JP2002200982A - Steering wheel provided with horn mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering wheel provided with an air bag device and a horn mechanism realized in the reduction of the number of parts items, lowering of a horn operating load, prevention of backlash, improvement of an assembling property, reduction of weight and miniaturization the mechanism. SOLUTION: The steering wheel S is provided with the horn mechanism 30 for blowing a horn by applying a pushing force from the air bag device 20 side. An air bag cover 21 has a movable contact point 31 provided at the end of a leg part 21b extended from the back side of a top surface 21a toward a retainer 24 and a first engagement part 33 provided in the leg part 21b of the air bag cover 21, and the retainer 24 has a fixed contact point 32 and a second engagement part 34 slidably connected to the first engagement part 33. The movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 32 contact or separate with/from each other through a spring member 35 arranged between the leg part 21b of the air bag cover 21 and the retainer 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a horn mechanism, and more particularly, to a reduction in the number of parts,
The present invention relates to a steering wheel equipped with a horn mechanism that has reduced horn operation load, prevented rattling, improved assemblability, reduced weight and reduced size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, there has been known a configuration in which an airbag device is disposed above a steering wheel body and a horn is blown by pushing the airbag device.

As described above, as a general configuration of a steering wheel having a horn mechanism, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, an airbag device 92 is provided on a steering wheel main body 91, and the steering wheel main body 91 and the airbag device are connected to each other. A steering wheel 90 provided with a horn mechanism 93 between bag devices 92 is known (hereinafter, referred to as “A type”).

A horn mechanism 93 of a steering wheel 90 shown in FIG. 2 is located above a metal core 94 of a steering wheel main body 91 and is connected to a horn plate 95 connected to an airbag device 92 and a horn plate attached to the horn plate. And a cover 97.

The horn plate 95 and the horn plate cover 97 are pushed upward through a coil spring 96, and the upward movement of the horn plate 95 is regulated by a stepped bolt 98 connected to a cored bar 94. ing.

The horn plate 95 is formed of a conductive material. A non-conductive horn plate cover 97 and a spacer 9 are provided between the horn plate 95 and the connecting member 98.
9, the conduction between the horn plate 95 and the connecting member 98 is prevented.

In the above configuration, when the airbag device 92 is pushed downward, the airbag cover 92a presses the horn plate cover 97, and the coil spring 96 bends downward, thereby providing the horn plate 95. The movable contact 95a and the fixed contact 94a provided on the metal core 94 come into contact with each other, and the horn is blown.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, there is known a steering wheel 100 in which an airbag device 102 is provided on a steering wheel main body 101 and a horn mechanism 103 is provided on the steering wheel main body 101 side in advance (hereinafter, referred to as a steering wheel 100). "B type").

The horn mechanism 103 of the steering wheel 100 shown in FIG.
Contact plate 10 attached to a metal core 104
7 and a horn plate 105 urged by a coil spring 106 to a contact plate 107,
The contact plate 107 and the horn plate 105 are connected by a connecting member 108.

The steering wheel body 101 and the airbag device 102 are connected to each other by a bolt hole 102b provided in a retainer 102a of the airbag device 102 and a bolt hole 105a provided in a horn plate 105 constituting the horn mechanism 103. , Bolt 120a and nut 120b.

Then, by pushing the airbag device 102 downward against the urging force of the coil spring 106,
Fixed contact 107 provided on contact plate 107
a and the movable contact 10 provided on the horn plate 105.
The horn is blown by contact with the horn 5b.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a steering wheel 110 having a configuration in which a horn mechanism 113 is provided in advance on the airbag device 112 side is also known (hereinafter referred to as “C”).
Type)).

The horn mechanism 113 of the steering wheel 110 shown in FIG. 4 is urged by a horn plate 115 connected to a retainer 112a and an airbag cover 112b of the airbag device 112 by a coil spring 116 to the horn plate 115. The horn plate 115 and the contact plate 117 are connected by a connecting member 118.

The steering wheel body 111 and the airbag device 112 are connected to a contact plate 117.
Are connected to each other by fixing a connecting portion 117a provided on the steering wheel body and a metal core 114 of the steering wheel main body 111 with bolts 120a and nuts 120b.

Then, by pushing the airbag device 112 downward against the urging force of the coil spring 116,
Fixed contact 117 provided on contact plate 117
b and the movable contact 11 provided on the horn plate 115
The horn is blown by contact with the horn 5a.

[0016]

In a steering wheel provided with a conventional horn mechanism, members such as a contact plate and a horn plate are used to constitute the horn mechanism as in the above-mentioned A type to C type. The member has been disposed in advance on the airbag device side or the steering wheel body side. As described above, according to the conventional configuration, there is a problem that the number of components is increased by providing the horn mechanism. In addition, the horn mechanism is
It had to be assembled on the airbag device side or the steering wheel body side.

Further, as described above, since the airbag device provided with the horn mechanism in advance and the steering wheel body (or the steering wheel body provided with the horn mechanism in advance and the airbag device) are connected to each other. , It was necessary to assemble while considering the horn mechanism, and assembling was troublesome.

Conventionally, a movable contact and a fixed contact are provided between the airbag device and the steering wheel. In order to bias the airbag device away from the steering wheel, a biasing force is applied. Large coil springs were used. For this reason, the horn operation load when pushing the airbag device to blow the horn has been large.

Conventionally, an airbag device is mounted on a coil spring, and the gravity of the coil spring is large. There is a problem that the vibration is easily transmitted to the bag device, which causes rattling.

Furthermore, in recent years, interest in environmental protection has been increasing, and there is a demand for an automobile that can realize energy saving and suppress the influence on the environment. Therefore,
There is also a demand for a steering wheel constituting an automobile to reduce the number of parts as much as possible and to reduce the weight.

An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device having an airbag device and a horn mechanism which realizes a reduction in the number of parts, a reduction in horn operation load, prevention of rattling, an improvement in assemblability, a reduction in weight and a reduction in size. To provide wheels.

[0022]

According to a steering wheel having a horn mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retainer for holding an inflator, and the cover is provided on the retainer so as to cover the inflator. A steering wheel provided with an airbag device having an airbag cover that covers the bag, and a horn mechanism that blows the horn by applying a pressing force from the airbag device side, wherein the retainer Is formed by bending a rolled steel plate including a first surface constituting a bag disposing surface on which the bag is disposed, and a second surface having a wall at least partially surrounding the bag disposing surface. As well as
A spring member having a fixed contact and a second engaging portion slidably connected to the first engaging portion, the spring member being disposed between a leg of the airbag cover and the retainer. Thus, the movable contact and the fixed contact can be separated from and connected to each other.

As described above, in the steering wheel of this embodiment, the horn mechanism is provided on the side of the airbag device. However, at this time, since the horn plate and the contact plate, which were conventionally required, are not required, the number of parts is small. Can be reduced.

Further, since the horn plate and the contact plate are not used, the weight and size of the airbag device and the steering wheel can be reduced, and the space can be saved. Become. Further, it is not necessary to connect the horn plate and the contact plate, or to assemble the horn plate and the contact plate with the airbag or the steering wheel, so that the assemblability can be improved.

In this embodiment, since the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated from each other between the airbag cover and the retainer, a coil spring is used as a spring member for urging the airbag cover away from the retainer. A leaf spring having a smaller urging force can be used. Therefore, the horn operation load when blowing the horn is reduced, and it is possible to provide a horn mechanism that is easy for the driver to use. Further, since the plate-shaped spring is smaller in the height direction than the coil spring, a more compact configuration can be achieved.

The horn operating load can be changed by changing the shape and thickness of the spring member. Therefore, by adjusting the spring member, it is possible to provide a horn mechanism that is comfortable for the driver to use.

Further, in the structure of the present invention, only the airbag cover is provided on the spring member, and the weight of the spring is small, so that the vibration generated during traveling is transmitted. This makes it possible to suppress backlash.

Further, since the retainer of the present invention is formed by bending a rolled steel plate, it is possible to manufacture a retainer which was conventionally formed of a light alloy and which was expensive, at low cost.

Further, in the rolled steel sheet forming the retainer, in the second surface, a part of the first surface is exposed at a portion not surrounding the first surface, and the first exposed surface is exposed. Since the fixed contact and the spring member are configured to be attached to a part of the surface, when disposing the fixed contact and the spring member on the retainer, even if the retainer is not bothersomely provided with a flange portion or the like, The fixed contact of the horn mechanism can be provided on the exposed portion of the first surface.

Further, a resin plate provided with a second engaging portion is prepared, and this resin plate is retrofitted to a retainer made of a rolled steel plate. At this time,
A hole in which the second engagement portion can be fitted is provided on a wall of the retainer,
The second engaging portion of the resin plate is fitted into this hole, and the resin plate is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the retainer by attaching.

That is, when the second engaging portion is provided in a convex shape, the second engaging portion is not formed directly on the retainer but is attached later as a separate member. With this configuration, the retainer can be easily formed at low cost without complicating the shape of the retainer.

Further, in the horn mechanism of the present embodiment, the movable contact may be formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape and disposed so as to surround an end of the leg. Accordingly, the movable contact can be mounted only once, and can be efficiently arranged.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A steering wheel S of the present embodiment.
Includes a retainer 24 holding an inflator 25, a bag 22 disposed on the retainer 24 to cover the inflator 25, and an airbag cover 21 covering the bag 22. The horn mechanism 30 is configured such that a horn is blown by applying a pressing force from the airbag device 20 side.

The horn mechanism 30 of the present embodiment is provided on the movable contact 31 provided at the end of a leg 21 b extending from the back surface of the upper surface 21 a of the airbag cover 21 to the retainer 24, and on the retainer 24. A fixed contact 32 and a first engaging portion 33 provided on the leg 21b of the airbag cover 21
A second engaging portion 34 provided on the retainer 24 and slidably connected to the first engaging portion 33; and a spring member 35 disposed between the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24. are doing.

When the first engagement portion 33 and the second engagement portion 34 are engaged, the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24 are connected to each other, and the movable contact The fixed contact 31 and the fixed contact 32 can be separated from each other.

In this embodiment, the retainer 24 is formed by bending a rolled steel plate. Rolled steel sheet
A first surface 41 constituting a bag disposing surface 24a on which the bag 22 is disposed, and a peripheral wall 24b surrounding the bag disposing surface 24a
And a plurality of second surfaces 42 that form a substantially cross shape. Then, by raising the second surface 42 so as to surround the first surface 41, the retainer 24 is raised.
Is formed.

At this time, the second surface 42 of the rolled steel sheet is configured such that a part of the first surface 41 is exposed at a portion not surrounding the first surface 41, and the exposed portion is , A fixed contact 32 and a spring member 35 are provided.

In this embodiment, the resin plate 34b provided with the second engaging portion 34 is formed as a separate member for the second engaging portion 34 constituting the horn mechanism 30, and the second engaging portion 34 is formed on the retainer 24 later. It shall be attached. The resin plate 34b is attached to the peripheral wall 24d of the retainer 24 such that the second engaging portion 34 projects from a hole 34a provided in the retainer 24.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the retainer 24 is formed from a flat rolled steel plate, and the second engaging portion 34 provided as a convex shape is configured to be attached later as a separate member. So retainer 2
4 can be easily created without complicating the shape.

As described above, the steering wheel S of the present embodiment does not require the horn plate and the contact plate, which are conventionally required, so that the number of parts can be reduced, and the weight and size of the airbag device and the steering wheel can be reduced. Is achieved. As a result, the degree of freedom in external design is increased, and it is possible to cope with various vehicle types.

Further, the connection between the horn plate and the contact plate and the assembling of the horn plate and the contact plate with the airbag or the steering wheel are not required, and the assemblability can be improved.

In this embodiment, since the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32 are separated from each other between the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24, the spring for urging the airbag cover 21 in the direction away from the retainer 24 is provided. As the member 35,
A plate spring having a smaller urging force than a coil spring can be used. Therefore, the horn operation load when blowing the horn is reduced, and it is possible to provide the horn mechanism 30 which is easy for the driver to use.

Further, in the configuration of the present invention, only the airbag cover is provided on the spring member 35,
Since the weight of the spring is small, vibration generated during traveling is difficult to be transmitted, and rattling can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the movable contact 31 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and the leg 2 of the airbag cover 21 is formed.
1b. As described above, since the movable contact 31 of the present example is formed of a single member, it is possible to efficiently attach the movable contact 31 to the leg 21b.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The members, arrangements, and the like described below do not limit the present invention, and can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing a state in which the steering wheel of the present embodiment is disassembled. The steering wheel S of the present example includes a steering wheel body 10, an airbag device 20,
And a horn mechanism 30 provided in the airbag device 20.

The steering wheel body 10 of this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 1, an annular grip portion 11 and an airbag device 20 located inside the grip portion 11 are provided.
, A grip 11 and a core 1
2 and a cord guide 16 disposed on the cored bar 12.

The cord guide 16 arranges wiring such as a harness for supplying electric power to the horn mechanism 30. The code guide 16 has a convex portion 16a and a standing piece 16
b is provided, and the harness is made to extend along the convex portion 16a,
It is configured to be fixed by the standing piece 16b. Thus, when the airbag device 20 is attached to the steering wheel body 10, the harness does not become a hindrance and the assembling can be performed efficiently.

At a substantially central position of the cored bar 12, a boss 15 connected to a steerer retainer ring shaft (not shown) is provided.
Is provided. The lower part (the vehicle body side) of the cored bar 12 is covered with a resin body cover 14, and the vehicle body side and the steering wheel S side are electrically connected to the lower part of the body cover 14. A connection device is provided.

A code guide 16 is fixed to the core 12 by a connecting member 17 such as a bolt.
7 is fixed to a fixing portion 18 provided on the cover 14,
Thereby, the cored bar 12 and the cover 14 are connected.

The airbag device 20 of the present embodiment includes an airbag cover 21 that covers the entire airbag device, a bag-like bag 22 that is inflatably folded, a retainer ring 23 that fixes the bag 22 to a retainer 24, An inflator 25 that supplies inflation gas to the bag 22 and a retainer 24 that holds the inflator 25 are provided.

The airbag cover 21 is a resin molded product, and includes an upper surface 21a and a retainer 2 from the upper surface 21a.
And a leg 21b extending to the fourth side. The leg 21b is formed with a hole 21c for engaging a claw 31d of the movable contact 31, which will be described later.

The bag 22 is formed of a bag body, has an opening (not shown) for mounting the gas generating port of the inflator 25, and a retainer ring 23 is disposed around the inside of the opening. Through the retainer 14.

The retainer ring 23 includes an inflator 25
And a connection bolt 26 extending in one direction from the upper surface. The connection bolt 26 is screwed to a nut 27, and the bag 22, the retainer ring 23, the retainer 24, and the inflator 25 are connected by the connection bolt 26 and the nut 27.

The retainer 24 is formed by bending a rolled steel plate. The rolled steel plate has a first surface 41 constituting a bag disposing surface 24 a on which the bag 22 is disposed.
And a plurality of second surfaces 42 constituting a peripheral wall 24b surrounding the bag mounting surface 24a, and are formed in a substantially cross shape. Then, the second surface 42 is surrounded by the first surface 41.
Is raised, the retainer 24 is formed.

At this time, since the second surface 42 of the rolled steel sheet is formed in a substantially T-shape with a notch 43 provided between the second surface 42 and the first surface, the second surface 42 is raised. Peripheral wall 24b
Then, a part of the bag disposing surface 24a can be exposed from between the adjacent peripheral walls 24b. As described above, the fixed contact 32 of the horn mechanism 30 is provided on a part of the exposed bag mounting surface 24a.

In the present embodiment, a cut-out portion 44 having a U-shape is provided on the base side of the second surface 42 of the rolled steel plate constituting the retainer 24, and is surrounded by the cut portion 44. The second surface is configured to stand upright, leaving a portion.
In this example, the portion that is not raised and surrounded by the cut portion 44 is used as the spring member disposition portion 24 d of the horn mechanism 30.

As described above, in the retainer 24 of this embodiment, in order to dispose the fixed contact 32 and the spring member 35, the retainer 24 is not provided with a flange or the like, but the peripheral wall 24b surrounds the bag disposing surface 24a. A portion of the bag disposing surface 24a is exposed in a portion other than the above, and the fixed contact 32 and the spring member 35 are disposed on the exposed portion.

The inflator 25 has a cylindrical main body 25a.
And a plurality of gas outlets 25 formed on the outer peripheral side of the main body.
b, and an attachment portion 25c are formed. In the attachment portion 25c, the bag 22, the retainer ring 2
3, it is configured to be connected to the retainer 24.

When an impact is generated, the airbag device 20 rapidly blows a gas from the inflator 25 into the bag 22 to store the folded bag 22.
Act to expand. Due to the pressure of the inflation of the bag 22, the airbag cover 21 is cleaved to form a projecting opening of the bag 22, from which the bag 22 projects and inflates and deploys to the front of the occupant to protect the occupant. ing.

A horn mechanism 30 is provided in the airbag device 20 having the above-described configuration. Horn mechanism 30
Are movable contacts 31 (+ side contacts) provided on the legs 21b of the airbag cover 21, fixed contacts 32 (−side contacts) provided on the retainer 24, and the legs 21b of the airbag cover 21. , A second engaging portion 34 provided on the retainer 24, and a spring member 35 for urging the airbag cover 21 in a direction away from the retainer 24. I have.

The movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32
The horn is blown by contact of the horn. A spring member 35 is interposed between the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32.
The airbag cover 21 is urged upward by the reaction force, and the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32 can be separated from and connected to each other.

The movable contact 31 is made of a conductive member and is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape. The movable contact 31 is provided with four contact portions 31a protruding. By protruding the contact portion 31a in this manner, conduction between the contact portion 31a and the fixed contact 32 is ensured, and conduction between the movable contact 31 and another member, for example, the spring member 35 is prevented.

The movable contact 31 is configured to be able to be expanded by releasing the locking portion 31b and expanding it. The inner diameter of the movable contact 31 is formed so as to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the leg 21 b of the airbag cover 21.

The movable contact 31 is disposed so as to surround the leg 21b of the airbag cover 21. Since the movable contact 31 is configured to be able to expand by expanding the locking portion 31a, it is attached to the leg portion 21b of the airbag cover 21 while expanding the locking portion 31a.

Then, the male screw 3 is attached to the locking portion 31b.
The screw 1c is fixed to the leg 21b of the airbag cover 21 by screwing. As described above, the movable contact 31 of the present example is formed in a frame shape, and can be easily attached to the leg 21b of the airbag cover 21.

Further, the movable contact 31 is fixed so as not to come off from the airbag cover 21 by engaging the claw portion 31d with a hole 21c provided in the airbag cover 21 in advance.

It should be noted that the movable contact 31 is not formed in a frame shape as in this embodiment, but is formed, for example, in a rivet shape, and is opposed to the fixed contact 32 at the lower end of the leg 21b of the airbag cover 21. Needless to say, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which they are attached to predetermined positions.

The fixed contact 32 is made of a conductor and is formed in a screw shape. The fixed contact 32 is disposed on a portion of the bag mounting surface 24a of the retainer 24, the portion being exposed from between the peripheral walls 24b. A hole (not shown) is provided at a position where the fixed contact 32 is provided, and the fixed contact 32 is provided by press-fitting the screw-shaped fixed contact 32 into the hole. In the present example, four fixed contacts 32 are respectively provided near the corners of the bag mounting surface 24a.

The first engaging portion 33 is provided on the airbag cover 2.
1 and is provided on the airbag cover 21 to connect the retainer 24 to the retainer 24. First engagement portion 33
Is a rectangular hole, the leg 21 of the airbag cover 21
b. The first engaging portion 33 may have another shape, such as a polygon or an ellipse, instead of the rectangular hole. Further, the configuration is not limited to a hole whose periphery is completely closed, and a configuration in which a part of the hole communicates with the outside may be used.

The second engaging portion 34 is provided on the airbag cover 2.
This is for connecting the retainer 1 to the retainer 24, and is provided on the retainer 24. In this example, the second engaging portion 3
The resin plate 34b provided with 4 is formed as a separate member, and is attached to the retainer 24 later.

The resin plate 34 b is
Is attached to the peripheral wall 24b of the retainer 24 so as to protrude from a hole 34a provided in the retainer 24. If necessary, the main body of the resin plate 34b is
4b. Thus, the second engagement portion 34 is provided on the retainer 24.

The second engaging portion 34 is provided at a position matching with the first engaging portion 33.
3 is formed to have a width smaller than the width.

The first engaging portion 33 and the second engaging portion 3
4 is disposed on the airbag cover 21 when the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24 are most separated from each other after the first engagement portion 33 and the second engagement portion 34 are engaged. A movable contact 31 and a fixed contact 3 disposed on the retainer 24.
2 is adjusted so as to leave a predetermined distance therebetween.

The first engaging portion 33 and the second engaging portion 3
4 is formed between the contact portion 31 of the movable contact 31.
It is configured to be larger than the distance between a and the fixed contact 32.

It is to be noted that the first engaging portion 33 is a hole and the second engaging portion has a convex shape as in the present embodiment.
The first engagement portion 33 may have a convex shape, and the second engagement portion may be formed as a hole or a slit.

Between the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32,
A spring member 35 is interposed. The spring member 35 is a substantially V-shaped plate-like spring, and the free end side is the airbag cover 2.
The spring member mounting portion 24d formed on the base side of the peripheral wall 24b of the retainer 24 so as to face one side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the center of the spring member 35 is fixed to the spring member arranging portion 24d by a fastening member 36 such as a rivet or a screw, and the free end side is a leg 21b of the airbag cover 21. Is disposed so as to be in contact with the lower end of the. Note that the spring member 35 is not limited to the V-shape as in this example, and may have another shape. For example, a plate-like spring obtained by dividing the spring member 35 of this example from the center is used,
It is good also as composition attached as a set.

Alternatively, a configuration in which a U-shaped leaf spring is disposed as the spring member 35 may be employed. In this case, the end of the spring member 35 is connected to the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 2.
4 may be fixed.

As described above, in the horn mechanism 30 of this embodiment,
Since the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32 are separated from each other between the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24, the spring member 35 for urging the airbag cover 21 in the direction away from the retainer 24 is smaller than a coil spring. As a result, it is possible to use a plate spring having a small urging force, and it is possible to reduce the horn operation load when blowing the horn.

The horn operation load can be changed by changing the shape and thickness of the spring member 35. Therefore, by adjusting the spring member 35, it is possible to provide the horn mechanism 30 with a good feeling for the driver.

Next, the airbag apparatus 2 having the above configuration
0 and the operation of the horn mechanism 30 when the airbag device 20 is disposed on the steering wheel body 10 will be described.

The airbag device 20 is assembled by attaching the airbag cover 21 to an assembly composed of the bag 22, the retainer ring 23, the retainer 24, and the inflator 25 connected by the connecting bolts 26 and the nuts 27.

The airbag cover 21 is connected to a retainer 24. The airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24
First engaging portion 33 provided on airbag cover 21
And the second engagement portion 34 provided on the retainer 24 to engage with each other.

At this time, the spring member 35 is attached to the retainer 24.
Is disposed, the airbag cover 21 is urged by the spring member 35 in a direction away from the retainer 24, and the airbag cover 21 and the retainer 24 are disposed apart from each other.

The airbag device 20 is fixed to the steering wheel body 10 by attaching fixing members such as bolts and nuts to the mounting portion 24c provided on the retainer 24 and the mounting portion 12a provided on the boss portion 12. Is done.

The horn mechanism 30 is operated by applying a pressing force from the airbag device 20 side to the steering wheel body 10 and moving the airbag cover 21 to the retainer 24 side.

In the horn mechanism 30 of the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 33 is formed to be wider than the second engaging portion 34, so that a pressing force is applied from the airbag cover 21 side. When there is not, as shown in FIG. 2, a gap is provided between the first engagement portion 33 and the second engagement portion 34 on the airbag cover 21 side.

To blow the horn, the airbag cover 21 is pushed toward the retainer 24 side. When the airbag cover 21 is pressed, the leg portion 21b of the airbag cover 21 pushes down the spring member 35, and the contact portion 31a of the movable contact 31 moves to and contacts the fixed contact 32 side g.

The contact portion 31a of the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 3
When 2 contacts, the horn switch circuit is closed and the horn is blown. When the horn blows, the airbag cover 21 is separated from the retainer 24 by the urging force of the spring member 35 by releasing the pressing force applied to the airbag cover 21, and the movable contact 31 and the fixed contact 32 are separated. The horn stops sounding at a distance.

[0090]

As described above, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the horn mechanism is provided in the airbag device, and the horn plate and the contact plate, which were conventionally required, are not required, so that the number of parts is reduced. It is possible to do.

Further, since the horn plate and the contact plate are not used, the weight and size of the airbag device and the steering wheel can be reduced, and the space can be saved. Become. Further, it is not necessary to connect the horn plate and the contact plate, or to assemble the horn plate and the contact plate with the airbag or the steering wheel, so that the assemblability can be improved.

In this embodiment, since the movable contact and the fixed contact are separated from each other between the airbag cover and the retainer, a coil spring is used as a spring member for urging the airbag cover in a direction away from the retainer. A leaf spring with a smaller urging force is provided. Therefore, the horn operation load when blowing the horn is reduced, and it is possible to provide a horn mechanism that is easy for the driver to use. Further, since the plate-shaped spring is smaller in the height direction than the coil spring, a more compact configuration can be achieved.

The horn operation load can be changed by changing the shape and thickness of the spring member. Therefore, by adjusting the spring member, it is possible to provide a horn mechanism that is comfortable for the driver to use.

In the conventional configuration, the airbag device is mounted on the coil spring. However, in the configuration of the present invention, only the airbag cover is provided on the spring member. Therefore, the weight of the spring is reduced. For this reason, when vibrations occur during traveling, the vibrations are less likely to be transmitted to the members on the sprung portion, and it is possible to suppress rattling.

Further, since the retainer of the present invention is formed by bending a rolled steel plate, it is possible to manufacture a retainer which was conventionally formed of a light alloy and which was expensive, at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded explanatory view of a steering wheel.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Steering wheel main body 11 Grip part 12 Core part 12b Connection hole 13 Spoke part 14 Body cover 15 Boss part 16 Code guide 17 Connection member 18 Fixation 20 Airbag device 21 Airbag cover 21a Upper surface part 21b Leg part 21c hole 22 Bag 23 Retainer Ring 24 Retainer 24a Bag disposing portion 24b Peripheral wall 24c Connecting hole 24d Spring member disposing portion 25 Inflator 26 Bolt 27 Nut 30 Horn mechanism 31 Movable contact 31a Contact portion 31b Locking portion 31c Male screw 31d Claw portion 32 Fixed contact 33 First Engaging part 34 Second engaging part 34a Hole 34b Resin plate 35 Spring member 36 Fastening member 41 First surface 42 Second surface S Steering wheel

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3D030 DB48 DB73 DB77 3D054 AA02 AA13 AA26 BB02 BB03 BB04 BB06 FF13 FF14 FF15 FF17 FF20

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An airbag device comprising: a retainer for holding an inflator; a bag disposed on the retainer so as to cover the inflator; and an airbag cover for covering the bag. A steering wheel provided with a horn mechanism that blows a horn by applying a pressing force, wherein the retainer has a first surface that forms a bag mounting surface on which the bag is mounted, and the bag mounting surface. A fixed contact formed between a rolled steel sheet having a second surface having a wall at least partially surrounding the first contact point;
And a second engaging portion slidably connected to the engaging portion of the airbag cover, and the movable contact and the movable contact via a spring member disposed between the leg portion of the airbag cover and the retainer. A steering wheel provided with a horn mechanism, wherein the fixed contact is detachable. 2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the spring member is a leaf spring. 3. In the second surface, a part of the first surface is exposed in a portion not surrounding the first surface, and a part of the first surface is exposed. The steering wheel provided with a horn mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a fixed contact and said spring member are attached. 4. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the second engaging portion is formed on a resin plate attached to a wall of the retainer. 5. The horn mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and is disposed so as to surround a lower end of the leg. Steering wheel.