DE10361574A1 - Arrangement for holding an airbag module on springs in a seating in a vehicle steering wheel additionally includes at least one damping unit between the airbag module and its seating - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement for holding an airbag module (1) on springs (4, 4') in a seating (2) in a vehicle steering wheel (3) additionally includes at least one damping unit (6, 6') between the airbag module and its seating. The purpose of this unit is to damp the motion of the airbag module in its seating.

Description

The The present invention relates to a fastening arrangement for holding an airbag module in a receptacle of a steering wheel of a vehicle, wherein the airbag module resiliently with an actuating contact of a signal horn is coupled.

From the publication DE 195 03 816 A1 an arrangement for fixing an existing of a housing bottom and a housing cover airbag housing in the steering wheel is disclosed. The airbag housing is provided in the steering wheel bowl and is fixed by the proposed arrangement on the steering wheel. For this purpose, the housing has a holder, wherein on the steering wheel cooperating with the holder resilient detent is provided. Thus, the airbag housing can be locked to the steering wheel. Further, the airbag housing is so resiliently coupled via a further spring element with the steering wheel that an actuating contact of a horn can be activated by moving the airbag housing.

It has been shown that in the known arrangement for fastening an airbag housing a steering wheel relative movements between the airbag housing and allowed to the steering wheel. Along strong bumps the route, the airbag housing can be moved so that the actuating contact of the bugle is triggered inadvertently. This can be safety-critical Cause situations.

Of the present invention is based on the object, a fastening arrangement to propose for holding an airbag module of the type mentioned, with which the airbag module is held in a secure manner without that unintentional activation of the horn is possible.

These The object is achieved by the Characteristics of claim 1 solved. Further advantageous embodiments emerge in particular from the dependent claims.

Therefore is a mounting assembly for holding an airbag module in a recording of a steering wheel of a vehicle proposed at the airbag module resilient or resilient with an actuating contact a signal horn is coupled, wherein additionally at least one attenuator provided between the airbag module and the receptacle of the steering wheel is so unwanted Movements of the provided in the recording of the steering wheel airbag module be avoided. In this way it prevents an unintentional Actuate the horn allows becomes. The fastening arrangement according to the invention thus has the advantage that comfortable operating forces for the bugle can be adjusted without causing safety-critical situations.

Around the relative movements of the steering wheel of the vehicle e.g. held by spring elements Airbag module or airbag housing sufficiently dampen, can preferably according to a Further development of the invention as attenuator a brake element or the like can be used. However, other attenuators or damping elements for example in the form of shock absorbers or can be used.

special advantageous is a brake element, in which one in one with a Brake medium filled casing rotatably mounted brake wheel is provided. This way you can a correspondingly selectable Braking torque can be applied to the brake wheel, so that the brake wheel slowed down too strong relative movements of the airbag module can be.

at a possible embodiment The invention may be provided that each brake wheel preferably has a plurality of brake discs or the like elements, which in which the housing containing the brake medium are moved damping. Prefers can be used as a brake medium silicone or the like damping material, so as an attenuator at least one silicone brake is present.

in the Within the scope of an advantageous development of the present invention can be provided that the brake wheel a toothing or the like having, which with a corresponding toothing section engages the airbag module or on the airbag housing in engagement. On this way will be a coupling between the brake wheel and the realized moving airbag module. It is also conceivable that others Coupling options for Use come.

Around can transmit the braking torque to the brake wheel can be provided be that the case rotatably fixed to the receptacle of the steering wheel. This can do that casing For example, corresponding locking elements or the like, with which the case be attached or clipped to corresponding locking receptacles can.

Preferably, a so-called steering wheel bowl can be used as a receptacle. The receptacle can also be designed as an approximately pot-like structure and be provided in the region of the steering wheel hub. The airbag module is accommodated in the receptacle, the airbag housing preferably being coupled to the steering wheel via spring elements on the side facing away from the driver. in particular In particular, this elastic coupling can be coupled with actuating contacts of the signal horn of the vehicle, so that the driver activates the actuation contact for the signal horn by pressing the airbag module into the receptacle of the steering wheel.

following The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a sectional schematic partial view of a steering wheel with an attached airbag module;

2 an enlarged partial view of an attenuator of the fastening arrangement according to the invention.

In the 1 and 2 is a possible embodiment of a fastening arrangement according to the invention for holding an airbag module 1 in a recording 2 a steering wheel 3 a vehicle shown. In the fastening arrangement according to the invention, the airbag module or the airbag housing 1 with a non-illustrated airbag and also not shown gas generator spring elastic over, for example, two spring elements 4 . 4 ' each with a schematically indicated bugle actuation contact 5 . 5 ' coupled. In this way, by pressing the airbag housing 1 in the recording 2 of the steering wheel 3 the respective actuating contact 5 . 5 ' by the compression of the spring elements 4 . 4 ' be activated so that the horn is pressed.

Another attachment of the airbag module 1 is schematically indicated by a dashed line in 1 indicated. At the driver-facing side of the airbag module 1 is an exit opening 11 provided, through which the airbag can emerge in an accident situation to protect the occupant.

In order to prevent the horn from being unintentionally actuated, for example when the vehicle travels over a road which has considerable unevenness, the fastening arrangement according to the invention comprises, for example, two attenuators, which in the case of the 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment as silicone brakes 6 . 6 ' are formed.

Every silicone brake 6 . 6 ' has a in a filled with silicone as a brake fluid housing 7 . 7 ' rotatably mounted brake wheel 8th . 8th' with corresponding brake plates not shown. The brake wheel 8th . 8th' has a toothing 9 . 9 ' on, which with a corresponding toothing section 10 . 10 ' on the side wall of the airbag module 1 engaged.

To the braking torque on the brake wheel 8th . 8th' to transfer, is the case 7 . 7 ' rotatably on the recording 2 of the steering wheel 3 fixed. The driver can use the spring elements 4 . 4 ' by pressing the airbag module 1 in the recording 2 of the steering wheel 3 compress such that at least one of the actuating contacts 5 . 5 ' the horn is activated. Thus, the horn can be deliberately triggered. An unintentional triggering of the signal horn, for example, by relative movements of the airbag module 1 in an uneven road or the like, can be prevented in the mounting arrangement according to the invention, since the inventively provided silicone brakes 6 . 6 ' dampen these unwanted relative movements.

Advantageously, by the mounting arrangement according to the invention an unintentional horn operation even at a low release force of the actuating contact 5 . 5 ' or be prevented at a low set lifting force.

1

airbag module

2

admission

3

steering wheel

4, 4 '

spring elements

5, 5 '

operation Contact

6 6 '

silicone brake

7, 7 '

casing

8th, 8th'

brake wheel

9 9 '

gearing

10 10

toothed section

11

outlet opening

Claims (8)

Fastening arrangement for holding an airbag module in a receptacle of a steering wheel of a vehicle, wherein the airbag module is resiliently coupled to an actuating contact of a signal horn, characterized in that additionally at least one movement of the airbag module ( 1 ) damping attenuator between the airbag module ( 1 ) and the recording ( 2 ) of the steering wheel ( 3 ) is provided. Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that as attenuator a brake element ( 6 . 6 ' ) is provided. Fastening arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the brake element ( 6 . 6 ' ) in a housing filled with a brake medium ( 7 . 7 ' ) rotatably mounted brake wheel ( 8th . 8th' ) having. Fastening arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that each brake wheel ( 8th . 8th' ) has a plurality in the brake fluid dampening moving brake discs. Fastening arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that silicone is provided as the brake fluid. Fastening arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the brake wheel ( 8th . 8th' ) a gearing ( 9 . 9 ' ), which with a corresponding toothing section ( 10 . 10 ' ) on the airbag module ( 1 ) is engaged. Fastening arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the housing ( 7 . 7 ' ) rotatably on the recording ( 2 ) of the steering wheel ( 3 ) is fixed. Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle ( 2 ) of the steering wheel ( 3 ) is provided in the region of the steering wheel hub.