CN109689434B

CN109689434B - Vehicle horn activating device

Info

Publication number: CN109689434B
Application number: CN201780055769.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 雷米·拜莱福特
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 2016-09-09
Filing date: 2017-08-29
Publication date: 2022-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-29
Also published as: DE102016117001A1; CN109689434A; WO2018046336A1; DE102016117001B4; WO2018046336A9

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle horn activation device having a plurality of first vehicle horn contacts (2) and one second vehicle horn contact (4), wherein the first vehicle horn contacts (2) are held at a distance from the second vehicle horn contacts (4) in a fitted state and an electrical contact is established with the second vehicle horn contacts (4) in an activated state for activating a vehicle horn in order to trigger an acoustic vehicle horn signal, wherein the first vehicle horn contacts (2) are designed as leaf spring elements and are fixed in an electrically insulating holder (6), and the second vehicle horn contacts (4) are mounted in the holder (6) at a distance from the first vehicle horn contacts (2).

Description

Vehicle horn activating device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle horn activation device for mounting a steering wheel, having a plurality of first vehicle horn contacts and a second contact, wherein the first vehicle horn contacts are held at a distance from the second vehicle horn contacts in a mounted state and, for activating a vehicle horn, an electrical contact is established with the second vehicle horn contacts in an activated state for triggering an acoustic vehicle horn signal.

Background

WO 2006/076897 a1 discloses a generator support for a driver-side airbag module for mounting in a steering wheel of a vehicle, wherein two vehicle horn contacts which can be brought into electrical contact with one another are arranged on the generator support. One of these vehicle horn contacts is adapted to be electrically grounded in the installed state of the generator support. The generator carrier is designed and positioned relative to the grounded vehicle horn contact such that, when the generator carrier is properly fixed to the fixing area, an electrical contact is established between the grounded vehicle horn contact and the gas generator. The generator support is constructed as an electrical insulator. The horn contacts of the vehicle are U-shaped and are fixed on the side of the generator support facing the driver and on the side facing away from the driver, respectively. By means of the deformation of the vehicle horn contact upon the application of pressure, the two vehicle horn contacts are electrically connected to each other, thereby triggering a vehicle horn signal. This arrangement of two vehicle horn contacts on opposite sides of the generator support from each other is complicated.

DE 102008013526 a1 discloses a safety mechanism comprising a module support for an airbag unit and an airbag unit for a steering wheel fitted into a vehicle with two vehicle horn contacts. The vehicle horn contacts are electrically isolated from each other in the installed state and can be electrically contacted with each other in the activated state for triggering an acoustic vehicle horn signal. At least one of the vehicle horn contacts is formed by a plurality of vehicle horn contact sections, wherein the airbag unit is connected to the vehicle horn contact sections in an electrically conductive manner, so that the vehicle horn contacts are completed. The vehicle horn contact section and the vehicle horn contact are electrically isolated from each other by a coil spring. The electrical contact can be provided, for example, by pressing on an airbag cover of the airbag module. This structure is complicated and difficult to install.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle horn activation device which is simple in construction and easy to install.

The solution of the invention to achieve the above object is a vehicle horn activation device having the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, which disclose the description and the drawings.

The invention proposes a vehicle horn activation device for mounting in a steering wheel, having a plurality of first vehicle horn contacts and a second vehicle horn contact, wherein the first vehicle horn contacts are held at a distance from the second vehicle horn contacts in a mounted state and, for activating a vehicle horn, an electrical contact is established with the second vehicle horn contacts in an activated state, so that an acoustic vehicle horn signal is triggered, the vehicle horn activation device being designed such that: the first vehicle horn contact is designed as a leaf spring element and is fixed in at least one electrically insulating holder, and the second vehicle horn contact is mounted in the at least one holder at a distance from the first vehicle horn contact. With the solution of the first vehicle horn contact being embodied as a leaf spring element, it is not necessary to use a cylindrical compression spring which would otherwise be required to hold the two contacts at a distance from one another. The leaf spring element simultaneously serves as a restoring element for moving the actuating element back into the starting position or into the installed position after activation of the vehicle horn and removal of the pressure. The first vehicle horn contact and the second vehicle horn contact, which are designed as leaf spring elements, are mounted together in a corresponding holder or several holders, wherein the respective holder is electrically insulated, so that a contact unit can be created which is formed from the first vehicle horn contact, the second vehicle horn contact and the holder, can be designed as a module and can be installed in a prefabricated manner.

The holder is preferably designed as a separate component comprising a fastening element for fastening to the steering wheel and/or the airbag module. With the solution of the respective retaining element, which contains the fastening element, a quick mounting can be achieved by simply inserting or snapping the retaining element into a corresponding component or device on the steering wheel or the airbag module. The fixing element serves to fix the two vehicle horn contacts to the other component in a clamping or form-fitting manner and to establish a mechanical connection between the vehicle horn contacts and the steering wheel or the airbag module.

The holding element for the vehicle horn contact has form-fitting elements, in particular clips or hooks, by means of which both the vehicle horn contact can be fixed to the holding element and the holding element itself can be fixed to the steering wheel or to the airbag module.

The second vehicle horn contact is preferably designed as a wire element or a connecting wire between the holding parts. This enables a plurality of first vehicle horn contacts to be associated with each other. The mutual correspondence of the first vehicle horn contacts and the correspondence with the second vehicle horn contacts is achieved by means of said wire elements. The holder is also positioned relative to the second vehicle horn contact so that a mechanical coupling can be established by a connecting wire that is in contact with either the negative pole or the positive pole at the same time. In case only one holder is employed, no mechanical connection function is required.

The leaf spring element is mounted in the holder in a manner that is preferably displaceable towards the second vehicle horn contact in order to close the electrical contact and trigger the vehicle horn signal.

The first vehicle horn contacts can be electrically connected to one another in the installed state, for example by mounting the first vehicle horn contacts on the housing or on the gas generator, so that on the one hand a mechanical support of the first vehicle horn contacts and the leaf spring elements formed by the first vehicle horn contacts on the steering wheel or the airbag module housing is achieved and on the other hand a common electrical contact is required, so that only electrical connections, such as ground or phase connections, are required.

The second vehicle horn contact is preferably snapped into the holder, so that it can be mounted simply and quickly without additional tools. The vehicle horn activation device is preferably designed as a module that can be fastened to an airbag module or a steering wheel. The electrical insulation and the mechanical fixing of the vehicle horn contacts relative to one another are achieved by means of the holder. In the non-installed state, the first vehicle horn contacts and the leaf spring element are not electrically connected to one another, to be precise, only by mounting the vehicle horn activation device on the steering wheel or on an airbag module, for example on a gas generator, is an electrical connection established between the first vehicle horn contacts. It is also possible to snap the first vehicle horn contact into the holder, so that a tool-free connection to the holder is also established there.

The first vehicle horn contact can be coupled to a component that can be moved relative to the housing of the airbag module, while the second vehicle horn contact is fixedly supported on the housing by a holder. Alternatively, the first vehicle horn contact may be supported on the steering wheel and the second vehicle horn contact may be supported on a housing that is movable relative to the steering wheel, such as an airbag module housing, so that the contact is made either in accordance with a floating-cover (floating-module) configuration or in accordance with a floating-module (floating-module) configuration.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an airbag module including a vehicle horn activation device that has not yet been installed;

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate various steps of mounting the vehicle horn activation device;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the vehicle horn activation assembly shown installed on the airbag module;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of an uninstalled vehicle horn activation device;

fig. 9 to 12 show the respective mounting steps;

FIG. 13 is an airbag module prior to final assembly;

FIG. 14 is a variation of the present invention having an integral retainer;

figure 15 is a detail of the solution shown in figure 14;

FIG. 16 is another variation of the present invention having an integral retainer;

FIG. 17 is a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14; and

fig. 18 is a detailed view of the solution shown in fig. 17.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the components of a vehicle horn activation device for an airbag module 8. The vehicle horn activation module has a plurality of first vehicle horn contacts 2, in the embodiment shown four first vehicle horn contacts 2 being provided, which interact with second vehicle horn contacts 4 constructed as a continuous wire. The first vehicle horn contact 2 and the second vehicle horn contact 4 are each fastened to a total of four holding parts 6 and are aligned with one another in the installed state at a distance from one another and held on the holding parts 6. The vehicle horn circuit is closed only when at least one first vehicle horn contact 2 is relatively displaced with respect to a second vehicle horn contact 4, such that the two vehicle horn contacts 2, 4 touch and establish an electrical contact, thereby triggering an acoustic vehicle horn signal.

The holder 6 is provided with form-fitting elements for fixing the

vehicle horn contacts

2, 4 and for fixing them in a form-fitting manner on the airbag module 8.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first vehicle horn contact 2 is a stepped bend and is designed as a leaf spring, wherein the spring tongue is positioned adjacent to or in the vicinity of the second vehicle horn contact 4, while the sections extending in the opposite direction are used for fastening to the airbag module.

Fig. 2 shows a first mounting step for providing a vehicle horn activation device. The second vehicle horn contact 4, which is bent substantially in a U-shape, is laid to a bracket 64 or a projection, which is provided in a shaped or fixed manner on the abutment wall 61. The bracket 64 is substantially triangular and has a bearing surface for the second vehicle horn contact 4, in which a recess 641 is built in for the second vehicle horn contact 4 to press in. The mounting direction is indicated by the arrow. The holding part 6 can be formed in one piece, in particular as an injection-molded part, and is preferably made of an electrically non-conductive material, in particular plastic. During the mounting process, the recess 641 expands slightly and, after the mounting movement has ended, moves back slightly, so that the second vehicle horn contact 4 is held in the holding element 6 in a form-fitting and clamping manner as a result of the restoring force. Movability along the longitudinal extension of the second vehicle horn contact 4 can be achieved. The movability of each retainer 6 relative to the second vehicle horn contact is dependent on the retaining force provided by the recess 641.

After the second vehicle horn contact 4 is mounted on the holder 6, in the embodiment shown, four holders 6 are held on the second vehicle horn contact 4 in a manner spaced approximately uniformly from one another. Fig. 3 shows this state. The four vehicle horn contacts 2 are then passed through slits 62 in the seats 61 of the holder 6. The slot 62 is located at a small distance above the bracket 64 and the recess 641 for the second vehicle horn contact, so that after mounting, the contact section 26, which is connected at right angles to the abutment section 27, is located at a distance above the second vehicle horn contact 4, which abutment section abuts against the abutment 61 and from which the mounting section 28 projects beyond the abutment 61. For installation, the contact section 26 is inserted through the slit 62. In the abutment section 27, a bore or a mounting opening is formed, which can be engaged by a locking device 67, for example a pin or a spring element. The locking element 67 on the bearing 61 passes through a recess in the bearing section 27 and brings about a form-fitting locking and fixing of the first vehicle horn contact 2 on the holder 6. In general, four vehicle horn contact pairs are produced after the end of the installation, which are held at a distance from one another after the installation.

Fig. 4 shows the assembly after installation. The first vehicle horn contact 4 is associated with six holding parts 6, to which the first vehicle horn contact 2 is likewise fastened in a form-fitting manner. The spatial correspondence of the holder 6 with the first vehicle horn contact 2 is achieved by the second vehicle horn contact 4. In the final assembled position, the first vehicle horn contact 2 is spaced apart from the second vehicle horn contact 4. This forms a module 20 which can be fastened to the airbag module 8. A form-fitting element 68 is formed on the holder 6, which makes a plug-in connection with the cover or the actuating element. The form-fitting element 68 is arrow-shaped and provided with spring webs, so that after the insertion of the retaining elements 6 by means of the form-fitting element 68 into the receiving openings 86 in the airbag module 8 or in the module cover, these retaining elements are locked in a form-fitting manner. Fig. 5 shows this mounting step.

Fig. 6 shows the final mounting step after the module 8, which is composed of the holder 6, the second vehicle horn contact 4 and the first vehicle horn contact 2, has been fastened or pre-fastened to the module housing cover by means of the form-fitting elements 68 of the holder 6. The airbag module 8 is turned over, the fixing section 28, which is designed as a recess, is placed on the airbag module housing or the inflator 11 by means of the threaded pin 82 and is then fixed with the nut 84. Both the mechanical fastening of the first vehicle horn contacts 2, which are designed as leaf springs, and the electrical contact with the gas generator 11 or the airbag module housing are achieved by means of nuts 84, so that all first vehicle horn contacts 2 are electrically connected to one another via the respective housing.

Fig. 7 shows the airbag module 8, once installed, containing the vehicle horn activation device fixed to the airbag module. The retaining element 6 is held in a form-fitting manner in each corresponding recess 86. The nut 84 holds the fastening section 28 of the first vehicle horn contact 2 on the airbag module housing or the gas generator 11 and simultaneously brings about an electrical contact, for example, with the ground of the electrical circuit. The cover 88 of the airbag module housing 8 is displaceable relative to the module housing 80, so that during the relative displacement of the cover 88, which is supported as a movable component on the housing 80, the contact section 26 of the first vehicle horn contact 2 moves towards the second vehicle horn contact 4 and thereby activates the circuit for the vehicle horn signal.

Fig. 8 shows a variant of the invention in an exploded view, comprising a steering wheel 10 on which a holder 6 is mounted. The second vehicle horn contact 4 is likewise constructed as a continuous wire. The four first vehicle horn contacts 2, which are embodied as leaf springs, are substantially E-shaped and have a lower bearing section 28, a horizontal contact section 26 extending substantially parallel to the lower bearing section, and a substantially V-shaped bearing section arranged between the sections. The spring effect can be achieved by the V-shape of the abutment section 27. The airbag module 8, which comprises a module housing 80 and a cover 88 fixed to the housing, constitutes the driver-side termination point.

Fig. 9 shows the second vehicle horn contact 4 and four holding members 6. The holder 6 is substantially L-shaped and has a base region 60 and a seat 61, the top side of which opposite the base region 60 has a recess 641 for fixing the second vehicle horn contact 4 in a form-fitting, preferably clamping, manner. For mounting, the second vehicle horn contact 4 is inserted into the corresponding recess 641 to effect a snap fit or the like.

Fig. 10 shows the installation, in which the first vehicle horn contact 2 is inserted with its contact section 26 into the slot 62 of the holder 6. The contact section 26 is located above the installed second vehicle horn contact 4 and covers the second vehicle horn contact 4. The support section 28 is guided along the bottom side of the base section 60 and can be fixed thereto in a form-fitting manner by means of recesses and projections. The abutment section 27 is V-shaped and slotted for increased flexibility. When a pressure acting toward the bearing section 28 is applied, the contact section 26 is pressed downward toward the second vehicle horn contact 4, so that an electrical contact is made after this actuation.

For final assembly of the assembled module as shown in fig. 4, the module 20 is screwed to the steering wheel 10 by means of four screws 85. The screw 85 passes through a recess in the base section 60 of the holder 6 and presses the underside of the bearing section 28 against the base body of the steering wheel 10. An electrical connection is established between the first vehicle horn contacts 2 via the base body of the steering wheel 10, for example by means of an earth connection. In the state shown in fig. 11, the first vehicle horn contact 2 is held at a distance from the second vehicle horn contact 4.

Fig. 12 shows the finally assembled state of the vehicle horn activation device embodied as module 20, from which the base body of steering wheel 10 can be seen. The holder 6 is connected to the steering wheel 10 by means of screws 85. The contact region 26 is located above the second vehicle horn contact 4 in a slot 62 in a holder 61 of the holder. For activation, the contact region 26 is displaced downward toward the second vehicle horn contact 2, for example, by displacing the entire airbag module 8 including the cover 88 and the housing 2 downward. The elastic support of the airbag module 8 relative to the steering wheel 10 takes place by the first vehicle horn contact 2, which is designed as a leaf spring, so that, in addition to the provision of a vehicle horn signal during the contacting process, an elastic return and an elastic mounting of the airbag module 8 on the steering wheel 10 are also simultaneously initiated by the leaf spring.

For final assembly as shown in fig. 13, the airbag module 8 is plugged into the holder 6, the gas generator 11 is electrically contacted, electrical connections to the

vehicle horn contacts

2, 4 are attached, and the vehicle horn signal can be activated by displacement of the airbag module 8 towards the steering wheel 10.

Fig. 14 shows a variant of the invention on an airbag module, in which the retaining element 6 is integrally formed. The holder 6 is formed in one piece and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has four first vehicle horn contacts 2, which are embodied as leaf spring elements and are fastened to the holder 6 by means of respective nuts that contain washers. The holder 6 has a receiving space for a gas generator 11 on the side opposite the first vehicle horn contact 2, which is at least partially enclosed by the holder 6 and is thus a component of the airbag module. The retaining part 6 has a form-fitting element 65 which projects on the underside and which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is opposite to the direction of deployment of the airbag and serves to fix the integrally formed retaining part 6, for example, to the steering wheel 10 or to another vehicle component. Furthermore, guides 68 are formed, in which a receiving groove or a form-fitting element is provided in each case for receiving the second vehicle horn contact 4, which is formed here as a loop wire. Overall, four guides 68 are provided, which, together with the other holding parts, fix the second vehicle horn contact 4 to the holding part 6.

Also on the holder 6, but on the cylindrical side wall 69 projecting from the base surface of the holder 6, a movable assembly 88 constructed as a housing cover or pressure tank is fixed, wherein the movable assembly 88 is supported on the holder 6 in a torsionally rigid and longitudinally movable manner by means of recesses and projections. If the movable assembly 88 is moved downwards towards the

vehicle horn contacts

2, 4, the lower edge 880 comes into contact with the first spring contact 2 and bends this first spring contact towards the second spring contact 4, which is spaced apart in the starting position.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged view of the starting position, from which it can be seen that the first vehicle horn contact 2, which is designed as a V-shaped leaf spring element, and the second vehicle horn contact 4, which is designed as a wire, are fastened to the holder 6 at a distance from one another. A guide tab 660 for the movable assembly 88 is provided in a shaped manner on the holder 6, it also being possible to see a recess in the side wall of the movable assembly 88 and an upper edge 880. If the movable assembly 88 is displaced towards the second vehicle horn contact 4 in a manner opposite to the spring force of the leaf spring element 2, the circuit is closed and a vehicle horn signal is triggered. As soon as the vehicle user releases the load of the movable assembly 88, the movable assembly 88 is immediately moved back into the starting position again by the restoring force of the leaf spring element 2 which at the same time constitutes the first vehicle horn contact. The electrical connection of all four vehicle horn contacts 2 can be achieved by means of the gas generator 11 arranged in the holder 6 by electrically coupling the first vehicle horn contact 2 with the vehicle horn circuit via a washer containing the connection contact 22.

Fig. 16 shows a variant of the invention in which the holder 6 is a separate component constructed in modular form. The second vehicle horn contact 4 is held in a clip guide on a holder 6. The first vehicle horn contact 2, in the exemplary embodiment shown three first spring contacts 2 with mutually opposing spring tongues, is fastened by screws to an integrally formed holding part 6. To activate the vehicle horn, a pressure force is applied to the first vehicle horn contact 2, which in the starting position shown is at a distance from the second vehicle horn contact 4, toward the holder 6. The displacement force to be applied is applied, for example, by an airbag module or a steering wheel cover. A restoring force for an actuating element, not shown, is applied via the first vehicle horn contact 2.

Fig. 17 and 18 show a further variant of the invention. The structure generally corresponds to that of fig. 14 and 15, but the movable assembly 88 is not shown. Here, a guide tab 660 can be seen, which projects laterally from the wall 69, which extends from the bottom of the holder 6 in the direction of expansion. The deployment direction is the direction in which an airbag, not shown, is deployed when the gas generator 11, which is also located in the retainer 6, is activated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three first vehicle horn contacts 2 are shown, which are embodied as leaf spring elements. The second vehicle horn contact 4 is partly constructed as an electrically conductive path and communicates with a copper rivet acting as a contact area for the second vehicle horn contact 4. Fig. 18 shows a starting situation in which the

vehicle horn contacts

2, 4 are at a distance from each other. The first vehicle horn contact 2, which is embodied as a leaf spring, projects radially outward beyond the holder 6 and can then engage with the movable assembly 88. A contact lug 22 can be provided in a profiled manner on one of the first vehicle horn contacts 2 for establishing contact with the circuit. The individual first vehicle horn contacts 2 can be electrically coupled to one another via the gas generator 11. This is achieved in this exemplary embodiment by means of a contact washer 70, by means of which the three first vehicle horn contacts 2 are electrically connected to one another by means of the gas generator 11.

By the shape, size and material selection of the first vehicle horn contact 2, the reset force applied to the movable assembly can be adjusted. Furthermore, the actuating force can be adjusted accordingly. The vehicle horn travel 75, i.e. the distance between the first vehicle horn contact 2 and the second vehicle horn contact 4 which is to be passed in order to close the vehicle horn circuit, can likewise be adjusted by shaping.

Claims

1. A vehicle horn activation device for mounting in a steering wheel (10), having a plurality of first vehicle horn contacts (2) and one second vehicle horn contact (4), wherein the first vehicle horn contacts (2) are held at a distance from the second vehicle horn contacts (4) in a mounted state and in an activated state an electrical contact to the second vehicle horn contacts (4) is established for activating a vehicle horn for triggering an acoustic vehicle horn signal, characterized in that the first vehicle horn contacts (2) are constructed as leaf spring elements and are fixed in an electrically insulating holder (6) and the second vehicle horn contacts (4) are supported in the holder (6) at a distance from the first vehicle horn contacts (2), the first vehicle horn contacts (2) are electrically connected to one another in the installed state, the first vehicle horn contacts (2) are in contact with a cover which can be moved relative to a housing (80) of the airbag module (8) when a horn activation takes place, and the second vehicle horn contacts (4) are fixedly supported on the housing (80) by means of the retaining element (6), the first vehicle horn contacts being deformed when only the cover of the airbag module is displaced, and all the first vehicle horn contacts being electrically connected to a gas generator.

2. The vehicle horn activation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (6) is constructed as a separate component comprising a fixing element for fixing on the steering wheel (10) and/or the airbag module (8).

3. Vehicle horn activation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holder (6) has a form-fitting element.

4. Vehicle horn activation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second vehicle horn contact (4) is constructed as a wire element or as a connecting wire between the holders (6).

5. Vehicle horn activation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the leaf spring element is supported in the holder (6) in a manner displaceable towards the second vehicle horn contact (4).

6. A vehicle horn activation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second vehicle horn contact (4) is snapped into the holder (6).

7. Vehicle horn activation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is constructed as a module (20).

8. Vehicle horn activation device according to claim 7, characterized in that the module (20) is fixed on the airbag module (8) or the steering wheel (10).

9. The vehicle horn activation apparatus of claim 3, wherein the form-fitting element is a clip or a hook.