JP4870214B2 - Horn actuator and safety device for automobile equipped with horn actuator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a horn actuator for use with a steering wheel mounted airbag module of an automobile, and to an automotive safety device comprising such a horn actuator.

  In the event of a collision situation, it has already been proposed to deploy a so-called “driver airbag” on the vehicle in order to provide a certain level of protection to the vehicle driver. Such driver airbags are typically provided in an initial package before deployment in an airbag housing mounted in the region of the central hub of a vehicle steering wheel.

  In general, an airbag cover is provided that attaches to the airbag housing to cover the airbag housing. The cover is generally shaped to give a consistent and pleasing appearance that harmonizes with the rest of the steering wheel, thereby providing a neat “finish” appearance to the entire steering wheel assembly. Nevertheless, the airbag cover may be configured to allow deployment of the airbag from within the airbag housing. For example, an airbag cover may generally be provided with one or more “slit lines” that cooperate to form a cutting panel or door in the cover, thereby allowing air to pass through the cover during a crash situation. The bag can be deployed.

  Also, at least part of the airbag cover is formed to have the dual purpose of functioning as a push button for a car horn while giving an aesthetically pleasing appearance, so that in an emergency situation It has also become more common to allow easy operation of automobile horns. In such a configuration, the airbag cover is typically attached to the airbag housing by one or more spring elements, and the cover and housing are further hooked together. Thus, the cover effectively "floats" on the housing, and the cover can be pushed down toward the housing against the biasing force of the spring element to close the horn contact formation of the horn circuit, thereby Auto horn can be activated. When released after the cover is pushed down, the spring element returns to its initial position before the cover is pushed down, while the hook engagement between the cover and the housing causes the cover to close the horn contact. When returning from its “actuated” position to its initial position, the cover and housing will not come off.

  Also, this kind of device prevents the cover from moving to the housing for operating the horn so that the cover and the housing are not accidentally detached from each other due to the pressing of the cover for operating the horn. It is not sufficient to be able to do this (thus, if the cover and housing are initially separate during assembly, they are not sufficient to hook the cover and housing together). Therefore, during assembly of the device, the cover and housing must first be hooked together and then the horn assembly must be installed between the cover and housing. Assembling the horn assembly between the cover and the housing in this way can be relatively complex and actually difficult to achieve, and therefore can be time consuming and expensive on the production line Is undesirable.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved horn actuator and an improved automotive safety device comprising a horn actuator.

  Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a horn actuator for use with a steering wheel mounted airbag module of an automobile, wherein the airbag module cover is released to move relative to the steering wheel structure. A horn actuator that is configured to be attachable, comprising a pair of electrical horn contacts and a movable element configured to move in response to movement of a cover, wherein the movable element is released from an initial position through an operating position. The movable element is configured to close the horn contact when the movable element is moved from its initial position to its operating position, and the actuator uses the first biasing force to move the movable element Is biased from its operating position toward its initial position, and the second biasing force is used to bias the movable element. Further comprising biasing means arranged to urge the release position to its actuated position, the second biasing force is greater than the first biasing force of, including horn actuator.

  The movable element is preferably adapted to move linearly along a single predetermined axis.

  The biasing means advantageously comprises a pair of springs.

  It is convenient if the first spring of the springs is adapted to provide the first biasing force and the second spring of the springs is adapted to impart the second biasing force. is there.

  Preferably, the first spring is adapted to be elastically deformed during the movement of the movable element from its initial position to its operating position, and the second spring is adapted to release the movable element from its operating position. The movable element is elastically deformed while moving to the position, but is not deformed while the movable element is moved from the initial position to the operating position.

  Advantageously, the second spring has a higher spring constant than the first spring.

  Conveniently, each of the springs has a generally helical shape.

  Each of the springs is preferably a compression spring.

  Advantageously, the springs are arranged concentrically.

  Conveniently, the movable element has a contact surface configured to contact a part of the cover of the airbag module.

  Preferably, the horn contacts are mounted in spaced relation to each other, and the movable element has a conductive element adapted to electrically interconnect with the horn contact when the movable element assumes its operating position.

  The conductive element is slidably attached to the movable element, and the second spring includes a portion of the movable element and the conductive element to bias the conductive element against a stopper provided on the movable element. It is advantageous to be configured to act between.

  Conveniently, the horn actuator comprises a housing in which the movable element is mounted so as to slide in a piston manner.

  Preferably, the first spring acts so as to urge them away from each other between a part of the movable element and a part of the housing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle safety device including the above-described horn actuator provided in combination with an airbag module, the housing being configured such that the airbag module is attached to a steering wheel. A horn actuator is releasably attached to the housing to move the cover relative to the housing, the safety device pressing the airbag cover toward the housing to move the movable element to its release position. A safety device is provided that prevents removal of the cover from the housing or attachment of the cover to the housing if it is not moved to.

  The actuator housing is preferably formed as an integral part of the module housing.

  Advantageously, the actuator housing and the module housing are molded as a single unit from a plastic material.

  Although the actuator housing is formed separately from the module housing, it is convenient for the actuator housing to be fixed to the module housing.

  In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and further features of the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

It is the perspective view seen from the bottom which shows 1st Embodiment of the safety device which concerns on this invention. It is an expansion perspective view of the horn actuator formation component of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the safety device of an initial state. FIG. 4 is a view substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 5 is a view substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional view of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the lower side of the safety device which concerns on this invention which shows the preferable form of the electrical connection with respect to a horn actuator.

  FIG. 1 shows a safety device incorporating an airbag module 1 comprising an airbag housing 2 and an airbag cover 3 that are configured to accommodate an initially folded airbag (not shown).

  As can be seen from FIG. 1, the particular profile of the airbag housing 2 is somewhat complex in order to allow the housing 2 to accommodate various components associated with airbag deployment and control. A detailed description of the specific shape of the housing 2 is not necessary for a full understanding of the invention. Nevertheless, the housing 2 has a generally triangular form and incorporates a mounting base 4 that allows the housing 2 to be mounted to the structure of a given steering wheel (not shown). Please keep in mind. The housing 2 also comprises two pairs of downwardly directed hook elements 5 (only one of which can be clearly seen in FIG. 1) provided on each side wall 6 of the housing.

  The airbag cover 3 includes a substantially three-dimensional planar main body portion 7 that defines three protrusions 8 and a pair of side walls 9 (only one of which is clearly shown in FIG. 1). Each side wall 9 extends downward from the outer periphery of the body portion 7 between a respective pair of protrusions 8 and has a respective hook for fixing (preferably releasably) the cover 3 to the housing 2. A pair of generally rectangular openings 10 are provided that are sized and formed to receive and receive element 5 as a snap fit. Needless to say, when the hook element 5 is engaged with the lower edge of the respective opening 10, the cover 3 and the housing 2 are prevented from being pulled apart from each other.

  The cover 3 is preferably formed from a suitable plastic material and most preferably formed to fit the associated steering wheel to which the housing is attached. In this aspect, it goes without saying that the protrusion 8 of the cover should form a neat finish in the hub area of the steering wheel when the housing 2 is mounted against the central hub of a suitable steering wheel frame with three spokes. The protrusion 8 is configured to be aligned with the spoke.

  Still referring to FIG. 1, the safety device is further provided with three substantially identical horn actuator devices, two of which are generally indicated at 11 in FIG. 1 (three in FIG. 1). The eye horn actuator is covered by the housing 2). FIG. 2 shows one of the horn actuators in more detail. Still referring to FIG. 1, however, it should be noted that the lower surface of the airbag cover 3 is provided with three downwardly extending protrusions 12, two of which are visible in FIG. 1, the third protrusion 12 is covered by the housing 2). Each protrusion 12 is aligned with a respective horn actuator 11 and operates the horn actuator when the airbag cover 3 is pressed toward the steering wheel structure as will be described in more detail below. Therefore, it arrange | positions so that it may extend toward the horn actuator 11.

  It should be noted that although the preferred embodiment described herein is provided with three horn actuators 11 and three corresponding cover protrusions 12, other variations of the present invention may accommodate other horn actuators and Cover projections 12 can be provided. For example, it is contemplated that in another embodiment of the present invention, only two horn actuators 11 and corresponding cover protrusions 12 may be provided. It is also possible to provide only one horn actuator 11 and a corresponding single cover projection 12 in the safety device.

  Here, the features of the horn actuator 11 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The horn actuator 11 includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical housing 13 (in FIG. 2, a part is cut away to show the internal components housed in the housing 13 more clearly). The housing 13 has an upper end 14 that is open, but a lower end 15 that is closed by an end wall 16. A central opening 17 is provided in an end wall 16 provided at the lower end 15 of the housing.

  As can be clearly seen from the cutaway view of the housing 13 of FIG. 2, the housing has a generally cylindrical configuration, but an inwardly extending outer shoulder defining an upwardly directed support surface 19 in a generally annular configuration. A step is formed to form the portion 18.

  The housing 13 is preferably molded from a plastic material and is fixed to the housing 2 of the airbag module 1. The housing 13 can be secured to the airbag module in any of a number of convenient ways. For example, the actuator housing 13 can be formed as an integral part of the airbag housing 2, for example by molding both parts from a plastic material as a single unit. Alternatively, the horn actuator housing 13 can be formed as a separate unit from the airbag housing 2 and then attached to the airbag housing 2 by, for example, a rivet or a snap-fitting device.

  The nature of the step inside the housing 13 defines an internal chamber of the housing that has two distinct areas. The first lower chamber region 20 is defined below the shoulder 18, and the second upper chamber region 21 is formed above the shoulder 18. Both chamber regions 20, 21 have a substantially cylindrical shape.

  A pair of electrical horn contacts 22 is provided at the lower end 15 of the housing. Each horn contact 22 extends through the end wall 16 on either side of the central opening 17. The horn contacts 22 are preferably in the form of metal rivets, and each horn contact has a downwardly facing contact surface 23 spaced apart by a slight distance above the top surface of the end wall 16. It is defined in the side chamber region 20. The regions of the electrical contacts 22 extending downwardly from the outer surface of the end wall 16 form connections for electrical connection with the respective lugs 24 (shown in FIG. 1), which lugs 24 are in the electric horn circuit. It is electrically connected to the wiring 25.

  A movable element 26 is provided in the housing 13, and the movable element 26 is provided so as to move in the form of a piston in the housing 13. The movable element 26 has a generally circular head portion 27 that forms an upwardly directed contact surface 28 that is arranged to contact each cover projection 12 (shown in FIG. 1). The outer dimensions of the head 27 are such that the head is received as a sliding fit within the upper chamber region 21 defined within the housing 13.

  The movable element 26 further includes a central cylindrical portion 29 that extends downward from the head 27. The central cylindrical portion 30 has a short element 31 having a pair of opposed flat surfaces 32 at its lowermost end 30. The element 31 having a flat surface has a distal end 33 having an outer dimension substantially corresponding to the diameter of the central opening 17 formed in a substantially circular shape and penetrating the end wall 16 at the lowermost end. Have. The end portion 33 has a pair of opposing downwardly extending arms 34, and each arm can be elastically deformed. Each arm 34 has a protrusion 35 directed outwardly at its lower end.

  The movable element 26 remains confined within the housing 13 by the deformable arms 34 and their corresponding outwardly directed protrusions. To assemble the horn actuator, the movable element 26 is inserted from the upper end 14 into the housing so that the arm 34 is pressed through the opening 17 formed in the end wall 16. The inclined surface 36 formed on the outwardly directed projection 35 serves to bias the elastically deformable arm 34 inward when the movable element is pressed downward against the end wall 16. When the arm 34 is inserted into the opening 17 to a sufficient extent, the projection 35 directed outwardly gets over the opening 17. At this time, the arms 34 return to their natural unbiased state shown in FIG. 2 so that the outwardly directed projections 35 serve to hold the movable element 26 confined within the housing 13. But allows it to slide down in the housing.

  The movable element 26 is provided with a conductive element 37, which is preferably in the form of a substantially C-shaped washer formed from a metallic material. A C-shaped washer is provided around the flat-faced element 31 of the movable element 26 and thus slides along the flat-faced element 31 between the end 33 and the lower end 30 of the central cylindrical part 29. Installed as possible. The flat surface 32 provided on the flat surfaced element 31 prevents the conductive element 37 from rotating.

  As will be described in more detail here, the horn actuator 11 is provided with a biasing means having a pair of springs.

  The first spring 38 is provided around the central cylindrical portion 29 of the movable element 26 and is in the form of a helical compression spring having a diameter such that the spring is received in the upper chamber region 21. In this case, the lower end of the spring abuts the upwardly directed support surface 19 defined by the shoulder 18, and thereby the upper end of the spring abuts the lower surface of the head 27 of the movable element 26. Thus, the first spring 38 serves to bias the movable element 26 to its initial position shown in FIG. 2, but allows downward axial movement along the axis A of the movable element 26. Such an action serves to compress the spring and therefore the spring provides a first biasing force against the downward movement of the movable element 26.

  A second spring 39 is also provided around the central cylindrical portion 29 of the movable element 26. The second spring is also a helical compression spring but has a smaller diameter than the first spring 38 so that the second spring 39 is received within the first spring 38. In this case, the two springs are arranged concentrically. The lower end of the second spring 39 contacts the upper surface of the conductive element 37, while the upper end of the second spring 39 contacts the lower surface of the head 27 of the movable element 26. Thus, the second spring 39 serves to bias the conductive element 37 downward against the distal end 33, thereby effectively defining the stopper.

  The second inner spring 39 is stronger than the first spring 38 and thus has a higher spring constant than the first spring 38.

  The operation of the safety assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. 3, 4, and 5 are intended only as schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the safety device according to the present invention. Thus, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the particular features shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are considerably simplified or stylized for clarity. In particular, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the pair of hook elements 5 is shown in the same cross section as the horn assembly 11, but this is in fact the actuality of these components shown in FIGS. It is different from the relative position.

  Referring initially to FIG. 3, the safety device is shown partially before the cover 3 is depressed to activate the horn. In this position, as shown, the movable element 26 assumes an initial position in which it is biased upward relative to the housing 13.

  In order to operate the horn, the vehicle occupant pushes down the cover 3 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. During such depression of the cover 3, the cover projection 12 presses the contact surface 23 of the movable element 26 downward, and thus pushes the movable element 26 down in the housing 13 against the biasing force of the first spring 38. . The downward movement of the cover 3 and the movable element 26 results in a point such as the conductive element 37 being moved downward by a distance x with the compression of the first spring 38 as shown in FIG. Continue until the two horn contacts 22 abut.

  Thus, FIG. 4 shows an intermediate operating position of the movable element 26. In this position, the conductive element 37 supported by the movable element 26 serves to close the electrical horn contact 22 and thus complete the horn circuit for ringing the vehicle horn. As can be seen from the drawing, the initial vertical spacing of the conductive element 37 above the horn contact 32 represented by x is smaller than the vertical range of the hook element 5, so that the initial position of FIG. 3 to the operating position of FIG. The movement of the cover 3 is insufficient to allow the hook element 5 to be removed from the opening 10 formed in the cover, so that the cover 3 is secured to the airbag housing 2 during normal operation of the horn. It has been done.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows the operation of the safety device for enabling the cover 3 to be removed from the housing 2 in particular.

  Thus, when it is particularly desirable to remove the cover 3 from the housing 2, a sufficient downward force (a force greater than any force associated with normal operation of the vehicle horn as described above) is provided. In addition, the movable element 26 may be pressed downward against the higher biasing force provided by the second spring 39. When the cover 3 is pushed down in this way, the second spring 39 stronger than the first spring 38 is also compressed together with the first spring 38, so that the movable element 26 can move further downward. The conductive element 37 remains in contact with the two horn contacts 22 under the action of the second spring 39, but due to the sliding engagement between the flat-faced element 31 and the conductive element, the movable element 26 causes the conductive element to It can be slid through, thereby taking the release position shown in FIG. 5 where the lower end 30 of the central cylindrical part 29 abuts the conductive element 37. As can be seen from FIG. 5, when the movable element 26 is moved past its actuated position shown in FIG. 4 and assumes its released position shown in FIG. The air bag cover 3 is pushed down a sufficient distance that it can get over the lower edge of the hook element 5, so that the hook element 5 can be pulled out through the respective opening 10 and the cover 3 is removed from the housing 2. be able to. The cover 3 can be removed from the housing 2 by removing the cover 3 from the hook of the housing 2 in this manner.

  Thus, the present invention can sufficiently operate the horn only by the initial depression of the air bag cover 3 against the first biasing force (given by the first spring 38), while the second A device is provided in which the cover 3 can be sufficiently removed from the airbag housing 2 by further depressing the airbag cover 3 against a higher biasing force (provided by the second spring 39).

  Although the operation of the safety device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has been described in connection with the removal of the cover 3 from the housing 2, the safety device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is advantageous for the cover 3 with respect to the housing 2. It goes without saying that assembly is possible as well.

  Thus, if it is desired to attach the cover 3 to the housing 2, first cover the respective contact surface 23 provided at the upper end of the movable element 26 so that the cover effectively “floats” on the housing. The cover 3 may be elastically attached to the housing 2 by bringing the protrusion 12 into contact. Thereafter, using a sufficient force that can assume the position shown in FIG. 5, the cover 3 is pushed down toward the housing 2 in the manner described above, thereby providing both the first spring 38 and the second spring 39. May be depressed. At this time, the cover 3 and the housing 2 can be conveniently hooked together by the hook elements 5 and the respective openings 10. When the cover 3 and the housing 2 are hooked together in this way, the cover 3 can be released to assume the position shown in FIG. 3, and then the safety device is operated according to FIGS. be able to.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, specific changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the above-described embodiment uses a pair of horn contacts 22 that form part of an electrical horn circuit by electrical connection with a series of wires 25, but a variation of the invention schematically illustrated in FIG. In the example, this configuration could be changed. In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the electrical wiring is omitted and instead a series of bus bars 40 are provided that can be molded into the structure of the airbag housing 2. In such a configuration, the bus bar 40 can be arranged to make direct electrical contact with the conductive element 37 provided in the horn actuator mechanism, thereby effectively eliminating the specific horn contact 22 described above. Conceivable. In such a configuration, the free end 41 of the bus bar 40 can be molded into the housing 13 of the horn actuator 11, so that they themselves have an electrical horn contact to be closed by the conductive element 37 when the horn actuator mechanism is activated. Define effectively.

  The terms “comprising” and “comprising” and variations thereof, as used in the specification and claims, mean that a particular feature, step, or integer is included. These terms should not be construed to exclude the presence of other features, steps, or components.

  The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the claims that follow, or in the accompanying drawings, are directed to means for performing the disclosed functions in their particular form or to achieve the disclosed results. Or expressed in terms of processes, but may be utilized separately or in any combination of such features, as desired, to implement the invention in its various forms.

Claims (18)

  A horn actuator (11) for use with an automotive steering wheel mounted airbag module, wherein the airbag module cover (3) is releasably attached to move relative to a steering wheel structure. The horn actuator (11) includes a pair of electric horn contacts (22) and a movable element (26) configured to move according to the movement of the cover (3), and the movable element (26) The horn contact (22) is configured to move from the initial position to the release position via the operating position and the movable element (26) is moved from the initial position to the operating position. The actuator biases the movable element from its operating position toward its initial position using a first biasing force; and And further comprising biasing means (38, 39) configured to bias the movable element from its released position toward its actuated position using a second biasing force, wherein the second biasing force is a first biasing force. A horn actuator (11) greater than the biasing force.   A horn actuator according to claim 1, wherein the movable element (26) is adapted to move linearly along a single predetermined axis (A).   A horn actuator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biasing means comprises a pair of springs (38, 39).   A first spring (38) of the springs applies the first biasing force, and a second spring (39) of the springs applies the second biasing force. The horn actuator according to claim 3.   The first spring (38) is elastically deformed during the movement of the movable element (26) from its initial position to its operating position, and the second spring (39) is adapted to move the movable element (26). The horn according to claim 4, wherein said horn is elastically deformed during movement from the operating position to the release position, but is not deformed during movement of the movable element (26) from the initial position to the operating position. Actuator.   The horn actuator according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second spring (39) has a higher spring constant than the first spring (38).   The horn actuator according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each of the springs (38, 39) has a substantially spiral shape.   The horn actuator according to claim 7, wherein each of said springs (38, 39) is a compression spring.   Horn actuator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the springs (38, 39) are arranged concentrically.   10. The movable element (26) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable element (26) has a contact surface (28) configured to contact a part (12) of a cover (3) of an airbag module. Horn actuator.   The horn contacts (22) are mounted in spaced relation to each other so that the movable element (26) is electrically interconnected with the horn contacts (22) when the movable element (26) assumes its operating position. 11. A horn actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a conductive element (37) which is   The conductive element (37) is slidably attached to the movable element (26), and the second spring (39) is opposed to a stopper (33) provided on the movable element (26). Claim dependent on any one of claims 4-9, configured to act between a part of the movable element (27) and the conductive element (37) for biasing (37) 11. The horn actuator according to 11.   A horn actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (13), in which the movable element (26) is mounted to slide in a piston manner.   The first spring (38) acts to urge them apart between a part (27) of the movable element (26) and a part (19) of the housing (13). The horn actuator according to claim 13, which is dependent on any one of claims 4 to 9.   A vehicle safety device comprising a horn actuator (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 provided in combination with an airbag module, wherein the airbag module is configured to be attached to a steering wheel. A housing (2), wherein the horn actuator (11) is releasably attached to the housing (2) to move the cover (3) relative to the housing (2), the safety device comprising: If the movable element (26) is not moved to its released position by pressing the airbag cover (3) toward the housing (2), the cover (3) can be removed from the housing (2) or the housing (2). A safety device designed to prevent the cover from being attached.   16. A safety device according to claim 15, when dependent on claim 13, wherein the actuator housing (13) is formed as an integral part of the module housing (2).   17. The safety device according to claim 16, wherein the actuator housing (13) and the module housing (2) are molded as a single unit from a plastic material.   16. Subordinate to claim 13 or 14, dependent on claim 13 or 14, wherein the actuator housing (13) is formed separately from the module housing (2), but the actuator housing (13) is fixed to the module housing (2). Safety equipment.

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