JPH1111246A - Steering wheel with air bag module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering wheel provided with an air bag module whereby the assembly work of horn switches and functional switch becomes easier. SOLUTION: A steering wheel W1 is provided with horn switches 70L and 70R and a functional switch 90, and formed by installing an air bag module M1 on a steering wheel main body 21. Also the horn switches 70L and 70R are assembled into the air bag module main body 40 before they are installed on the steering wheel main body 21. In addition, the functional switch 90 is assembled into the component 71R of the horn switch 70R before it is assembled into the air bag module main body 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel having an airbag module, and more particularly to a steering wheel in which an airbag module is constructed by assembling a horn switch and a function switch on a module body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a steering wheel provided with an airbag module has been known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-225051.

In the steering wheel W0 of the above publication, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an airbag module M0 is folded and stored and inflates at a predetermined time, and supplies an inflation gas to the airbag 16. The inflator 17 includes a pad 18 that covers the folded airbag 16, and a bag holder 19 that holds the airbag 16, the inflator 17, and the pad 18.

The conventional steering wheel W0
In the above, the horn switch 5 is assembled on the steering wheel main body 1 side, and the airbag module M0 is mounted on the steering wheel main body 1 on which the horn switch 5 is provided.

[0005] The steering wheel body 1 is
In the configuration of the steering wheel W0, a portion other than the airbag module M0 is referred to, and as shown in FIG. 2, a ring portion R gripped during steering, a boss portion B disposed at the center of the ring portion R, and a boss portion. A spoke portion S for connecting B to the ring portion R, and a core cover 2 for connecting each portion and a lower cover 3 for covering a lower portion of the boss portion B are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag module M0 is mounted on the steering wheel main body 1 by forming mounting holes 19a in which nuts 19b are arranged on the left and right side surfaces of the bag holder 19, respectively. Also, on the left and right sides of the steering wheel body 1 side,
The mounting seat 8c is disposed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the airbag module M0 is brought into contact with each mounting seat 8c, and the mounting bolt 15 is screwed into the mounting hole 19a through each mounting hole 8d. Thus, the airbag module M0 was attached to the steering wheel body 1.

The mounting bolt 15 has been previously held by the holding member 4 screwed to the mounting seat 8c. Also,
Reference numeral 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is a temporary fixing member. The temporary fixing members 20 are disposed on both left and right sides of the airbag module M0.
When the airbag module M0 is brought into contact with each mounting seat 8c, the locking leg 20a is locked in the locking hole 8b on the steering wheel body 1 side, and the airbag module M0 is temporarily attached to the steering wheel body 1. I will stop it.

[0008] The horn switches 5 mounted on the steering wheel main body 1 are arranged at two positions on the left and right sides of the steering wheel main body 1. Each of the horn switches 5 is fixed to the spoke cores 2 a and 2 a disposed on the left and right sides of the core 2 on the front and rear sides, and supports a fixed-side plate 6 supporting two fixed-side contacts 7. And a movable-side plate 8 supporting two movable-side contacts 9 corresponding to the fixed-side contacts 7, and a movable-side plate 8 disposed between the fixed-side plate 6 and the movable-side plate 8. Two coil springs 13 as urging means for urging upward, and a regulating means for regulating the distance of the movable plate 8 from the fixed plate 6 by allowing the movable plate 8 to move downward. And two flanged bolts 14.

Reference numerals 10 and 11 denote flanged bolts 14.
Is an insulating spacer for ensuring insulation from the movable side plate 8, and 12 is an annular cushion rubber.

The movable side plate 8 has a base 8a extending in the front-rear direction of the steering wheel W0. The base 8a has the above-described locking hole 8b formed therein, and the base 8a has an edge extending from the edge of the base 8a. The mounting seat 8c provided with the mounting hole 8d described above was formed.

And, in these horn switches 5,
The fixed side plate 6 was connected to the negative electrode side of the horn switch operation circuit via the cored bar 2, and the movable side plate 8 was connected to the positive electrode side of the horn switch operation circuit by connecting a lead wire (not shown).

[0012]

However, in the conventional steering wheel W0, the horn switch 5 is mounted not on the airbag module M0 side but on the steering wheel main body 1 side. Since the main body 1 is a large part, the assembling work is troublesome.

That is, each horn switch 5 is
The horn switch 5 can be assembled to the steering wheel body 1 by screwing the flanged bolts 14 and 14 to the metal core 2a. The lower portion of the central boss portion B of the main body 1, the lower portion of the boss portion B being a central lower portion surrounded by a large annular ring portion R gripped during steering of the steering wheel W <b> 0, Since the portion is also surrounded by the lower cover 3, it is difficult to screw the bolt 14 of the horn switch 5 having a small shape into the cored bar 2a.

Further, when a function switch other than the horn switch 5, such as a drive monitor switch, is further mounted on the steering wheel W0, the function switch is also mounted on the steering wheel main body 1 side. This makes it difficult to perform the work of assembling the various switches, and the possibility that the screws for assembling may be lost during the assembling is likely to occur.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel provided with an airbag module that facilitates a work of assembling a horn switch and a function switch.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A steering wheel according to the present invention includes a horn switch and a function switch, and further includes an airbag module configured by attaching an airbag module to a steering wheel body. Wherein the horn switch is assembled to the airbag module main body before being attached to the steering wheel main body, and the function switch is a component of the horn switch before being assembled to the airbag module main body. It is characterized by being assembled.

The horn switch can be attached to the steering wheel body and the function switch can be assembled. A fixed plate supporting a fixed contact and an air switch disposed above the fixed plate are provided. A movable plate supporting the movable contact corresponding to the fixed contact, which can be attached to the bag module body, and disposed between the fixed plate and the movable plate, and the movable plate is An urging means for urging the movable plate in a downward direction, and a restricting means for restricting a distance of the movable plate from the fixed plate by allowing the movable plate to move downward; Is provided at the lower end and has a larger diameter head than the mounting hole provided in the fixed side plate, and extends upward from the head and passes through the mounting hole. And a male screw that extends upward as a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion and is screwed into a screw hole provided in the movable-side plate. And a stepped bolt having a threaded small diameter portion, and when the horn switch is assembled, the movable side plate is attached to the airbag module main body side and between the movable side plate and the movable side plate. With the fixed-side contact, the movable-side contact, and the urging means interposed, the fixed-side plate to which the function switch is assembled is disposed below the movable-side plate, and the stepped bolt is From the lower surface side of the fixed side plate, through the mounting hole, is screwed into a screw hole of the movable side plate, the head is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the mounting hole, and the end face of the large diameter portion is Touch the periphery of the screw hole By, it is desirable to assemble the said function switch and the horn switch into the airbag module body.

[0018]

In the steering wheel according to the present invention, the horn switch itself is assembled to the airbag module body when assembling the airbag module, and the function switch is previously assembled to the component parts of the horn switch. ing.

That is, a horn switch or a function switch is not directly attached to a large part of the steering wheel body, but a function switch is assembled to a component of the horn switch, which is a combination of small parts.
A horn switch and a function switch are arranged on the steering wheel by assembling the horn switch to the airbag module main body, which is a component smaller than the steering wheel main body.

[0020] Therefore, the function switch, the components of the horn switch, the components such as the airbag module main body, and the like can be easily moved, and the assembly operation of the horn switch and the function switch becomes easy. Parts management for the loss of screws etc. used at the time of attachment is also easy because the small parts are assembled together and can be easily visually observed even if they are lost, making it easier to assemble the steering wheel. it can.

When the horn switch is assembled, first, the movable side plate is attached to the airbag module main body side, and the fixed side contact and the movable side are placed between the movable side plate and the movable side plate. With the contact / biasing means interposed, the fixed side plate with the function switch assembled is arranged below the movable side plate, and
The stepped bolt is screwed into the screw hole of the movable side plate from the lower surface side of the fixed side plate through the mounting hole, and the head of the stepped bolt is brought into contact with the periphery of the mounting hole of the fixed side plate, and If the horn switch and the function switch are assembled to the airbag module main body with the large diameter portion end surface abutting the screw hole peripheral edge, the horn is screwed into the screw hole of the movable plate with the stepped bolt. The switch can be assembled and assembled to the airbag module body.

That is, the stepped bolt fulfills the functions of assembling the horn switch itself and assembling it to the airbag module main body, thereby contributing to reducing the number of components of the airbag module. Thus, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in the number of assembling steps of the airbag module.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The steering wheel W1 of the embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 4, the steering wheel body 21 includes:
And an airbag module M1 disposed above the central boss B of the steering wheel body 21.

The steering wheel body 21 is shown in FIG.
As shown in 7 and 8, an annular ring portion R gripped during steering, a boss portion B disposed at the center of the ring portion R, and four spoke portions connecting the boss portion B and the ring portion R. S
And is provided. Further, the steering wheel body 21 includes a core metal 22 arranged to connect the ring portion R, the boss portion B, and the spoke portion S. The ring core 23 of the core 22 and the spoke cores 25 on the ring core 23 side are covered with a coating layer 27 made of synthetic resin. Core 2 at boss B
4 includes a steel boss 24a connected to a steering shaft (not shown), and a covering portion 24b made of an aluminum alloy or the like and formed around the boss 24a and integrally with the spoke core 25. ing. The ring core metal 23 is formed of a steel pipe, and an end of the spoke core metal 25 covers a part thereof and is connected to the spoke core metal 25.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a support portion 25a having a surface substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the boss 24a is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the spoke cores 25 so as to protrude upward. These support portions 25a are supported by being brought into contact with a contact portion 71a of a fixed side plate 71 described below from the lower surface side.

At the left and right sides of the core bar 22, mounting seats 26 for mounting the airbag module M1 are provided so as to connect the spoke core bars 25F and 25B arranged at the front and rear, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, each of the mounting seats 26 includes a connecting plate portion 26a arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the boss 24a, and a mounting plate extending obliquely upward and outward from the outer edge side of the connecting plate portion 26a. A part 26b;
A mounting hole 26c through which a mounting bolt 30 for mounting the airbag module M1 is inserted is formed from the mounting plate portion 26b to the connection plate portion 26a. Before the airbag module M1 is mounted, each of the mounting bolts 30 is temporarily fixed to a synthetic resin holding member 28 fixed to the connecting plate 26a with a screw 29.

The steering wheel body 21 is
A lower cover 31 made of synthetic resin fixed to the core bar 22 with screws 32 is provided so as to cover the lower part of the boss portion B, and is further attached to the spoke portion core bar 25 and the lower cover 31 using screws 34 and the like. A switch 33 for the high-speed traveling device is provided. Furthermore, the steering wheel body 21
Has a connector 36 connected to connectors 67 and 85 described later and a connector (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the airbag module M1 includes an airbag module main body 40, two horn switches 70 (70L and 70R), and a drive monitor switch 90 as a function switch. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the module main body 40 has a bag-shaped airbag 41 which is inflatably folded.
An inflator 44 for supplying inflation gas to the airbag 41, a pad 45 for covering the folded airbag 41,
The airbag system includes a bag holder 55 for holding the airbag 41 and the inflator 44, and a backup plate 59 for holding the pad 45 in cooperation with the bag holder 55.

The inflator 44 has a substantially cylindrical main body portion 44a having a gas discharge port 44b on the upper portion, and a main body portion 44a.
and a flange portion 44c protruding from the outer peripheral surface of FIG.

The pad 45 is made of synthetic resin.
As shown in 7.10 to 12, the ceiling wall 46 for breaking a predetermined portion when the airbag 41 is inflated, and the ceiling wall 46
Side walls 47 and 48 extending downward from the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of
49, 50 are provided.

The side wall portions 47 and 48 which are disposed to face each other in the front-rear direction are respectively used to insert and lock later-described locking hooks 57a and 57b of the bag holder 55 on the inner peripheral surface side. Lock grooves 47a and 48a are formed, and insertion grooves 47b and 48b for inserting side walls 61 and 62 of the backup plate 59, which will be described later, are formed on the lower end surface.

The side walls 49 and 50 which are arranged to face each other in the left and right direction are respectively used to insert and lock later-described locking hooks 57c and 57d of the bag holder 55 on the inner peripheral surface side. Locking grooves 49a and 50a are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, three projections 57 provided at the tip of each of the locking grooves 57c of the bag holder 55 are provided on the lower peripheral surface of each of the locking grooves 49a and 50a.
Lock holes 49b and 50b are formed for inserting and locking e.

On the lower surface near the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling wall portion 46, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 12, horizontal plate portions 63b and 64 of support pieces 63 and 64 of the backup plate 59, which will be described later.
A cylindrical pressing rib 51 abutting on 64b is formed. Further, reinforcing ribs 5 are provided on the lower surface of the ceiling wall portion 46.
2, a shielding rib 53 for closing a gap between the lower cover 31 and the lower cover 31, and the like.

The bag holder 55 is made of sheet metal.
As shown in FIGS. 7, 13, and 14, a substantially rectangular bottom wall 56 having an insertion hole 56a at the center into which the inflator main body 44a can be inserted from below, and a substantially rectangular cylinder from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 56 And a side wall portion 57 extending in a shape. A through hole 56b through which a bolt 42a of the retainer 42 described later is inserted is formed in a peripheral edge of the insertion hole 56a of the bottom wall portion 56. Locking hooks 57a and 57b are provided on the front and rear edges of the upper end of the side wall 57 so as to be inverted.
Are formed on the left and right edges at the upper end of the side wall portion 57.
Locking hooks 57c and 57d are formed to be inverted. Each locking hook 57c / 57d has three
A projection 57e is formed.

The backup plate 59 is made of sheet metal and has an insertion hole 60 through which the inflator body 44a can be inserted from below, as shown in FIGS.
a bottom wall portion 60 having a substantially rectangular shape provided with a, and side wall portions 61 and 62 extending upward from the front and rear peripheral edges of the bottom wall portion 60. A through hole 60b through which a bolt 42a of a retainer 42 to be described later is inserted is formed in a peripheral edge of the insertion hole 60a of the bottom wall portion 60.

Further, near the left and right front edges of the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 60, a vertical plate portion 63a extending upward from the bottom wall portion 60 with a step, and bent from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 63a. And a horizontal plate 63b extending outward. In the vicinity of the left and right rear side edges of the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 60, a vertical plate portion 64a extending upward from the bottom wall portion 60, and a horizontal plate portion bent outward from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 64a. 64b is formed.

The horizontal plate 63 of these support pieces 63 and 64
b · 64b is the movable side plate 7 of the horn switch 70
6 will be constituted. And, as shown in FIG.
Lead wires 84 are connected to the bottom wall 60 of the backup plate 59 so that each movable plate 76 is electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the horn operation circuit.

The connector 85 of the lead wire 84 extends downward on the bottom wall 60 of the backup plate 59.
And a bracket portion 60c for holding a connector 67 of the lead wire 66 from the inflator 44 (see FIGS. 5, 15, and 16).

The holding of the airbag 41 and the inflator 44 by the bag holder 55 is performed by using an annular retainer 42 disposed in the airbag 41. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the retainer 42 has four bolts 42a extending downward, and these bolts 42a are connected to through holes (not shown) around the opening 41a of the airbag 41 and the bag holder 55. Through the through hole 56b, the through hole 60b of the backup plate 59, the through hole (not shown) of the flange portion 44c of the inflator 44, and the nut 43.
1 and the inflator 44 with the backup plate 5
9 together with the bag holder 55.

The holding of the pad 45 by the bag holder 55 and the backup plate 59 is performed by the locking grooves 47 a and 48 of the side walls 47, 48, 49 and 50 of the pad 45.
a, 49a, 50a, each locking hook 57a, 57b, 57
The pad side walls 49 and 50 are inserted and locked by inserting the side walls 61 and 62 of the backup plate 59 into the insertion grooves 47b and 48b of the front and rear side walls 47 and 48 of the pad 45. The locking hooks 57c and 57d of the bag holder 55 lock the pad side walls 47 and 48 of the bag holder 55.
The pad 45 is held by the bag holder 55 and the backup plate 59 in such a manner that the pad 45 is sandwiched between the b and the side wall portions 61 and 62 of the backup plate 59.

The locking hook 57c of the bag holder 55
When the 57d is inserted and locked in the locking grooves 49a and 50a, the projections 57e are locked by the locking holes 49b and 50 in the side walls 49 and 50.
b.

As for the assembly of the airbag module main body 40, first, the retainer 42 is inserted into the airbag 41 from the opening 41a, and the bolts 42a are projected from the periphery of the opening 41a to fold the airbag 41. .

Next, the folded airbag 41 is fitted into the bag holder 55 so that the bolts 42a protrude from the through holes 56b, and the pads 45 are fitted over the airbag 41 from above. Part 47.4
8.49,50 locking grooves 47a, 48a, 49a, 50
a, each hook 57a, 57b, 5 of the bag holder 55
Insert and lock 7c and 57d.

Then, the backup plate 59 is externally fitted from below the bag holder 55 so that each bolt 42a projects from the through hole 60b, and the side wall 61 is formed.
The inflator body portion 44a is inserted from below into the backup plate 5 so that the 62 is inserted into the insertion grooves 47b and 48b of the front and rear side walls 47 and 48 of the pad 45, and the bolts 42a are projected from the flange portion 44c.
The airbag module body 40 can be assembled by inserting the nut 43 into the bolts 42a by inserting the nuts 43 into the insertion holes 60a and 56a between the bag holder 9 and the bag holder 55.

In the case of the embodiment, after fixing the nut 43, a cover 68 made of synthetic resin is attached to a predetermined bolt 42a to protect the connecting portion of the lead wire 66 in the inflator 44. 67 ・
85 is the bracket portion 60c of the backup plate 59
Attached to.

In the case of the embodiment, when the airbag module main body 40 is assembled, the movable plate 76 of the horn switch 70 is assembled to the airbag module main body 40.

Horn switch 70 (70L / 70R)
Are disposed above the left and right mounting seats 26 of the metal core 22, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 23, each having a fixed side plate 71 (71L / 71R) and a fixed side contact 75. A side contact member 74, a movable side plate 76, a movable side contact member 77 having a movable side contact 78, a coil spring 79,
It is composed of a support grommet 80, an insulating spacer 81, and a stepped bolt 82. Each horn switch 70
L · 70R is the fixed side plate 71 (71L · 71R)
Are arranged one by one, and the movable side plate 7
6, two movable contact members 77, a coil spring 79, a support grommet 80, an insulating spacer 81, and a stepped bolt 82.

Incidentally, in the case of the embodiment, the movable side plate 76 is provided with the respective horizontal plate portions 63b and 6 of the backup plate 59.
Since 4b is a movable side plate, two horn switches 70L and 70R are provided, but if the backup plate 59 itself is a movable side plate, two horn switches 70L and 70R become one. .

Each horn switch 70L / 70R
The members excluding the movable plate 76 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the switch assembly HL
HR is formed. In the case of the embodiment, the fixed side plate 71R of the horn switch 70R on the right side is used.
The drive monitor switch 90 as a function switch
Is assembled.

Each fixed side plate 71L, 71R is shown in FIG.
・ As shown in 9.18.20, it is composed of sheet metal,
The steering wheel W1 includes a base 72 disposed substantially in the front-rear direction and a mounting piece 73 extending obliquely downward from an inner edge of a substantially intermediate portion of the base 72 in the front-rear direction. Each mounting piece portion 73 is a portion that is fixed to the mounting plate portion 26b of each mounting seat 26 in the steering wheel main body 21 with the bolt 30, and a nut 73b is welded to form a mounting hole 73a into which the mounting bolt 30 is screwed. Have been. At both ends in the front-rear direction of each base 72, mounting holes 72a are formed such that the oblique sides of the substantially right-angled triangular holes are attached to both edges of the symmetrical position of the circular holes. Are formed with circular engaging holes 72b of small diameter. Further, a locking hole 72c for locking the locking leg 28a of the holding member 28 at the peripheral edge is formed substantially at the middle of each base 72 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the edges at both ends of each base 72 are respectively connected to the spoke cores 2 described above.
The contact portion 71a is supported from the lower surface by the support portion 25a.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 19, and 21, the right fixed side plate 71R is provided with two mounting holes 72f extending upward at the outer edge of a substantially intermediate portion of the base 72 in the front-rear direction. Is formed. The drive monitor switch 90 is attached to the bracket part 72e by screws 91 inserted into the respective attachment holes 72f. The right side fixed plate 7
A hook 72d for locking the locking leg 28a of the holding member 28 is formed on the periphery of the 1R locking hole 72c.

Each movable side plate 76 has the structure shown in FIGS.
As shown in 23, a screw hole 76a in which a nut 76b is welded is formed, and a locking hole 76c for inserting and locking a locking projection 81g of an insulating spacer 81 described later is formed on the periphery of each screw hole 76a. Have been.

The support grommet 80 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (1), it is made of an insulating synthetic resin such as polyacetal, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with an insertion hole 80i passing through the center. The bottom portion 80a is formed in a shape in which two locking plate portions 80b are protruded so as to correspond to the opening shapes of the mounting holes 72a of the fixed side plates 71L and 71R, and is formed above the locking plate portions 80b. Is formed with a concave groove 80d corresponding to the arc-shaped portion of the mounting hole 72a. A projection 80c to be inserted into the locking hole 72b is formed on the upper surface of the locking plate 80b. The supporting grommet 80 has a pair of concave grooves 80e formed in a vertical direction at symmetrical positions on the outer peripheral surface.
-80 g is formed. A locking step 80f for locking and attaching the fixed-side contact material 74 to prevent upward removal is formed in the pair of concave grooves 80e, and the pair of concave grooves 80g is formed with an insulating spacer. 81 ring portion 8 described later
1b, and a locking projection 80h having a distal end bent downward so as to lock the periphery of the locking hole 81c of the ring portion 81b in the groove 80g. The projection is provided so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 22, and 23, the fixed-side contact member 74 is made of spring steel and has an insertion hole 74 at the center.
d, and a locking piece 74a extending downward from a symmetrical position of the outer peripheral edge of the fixed contact 75, the locking piece 74a being configured so as to penetrate through the d. And a spring piece 74c that curves from the lower end of the piece 74a and extends radially outward. Each locking piece 7
A locking claw 74b whose upper end is cut and raised and protrudes inward is formed on 4a so as to be locked by the locking step 80f of the support grommet 80. Each spring piece 74c of the fixed-side contact member 74 connects each locking plate 80b to the fixed-side plate 7.
The support grommet 80 is inserted into each of the mounting holes 72a of 1L / 71R and rotated by 90 °, and the projections 80 of each locking plate portion 80b are rotated.
When bayonet coupling is performed so that c is inserted into the locking holes 72b of the fixed-side plates 71L and 71R, the periphery of the mounting hole 72a on the upper surface side of the base 72 of the fixed-side plates 71L and 71R is pressed. The upper surface of the portion 80b is pressed against the periphery of the mounting hole 72a on the lower surface of the base 72.

The fixed contact 75 is inserted into the groove 80e while the fixed contact 74 is fitted from above the support grommet 80, and the locking claw 74b is fixed to the locking step. When it is locked at 80f, it is arranged on the upper end surface of the support grommet 80. The fixed contact 75 of the fixed contact 74 is fixed to the spring piece 74 c of the fixed contact 74 when the fixed plates 71 L and 71 R are bolted to the mounting seats 26 of the metal core 22. Side plate 71
-Conduction is conducted to the negative electrode side of the horn operation circuit via the cored bar 22.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 22, and 23, the insulating spacer 81 is made of a synthetic resin having an insulating property such as polyacetal, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an insertion hole 81f penetrated at the center. ing. The upper outer peripheral surface includes a spring seat 81a protruding in a flange shape, and two ring portions 81b projecting downward from a symmetric position near the spring seat 81a and having a locking hole 81c. The groove 81d is formed at four locations on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 81f. Each ring part 8
1b, as described above, locks the locking projection 80h of the support grommet 80 on the periphery of the locking hole 81c. The length in the up-down direction is such that the insulating spacer 81 The locking hole 81c is configured to secure a predetermined length in the vertical direction such that the locking hole 81c does not interfere with the locking projection 80h even when the slider approaches the support grommet 80. Each groove 81d is formed with a locking step 81e for locking and attaching the movable-side contact member 77 so as to prevent the movable groove 77d from falling downward. Further, a locking projection 81g is formed at a symmetrical position on the upper end surface to protrude upward and to be inserted and locked into the locking hole 76c of the movable side plate 76.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 22, and 23, the movable contact member 77 is made of spring steel and has a through hole 77d at the center.
An annular base portion 77a having an outer periphery, locking pieces 77b extending downward from four locations on the outer peripheral edge of the base 77a, and a movable contact 78 extending outward from the lower end of each locking piece 77b. It is configured. A locking claw 77c having a lower end protruding outward is formed on each locking piece 77b so that it can be locked to each locking step 81e of the insulating spacer 81.

Each movable contact 78 has its locking piece 77b inserted into the concave groove 81d from below, and each locking claw 77c of the movable contact material 77 is locked to the locking step 81e of the insulating spacer 81. When it is locked on the lower surface of the insulating spacer 81, it is arranged.

The coil spring 79 is insulated between the fixed plate 71 and the movable plate 76 and constitutes a biasing means for biasing the movable plate 76 upward. The inner diameter is such that it comes into contact with the spring piece 74c of the side contact member 74 and the spring seat 81a of the insulating spacer 81.

The stepped bolt 82 constitutes a regulating means which enables the movable plate 76 to move downward and regulates the separation distance of the movable plate 76 from the fixed plate 71. The stepped bolt 82 includes a head portion 82a provided at a lower end, and a shaft portion 82b extending upward from the head portion 82a. The shaft portion 82b has a lower cylindrical large-diameter portion 82c, And a small-diameter portion 82d which extends upward as a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 82c and is threaded with a male screw to be screwed into the screw hole 76a of the movable-side plate 76. In the stepped bolt 82 of the embodiment, the large-diameter portion 82c is inserted from below into the mounting hole 72a of the fixed-side plate 71 so that the head 82a contacts the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 72a. It is necessary to insulate it from the fixed side plate 71 because it is screwed into 76. for that reason,
The head portion 82a is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 72a via the locking plate portion 80b at the bottom portion 80a of the support grommet 80. The large-diameter portion 82c includes the support grommet 80, the fixed-side contact material 74, and the insulating spacer 81.
The small-diameter portion 82d has an outer diameter that allows the insertion of the movable-side contact material 77 through the insertion holes 80i, 74d, and 81f.
d can be inserted and screwed into the screw hole 76a.

The shaft portion 82b of the stepped bolt 82
The large-diameter portion 82c defines a separation distance between the fixed-side plate 71 and the movable-side plate 76 and defines a horn stroke.

The assembly of the switch assemblies HL and HR will be described.
The locking claw 74b is locked to the locking step 80f while being inserted into the inside of the support grommet 0e. Further, the locking piece 77b is inserted into the concave groove 81d from below, and the locking claw 77c is set in the locking step 81e.
, And the movable contact material 77 corresponding to each insulating spacer 81 is fitted.

Then, the lower end of the coil spring 79 is brought into contact with each spring piece 74c of the fixed contact member 74, and the coil spring 7
The support grommet 80 and the insulating spacer 81 are brought close to each other with a coil spring 79 interposed therebetween so that the upper end of the ring spacer 9 contacts the spring seat 81a of the insulating spacer 81, and
The contact assembly C can be assembled by inserting 1b into the concave groove 80g, bending the ring portion 81b, and locking each locking projection 80h on the periphery of the locking hole 81c.

Further, the contact assembly C thus formed
If the bottom 80a of the support grommet 80 is bayonet-coupled to each of the mounting holes 72a in the base 72 of the fixed side plates 71L and 71R and assembled to the fixed side plates 71L and 71R, the switch assemblies HL and HR can be assembled. it can. Needless to say, the drive monitor switch 90 is attached to the bracket portion 72e using the screw 91 on the fixed side plate 71R.

Then, the predetermined movable side plate 7 in the airbag module main body 40 assembled in advance.
6 and the insertion hole 77d of the movable contact member 77 of each switch assembly HL / HR is arranged in the screw hole 76a.
Each locking projection 81g of the insulating spacer 81 is fitted into the locking hole 76c of the movable plate 76, and the stepped bolt 82 is
The insertion holes 80i of the respective switch assemblies HL / HR are located from below.
If the horn switches 70L and 70R can be assembled by inserting the horn switches 70L and 70R into the screw holes 76a of the movable side plate 76, 70L / 70R and the drive monitor switch 90 can be assembled, and the airbag module M1 can be assembled.

The stepped bolts 82 are inserted into the through holes 80i, 74d, 81f, 77d of the respective switch assemblies HL, HR.
And screwed into the screw hole 76a of the movable side plate 76, the upper end surface of the large-diameter portion 82c
Of the insertion hole 77d at the periphery of the screw hole 76a
It will be pressed against the periphery.

After assembling the airbag module M1, the fixed side plate 7 is connected to the predetermined connectors 36, 67, 85 and connectors (not shown).
The airbag module M1 is arranged on the steering wheel body 21 by applying the mounting piece 73 of the 1L / 71R to the mounting plate 26b of the predetermined mounting seat 26 in the cored bar 22, and the mounting holes 26c of the mounting plates 26b are formed. The steering wheel W1 can be assembled by inserting the mounting bolts 30 and screwing the mounting bolts 30 into the mounting holes 73a of the mounting pieces 73 of the fixed-side plates 71L and 71R.

At the time of this assembling, the steering wheel body 21 connects the boss 24a of the boss core 24 to the steering shaft of the vehicle in advance.

Further, when the mounting piece 73 of the fixed side plate 71L / 71R is brought into contact with the mounting plate 26b of the predetermined mounting seat 26 of the metal core 22, in the case of the embodiment, the left and right The locking leg 28a of the holding member 28 is provided with a locking hole 72 of the base 72 in the fixed side plates 71L and 71R of the horn switches 70L and 70R.
c (in the right fixed side plate 71R, in particular, a hook portion 72d at the periphery of the locking hole 72c).
The airbag module M1 can be temporarily fixed on the steering wheel body 21.

Further, each horn switch 70L / 70R
When the stepped bolt 82 is screwed into the screw hole 76a, the movable contact 78 on the periphery of the screw hole 76a
The base portion 77a of the horn operation circuit is pressed into contact with the positive electrode side of the horn operation circuit via the lead wire 84, the connector 85, and the like connected to the backup plate 59. Also, the fixed contact 75 of each horn switch 70L / 70R
When the fixed plates 71L and 71R are fixed to the mounting seat 26 of the core bar 22 by the bolt 30, the spring piece 74c of the fixed contact member 74, the fixed plates 71L and 71R and the core bar 2
2, the horn operation circuit is electrically connected to the negative electrode side.

In the steering wheel W1 assembled as described above, when the pad 45 is pushed to push down the airbag module body 40, the movable plate 76 is fixed against the fixed plate 71 against the urging force of the coil spring 79.
And the fixed-side contact member 74 supported by the fixed-side plate 71 via the support grommet 80 and the stepped bolt 82.
The movable side contact 78 of the movable side contact material 77 supported by the movable side plate 76 contacts the fixed side contact 75 through the insulating spacer 81 and the large-diameter portion 82c of the stepped bolt 82, and the horn is moved. Will be activated.

In the steering wheel W1, when the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 44b of the inflator 44, the airbag 41 breaks the ceiling wall portion 46 of the pad 45 and greatly expands. Become.

In the steering wheel W1 of the embodiment, the horn switches 70L and 70R themselves are assembled to the airbag module main body 40 when assembling the airbag module M1, and the components of the horn switch 70R on the right side thereof. A drive monitor switch 90 as a function switch is previously assembled to the fixed side plate 71R.

That is, the steering wheel body 21
A horn switch or a drive monitor switch is not directly attached to a large part of the horn switch 70R.
And the horn switches 70L and 70R and the drive monitor switch 90 are disposed on the steering wheel W1 by assembling the horn switches 70L and 70R to the airbag module main body 40 which is a component smaller than the steering wheel main body 21. It is to let.

Therefore, the components such as the monitor switch 90, the fixed side plate 71R of the horn switch 70R and the airbag module main body 40 can be easily moved and rotated, and the horn switches 70L and 70R and the monitor switch 90 can be assembled. The attachment work becomes easy, and the parts management for the loss of the screw 91 used at the time of assembling becomes easy because the small parts are mutually assembled and can be easily visually observed even if the parts are lost. W1
Can be simplified.

Further, in the case of the embodiment, when assembling the horn switches 70L and 70R, first, the movable side plate 7
6 is attached to the airbag module main body 40 side, and a fixed contact 75, a movable contact 78, and a coil spring 79 are provided between the movable plate 76 and the fixed plate 71.
The fixed side plates 71L and 71R
And a switch assembly HL / HR in which a contact assembly C and a monitor switch 90 are assembled. Then, the switch assemblies HL and HR are arranged below the movable side plate 76, and the stepped bolt 82 is screwed from the lower surface side of the fixed side plate 71 through the mounting hole 72a into the screw of the movable side plate 76. Screwed into the hole 76a, the head 82a of the stepped bolt 82 is brought into contact with the periphery of the mounting hole 72a of the fixed side plate 71 with the support grommet 80 interposed therebetween, and
With the base portion 77a of the movable contact member 77 interposed, the large-diameter portion 8
The end faces of the horn switches 70L and 70R and the monitor switch 9
0 is attached to the airbag module main body 40.

That is, the horn switches 70L and 70R can be assembled and assembled to the airbag module main body 40 by screwing the movable side plate 76 into the screw holes 76a of the stepped bolts 82.

As a result, the stepped bolt 82 fulfills the functions of assembling the horn switches 70L and 70R and assembling them to the airbag module body 40, thereby reducing the number of components of the airbag module M1. This also contributes to reducing the number of assembly steps of the airbag module M1.

Further, in the steering wheel W1 of the embodiment, the fixed and movable contact members 74 and 77 having the contacts 75 and 78, the support grommet 80, the insulating spacer 81, and the coil spring 79 are connected to a contact assembly. C can be assembled and these parts are easily lost, so by handling as an assembly, the loss of those parts can be prevented and the horn switch 70L
-The assembly work of the 70R can be facilitated.

In the embodiment, the drive monitor switch 90 has been exemplified as a function switch to be mounted on the airbag module M1.
Any switch may be used as long as it can be mounted on the fixed-side plate 7 that constitutes the horn switch 70 with the switch 33 for the constant-speed traveling device attached to the steering wheel body 21 in the embodiment as a function switch.
You may comprise so that it may attach to 1 etc.

In the embodiment, when assembling the airbag module M1, the module body 40 is assembled in advance, and the switch assembly H is attached to the body 40.
Although the L / HR was assembled, the switch assembly HL / HR was assembled to the backup plate 59 in advance, and the module body 40 was assembled.
The module M1 may be assembled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional steering wheel, and shows a portion II of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a conventional steering wheel body.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional steering wheel, and shows a portion III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the steering wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the same embodiment, and shows a portion VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same embodiment, and shows a VI-VI portion in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same embodiment, and is a sectional view taken along line VII-V of FIG.
Indicates the II site.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the steering wheel body of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the airbag module of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the airbag module;
Fig. 10 shows the XX site of Fig. 9.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the airbag module,
5 shows the XI-XI site in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a pad used for the airbag module body of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a bag holder used for the airbag module body of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view on arrow XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a backup plate used for the airbag module of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow XVI in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a switch assembly of the horn switch on the left side of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a fixed-side plate in the horn switch on the left side of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a switch assembly of the horn switch on the right side of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a fixed side plate of the horn switch on the right side of the embodiment.

21 is a partial side view of a fixed-side plate of the right-side horn switch according to the embodiment, and is a view taken along the arrow XXI in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the horn switch of the embodiment, showing a part XXII-XXII in FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is a partially exploded perspective view of the horn switch of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 21: Steering wheel body, 5, 70: Horn switch, 6, 71: Fixed side plate, 7.75: Fixed side contact, 8.76: Movable side plate, 9.78: Movable side contact, 13.79 ... (biasing means) coil spring, 40 ... airbag module main body, 82 ... (regulating member) stepped bolt, 82a ... head, 82b ... shaft portion, 82c ... large diameter portion, 82d ... small diameter portion, 90 ... ( Function switch) Drive monitor switch, M0 · M1 ... airbag module, W0 · W1 ... steering wheel.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A steering wheel including a horn switch and a function switch, and an airbag module configured by attaching an airbag module to a steering wheel body, wherein the horn switch is the steering wheel. The airbag module, wherein the function switch is assembled to a component of the horn switch before being assembled to the airbag module main body, the airbag module being assembled to the airbag module main body before being attached to the main body. With a steering wheel. 2. A fixed-side plate supporting a fixed-side contact, wherein the horn switch is attachable to the steering wheel body and the function switch is attachable, and is disposed above the fixed-side plate. A movable-side plate that is attachable to the airbag module main body and supports a movable-side contact corresponding to the fixed-side contact; a movable-side plate disposed between the fixed-side plate and the movable-side plate; Urging means for urging the plate upward, and regulating means for allowing the movable side plate to move downward and regulating the separation distance of the movable side plate from the fixed side plate, The regulating means is provided at a lower end, and has a head having a diameter larger than a mounting hole provided in the fixed side plate, and the mounting means extending upward from the head. A shaft portion through which a hole can be inserted, wherein the shaft portion extends upward with a large diameter portion on the lower side and a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion, and is screwed into a screw hole provided in the movable side plate. A stepped bolt having a small-diameter portion threaded with a mating male screw.When the horn switch is assembled, the movable-side plate is attached to the airbag module body side, and the movable-side plate and Between,
With the fixed-side contact, the movable-side contact, and the urging means interposed, the fixed-side plate, on which the function switch is assembled, is disposed below the movable-side plate. From the lower surface side of the fixed side plate,
Through the mounting hole, screwed into the screw hole of the movable side plate, the head is brought into contact with the mounting hole peripheral edge, and,
The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the horn switch and the function switch are assembled to the airbag module main body by bringing the large-diameter portion end surface into contact with the periphery of the screw hole. .