JP2001213326A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the structure of a steering wheel for supporting an air bag device with a switch device, and to lower the manufacturing cost. SOLUTION: The air bag device 4 is fixed by fastening a cover body 23 to a base plate 21 with a belt 27. A connecting member 31 is integrally formed with the belt 27 at three positions thereof. The connecting member 31 is provided with an elastic deformable support part 34 at an intermediate part thereof, and a main body connecting part 35 provided at a tip thereof is fixed to a steering wheel main body 2 by a fitting bolt 17. A second contact part 36 is integrally formed with the connecting member 31. When the air bag device 4 is pushed, the elastic support part 34 is elastically deformed, and a first contact part 21f provided in a lower surface of the base plate 21 contacts with a second contact part 36 so as to close a switch of a horn.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a steering wheel provided with an airbag device and a switch mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a configuration in which an airbag device (airbag module) is provided on an occupant side of a steering wheel body, and the airbag device is used as a switch mechanism of a horn switch. The configuration of this type of steering wheel includes, for example, a fixed contact provided on the steering wheel body side, and a pair of horn plates on both sides provided with movable contacts opposed to the fixed contact. A pair of front and rear mounting bolts, an insulator, a coil spring, and the like are supported on the steering wheel body so as to be able to advance and retreat, and a base plate of the airbag device is fixed to these horn plates. However, in the above conventional configuration, the number of parts and the assembling work are complicated,
There is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost.

In this respect, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-2077783, an airbag device is supported on a steering wheel body in a predetermined range by using a pair of mounting screws on both sides and a holder having insulation properties. Along with
There is known a configuration in which an upper contact piece and a lower contact piece facing the upper contact piece are respectively attached to a pair of insulating plates on both sides attached to the steering wheel body.

[0004]

However, the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-207778 also has a problem that the number of parts is large, the assembling work is complicated, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel including an airbag device and a switch mechanism and capable of reducing manufacturing costs.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel including a steering wheel body, an airbag device, a connecting member for connecting the airbag device to the steering wheel body, and an airbag device. A switch mechanism provided with opposed contact portions respectively supported on the steering wheel body side, wherein the connection member is connected to the body connection portion connected to the steering wheel body and to the airbag device. An airbag device connecting portion and an elastically deformable elastic supporting portion connecting the main body connecting portion and the airbag device connecting portion are integrally formed.

In this configuration, the airbag device is elastically connected to and supported by the steering wheel body by the connecting member, and the contact portions of the switch mechanism contact each other by pushing the airbag device. . The integrally formed connecting member allows the airbag device to be elastically supported on the steering wheel body,
The structure is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0008] The steering wheel according to claim 2 is
2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member has at least one contact of the switch mechanism integrally formed.

In this configuration, the number of parts is reduced, the structure is simplified, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the size can be easily reduced.

The steering wheel according to claim 3 is
3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is formed integrally with a member constituting the airbag device.

In this configuration, by connecting the connecting member to the steering wheel main body, the airbag device can be mounted on the steering wheel main body, so that the assembling work is facilitated and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0012] The steering wheel according to claim 4 is
3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is configured such that an airbag device connecting portion is connected to the airbag device in advance, and a main body connecting portion is connected to the steering wheel main body, so that the elasticity of the elastic support portion allows the connecting member to be connected to the steering wheel. The airbag device is supported by the steering wheel body so as to be able to be pressed, and the contact portions of the switch mechanism are arranged to face each other.

In this configuration, since the connecting portion of the airbag device of the connecting member is connected to the airbag device in advance or separately, the connecting portion of the main body is connected to the steering wheel main body so that the elastic support portion allows the elasticity of the elastic support portion. The airbag device is supported by the steering wheel body so as to be able to be pressed, and the contact portions of the switch mechanism are arranged to face each other, so that a steering wheel including the switch mechanism and the airbag device is configured.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel,
The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the airbag device comprises: an airbag; an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag; a base body to which the airbag and the inflator are fixed; Cover, a cover body fitted to the base body,
A fixing body for fastening the cover body to the base body side, and a connecting member is connected to the fixing body.

[0015] In this configuration, the connecting member is integrally or separately connected to the fixed body that fastens and fixes the cover body to the base body side, so that the work of attaching the airbag device to the steering wheel body is facilitated. The manufacturing cost is reduced.

The steering wheel according to claim 6 is
The steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the fixed body is insulated from the base body using the cover body as an insulator, and one contact is formed integrally with the base body.

In this configuration, the number of parts is reduced, the structure is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

The steering wheel according to claim 7 is
The steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a support frame portion provided on a member constituting the airbag device, wherein the elastic support portion of the connecting member is inserted inside the support frame portion so as to be elastically deformable. It is supported.

With this configuration, when the elastic support portion of the connecting member is deformed by pushing the airbag device, the elastic support portion is guided by the support frame portion, and the operational feeling of the switch mechanism is improved.

The steering wheel according to claim 8 is
8. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion of the airbag device of the connection member is locked to at least one of a plurality of members constituting the airbag device and is sandwiched between these members. It is fixed.

In this configuration, the connecting member is formed separately from the member forming the airbag device.
The connecting member is easily and firmly fixed to the airbag device without requiring a separate fixing member.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a steering wheel according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a steering wheel (handle) of an automobile.
Is composed of a steering wheel body 2, an airbag device (airbag module) 4 mounted on the occupant side of the steering wheel body 2, and the like. The steering wheel 1 is normally used in a state of being inclined at a predetermined angle. Hereinafter, the front side of the airbag device 4, that is, the occupant side, will be referred to as the upper side, and the rear surface side of the airbag device 4, ie, the vehicle body side, will be described. The lower side is referred to as the front upper side of the vehicle, that is, the windshield side is referred to as the front side, and the rear lower side of the vehicle is referred to as the rear side.

The steering wheel body 2 is
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an annular rim portion 5 is formed.
And a boss portion 6 located inside the rim portion 5 and a plurality of spoke portions 7 connecting the rim portion 5 and the boss portion 6 in the present embodiment. Also,
A substantially cylindrical boss 8 fitted to the steering shaft is provided below the boss portion 6, and a boss plate 9 constituting a core body is integrally formed on the boss 8 or is welded or the like. It is fixed. Then, from the boss plate 9, the core metal of the spoke portion 7 constituting the core body is integrally extended or fixed by welding or the like, and further, the core metal of the rim portion 5 is attached to the core metal of the spoke portion 7. Are fixed integrally or by welding or the like. Further, a skin portion 10 made of a soft foamed polyurethane or the like is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the core metal of the rim portion 5 and an outer peripheral portion of a portion of the spoke metal 7 on the rim portion 5 side.

A lower cover (back cover) 11 made of resin is attached to the boss 6 using screws.
The lower part is covered. Further, on the inner side or lower side of the lower cover 11, there is provided a ring-shaped cable called an electrical connection device for electrically connecting the vehicle body side and the steering wheel 1 side, such as a clock spring or a cable type connector device. A reel device is attached. Also, on both sides and the rear of the lower cover 11,
A work opening 11a is provided, and the work opening 11a is opened and closed by a cover as necessary. Further, a column cover is provided to cover a part of the steering shaft and the cable reel device.

The main body side connecting member mounting portions 14 are provided on both sides and the rear side of the boss plate 9. Each of the body-side connecting member mounting portions 14 is formed integrally with or separately from the fixed receiving portion 15 in which the end of the boss plate 9 extends in a plate shape perpendicular to the downward direction. And a nut portion 16 which is a screw hole as a fixed receiving portion. A mounting bolt 17 which is a screw as a fixing means is screwed and fixed to each nut 16. Further, a flat spring receiving surface 18 is formed on a portion of the upper surface of the boss plate 9 adjacent to each fixed receiving portion 15.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the airbag device 4 includes a base plate 21 as a base body,
A bag-shaped airbag 22, a resin cover (module cover) 23 covering the airbag 22, an inflator 25 for injecting gas, and a belt 27 as a fixed body for fixing the cover 23 to the base plate 21 are combined. It is configured.

The base plate 21 is integrally formed of a conductive metal plate or the like, and is formed into a substantially polygonal plate-like substrate portion 21a. The base plate 21 is folded downward from a peripheral portion of substantially the entire periphery of the substrate portion 21a. A peripheral plate portion 21b, which is a curved vertical wall, and the like are provided. A circular hole-shaped inflator through-hole 21c is formed in the substrate portion 21a, and bolt through-holes 21d are formed at a plurality of positions on the outer periphery of the inflator through-hole 21c. . In the peripheral plate portion 21b, engagement pieces 21e are provided at predetermined intervals so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral side. Further, the lower end of the peripheral plate portion 21b is
A first contact portion 21f as a contact portion which is bent continuously or only at a predetermined position horizontally and serves also as a cover contact portion.
Are formed.

The airbag 22 is formed in a bag shape by, for example, stacking two circular base cloths and sewing the outer periphery thereof, etc., and has a through hole 22a for an inflator at the center of the bottom. Bolt through holes 22b are formed at four locations on the outer periphery of the inflator through hole 22a.

Further, the cover body 23 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin, and covers a part of the boss portion 6 and the spoke portion 7 of the steering wheel body 2, and a lower side from the lower surface of the cover portion 23a. In the present embodiment, there are provided mounting pieces 23b in four directions, each of which has a substantially polygonal cylindrical shape projecting therefrom. Then, the covering portion 23a and the mounting piece portion 23b
And a portion surrounded by the base plate 21 attached to the lower side of the cover body 23 becomes an airbag storage portion 29 for storing the folded airbag 22. On the back surface of 23a, a fragile tear line 23c formed in a thin shape is formed in a substantially H-shaped plane. On the upper surface of the covering portion 23a, a display portion 23d such as an emblem is formed integrally at the center of the boss portion 6, and an end of the covering portion 23a such as a portion covering the front spoke portion 7 is formed. An operation display section 23e of a pattern showing dot-like irregularities and a horn is integrally formed at the position. Furthermore, the mounting piece 23b is formed with an engagement receiving portion 23f which is recessed or opened on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side at a predetermined interval, and the inflator 25 is substantially filled with a propellant or the like. Cylindrical inflator body (container) 25
a gas injection port 25b is formed at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction on an upper portion of the inflator body 25a, and a flange is formed on an outer peripheral side from a substantially central portion in a height direction of the inflator body 25a. The flange 25c has four mounting bolts 25 extending downward.
d is stuck. From the bottom of the inflator body 25a, a lead wire or the like having a connector at the tip is led out, and power for starting is supplied. Further, if necessary, a synthetic resin inflator cover is attached so as to cover the bottom of the inflator body 25a and the lead wires.

The belt 27 is formed of a springy and conductive steel plate. In the present embodiment, the belt member 30 is formed integrally with the belt-shaped belt body 30 at three places. I have. The belt main body 30 is formed in a ring shape by abutting the connecting portions 30a provided at the end portions at both ends, and caulking, welding, or fixing with a fixing tool such as a rivet. Further, the belt body 30 has an engaging piece 30 at a predetermined interval at an intermediate position in the height direction, that is, the width direction.
b is formed to protrude integrally on the inner peripheral side by cutting and raising. An insertion guide portion 30c is formed integrally with the edge of the upper end of the belt main body 30 so as to be bent toward the outer peripheral side and expand. Further, a cover contact portion 30d protruding inward at a predetermined position is provided at an edge of the lower end of the belt body 30.
Are bent and formed integrally.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the connecting members 31 are integrally extended from lower ends of both sides and a rear side of the belt main body 30. That is, each connecting member 31 is integrally formed of a springy and conductive steel plate, and is connected to the airbag device connecting portion 33 integrally connected to the belt main body 30 and the airbag device connecting portion 33. And an elastic supporting portion 34 capable of being elastically deformed in a state where a predetermined force or more is applied thereto, a main body connecting portion 35 connected to the distal end side of the elastic supporting portion 34, and a distal end portion connected to the main body connecting portion 35. And a contact support portion 37 provided with a second contact portion 36 as a contact portion. And
The airbag device connecting portion 33 is formed such that a portion extending from the belt body 30 is bent toward the inner peripheral side.
In the elastic support portion 34, a pair of support pieces 34a on both sides are bent in an arc shape and further extend horizontally. Further, in this embodiment, the arc-shaped portion of each support piece 34a is curved so that the central angle becomes an arc shape exceeding 180 degrees. The main body connecting portion 35 has a vertical rectangular plate shape, and has a mounting hole 35a formed in the center. Further, the contact support portion 37 is formed by cutting and raising a central portion in the width direction of the elastic support portion 34, that is, a portion between the support pieces 34a, and being connected to a central upper end portion of the main body connection portion 35. Then, the contact support portion 37 is directed upward so as to be inclined toward the inner peripheral side, and further, the distal end portion of the contact support portion 37 is protruded upward from the elastic support portion 34 at the inner peripheral side. The second contact portion 36 is bent in a horizontal shape toward the side, and is integrally formed.

The second contact portion 36 of the connecting member 31
And a first contact portion 21f of the base plate 21 constitute a switch mechanism which is opposed to and separated from the first contact portion 21f of the base plate 21. The first contact portion 21f of the base plate 21 is connected via a harness device and a cable reel device (not shown). And the second contact portion 36 of the connecting member 31 is connected to the positive side of the horn mechanism.
The horn mechanism is connected to the minus side of the horn mechanism via a boss 8 or the like.

In the airbag device 4, the inflator 25 is inserted into the inside of the airbag 22 from the inflator through hole 22a, and the mounting bolts 25d are inserted into the airbag 22, the base plate 22b, and the bolt through hole 21d. Insert
Screw the nut 39, which is a fixing tool, from the lower side, or caulk a rivet, and attach the airbag to the base plate 21.
22 and the inflator 25 are fixed. Also airbag
22 is folded into a predetermined shape such as a petal, and the cover body 23 is covered so as to cover the airbag 22, and the mounting piece 23b of the cover body 23 is fitted to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral plate 21b of the base plate 21. I do. Then, the mounting piece 23b of the cover body 23
Belt from below using the insertion guide 30c.
The belt main body 30 is inserted and fitted, and the belt main body 30 is further tightened if necessary. In this state, the base plate is attached to the lower end of the mounting piece 23b of the cover body 23.
The first contact portion 21f of the peripheral plate portion 21b and the cover contact portion 30d of the belt main body 30 of the belt 27 are positioned by contact with each other, and are provided on the peripheral plate portion 21b and the belt main body 30 respectively. The engagement pieces 21e and 30b are the engagement receiving parts 23 of the mounting piece 23b.
In a state in which the mounting piece 23b is engaged with f and is prevented from being removed, the mounting piece 23b of the cover body 23 is sandwiched between the peripheral plate 21b of the base plate 21 and the belt main body 30, and is fixed to the base plate 21, and includes a switch mechanism. The airbag device 4 is configured. In this state, the base plate 21 and the belt 27 are insulated with the cover 23 as an insulator.

Further, when assembling the airbag device 4 to the steering wheel main body 2, each connecting member 31 is aligned with the main body side connecting member mounting portion 14 of the boss plate 9, and the elastic support portion 34 of each connecting member 31 is provided. Abuts on the spring receiving surface 18, and the main body connecting portion 35 is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the fixed receiving portion 15. From this state, the mounting bolts 17 are inserted into the mounting holes 35a of the main body connecting portion 35 through the respective working openings 11a of the lower cover 11, and further screwed into the nut portions 16 of the fixing receiving portions 15 to be tightened. Thereby, the airbag device 4 is mechanically attached to the steering wheel body 2.

Before or after assembling the airbag device 4 to the steering wheel main body 2, the connector portion of the inflator 25 and the base plate 21 are electrically connected to a cable reel device by using a harness device or the like, so that the steering can be performed. The assembly of the wheel 1 is completed.

In the steering wheel 1, when no operating force is applied to the airbag device 4, the rigidity of the connecting member 31 holds the airbag device 4 at a predetermined position with respect to the steering wheel body 2. The first contact portion 21f and the second contact portion 36 are held apart from each other with a predetermined interval.

On the other hand, when the operator pushes the cover 23 of the airbag device 4, the airbag device 4 resists the urging force of the connecting member 31, that is, the elastic supporting portion 34 of the connecting member 31.
Is pressed down while elastically deforming
The circuit is closed and the horn is blown in a state where the first contact portions 21f at the two places are in contact with the second contact portions 36. Note that, depending on the position or direction in which the operator pushes the airbag device 4, the airbag device 4 is pushed down while being inclined in any direction.

When an impact such as a collision is applied to the automobile, the airbag device 4 rapidly injects an inert gas such as nitrogen gas from the inflator 25 into the airbag 22 to reduce the folded air. The bag 22 expands rapidly.
Then, due to the pressure of the inflation, the cover body 23 is broken at a predetermined tear line 23c to form a projecting opening, and the airbag 22 projects from the projecting opening and is inflated and deployed widely in front of the occupant to protect the occupant. It has become.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the steering wheel in which the airbag device 4 is mounted on the steering wheel body 2, the steering wheel body 2 and the airbag device 4 are made of a spring material, A switch mechanism, which is a horn mechanism for bringing the contact portions 21f and 36 into contact with each other by pushing the cover body 23 of the airbag device 4 because the cover member 23 of the airbag device 4 is pushed by the connecting member 31 provided with the elastic support portion 34 at the center. Can be provided at a low cost.

That is, the horn plate, a plurality of stepped bolts, coil springs, etc., which were conventionally required for the switch mechanism as the horn mechanism, can be omitted, the number of parts is reduced, the configuration is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. In addition to this, the switch mechanism of the horn mechanism can be downsized, and the boss 6 of the steering wheel 1 can be downsized and thinned.

Further, the connecting member 31 is connected to the airbag device 4.
Is formed integrally with the belt 27, thereby reducing the number of parts, improving the workability of assembling the airbag device 4 and the switch device, and improving the workability of attaching the airbag device 4 to the steering wheel body 2. Manufacturing costs can be reduced. In particular, since the belt 27 is a member for fastening and fixing the cover body 23 to the base plate 21 side, it is suitable to be formed of a member having rigidity that can be elastically deformed by a predetermined force or more.

Further, since the connecting member 31 is formed integrally with one contact portion 36 constituting the switch device, the number of parts can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the switch mechanism of the horn mechanism can be reduced. Can be reduced in size, and the boss 6 of the steering wheel 1 can be reduced in size and thickness.

Further, the mounting piece 23b of the cover body 23 is connected to the base plate 21 and the connecting member 31, that is, the contact portions 21f and 21f.
Because 36 was used as an insulating member to electrically insulate each other,
A separate insulating member is not required, the number of parts can be reduced, the mounting workability can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The elastic support 34 of the connecting member 31
Since the arc shape is greater than 0 degrees, it is easier to suppress the variation in the load, and the operational feeling of the switch mechanism can be improved as compared with, for example, a configuration having a substantially U shape curved by 180 degrees.

The airbag device 4 is connected to the connecting member 31.
As a result, the entire covering portion 23a of the cover body 23 of the airbag device 4 can be used as an operating portion, the operating stroke can be reduced, and the operability can be improved.

Further, in the air bag device 4, the rear side as one end is held by one connecting member 31, and the front side as the other end is held by two connecting members 31. The effects of stably holding the bag device 4 and reducing the manufacturing cost by simplifying the configuration can be easily achieved.

The arrangement of the connecting members 31 is not limited to three, but may be two, two or more on both sides, or four or more. Some of the connecting members 31 such as the connecting members 31 arranged on both sides are firmly fixed by the mounting bolts 17, while the other connecting members are attached to the mating member by locking or the like, thereby facilitating the attaching work.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, with respect to the connecting member 41 disposed at the center of the rear portion, the engaging piece 42 is bent and formed integrally with the distal end serving as the lower end of the main body connecting portion 35. Only by pressing the connecting member 41 toward the steering wheel main body 2, the engaging piece 42 can be engaged and fixed to the lower end portion of the fixing receiving portion 15 of the main body side connecting member mounting portion 14.
Further, in this configuration, by the engagement of the engagement pieces 42,
The airbag device 4 can be temporarily fixed to the steering wheel body 2.

In the above embodiment, the connecting member 31
Is formed integrally with the belt 27, but can also be formed integrally with other members constituting the airbag device 4, or can be formed integrally with a member on the steering wheel body 2 side, or It can also be formed separately from the bag device 4 and the member on the steering wheel body 2 side. Further, when the connecting member is formed separately from the belt, the belt is not limited to a spring material, or may be formed of a material having no conductivity.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a connecting member fixing portion 44 is formed on the belt body 30 of the belt 27,
The connecting member fixing portion 44 is provided with a groove-shaped positioning hole 44a and a circular fixing hole 44b. As for the connecting member 46, a rectangular plate-shaped airbag device connecting portion 47 is formed at an end portion, and the airbag device connecting portion 47 is provided with a positioning piece 47a and a fixing hole 47b.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, with the positioning piece 47a inserted into the positioning hole 44a and positioned, a rivet 48 as a fixing tool is inserted into the fixing holes 47b, 44b from the outer peripheral side. By swaging, the connecting member 46 can be fixed to the belt 27.

In each of the above embodiments, the first contact portion 21f on the side of the airbag device 4 is formed at the lower end of the peripheral plate portion 21b extending downward from the base plate 21.
The configuration is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and can be appropriately set according to the shape of the base plate.

For example, as shown in a base plate 51 shown in FIG. 9, a peripheral plate portion 51 extends upward from an outer peripheral portion of a substrate portion 51a.
In the configuration in which b is protruded, the lower surface of the planar substrate portion 51a can be used as the first contact portion 51f.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a part of the substrate portion 51a may be protruded downward to form a first contact portion 51g.

Each contact can be formed by driving a separate metal.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a separate connection member 61 is used, and a support frame for guiding each connection member 61 to a base plate 62 which is a member constituting the airbag device 4. A part 63 can also be provided.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 and the like, each connecting member 61 is formed by a leaf spring which is a member having elasticity and conductivity, and the airbag device connecting portion 65 and An elastic supporting portion 66 connected to the airbag device connecting portion 65 and elastically deformable in a state where a predetermined force or more is applied thereto; a main body connecting portion 67 connected to a distal end side of the elastic supporting portion 66; A contact support portion 69 which is provided in series with the main body connecting portion 67 and has a second contact portion 68 as a contact portion provided at a distal end portion. The airbag device connecting portion 65 includes a substrate portion 65a having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and a locking portion 65b cut and raised from the substrate portion 65a. Further, the elastic support portion 66 is formed in a substantially U-shape in which the vertically opposing pieces are substantially parallel to each other. Further, in a semicircularly curved portion of the elastic support portion 34, a groove portion is formed along the longitudinal direction at a central portion in the width direction, and elasticity is adjusted.
Further, the main body connecting portion 67 is provided with a substrate portion 67 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape.
a, and a mounting hole 67b formed substantially in the center of the substrate 67a.
And Further, the contact support portion 69 is
6 is formed by cutting and raising the central portion in the width direction and connecting to the central portion of the upper end of the main body connecting portion 67. Further, the contact support portion 69 is directed upward so as to be slightly inclined toward the outer peripheral side, that is, toward the opposite side of the elastic support portion 66, and the upper end portion is bent horizontally toward the inner peripheral side to form the second contact point. The part 68 is formed integrally.

On the other hand, the support frame 63 is formed integrally with the support frame 63 of the base plate 62 at a predetermined position of the peripheral plate portion 21b, in this embodiment, a total of three places of both sides and the rear side. Each is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, that is, in a frame shape surrounding the rectangular opening 63a. The lower piece 63b located below the support frame 63 is bent inward to be horizontal.

Further, a lock receiving portion 63c, which is a rectangular opening, is formed in the peripheral plate portion 21b of the base plate 62 above the support frame portion 63.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, in this embodiment, a cover abutting portion 30d formed at the edge of the lower end of the belt main body 30 of the belt 27 is provided with a first contact portion as a contact portion.
Also serves as the contact part.

The boss plate 9 of the steering wheel body 2 is formed with a projecting spring receiving portion 71 for supporting a spring.

Therefore, the assembling process of the present embodiment is performed in the same manner as the opening 63a of each support frame 63 of the base plate 62 to which the inflator 25 and the folded airbag 22 are attached.
Then, the elastic support portion 66 of the connecting member 61 is inserted from the outer peripheral side. At the same time, the locking portion 65b of the connecting member 61 is moved to the locking receiving portion 63c.
And connect them to the base plate.
Temporarily fix to 62. In this state, by covering the cover body 23 on the base plate 62 and further fitting the belt 27,
Each connecting member 61 is sandwiched between members constituting the airbag device 4, and is fixedly prevented from coming off by engagement between the locking portion 65b and the locking receiving portion 63c. Then, the airbag device 4 is combined with a predetermined position of the steering wheel main body 2, each connecting member 61 is aligned with the main body side connecting member mounting portion 14 of the boss plate 9, and the elastic support portion 66 of each connecting member 61 is horizontally positioned. The main part connecting part 67 is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the fixed receiving part 15. From this state, the mounting holes 67b of the main body connecting portion 67 are provided through the working openings 11a of the lower cover 11 and the like.
The airbag device 4 is mechanically attached to the steering wheel body 2 by inserting the mounting bolts 17 into the nuts 16 and screwing the nuts 16 into the nut portions 16 of the fixed receiving portions 15.

In this state, the second contact portion 68 electrically connected to the boss plate 9 is connected to the cover contact portion 30 of the belt 27.
A switch mechanism is configured to face d at a predetermined interval.

According to this embodiment, similarly to the above embodiments, the connecting member 61 which is a leaf spring is used.
By adding a module fixing function and the like in addition to the spring function, the number of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the steering wheel 1 can be reduced.

Further, a connecting member is provided on the airbag device 4 side.
Since the support frame portion 63 in which the elastic support portion 66 of 61 is inserted and surrounded is provided, the support frame portion 63 guides the elastic support portion 66 and moves the air The movement of the bag device 4 can be stabilized, and the operational feeling of the switch mechanism can be improved.

It is to be noted that, for example, the surface of the support frame 63 is coated with a resin or the like so that generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed even when the support frame 63 and the connecting member 61 are in sliding contact with each other.

The vertical dimension of the elastic support portion 66 is
The connecting member 61 is formed to be slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the opening 63a of the support frame 63 and to reduce the diameter of the elastic supporting portion 66 against the elastic force when inserted into the opening 63a. The position can be stably held by being fitted to the frame portion 63, and the workability of attachment to the steering wheel body 2 can be improved.

Further, the connecting portion 65 of the airbag device of the connecting member 61 can be fixed to the base portion 62a provided with the locking portion 65b between the base plate 62, the cover body 23 and the belt 27 so as not to come off. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a fixing tool such as a bolt or a rivet, so that the assembling workability can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the switch mechanism for operating the horn mechanism does not necessarily need to be provided on all the connecting members, but may be provided on only one of the connecting members. The switch mechanism may be provided integrally with the connecting member, or may be provided separately from the connecting member. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, contact seats 9a are integrally or integrally formed at a plurality of positions or one position of a boss plate 9 as a core metal, and a contact portion 9b having good conductivity is formed on the top of each contact seat 9a. The second contact portion as the contact portion can be formed by driving in.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the steering wheel body and the airbag device can also have various configurations. For example, the steering wheel body is not limited to the one having four spokes. It can also be applied to a three-spoke steering wheel. Further, the airbag device may be configured by using a retainer provided with mounting bolts, and sandwiching the airbag and the base plate between an inflator mounted from below the base plate and the retainer.

[0072]

According to the steering wheel of the first aspect, the airbag device can be elastically supported on the steering wheel body by the integrally formed connecting member, so that the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the steering wheel of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, at least one contact of the switch mechanism is formed integrally with the connecting member, so that the number of parts is reduced and the structure is simplified. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the size can be easily reduced.

According to the steering wheel of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the connecting member is formed integrally with the member constituting the airbag device.
By connecting the connecting member to the steering wheel body, the airbag device can be attached to the steering wheel body, so that the assembling work can be facilitated and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the steering wheel of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the connecting portion of the airbag device of the connecting member is connected to the airbag device in advance or separately from the airbag device. By connecting the airbag device to the steering wheel main body, the airbag device can be supported by the elasticity of the elastic support portion so that the airbag device can be pressed to the steering wheel main body, and the contact portions of the switch mechanism are arranged to face each other. The steering wheel provided with the above can be constituted.

According to the steering wheel of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the connecting member is integrally or separately connected to the fixed body for fastening the cover body to the base body side. Therefore, the work of attaching the airbag device to the steering wheel body becomes easy, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the steering wheel of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, by using the cover as an insulator, the number of parts can be reduced, the structure can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. .

According to the steering wheel of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, when the elastic support portion of the connecting member is deformed by pushing the airbag device,
The elastic support portion can be guided by the support frame portion, and the operational feeling of the switch mechanism can be improved.

According to the steering wheel of the eighth aspect, in addition to the effects of any one of the first to seventh aspects, in a configuration in which the connecting member is separate from a member constituting the airbag device, a separate fixing member is provided. , The connecting member can be easily and firmly fixed to the airbag device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 2 showing an embodiment of a steering wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the steering wheel according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a II-II of FIG. 2 showing the steering wheel;
It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the steering wheel according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion III of FIG. 4 showing a connecting member of the steering wheel.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a steering wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention, taken along a line II-II in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view showing still another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a part of the steering wheel.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a still another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention at a position corresponding to II in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention at a position corresponding to II in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the steering wheel according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a base plate and a connecting member of the steering wheel.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a steering wheel according to still another embodiment of the present invention, taken along a line II in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering wheel main body 4 Airbag device 21, 51, 62 Base plate 21f, 51f, 51g, 68 First contact part as a contact body 22 Airbag 23 Cover body 25 Inflator 27 Fixed body Belt 31, 41, 46 Connecting member 33 Airbag device connecting part 34 Elastic support part 35 Main body connecting part 36 Second contact part as contact part

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A steering wheel body, an airbag device, a connecting member for connecting the airbag device to the steering wheel body, and opposed contacts supported on the airbag device side and the steering wheel body side, respectively. A switch mechanism provided with an airbag device, wherein the connecting member is a main body connecting portion connected to the steering wheel main body, an airbag device connecting portion connected to the airbag device, the main body connecting portion and the air. A steering wheel, wherein an elastically deformable elastic supporting portion connecting the bag device connecting portion is integrally formed. 2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member has at least one contact of the switch mechanism formed integrally. 3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is formed integrally with a member constituting the airbag device. 4. A connecting member, wherein an airbag device connecting portion is connected to the airbag device in advance, and a main body connecting portion is connected to the steering wheel main body, so that the elasticity of the elastic support portion allows the airbag device to perform the steering. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel is supported so as to be able to be pressed by the wheel body, and the contact portions of the switch mechanism are arranged to face each other. 5. An airbag device, comprising: an airbag, an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag, a base body to which the airbag and the inflator are fixed, a cover for the airbag, and fitting to the base body. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a cover body to be fixed; and a fixed body that fastens and fixes the cover body to the base body side, wherein a connecting member is connected to the fixed body. 6. The steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the fixed body is insulated from the base body by using the cover body as an insulator, and one contact is formed integrally with the base body. 7. A support frame provided on a member constituting the airbag device, wherein the elastic support portion of the connecting member is fitted inside the support frame portion and supported so as to be elastically deformable. Claim 1
Or the steering wheel according to 2. 8. The airbag device connecting portion of the connecting member is locked by at least one of a plurality of members constituting the airbag device, and is fixed by being sandwiched between these members. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: