JP2006347310A - Airbag device with horn switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an airbag device with a horn switch capable of reducing an excessive force even when the excessive force due to a deployment of the airbag or the like is applied. <P>SOLUTION: A movable plate 40 is approachably/separatably/movably disposed with respect to a fixed plate 30, and energized to the separation direction. A support column member 46 is vertically provided on the movable plate 40, an insertion hole part 36 is formed on the fixed plate 30, a tapered engagement member 50 having a first guide surface 57 is mounted to the tip end part of the support column member 46, and a tapered guide member 60 having a second guide surface 66a is mounted to the insertion hole part 36. The first guide surface 57 is pushed to the second guide surface 66a in a state where a movable plate 40 is separated from the fixed plate 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air bag device with a horn switch incorporated in a steering of a vehicle.

  An air bag device with a horn switch for ringing a horn is incorporated in the vehicle steering.

  A general airbag device with a horn switch includes a fixed plate and a movable plate provided so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed plate. The movable plate is biased in a direction away from the fixed plate by a spring or the like, and moves closer to the fixed plate by pushing a cover plate provided at a substantially central portion of the steering. In addition, contacts are incorporated in the fixed plate and the movable plate, and by moving the movable plate closer to the fixed plate, the two contacts come into contact with each other and sound the horn.

  For example, the movable plate is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed plate in the following configuration. That is, a support member such as a bolt is erected on the movable plate. An insertion hole through which the support member can be inserted is formed on the fixed plate side. And the retaining member is attached to the front-end | tip part of a support member in the state which has penetrated the said support member in the penetration hole. Thus, the support member can be inserted through the insertion hole between the retaining member on the distal end side and the base end portion, and the movable plate is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed plate in this range.

  In this case, in order to prevent the fixed plate and the movable plate from being brought into conduction through the support member in a normal state, the support member itself is formed of resin, or the support member and the insertion hole A configuration in which a resin member is interposed is employed.

  In addition, as a prior art document which disclosed the airbag apparatus with a horn switch which incorporated the horn switch in the steering, there exists a thing of the patent document 1, for example.

JP 2001-260794 A

  However, in the airbag device with a horn switch, when the airbag is inflated and deployed due to gas pressure or the like, a large impact force is applied to the movable plate in a direction away from the fixed plate.

  In this case, an excessive shearing force is applied to the member formed of the resin at the peripheral portion of the insertion hole, and the member formed of the resin may be damaged or detached. For this reason, it is necessary to have a configuration in which resin parts are firmly fixed from both sides of the insertion hole, resulting in poor workability and a cost increase factor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air bag device with a horn switch that is relatively inexpensive and can withstand the excessive force when an excessive force is applied due to airbag deployment or the like.

  An air bag device with a horn switch according to the present invention is an air bag device with a horn switch that is assembled to a steering wheel, and a fixing member that is fixed integrally with the steering wheel, and is movable toward and away from the fixing member. A movable member that moves in conjunction with a push operation, an airbag attached to the movable member, a biasing means that biases the movable member in a direction away from the fixed member, A switch part provided on the fixed member and the movable member, wherein the movable member and the fixed member are brought into conduction when the movable member and the fixed member are moved closer to each other, and a support column member stands on one side of the fixed member and the movable member. And an insertion hole portion through which the support column member can be inserted is formed on the other side, and the distal end portion of the support column member is gradually contracted toward the proximal end side of the support column member. A taper engaging member having a first guide surface is attached, and a second guide surface that can receive the first guide surface in the insertion hole and has a diameter reduced in the same direction as the first guide surface A taper guide member having a shape portion is attached, and at least one of the taper engagement member and the taper guide member is formed of a non-conductive material.

  The movable member may be set so that the first guide surface and the second guide surface overlap with each other when the movable member is closest to the fixed member.

  Furthermore, the taper guide member may have an outer peripheral shape portion that gradually decreases in diameter toward the end portion.

  According to the air bag device with a horn switch configured as described above, a support column member is erected on one side of the fixed member and the movable member, and the support column member can be inserted on the other side. An insertion hole portion is formed, and a tapered engagement member having a first guide surface that is sequentially reduced in diameter toward the proximal end side of the support column member is attached to the distal end portion of the support column member, and the insertion hole portion A taper guide member having a second guide surface that can receive the first guide surface and has a diameter reduced in the same direction as the first guide surface is attached to the inner peripheral portion. In the normal state in which the distance between the first guide surface and the second guide surface is increased, the first guide surface is pressed against the second guide surface to prevent rattling. When the movable member is moved closer to the fixed member by the pushing operation, a space is formed between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, and the taper engagement member can freely move in the taper guide member. The push operation is not hindered.

  Further, when an excessive force that separates from the fixed member acts on the movable member when the airbag is deployed, the second guide surface is strongly pressed against the first guide surface. Thereby, it can endure the force which acts on a taper engagement member and a taper guide member with a comparatively cheap structure. Further, since the taper guide member is deformed so as not to come off upon receiving this force, the taper guide member is unlikely to come off from the insertion hole.

  Further, when the movable member is set so as to be in a positional relationship where the first guide surface and the second guide surface overlap with each other in a state where the movable member is closest to the fixed member, the movable member is used as the fixed member. The taper engaging member and the taper guide member are less likely to interfere with each other in the approached state, and the movable member moves smoothly.

  Further, when the taper guide member has an outer peripheral portion shape portion that sequentially decreases in diameter toward the end portion, the taper guide member can be easily attached by inserting the taper guide member into the insertion hole portion.

  Hereinafter, an air bag device with a horn switch according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The airbag device with a horn switch is incorporated in a steering wheel integrally with the airbag. 1 is a front view showing an air bag device with a horn switch, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the air bag device with a horn switch as viewed from the back side.

  The airbag portion will be schematically described. The airbag 12 is assembled at a substantially central portion of the steering wheel W of the vehicle driver's seat, and the airbag 12 (see FIG. 2) and the gas generator 14 (also referred to as an inflator) are disposed inside the airbag cover 10. Reference) is provided.

  The airbag cover 10 is attached to an attachment target member such as a central boss portion or a spoke portion of the steering wheel W via a fixed plate 30 and a movable plate 40 which will be described later. Established.

  In a normal state, the airbag 12 is accommodated and disposed in the inner space of the airbag cover 10 in a folded form. And at the time of impact detection at the time of a vehicle collision etc., the injection gas from the gas generator 14 is introduce | transduced in the airbag 12, and the airbag 12 expand | deploys. With this inflating and deploying force, the airbag 12 pushes the airbag cover 10 and inflates and deploys in front of the steering wheel W.

  The airbag device with horn switch 20 includes a fixed plate 30 as a fixed member, a movable plate 40 as a movable member, and contact portions 34a and 44a constituting a switch portion.

  The fixed plate 30 is a member that is integrally fixed to the steering wheel W and the vehicle body side shaft. More specifically, the fixed plate 30 is formed in a substantially U-shaped plate shape by a conductive plate material such as a metal plate, and the central boss of the steering wheel W via an attachment piece 32 formed on the inner peripheral portion thereof. It is attached and fixed to a member to be attached such as a portion or a spoke portion by screwing or the like.

  The movable plate 40 is disposed so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed plate 30 by a support structure via a support column member 46 and an insertion hole 36 which will be described later. Then, it is configured to move toward and away from the fixed plate 30 in conjunction with the pushing operation on the airbag cover 10.

  More specifically, the movable plate 40 is formed of a conductive plate material such as a metal plate, and is formed in a plate shape capable of closing the opening on the back side of the airbag cover 10, and has a substantially central portion thereof. Opening hole 42 is formed in this.

  The movable plate 40 is attached and fixed to the back side portion of the airbag cover 10 via a fixed piece 41. When the airbag cover 10 is pushed from the surface side, the airbag cover 10 is moved in conjunction with the airbag cover 10.

  A gas generator 14 is attached in the opening hole 42. The gas generator 14 is fixed to the periphery of the opening hole 42 in the movable plate 40 by screwing or the like. When the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed by the gas explosion of the gas generator 14, the inflation and deployment force of the airbag 12 also acts on the movable plate 40. Due to the deployment force of the airbag 12, a force toward the driver, that is, a force in a direction away from the fixed plate 30 is applied to the movable plate 40.

  Further, the fixed plate 30 and the movable plate 40 are formed with projecting portions 34 and 44 projecting in the facing direction thereof (see FIG. 2). Contact portions 34a and 44a made of a conductive material are provided at the tip portions of the projecting portions 34 and 44, respectively. These contact portions 34a and 44a constitute a switch portion for sounding the horn.

  That is, when the fixed plate 30 and the movable plate 40 are separated from each other, the contact portions 34a and 44a are spaced apart from each other. And in the state which moved the movable plate 40 and moved both plates 30 and 40, both contact parts 34a and 44a will be in the state which contacted and was conducted. Further, a horn switch circuit is formed via the fixed plate 30, the movable plate 40, and both contact portions 34a and 44a. And when both contact parts 34a and 44a will be in a conduction | electrical_connection state, the switch circuit of the said horn will be in an ON state and a horn will sound.

  4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the airbag device with a horn switch, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a taper engagement member, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a taper guide member.

  The movable plate 40 is fixed to the fixed plate 30 so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed plate 30 by the following configuration.

  That is, a plurality (three in this case) of support column members 46 are erected on the movable plate 40 so as to protrude toward the fixed plate 30 side. The distal end portion of each support column member 46 is formed in a screw portion 46 s capable of screwing a taper engagement member 50 described later.

  Further, an insertion hole portion 36 through which the support column member 46 can be inserted is formed on the fixed plate 30 side. Contrary to these examples, a configuration in which a support column portion is formed on the fixed plate 30 side and an insertion hole portion is formed on the movable plate 40 side may be employed.

  A taper engagement member 50 is attached to the distal end portion of the support column member 46, and a taper guide member 60 is attached to the insertion hole portion 36.

  The taper engagement member 50 has a first guide surface 57 (refer to the hatched portion in FIG. 5) that gradually decreases in diameter toward the proximal end side of the support column member 46.

  More specifically, the taper engagement member 50 is made of metal or the like, and includes a nut portion 51 and an annular portion 53 that can be screwed into the screw portion 46s. Then, the taper engaging member 50 is attached and fixed to the distal end portion of the support column member 46 by screwing the nut portion 51 into the screw portion 46 s.

  The annular portion 53 is formed in an annular shape extending from the nut portion 51 toward the proximal end side of the support column member 46. An outer peripheral portion of the annular portion 53 is formed on a first guide surface 57 that sequentially decreases in diameter toward the proximal end side of the support column member 46.

  The nut portion 51 and the annular portion 53 are formed as separate members. For example, the annular portion 53 is provided between a portion corresponding to the nut portion 51 and a step portion formed on the support column member 46. A configuration may be adopted in which a portion corresponding to is clamped and fixed.

  The taper guide member 60 has a second guide surface 66a (see the hatched portion in FIG. 6) that can receive the first guide surface 57 and has a diameter reduced in the same direction as the first guide surface 57. Yes.

  More specifically, the taper guide member 60 is formed of a nonconductive material such as resin. The taper guide member 60 has an engaging claw portion 64 protruding from one surface side of the locking annular portion 62. The locking annular portion 62 is formed in an annular portion that can be engaged with the peripheral portion of the insertion hole 36 in the fixed plate 30 from the movable plate 40 side.

  In addition, a plurality (three in this case) of engaging claws 64 project from the one surface of the locking annular portion 62 at intervals along the inner peripheral portion thereof. Each engagement claw portion 64 is formed to extend in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole portion 36. In addition, the base end portion 65 of each engagement claw portion 64 is formed to be thin enough to be inserted and disposed in the insertion hole portion 36, and the engagement claw portion 64 is disposed outward on the outer peripheral portion of the base end portion 65. A concave groove 65a is formed to facilitate bending deformation. Further, the distal end portion 66 of each engagement claw portion 64 is formed in a thick shape that can be engaged with the insertion hole portion 36. An outer peripheral portion 66b that is successively reduced in diameter toward the distal end portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the distal end portion 66. A reinforcing piece 67 is formed between the engaging claws 64 via a slit.

  The taper guide member 60 is attached to the insertion hole 36 as follows. That is, the taper guide member 60 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 from one surface side (movable plate 40 side) of the fixed plate 30. At this time, each of the engaging claws 64 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 so that the outer peripheral portion 66 b is pressed against the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 36. Then, each engaging claw portion 64 is inserted into the insertion hole portion 36 while being bent and deformed inward. And if the protrusion part of the outer peripheral side of the front-end | tip part 66 of each engagement claw part 64 gets over the peripheral part of the insertion hole part 36, each engagement claw part 64 will elastically return to an original form. Thereby, the taper guide member 60 is attached and fixed to the insertion hole 36 in a state in which the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 36 is sandwiched between the distal end 66 of each engagement claw 64 and the locking annular part 62. Will be.

  In addition, the diameter of the engagement claw portion 64 is reduced in the same direction as the first guide surface 57 to the inner peripheral portion of the distal end portion 66 of the engagement claw portion 64 (that is, the inner aggregated portion of the taper guide member 60). A second guide surface 66 a that is reduced in diameter toward the base end side of the member 46 is formed. When the movable plate 40 is urged and moved in a direction away from the fixed plate 30, the taper engagement member 50 is in a state where the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a face each other and are in surface contact with each other. And the taper guide member 60 engage with each other (see FIG. 4). As a result, the movement of the movable plate 40 in the separation direction with respect to the fixed plate 30 is restricted.

  Further, when the movable plate 40 is moved toward the fixed plate 30 from this state, the support column member 46 is moved while the first guide surface 57 moves away from the second guide surface 66a as shown in FIG. It moves in the insertion hole 36.

  Further, the position where the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a overlap in a state where the movable plate 40 is closest to the fixed plate 30 (here, the state is moved until the contact portions 34a and 44a are in contact). It is set to be a relationship. In other words, the first guide surface 57 is not completely pulled out from the second guide surface 66a when the movable plate 40 is closest to the fixed plate 30. Thereby, when the movable plate 40 and the fixed plate 30 are separated from the closest state, interference between the taper engaging member 50 and the taper guide member 60 is prevented.

  It should be noted that at least one of the taper engagement member 50 and the taper guide member 60 may be formed of a non-conductive material.

  A coil spring 28 is provided as means for urging the movable plate 40 in a direction away from the fixed plate 30. Here, the coil springs 28 fitted on the respective support pillar members 46 are disposed between the fixed plate 30 and the movable plate 40 in a compressed manner. The movable plate 40 is biased in a direction away from the fixed plate 30 by the spring restoring force of each coil spring 28. In addition to the coil spring 28, various spring structures such as a leaf spring and elastic means such as rubber can be used as the biasing means.

  Operation | movement of this airbag apparatus 20 with a horn switch comprised in this way is demonstrated. First, in a normal state, the movable plate 40 is urged away from the fixed plate 30 by the coil spring 28, and the first guide surface 57 of the taper engaging member 50 and the second guide surface 66a of the taper guide member 60 are surfaced. They are in contact with each other (see FIG. 4).

  In this state, the driver or the like pushes the airbag cover 10 to sound the horn. Then, the movable plate 40 moves close to the fixed plate 30 against the urging force of the coil spring 28 in conjunction with the pushing to the airbag cover 10. Then, the first guide surface 57 moves in a direction away from the second guide surface 66a, and a gap is formed between the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a. As a result, the taper engaging member 50 can smoothly move in the taper guide member 60, and the movable plate 40 moves smoothly. And when each said contact part 34a, 44a contacts and acquires conduction | electrical_connection, a horn sounds.

  Thereafter, when the force that pushes the airbag cover 10 is released, the movable plate 40 moves away from the fixed plate 30 by the biasing force of the coil spring 28. In the middle of this, the first guide surface 57 is in sliding contact with the second guide surface 66 a, so that the support column member 46 is guided so as to move to the substantially central portion of the insertion hole portion 36. Then, the movable plate 40 moves until the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a come into contact with each other, thereby returning to the normal state.

  Further, when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed in this normal state, the following occurs. That is, when the airbag 12 is inflated and deployed, the inflated and deployed force acts as a force that moves the movable plate 40 in a direction away from the fixed plate 30. This unfolding force is received by the surface contact between the engaging portion of the taper engaging member 50 and the taper guide member 60, that is, the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a. 66a will be distributed and received.

  According to the air bag device with a horn switch configured as described above, the support column member 46 is erected on the movable plate 40, and the insertion hole portion 36 is formed on the fixed plate 30, and the distal end portion of the support column member 46 is formed. Since the taper engagement member 50 having the first guide surface 57 is attached to the insertion hole 36 and the taper guide member 60 having the second guide surface 66a is attached to the insertion hole 36, the movable plate 40 is separated from the fixed plate 30. In the normal state, the first guide surface 57 is pressed against the second guide surface 66a, so that the movable plate 40 and the airbag cover 10 are held at a fixed position, thereby preventing rattling. When the movable plate 40 is moved closer to the fixed plate 30 by the pushing operation to the airbag cover 10, a space is formed between the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a, and the taper is engaged. The member 50 can freely move the taper guide member 60. For this reason, the airbag cover 10 can be pushed smoothly.

  Further, when an excessive force that separates from the fixed plate 30 acts on the movable plate 40 when the airbag 12 is deployed, the second guide surface 66a is strongly pressed against the first guide surface 57, and the force Are distributed and received by the second guide surface 66a. Thereby, the shear force which acts on the taper engagement member 50 and the taper guide member 60 can be relieved. Further, the taper guide member 60 is deformed so as not to come out of the insertion hole 36 under the force (deformed so that the taper guide member 60 is pressed against the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 36). It becomes difficult to come off from the insertion hole 36, and as a result, the airbag 12 can be prevented from coming off. The first guide surface 51 and the second guide surface 66a are not necessarily formed over the entire circumferential direction.

  In addition, due to the contact between the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a, each engaging claw portion 64 is strongly pressed radially outward of the taper guide member 60, and the distal end portion of the engaging claw portion 64 is inserted into the insertion hole. It will be in the state engaged with the peripheral part of the part 36 strongly. For this reason, the engagement between each engagement claw portion 64 and the peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole portion 36 is made strong, and the taper guide member 60 is not easily dropped from the insertion hole portion 36.

  Moreover, since the taper engagement member 50 is formed of a single member, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since the movable plate 40 is set so that the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 66a overlap with each other when the movable plate 40 is closest to the fixed plate 30, the movable plate 40 is in the closest state. The taper engaging member 50 and the taper guide member 60 are less likely to interfere with each other, and the movable plate 40 and the airbag cover 10 can be moved smoothly. Thereby, the situation where the movable plate 40 and the fixed plate 30 approach and the state where the horn sounded can be prevented.

  Further, since the taper guide member 60 has an outer peripheral portion 66b that sequentially decreases in diameter in the end direction, the outer peripheral portion 66b is brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the insertion hole 36. By inserting the taper guide member 60 into the insertion hole portion 36, there is an advantage that the taper guide member 60 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole portion 36 and attached.

It is a front view which shows the airbag apparatus with a horn switch. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view from the back side of an air bag device with a horn switch. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus with a horn switch. It is a perspective view which shows a taper engagement member. It is a perspective view which shows a taper guide member. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus with a horn switch in the state where the fixed plate and the movable plate were made to approach.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Airbag cover 12 Airbag 14 Gas generator 20 Airbag apparatus with a horn switch 28 Coil spring 30 Fixed plate 34a, 44a Contact part 36 Insertion hole part 40 Movable plate 46 Support pillar member 50 Taper engagement member 57 1st guide surface 60 Taper guide member 64 Engaging claw portion 66a Second guide surface 66b Outer peripheral portion W Steering wheel

Claims (3)

An air bag device with a horn switch assembled to a steering wheel,
A fixing member fixed integrally with the steering wheel;
A movable member which is arranged so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed member and moves in conjunction with a pushing operation;
An airbag attached to the movable member;
Biasing means for biasing the movable member in a direction away from the fixed member;
A switch part provided on the fixed member and the movable member, and conducting when the movable member and the fixed member are moved closer to each other;
With
A support column member is erected on one side of the fixed member and the movable member, and an insertion hole portion through which the support column member can be inserted is formed on the other side.
A taper engaging member having a first guide surface that is sequentially reduced in diameter toward the proximal end side of the support column member is attached to the distal end portion of the support column member, and the first guide surface is disposed in the insertion hole portion. A taper guide member having a second guide surface that can be received and whose diameter is reduced in the same direction as the first guide surface is attached to the inner peripheral portion, and at least one of the taper engagement member and the taper guide member is provided. An air bag device with a horn switch formed of a non-conductive material. The airbag device with a horn switch according to claim 1,
An air bag apparatus with a horn switch, which is set so that the first guide surface and the second guide surface overlap with each other when the movable member is closest to the fixed member. The airbag device with a horn switch according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The said taper guide member is an airbag apparatus with a horn switch which has an outer peripheral part shape part diameter-reduced sequentially toward an edge part direction.

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