DE102006007085A1 - Arrangement for discharging electrostatic charges from component to be decoupled from oscillation, has device for holding contact flange in component under designing of electrical contact between elongated rigid structure and component - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement consists of elongated rigid structure of a conductive material e.g. metal and/or aluminum. The structure has a contact flange and a contact lug, which extends from the component through the filter to a carrier side electric earth connection in the mounted condition of the structure. A device is provided for holding the flange in the component under designing of electrical contact between structure and component. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) air bag module and (2) method for mounting an electrically conductive, elongated, rigid structure in a vibration damping system.

Description

The The invention relates to an arrangement for dissipating electrostatic Charges from a component to be decoupled from vibrations, such as a gas generator of an airbag module. The decoupled from vibrations Component is usually over a elastic absorber, such as an elastomeric ring, which surrounds the gas generator extends, on a vibration-excited carrier, for example on a Steering wheel structure, capable of oscillating coupled.

An airbag module with an elastic support of the gas generator is off DE 20 210 372 U1 known. For the elastic bearing at least one electrically conductive elastic mass element is provided. The mass element is made of electrically conductive silicone or rubber. The mass element is arranged between the gas generator and a metallic assembly connected to the motor vehicle. The mass element is linked to both the gas generator and a component of the assembly. DE'372 therefore proposes a measure for dissipating electrostatic charges, after which the absorber is at least partially electrically conductive. It turned out disadvantageous that with the introduction of electrically conductive particles in the elastic base material of the absorber is not always ensured sufficient electrical conductivity through the absorber. On the other hand can be accompanied by the electrically conductive particles, a solidification of the base material, which may affect the vibration-extinguishing characteristic of the absorber.

From the DE 10 254 161 A1 For example, a gas generator grounding device is known in which a flexible grounding cable is provided at one end with a cable fitting which is to be electrically connected to the gas generator. The cable connection piece comprises a clamping sleeve, which can be inserted into a clamping recess in the gas generator. In this known grounding measure several components are already necessary only for the contact production with the gas generator. In addition, the grounding cable made in one piece with the cable connector is expensive to construct and moreover liable to be injured during assembly, so that a safe dissipation of electrostatic charges from the inflator is not ensured with sufficient safety.

It object of the invention, the disadvantages of the prior art to overcome, in particular an arrangement for dissipating electrostatic charges from a component to be decoupled from vibrations to improve that reliable Discharge and component-safe installation is guaranteed, without the installation effort to enlarge and without having to modify the structure of known airbag modules.

These The object is solved by the features of claim 1. After that is an elongated rigid structure of conductive material, such as metal and / or aluminum, preferably brass or aluminum sheet, provided. The elongated rigid, in particular one-piece, structure is essentially preferably exclusively by two main components formed, namely a contact flange and a contact lug. The contact lug extends in the assembled state of the elongated structure of the Component through the absorber to an electrical ground connection. According to the invention is also a Means for holding the contact flange on the component in training an electrical contact between the elongated rigid Structure and the component provided.

With the inventive arrangement and providing a rigid elongated or elongated Structure of the component to be decoupled from vibrations the absorber is on the one hand a very simple installation of the Tilgersystems for an airbag module admitted, on the other hand is achieved that changes not made on known airbag module systems and its absorber Need to become. Usually Gas generators have a plate on which an opening is formed, the from a formed by an elastomeric body Tilger is covered. According to the invention can be on the absorber in the area the opening the holding device, in particular a rivet, be provided. With the inventive measure of use A rigid structure can easily be a derivative of electrostatic Charges over the rigid structure can be achieved, which is fixed by the rivet sleeve is positioned and simply by a introduced in the absorber Slot can be used. In addition, the rigid structure ensures from an electrically conductive Solid material a safe electrical discharge with low electrical Resistance.

at the preferred embodiment the invention is the contact lug of the elongated structure rod-shaped. In this way only a small slot has to be inserted in the absorber, so that performing the elongated structure is simplified. Furthermore, the Contact a free end that sticks out of the absorber and to connect designed in particular a plug-in cable connection to a mass line is.

The contact lug may be formed in the form of a flat bar. In this way, requires the rigid structure with respect to the holding device as well as their feasibility through the absorber little space.

at a preferred embodiment the invention is the elongated rigid structure of one piece, in particular a solid material, manufactured, in particular punched.

at a development of the invention is the contact flange of the rigid Structure at least partially annular. In this case, the contact flange have an open ring shape. Preferably, the contact flange the shape of a ring what turns out to be a very suitable form in which a safe electrical contacting of vibrations decoupling component and a secure clamping of the rigid Structure guaranteed are.

at a preferred embodiment the invention falls the longitudinal axis the contact lug with a point symmetry axis of the contact flange together.

Preferably the contact flange has a first and a second annular leg on that in a transition area merge into one another when forming a continuous ring-shaped section, wherein the contact lug substantially from the transition region extends away. In this case, the contact lug can be perpendicular to a extend through the contact flange defined mounting plane.

at a preferred embodiment invention, the contact lug extends in a first section from a ring inside, in particular from a center of the ring inside, the as ringlets trained contact flange. This is the first section preferably in a plane of the contact flange. It also concludes at the first section a second section of the contact lug perpendicular in particular in one piece to the first section.

Preferably has the first section of the contact lug and the contact flange in a plan view about a "EUR" shape.

at a particularly preferred embodiment the invention, the holding device is designed as a rivet sleeve, of the The absorber is worn. The rivet sleeve is attached to the component, in particular through an opening in a plate of the component firmly used.

Preferably can the rivet sleeve be sized so that they pass through the interior of the annular contact flange can be inserted through it.

Preferably has the rivet sleeve at least one, preferably two sleeve wings on. Lie with two sleeve wings the latter preferably opposite and are symmetrical to each other. The sleeve wing or the sleeve wings is / are for clamping the contact flange rivet-like over the contact flange umbiegbar.

Of Furthermore, the invention relates to an airbag module with an inventive arrangement.

Finally, concerns the invention a method for mounting an electrically conductive, elongated, rigid structure in a vibration absorber system, the electrostatic Charges from a component to be decoupled from vibrations, such as a gas generator of an airbag module, to derive. The vibration absorber system includes the component to be decoupled from vibrations, a vibration excitable Carrier, as a steering wheel structure, and one disposed between the component and the carrier elastic absorber. Inventions according to the rigid structure through an opening in the component and by a substantially lying to the opening Passage inserted in the absorber.

A electrical connection between the rigid structure and the component is produced. Furthermore is an electrical contact between the rigid structure and created the ground stop. Before or after the production of the electrical contact and the electrical connection is the holding device activated on the component to fix the rigid structure to the component.

Preferably is used as a holding device a rivet sleeve, in front of the Mounting relative to the component on the realized as an elastomeric body Tilger anvulkanisieri or glued on.

The rigid structure is preferably made of a solid body, in particular a brass plate or an aluminum sheet, punched out. The stamped intermediate part has a contact flange and a contact lug, both lie in one plane. Before mounting the rigid structure the contact flange from the common punching plane is in a vertical bent out. After mounting the rigid structure is preferably the rivet wing over the Contact flange bent.

It be clear that the assembly method according to the invention can be performed with the components of the inventive arrangement.

Further advantages, characteristics and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which in which show:

1 a plan view of an embodiment of an airbag module, wherein only the steering wheel side carrier and an elastomeric body are shown as a absorber;

2 a cross-sectional view along the section line AA after 1 ;

3 a cross-sectional view of the airbag module along the section line BB after 1 ;

4 a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area IV after 1 ;

5a a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area Va after 2 ;

5b a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area Vb after 3 ;

6 a plan view of an airbag module during assembly of the rigid structure according to the invention for dissipating electrostatic charges, wherein the steering wheel side carrier, the Elastomertilger and a vibration to be decoupled gas generator mounting plate are shown;

7 a cross-sectional view along the dashed line DD after 6 ;

8th a cross-sectional view of the airbag module along the section line CC after 6 ;

9 a detailed view of the airbag module according to the section IX after 6 ;

10a a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area Xa after 8th ;

10b a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area Xb after 7 ;

11 a plan view of an airbag module after mounting the rigid structure according to the invention for discharging electrostatic charges;

12 a cross-sectional view of the airbag module along the dashed line EE after 11 ;

13 a cross-sectional view of the airbag module along the section line FF to 11 ;

14 a detailed view of the airbag module according to the section XIV after 11 ;

15a a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area XVa after 12 ;

15b a detailed view of the airbag module according to the detail area XVb after 13 ,

In the 1 to 15b For example, there are three main assembly steps for mounting a rigid elongate structure for discharging electrostatic charges from a gas generator that is resiliently supported by vibrations on a steering wheel structure, decoupled from vibrations. In the 1 to 15b is the airbag module, which consists of the main components, gas generator mounting plate, steering wheel mount, absorber, and grounding structure, with the reference numeral 1 Mistake.

In the 1 to 5b is the airbag module 1 shown in the pre-assembly state. According to the 1 to 3 is the steering wheel mount 3 seen on the inside and on the not shown gas generator of the airbag module 1 facing side of a functioning as absorber elastomer body 5 partially overmoulded.

The shape of the steering wheel mount 3 substantially corresponds to an annular plate having a substantially quadrangular outer periphery. In corner areas of the outer periphery a pair of through holes are shown, some of which are for mounting the receptacle 3 serve to a chassis part of the motor vehicle, not shown. One ( 11 or 13 ) of the passages is used for mounting in the 1 to 5b not shown, conductive, rigid, elongated structure for dissipating the electrostatic charge of the in the 1 to 5b not shown gas generator of the airbag module used.

As in the 2 . 3 . 4 . 5a and 5b it can be seen, the through hole extends 13 completely through the plate-shaped receptacle 3 and terminates in a blind-hole-like configuration of the same cross section of the elastomeric body 5 , At the bottom area 17 the blind-hole-shaped configuration is a coincident with the axis of symmetry S of the blind-hole-shaped configuration slot 19 brought in. The slot 19 is designed narrow, so that a flat rod-shaped object the slot 19 can penetrate without the elastomeric body 5 to hurt more in this area.

On the through hole 13 opposite outside of the elastomer body 5 is a rivet sleeve 21 on the elastomeric body 5 vulcanized. The rivet sleeve has a circumferential ring base 23 from which are two rivets 25 . 27 axially extending away from the elastomeric body, which rivet wings 25 . 27 through two opposite open spaces 29 . 31 are separated from each other.

In the 6 to 10b will be the first phase of assembly of the rigid, electrically conductive Structure for the discharge of electrostatic charges shown. The rigid structure is stamped from an electrically conductive solid material of a brass plate or an aluminum sheet. The rigid structure becomes the following rivet contact ring 41 called.

The rivet sleeve 21 is through a mounting hole 35 inserted through, in a mounting plate 37 of the gas generator, not shown, is introduced. The mounting plate 37 is exclusively by the elastomeric body 5 at the steering wheel receiver 3 kept elastic. Here is the elastomer body 5 through the rivet sleeve 21 to the mounting plate 37 tethered. From the gas generator side is the rivet contact ring 41 in the mounting hole 35 inserted and extends partially through the rivet sleeve 21 through and through the slot 19 in the elastomeric body 5 therethrough.

The rivet contact ring 41 includes a contact flange 43 which extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry S, and a contact lug 45 , which extends as a flat rod along the axis of symmetry S towards the steering wheel structure, not shown.

The rivet contact ring 41 is so far into the rivet sleeve 21 used that the contact flange 43 the electrically conductive mounting plate 37 touched the gas generator, not shown. The rivets 25 . 27 extend axially over the contact flange 43 of rivet contact ring 41 out.

As in particular in the 6 and 9 is apparent, is the flat contact flange 43 essentially in the form of a "EUR" mark 43 has an open ring shape with two identical ring legs 51 . 53 at a transition area 55 merge. The ring legs 51 . 53 as well as the transition area 55 are integrally formed as ringlets. At the transition region, a first contact lug portion extends 57 in the plane of the contact flange 43 through the open space 31 between the two rivets 25 . 27 through, as is in 10b best seen. From the first section 57 the contact flag 45 then extends a second elongated flat bar section 59 , which opens into a free end, which can be encompassed by a plug-in cable, not shown.

The flat bar section 59 of rivet contact ring 41 extends through the floor area 17 of the elastomer body 5 , and by the slot introduced there 19 , The dimension of the slot 19 is slightly smaller in dimension than the outer dimension of the flat bar section 59 so that the material of the elastomeric body 5 sealing to the flat bar section 49 is applied.

In the 11 to 15b is the final assembly state of the rivet contact ring 41 represented. In the assembled state are the sleeve wings 25 . 27 the rivet sleeve 21 bent radially outward and clamp the ring legs 51 . 53 of the contact flange 43 a, so that the rivet contact ring 41 is held firmly in the illustrated mounting position.

With electrical connection of the rivet contact ring 41 At its free end with a ground terminal, not shown, a safe discharge of the electrostatic charges from the gas generator or from the mounting plate 37 through the elastomeric body 5 be ensured through. An impairment of the repayment behavior is due to the slot 19 not to be expected, which was confirmed by experiments.

For a sufficient discharge of electrostatic charges from a gas generator, not shown, to the ground via the Nietkontaktring 41 It's enough, just a Nietkontaktring 41 in the area of a through hole ( 11 or 13 ).

The in the foregoing description, figures and claims Features can both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments of importance be.

1

airbag module

3

caster mounting

5

elastomer body

11 13

Through Hole

17

floor area

19

slot

21

rivet sleeve

23

encircling ring base

25 27

Nietflügel

29 31

Free rooms

35

mounting hole

37

mounting plate

41

Nietkontaktring

43

contact flange

45

contact tag

51 53

ring leg

55

Transition area

57

section

59

Flat bar section

S

axis of symmetry

Claims (19)

Arrangement for discharging electrostatic charges from a component to be decoupled from oscillation, such as a gas generator of an airbag module ( 1 ), which component via an elastic Absorber is to be mounted on a vibration-excitable support, such as a steering wheel structure, comprising an elongated rigid structure made of a conductive material, such as metal and / or aluminum, which elongated rigid structure is a contact flange ( 43 ) and a contact flag ( 45 ) extending in the assembled state of the elongated rigid structure from the component through the absorber to a carrier-side electrical ground terminal, and means for holding the contact flange (10). 43 ) on the component to form an electrical contact between the elongate rigid structure and the component. Arrangement according to Claim 1, in which the contact lug ( 45 ) is rod-shaped and has a free end, which is designed for connection to a ground line, in particular with a plug-in cable lug. Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the contact lug ( 45 ) is formed in the form of a flat bar, which in the mounted state of the arrangement by a slot ( 19 ) extends in the absorber. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongated rigid structure in one piece manufactured, in particular stamped, is. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact flange ( 43 ) is at least partially annular. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact flange ( 43 ) has an open ring shape. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact flange ( 43 ) has the shape of a ring plate. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a longitudinal axis of the contact lug ( 45 ) with an axis of symmetry (S) of the contact flange ( 43 ) coincides. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the contact flange ( 43 ) a first and a second ring leg ( 51 . 53 ) in a transitional area ( 55 ) merge into each other when forming a continuous ring shape, wherein the contact lug ( 45 ) substantially from the transition region ( 55 ) extends away. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the contact lug ( 45 ) perpendicular from one through the contact flange ( 43 ) defined level extends. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the contact lug ( 45 ) in a first section of a ring inside, in particular of a center of the ring inside, designed as a ring plate contact flange ( 43 ), which first section preferably in a plane of the contact flange ( 43 ) and on which a second section of the contact lug ( 45 ) connects perpendicular to the first section. Arrangement according to Claim 11, in which the first section of the contact lug ( 45 ) and the contact flange ( 43 ) have a "EUR" shape. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the holding device as a rivet ( 21 ) is formed, which is attachable to the component, in particular by an opening of the plate-shaped member is firmly inserted. Arrangement according to Claim 13, in which the rivet sleeve ( 21 ) is dimensioned such that it passes through the annular contact flange ( 43 ) is pluggable through. Arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the rivet sleeve ( 21 ) at least one, preferably two ( 25 . 27 ), Sleeve wing, for clamping the contact flange ( 43 ) is bendable. Airbag module with one according to one of claims 1 to 15 trained arrangement. Method for mounting an electrically conductive, elongated, rigid structure in a vibration absorber system, the one from vibration too decoupling component, such as a gas generator, a vibratory Carrier, as a steering wheel structure, and between the component and the carrier arranged elastic absorber comprises, wherein - the structure through an opening in the component and by a substantially flush with the opening Passage is inserted through the absorber; - an electrical Connection between the structure and the component is made; - an electrical Contact between the structure and a ground connection made becomes; and - one Fastening device on the component is activated to the structure to hold on the component. The method of claim 17, wherein components The according to any one of claims 1 to 15 trained arrangement can be used. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein a rivet is firmly inserted into the opening of the component and, after the structure is inserted, the rivet ( 21 ) for clamping the structure is riveted.