DE19801514A1 - Steering wheel mounted airbag apparatus in vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus consists of an airbag attachment seat on whose outer side a torsional deformation section (10) is formed in a front spoke core (5). A first bending deformation section (16) is provided at the outer side of the airbag attachment seat, in a rear spoke core (12). A second bending deformation section (17) is provided in the rear spoke core, at the inner side of the airbag attachment seat. The flextural rigidity of the first bending deformation section is set lower than that of the second bending deformation section. A plastic made lower cover (22) with a bottom wall (23) and a peripheral wall (26) is provided at the rear side of the airbag attachment seat. The upper edge vicinity of the peripheral wall of the lower cover, is attached to the outer section (14) of the rear spoke core.

Description

Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel with a horn switch assembly and Airbag module, where the vehicle steering wheel has an impact force on the rear of the wreath area of the steering wheel acts in the forward direction, record in a sufficient manner can.

2. Description of the prior art

A horn switch assembly, which is arranged in a vehicle steering wheel and carries an airbag module, is described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-143734, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 8-225051, or similar documents, as shown in Figs. 21 to 23.

In this vehicle steering wheel, horn switching mechanisms 200 are arranged on both sides of the air bag module 201 , as shown in FIG. 23.

Each of the horn switch mechanisms 200 includes an elongated movable plate 202 which is connected to the airbag module 201, a stationary plate 203, which is connected under the bewegli chen plate 202 to the vehicle steering wheel body and cooperating with the movable plate 202, metal coil springs 204, the push the movable plate 202 upward away from the fixed plate 203 and mounting screws 205 which are screwed to the vehicle steering wheel body and engage the movable plate 202 to make a predetermined distance between the fixed plate 203 and the movable 202 .

At both ends of the movable plate 202 , movable contacts 206 are provided, while at both ends of the fixed plate 203 there are fixed contacts which cooperate with the movable contacts 206 .

The number of mounting screws 205 used in each horn switch mechanism 200 is two. These mounting screws 205 are located near the two ends of the movable plate 202 and somewhat closer to the center of the movable plate 202 than the locations of the movable contacts 206 . The coil springs 204 are arranged around the mounting screws 205 and coaxially to them.

The movable contacts 206 are arranged at both ends of the movable plate 202 to avoid a state in which the airbag module 201 is excessively inclined toward the depressed side of the airbag module, or a rolling down or tipping down of the airbag module 201 . To this end, a measure is used to prevent a situation in which, after the movable contacts 206 are brought into contact with the fixed contacts 207 when the horn is actuated, the pressed-down side of the airbag module 201 continues to move downward. Consider a case where the movable contacts 206 are attached to the movable plate 202 at positions far from the presser and the mounting screws 205 , and not at both ends of the movable plate 202 . In this case, after the movable contacts 206 are brought into contact with the fixed contacts 207 , as the ends of the movable plate 202 progressively deform, the pushing means is compressed, and the depressed side of the airbag module 201 may move downward (rolling downward) ).

The mounting screws 205 and the coil springs 204 are arranged at locations near the movable contacts 206 located at the ends of the movable plate 202 to prevent the airbag module 201 from rolling up or down. If the mounting screws 205 and the coil springs 204 are arranged at locations that are closer to the center or the center of the movable and stationary plate 202 , 203 and away from the movable contacts 206 , the side of the airbag module 201 that is opposite the depressed side becomes The airbag module 201 tends excessively upward to roll upward.

Movable plate 202 further includes a substantially rectangular base member 208 disposed above stationary plate 203 and a mounting plate 209 extending upward from the edge of the central portion of base member 208 and connected to and supporting airbag module 201 by screwing connecting screws 210 into the side surfaces of the airbag module 201 . The movable plate 202 includes engaging holes 211 provided near the both ends of the base member 208 .

The movable plate 202 is urged away from the fixed plate 203 and the heads of the mounting bolts 205 to be screwed to the vehicle steering wheel are engaged with engaging holes 211 of the movable plate 202 , thereby causing a distance between the movable plate 202 and the fixed plate 203 has a fixed value.

Temporary mounting holes 214 are provided near the center of the base member 208 of the movable plate 202 to temporarily secure the airbag module 201 before connecting the airbag module 201 to the mounting plate 209 using the connector screws 210 . For attachment, the engagement leg regions 213 , which extend from the airbag module 201 , are inserted into the temporary fastening holes 214 . In the present case, the number of temporary fastening holes 214 is two, since two engagement leg regions 213 are provided on each side of the airbag module 201 and extend from the airbag module 201 . The engagement leg regions 213 are arranged closer to the center of the base component 208 than the engagement holes 211 , so that they do not interfere with the mounting screws 205 .

In the conventional horn switch mechanism described above, the two mounting screws are screwed into the vehicle steering wheel body to which the fixed plate is attached. The heads of these mounting screws are brought into engagement with the edges of the engagement holes of the movable plate. Therefore, these mounting screws must be electrically isolated from the base member of the movable plate. The insulating spacer components 215 , 216 are arranged around the edges of the respective one access holes. Depending on the number of mounting screws, two insulating spacer components and two coil springs are used. This leads to an increase in the number of components required.

In fact, each of the two insulating spacers has two components attached to the The top and bottom of each engagement hole can be arranged. Thus, a total of together with four components used as spacer components.

One possible measure to reduce the number of components is one single leaf spring to be used instead of the two coil springs. The need prevent the airbag module from rolling or tipping over when the horn is pressed, however, makes it difficult to use a leaf spring instead of the two coil springs the.

In the horn switch mechanism, the two holes are for temporary attachment  of the airbag module provided in the base member of the movable plate arranged the center of the base component. For this reason, the firmness is the time because the airbag module is attached only slightly.

To attach the airbag module using the connecting screws, the connector one of the horn switch mechanisms on both sides of the airbag module are arranged, screwed into the corresponding threaded hole of the airbag module. Then the connecting screw of the other horn switch mechanism into the corresponding one Screwed-in threaded hole in the airbag module. The airbag module can be easily through a Torque that arises when the screw is in one of the threads cher is tightened. The mounting plate to which the connecting screws are attached are located near the center of the base member of the movable plate, and the temporary mounting holes for the airbag module are also near the center of the Base component trained. Therefore, the center (the position of the connecting screw) the torque of the airbag module near the temporary mounting hole. Therefore the strength of the temporary attachment of the airbag module is low.

One possible measure to increase the strength of the temporary fortification is to to increase the length of the base member of the movable plate and the temporary loading to form mounting holes at locations near the elongated base member, which the one Handle leg areas of the airbag module correspond. In this case, the moveable Chen contacts arranged in locations that are far away from and within both ends of the be are movable plate. When the horn is pressed, the ends of the movable Plate deformed after the movable contacts in contact with the stationary con clocks are brought. As a result, the depressed side of the airbag mo moves duls may roll down. For this reason, this measure is not practical.

A vehicle steering wheel with an airbag module that can absorb an impact force  the rear of the crown area acts, is in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-278861.

The vehicle steering wheel W of this publication is, as shown in Fig. 24, constructed such that the Hinterspeichenarmbereiche are notched in a region 218 217, and when an impact force acts on the Hinterspeichenarmbereiche that Hinterarmbereiche are plastically deformed 217th

In this steering wheel, the deformation device formed in the rear spoke arm area 217 is only a notch.

When the notched rear spoke arm area is plastically deformed and in contact comes with the steering column cover, which is located under the steering wheel This construction prevented the deformation of the rear arm areas, causing the pushers insufficient recording.

Usually there is a synthetic resin under the vehicle steering wheel bottom cover. There is a possibility that the rear spoke arm area in Be comes into contact with the lower cover and the impact energy absorption is prevented, even if the cover is made of plastic.

Summary of the invention

To solve the aforementioned problems, an object of the invention is to drive Tool steering wheel with a horn switch assembly without any rolling of the airbag mo to create duls, whereby the number of components is reduced and the strength of a time because attachment of the airbag module is increased, and the impact force is sufficient Way can record that on the back of the wreath area in the forward direction works.  

According to the invention, a horn switch assembly for a steering wheel with an airbag module created, which includes: a movable plate connected to the airbag module; movable contacts provided near both ends of the movable plate and be moved according to the movable plate; a stationary plate, which with a Vehicle steering wheel body is connected under the movable plate and fixed contacts has, which are provided on the fixed plate such that they the movable Kon clocks correspond; a leaf spring to support the undersides of both ends of the be movable plate in the upward direction such that the movable plate away from the loc fixed plate is pushed up; and means for regulating the distance between the fixed plate and the movable plate on the inner and the movable contacts adjacent areas of the movable plate, thereby preventing the regulator medium hinder yourself with the leaf spring.

The horn switch assembly described above preferably includes an insulating one Component for electrically isolating the mounting screws from the movable plate, wel ches isolating component contains: bushings, which are arranged so that they the engaging chern correspond and prevent that the mounting screws be the movable plates stir; and protruding engaging parts that are near the ends of the insulating spacer are arranged here than the sockets, so that the airbag module is temporarily attached.

In the horn switch assembly constructed according to the invention, the leaf spring contains one at the center of the fixed plate mounted mounting area and two spring parts that extend in opposite directions from the mounting area and in touch tion are brought with the undersides of the two ends of the movable plate and Have through holes through which the mounting screws are inserted, so that the spring parts are prevented from interfering with the mounting screws.

Because of the presence of the through holes there is no risk that the Blattfe who is hindered by the mounting screws. The spring parts therefore extend to  Place near the two ends of the movable plate without any obstacle and support the movable plate at these points. Further there is no need the locations of the mounting screws from the locations near the two ends of the movable Move plate.

The mounting screws and the contact parts are located close to the moving contacts net, which are arranged at both ends of the movable plate. Therefore, the horn can be pressed without any rolling or tilting of the airbag module.

The presence of the through holes of the leaf spring to prevent them from moving obstructed by the mounting screws does not cause the airbag module to roll. At the invention is the leaf spring with respect to its extending in its longitudinal direction Center line symmetrical. Therefore, the leaf spring itself is not twisted or ver drills when the horn is activated and therefore the airbag module does not roll.

Furthermore, in the invention there is no need for the diameter of the assembly diminish screws. Therefore, the mounting strength of the airbag module on the Vehicle steering wheel body not adversely affected. The airbag module is on the drive Tool steering wheel body using the mounting screws of the horn switch assembly attached.

The pushing device for pushing up the movable plate consists of a sheet spring to reduce the number of parts or components required. The However, the airbag module is not rolled when the horn is actuated and the assembly Strength of the airbag module on the vehicle steering wheel body is not impaired.

In the conventional horn switch mechanism, the coil springs are each around Assembly screws arranged around and coaxial with the assembly screws and must therefore push the heavy airbag module upwards. Therefore, these springs have to be relative  To be long. This leads to an increase in the height of the horn switching mechanisms. At the horn switch assembly, on the other hand, the leaf spring presses the pushing device open pushing the movable plate together with the airbag module. By setting the thickness of the leaf springs, it is easy to achieve a large compressive force. Can continue the height of the horn switching mechanisms can be reduced. Therefore, the room can be inside half of the vehicle steering wheel can be used efficiently. If the link arm through ei If the self-aligning mechanism is deformed, the horn switch mechanism other components less obstructive. In this regard, the horn according to the invention switching mechanism easily adaptable to the vehicle steering wheel, which with the self-aligning Mechanism is provided.

In the horn switch assembly according to the invention, the undersides of the stationary Plate ge around the fixed contacts in contact with the vehicle steering wheel body brings. The resistance to deformation is in the areas of Fixed plate next to the fixed contacts of the fixed plate improved when the Horn is pressed. The conventional horn switch mechanism uses the screws springs for pushing the movable plate upwards. The height of the horn switch mechanism men is therefore great. Furthermore, the fixed contact provided on the fixed plate becomes raised. Therefore, the resistance to deformation when actuated the horn low.

In the horn switch assembly according to the invention further contains a component for electri Isolate the mounting screws from the movable plate a single elongated insulating spacer made of synthetic resin. The insulating spacer has the Locating holes corresponding to bushings that prevent the mounting screw ben touch the movable plate, and that on the top of the base component of the be movable plate are mounted.

The number of components of the insulating spacer components for isolating the two mon  day screws from the moving plate is therefore reduced to one.

The insulating spacer includes protruding engagement parts near the locations, which are closer to the ends of the insulating spacer than the bushings for the air temporarily attach the bag module before the connecting screws into the air bag module be screwed in. The above engaging parts are for engagement with the Airbag module elastically deformed.

According to the invention, the protruding engaging parts of the insulating spacer member for temporarily attaching the airbag module to the horn switch assembly in places ordered, which are closer to the ends of the insulating spacer than the sleeves or the mounting screws. In the conventional technique, the temporary fixings are holes are located at locations on the base member of the movable plate that are within the Set the mounting screws to prevent this attachment from interfering to avoid holes with the mounting screws. Compared to this conventional one Technique enables the invention to temporarily engage the above engaging parts Attach the airbag module further away from the mounting plate to the central part of the Base component are arranged. Therefore, the above engaging parts with the graduated parts of the airbag module engaged and the distances between the Centers (the places of the connecting screws) of the torques of the airbag module and the above engaging parts are large. Therefore, low engagement forces can occur before standing engagement parts withstand high torques. The result is a bigger one Fastening strength of the airbag module.

With the above construction, the engaging forces of the above engagement can parts be reduced in a state in which the fastening strength of the Airbagmo duls is enlarged. This facilitates the temporary attachment of the airbag module to the Horn switch assembly.  

In the horn switch assembly according to the invention, the number of components of the isolie spacing components to isolate the two mounting screws from the movable Plate reduced to one. As a result, the Air bagmoduls reached and the temporary attachment of the airbag module to the horn switch mechanisms simplified.

Furthermore, in the invention there are a plurality of engagement leg regions of the insulating spacer before, which are elastically deformed to move into the Intervene plate. The insulating spacer can thus by using the Engagement leg areas are stably attached to the movable plate. In this regard This construction facilitates the attachment of the insulating spacer to the be movable plate.

Furthermore, a vehicle steering wheel is created according to the invention, which has an airbag module is provided and is arranged over a column cover and contains: a wreath arm area of circular shape, one at a central area of the wreath Ches arranged hub area, which is connected to a steering wheel shaft, the Airbag module is arranged over the hub area; and spoke areas that cover the Connect the hub area to the rim arm area and two on one front of the Steering wheel arranged front spoke arm areas and at least one on the rear side te of the steering wheel arranged rear spoke arm area, the front and Rear spoke arm areas Front and rear inner areas, which differ from the Nabenbe rich in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the hub area stretch, and contain front and rear exterior areas that extend upward and outward extend from the front and rear interior areas to the crown arm area, and that Airbag module on the front and rear inner areas of the front and rear spokes arm areas is attached, and wherein the front spoke arm areas a torsion ver contain molded part that is closer to the crown arm area than an assembly area of the airbag module, and wherein the at least one rear spoke arm region has a first bending ver  Has molded part that is provided in the rear inner area closer to the hub area is as the mounting area of the airbag module, and a second bending deformed part points closer to the crown arm area than the pillar cover and the mounting area of the airbag module, the first bending deforming part having a lower bending stiffness than the second bending deformed part.

The vehicle steering wheel described above preferably includes a lower Ab cover that over the pillar cover and at the bottom of the hub area and the Spoke areas is arranged and contains: a bottom wall that is under the front and Rear inner areas of the front and rear spoke arm areas is arranged; and a Side wall that slopes up and up from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall a center of the front and rear outer areas of the front and rear spoke arm rich extends with an upper end portion of the rear of the side wall on the rear the outer area of the rear spoke arm area is attached.

If in the vehicle steering wheel according to the invention an impact force on the rear of the Area in the forward direction, the torsion deformation parts of the front spoke arm areas increasingly deformed and the first and second bending deformed parts are plastically deformed. The rim area surface moves vertically.

This deformation prevents the airbag module from being unnecessarily out of the crown area surface protrudes. The reason for this is as follows. The first bending parts are each arranged closer to the hub arm area than the mounting seat of the airbag module. If the rim area surface with increasing deformation of the torsion deformation parts moves, the mounting seats of the airbag module move in the rear spoke arm Chen also. Accordingly, the top of the cushion of the airbag module can be the wreath following the surface of the area.

Then when the rear spokes over the bottom wall area of the lower cover with the  Column covers get into each other's hand, are the second bending deformed parts the rear spoke arm areas are located closer to the rim arm area than the columns cover and the second bending parts are plastically deformed and bent and the Wreath area surface continues to move in the vertical direction.

In addition, the first and second bending deformation parts of the rear spoke arm areas deformed. These can be deformed with a low resistance. Correspond Accordingly, the deformation of the rear spoke arm areas is not hindered. The reason there for is the following. When the bending parts are deformed, the back of the Bottom wall area of the lower cover first in contact with the pillars cover. In the back of the bottom cover is the top end of the sides wall attached to the outer areas of the rear spoke arm areas. The distance from the area of the bottom wall area where it is in contact with the pillar cover, to their mounting position on the rear spoke arm areas is great. Then the strides Deformation of the first and second bending deformation parts of the rear spoke arm areas in a state where the bottom wall portion is in contact with the pillar cover is. With the deformation, the inner areas and the outer areas of the Rear spoke arm areas to the bottom wall area of the lower cover. Here who the undersides of the inner areas of the rear spoke arm areas are raised and There is a large space between each interior area and the bottom wall area available so that the rear spoke arm areas against the lower cover is delayed. The result is a hindrance to the deformation of the rear spoke arm areas minimized by the lower cover.

If in the vehicle steering wheel according to the invention an impact force on the rear of the Area in the forward direction, the torsion deformation parts of the front spoke arm areas increasingly deformed and the rear spoke arm areas deform the first and second bending parts are plastic. In this way the Verfor in two successive steps. The second Biegever  molded parts are deformed without disturbing the column cover. Therefore a deformation stroke of the rear spoke arm areas can be set or selected to be large. A hindrance to the deformation of the rear spoke arm areas by the lower Ab coverage is minimized. In this way, an influence of the bottom cover under be pressed. The energy of the impact force can be absorbed sufficiently the.

In the present embodiment, the lower cover on the rear spokes arm areas attached by using the engagement leg, which deforms elastically to engage the rear spoke arm areas from the bottom to be brought. If the bottom wall area with the pillar cover in disturbing Overlay comes, the rear of the side wall is therefore in the opposite direction sets to the direction of engagement of the engaging leg, namely in the upward direction presses. In other words, the side wall of the bottom cover can be from the rear spoke arm areas without any increase in strain on the lower Cover to be removed. For this reason, the deformation becomes a hindrance the rear spoke arm areas further reduced by the lower cover.

In the invention, the deformation assisting device which is the deformation of its close area with reduced thickness relieved, near the rear spoke arm areas the bottom cover. If the bottom wall area with the pillar cover and the rear spoke arm areas come into disruptive overlap, the scope the assembly areas on the rear spoke arm areas using the deformation sub support device deformed easily. Therefore, the disability is the Verfor tion of the rear spoke arm areas is further reduced by the lower cover.

Brief description of the drawings

In the accompanying drawings:  

Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle steering wheel according to the invention with a horn switch assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section along the line III-III in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the steering wheel to decrease the air bag module;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the steering wheel along the line VV in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the horn switch mechanism contained in the steering wheel;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross section along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a leaf spring of the horn switch mechanism;

Figure 9 is a plan view of an insulating spacer part of the Hupenschaltmechanis mus.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a pillar of the vehicle steering wheel body;

Fig. 11 is a bottom view showing a bag holder, as used for the airbag module in the present embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side view of Baghalters;

FIG. 13 is a assembling board used for the airbag module is a plan view;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the assembly plate, the back of which is missing;

Fig. 15 is a cross section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 4;

Fig. 16 is a cross section along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4;

17 is a top plan view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 18 shows a cross section of the lower cover along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 17;

Fig. 19 is a cross section to explain a deformation of the metallic connec tion arm;

Fig. 20 is a cross section for explaining the deformation of the metallic connec tion arm after the connecting arm has undergone the deformation of Fig. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a cross section of a conventional vehicle steering wheel with a horn switching mechanism according to FIG. 23;

FIG. 22 is a cross section of a conventional vehicle steering wheel according to Fig. 23;

Fig. 23 is a plan view of a conventional vehicle steering wheel with a horn switch mechanism and

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of another conventional vehicle steering wheel.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG the accompanying drawings explained.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 4. A horn switching assembly consisting of horn switching mechanisms 30 is constructed according to the invention and installed in a vehicle steering wheel W. The vehicle steering wheel W contains a ring or ring area R with a circular shape, a connection or hub area B, which is arranged in the central area of the ring area R, and four spoke areas S, which connect the hub area B and the ring area R. An air bag module 8 is arranged in the upper area of the hub area B. The airbag module 8 is arranged above the vehicle steering wheel body 1 , with the undersides of both ends of the airbag module 8 being carried by the horn switching mechanisms 30 . In the present description, vehicle steering wheel body 1 means an area of the vehicle steering wheel body W with the exception of the airbag module 8 and the horn switching mechanisms 30 .

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 10, the vehicle steering wheel body 1 includes a metallic connecting arm 2 which connects the rim area R, the hub area B and the spoke areas S, a cover layer 5 made of synthetic resin which covers the rim area R, the spoke areas S and covers the connecting arm 2 , and a lower cover 6 made of synthetic resin or plastic. Mounting seats 3 and 4 are provided on the hub portion B of the connecting arm 2 as shown in FIG. 10. The mounting seats 3 have mounting holes 3 a for mounting the horn switch mechanisms 30 . The mounting seats 4 have mounting holes 4 a for mounting the lower cover 6 .

The lower cover 6 is fastened to the connecting arm 2 in such a way that screws (not shown) are screwed into the mounting holes 4 a of the mounting seats 4 and engagement legs 127 are hung into the spoke areas S of the cover layer 5 .

The airbag module 8 includes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cover 9 , an airbag 10 , an inflator 12 , a bag holder 13, and an assembly plate 17 .

The cover 9 made of synthetic resin contains a main area 9 a, side areas 9 b that extend downward from the front and rear peripheral edges of the main area 9 a and side areas 9 e that extend downward from the right and left peripheral edges of the main area 9 a . The main area 9 a covers the folded airbag 10 . A thin, tearable part (not shown) is formed in the main area 9 a of the cover. When the airbag 10 is inflated, the tearable portion tears to allow the airbag 10 to break out of the cover. On the side areas 9 b, engagement grooves 9 c and insert grooves 9 d are provided. The cover 9 is attached to the airbag holder 13 and the assembly plate 17 by means of the engagement grooves 9 c and the insert grooves 9 d. On the side areas 9 e engaging grooves 9 f are provided.

The airbag 10 is a bag-like container with a gas inflow opening 10 a, which is located in the airbag module 8 while it is folded.

The inflator 12 includes a main body 12 a and an outward of the main body 12 a extending flange. The main body 12 a, which is formed like a circular cylinder, has gas outlet openings 12 b in its upper region.

As shown in Fig. 2, 3, 11 and 12, 13 includes the bag holder made of sheet metal a bottom wall portion 14, side wall portions 15 (of the drawing paper with respect to) of the bottom wall portion 14 extending therefrom and the other side upward, and side wall portions 16 that extend upward from the right and left sides of the bottom wall area. The bottom wall region 14 , which has a substantially right angled shape, has an opening 14 a. The main body 12 a can be inserted into the bag holder 13 through the opening 14 a from the bottom.

Around the opening 14 a of the bottom wall area 14 around four insertion holes 14 b are formed. Screws, not shown, which extend from a holding component 11 described below, are inserted into these insertion holes 14 b. Furthermore, 14 connecting surfaces or engaging parts 14 c are provided at four corners of the bottom wall region, which are raised relative to the peripheral edge of the opening 14 a, as shown in FIGS. 5, 11 and 12.

At the top of the side wall regions 15 and 16 engagement hooks 15 a and 16 a are formed. These engagement hooks are inserted into the engagement grooves 9 c, 9 f of the side regions 9 b, 9 e of the cover 9 . Threaded holes 16 b with attached nuts 16 c are formed in the central positions (in a vertical view) of the side wall region 16 . In the threaded holes 16 b screws 39 are screwed, whereby the horn switching mechanisms 30 carry the airbag module 8 .

The assembly plate 17 consisting of sheet metal, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 13 and 14, shows a bottom wall area 13 , side wall areas 19 and side wall areas 20 and 21 . The bottom wall region 18 , which has a substantially rectangular shape, has an opening 18 a, through which the main body 12 a of the inflator is inserted into the bag holder from the underside. The side wall regions 19 extend from the front and rear of the bottom wall region 18 upwards, and the upper ends of the side wall regions 19 are inserted into the insert grooves 9 d of the side regions 9 b of the cover. The side wall portions 20 and 21 extend upward from the right and left sides of the bottom wall portion 18 . The side wall regions 20 and 21 are arranged outside the right and left side walls 9 e of the covering device 9 , where there is a space therebetween, and connecting bolts or connecting screws 39 are inserted between them.

The bottom wall portion 18 includes four insertion holes 18 b, which around the opening 18 a of the Bo denwandbereiches 18 are arranged around. Bolts or screws, not shown, are inserted into these insertion holes b 18th Pads or engaging parts 18 c are provided at four corners of the bottom wall region 18 and increased relative to the peripheral edge of the opening 18 a ( FIGS. 5, 13 and 14). Stepped portions are outside and c deeper than the engagement parts 18 are arranged 18 d. A right-angled through hole 18 e in view from above is formed between the stepped part 18 d and the corresponding handle part 18 c. At a location closer to the center of the assembly plate 17 within a space formed by the inner walls of each through hole 18 e, a projection 18 f is formed.

The protruding engaging parts 66 and the protruding positioning parts 67 protruding from both ends of an insulating spacer 62 described later are inserted into each of the through holes 18 e. The above engaging parts 66 are brought into engagement with the stepped parts 18 d. In the airbag module 8 , the through holes 18 e and the stepped parts 18 d form structures for the provisional or temporary fastening of the airbag module 8 .

Near the opening 18 a of each engaging member 18 c at the four corners of the bottom wall preparation ches 18 is an exhaust port formed g 18th The escape openings 18 g have a triangular shape when viewed from above. These escape openings 18 g prevent the heads 49 of mounting screws 48 (described later) from coming into mutual obstruction with the peripheral edge of the openings 18 a of the bottom wall region 18 .

The airbag module and the inflator 12 are attached to the bag holder 13 and the assembly plate 17 by means of a metal holding member 11 with a plurality of screws (not shown). More precisely, the holding component 11 holds the edge of the gas inflow opening 10 a of the airbag 10 . The (not shown screws) are inserted and tightened in the edge of the gas inflow opening 10 a, the insertion holes 14 b of the bottom wall area 14 and the insertion holes 18 a of the bottom wall area 18 and the flange 12 c of the inflation unit, whereby the airbag 10 and the inflation unit 12 are assembled with the bag holder 13 and the assembly plate 17 . The side areas 9 b, 9 e of the cover 9 are also held firmly by the bag holder 13 and the assembly plate 17 .

As shown in FIG. 4, two horn switching mechanisms 30 are arranged on both sides of the airbag module 8 in the present embodiment. These horn switching mechanisms 30 are the same in their structure, with the exception that the horn switching mechanism on the right-hand side is connected to a connecting or lead wire 41 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each horn switch mechanism 30 includes a movable plate 31, a stationary plate 42, two mounting screws 48, a leaf spring 52 and iso-regulating spacing members 58, 59 and 62. The leaf spring 52 urges the movable plate 31 upward.

Includes made of a metal plate movable plate 31 as shown in Fig. 3, 6 and 7, a base member 32, such as a narrow rectangular plate is formed, and a mounting plate 37 which obliquely and upwardly from the central position of the base building part 32 extends to be connected to the airbag module 8 .

The base member has through holes 35 formed at both ends thereof. Movable contacts 56 are provided on the through holes 35 . In places of the base part 32 , which are closer to its center than the through holes 35 , engagement holes 33 are formed. Further, engagement holes 34 are formed at locations of the base member 32 that are closer to the center thereof than the through holes 35 . The inner peripheral edge of each of the engaging holes 33 is in engagement with the head 49 of the mounting screw 48 , wherein there are arranged between a buffer member 51 and the bushing 63 of the insulating spacer member 62 . An engaging leg portion 64 of the insulating spacer 62 is inserted into each of the engaging holes 34 . Along both sides of the base member 32 with the exception of the area of the mounting plate 37 reinforcing ribs 32 a are formed. At a predetermined location of each reinforcing rib 32 a, a recess 32 b is formed. A holder 68 for the lead wire 41 in the insulating spacer 62 is arranged in the recess 62 b.

In the mounting plate 37 , an insert hole 37 a is formed. In the insertion hole 37 a, the connecting screw 39 is inserted, which is screwed into the threaded hole 16 b of the airbag module 8 . Fastenings 38 for temporarily fastening the screws 39 are rigidly fastened to the mounting plate by means of screws. The connecting screws 39 are temporarily fastened at locations which are indicated in FIG. 3 by a two-dot broken line.

The lead wire 41 is fixed to the right-hand horn switch mechanism 30 by means of rivets ( Fig. 4). The lead wire 41 is electrically connected to the positive terminal of a horn driver circuit. The positive terminal of the horn driver circuit is electrically connected to the movable plate 31 , the leaf spring 52 , the movable contact 56 and the bag holder 13 by means of the lead wire 41 . In the left-hand Hu switch mechanism 30 , the movable plate 31 , the leaf spring 52 and the movable union 56 are electrically connected via the bag holder 13 to the positive terminal of the horn driver circuit.

The stationary plate 42 arranged under the movable plate 31 is shaped like a long sheet metal part, the length of which is equal to the movable plate 31 . Fixed contacts 43 are provided at both ends of the fixed plate 42 . Mounting holes 44 are formed in the fixed plate 42 at positions closer to the center of the fixed plate than the fixed contact 43 . Each of the mounting holes 44 is provided with one or two threads on its one external thread region 50 c of the part 50 b of reduced diameter 50 b of a shaft 50 of the mounting screw 48 . In order to handle the horn switching mechanism 30 in the form of an assembly, each mounting hole 44 is provided with a thread. More specifically, the insulating spacer components 58 , 59 and 62 and the buffer components 51 are included, the leaf spring 52 is arranged between the plates 31 and 42 , the mounting screws 48 are each used at the predetermined locations, the external thread part 50 c of each mounting screw 48 screwed into the respective mounting hole 44 until its tip protrudes from the mounting hole 44 .

If the parts 50 a with large diameter of the shafts 50 of the mounting screws 48 are screwed into the mounting holes 3 a of the mounting seats 3 , the stationary plate 42 is pressed together with the end faces of the parts 50 a with a large diameter and fastened to the connecting arm 2 .

The central portions of the fixed plate 42 are slightly bent upward, and through holes 45 are formed in the upward bent portion. These through holes 45 are used for mounting the leaf spring 52 . Positioning holes 46 are formed near these through holes 45 .

The fixed plate 42 and the fixed contact 43 are electrically connected to the negative circuit at the horn driver circuit via the connecting arm 2 .

The leaf spring 52 is made of spring steel and its length, seen in the longitudinal direction, is equal to the length of the base member 32 of the movable plate 31 , as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8. The leaf spring 52 is elongated and symmetrical with respect to its center line, which extends in its longitudinal direction. The leaf spring 52 also contains spring parts 54 , which extend from the mounting region 53 in the opposite direction.

A mounting hole 53 a is formed in the central area of the mounting area 53 . In the mounting hole 53 a, a rivet 60 is inserted to attach the leaf spring 52 to the stationary plate 42 .

In the spring parts 54 through holes 54 a are formed. The mounting screws 48 are each inserted into the through holes 54 a without there being a mutual hindrance between these screws. The spring portions 54 extend obliquely and Windwärts so that contact portions 54 b of the spring members 54 against the lower sides of both ends of the insulating spacer member 62 are pressed.

In the present embodiment, the through holes 54 a are large enough to prevent one of the mounting screws 48 from interfering with the corresponding engaging leg portion 64 of the insulating spacer 62 and with the other mounting screw 48 .

The movable contacts 56 are provided on the contact parts 54 b of the spring parts 54 , wherein they correspond to the fixed contacts 43 of the fixed plate 42 . It is also possible that the movable contacts are pre see 56 at portions of the moving plate 31 corresponding to the through holes 35, and the other through-holes at the contact parts 54 b of the spring members 54 are provided, so that the provided at the moving plate 31 movable contacts 56 can be brought into contact with the fixed contacts 43 .

Two of insulating material, such as polyacetal, existing insulating From stand components 58 and 59 are used for mounting the leaf spring 52 on the stationary plate 42 to electrically isolate the leaf spring 52 and the rivet 60 from the stationary plate 42 . A total of four projections 58 a are provided on the top of the insulating spacer component 58 . These projections 58 a engage in both ends of the assembly area 53 and fix them ( FIGS. 3 and 7). At the bottom of the insulating spacer component 58 projections 58 b are provided. These projections are inserted into the positioning holes 46 of the fixed plate 42 . The insulating spacer 59 is provided with a flange portion 59 a, which comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the corresponding through hole 45 on the underside of the stationary plate 42 . Before the jumps 48 b are inserted into the positioning holes 46 , the insulating spacers 58 and 59 with the leaf spring 52 attached to them are inserted into the through holes 45 of the stationary plate 42 from the top and bottom, and the rivet 60 is inserted into the mounting hole 53 a and the through holes 48 c and 49 b used, whereby the leaf spring 52 is rigidly attached to the stationary plate 52 .

Each of the mounting screws 48 includes the head 49 and the shaft 50 . These screws have at least two functions: one is to attach the airbag module 8 to the connecting arm 2 of the vehicle steering wheel 1 , and the other is to set a fixed distance between the fixed plate 42 and the movable plate 31 . The shaft 50 contains a part 50 a with a large diameter and a part 50 b with a small diameter, which extends above the part 50 a with a large diameter. On the part 50 b with a small diameter, an external thread part 50 c is formed in the middle thereof. The head 49 of each mounting screw 48 is engaged with the peripheral edge of the corresponding engaging hole 33 of the movable plate 31 , while the buffer member 51 and the bush 63 of the insulating spacer 52 are interposed therebetween. The external thread part 50 c of each of the shafts 50 is screwed into the mounting hole 3 a of the corresponding mounting seat 3 on the connecting arm 2 . Screwing in the external thread parts 50 c of the screw shafts into the mounting holes 3 a brings the underside of the parts 50 a with a large diameter of the screw shafts into contact with the peripheral edges of the mounting holes 44 of the stationary plate 42 . The result is that the fixed plate 42 is brought into contact with the mounting seats 3 of the connecting arm 2 . The length of the part 50 a with a large diameter of each shaft 50 defines the distance of the movable contact 56 when it moves to the fixed contacts 43 and comes into contact with it, ie an actuation stroke H of the horn.

Each of the mounting seats 3 of the connecting arm 2 is provided with supports 3 d for supporting the underside of the fixed plate 42 around each fixed contact 43 ( FIGS. 5 and 10).

The buffer components 51 , each of which is designed as a ring-like component made of rubber, have the function of preventing noise that screws 48 between the head 49 of the assembly and the insulating spacer component 62 are caused.

The insulating spacing component 62 made of insulating material, for example polyacetal, serves for the electrical insulation of the mounting screws 48 , which are screwed into the connecting arm 2 electrically connected to the negative connection of the horn driver circuit, from the movable plate 31 , as in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9 shown. The length of the insulating spacer 62 corresponds to the length of the base member 32 of the movable plate 31 . Bushes 63 are formed at both end regions of the insulating spacer component 62 . The sockets 63 are provided with mounting holes 63 a, whereby the shafts 50 of the mounting screws 48 can pass through them. Engagement leg regions 64 are provided on the insulating spacer members at locations closer to the center of the spacer member than the sleeves 63 . Each of the engaging leg portions 64 is formed with four legs 64 a, which are with the peripheral edge of the corresponding one handle hole 34 in engagement and are elastically deformed. From the insulating stand member 62 is fixed to the movable plate 31 using these engaging leg areas 64 .

A protruding engaging part 66 and a protruding positioning part 67 are provided at each end of the insulating spacer 62 . When the airbag module 8 is attached to the vehicle steering wheel body 1 , the protruding engaging parts 66 are used to temporarily attach the airbag module 8 to the horn switch mechanism 30 before they are attached by the mounting bolts 48 . The vorste existing engaging parts 66 are inserted into the through holes 18 e of the assembly plate 17 from the bottom and elastically deformed so that they lie on the stepped parts 18 d (in Fig. 5 by solid lines and in Fig. 13 and 14 by two-dot broken lines are shown). Each protruding engagement part 66 comprises a leg 66 a, which extends from the main region 62 a of the insulating spacer 62 upwards and is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction of the insulating spacer 62 , and a hook region 66 b, which is located on the upper region of the leg 66 a extends towards the end of the insulating spacer 62 and is placed on the stepped part 18 d.

When the airbag module 8 is temporarily attached to the horn switch mechanism 30 , the protruding positioning parts are inserted into the insertion holes 18 e of the assembly board 17 , whereby the airbag module 8 is immovably positioned. In order to avoid a situation in which the legs 66 a of the protruding engaging parts 66 come into contact with the inner surfaces of the through holes 18 e and are thereby excessively deformed, each protruding positioning part 67 which is formed with an L-shaped cross section has an inner wall part 67 a, which covers the inside of the leg 66 a and a side wall part 67 d, which covers the side surface of the leg 66 a, taking into account the dimensions of the formation of the two through holes 18 e and the dimension and shape of the through holes 18 e. If the airbag module 8 is horizontally displaced relative to the insulating spacer 62 after it is temporarily attached, the inner wall part 67 a or the side wall part 67 b of each projecting positioning part 67 comes into contact with the inside of the through hole 18 e, thereby preventing that the leg 66 a is in contact with the inside of the through hole 18 e.

The height of the above positioning parts 67 , measured from the main region 62 a of the insulating spacer component, is selected such that when the airbag module 8 is fastened by means of the connecting screws 39 to the horn switching mechanism already fastened to the vehicle steering wheel body 1 , the upper end faces 67 c of the protruding Po sitionierteile 67 come into contact with the undersides of the pads or engagement parts 14 c of the bag holder of the airbag module 8 .

If the airbag module 8 is temporarily attached to the horn switching mechanisms 30 , who previously fixed the horn switching mechanisms 30 rigidly to the connecting arm 2 of the vehicle steering wheel body 1 using the mounting screws 48 .

The insulating spacer component 62 is provided with an engagement hook 69 and supports 68 . The engagement hook 69 fixes the lead wire 41 . The supports 68 are arranged in the recesses 32 b of the movable plate 31 in order to avoid a disruptive overlap of the lead wire 41 with the movable plate 31 .

The assembly of the horn switch mechanisms 30 of the present embodiment will be briefly explained below. The projections 58 b are inserted into the positioning holes 46 . The insulating spacer 58 with the leaf spring 52 and the insulating spacer 59 are inserted into the through holes 45 of the fixed plate 42 from the top and bottom. The rivet 60 is inserted into the mounting hole 53 a and the through holes 58 c and 59 b. The leaf spring 52 and the fixed plate 42 are connected to each other. The engaging leg portions 64 are inserted into the engaging holes 34 , whereby the insulating spacer 62 is assembled with the movable plate 31 .

The movable plate 31 is placed over the leaf spring 52 and the buffer members 51 are placed on the tops of the bushings 63 of the insulating spacer member 62 . The mounting screws 48 are inserted through the mounting holes 63 a of the insulating spacer 62 and the through holes 34 a of the leaf spring 52 . The external thread parts 50 a of the mounting screws 48 are screwed into the mounting holes 44 of the fixed plate 42 and their tips or ends protrude slightly from the Mon day holes 44 . In this way, the horn switching mechanisms 30 are constructed as assemblies.

The lead wire 41 is connected to one of the horn switching mechanisms 30 and the external thread parts 50 c of the mounting screws 48 are screwed into the mounting holes 3 a of the connecting arm 2 of the vehicle steering wheel body 1 . As a result, the horn switch mechanisms 30 are attached to the vehicle steering wheel body 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

After the horn switch mechanisms 30 are attached to the vehicle steering wheel body 1 , the previously assembled airbag module 8 is brought from above onto the horn switch mechanisms 30 , the projecting positioning parts 67 are inserted into the through holes 68 e, the hook parts 66 b of the above engagement parts 66 are attached to the graduated parts 18 d hooked, whereby the airbag module 8 is temporarily attached to the horn switching mechanism 30 . Then the connecting screws 39 , which were attached to the horn switch mechanism 30 using the fasteners 38 , are screwed into the threaded holes 16 d of the bag holder 13 . As a result, the Airbagmo module 8 is fixedly attached to the horn switching mechanisms 30 and at the same time attached to the vehicle steering wheel body 1 .

The work of connecting the airbag module 8 to the horn switch mechanisms 30 is performed after the vehicle steering wheel body 1 is attached to the vehicle body. The lead wire 41 of the horn switch mechanism 30 is connected to a given horn driver circuit when the vehicle steering wheel body 1 is attached to the vehicle body.

In the present embodiment, the protruding engaging portions 66 of the insulating spacer 62 for temporarily fixing the airbag module 8 to the horn switch mechanisms 30 are arranged at positions closer to the ends of the insulating spacer than the bushes 63 or the mounting screws 48 . In the prior art, the temporary mounting holes are located at locations on the base member of the movable plate that are within the positions of the mounting screws to prevent these mounting holes from interfering with the mounting screws. Accordingly, the mounting holes near the coupling plate, which is arranged on and near the central area of the base member of the movable plate. In comparison to the prior art, the invention enables the above engaging parts 66 for temporarily fixing the airbag module 8 to be further removed from the mounting plate 37 at the central part of the base member 32 .

Therefore, the above engaging parts 66 are brought into engagement with the stepped parts 18 d of the airbag module 8 and the distances from the centers (the positions of the connecting bolts 39 ) of the torques of the airbag module 8 to the above engaging parts 66 are long. Therefore, small engaging forces of the above engaging parts 66 can withstand large torques. As a result, an increased fastening strength or strength of the airbag module 8 is achieved.

With the above structure, the engaging forces of the protruding engaging parts 66 can be reduced in a state in which the fastening strength of the airbag module 8 is increased. This facilitates the temporary attachment of the airbag module 8 to the horn switching mechanisms 30 .

After the vehicle steering wheel W is attached to the vehicle, someone presses the cover 9 to push the airbag module 8 down. The movable plate 31 moves downward against the resistance of the pressure force of the leaf spring 52 of the horn switching mechanisms 30 and the movable contacts 56 come into contact with the fixed contacts 43 . The horn sounds as a result.

When the air bag module 8 is actuated, gas flows from the inflator 12 into the air bag 10 and the airbag 10 inflates and breaks through the main portion 9 a of the cover Ab. 9 In the horn switching mechanisms 30, the engagement leg regions 64 , which are elastically deformed for connection to the movable plate 31, protrude from the isolating spacer component 62 . That is, the insulating spacer 62 can be stably attached to the movable plate 31 using the engaging leg portions 64 . In this regard, this structure facilitates the attachment of the insulating spacer member 62 to the movable plate 31 . The structure of the engaging leg portions 64 is not limited to that discussed in this description. In an alternative, the legs 64 are provided on the outer edges of the insulating spacer 62 , and when the insulating spacer 62 is attached to the movable plate 31 , the engaging leg portions 64 of the fixed plate 42 become engaged with the outer edges of the base member 32 of the movable plate 31 brought.

In the present embodiment, the above positioning portions 67 are for locking prevent unnecessary deformation of the legs 66 a each provided in engagement portions 66 see to thereby position the airbag module 8 motionless, when it is temporarily fixed. When the air bag module 8 is of the already on the vehicle body attached vehicle steering wheel body 1 is mounted, is the axial direction of vehicle steering is wheel body 1 is inclined, however (not shown) parallel to the steering shaft, and the Monta geplatte 37 of the horn switch mechanisms 30 is also inclined. If a heavy air bag module is set down and brought into contact with the mounting plate 37 , the airbag module 8 can therefore fall down due to its weight or be slightly shifted to who. The weight of the airbag module 8 because of the presence of vorste Henden positioning parts 67 does not act on the leg 66 a of the engagement protrusive parts 66th Therefore, the protruding engaging parts 66 are not deformed unnecessarily.

After attaching the airbag module 8 , the upper end faces 67 c of the vorste existing positioning parts 67 are brought into contact with the undersides of the arranged at the four corners of the bag holder 13 of the airbag module 8 pads 14 c. More specifically, the protruding positioning parts 67 are arranged at the ends of the insulating spacer 62 and near the movable contacts 56 . When the horn is pressed down and the airbag module 8 is pressed downward, the protruding positioning parts 67 , which are located near the movable contacts 56 , are pressed from the corners of the outer peripheral edge of the bag holder 13 . The result is that the movable contacts 56 are pressed directly against the fixed contacts 43 . This unique structure stabilizes the operation of the horn.

In the present embodiment, the side wall parts 67 b of the projecting position parts 67 are arranged on the side of the projecting engagement parts 66 , which is closer to the center of the airbag module 8 . Alternatively, these side wall parts 67 b can be arranged on the opposite side to the above-mentioned side, which is closer to the outside of the airbag module 8 .

In the above described embodiment, the hook parts extend 66 66 b of the engagement projecting portions to the ends of the insulating spacer member 62.. If necessary, the hook parts 66 b can extend towards the center of the insulating spacer part 62 when the stepped parts 18 d which are brought into engagement with the airbag module 8 are arranged accordingly. In this case, the inner wall parts 67 a of the projecting positioning parts 67 are arranged closer to the ends of the insulating spacer component 62 or the inner wall parts 67 a serve as the outer wall parts. The side wall 67 b can be arranged on either side of the leg 66 a.

The shape of the above engaging parts 66 is not limited to that of the described embodiment, as long as the engaging part can be brought into engagement with the airbag module 8 . In an alternative embodiment, engaging holes are formed in the air bag module 8 , the head portions of the protruding engaging portions 66 have a reduced diameter and are inserted into these engaging holes, as in the above-mentioned publication.

Further, in the horn switch mechanisms 30 of the present invention, the leaf spring 52 includes the mounting portion 53 which is attached to the central portion of the fixed plate 42 , and the two spring members 54 which extend from the mounting portion 53 in opposite directions and in contact with the undersides both ends of the movable plate 31 be brought. It also contains the through holes 54 a through which the mounting screws 48 are inserted, so that the spring parts 54 are prevented from interfering with the mounting screws 48 . Due to the presence of the through holes 54 a there is no fear that the leaf spring 52 with the assembly screws 48 hinder. Therefore, the spring members 54 extend up to positions near both ends of the movable plate 31 without any obstacle, and support the movable plate 31 at these locations. Further, there is no need to move the positions of the mounting bolts 48 from the positions near both ends of the movable plate 31 .

For this reason, the mounting screws 48 and the brought into contact with the movable plate 31 contact parts 54 b of the leaf spring 52 can be arranged near the movable contacts 56, which are arranged at the two ends of the movable plate 31 . The horn can therefore be pressed without any rolling of the airbag module.

The provision of the through holes 54 a of the leaf spring 52 to prevent them from interfering with the mounting screws 48 does not lead to a rolling of the airbag module. In the present embodiment, the leaf spring 52 is symmetrical with respect to its longitudinal centerline. Therefore, the leaf spring 52 is not twisted per se when the horn is operated, and therefore the airbag module is not rolled or tilted.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, there is no need to reduce the diameter of the mounting screws 48 . Therefore, the mounting strength of the airbag module 8 on the vehicle steering wheel body 1 is not adversely affected. When the air bag module 8 is actuated, gas flows from the inflator 12 into the airbag 10 and the airbag 10 inflates and breaks through the main portion 9 a of the cover. 9 At the end of the movement of inflation of the airbag 10, the inertia effect of the expansion of the airbag 10 so that the bag holder 13 is forcibly pulled upwards. A strong upward tension acts on the mounting screws 48 through the movable plate 31 . For this reason, the mounting screws 48 must have a predetermined strength that is large enough to withstand the upward tension.

As described above, a pushing means for pushing up the movable plate 31 includes a single leaf spring 52 to reduce the number of components required. However, the airbag module is not rolled or tilted when the horn is actuated, and the mounting strength of the airbag module on the vehicle steering wheel body 1 is not adversely affected. Furthermore, in the present invention, the leaf spring is used as a pushing device for pushing up the airbag module 8 together with the movable plate 31 . By adjusting the thickness of the leaf springs, it is easy to achieve a large upward force. Further, the height of the horn switch mechanisms 30 can be reduced to about half that of conventional ones using coil springs. Therefore, the space inside the vehicle steering wheel W can be used efficiently. When the link arm 2 is deformed by the self-aligning mechanism, the horn switch mechanisms 30 are less in the way of other components. In this regard, the horn switch mechanisms 30 of the invention can be easily adapted to the vehicle steering wheel W provided with the self-aligning mechanism.

Further wherein the horn switch assembly having the horn switch mechanisms 30, which are an embodiment of the invention, the supports 3 b of the mounting seats 3 on the connecting arm 2 of the vehicle steering wheel body 1 about the stationary contacts 43 around brought into contact with the lower sides of the stationary plate 42nd Resistance to deformation is increased in the areas of the fixed plate 42 that are close to the fixed contacts 43 of the fixed plate 42 when the horn is actuated.

Detailed descriptions of the lower cover 6 , the spoke areas S and the metallic connecting arm 2 are given below .

The spoke areas S are divided into two front spokes Sf, the one at the front side are arranged, and two rear spokes Sb, which are arranged on the rear side.

As shown in Fig. 10, 15 and 16, the metal link 2 includes a ring or Kranzarmbereich 103 which extends into the rim portion R, a boss arm portion 104 which extends into the boss portion B, Vorderspeichenarmbereiche 105, which extend into the front spokes Sf, and rear spoke arm regions 112 that extend into the rear spokes Sb. The hub arm portion 104 includes a hub 104 a, which is made of steel and is connected to a steering wheel shaft (not shown). A cover 104 b, which covers the hub 104 a, the front spoke arm regions 105 , the rear spoke arm regions 112 and the ring arm region 103 are die-cast using an aluminum alloy.

15 and 16 as shown in Fig. 4, which contain the front and Hinterspeichenarmbereiche 105 and 112 inner portions 106 and 113 which extend from the Nabenarmbereich 104 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis O of the Nabenarmbereiches 104 and outer portions 107 and 114 that extend obliquely upward and outward from the inner portions 106 and 113 to the crown arm portion 103 .

As shown in FIG. 16, the inner region 113 of each of the rear spoke arm regions 112 extends radially beyond a pillar cover C which covers a steering shaft (not shown). The inner regions 113 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 extend from the cover 104 b of the hub arm region 104 to a location which is higher than a location at which the inner regions 106 of the front spoke arm regions 105 end. The undersides 113 a of the inner regions 113 are arranged at a location which is higher than a location at which the undersides 106 a of the inner regions 106 of the front spoke arm regions 105 are located, whereby rich between each inner region 113 and a bottom wall region 123 (described later) lower cover 6 there is a large space or gap H.

The outer regions 107 and 114 contain inclined parts 107 a, which extend outward from the inner regions 106 and 113 , and horizontal parts 107 b and 114 b, which extend from the upper ends of the inclined parts 107 a and 114 a substantially horizontally or in the direction substantially perpendicular to the axis O of the hub arm region 104 .

Mounting seats 108 and 115 are provided at locations of the inner regions 106 and 113 closer to the outer regions 107 and 114 . These assembly seats 108 and 115 are provided with internal threads. The airbag module 8 is mounted on the mounting seats 108 and 115 such that a horn switch assembly with the horn switch mechanism 30 fits therebetween.

Torsion deformed parts 110 , which are deformable in terms of torsion, are provided at locations in the front spoke arm regions 105 which are closer to the crown arm region 103 than the day seats 108 . In the present embodiment, the torsion deforming parts 110 are provided on the horizontal parts 107 b of the outer regions 107 . The Torsionsver molded parts 110 may be provided on the inner regions 106 or the inclined regions 107 a, taking into account ribs on their two side edges and the shape of their cross section. In this regard, it is only necessary that the Torsionsver molded parts 110 are closer to the crown arm area 103 than the mounting positions of the air bag module 8th

Mounting seats 109 with mounting holes 109 a are provided at locations of the inner regions 106 of the front spoke arm regions 105 , which are close to the outer regions 107 . The front part of the lower cover 6 is attached to these mounting seats 109 by means of screws 128 .

First bending deformable parts 116 , which are deformable in terms of bending, are provided at locations on the inner regions 113 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 , which are near the hub arm region 104 . Second bending deformable parts 117 , which are deformable by bending, are provided at locations on the inner regions 113 which are close to the collar arm region 103 .

The first bending deformation parts 116 are each provided at a location that is closer to the hub arm region 104 than the mounting seat 115 as one of the mounting positions of the air bag module 8 . In the present embodiment, it is formed on a curved part of the inner region, in which the inner region, which extends from the cover 104 b of the hub arm region 104 upwards around the hub 104 a, is bent in the direction perpendicular to the axis O of the hub arm region 104 .

Every second bending deformed part 117 is provided at a location that is closer to the arm area 103 than the pillar cover C and the mounting seat 115 as one of the mounting locations of the airbag module 8 . In the present embodiment, it is arranged at the boundary between the inner regions 113 and the outer regions 114 .

Ribs (not shown) are provided on and along both side edges of the rear spoke arm regions 112 , with the exception of the first and second bending deforming parts 116 and 117 . Therefore, these bent parts can be bent easily. The first bending deformation part 116 has a lower bending stiffness than the second bending deformation part 117 . Therefore, the width of the first bending deformation part 116 is smaller than that of the second bending deformation part 117 and strongly bent, so that a stress can be concentrated there in a simple manner.

The ring arm portion 103 of the metallic link arm 2 and the parts of the front and rear spoke arm portions 105 and 112 which are near the ring arm portion 103 are covered with a cover 120 made of synthetic resin.

The lower cover 6 is made of synthetic resin, for example polypropylene. As shown in Fig. 5, 15 to 18, the lower cover 6 includes the bottom wall portion 123 and a peripheral side wall 126. The bottom wall region 123 is arranged under the inner regions 106 and 113 of the front and rear spoke arm regions 105 and 112 . The side wall 126 extends obliquely and upwards from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall region 123 to the center of the outer regions 107 and 114 of the front and rear spokes arm regions 105 and 112 .

In the central region of the bottom wall portion 123, an insert hole is a ausgebil det 123, through which the steering shaft, not shown, is used. A pair of mounting sets 123 b with mounting holes 123 c is formed in the front part of the bottom wall area 123 . The mounting lugs 123 b serve as mounting areas on which the front part of the lower cover 6 is attached to the front spoke arm areas 105 by means of the screws 128 . The mounting lugs 123 b are moved so that they approach the mounting seats 109 , and attached to the latter by means of the screws 128 which are inserted through the mounting holes 109 a.

Recesses 126 b and 126 c are formed in the upper parts of the side wall 126 . The front and rear spoke arm areas 105 and 112 are inserted into these recesses 126 a and 126 c. Supporting ribs 126 b and 126 d are formed on the recesses 126 a and 126 c and support the undersides of the front and rear spoke arm regions 105 and 112 . Through holes 126 e are formed in places on the right and left sides of the side wall 126. These through holes 126 e are used for tightening the connec tion screws 39 to attach the airbag module 8 to the horn switching mechanisms 30 .

From each recess 126 c of the rear part of the upper end of the side wall 126, engagement legs 127 protrude. Both sides of the outer region 114 of each rear spoke arm region 112 are inserted between the engagement legs 127 from the underside, these engagement legs 127 being elastically deformed, and positioned between them. The engagement legs 127 have hook parts 127 a at their tips. The hook parts 127 a of the engagement leg 127 are hooked onto a flat part 127 a of the cover 120 , which covers the outer regions 114 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 .

The bottom wall region 123 of the lower cover 6 contains a deformation support device which facilitates the deformation of its nearby area with reduced diameter, such as. B. slots 125 as through holes, which are arranged next to the rear spoke arm regions 112 . In FIG. 17, reference numeral 124 denotes reinforcing ribs 124 that extend from the side wall 126 to the bottom wall region 123 .

The vehicle steering wheel W is attached to the vehicle such that an angle Θ of the axis O of the hub arm portion 104 to the horizontal direction ( Fig. 16) is about 30 ° be.

It is assumed that an impact force F acts on the rear side Rb ( FIGS. 4 and 16) of the lower region of the vehicle steering wheel W attached to the vehicle in the forward direction. In this case, the torsion deformation parts 110 of the front spoke arm regions 105 are first deformed torsionally and as the torsion deformation progresses, the first bending deformation parts 116 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 are plastically deformed and bent, so that an angle α ( FIG. 19) is reduced and the top side or Surface P of the wreath area moves vertically. In this case, a part on and near each torsion deforming part 110 serves as a movement center.

The function of the deformation follows. The first bending deformation parts 116 are each arranged closer to the hub arm region 104 than the mounting seat 115 of the airbag module 8 . If the surface P of the rim area moves with progressive deformation of the torsion deformation parts 110 , the assembly seats 115 of the airbag module 8 in the rear spoke arm areas 112 therefore move 07724 00070 552 001000280000000200012000285910761300040 0002019801514 00004 07605falls. Accordingly, the top or surface of the cover 9 of the airbag module 50 can be moved following the surface P of the rim area. As a result, the airbag module 50 is prevented from protruding unnecessarily from the surface P of the rim area.

Even if the rear spokes Sb (rear spoke arm areas 112 ) interfere with the pillar cover C, the second bending deformation parts 117 of the rear spoke arm areas 112 are closer to the crown arm area 103 than the pillar cover C, as shown in FIG. 20, and the second bending deformation parts 117 become plastic deformed and bent to decrease an angle β, and the crown portion surface P moves further in the vertical direction with a part at or near the torsion deforming parts 110 as a center of movement.

In addition, the first and second bending deformation parts 116 and 117 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 are deformed. These can be deformed with little resistance. Accordingly, the deformation of the rear spoke arm regions 112 is not prevented. The reason for this is as follows. When the flexural parts are deformed, the back of the bottom wall portion 123 of the lower cover 6 comes into contact with the pillar cover C first. In the rear of the lower cover 6 , the upper end portion of the side wall 126 is attached to the outer portions 114 of the rear spoke arm portions 112 . The distance between the area of the bottom wall area 123 where it is in contact with the pillar cover C to its mounting position on the rear spoke arm areas 112 is large. The deformation of the rear spoke arm regions 112 is thus not hindered.

Then, the deformation of the first and second bending deforming portions 116 and 117 of the rear spoke arm portion 112 progresses to a state in which the bottom wall portion 123 is in contact with the pillar cover C. With the deformation, the inner regions 113 and the outer regions 114 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 move in the direction of the bottom wall region 123 of the lower cover. The undersides 113 a of the inner regions 113 of the rear spoke arm regions 112 are raised and the large gap H is present between each inner region 113 and the bottom wall region 123 , so that the contact of the rear spoke arm regions 112 on the lower cover 6 is delayed. As a result, hindrance to the deformation of the rear spoke arm portions 112 by the lower cover 6 is minimized.

In the vehicle steering wheel W of the present embodiment, when an impact force F acts on the rear side Rb of the rim portion in the forward direction, the torsion deforming portions 110 of the front spoke arm portions 105 increasingly deform and the rear spoke arm portions 112 plastically deform the first and second bending deforming portions 116 and 117 . In this way, the deformation progresses in two successive stages. The second bending deformation parts 117 can be deformed with the column cover C without any interfering overlay. A deformation stroke of the rear spoke arm regions 112 can therefore be selected or set to be large. A hindrance to the deformation of the rear spoke arm regions 112 by the lower cover 6 is minimized. Influencing by the lower cover 6 can therefore be suppressed. The energy of the impact force F can be absorbed sufficiently.

In the present embodiment, the lower cover 6 is arm portions on the rear spokes 112 by use of the engaging legs 127 secured to be ver elastically deformed to be brought from the lower side in engagement with the Hinterspeichenarmbereichen 112th Therefore, when the bottom wall portion 123 interferes with the pillar cover C, the rear of the side wall 126 is pushed in the direction opposite to the engagement direction of the engaging legs 127 , that is, in the upward direction. In other words, the inner edges 126 f of the upper ends of the recesses 126 c are brought into contact with the end face 120 b of the cover 120 ( FIG. 16) and the recesses 126 c on the back are stretched, as shown by the two-dot chain lines in FIG Fig. 18 indicated, without the deformation loading of the lower cover 6 increases somehow. The side wall 126 of the lower cover 6 can be removed from the rear spoke arm regions 112 . For this reason, the hindrance to the deformation of the rear spoke arm regions 112 by the lower cover 6 is further reduced.

In the present embodiment, the slits 125 are formed near the rear spoke arm portions 112 of the lower cover 6 as the deformation supporting device that facilitates the deformation of their near portion with the reduced thickness. If the bottom wall area 123 with the column cover C and the rear spoke arm areas 112 comes into disruptive overlap, the circumference of the mounting areas on the rear spoke arm areas 112 , ie the peripheral edges of the recesses 126 c, are slightly deformed with the aid of the slots 125 . Therefore, the hindrance of the deformation of the rear spoke arm regions 112 is further reduced by the lower cover 6 .

In the above embodiment, the number of the rear spokes Sb is two. It is clear that the invention for a vehicle steering wheel with three spokes including a rear spoke Sb is applicable.

Further, in the present embodiment, the front of the lower cover 6 is fixed to the front spoke arm portions 105 by the screws 128 . Alternatively, the bottom wall region 123 and the side wall 126 can be fastened in the front of the lower cover 6 to the cover 104 b by means of the screws 128 , if the cover 104 b of the hub arm region 104 is extended accordingly and suitable mounting seats are provided on the extended region.

In the embodiment described above, the slots 125 are used for the deformation support device. If the circumference of the mounting portions of the rear spoke arm portions 112 is easily deformable, the deformation supporting device may be formed on the side wall 126 or the bottom wall portion 123 in the form of reduced thickness, non-gapless or broken through holes.

Claims (15)

1. Horn switch assembly for a steering wheel with an airbag module ( 8 ), comprising:
a movable plate ( 31 ) connected to the airbag module ( 8 );
movable contacts ( 56 ) provided near both ends of the movable plate ( 31 ) and moved in accordance with the movable plate;
a fixed plate ( 42 ) which is connected to a vehicle steering wheel body ( 1 ) under the movable plate ( 31 ) and has fixed contacts ( 43 ) which are provided on the fixed plate ( 42 ) in such a way that they correspond to the movable contacts ( 56 ) correspond;
a leaf spring (52) for supporting the lower sides of both ends of the moving union plate (31) in an upward direction such that the movable plate (31) pressed away from the stationary plate (42) upward; and
Means ( 48 ) for regulating the distance between the fixed plate ( 42 ) and the movable plate ( 31 ) on inner and movable contacts adjacent areas of the movable plate, preventing the regulating means from interfering with the leaf spring ( 52 ). 2. A horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring ( 52 ) is elongated and includes:
a mounting area ( 53 ) attached to a central area of the fixed plate ( 42 ); and
two spring parts ( 54 ) which extend from the mounting area in opposite directions and are brought into contact with the undersides of the two ends of the movable plate ( 31 ) and have through holes ( 54 a) through which the regulating means are inserted, so that the spring parts are prevented from interfering with the regulating means. 3. A horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the regulating means are two mounting screws ( 48 ) which are provided in the vehicle steering wheel body ( 1 ) through near the two ends of the movable plate ( 31 ) through engagement holes ( 33 ) and the through holes ( 54 a) the leaf spring ( 52 ) are screwed through. 4. horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein undersides of the fixed plate ( 42 ) around the fixed contacts ( 43 ) are attached by means of the Befestigungsvor direction. 5. Horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 3, further comprising an insulating component ( 62 ) for electrical insulation of the mounting screws ( 48 ) from the movable plate ( 31 ), which contains the insulating component:
Bushings ( 63 ) which are provided so that they correspond to the engagement holes ( 33 ) and prevent the mounting screws ( 48 ) from touching the movable plate ( 31 ); and
protruding engaging parts ( 66 ) which are provided closer to the ends of the insulating spacer member ( 62 ) than the bushings ( 63 ), so that the airbag module ( 8 , 50 ) is temporarily fixed. The horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the insulating member is a single insulating spacer member ( 62 ) made of synthetic resin attached to the top of the movable plate ( 31 ). 7. A steering wheel horn switch assembly according to claim 5, wherein the movable plate ( 31 ) includes:
a substantially rectangular base member ( 32 ) and
a mounting plate ( 37 ), which extends from an edge of a central part of the base component ( 32 ) and is connected to the airbag module ( 8 ) and supports this by means of connecting screws ( 39 ) which are screwed into side surfaces of the airbag module after the Airbag module is temporarily attached to the horn switch assembly by means of the above engaging parts ( 66 ). 8. horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the insulating member ( 62 ) has a plurality of engaging leg portions ( 64 ) which are elastically deformed for a handle with the movable plate ( 31 ). 9. A horn switch assembly for a steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring ( 53 ) is symmetrical with respect to its center line extending in its longitudinal direction. 10. Steering wheel with an airbag module ( 8 ) and arranged over a pillar cover (C) containing
a ring arm area ( 103 ) with a circular shape,
a hub region (B) arranged at a central region of the ring arm region ( 103 ), which is connected to a steering wheel shaft, the airbag module ( 8 ) being arranged above the hub region; and
Spoke areas (S) which connect the hub area (B) to the rim arm area ( 103 ) and contain two front spoke arm areas ( 105 ) arranged on a front side of the steering wheel and at least one rear spoke arm area ( 112 ) arranged on the rear side of the steering wheel,
wherein the front and rear spoke arm portions ( 105 , 112 ) front and rear inner portions ( 106 , 113 ) extending from the hub portion (B) in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the hub portion, and front and rear outer portions ( 107 , 114 ) extending upward and outward from the front and rear interior areas ( 106 , 113 ) to the crown arm area ( 103 ), and the airbag module ( 8 ) at the front and rear interior areas ( 106 , 113 ) of the front - And rear spoke arm areas ( 105 , 112 ) is attached, and
the front spoke arm portions ( 105 ) including a torsion deforming part ( 110 ) closer to the crown arm portion ( 103 ) than an airbag module mounting portion ( 3 ), and
wherein the at least one rear spoke arm region ( 112 ) has a first bending deformation part ( 116 ), which is seen in the rear inner region closer to the hub region than the mounting region of the airbag module, and a second bending deformation part ( 117 ), which is closer to the ring arm region ( 103 ) than the pillar cover (C) and the mounting area of the airbag module, the first bending deformation part ( 116 ) having a lower bending stiffness than the second bending deformation part ( 117 ). 11. Steering wheel with an airbag module according to claim 10, further comprising a lower cover ( 6 ) which is arranged above the column cover (C) and on an underside of the hub area and the spoke areas and contains
a bottom wall ( 123 ) disposed under the front and rear interior regions ( 106 , 113 ) of the front and rear spoke arm regions ( 105 , 112 ); and
a side wall ( 126 ) extending obliquely and upward from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall to a center of the front and rear outer regions ( 107 , 114 ) of the front and rear spoke arm regions ( 105 , 112 ),
wherein an upper end portion of the rear of the side wall ( 126 ) is attached to the rear outer portion ( 114 ) of the rear spoke arm portion ( 112 ). 12. Steering wheel with an airbag module according to claim 11, wherein a bottom of the rear interior area (113) of Hinterspeichenarmbereiches (112) a point is located at a position higher than where a lower side of the front interior section (106) of the present Before derspeichenarmbereiches (105) , wherein there is a large gap (H) between the rear inner region ( 113 ) and the bottom wall ( 123 ). 13. The steering wheel with an airbag module according to claim 11, wherein the lower cover ( 6 ) is fixed to the rear spoke arm portion ( 112 ) by means of an engaging leg ( 127 ) which is elastically deformed to be brought into engagement with the rear spoke arm portion. 14. The steering wheel with an airbag module according to claim 11, wherein a deformation support device ( 125 ) for facilitating deformation of the lower cover ( 6 ) is formed near the rear spoke arm regions ( 112 ) of the lower cover. 15. Steering wheel with an airbag module according to claim 14, wherein the Verformungsun support device is a slot ( 125 ) which penetrates the bottom wall ( 123 ).