact plate, and when the pressure member is pressed by the external force, one end of the diaphragm spring contacts with the other of the first contact plate and the second contact plate, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate and the second contact plate. According to this embodiment. Another horn switch device is provided which is simple in construction and provides good electrical contact using a diaphragm spring.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical spring is arranged between the pressure-acting part and the diaphragm spring, which helical spring surrounds at least a part of the pressure-acting part, one end of the helical spring abutting against the pressure-acting part and the other end thereof abutting against the diaphragm spring, so that one end of the diaphragm spring indirectly abuts against the pressure-acting part by means of the helical spring.
The invention provides a steering wheel assembly, which comprises the horn switch device.
Drawings
Fig. 1A is a sectional view showing a horn switch device according to the prior art.
Fig. 1B is a plan view showing a contact plate assembly of a horn switch device according to the related art.
Fig. 2A is a perspective view showing a horn switch device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2B is a sectional view showing a horn switch device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a horn switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3B is a sectional view showing a horn switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3C is a schematic structural view showing a clevis bracket and a contact plate assembly of a horn switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3D is a partial perspective view illustrating a horn switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3E is a schematic view showing a first protrusion and a second protrusion of a horn switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing a horn switch device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing a horn switch device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4C is a perspective view showing a horn switch device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4D is a perspective view showing a horn switch device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description and drawings are illustrative of the principles of the invention, which is not limited to the preferred embodiments described, but is defined by the claims.
Horn switch device
Next, a horn switch device according to various embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to fig. 2A to 4D.
< first embodiment >
First, a horn switch device 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to fig. 2A and 2B. Fig. 2A is a perspective view showing a horn switch device 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2B is a sectional view showing the horn switch device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in fig. 2A, the horn switch device 200 includes a pressing part 210, a spring member 220, and a contact plate assembly 230. The contact plate assembly 230 includes a first contact plate 231 and a second contact plate 232 electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressing member 210. The second contact plate 232 extends around at least a portion of the first contact plate 231, and both are integrally formed by molding. For example, by injection molding an insulative molding material (not shown) around the contact plate. The first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232 are connected to both poles of a power source (not shown), respectively, and when the first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232 are conducted, the circuit of the horn is also conducted.
The pressing member 210 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. The spring element 220 is provided between the pressure-moving part 210 and the second contact plate 232 around at least a part of the pressure-moving part 210 (specifically, a lower end portion thereof), one end of the spring element 220 abuts and is electrically connected to the pressure-moving part 210 and the other end thereof abuts and is electrically connected to the second contact plate 232. It should be understood that the spring element 220 is made of an electrically conductive material and the pressure member 210 is also made of an electrically conductive material. When the pressing part 210 is not applied with an external force, the spring member 220 maintains the interval between the pressing part 210 and the contact plate assembly 230, thereby maintaining the first contact plate 231 to be electrically isolated from the second contact plate 232. When the pressing member 210 is pressed by a sufficient external force, the pressing member 210 contacts the first contact plate 231, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate 231 with the second contact plate 232. When the first contact plate 231 is electrically connected to the second contact plate 232, the circuit of the speaker is turned on, so that the speaker makes a sound.
The edge of the second contact plate 232 is provided with a protrusion 232a, and the protrusion 232a protrudes toward the side where the spring member 220 is located. When the first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232 are molded as one body, the protrusion 232a prevents the molding material from flowing into and covering the surface of the second contact plate 232 facing the spring member 220. Therefore, when the pressing member 210 is pressed by an external force, the spring member 220 is prevented from making poor contact with the second contact plate 232, and thus the horn can emit a sound.
Further, according to the horn switch device of the above embodiment, it is possible to maintain good contact between the spring member 220 and the second contact plate 232 only by providing the protrusion 232a at the edge of the second contact plate 232 without introducing an additional component. Therefore, the horn switch device 200 of this embodiment is simple in structure and low in cost.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 2A, a protrusion 232A extends along at least a portion of an inner circumferential edge of the second contact plate 232 to prevent the molding material injected between the first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232 from flowing into and covering a surface of the second contact plate 232 facing the spring element 220. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the protrusion 232a may also extend along, for example, the peripheral edge of the second contact plate 232 to prevent molding material outside the second contact plate 232 from flowing into and covering the surface of the second contact plate 232 facing the spring element 220, depending on the particular needs.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the pressure member 210 is provided with a circumferential flange 211. One end of the spring element 220 can abut against this circumferential flange 211.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first contact plate 231 includes a fixed contact 231 a. The fixed contact 231a is provided on a surface of the first contact plate 231 facing the pressing member 210, and the fixed contact 231a is protruded. When the pressing member 210 is pressed by an external force, the fixed contact 231a contacts the pressing member 210, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232. Since the fixed contact 231a protrudes with respect to the other portion of the first contact plate 231, when the first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232 are integrally molded, the molding material does not flow into and cover the fixed contact 231 a. As a result, the first contact plate 231 and the second contact plate 232 are electrically connected, so that the horn can emit a sound.
< second embodiment >
Next, a horn switch device 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 3A to 3E.
Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a horn switch device 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 3A, the horn switch device 300 includes a pressing column 310, a movable contact part 320, a spring element 330, and a contact plate assembly 340. The movable contact member is connected with the pressing post 310 such that the movable contact member 320 can move together with the pressing post 310. It should be understood that the movable contact member 320 is made of a conductive material. Preferably, the movable contact member 320 is an elastic member.
The contact plate assembly 340 includes a first contact plate 341 and a second contact plate 342 electrically isolated from each other and facing the movable contact member 320, the second contact plate 342 extending at least partially around the first contact plate 341. Preferably, the second contact plate 342 is provided as an annular plate, and the first contact plate 341 is disposed at a hollow region of the annular plate. The first contact plate 341 and the second contact plate 342 are integrally formed by molding. For example, by injection molding an insulative molding material (not shown) around the contact plate. When the first contact plate 341 and the second contact plate 342 are connected to two poles of a power source, respectively, the circuit of the horn is also turned on when the first contact plate 341 and the second contact plate 342 are turned on.
The spring element 330 surrounds at least a portion of the pressure post 310 and one end of the spring element 330 abuts the pressure post 310. Preferably, the spring element 330 is arranged outside the second contact plate 342. When the pressing column 310 is not applied with an external force, the spring element 330 maintains the interval between the movable contact member 320 and the contact plate assembly 340, thereby maintaining the movable contact member 320 electrically isolated from the first contact plate 341 and the second contact plate 342, respectively. When the pressing column 310 is pressed by a sufficient external force, the movable contact members 320 are brought into contact with the first contact plate 341 and the second contact plate 342, respectively, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate 341 with the second contact plate 342. When the first contact plate 341 is electrically connected to the second contact plate 342, the circuit of the speaker is turned on, and the speaker makes a sound.
Fig. 3C is a perspective view illustrating the U-shaped portion 321 and the contact plate assembly 340 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the movable contact part 320 includes a U-shaped portion. It should be understood that the U-shaped portion 321 as described herein indicates that the movable contact member 320 may be precisely U-shaped or may be substantially U-shaped. The bottom wall of the U-shaped portion 321 extends substantially parallel to the first and second contact plates 341, 342. Both end portions of the bottom wall are respectively bent into first protrusions 321a protruding toward the first contact plate 341, and a middle portion of the bottom wall is bent into second protrusions 321b protruding toward the second contact plate 342. When the pressing column 310 is pressed by an external force, the first protrusion 321a contacts the first contact plate 341, and the second protrusion 321b contacts the second contact plate 342, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate 341 and the second contact plate 342.
When the pressing column 310 is pressed by an external force, the U-shaped portion 321 can be brought into contact with the contact plate assembly 340 more reliably with the protrusion and the contact plate assembly 340, compared to an embodiment in which the entire bottom wall is in contact with the contact plate (i.e., the flat surface is in contact with the flat surface) when the protrusion is not provided on the bottom wall.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the U-shaped portion 321 includes a narrow-mouth portion 321m and a wide-mouth portion 321 n. The wide mouth portion 321n is closer to the contact plate assembly 340 than the narrow mouth portion 321 m. The first projection 321a and the second projection 321b are provided on the wide-mouth portion 321 n. Referring again to fig. 3B, the narrow-mouth portion 321m is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pressure cylinder 310, and the wide-mouth portion 321n has a space therebetween. In this way, when the U-shaped portion 321 is pressed along with the pressing column 310, the wide-mouth portion 321n has a deformation space. When the distance between the first protrusion 321a and the first contact plate 341 is different from the distance between the second protrusion 321b and the second contact plate 342, both the first protrusion 321a and the second protrusion 321b can be brought into contact with the contact plate assembly 340 by the deformation of the wide-mouth portion 321 n.
Fig. 3D is a partial perspective view illustrating a horn switch device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the pressing column 310 is provided at an end facing the contact plate assembly 340 with a boss 311, and the boss 311 abuts against the first protrusion 321 a. When the pressing column 310 is pressed by an external force, the boss 311 abuts against the first protrusion 321a, thereby ensuring that the first protrusion 321a is in contact with the first contact plate 341.
Fig. 3E is a schematic view illustrating the structures of the first and second protrusions 321a and 321b according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the first protrusion 321a and the first contact plate 341 is greater than the distance between the second protrusion 321b and the second contact plate 342, preferably 0.3mm greater. When the pressing column 310 is pressed by an external force, the two second protrusions 321b of the end of the bottom wall are first brought into contact with the second contact plate 342. Then, since the convex portion 311 abuts against the first protrusion 321a, the first protrusion 321a is also in contact with the first contact plate 341.
Referring again to fig. 3C, the movable contact member 320 further includes two arc-shaped portions 322, each of the arc-shaped portions 322 being connected to the free end 321p of the U-shaped portion 321 and being perpendicular to the U-shaped portion 321. In this way, at least a portion of the plunger 310 is accommodated in the movable contact part 320.
Referring again to fig. 3B, the pressing cylinder 310 is configured in a stepped shape and has a first shoulder 312 and a second shoulder 313 in order from the outer circumferential surface of the pressing cylinder 310 toward the central axis thereof. The spring element 330 abuts against the first shoulder 312 and the arc abuts against said second shoulder 313. With this embodiment, the spring element 330 and the U-shaped member 321 do not interfere with each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the arc 322 may be located at the same shoulder as the compression post 310, and the spring element 330 abuts the arc 322.
< third embodiment >
Next, a third embodiment of the horn switch device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 4A to 4D. Fig. 4A to 4D are schematic structural views showing various alternatives of a third embodiment of the horn switch device according to the present invention. In a third embodiment of the invention, a diaphragm spring is used, and fig. 4A to 4D show four different alternative embodiments according to the present embodiment, respectively.
As shown in fig. 4A, the horn switch device 400 includes a pressing member 410, a diaphragm spring 420, and a contact plate assembly 430. The contact plate assembly 430 includes a first contact plate 431 and a second contact plate 432 electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressing member 410, the second contact plate 432 extending at least partially around the first contact plate 431. Preferably, the second contact plate 432 is provided as a ring-shaped plate, and the first contact plate 431 is disposed at a hollow region of the ring-shaped plate. The first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432 are formed in one piece by molding. For example, by injection moulding of an insulating plastics material (not shown) around the contact plate. The first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432 are connected to two poles of a power source (not shown), respectively, and when the first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432 are conductive, the circuit of the horn is also conductive.
With continued reference to fig. 4A or 4C, the diaphragm spring 420 is disposed between the pressing member 410 and the contact plate assembly 430, and one end of the diaphragm spring 420 abuts against the pressing member 410 and the other end of the diaphragm spring 420 abuts against and electrically connects one of the first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432. Preferably, the other end of the diaphragm spring 420 may be fixed to a corresponding one of the first and second contact plates 431 and 432. It should be understood that the diaphragm spring 420 is made of a conductive material. The diaphragm spring 420 referred to herein is a diaphragm spring as is known in the art. Specifically, the diaphragm spring 420 has a thin-walled diaphragm having an overall truncated cone shape, and a plurality of radial slits are formed along the cone from the small-diameter end thereof. The construction of the diaphragm spring is well known to those skilled in the art, and a more detailed description of the diaphragm spring will not be provided herein. When the pressing member 410 is not applied with an external force, the diaphragm spring 420 maintains a space between the pressing member 410 and the contact plate assembly 430, thereby maintaining the first contact plate 431 to be electrically isolated from the second contact plate 432. When the pressing member 410 is pressed by an external force, one end of the diaphragm spring 420 comes into contact with the other one of the first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432.
Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4B and 4D, a coil spring 440 may be additionally provided between the pressing member and the diaphragm spring 420. A coil spring 440 surrounds at least a portion of the pressure member 410, for example, one end of the coil spring 440 abuts against the pressure member 410 and the other end thereof abuts against the diaphragm spring 420, so that one end of the diaphragm spring 420 indirectly abuts against the pressure member 410 by means of the coil spring 440. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one end of the coil spring 440 abuts against a shoulder of the pressing member 410.
Fig. 4A to 4D respectively show four structures according to the above embodiment. Specifically, in the first configuration shown in fig. 4A, the diaphragm spring 420 includes a small diameter end 421 and a large diameter end 422. When the pressing member 410 is not pressed by an external force, the pressing member 410 contacts the small-diameter end 421 of the diaphragm spring 420, and the large-diameter end 422 contacts and is electrically connected to the second contact plate 432. When the pressing member 410 is pressed by an external force, the small diameter end 421 of the diaphragm spring 420 contacts the first contact plate 431, so that the first contact plate 431 and the second contact plate 432 are electrically connected. The second structure shown in fig. 4B is substantially the same as the first structure shown in fig. 4A, and differs mainly in that the second structure shown in fig. 4B further has a coil spring 440 provided between the pressing member 410 and the diaphragm spring 420. The third structure shown in fig. 4C is substantially the same as the first structure shown in fig. 4A, and differs from the first structure shown in fig. 4A mainly in that when the pressing member 410 is not pressed by an external force, the large-diameter end 422 is in contact with the pressing member 410, and the small-diameter end 421 is in contact with and electrically connected to the first contact plate 431. The fourth configuration shown in fig. 4D is substantially the same as the third configuration shown in fig. 4C, and differs mainly in that the fourth configuration shown in fig. 4D has a coil spring 440 provided between the pressing member 410 and the diaphragm spring 420.
Steering wheel assembly
Next, a steering wheel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The steering wheel assembly includes an airbag module, a steering wheel armature, and a horn switch arrangement as described above. The steering wheel frame includes a hub. The hub forms a generally box-like shape open at one end that houses at least a portion of the airbag module. The airbag module is fixedly matched with the steering wheel framework through bolts at the corresponding position of the hub of the steering wheel framework, and the horn switch device is installed on the airbag module. When the horn switch device is pressed, the horn emits an audible signal. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not so limited and that connections may be used to connect the horn switch arrangement to other components of the steering wheel assembly. In addition, since the structure of the steering wheel assembly is well known to those skilled in the art, further description of other components of the steering wheel assembly is omitted here.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various elements of the disclosed invention are shown in various example combinations and configurations, other combinations, including more, less or all, are also within the scope of the invention.
Claims (15)
1. A horn switch apparatus, comprising:
a pressing component;
a contact plate assembly including a first contact plate and a second contact plate electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressure member, the second contact plate extending at least partially around the first contact plate; and
a spring element disposed around at least a portion of the pressure component between the pressure component and the second contact plate, one end of the spring element abutting and electrically connecting the pressure component and the other end of the spring element abutting and electrically connecting the second contact plate, wherein
The spring member maintains a space between the pressing member and the contact plate assembly when the pressing member is not applied with an external force, thereby maintaining the first contact plate electrically separated from the second contact plate, and the pressing member contacts the first contact plate when the pressing member is pressed with an external force, thereby electrically connecting the first contact plate with the second contact plate, and wherein
The edge of the second contact plate is provided with a projection projecting towards the side on which the spring element is located.
2. The horn switch device of claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends along at least a portion of an inner peripheral edge of the second contact plate.
3. Horn switch arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer surface of the pressure part is provided with a circumferential flange against which one end of the spring element can abut.
4. A horn switch apparatus, comprising:
pressing the movable column;
a movable contact member connected to the pressing column such that the movable contact member is movable together with the pressing column;
a contact plate assembly including a first contact plate and a second contact plate electrically isolated from each other and facing the movable contact member, the second contact plate extending at least partially around the first contact plate; and
a spring element surrounding at least a portion of the pressure post and having one end abutting the pressure post, wherein
The spring member maintains a spacing between the movable contact member and the contact plate assembly when the plunger is not subjected to an external force, thereby maintaining the movable contact member electrically isolated from the first contact plate and the second contact plate, respectively, and wherein
When the pressing column is pressed by an external force, the movable contact parts are respectively contacted with the first contact plate and the second contact plate, so that the first contact plate and the second contact plate are electrically connected.
5. The horn switch device of claim 4 wherein the movable contact part comprises a U-shaped portion, wherein
A bottom wall of the U-shaped portion extends parallel to the first contact plate and the second contact plate, and both end portions of the bottom wall are respectively bent into a first protrusion protruding toward the first contact plate, and a middle portion of the bottom wall is bent into a second protrusion protruding toward the second contact plate, and wherein
When the pressure column is pressed by an external force, the first protrusion is in contact with the first contact plate, and the second protrusion is in contact with the second contact plate, so that the first contact plate and the second contact plate are electrically connected.
6. The horn switch device of claim 5, wherein the U-shaped portion includes a narrow-mouth portion and a wide-mouth portion, the wide-mouth portion being closer to the contact plate assembly than the narrow-mouth portion, the narrow-mouth portion being in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the pressure-acting column, the wide-mouth portion having a space therebetween.
7. The horn switch device of claim 6 wherein a boss is provided at an end of at least a portion of the pressure post, the boss abutting the first protrusion.
8. The horn switch device of claim 7, wherein a distance between the first protrusion and the first contact plate is greater than a distance between the second protrusion and the second contact plate.
9. The horn switch device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the movable contact part further comprises two arc-shaped portions each of which is connected to a free end of the U-shaped portion and is perpendicular to the U-shaped portion.
10. The horn switch device of claim 9, wherein the pressing column is configured to be stepped and has a first shoulder portion against which the spring member abuts and a second shoulder portion against which the arc-shaped portion abuts in order from an outer peripheral surface of the pressing column toward a central axis thereof.
11. The horn switch device of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said second contact plate is ring-shaped and said spring element is provided outside said second contact plate.
12. The horn switch device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the movable contact part is an elastic member.
13. A horn switch apparatus, comprising:
a pressing component;
a contact plate assembly including a first contact plate and a second contact plate electrically isolated from each other and facing the pressure member, the second contact plate extending at least partially around the first contact plate; and
a diaphragm spring disposed between the pressure member and the contact plate assembly, and one end of the diaphragm spring abuts against the pressure member and the other end of the diaphragm spring abuts against and electrically connects one of the first contact plate and the second contact plate, wherein
The diaphragm spring maintains a spacing between the pressure member and the contact plate assembly when the pressure member is not subjected to an external force, thereby maintaining the first contact plate electrically isolated from the second contact plate, and wherein
When the pressing member is pressed by an external force, one end of the diaphragm spring is in contact with the other one of the first contact plate and the second contact plate, so that the first contact plate and the second contact plate are electrically connected.
14. The horn switch device of claim 13 wherein a coil spring is provided between the pressure-acting part and the diaphragm spring, the coil spring surrounding at least a portion of the pressure-acting part, one end of the coil spring abutting against the pressure-acting part and the other end thereof abutting against the diaphragm spring, so that one end of the diaphragm spring indirectly abuts against the pressure-acting part by means of the coil spring.
15. A steering wheel assembly comprising a horn switch arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201611144997.3A CN108615637B (en) | 2016-12-12 | 2016-12-12 | Horn switch device and steering wheel assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201611144997.3A CN108615637B (en) | 2016-12-12 | 2016-12-12 | Horn switch device and steering wheel assembly |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN108615637A CN108615637A (en) | 2018-10-02 |
| CN108615637B true CN108615637B (en) | 2020-05-12 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201611144997.3A Expired - Fee Related CN108615637B (en) | 2016-12-12 | 2016-12-12 | Horn switch device and steering wheel assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN108615637B (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN202150393U (en) * | 2011-06-28 | 2012-02-22 | 东莞市高特电子有限公司 | Multi-directional slide switch |
| CN103318121A (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2013-09-25 | 延锋百利得（上海）汽车安全系统有限公司 | Ringing mechanism of airbag |
| EP2915704A1 (en) * | 2014-03-04 | 2015-09-09 | Dalphi Metal España, S.A. | Airbag module with an electrical plug- or socket-type connector |
-
2016
- 2016-12-12 CN CN201611144997.3A patent/CN108615637B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN202150393U (en) * | 2011-06-28 | 2012-02-22 | 东莞市高特电子有限公司 | Multi-directional slide switch |
| CN103318121A (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2013-09-25 | 延锋百利得（上海）汽车安全系统有限公司 | Ringing mechanism of airbag |
| EP2915704A1 (en) * | 2014-03-04 | 2015-09-09 | Dalphi Metal España, S.A. | Airbag module with an electrical plug- or socket-type connector |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN108615637A (en) | 2018-10-02 |
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Granted publication date: 20200512 Termination date: 20211212 |