CN216734062U - Vehicle steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle steering wheel including a steering wheel armature including a rim and a central portion, and an airbag module mounted to the central portion of the steering wheel armature and having an airbag door cover, a housing member, and a pin extending from the housing member. The vehicle steering wheel further comprises a fixed steel wire, the rotating axis of the vehicle steering wheel is referred, and the fixed steel wire is tensioned in the axial direction relative to the steering wheel framework, so that the fixed steel wire is static relative to the steering wheel framework, wherein the airbag module can be hooked on the fixed steel wire through the pin. The vehicle steering wheel may have improved acoustic performance and durability.

Description

Vehicle steering wheel

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a vehicle steering wheel.

Background

In some vehicles, a vehicle steering wheel may have an airbag module mounted on the steering wheel frame, in which a clicker for the vehicle horn may be integrated. The airbag module can be pressed such that the mutually matching contacts of the rattling device are switched from the disconnected state into the contact-conducting state and the vehicle horn can thus be activated and rattled. When the pressing of the airbag module is released, the airbag module is reset, the mutually associated contact pieces of the squealer device are reset again from the contact conducting state to the separation state, and the vehicle horn therefore stops squealing.

In some known vehicle steering wheels, the airbag module may have a plurality of pins that may be detachably hooked to fixing wires mounted to the steering wheel frame when the airbag module is mounted to the steering wheel frame. The fixing wire and the steering wheel frame may have a gap in an axial direction with reference to a rotation direction of the vehicle steering wheel to prevent excessive frictional force, which may cause an assembling force for installing the airbag module or a disassembling force for disassembling the airbag module, from being generated between the fixing wire and the steering wheel frame in a radial direction when the airbag module is installed or disassembled. Due to the just mentioned gap in the axial direction, a larger gap may also need to be left in the radial direction between the airbag module and the steering wheel frame to ensure that the airbag module can be smoothly mounted to the steering wheel frame. Such radial play may be detrimental to the visual impact of the vehicle steering wheel.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The inventor of the present application found in the research of the vehicle steering wheel that the gap between the fixing wire of the vehicle steering wheel and the steering wheel frame is related to the noise of the vehicle steering wheel, wherein the vehicle having the vehicle steering wheel generates vibration during the driving process, the vibration can be transmitted to the airbag module, so that the pin of the airbag module can drive the fixing spring to move together, and the moving fixing spring may continuously impact the steering wheel frame, thereby causing noise and abrasion.

It is an object of the present application to provide a vehicle steering wheel which may have improved acoustic performance.

The object is achieved by a vehicle steering wheel comprising a steering wheel armature and an airbag module, preferably comprising a ring device for a vehicle horn integrated with the airbag module. The steering wheel armature comprises a rim and a central part, the airbag module being mounted to the central part of the steering wheel armature and having an airbag door cover, a housing part and a pin projecting from the housing part, wherein the vehicle steering wheel further comprises a fixing wire which is tensioned in the axial direction relative to the steering wheel armature with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, such that the fixing wire is stationary relative to the steering wheel armature, wherein the airbag module can be hooked onto the fixing wire by means of the pin.

By tensioning the fixing wire in the axial direction, the fixing wire is better able to resist vibrations, at least the mutual collision between the fixing wire and the steering wheel armature due to vehicle vibrations during vehicle travel can be reduced, or even completely avoided, which can promote an improvement in the acoustic performance of the vehicle steering wheel and reduce wear of the fixing wire, improving the durability of the product. Furthermore, it is also possible that the radial gap between the airbag module and the steering wheel skeleton can be minimized.

In some embodiments, the vehicle steering wheel may be configured for use in a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car or a van, such as a car.

In some embodiments, the axial tensioning of the fixing wire may be achieved by a pulling element for pulling the fixing wire and/or by a pressing element for pressing the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the vehicle steering wheel may include a support member that lifts the fixing wire from the steering wheel frame in an axial direction with reference to a rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

In some embodiments, the support member may be a component mounted to the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the support member may be a component fixed relative to the fixing wire, for example a plastic component injection moulded onto the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the support member may be a component that is fixed relative to the steering wheel armature, for example mounted on the steering wheel armature as a separate component or integrally formed on the steering wheel armature.

In some embodiments, the support member may be an integral part of the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the support member may be sleeved over the fixing wire and supported on the steering wheel frame.

In some embodiments, the support element can have a plurality of support arms, each of which is supported on the steering wheel skeleton at a location spaced apart from the support location of the support element for fastening the wire, in particular at the free end.

In some embodiments, the support member may have exactly two support arms which are supported at the free ends on the steering wheel skeleton.

In some embodiments, the two support arms may have a protrusion at the free end, the protrusion being supported on the steering wheel armature.

In some embodiments, the support arm may have a flat surface, wherein the surface is stiff at the free end and soft in the remaining area. The hard surface portion may have a supporting function. The soft surface area may have a slight or even negligible support function.

In some embodiments, the support member may have a sleeve that fits over the retaining wire.

In some embodiments, the length of the sleeve may be selected such that the sleeve extends to the bend of the retaining wire.

In some embodiments, the support member may be a plastic component, in particular an elastically deformable plastic component.

In some embodiments, the support member may be made of a hard material, such as a hard plastic.

In some embodiments, the supporting force of the supporting member against the fixing wire may be oriented in the axial direction, in particular, upward with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

In some embodiments, the supporting force of the support member against the fixing wire may have a component oriented in the axial direction with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, in particular the main component, i.e. the component is greater than the other component. The supporting force may be directed in particular upwards.

In some embodiments, the steering wheel armature may include a boss having a bottom, the fixing wire resting on the bottom of the boss.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the boss may have a flat bottom surface.

In some embodiments, the boss can have a through-hole into which the pin can be inserted and in the region of which it hooks onto the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the number of bosses may be greater than or equal to 3, each boss mating with a corresponding pin of the airbag module.

In some embodiments, the steering wheel armature may have a boss at each of the three o ' clock, six o ' clock, and nine o ' clock positions with reference to the rotational axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

In some embodiments, the vehicle steering wheel may include a single fixing wire.

In some embodiments, along the course of the fixing wire, the fixing wire can be lifted in the axial direction from the steering wheel frame at several points by a respective support element.

In some embodiments, the fastening wire can be stopped at a plurality of further points in the axial direction upwards or in the direction of lifting from the steering wheel frame, for example by a cam.

In some embodiments, for each boss, a support member may be provided on the wire section of the fixing wire adjacent to the boss.

In some embodiments, the retaining wire may include a generally U-shaped portion including a base and two side edges.

In some embodiments, one of the side edges mates with the first boss, the bottom edge mates with the second boss, and the other side edge mates with the third boss.

In some embodiments, the bottom edge may have a radially outward projection that passes through the through hole of the second boss.

In some embodiments, a support member may be provided at a bent portion of the fixing wire from the bottom side to each side edge.

In some embodiments, the two side edges can be radially inside the respective cams, the fastening wire having a first section bent radially outward at the end of the side edge facing away from the base edge and a second section bent toward the first section following the first section, the second section passing through the through-opening of the respective cams.

In some embodiments, a support member may be provided at a bent portion of the fixing wire from the side edge to the first section.

In some embodiments, each side and the respective first and second segments may generally enclose a triangle.

In some embodiments, the two sides may pass through the through-holes of the respective bosses.

In some embodiments, each side edge may be provided with two support members on either side of the respective boss.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have an end section bent radially inward from the side.

In some embodiments, the steering wheel frame may have two receiving portions, each receiving one end portion of the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have an axial protrusion formed by bending of the fixing wire, the axial protrusion constituting the support member.

In some embodiments, the steering wheel armature may include a plurality of bosses, the bosses may have bottoms, the fixing wire may rest on the bottoms of the bosses, the fixing wire may have a plurality of axial protrusions formed by bending of the fixing wire, the axial protrusions constituting the support member, wherein each boss is provided with at least one of the plurality of axial protrusions on a section of the fixing wire adjacent to the boss.

In some embodiments, the bottom edge may have two axial projections on either side of the second boss, and each side edge may have at least one axial projection.

In some embodiments, each boss may be provided with a separate fixing wire.

In some embodiments, some of the bosses may be provided with a common fixing wire, while the remaining bosses may be provided with a separate fixing wire, respectively.

In some embodiments, some of the bosses may be provided with one common fixing wire, while the remaining bosses may be provided with another common fixing wire. For example, in the case of a central portion of the steering wheel armature having a total of four bosses, two bosses each may be provided with a common fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have a straight section passing through the through hole of the corresponding boss, the straight section being tensioned in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel frame by the support member, and a bent portion bent back from the straight section, the bent portion pressing against the flange of the through hole.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire is tensioned in a radial direction with respect to the steering wheel skeleton with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire is tensioned in a radial direction with respect to the steering wheel armature with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, wherein the respective projection presses the fixing wire radially inwards.

In some embodiments, the forces for achieving radial tensioning, with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, may each be oriented in the radial direction or may have a component oriented in the radial direction, in particular a principal component, i.e. a component in the radial direction that is greater than a component in the tangential direction.

In some embodiments, the forces for achieving radial tension may be directed radially inward with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel.

In some embodiments, the forces used to achieve radial tension may be directed radially outward.

In some embodiments, a portion of the forces used to achieve radial tension may be directed radially inward and the remainder of the forces may be directed radially outward.

In some embodiments, the pin may have a groove configured to receive the fixing wire such that the pin hooks onto the fixing wire, the groove having a first groove side in front and a second groove side in back along an insertion direction of the pin.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may be supported on both the first and second groove sides.

In some embodiments, the fastening wire can be in contact with both the first groove flank and the second groove flank.

In some embodiments, the groove may have a groove bottom surface against which the retaining wire does not abut.

In some embodiments, the groove may not have a groove bottom, the first groove side and the second groove side abutting each other.

In some embodiments, the groove may be a circumferential groove extending around the entire circumference of the pin.

In some embodiments, the groove may be a groove extending over a portion of the circumference of the pin.

In some embodiments, the first slot side surface may be a torus.

In some embodiments, the second groove side surface may be a frustoconical surface.

In some embodiments, the groove bottom surface may be a cylindrical surface.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second slot sides may be planar.

In some embodiments, the groove bottom surface may be a flat surface.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may be indirectly supported on at least one of the first and second slot sides by means of an accessory mounted to the fixing wire.

In some embodiments, the fastening wire can rest against the first groove flank and can be indirectly supported on the second groove flank by means of the attachment.

In some embodiments, the accessory may be a plastic part, in particular an elastically deformable plastic part.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have an insulating layer on a section for contacting the pin. The insulating layer may be, for example, a plastic-clad layer.

In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have a cross-section that is circular or elliptical or any other suitable shape.

In some embodiments, the fixation wires may be in a plane over a majority (e.g., over 80% or more or 90% or more of the total length) or the entire length of their total length in an undeformed initial state.

The features already mentioned above, those to be mentioned later and those shown individually in the drawings can be combined with one another as desired, provided that the combined features are not mutually inconsistent. All technically feasible combinations of features are the technical content contained in this document.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of a vehicle steering wheel are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an airbag module of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of a steering wheel skeleton of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a fixing wire of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pin of an airbag module of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 and 9 are a partial plan view and a partial perspective view of a steering wheel skeleton of a vehicle steering wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective bottom view of a fixing wire of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view of a steering wheel skeleton of a vehicle steering wheel in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a pin of a steering wheel of a vehicle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vehicle steering wheel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14-16 are perspective views of pins according to various embodiments.

Fig. 17 is a partial longitudinal section of a vehicle steering wheel according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

A vehicle steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which includes a steering wheel frame 1 and an airbag module 2 mounted to the steering wheel frame 1, will be described first with reference to fig. 1 to 7. Typically, a ring device for a vehicle horn may be integrated in the airbag module 2. The steering wheel frame 1 may have a rim 11 and a central portion 12 connected to the rim 11 by spokes. The central portion 12 may have a central bore 13 for mounting the vehicle steering wheel to the steering column, the central bore 13 or the steering column may define the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel. Around the central hole 13, the central portion 12 may have a mounting surface 14. The mounting surface 14 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the central bore 13 or the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the airbag module 2 may have an airbag door 21 and a housing part 22, and a folded airbag, not shown, may be accommodated in a chamber enclosed by the airbag door 21 and the housing part 22. The gas generator 23 may be mounted at the bottom of the housing member 22. For example, when the vehicle is about to collide, the gas generator 23 is ignited, the gas generated by the gas generator 23 may be rapidly filled into the air bag, the air bag being inflated may break a weak portion of the panel of the airbag door cover 21, and then the air bag being continuously inflated may be ejected from the broken panel of the airbag door cover 21, which may provide a cushion to the vehicle driver so as to provide safety protection to the vehicle driver. The airbag module 2 may have pins 24. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the airbag module 2 has three pins 24, wherein, with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, a first pin 24a can be arranged in the three o ' clock position, a second pin 24b can be arranged in the six o ' clock position and a third pin 24c can be arranged in the nine o ' clock position. The airbag module 2 can be hooked by means of a pin 24 onto a fixing wire 3 as can be seen in fig. 2 and 4, which fixing wire 3 can be mounted to the central part 12 of the steering wheel armature 1.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the steering wheel frame 1 may have a mounting surface 14 surrounding the center hole 13 in the center portion 12. The steering wheel frame 1 may have three bosses 15, i.e., a first boss 15a provided at the three o ' clock position, a second boss 15b provided at the six o ' clock position, and a third boss 15c provided at the nine o ' clock position. Each boss 15 may have one through hole 16, wherein the first boss 15a has a first through hole 16a, the second boss 15b has a second through hole 16b, and the third boss 15c has a third through hole 16 c. There is a void 17a, 17b, 17c under each boss. The fixing wire 3 extends from below the through holes 16 of the respective bosses 15 through these through holes 16. The airbag module 2 can be inserted with its pins 24 into these through-holes 16 and hooked onto the fixing wire 3. The bottom of each boss 15 may have a flat bottom surface that may be generally in a plane with the mounting surface 14 or may be slightly higher than the mounting surface 14.

In the undeformed initial state, the fixing wire 3 can lie at least substantially in one plane. As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the fixing wire 3 may include a substantially U-shaped portion, which may include a bottom edge 31 and two side edges 32, wherein one right side edge 32 is matched with the first boss 15a, the bottom edge 31 is matched with the second boss 15b, and the other left side edge 32 is matched with the third boss 15 c. The bottom edge 31 has a radially outward projection 35, and the radially outward projection 35 passes through the through hole 16b of the second boss 15 b. The two side edges 32 are located radially inside the respective cams 15a, 15c, and the fixing wire 3 has a first section 33 bent radially outward at the end of the side edge 32 facing away from the base edge 31 and a second section 34 bent relative to the first section 33 and following the first section 33, the second section 34 passing through the through-openings 16a, 16c of the respective cams 15a, 15 c. Each side 32 and the respective first and second sections 33, 34 may generally enclose a triangle.

Along the extension of the fastening wire 3, for example from the end of the fastening wire 3 on the right to the end on the left as shown in fig. 4, four support elements 4 can be provided on the fastening wire 3 in succession, namely a first support element 4a arranged on the first section 33 on the right adjacent to the first projection 15a, a second support element 4b and a third support element 4c arranged at the transition of the base 31 and the side 32 adjacent to the second projection 15b, and a fourth support element 4d arranged on the first section 33 on the left adjacent to the third projection 15 c. Each support member 4 may be a plastic part, in particular an elastically deformable plastic part. Alternatively, the support element 4 can also be made of a hard material, in particular a hard plastic.

These support members 4 can lift the fixing wires 3 from the steering wheel frame 1, respectively, in the axial direction with reference to the rotational axis of the vehicle steering wheel. The supporting force of these supporting members 4 on the fixing wire 3 may be oriented at least substantially in the axial direction. In an alternative embodiment, the supporting force may have a main component oriented in the axial direction which is greater than another component oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, the resultant of the main component and the other component being the supporting force.

Due to the axial support of the fixing wire 3 by the respective support member 4, the fixing wire 3 abuts against the bottom of the respective boss 15. Each boss 15 can apply a pressing force downward in the axial direction to the fixing wire 3. The fixing wires 3 are tensioned in the axial direction relative to the steering wheel frame 1, so that the fixing wires 3 are stationary relative to the steering wheel frame 1 without play in relation to each other.

As shown in fig. 5, the support member 4 is a part mounted to the fixing wire 3. Each support member 4 may have a sleeve 43. Said sleeve 43 may extend up to a corresponding bend of the fixing wire 3 as a measure for the torsion resistance of the support element 4 with respect to the fixing wire 3. In addition to the sleeve 43, the support member 4 may have two or more support arms 42. These support arms 42 may be supported on the steering wheel armature 1, more specifically on the mounting surface 14 of the central portion 12 of the steering wheel armature 1, at locations spaced apart from the support locations of the support members 4 for fixing the wires 3, in particular at the free ends. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the support member 4 can have exactly two support arms 42, which can have a projection 41 at the free end, which projection 41 can be supported on the mounting surface 14 of the steering wheel skeleton 1. In a not shown embodiment, each support arm may have a flat surface for contact with the mounting surface 14 of the steering wheel armature 1, said surface having a hard portion at the free end of the support arm, and a soft portion in the remaining area, said hard portion may function as a protrusion 41.

Fig. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle steering wheel of fig. 1, in which a sectional plane passes through a central axis of one of the pins 24 of the airbag module 2, and fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pin 24. As shown in fig. 6, the rattle device may include a rattle plate 6 moving along with the case member 22 of the airbag module 2, the rattle plate having a contact 7 a. In the case where the vehicle steering wheel is installed in the vehicle, the contact 7a and the mating contact 7b are separated from each other when the airbag module 2 is not pressed, and when the airbag module 2 is pressed by a predetermined degree, the contact 7a moves toward the contact 7b, is brought into contact conduction with the contact 7b, and thus the vehicle horn is activated and rattled. The ringing device also includes a return spring 5 disposed on each boss 15. When the pressing of the airbag module 2 is finished, the return spring 5 separates the contacts 7a and 7b from each other again, and the vehicle horn finishes the ringing. The pin 24 may have a shank and a tip 51, in the end section of which a groove 52 may be provided, which is configured to receive the fixing wire 3, so that the pin 24 hooks onto the fixing wire 3. The recess 52 has a first groove flank in the front and a second groove flank in the rear in the insertion direction of the pin 24 and a groove bottom between the first and the second groove flank. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6 and 7, the groove 52 is a ring groove, the first and second groove sides are each a torus, and the groove bottom is a cylinder.

Next, a vehicle steering wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 and 9 are a partial top view and a partial perspective view of the steering wheel frame 101, wherein the portion described in fig. 8 and 9 corresponds to the portion described in fig. 4. Other parts of the vehicle steering wheel according to the second embodiment, which are not shown, may be the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the central portion 112 of the steering wheel frame 101 also has a central hole 113 and a mounting surface and three bosses 115. Compared to the case in the first embodiment, the steering wheel frame 101 additionally has two receiving portions 118, each receiving portion 118 receiving one end portion of the fixing wire 103. Each support member 104 may be configured the same as or similar to the support member 4 in the first embodiment.

The fixing wire 103 may comprise a substantially U-shaped portion which may comprise a bottom edge 131 and two side edges 132, wherein one right side edge 132 is adapted to the first boss and passes through the through-hole of the first boss, said bottom edge 131 is adapted to the second boss and passes through the through-hole of the second boss with its radial projection 135, and the other left side edge 132 is adapted to the third boss and passes through the through-hole of the third boss. The fixing wire 103 also has an end section 133 bent radially inwardly from each side 132. The two end sections 133 extend into the receptacle 118 of the steering wheel frame 101.

Along the extent of the fixing wire 103, for example from the end of the fixing wire 103 on the right to the end on the left, which is shown in fig. 8 and 9, six support elements 104 are arranged in succession on the fixing wire 103. Two support members 104 are provided on the fixing wire 103 near each boss. These support members 104 can lift the fixing wires 103 from the steering wheel frame 101, respectively, in the axial direction with reference to the rotational axis of the vehicle steering wheel. The supporting force of these supporting members 104 against the fixing wire 103 may be oriented at least substantially in the axial direction. In an alternative embodiment, the supporting force can have a main component oriented in the axial direction.

Due to the axial support of the fixing wire 103 by the respective support members 104, the fixing wire 103 abuts on the bottom of the respective bosses 115. Each boss 115 may apply a pressing force downward in the axial direction against the fixing wire 103. The fixing wires 103 are tensioned in the axial direction relative to the steering wheel frame 101, so that the fixing wires 103 are stationary relative to the steering wheel frame 101 without play in relation to each other.

Instead of the support members 4, 104 mounted on the fixing wires 3, 103, in an embodiment not shown, the support members for axially supporting the fixing wires may be fixedly connected to the steering wheel armature or be an integral part of the steering wheel armature.

Fig. 10 is a perspective bottom view of a fixing wire 203 of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The other components of the vehicle steering wheel, in particular the steering wheel skeleton and the airbag module, may be constructed in the same or similar manner as in the first or second embodiment. The fixing wire 203 has a U-shaped portion including a bottom side 231 and two side sides 232, the bottom side 231 also having a radial protrusion 235. The fixing wire 203 has six axial projections which are formed by bending the fixing wire 203 and constitute a support member 204. In the assembled state, these axial projections, as the support members 204, are axially supported on the mounting surface of the steering wheel frame, which applies a support force directed upward in the axial direction to the fixing wire 203 at these axial projections. Meanwhile, the three bosses of the steering wheel frame apply a pressing force directed downward in the axial direction to the fixing wire 203 between the two axial protrusions that are fitted to the respective bosses, respectively. Thus, the fixing wire 203 can be axially tensioned. In the undeformed initial state of the fixing wire 203, the fixing wire 203 can lie substantially in one plane, with the exception of six axial projections. The fixing wire 203 may have the same or similar extension as the fixing wire 103.

In the first to third embodiments of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire may be radially tensioned in addition to the axial tensioning of the fixing wire. For example, each boss of the steering wheel frame may press the fixing wire radially inward. The radially inward force of the projections on the fixing wires may be directed at least substantially in the radial direction or may have a main component directed in the radial direction.

Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view of a steering wheel skeleton of a vehicle steering wheel in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The remaining, not shown, portions of the steering wheel skeleton and the airbag module, not shown, may be constructed in the same or similar manner as in the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the central portion 312 of the steering wheel armature has a central hole 313 that defines the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel. Around the central hole 313, with reference to the rotation axis of the steering wheel, at the three o ' clock, six o ' clock and nine o ' clock positions of the steering wheel frame, bosses 315 are provided, each having a through hole 316, and a separate fixing wire 303 is provided. Three pins of the airbag module may be inserted into the corresponding through holes 316 and hooked on the corresponding fixing wires 303. As can be seen from fig. 11, the fixing wire 303 has a straight section which passes through the through hole 316 of the respective boss 315 and is tensioned in the axial direction relative to the steering wheel frame by the support member, and a bent portion which is bent back from the straight section and presses the flange of the through hole.

Next, a vehicle steering wheel according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one dowel 124 of an airbag module of a vehicle steering wheel in accordance with a fifth embodiment, and fig. 13 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle steering wheel in accordance with the fifth embodiment, in which a sectional plane passes through a central axis of one of the three dowels 124 of the airbag module. The fifth embodiment may differ from any of the first to fourth embodiments primarily in the configuration of the pin 124, and may be configured identically or similarly in other aspects of the vehicle steering wheel.

The pin 124 has a shank which has a groove 152 in an end section, which is designed as a circumferential groove. The groove 152 has a first groove flank 152b and a second groove flank 152a, which are located at the front and at the rear in the insertion direction of the pin 124, and a groove base 152c between the first groove flank 152b and the second groove flank 152 a. The first groove side surface 152b is a circular ring surface, the second groove side surface 152a is a truncated cone surface, and the groove bottom surface 152c is a cylindrical surface. The fixing wire may have a circular cross section. The fastening wire is supported both on the first groove flank 152b and on the second groove flank 152a, wherein the fastening wire bears not only against the first groove flank 152b but also against the second groove flank 152a, but not against the groove bottom 152 c. In the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire has no movement gap in the groove 152. In the case of driving a vehicle having a vehicle steering wheel according to the fifth embodiment, the fixing wire does not substantially collide with the first groove side or the second groove side despite the vibration of the vehicle and the vibration can be transmitted to the airbag module, and thus the noise caused by such a collision can be at least reduced, in particular avoided.

Fig. 14 to 16 are perspective views of pins according to various embodiments, which may be applied in an airbag module for hooking the airbag module to a fixing wire.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 14, the groove 252 of the pin 224 extends over a portion of the circumference of the pin 224, wherein the first groove side surface, the second groove side surface, and the groove bottom surface are each planar, the first groove side surface being perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 224, the groove bottom surface being parallel to the central axis, and the second groove side surface having an angle of about 60 ° to the central axis.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 15, the recess 352 of the pin 324 extends around a portion of the circumference of the pin 324. The groove 352 has a first groove flank and a second groove flank, but no groove flank, wherein the first groove flank and the second groove flank are each planar and adjoin one another. The first slot side is perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 324 and the second slot side is at an angle of about 60 deg. to the central axis.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 16, the groove 452 of the pin 424 extends around the entire circumference of the pin 424. The groove 452 has a first groove side and a second groove side, but no groove bottom, wherein the first groove side and the second groove side adjoin each other. The first slot side is perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 424 and the second slot side is at an angle of about 60 deg. to the central axis. The first and second channel sides of the channel 452 can be identical or similarly configured to the first and second channel sides 152b, 152a of the channel 152 shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle steering wheel according to another embodiment, in which the sectional view passes through a central axis of one of the pins of the airbag module. In the partial section of fig. 17, a partially depicted cam of the steering wheel armature is visible, and a partially depicted pin is inserted into a groove of the cam and hooks onto the fastening wire. In this embodiment, the pin can be designed identically or similarly to the pin shown in fig. 12, the fastening wire having an attachment 7 on the section interacting with the pin. The attachment 7 may be a plastic part, for example an elastically deformable plastic part. The fixing wire bears on the one hand against a first groove flank of the groove of the pin and on the other hand is indirectly supported by means of the attachment 7 against a second groove flank of the groove of the pin. In the case of a vehicle drive, despite the vibrations of the vehicle which are transmitted to the airbag module, the fixing wire does not substantially collide with the first groove flank or the second groove flank of the groove of the pin of the airbag module, and therefore noise caused by such a collision can be at least reduced, in particular avoided.

It is noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms "comprises" and "comprising," and other similar terms, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term "and/or" as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The thickness of elements in the figures may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be further understood that if an element is referred to as being "on," "coupled to" or "connected to" another element, it can be directly on, coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on … …", "directly coupled with … …", and "directly connected with … …" are used herein, then there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements, such as "between … …" and "directly between … …", "attached" and "directly attached", "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", etc., should be similarly interpreted.

Terms such as "top," "bottom," "above," "below," "over," "under," and the like, may be used herein to describe one element, layer or region's relationship to another element, layer or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass other orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept.

Finally, it is pointed out that the above-described embodiments are only intended to be understood as an example of the utility model and do not limit the scope of protection of the utility model. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of the utility model.

Claims (47)

1. A vehicle steering wheel comprising a steering wheel armature comprising a rim and a central portion, and an airbag module mounted to the central portion of the steering wheel armature and having an airbag door cover, a housing part and a pin protruding from the housing part, characterized in that the vehicle steering wheel further comprises a fixing wire (3, 103, 203, 303) which is tensioned in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel armature with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel such that the fixing wire is stationary with respect to the steering wheel armature, wherein the airbag module (2) can be hooked onto the fixing wire by means of the pin.

2. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a support member (4, 104, 204) which, with reference to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, lifts the fixing wire in the axial direction from the steering wheel skeleton.

3. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that the support member is a part mounted to the fixing wire, or the support member is a part fixed with respect to the steering wheel skeleton, or the support member is an integral part of the fixing wire.

4. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 2, wherein the support member is sleeved over the fixing wire and supported on the steering wheel frame.

5. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that the support member has a plurality of support arms (42), each support arm being supported on the steering wheel skeleton at a location spaced apart from the support location of the support member for fixing the wire.

6. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that the support member has exactly two support arms which are supported at the free ends on the steering wheel skeleton.

7. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 6, characterized in that the two support arms have a projection (41) at the free end, which projection is supported on the steering wheel skeleton.

8. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that the support member has a sleeve (43) which is slipped over the fixing wire.

9. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that the length of the sleeve is chosen such that it extends to the bend of the fixing wire.

10. Vehicle steering wheel according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the support member is an elastically deformable plastic part.

11. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a single fixing wire, along the extension of which the fixing wire is raised in the axial direction from the steering wheel frame at a plurality of points by a respective support element.

12. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the steering wheel armature comprises a boss (15, 115, 315) having a bottom, the fixing wire resting on the bottom of the boss.

13. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 12, characterized in that the boss has a through hole (16, 116, 316) into which the pin can be inserted and in the region of which it hooks onto a fixing wire.

14. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 13, wherein the number of bosses is greater than or equal to 3, each boss mating with a corresponding pin of the airbag module.

15. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 14, wherein the steering wheel armature has a boss at three o ' clock, six o ' clock and nine o ' clock positions, respectively, with reference to a rotational axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

16. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the steering wheel armature comprises a plurality of bosses having bottoms against which the fixing wires rest, and wherein for each boss, at least one support member is provided on a wire section of the fixing wire adjacent to the boss.

17. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the fixing wire comprises a substantially U-shaped portion comprising a base (31, 131, 231) and two side edges (32, 132, 232), one of which is associated with the first boss, the base is associated with the second boss and the other side is associated with the third boss.

18. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 17, wherein the bottom edge has a radially outward projection (35, 135, 235) that passes through the through hole of the second boss.

19. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 17, wherein a support member is provided at a bent portion of the fixing wire from the bottom side to each side, the support member lifting the fixing wire from the steering wheel frame in an axial direction with reference to a rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

20. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 17, wherein the two side edges are radially inside the respective cams, the fixing wire having a first section (33) bent radially outwards at the end of the side edge facing away from the bottom edge and a second section (34) bent in relation to the first section following the first section, the second section passing through the through-hole of the respective cams.

21. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 20, wherein a support member is provided at a bent portion of the fixing wire from the side edge to the first section, the support member lifting the fixing wire from the steering wheel frame in an axial direction with reference to a rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

22. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 20, wherein each side and the respective first and second segments generally enclose a triangle.

23. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 17, wherein the two side edges pass through the through-holes of the respective bosses.

24. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 23, wherein each side edge is provided with two support members on both sides of the corresponding boss, the support members lifting the fixing wire from the steering wheel frame in an axial direction with reference to a rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

25. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 23, characterized in that the fixing wire has an end section (133) bent radially inwards from the side edges.

26. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 23, wherein the steering wheel frame has two receiving portions (118), each receiving one end portion of the fixing wire.

27. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the fixing wire has an axial protruding portion formed by bending of the fixing wire, the axial protruding portion constituting the support member.

28. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the steering wheel skeleton includes a plurality of bosses having bottoms against which the fixing wire rests, the fixing wire having a plurality of axial protrusions formed by bending of the fixing wire, the axial protrusions constituting the support member, wherein each boss is provided with at least one of the plurality of axial protrusions on a section of the fixing wire adjacent to the boss.

29. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that each boss is provided with a separate fixing wire.

30. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 29, wherein the fixing wire has a straight section passing through the through hole of the corresponding boss and a bent portion bent back from the straight section, the straight section being tensioned in an axial direction with respect to the steering wheel frame by the support member, the bent portion pressing the flange of the through hole.

31. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fixing wire is tensioned in a radial direction with respect to a steering wheel skeleton with reference to a rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel.

32. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the fixing wire is tensioned in a radial direction with respect to the steering wheel frame with reference to a rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, wherein each boss presses the fixing wire radially inward.

33. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pin has a groove (52, 152, 252, 352, 452) configured for receiving the fixing wire such that the pin hooks onto the fixing wire, the groove having a first groove flank which is forward and a second groove flank which is rearward in the insertion direction of the pin.

34. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 33, wherein the securing wire is supported on both the first slot side and the second slot side.

35. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 34, wherein the fixing wire abuts not only the first groove side but also the second groove side.

36. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 33, wherein the groove has a groove bottom surface, the retaining wire not abutting the groove bottom surface.

37. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 33, wherein the groove does not have a groove bottom, the first and second groove sides abutting each other.

38. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 33, wherein the recess is a groove extending around the entire circumference of the pin or a groove extending around a portion of the circumference of the pin.

39. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 33, wherein the groove is a ring groove extending around the entire circumference of the pin, wherein the first groove side is a torus and the second groove side is a truncated cone.

40. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 36, wherein the recess is a groove extending around the entire circumference of the pin, wherein the groove bottom surface is a cylindrical surface.

41. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 33, wherein the groove is a groove extending over a portion of the circumference of the pin, wherein the first and second slot sides are each planar.

42. The vehicle steering wheel of claim 36, wherein the groove is a groove extending over a portion of the circumference of the pin, wherein the groove bottom surface is planar.

43. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 33, characterized in that the fixing wire is indirectly supported on at least one of the first and second slot sides by means of an attachment (7) mounted to the fixing wire.

44. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 43, characterized in that the fixing wire rests against the first slot side and is indirectly supported on the second slot side by means of the attachment.

45. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 43, wherein the attachment is an elastically deformable plastic component.

46. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fixing wire in the undeformed initial state lies in one plane over a large part of its total length or over its entire length.

47. Vehicle steering wheel according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a clicking device for the vehicle horn integrated with the airbag module.

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