JP2014151779A - Steering wheel with air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering wheel with an air bag device that can easily equalize an operating force when operating a horn, can control the leaping-up of an air bag module upon the locking release of a spring within a certain range, and can improve the mounting workability of the air bag module.SOLUTION: An air bag module 6 that also functions as a horn pad is biased by using at least three springs of the same size and the same spring properties. Adjustment of spring force of each spring is performed, for example, by disposing the spring 13c for biasing the air bag module 6 between a supporting part 24c on the side of an inner side part 2a of a steering wheel and a supporting part 14c on the side of the air bag module 6, and adjusting an interval between the supporting part 24c and the supporting part 14c, thereby adjusting spring force of the spring 13c. About the remaining springs, the adjustment is performed by adjusting an interval between the supporting part on the side of the inner side part 2a of the steering wheel for supporting each of upper and lower ends of the spring, and the supporting part provided on the side of the air bag module 6.

Description

The present invention relates to a steering wheel with an airbag device that houses an airbag for a driver's seat occupant.
In the present specification, in the top view when the steering wheel is in a neutral state, that is, when the vehicle is traveling straight (neutral position of the steer wheel), the uppermost end side of the steering wheel is the upper side, and the lowermost side is the lower side. As above, the vertical direction is specified. In addition, the direction intersecting the vertical direction is specified as the horizontal direction.

  Conventionally, a steering wheel provided with an airbag device has been used as a handle of a vehicle in an automobile or the like. The airbag device has a module structure including an airbag, an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, and a storage unit that stores the airbag in a non-deployed state.

  The storage unit of the airbag device includes a case body that stores a folded airbag, an inflator, and the like, and a cover body that is attached to the case body in a state of covering the case body and covers the folded airbag. It is configured.

  Conventionally, as a structure for detachably supporting the airbag module with respect to the steering wheel, for example, a plate in which a lower limit position in a descending direction is defined by a stepped bolt is attached to the airbag module, and this plate is attached to the steering wheel. A structure that uses bolts to the spokes has been used. A switch mechanism that operates the horn and a spring that biases the airbag module away from the plate are provided between the plate bolted to the spoke portion and the airbag module.

  As a thing provided with such a structure, a steering wheel with an air bag device (refer to patent documents 1) etc. is proposed. Moreover, it replaces with the structure bolted and the structure which employ | adopted the hook engagement structure is also employ | adopted. As a device having a hook engagement structure, an airbag storage device (see Patent Document 2) has been proposed.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, the airbag module placed at a predetermined position of the steering wheel is pushed down, so that the engaged portion formed on the airbag module and the engaging portion formed on the inner side of the steering wheel are It is the structure which produces a hook engagement between them.

  A spring and a horn switch mechanism are interposed between the airbag module and the inner side of the steering wheel to bias the airbag module away from the inner side of the steering wheel. The airbag module is biased in the direction away from the inner side of the steering wheel by the spring force from the spring, and the hook engagement state is maintained at the position farthest from the inner side of the steering wheel.

  By pushing down the airbag module against the spring force of the spring, the movable contact provided on the airbag device side and the fixed contact provided on the inner side of the steering wheel can be connected to turn on the switch mechanism. Yes, you can ring the horn.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-100907 JP 2012-96609 A

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the inner side of the steering wheel, which is the support structure of the airbag module, supports the airbag that inflates and protrudes. Will be pushed down in the opposite direction. Further, on the engagement portion side of the inner side portion of the steering wheel, an action of being lifted in the inflating direction of the airbag is generated by the inertia force of the inflating airbag. Further, when the occupant is received by the airbag, the airbag that received the occupant is supported, so that it is pushed down again in the direction opposite to the inflation direction of the airbag.

  In order to reliably support the airbag in a series of inflating and deploying operations in the airbag, it is necessary to preferentially assign the required number of positions to the desired locations as the positions of the hook engaging portions.

  In the airbag device, when the airbag module itself is used as a horn pad, the airbag module itself is further pushed down by a small stroke while the airbag module is hook-engaged to the inner side of the steering wheel. It is necessary to configure so that For this purpose, a plurality of springs for supporting and urging the airbag module are arranged at desired positions, and a plurality of switch contacts for operating the horn are arranged between the airbag module and the inner part of the steering wheel. It is necessary to keep it.

  Usually, the airbag module is engaged with the inner portion of the steering wheel by a plurality of hook engaging portions, and a support member for supporting the spring is provided at the same portion where the respective hook engaging portions are arranged. It is difficult to arrange the horn and switch contacts for the horn. For this reason, a structure is adopted in which the support members of the springs and the switch contacts for the horn are disposed in the portions other than the portions where the hook engaging portions are disposed.

  The portions where the hook engaging portions are disposed are respectively disposed so as to improve the support balance with respect to the airbag module. Along with this, the arrangement of the support members of the springs and the switch contacts is such that the support members and the switch contacts are arranged at equal intervals. Will be severely limited.

  In addition, the airbag module that also functions as a horn pad can be configured so that a switch contact can be entered to activate the horn regardless of which part of the airbag module is depressed, and that a desirable horn operability can be obtained. In order to keep it, it is necessary to install support members for each spring at three or more points.

  Even in this case, in order to obtain an even balance with respect to the airbag module, it is necessary to configure the support members of the springs and the switch contacts at optimal positions. However, it is quite difficult to arrange the spring support members and switch contacts so that an even balance can be obtained for the airbag module. Become.

  Further, the steering wheel is usually arranged in a state in which the upper end side of the steering wheel is inclined toward the forward direction side of the vehicle with respect to the lower end side, that is, the upper end of the steering wheel with respect to the upper body of the occupant seated straight. It is attached to the vehicle in a state where the side is inclined in a direction away from the occupant.

  Therefore, when the steering wheel is in a neutral state, the load acting on each spring differs between the spring disposed on the upper side of the airbag device and the spring disposed on the lower side.

  In order to cope with the difference in these arrangement relations and load conditions, it is conceivable to arrange springs having different specifications (spring constants) corresponding to the respective parts where the spring support members are arranged. However, in order to arrange springs having different specifications (spring constants) corresponding to the respective parts where the spring support members are arranged, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of types of different types of springs.

  In addition, if the springs are misplaced during the assembly work of the springs, an error in the assembly work will occur, so the assembly work must be carefully performed. As a result, the assembly work efficiency is deteriorated. Also, by preparing a plurality of types of different types of springs, the purchase amount of each type of different types of springs is reduced, the purchase unit price is increased, and the complexity of inventory management is increased.

  Regardless of the positional relationship of the spring support members and the springs supported by each spring support member, use all springs with the same specifications, ignoring the use of springs with appropriate spring force. If they are unified, the following problems may occur.

In a portion where the spring force of the spring is too strong, the airbag module may jump up unexpectedly when the airbag device is removed from the steering wheel during service work.
In other words, when the air bag module is released from the engaged state with the steering wheel when performing the removing operation, the air bag module may spring up unexpectedly due to the spring having a strong spring force.

  Further, in a portion where the spring force of the spring is too strong, the operating force when operating the horn may feel heavy, and the operability when operating the horn may be unsatisfactory.

  On the other hand, if the spring force of the spring at the location where it is installed does not meet the required strength, the horn will malfunction due to vibration during travel, and there will be no response to the horn operation. In addition, it is felt that the operability when operating the horn is not satisfactory.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems when the airbag module itself is used as a horn pad, and further improves the invention described in Patent Document 2 relating to the applicant of the present application to operate the horn. The force can be easily equalized, the spring-up when the spring is unlocked can be kept within a certain range, the air bag module mounting workability can be improved, and material procurement and management costs can be reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel with an airbag device that can be used.

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the inventions described in claims 1 to 3.
That is, the steering wheel with an airbag device according to the present invention is a steering wheel for detachably mounting an airbag module that constitutes a main body of the airbag device,
A horn switch mechanism is disposed between the inner side of the steering wheel and the airbag module, and the horn switch mechanism is disposed on the inner side of the steering wheel and on the airbag module side. A movable contact disposed, and at least three springs disposed between the inner side of the steering wheel and the airbag module and biasing the movable contact in a direction away from the fixed contact. And
A locking means for restricting a spacing between the movable contact and the fixed contact against an urging force from each of the springs, and for locking and holding the airbag module by the steering wheel;
Each of the springs has the same spring characteristics and the same size and shape, and support portions that support the upper and lower ends of each spring are provided on the airbag module side and the inner side of the steering wheel. The interval between the support portion provided on the airbag module side and the support portion provided on the inner side of the steering wheel is set to a predetermined interval corresponding to the position of each spring. And
The most important feature is that the predetermined interval is inversely proportional to the load applied to each spring by the airbag module.

  Further, in the present invention, a pair of the movable contact and the fixed contact are arranged in the vicinity of the portion where the springs are disposed, and the distance between the pair of the movable contact and the fixed contact is all kept constant. Is the main feature.

  Further, in the present invention, with respect to the center of rotation of the steering shaft that supports and fixes the inner portion of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is disposed at the neutral position, a vertical center line passing through the center of rotation and / or The main feature is that the positions of the springs are asymmetrical with respect to the center line in the left-right direction.

  In the present invention, at least three springs that urge the airbag module that also functions as a horn pad in a well-balanced manner are all configured using springs having the same spring characteristics and the same size and shape. The load from the airbag module itself is received at the position where each spring is arranged. In order to adjust the spring force of each spring to the spring force corresponding to the part where each spring is arranged. The spacing between the support portions that support the upper and lower ends of the spring is adjusted.

  With this configuration, when the airbag module is mounted on the steering wheel, the spring force of the springs arranged between the support portions is made to correspond to the own weight from the airbag module received by each spring. The spring force can be set.

  As described above, the distance between the support parts that respectively support the upper and lower ends of the spring is set to an interval that is inversely proportional to the load applied to each spring by the airbag module, so that each spring disposed between the support parts. Since each spring force can be set to a desired spring force, the airbag module can be biased by using springs having the same spring characteristics and the same size and shape.

  Thus, the upper end side of the steering wheel is arranged in a state of being inclined toward the forward direction side of the vehicle with respect to the lower end side, and the load acting from the airbag module itself varies depending on the place where each spring is arranged. Even if it becomes a thing, the spring force corresponding to each load can be produced in each spring.

  Further, a desired urging force can be applied from the respective springs to the airbag module with respect to the weight of the airbag module without being caught by the position of the center of gravity of the airbag module. In addition, the switch mechanism for the horn can be easily turned on no matter which part of the airbag module is applied with a constant operating force. As described above, the horn can be reliably operated by applying a certain operating force to the airbag module that also functions as a horn pad.

  As a spring for assembling the spring, if only one kind of spring is prepared, the assembling work can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the springs from being mixed during the assembling work of the spring.

  In addition, since only one type of spring is used and the spring is assembled at the position where each spring is assembled, the assembly work of the spring becomes easy and the work time for installing the airbag module can be shortened. it can.

  In this way, as a spring to be prepared for the assembly work of the spring, it is sufficient to prepare only one kind of spring, so the purchase amount when purchasing the same spring can be increased, and as a result The purchase price of springs can be reduced. Furthermore, the stock management of the spring can be made efficient.

  Further, the distance between the support portions that respectively support the upper and lower ends of the spring is determined by the height of the support portion in the step of forming the outer shape of the airbag module and the step of forming the outer shape of the inner portion of the steering wheel. By adjusting the position so as to be a desired position, it can be easily configured in advance.

  As an adjustment method for adjusting the distance between the support portions that respectively support the upper and lower ends of the spring, the adjustment can be performed by adjusting the height position of the support portion provided on the airbag module side. It can also be performed by adjusting the height position of the support portion provided on the side. Or it can also carry out by adjusting simultaneously the height position of the support part provided in the airbag module side, and the height position of the support part provided in the inner side part side of the steering wheel.

  By simultaneously adjusting the height position of the support portion provided on the airbag module side and the height position of the support portion provided on the inner side of the steering wheel, the spring is displaced to one support portion side. Without being arranged in a state, the spring can be arranged at a substantially central part between the airbag module side and the inner side of the steering wheel. And even with respect to the height direction of the airbag module, a uniform balance can be given to the airbag module by each spring.

  In the present invention, a pair of movable contacts and fixed contacts can be arranged in the vicinity of the portion where each spring is disposed. The distance between each pair of movable contact and fixed contact can be kept constant in the vicinity of the portion where each spring is disposed.

With this configuration, when a pressing force is manually applied to the airbag module, the horn can be reliably operated with the same pressing force. And the responsiveness in each switch can be made into a substantially uniform state no matter which part of the airbag module is pressed.
Since the horn can be reliably operated by applying a constant pressing force to the airbag module, the operability when operating the horn can be satisfied.

  In the present invention, with respect to the rotation center of the steering shaft, the positions where the respective springs are disposed are asymmetric with respect to the vertical center line passing through the rotation center and / or the horizontal center line. Can be configured.

  That is, in the present invention, each spring can have a spring force corresponding to a load acting on each spring due to the weight of the airbag module in a state in which the airbag module is not manually pressed. Therefore, the horn can be operated by pressing any surface portion of the airbag module with a constant operation force regardless of the position of each spring or the position of each switch in the horn switch mechanism.

  That is, in the horn switch mechanism, the position in which each spring is disposed is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical center line and / or the horizontal center line passing through the rotation center of the steering shaft. Even in an arrangement in which the positions of the switches are asymmetric, the horn can be operated with a constant operating force.

It is a front view of a steering wheel. (Example) It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side of an airbag module. (Example) It is a front view of the steering wheel before mounting | wearing with an airbag module. (Example) It is a perspective view of the steering wheel before mounting | wearing with an airbag module. (Example) It is principal part sectional drawing in the VV cross section of FIG. (Example) It is principal part sectional drawing in the VI-VI cross section of FIG. (Example) It is a principal part perspective view which provided the support part in the airbag module side. (Example) It is explanatory drawing explaining the arrangement | positioning relationship of a spring. (Example)

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the steering wheel equipped with the airbag device of the present invention is not limited to the shape and arrangement described below, and the problems of the present invention are solved even if the configuration is not described below. If it is a shape and arrangement configuration that can be used, those shapes and arrangement configurations can be adopted. For this reason, this invention is not limited to the Example demonstrated below, A various change is possible.

  The structure of the Example which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel 1 includes, for example, an annular rim portion 3, and the rim portion 3 is usually arranged in a state where the upper end portion thereof is inclined with respect to the lower end portion in the traveling direction of the vehicle. ing. The steering wheel 1 is attached to a steering shaft as a steering device (not shown), and the airbag module 6 constituting the main body of the airbag device is located at the center side of the rim portion 3 and is an occupant of the steering wheel 1. It is attached to the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the steering wheel 1 includes a boss portion 2 having a shaft mounting hole 23 connected to a steering shaft (not shown), a rim portion 3 held by a driver, and a boss portion 2 and a rim portion. It has a configuration with a spoke part 4 connecting the 3 cored bars. The core metal, the boss part 2 and the spoke part 4 of the rim part 3 are configured by integral molding using an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy or the like.

The boss 2 is covered on the occupant side by an airbag module 6 (see FIG. 1), and each spoke 4 is covered by a pair of left and right finishers 5. A desired gap is formed between the outer peripheral edge side of the airbag module 6 and the inner side surfaces of the pair of finishers 5 so that the airbag module 6 can move relative to the finisher 5. Has been.
Further, each side surface of each finisher 5 can be provided with a desired design. Furthermore, switches and the like can be provided on the upper surface of each finisher 5 as necessary.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, an airbag module 6 that also functions as a horn pad is configured, and the airbag module 6 is supported by a spring force. A plurality of springs 13a to 13c are disposed between the inner portion 2a and the inner portion 2a. Each of the springs 13a to 13c has the same spring characteristics and the same size and shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the airbag module 6 is engaged with a case body 11, an inflator 7 attached to the case body 6, an airbag (not shown) to which inflation gas is supplied from the inflator 7, and the case body 11. Cover body 10 and the like. An air bag (not shown) is housed in the space formed by the case body 11 and the cover body 10.

  By engaging the hook portion 18 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover body 10 with the engagement hole 27 formed on the case body 11, and engaging the cover body 10 with the case body 11 by an engagement means (not shown). The cover body 10 can be attached to the case body 11.

  A terminal chip portion 19 connected to the movable contacts 16a to 16c in the horn switch mechanism 8 is provided on the back surface side of the case body 11, that is, the upper surface side in FIG. 2, and springs 13a to 13c and the like are disposed. Fixed bases 20 are formed at three locations. The terminal chip portion 19 can be connected to a lead wire of a horn device (not shown) when the airbag module 6 is mounted on the steering wheel 1. The fixing base 20 can be configured by integral molding together with the case body 11.

  On the upper surface of each fixed base 20, support portions 14a to 14c that support one ends of the springs 13a to 13c, movable contacts 16a to 16c in the horn switch mechanism 8, and the airbag module 6 are connected to the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel. Positioning pins 12 are provided for positioning when mounted on (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

  In addition, although the structure using the coil spring which functions as a compression spring is shown as spring 13a-13c, if it is a spring which can urge the airbag module 6 in the direction away from the inner side part 2a of a steering wheel Further, a configuration using a spring such as a leaf spring instead of the coil spring may be used.

  In addition, between the airbag module 6 and the inner side 2a of the steering wheel, the airbag module 6 is locked to the inner side 2a of the steering wheel with a slight allowance for vertical movement. Means 9 are provided. The locking means 9 is provided on the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel so as to correspond to the engaged portions 17 provided on each fixed base 20 and the respective engaged portions 17 as shown in FIGS. And a hook-shaped engaging portion 22.

  The engaged portion 17 is also called a one-touch wire, and is formed in a shape in which an elastic wire such as a spring steel material is curved in a U shape, and each end portion 17a of the elastic wire curved in a U shape Is bent to one side so that the ends 17a are arranged in parallel to each other. Then, by pressing in the direction of narrowing between the end portions 17a of the engaged portion 17, the engaged portion 17 curved in a U shape can be elastically deformed so that the width dimension thereof is shortened. The portion 17 can be inserted between the pair of long holes or removed from the inserted state.

  A pair of long holes into which the engaged portions 17 are inserted are formed in the respective fixing bases 20 and are arranged in a state of being separated with respect to the insertion direction of the engaged portions 17. Then, in a state where the engaged portion 17 is inserted between the pair of elongated holes, the engaged portion 17 is placed in the pair of elongated holes by releasing the pressing force applied in the direction of narrowing the gap between the end portions 17a. Can be attached. At this time, a part of the engaged portion 17 is disposed in a state exposed to the outside in a space portion between the pair of long holes.

  In the illustrated example, as the arrangement number of the springs 13a to 13c, since the airbag module 6 is supported by three-point support, a configuration using three springs 13a to 13c is shown. The number of springs arranged is not limited to a configuration using three springs as shown in the illustrated example.

  As for the number and position of the springs, the distance between the fixed contacts 26a to 26c on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel and the movable contacts 16a to 16c on the airbag module 6 side in the horn switch mechanism 8 should be constant. As long as the airbag module 6 can be supported in a well-balanced manner, at least three or more can be used and arranged at appropriate positions.

  In addition, the number and position of each of the fixed contact and the movable contact constituting the horn switch mechanism 8 indicate the configuration arranged in the vicinity of the location where the springs 13a to 13c are arranged in the illustrated configuration. However, it is not limited to the configuration of the illustrated example, and if the horn switch mechanism 8 can be operated when the airbag module 6 is pressed, the horn switch mechanism 8 is placed at an appropriate position. It can be arranged.

  3 and 4 show a front view and a perspective view of the steering wheel 1 on the boss portion 2 side, and a shaft mounting hole 23 for mounting on a steering shaft (not shown) is provided in the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel. Is formed.

  An internal spline is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft mounting hole 23, and the internal spline is spline-coupled to an external spline formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft (not shown), thereby the steering wheel. Can be attached to a spline shaft (not shown).

An under cover 30 that covers the back side of the steering wheel 1 is provided on the back side of the inner side 2a of the steering wheel.
The airbag module 6, each finisher 5, and the under cover 30 are each integrally formed of a hard synthetic resin material such as an ABS resin material.

  Support portions 24a to 24c for supporting the other end portions of the respective springs 13a to 13c are configured on the inner side 2a of the steering wheel, respectively, and a horn is provided in the vicinity of the portion constituting each of the support portions 24a to 24c. Fixed contacts 26a to 26c constituting the switch mechanism 8 are respectively configured. Further, a pin engagement hole 21 into which a positioning pin 12 formed on each fixing base 20 of the airbag module 6 is inserted in the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel, and a direction in which the airbag module 6 is separated from the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel. The locking means 9 is configured to lock to the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel in a state in which some movement is allowed.

  The locking means 9 includes an engaged portion 17 provided on each fixed base 20 of the airbag module 6, and an engaging portion 22 that engages with each engaged portion 17, respectively. The part 22 is formed on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel. Each engaging portion 22 is configured in a hook shape in which one end portion side is fixed to the inner side portion 2a side of the steering wheel, and an inclined surface is formed on the upper surface on the free end side.

  When the airbag module 6 is attached to the steering wheel 1, the free end side of each engagement portion 22 can be entered into the space between the pair of long holes formed in each fixing base 20, and the airbag The part of the engaged portion 17 exposed in the space between the pair of long holes on the module 6 side is displaced in a direction to narrow the space between the end portions 17a of the engaged portion 17 while moving along the inclined surface. can do.

  Then, when the slidable contact state between the engaged portion 17 and the inclined surface is released, the engaged portion 17 performs elastic recovery so that the engaged portion 17 is brought into contact with the back surface side of the engaging portion 22. be able to. The contact state between the engaged portion 17 and the back surface of the engaging portion 22 is maintained by the biasing force of each of the springs 13a to 13c.

In this state, the intervals between the movable contacts 16a to 16c provided on the airbag module 6 side and the fixed contacts 26a to 26c provided on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel are maintained at a substantially constant interval.
This state will be further described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view in the left-right direction passing through the coil centers of the springs 13a and 13b in a state where the airbag module 6 is mounted on the steering wheel 1, that is, a cross-sectional view of the main part in the VV cross section in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in the left-right direction passing through the coil center of the spring 13c, that is, a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 1, with the airbag module 6 mounted on the steering wheel 1. Is shown. 5 and 6, some members are not shown, and the magnifications in FIGS. 5 and 6 are different.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, support portions 14 a to 14 c that support one end sides of the springs 13 a to 13 c are provided on the mounting surface 20 a of each fixing base 20 on the airbag module 6 side. In the illustrated example, the mounting surface 20a of each fixed base 20 also serves as the pedestal surface of the support portions 14a to 14c. The support portions 14a to 14c are respectively formed with spring support portions 15 that are inserted into the inner peripheral surfaces of the springs 13a to 13c in order to regulate the position of one end of the springs 13a to 13c.

  As a configuration of the spring support portion 15, a description will be given of a configuration inserted into the inner peripheral surfaces of the springs 13a to 13c. However, as the configuration of the spring support portion 15, the outer peripheral surfaces of the springs 13a to 13c can be inserted. It can also be configured in an outer ring mountain shape.

  Further, support portions 24a to 24c for supporting the other ends of the springs 13a to 13c are provided on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel. The height of the support portions 24a to 24c is configured to be a height that can give a desired spring force to each of the springs 13a to 13c according to the portion where the springs 13a to 13c are disposed. In addition, spring support portions 25a to 25c for restricting the positions of the other ends of the springs 13a to 13c are formed on the upper surfaces of the support portions 24a to 24c.

  The spring support portions 25a to 25c are configured in the same manner as the spring support portion 15 provided on the airbag module 6 side, and are configured to be inserted into the inner peripheral surface on the other end side of the springs 13a to 13c. Or it can also be comprised in the shape of the outer ring | wheel mountain shape which can insert the outer peripheral surface of spring 13a-13c.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, a mounting portion 20 a to 20 c on the upper surface of each fixing base 20 provided on the airbag module module 6 side, that is, a support portion 14 a that supports one end of each spring 13 a to 13 c. The height positions on the surfaces of ˜14c are configured to be the same height position. Further, the height positions of the support portions 24a to 24c that support the other ends of the springs 13a to 13c formed on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel are respectively determined according to the positions where the springs 13a to 13c are disposed. It is configured at different height positions so as to be the height position.

  That is, even when no manual pressing force is applied to the airbag module 6, the load due to the weight of the airbag module 6 acts on the springs 13a to 13c. At this time, the load due to the weight of the airbag module 6 acting on the springs 13a to 13c varies depending on the arrangement positions of the springs 13a to 13c. In particular, when the rim portion 3 of the steering wheel 1 is arranged in a tilted state in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the load acting on the spring 13c arranged on the lower side is applied to the springs 13a and 13b arranged on the upper side. The load is larger than the acting load.

  Therefore, when the steering wheel 1 is in the neutral position, the distance between the upper and lower ends of the spring 13c disposed on the lower side, that is, the support 14c on the airbag module 6 side and the support on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel By configuring so that the distance from the portion 24c is narrow, the spring force generated in the spring 13c can be set to a larger spring force than the spring force generated in the other springs 13a and 13b.

  By comprising in this way, it can comprise using each spring 13a-13c comprised by the same spring characteristic and the same dimension shape, The airbag module which acts on each spring 13a-13c The spring force corresponding to the load due to its own weight is adjusted in the springs 13a to 13c by adjusting the distance between the support part 14c on the airbag module 6 side and the support part 24c on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel. Can be set.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by setting the distance between the support portions 14a to 14c on the airbag module 6 side and the support portions 24a to 24c on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel, each spring 13a is set. A desired spring force can be given to ˜13c. With this configuration, the distance between the movable contacts 16a to 16c provided on the airbag module 6 side and the fixed contacts 26a to 26c provided on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel can be kept constant. it can.

  By maintaining a constant distance between the movable contacts 16a to 16c and the fixed contacts 26a to 26c, by pressing the airbag module 6 that also functions as a horn pad with a predetermined pressing force, the movable contacts 16a to 16c And the fixed contacts 26a to 26c can be brought into contact with each other, and a horn (not shown) can be sounded.

  2, 5, and 6, as a configuration for adjusting the spring force in each of the springs 13 a to 13 c, the height positions of the support portions 14 a to 14 c formed on the airbag module 6 side are substantially the same height position. Although the configuration in which the height positions of the support portions 24a to 24c formed on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel are made different has been described, of the support portions 14a to 14c and the support portions 24a to 24c in the present invention The configuration is not limited to this configuration.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the height positions of the support portions 14a to 14c on the airbag module 6 side are respectively configured to be the height positions at which the spring force required for the springs 13a to 13c is obtained. In addition, the height positions of the support portions 24a to 24c on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel can be configured to be all the same height position.

  Also, by setting the height positions of the support portions 14a to 14c on the airbag module 6 side and the height positions of the support portions 24a to 24c on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel to the adjusted height positions, The spring force generated in the springs 13a to 13c can be configured to have a desired spring force.

  By configuring the height positions of the support portions 14a to 14c on the airbag module 6 side and the height positions of the support portions 24a to 24c on the inner side 2a side of the steering wheel to the adjusted height positions, The springs 13a to 13c can be disposed at a substantially central portion between the airbag module 6 and the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel. By arranging the springs 13a to 13c in this way, an even balance can be given to the airbag module 6 by the springs 13a to 13c even in the height direction of the airbag module 6. .

  Next, the case where the mounted airbag module 6 is removed from the steering wheel 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows the arrangement positions of the springs 13a to 13c and the arrangement positions of the contacts made up of a pair, that is, the arrangement positions of the movable contacts 16a to 16c and the fixed contacts 26a to 26c (represented by 16a to 16c). The relationship is shown. For the steering wheel 1 (not shown) in the neutral position, it is provided on the engaged portion 17c of the fixed base 20 (not shown) disposed on the lower side and the inner portion 2a (not shown) of the steering wheel. An engagement position with the engagement portion 22 (not shown) is indicated by a point C.

  As a straight line passing through the point C, the center line L1-L1 in the left-right direction of the steering wheel 1 is shown. A spring 13c and a movable contact 16c are disposed on the fixed base 20 where the point C is located.

  Further, in a state where the airbag module 6 (not shown) is mounted on the steering wheel 1, a fixed base 20 (not shown) arranged on the upper left side, that is, a fixed in which a spring 13a and a movable contact 16a are arranged. An engagement position between an engaged portion 17a of the base 20 and an engaging portion 22 (not shown) provided on an inner portion 2a (not shown) of the steering wheel is indicated by a point A. Similarly, the engaged portion 17b and the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel (not shown) in the fixed table 20 (not shown) arranged on the right side on the upper side, that is, the fixed table 20 in which the spring 13b and the movable contact 16b are arranged. An engagement position with an engagement portion 22 (not shown) provided in the drawing is indicated by a point B.

  Point A and point B are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line L1-L1, and the line connecting point A and point C is indicated by line segment L2-L2, and point B A line connecting point C and point C is indicated by line segment L3-L3. That is, the line segment L2-L2 and the line segment L3-L3 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line L1-L1.

  The arrangement position of the spring 13a and the movable contact 16a and the arrangement position of the spring 13b and the movable contact 16b are configured to be asymmetrical with respect to the center line L1-L1. The spring force in each of the springs 13a to 13c is adjusted to have a desired spring force by adjusting the distance between the support portions 14a to 14c and the support portions 24a to 24c.

  When the airbag module 6 in the mounted state is removed from the steering wheel 1, in FIG. 8, for example, the engaged state of the engaged portion 17a at the point A is released and the engaged portion 17b at the point B is released. By releasing the engaged state, the upper portion of the airbag module 6 is lifted from the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel by the spring force from the springs 13a and 13b.

  Then, after grasping the portion of the airbag module 6 that has lifted from the inner side 2a of the steering wheel, the airbag module 6 is removed from the steering wheel 1 by releasing the engaged portion 17c at the point C from the engaged state. Can do.

  As a method for releasing the engaged portion 17c from the engaged state, the engaged portion 17c can be released by releasing the engaged state, or the airbag module 6 can be engaged with the engaged portion 17c as a center. It can also be performed by rotating in a direction in which the combined state of 17c is released.

  When the airbag module 6 is mounted on the steering wheel 1, alignment is performed with some assistance from the guide means so that the positions of the springs 13a to 13c corresponding to all the engagement means 9 are matched. In addition, the three engaging means 9 can be engaged almost simultaneously by a single pushing operation. Thus, the airbag module 6 can be easily attached to the steering wheel 1.

  When the airbag module 6 is removed in the above procedure, when the engaged portion 17a is first released, the right side portion of the airbag module 6 is caused by the urging force from the spring 17a and the spring 17c. , It will be lifted around line segment L3-L3. Similarly, when the engaged portion 17b is first released, the left portion of the airbag module 6 is lifted around the line segment L2-L2 by the urging force from the spring 17b and the spring 17c. become.

  The rotational moment around the line segment L3-L3 due to the spring force at the spring 13a and the spring force at the spring 1c is different from the rotational moment around the line segment L2-L2 due to the spring force at the spring 13b and the spring force at the spring 1c. In this case, the airbag module 6 is lifted in a tilted state.

  Therefore, when the engaged state between the engaged portion 17a and the engaged portion 17b is released, the engaged state of the engaged portion 17a is released so that the airbag module 6 does not tilt in the left-right direction. So that the rotational moment around the line segment L3-L3 and the rotational moment around the line segment L2-L2 generated when the engaged portion 17b is released are substantially the same. It needs to be configured.

  As described above, in the present invention, the arrangement positions of the springs 13a to 13c can be adjusted by the formation positions of the support portions 14a to 14c and the support portions 24a to 24c, and the springs of the springs 13a to 13c can be adjusted. The force can be easily adjusted by adjusting the distance between the support portions 14a to 14c and the support portions 24a to 24c.

  Therefore, the above-described configuration is the center in the vertical direction passing through this rotation center with respect to the rotation center of the steering shaft (not shown) that supports and fixes the inner portion 2a of the steering wheel when the steering wheel 1 is disposed at the neutral position. By configuring the arrangement positions of the springs 13a to 13c to be asymmetric arrangement positions with respect to the line and / or the center line in the left-right direction, and setting a desired spring force for each of the springs 13a to 13c Can be configured easily.

  Thus, in the present invention, the rotational moment around the line segment L3-L3 generated when the engaged state of the engaged portion 17a is released and the line generated when the engaged state of the engaged portion 17b is released. It can be easily configured so that the rotational moment around the minute L2-L2 becomes substantially the same rotational moment.

  The present invention can suitably apply the technical concept of the present invention to a steering wheel to which the technical concept of the present invention can be applied.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering wheel, 2a ... Inside part of steering wheel, 6 ... Air bag module, 8 ... Horn switch mechanism, 9 ... Locking means, 10 ... Cover part, 11 ... Case body, 13a-13c ... Spring, 14a-14c DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Support part, 15 ... Spring support part, 16a-16c ... Movable contact, 17 ... Engaged part, 20 ... Fixed base, 22 ... Engagement part, 24a-24c ... Support part, 25a-25c ... Spring support part, 26a to 26c: fixed contacts.

Claims (3)

A steering wheel for detachably mounting an airbag module constituting a main body of an airbag device,
A horn switch mechanism is arranged between the inner part of the steering wheel and the airbag module,
The horn switch mechanism includes a fixed contact disposed on the inner side of the steering wheel, a movable contact disposed on the airbag module side, and an inner portion of the steering wheel and the airbag module. And at least three springs for biasing the movable contact in a direction away from the fixed contact,
A locking means for restricting a spacing between the movable contact and the fixed contact against an urging force from each of the springs, and for locking and holding the airbag module by the steering wheel;
Each of the springs has the same spring characteristics and the same size and shape,
Support portions that support the respective upper and lower ends of each spring are provided on the airbag module side and the inner side of the steering wheel,
The interval between the support portion provided on the airbag module side and the support portion provided on the inner side of the steering wheel is set to a predetermined interval corresponding to the arrangement position of each spring,
The steering wheel with an airbag device, wherein the predetermined interval is inversely proportional to a load applied by the airbag module to the springs. A pair of the movable contact and the fixed contact are arranged in the vicinity of the portion where each spring is disposed,
2. The steering wheel with an airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the pair of movable contacts and the fixed contacts is all kept constant.   With respect to the center of rotation of the steering shaft that supports and fixes the inner portion of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is disposed at the neutral position, the center line in the vertical direction and / or the center line in the left-right direction passing through the center of rotation. On the other hand, the steering wheel with an airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the springs are arranged at asymmetric positions.

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