JPH07144645A - Automotive steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an automotive steering wheel in which a switch for a signal device can be easily installed and operated. CONSTITUTION: An automotive steering wheel is provided with an air bag collision protective device provided in a bowl of the steering wheel and having a cushion cover 5, and an operation switch similarly provided in a steering wheel plate part, and connected through a relay to a signal device, and, in some cases, to another special function part. The operation switch is formed of a pressure sensor 6 installed on a holder 4 for the cushion cover 5 and/or package in foam plastic in this cushion cover 5. The pressure sensor 6 is connected through a central electronic control device or an electronic control device provided in the air bag collision protective device to the relay.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an airbag collision protection device provided in a bowl of a handle and having a cushion cover, and likewise in a handle dish, via a relay to a signaling device and, in some cases, to a signaling device. The present invention relates to a steering wheel for an automobile having an operation switch connected to another special function unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, pushbuttons for operating members for signaling devices and other special functions, which generally consist of mechanical pushbuttons, have been provided within the reach of a driver, in particular Located in the spokes of the handle or on the hub of the handle. However, there is a problem if the handle is equipped with an airbag collision protector, the bowl of the handle contains the airbag and the spokes and hub are well covered. Therefore, when the handle provided with the airbag is used, the switch component is attached to the outside of the handle or is attached to the lower structure of the airbag by the holding plate. However, when it is mounted outside the steering wheel, the signal operation unit is undesired because it cannot be reached by the driver immediately. When mounted on the substructure of the airbag, the entire airbag unit must be moved in order to operate the signal switch, since the airbag is suspended and suspended. Furthermore, considering the weight of the airbag unit,
It is necessary to raise the response threshold of the signaling device appropriately.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem underlying the invention is to provide a handle of the kind mentioned at the outset in which a switch for a signaling device can be easily mounted and operated.

[0004]

This task is based on the fact that the operating switch is formed by a pressure sensor which is affixed to the support of the cushion cover or to the cover of the integrated signal transmitter and / or to this cushion cover or The solution is to be wrapped in foam plastic in the cover.

The present invention allows the signaling device to be easily operated by a switch that is within easy reach, as in the case of a steering wheel not equipped with an airbag. Since it is not necessary to move the airbag unit, the airbag can be fixedly installed. Since the sensor has a small mass, it can be reliably and easily placed in the airbag cover. Therefore, there are no parts that injure the occupant when the airbag inflates in the event of an accident. Another advantage of the steering wheel according to the invention is that, on the basis of the enlarged surface of the airbag cover, a large number of sensors, i.e. other functions, can be transferred to the steering wheel, for example from the instrument panel, which is easy for the driver. It is to be able to handle and operate.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention having the features described in the claims will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the figure, an airbag unit including an airbag 1, an inflator 2 and a cushion cover 5 is shown. The entire airbag unit is fixed to the bowl (dish-shaped portion) of the handle by fixing means (not shown).

The airbag unit is provided with an operation switch for a signal device. In the illustrated embodiment, this operation switch is formed by a pressure sensor 6 which is attached to the support body 4 of the cushion cover 5 and is wrapped with foam plastic inside the cushion cover 5. The connections of this pressure sensor are grouped together in a central plug 7, which serves for connection with an amplifier not shown.

FIG. 3 shows the handle 8. The handle comprises a signal transmitter 9 integrated laterally in the bowl, which signal transmitter comprises a pressure sensor provided in the cushion cover.

FIG. 4 shows two embodiments of a block diagram of the sensor control device. In this case, the pressure sensor 6 is connected to a relay 12 connected in front of the signal transmitter 11 via an electronic control device provided in the handle bowl or in the airbag collision protection device (indicated by a dotted line). It is connected to the signal transmitter 11 via a central control device (enclosed by a chain line) which includes an electronic amplification device and a relay.

[0011]

As described above, the automobile handle of the present invention has an advantage that the switch for the signal device can be easily attached and operated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an airbag collision protection device.

FIG. 2 is a view of the airbag unit shown in FIG. 1 as seen from above, in which a part of the cover is cut away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a handle having a pressure sensor.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a pressure sensor circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Support 5 Cushion Cover 6 Pressure Sensor 8 Handle 7 Plug 12 Relay

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An airbag collision protection device provided in a bowl of a handle and having a cushion cover, and likewise in a handle dish-like portion, via a relay to a signal device and possibly other special function parts. In a motor vehicle steering wheel with an operating switch connected, the operating switch is formed by a pressure sensor (6), which pressure sensor (6) supports the cushion cover (4) (4) or an integrated signal transmitter cover. A handle for an automobile, characterized in that it is affixed to and / or is wrapped in this cushion cover or in the cover with foamed plastic. 2. A motor vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure sensor (6) is connected to the relay via an amplifier. 3. The motor vehicle steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the relay via a central electronic control unit. 4. The pressure sensor is connected to the relay via an electronic control device provided in the bowl of the handle or in the airbag collision protection device.
Car steering wheel. 5. A plurality of pressure sensors identifiable on the surface of the airbag cover by visible symbols having differently graded resistance values for operating various functional parts. The steering wheel for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided inside. 6. The motor vehicle handle according to claim 2, wherein the connections are grouped in a central plug (7) which serves for connection to the amplifier. 7. The resistance of a sensor packaged in foamed plastic, which varies with the internal pressure of the polyurethane foam,
A vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which can be corrected by an electronic device.