JP5507229B2 - Steering wheel device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automobile steering wheel device including a steering wheel and an airbag module provided in a hub region of the steering wheel.

  At present, airbag modules are applied to almost all automobiles. The airbag module is housed in the hub area of the steering wheel. A normal airbag module includes a housing, an inflator device used as a gas generator, and an airbag. The airbag is folded into a space in the housing that is closed by the cover element. In many cases, the cover element functions as an operation surface for operating the horn. In this case, the cover element can be pushed toward the steering wheel against the reaction force of at least one spring element. In this regard, two basic forms are known.

  One is a form in which the housing element and the steering wheel are fixedly connected, and the cover element can be arranged on the housing or the steering wheel so as to be movable in the axial direction.

  The other is a form in which the entire airbag module can be arranged on the steering wheel so as to be movable in the axial direction. In other words, the entire airbag module is a semi-finished product comprising a housing, a gas generator, an airbag and a cover element. Such a form is known, for example, from German Published Patent Publication No. 19625722, which is a general patent application.

German Published Patent Publication No. 19625722

  A compression spring is installed between the housing and the steering wheel. The compression spring displaces the housing in the axial direction associated with the steering column. The positioning means is installed so as to function in the axial direction. The positioning means limits the movement caused by the compression spring and determines the axial position of the airbag module when no external force is applied. This means that axial force is constantly transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel except when the horn is operating.

  Steering wheel devices are required to have a high level of functional reliability and, for aesthetic reasons, are required to accurately position the airbag module within the steering wheel.

  In view of such problems, the present invention provides a steering wheel device that improves a general steering wheel device and can accurately position an airbag module in the steering wheel in addition to a high level of operation reliability. For the purpose.

  This object can be achieved by a steering wheel device having the features of claim 1.

  According to the present invention, at least one positioning means for determining an axial position of the airbag module with respect to the steering wheel when an external force is not applied to the airbag module is provided. In addition to at least one positioning means, at least one holding means acting between the airbag module and the steering wheel is provided. The at least one holding means does not function when no external force is applied to the airbag module and when the airbag module is pushed down. In other words, the at least one holding means does not transmit any force between the airbag module and the steering wheel in the above case.

  When the gas generator burns, a very high pressure is generated between the airbag module and the steering wheel. In the current general steering wheel device, the positioning means is firmly designed according to the high pressure. As a result, even when the gas generator burns, the airbag module is securely connected to the airbag. In order to achieve this, it was often necessary to produce sturdy elements, for example with metal. However, this hindered accurate positioning, and it took considerable time and cost to manufacture.

  The above problems can be solved by the holding means added by the present invention. In the normal operating state of the steering wheel device, the holding means does not have any influence on other parts, so that the holding means does not require strict dimensional accuracy. On the other hand, the provision of the holding means reduces the need for a robust construction of the axial positioning means. Thus, by distributing the roles, the degree of freedom in designing the holding means and the positioning means is expanded.

  Another advantage of the technical idea of the present invention is that it is improved so that it can be more easily attached and detached. They are described in the description of the preferred embodiments described below.

  Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the dependent claims and the drawings illustrating the embodiments.

  According to the present invention, in addition to a high level of operational reliability, it is possible to provide a steering wheel device that can accurately position an airbag module within a steering wheel.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hub area of a steering wheel in which an airbag module is accommodated. It is a figure which illustrates each element when the airbag module of FIG. 1 is pushed down. It is a figure which illustrates each element when the airbag of FIG. 1 expand | swells. It is a bird's-eye view which illustrates the airbag module of FIG. 1 with the positioning means shown schematically. It is a figure which illustrates the housing and attachment plate of FIG. FIG. 5 is a detailed three-dimensional view of a region B1 in FIG. 4 and shows a state in which a housing is fixed on a mounting plate. It is a figure which illustrates field B2 of Drawing 4 from the same viewpoint as Drawing 6. It is a figure which illustrates area | region B3 of FIG. 4 from the viewpoint similar to FIG. FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the housing of FIG. 1 as viewed from below, illustrating two positions of omega springs attached to the housing floor. It is a figure which illustrates D1 part of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a bird's-eye view which illustrates the airbag module in 2nd Embodiment from the same viewpoint as having schematically shown the positioning means in FIG. It is a figure which illustrates area | region B4 of FIG. 11 from the same branch as FIG. It is a figure which illustrates area | region B5 of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates 3rd Embodiment concerning this invention from the viewpoint similar to FIG. It is a figure which illustrates area | region B6 of FIG. 14 from the viewpoint similar to FIG. It is a figure which illustrates area | region B7 of FIG. 14 from the viewpoint similar to FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the other form in the member illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the other form in the member illustrated in FIG. FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a steering wheel main body that accommodates the airbag module of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates 4th Embodiment in this invention. It is a figure which illustrates 4th Embodiment in this invention. It is a figure which illustrates 4th Embodiment in this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 20, which are simplified illustrations, with four specific embodiments. The basic principles of the present invention described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 20 apply to all four embodiments.

(Basic structure)
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic longitudinal section in the hub region of a steering wheel device. The steering wheel device includes a steering wheel having a steering wheel body 10. The steering wheel body 10 has a recess 12 in the hub region. Spokes 14 extend from the hub area. The steering column 16 extends from approximately the center of the hub region. The direction in which the steering column 16 extends can be defined as the axial direction or the Z direction. A plane orthogonal to the Z direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is an XY plane.

  A mounting plate 20 is screwed to the steering wheel body 10 by screws 22 on the floor surface of the recess 12. In other words, the mounting plate 20 is fixedly connected to the steering wheel body 10. The mounting plate 20 can be an integral part of the steering wheel body 10. In this case, manufacturing tolerances and manufacturing costs can be reduced. According to the definition of the present application, the mounting plate 20 and all components protruding from the mounting plate 20 are considered part of the steering wheel.

  The airbag module 30 is accommodated in the recess 12. The airbag module 30 includes a housing 32, an airbag 52 accommodated in the housing 32, and a gas generator 54. The housing cover 50 is a part of the airbag module and extends so as to cover the outlet opening 34 of the housing 32. The housing cover 50 is cleaved by the inflating airbag 52 in a known manner.

  A housing floor 32 a of the housing 32 is connected to the mounting plate 20 by a spiral spring 46. Thus, the airbag module 30, particularly the housing 32, can be pushed down in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel against the reaction force of the spiral spring 46. When the airbag module 30 is completely pushed down, the horn connectors 24 and 44 come into contact (see FIG. 2).

  The steering wheel, the airbag module 30, and the spiral spring 46 that functions between them constitute a steering wheel device as a whole.

  The spiral spring 46 cannot naturally determine the position of the airbag module 30 relative to the steering wheel simply by leaving it alone. Therefore, it is necessary to install positioning means. Overall, the airbag module 30 has five degrees of freedom (three translational degrees of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom) with respect to the steering wheel. Therefore, the positioning means needs to be set according to these five degrees of freedom. If one positioning means is strictly installed in each movable direction, six positioning means are usually required. Each positioning means is composed of two parts. That is, a portion on the steering wheel side and a portion on the airbag module side. FIG. 1 illustrates two positioning means. They perform axial positioning, in other words, positioning in the Z direction. As these axial positioning means, an axial positioning hook 29 as an axial positioning means on the steering wheel side and an axial positioning step 39 as an axial positioning means on the airbag module side are provided. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, only two axial positioning means are illustrated. In practice, however, three axial positioning means are provided. The spiral spring 46 pushes up the housing 32, whereby the axial positioning step 39 extending from the housing 32 is in contact with the axial positioning hook 29 from below. As a result, the position of the airbag module 30 in the axial direction (position in the Z direction) is completely determined. When operating the horn, the airbag module 30 may be pushed down in the axial direction or may be pushed down while being tilted.

  The role of the axial positioning means is exclusively the positioning in the axial direction and does not require any other large pressure. Therefore, the axial positioning means can be formed of various materials such as synthetic resin. In particular, the axial positioning means on the airbag module side may be integrally formed with the housing 32.

  However, when the gas generator 54 is operated, it is considered that considerable pressure is also applied in the axial direction. Therefore, holding means for fixing the airbag module 30 on the steering wheel is installed. This is because, when high pressure is generated, for example, the axial positioning means is detached or damaged (see FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, the holding means on the steering wheel side is configured as a holding hook 28, and the holding means on the airbag module side is configured as a holding step 38. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding hook 28 and the holding step 38 as holding means do not function in the normal operation state of the steering wheel device. The normal operating state is, for example, a state where an external force does not act on the airbag module 30 (see FIG. 1) or a state where the airbag module 30 is pushed down to operate the horn (see FIG. 2). That is, the steering wheel side holding means (holding hook 28) and the airbag module side holding means (holding step 38) are not in contact with each other. This means that the holding means does not compete with the axial positioning means and does not need to be provided with strict dimensional accuracy. However, the whole or a part of the holding means is preferably made of metal as much as possible.

  Many of the advantages of the present invention are described with reference to specific embodiments. Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 17 illustrate the first embodiment.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a schematic bird's-eye view for explaining the schematic shape of the airbag and the installation positions and functions of the individual positioning means. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a total of five positioning means are installed. That is, three axial positioning means (shown as Z1 to Z3), an XY direction positioning means (shown as X1Y1), and an X direction positioning means (shown as X2) are installed. ing. The X direction positioning means and the XY direction positioning means do not have a positioning function in the axial direction. Therefore, the X direction positioning means and the XY direction positioning means are referred to as non-axis direction positioning means. As will be described later, in principle, the axial positioning means is configured as described above with reference to FIG. The other two positioning means X1Y1 and positioning means X2 determine the position of the airbag module 30 in the XY plane and prevent rotation on the XY plane. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the positioning means X1Y1 includes a first positioning peg 60 that is positioning means on the airbag module side and a circular first positioning receptacle 64 that is positioning means on the steering wheel side. Yes. The positioning means X2 includes a second positioning peg 62 that is a positioning means on the airbag module side, and an oval second positioning receptacle 66 that is a positioning means on the steering wheel side. The oval shape of the second positioning receptacle 66 serves to compensate for the change in length when the length of the mounting plate 20 changes due to shrinkage due to temperature change or the like.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the housing and the mounting plate of the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, three axial positioning hooks 29 can be confirmed. The axial positioning hook 29 functions as axial positioning means on the steering wheel side. The two holding hooks 28 function as holding means on the steering wheel side, similarly to the first and second positioning receptacles 64 and 66. Each axial positioning hook and each holding hook are fixedly formed. 6 to 8 illustrate how the positioning means on the steering wheel side functions together with the positioning means on the airbag module side. The axial positioning means on the airbag module side is an axial positioning step 39. The axial positioning step 39 is installed below the U-shaped hoops 74 and 78. Since the airbag module 30 and the mounting plate 20 are mirror-image symmetric (the mirror image plane is located in the XZ plane), the two hoops belonging to the axial positioning means Z1 and Z2 are referred to as first U-shaped hoops 74 and are axially The U-shaped hoop belonging to the positioning means Z3 is referred to as a second U-shaped hoop 78.

  The shape of the holding means on the airbag module side will be described with reference to FIGS. The spring wire element is attached to a housing floor 32 a that is the bottom surface of the housing 32. And from the shape of the hoof type or Ω type, it is called Omega spring 68 here. The omega spring 68 has two end portions, an end portion 68a and an end portion 68b, which are held by holding blocks 70a to 70d, respectively. These holding blocks 70a to 70d are provided with groove portions 72a to 72d, respectively. These groove parts are formed inside any holding block. Therefore, the end portions 68a and 68b of the omega spring 68 are movable to two positions. That is, the outer positions 68a 'and 68b' corresponding to the fixed state of the airbag module 30 on the steering wheel and the inner positions 68a "and 68b" corresponding to the non-fixed state illustrated in FIG.

  The omega spring 68 is guided to pass through the U-shaped moving element 76 on both sides immediately after the holding blocks 70b and 70d. Each U-shaped moving element 76 extends from the first U-shaped hoop 74. This means that when the end of the omega spring 68 is moved from the outer position to the inner position, the axial positioning step of the corresponding U-shaped hoop 74 moves inward. The moving element 76 is integrally formed with the first U-shaped hoop 74. That is, the moving element 76 is integrally formed with the housing 32. The housing 32 is molded by injection molding synthetic resin or by covering a metal core with resin.

  When attaching the airbag module 30 to the steering wheel, the airbag module 30 is introduced into the recess 12 of the steering wheel body from above (see FIG. 5). At this time, the end of the omega spring 68 is in the outer position. During installation, in the outer position, the omega spring 68 is pushed slightly inward by the inclined upper end of the holding hook 28. However, even if the omega spring 68 is pushed by the holding hook 28, the omega spring 68 does not move so as to enter the grooves 72a and 72b of the holding block 70. This means that the omega spring 68 returns to the outer position after the attachment process is completed. Similarly, the axial positioning step 39 of the U-shaped hoops 74 and 78 is slightly pushed inward by the inclined upper end of the axial positioning hook 29. As the attachment process is completed, the axial positioning step 39 returns to the initial position where no pressure is applied from the axial positioning hook 29. When the horn is not pushed down when the airbag module 30 is attached to the steering wheel, the axial positioning hook 29 opposes the axial positioning step 39 (part of the U-shaped hoop). On the other hand, the holding hook 28 and the omega spring 68 (which constitutes holding means on the airbag module side) do not contact each other. This means that the axial position (Z-direction position) of the airbag module 30 is determined exclusively by each axial positioning hook and each axial positioning step. However, if the gas generator 54 is activated and as a result pressure is generated, each axial positioning hook and / or each axial positioning hoop 74, 78 may be damaged. In this case, the holding hook 28 together with the omega spring 68 prevents the airbag from being detached from the steering wheel.

  When removing the airbag module 30 from the steering wheel, first, the end of the omega spring 68 is moved to the inner position with a tool or the like. As a result, the omega spring 68 is fitted into the groove 72. Since the omega spring 68 is positioned at this inner position, the omega spring 68 can no longer engage with the holding hook 28 (non-fixed state). While the omega spring 68 is moving, the end of the omega spring 68 moves the axial positioning step 39 of the first U-shaped hoop 74 inward by moving the moving element 76 inward (this is , The purpose of the moving element 76). In this position, the axial positioning step 39 is also located inside, so that the axial positioning step 39 can no longer engage with the corresponding axial positioning hook 29 (non-fixed state). As a result, the airbag module 30 can be pulled out upward. The second U-shaped hoop 78 does not move to the removal position. Therefore, when lifting and removing the airbag module 30, it is necessary to slightly tilt the airbag module 30. The oval shape of the second positioning receptacle 66 allows the airbag module 30 to be tilted. Thus, the oval shape of the second positioning receptacle 66 has two purposes. That is, when the length of the mounting plate 20 changes due to shrinkage due to temperature change, etc., it is possible to compensate for the change in length and to tilt the airbag module 30 necessary when removing the airbag module 30. It is that you are.

  A single molded omega spring is the preferred solution. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is emphasized that two separate spring wires may be provided on both sides of the airbag module 30.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 11 thru | or FIG. 13 is a figure which illustrates 2nd Embodiment concerning this invention. FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view of the region B5 in FIG. 11, FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating the positioning means at the outer position in the attached state, and FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the removal state in a member. Note that the holding means and the axial positioning means are formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, those illustrations are omitted in the second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, positioning in the XY plane is achieved by the outer positioning means 80, 82, 84. These outer positioning means are constituted by flat plate-shaped portions 86, 88, 90 on the airbag module side and corresponding support elements 92, 94, 96 on the steering wheel side. The attachment state of the flat plate-shaped portion 86 and the support element 92 is illustrated as a cross section in FIG. Each support element has a generally U-shaped cross section. An elastic arm portion 92c extends from the upper end of the first leg portion 92a to the inside of the U-shaped cross section. On the inner side of the U-shaped shape, the second leg 92b opposite to the first leg 92a is formed in a convex shape. The minimum distance between the elastic arm portion 92c and the second foot portion 92b is smaller than the thickness of the flat plate-shaped portion 86 when no pressure is applied. Therefore, in the attached state of the flat plate-shaped portion 86, the flat plate-shaped portion 86 is pushed to the second foot portion 92b, thereby fixing the position of the airbag module in the XY plane (FIG. 13 (c)).

  The support elements 92, 94 and 96 are preferably resinous independent members. Each support element is formed and installed at a position in the recess of the steering wheel body in order to form-fit the recess of the steering wheel into the shape of the airbag module. The element that functions for the foam fit described above in each support element is a side protrusion 102. The non-centered peg 100 is provided below the U-shaped support element. The non-centered peg 100 prevents the support element from being inserted into the recess unless it is in the correct orientation.

(Third embodiment)
14 to 19 are diagrams illustrating other embodiments. This is similar to the second embodiment. In contrast to the second embodiment, the outer positioning means 80, 82, 84 perform not only positioning in the XY direction (non-axial direction) but also positioning in the Z direction (axial direction). The positioning in the Z direction is achieved by the lower ends of the flat plate-shaped portions 86, 88, 90 formed by the hook portions 88a, 90a (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Each hook portion formed in this way is pushed toward the lower surface of the elastic arm portions 94c and 96c by the reaction force of the spiral spring (horn spring). When attaching the airbag module to the steering wheel, first, each elastic arm is pushed laterally by the hook-shaped end of the flat plate-shaped portion. After that, even if it bounces back, it returns to its original position.

  Since the positioning in the Z direction cannot be canceled using the omega spring, the positioning in the Z direction can be canceled by removably attaching the support elements 92, 94, 96 to the steering wheel body. For example, each positioning means can be separated from the steering wheel by pushing each supporting element inward. It is also possible to configure the concave region of the steering wheel body with a synthetic resin (for example, by a foaming agent), and to provide the support elements 92, 94, 96 there. In this case, each support element can be removed by pushing each support element in the Z direction, and the airbag module can be separated from the steering wheel body. In this case, before the airbag module and the steering wheel main body are newly combined, each indicating element must be reinserted into the position.

  17 and 18 are diagrams illustrating another form of the positioning means illustrated in FIG. In the form illustrated in FIG. 17, the tip of the hook portion 90 b of the flat plate-shaped portion 90 faces the step of the second foot portion 96 b of the support element 96. The advantage of this shape is that, even if the support element is curved together with the flat plate-shaped portion 90 (see the arrow direction in FIG. 17) or the flat plate-shaped portion 90 is pulled away from the support element, the hook portion 90b is It is a point which does not deviate from 96b (It is preferable that all the combinations of the flat plate-shaped portion and the support element in the steering wheel device face the same direction).

  In the form of FIG. 18, the flat plate-shaped portion 90 has a hook portion 90a and a hook portion 90b on both sides thereof. According to this shape, the support element can be easily separated from the steering wheel body. This is because if the housing is to be pulled away from the steering wheel body, the force is evenly transmitted to the support element.

  In this method, at least one hook portion 90a of the flat plate-shaped portion is directed toward the elastic arm portion 96c. As illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16, and 18, the upper surface of the hook portion 90 a preferably extends from the flat plate-shaped portion 90 as an inclined surface that rises. This is because the lower surface of the elastic arm portion 96c follows this inclination. In this shape, the reaction force of the horn spring assists the pressing of the elastic arm portion by the flat plate-shaped portion 90. Thereby, each fixing force between each flat plate-shaped portion and each support element can be equalized. This is very effective to prevent noise generated by vibration.

  FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the third flat plate-shaped portion 90 and the third support element 96. However, it is clear that these are just one example. The first and second flat plate-shaped portions and the first and second support elements are formed by the same method. While it is generally possible to incorporate both the illustrated flat plate and support elements into a single steering wheel device, it is usually not preferred.

  FIG. 19 illustrates the arrangement of the support elements of the steering wheel body. The holding means is the same as the two shapes of the first embodiment. Therefore, the basic shapes of the omega spring as the holding means on the airbag module side and the holding hook as the holding means on the steering wheel side are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
20 to 24 are diagrams illustrating a fourth embodiment according to the invention. The fourth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in the installation position of the gas generator.

  As illustrated in FIG. 20B, in the airbag module of each of the above embodiments, the gas generator 54 is installed inside the housing 32. More specifically, when assembling the airbag module, the gas generator 54 is installed so that the flange 104 is located inside the housing 32. Bolts 106 are welded to the flange 104, and the gas generator 54 is installed inside the housing 32. An airbag 52 is further accommodated inside the housing 32 in which the gas generator 54 is installed, and the space in the housing 32 is closed by the housing cover 50. Further, the horn plate 108 is installed on the bottom surface of the housing 32, that is, the housing floor 32a. Then, by fastening the nut 107 to the bolt 106, the horn plate 108, the housing 32, and the gas generator 54 are fixed integrally. The horn plate 108 is another form of the horn plate 130 illustrated in FIG. 9, and is the same in that it functions as a connector when operating the horn.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 20A, the gas generator 110 is installed in the housing 32 such that the flange 112 is positioned outside the housing 32. More specifically, a retainer ring 116 to which a bolt 114 is welded is first installed inside the housing 32. A horn plate 108 is installed on the housing floor 32a, and a gas generator 110 is installed. Then, by fastening the nut 107 to the bolt 114, the gas generator 110, the horn plate 108, the housing 32, and the retainer ring 116 are integrally fixed. As described above, in this embodiment, the installation position of the gas generator 110 is the housing floor 32a.

  FIG. 21A illustrates the bottom surface of the housing 32 in which the gas generator 110 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20A is installed. As illustrated in FIG. 21A, the flange 112 of the gas generator 110 is exposed to the outside of the housing 32. Therefore, in this embodiment, since the separation and recovery of the gas generator 110 from the assembled air bag module can be achieved simply by releasing the fastening by the nut 107, the air bag module is not disassembled. Thereby, the work effort in the recovery operation of the gas generator 110 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the function as a horn plate can be added to the flange 112 of the gas generator 110. In FIG. 21A, a horn connector 109 is provided on the horn plate 108. In this case, the contact between the horn connectors for operating the horn is replaced by the horn connector 44 illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 21B, a horn connector 118 as a movable contact is provided on the flange 112 of the gas generator 110. Unlike FIG. 21A, the horn plate 108 is not provided in FIG.

  In the case of FIG. 21B in which the horn plate 108 is not provided, the horn connector 118 comes into contact with the horn connector 120 when the airbag module is pushed down for horn operation, as illustrated in FIG. The horn connector 120 is provided on the steering wheel side as a fixed contact in consideration of the position of the horn connector 118. By contact between the horn connectors, a control circuit for operating the horn is conducted through the flange 112, and the horn can be operated.

  As described above, the steering wheel device including the gas generator 110 according to the present embodiment functions as a horn switch that is turned on / off by contact / non-contact between the horn connector 118 on the gas generator 110 and the horn connector 120. It is possible. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 21B, it is not necessary to provide the horn plate 108, and the number of components can be reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost.

  All illustrated embodiments have the effect of widely avoiding the generation of noise because the metal spring wire (omega spring) does not contact the steering wheel in the normal operating state of the steering wheel device.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented or performed in various ways. Can be carried out. The invention is not limited to the detailed shape, size, configuration, and the like of the components shown in the accompanying drawings unless otherwise specified in the present specification. In addition, expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless otherwise specified.

  Therefore, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

  The present invention can be used in an automobile steering wheel device including a steering wheel and an airbag module provided in a hub region of the steering wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering wheel main body, 12 ... Recess, 14 ... Spoke, 16 ... Steering column, 20 ... Mounting plate, 22 ... Screw, 24 ... Horn connector, 28 ... Holding hook, 29 ... Axial positioning hook, 30 ... Airbag module 32 ... Housing, 32a ... Housing floor, 34 ... Exit opening, 38 ... Holding step, 39 ... Axial positioning step, 44 ... Horn connector, 46 ... Spiral spring, 50 ... Housing cover, 52 ... Air bag, 54 ... Gas generator, 60 ... first positioning peg, 62 ... second positioning peg, 64 ... first positioning receptacle, 66 ... second positioning receptacle, 68 ... omega spring, 68a ... end, 68b ... end, 68a '... Outside Position, 68b '... outer position, 68a "... inner position, 68b" ... inner position, 70 ... holding block, 70a ... holding block, 70b ... holding block, 72a ... groove, 72b ... groove, 74 ... first U-shaped hoop 76 ... Moving element, 78 ... 2nd U-shaped hoop, 80 ... Outer positioning means, 82 ... Outer positioning means, 84 ... Outer positioning means, 86 ... Flat plate portion, 88 ... Flat plate portion, 88a ... Hook portion, 90 ... Flat plate portion, 90a ... Hook portion, 90 ... Flat plate portion, 90b ... Hook portion, 92 ... Support element, 92a ... First foot portion, 92b ... Second foot portion, 92c ... Elastic arm portion, 94 ... Support element , 96 ... support element, 96b ... second leg, 96c ... elastic arm, 100 ... non-centered peg, 102 ... side protrusion, 104 ... flange 106 ... bolt, 107 ... nut, 108 ... horn plate, 109 ... horn connector, 110 ... gas generator, 112 ... flange, 114 ... bolt, 116 ... retainer ring, 118 ... horn connector, 120 ... horn connector, 130 ... horn plate

Claims (22)

An automotive steering wheel device including a steering wheel and an airbag module provided in a hub region of the steering wheel,
The airbag module includes a housing, an airbag folded into the housing, and a gas generator,
And positioning means to enable pressing in the axial direction of the steering column, for determining the position of the airbag module to said steering wheel against the force of at least one spring element of the airbag module,
At least one holding means acting between the airbag module and the steering wheel to prevent the airbag module from coming off the steering wheel ;
Is provided,
The steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the holding means does not function when no external force is applied to the airbag module and when the airbag module is pushed down.   2. The steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator includes a flange, and is installed such that the flange is positioned outside the housing on a bottom surface of the housing. A movable contact provided in the gas generator;
A fixed contact provided on the steering wheel;
Further comprising
The steering wheel device according to claim 2, wherein the steering wheel device functions as a horn switch that is turned on / off by contact / non-contact between the movable contact and the fixed contact.   The steering wheel device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding means includes at least one spring wire element attached to a bottom surface of the housing on the airbag module side.   5. The steering wheel device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one spring wire element is a single integrally formed spring wire element.   6. The steering wheel device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one spring wire element has two free ends.   The steering wheel device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the spring wire element has a hoof-shaped or Ω-shaped shape.   The two free ends of the spring wire element are respectively movable to a predetermined inner position and a predetermined outer position, each position corresponding to a fixed state and an unfixed state of the airbag module in the hub region The steering wheel device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that.   And further comprising at least one moving element, the moving element being moved to a non-fixed position by at least one end of the spring wire element as at least one positioning means on the airbag module side. The steering wheel device according to claim 8, wherein the steering wheel device is characterized. An axial positioning means;
The steering wheel device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising non-axial positioning means.   The steering wheel device according to claim 10, wherein the axial positioning means is disposed in the airbag module and has a U-shaped hoop shape.   The steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the non-axial positioning means includes at least one support element that adapts the steering wheel to the shape of the airbag module. The support element has a U-shaped cross section;
The steering wheel device according to claim 12, wherein the support element has an elastic arm portion extending from an upper end of a first foot portion of the support element to the inside of the U-shaped cross section.   9. The steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein at least one positioning means performs both axial positioning and non-axial positioning.   The positioning means disposed on the steering wheel side includes at least one support element, and the support element adapts the shape of the airbag module to the steering wheel and is provided on the airbag module side. The steering wheel device according to claim 14, comprising: at least one hook portion. The support element has a U-shaped cross section;
The steering wheel device according to claim 15, wherein the support element has an elastic arm portion extending from the upper end of the first foot portion of the support element to the inside of the U-shaped cross section.   The steering wheel device according to claim 16, further comprising one hook portion directed to the second foot portion of the U-shaped cross section.   The steering wheel device according to claim 16, further comprising a hook portion directed to the elastic arm portion having the U-shaped cross section.   The steering wheel device according to claim 18, wherein an upper surface of the hook portion is an inclined surface that rises toward the first foot portion of the U-shaped cross section.   The steering wheel device according to claim 18 or 19, comprising two hook portions.   The steering wheel device according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the support element is detachably fixed to the steering wheel body.   The steering wheel device according to claim 21, wherein the support element is removable from the steering wheel body.

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