CN100441446C - Housings for airbag components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) for an airbag module, which housing (1) is intended to be arranged on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, said housing comprising: -an articulation means (2), said articulation means (2) being intended to pivotably fix the housing (1) to the steering wheel (5); and at least one fixing device (4), which at least one fixing device (4) is used for mounting the housing (1) on the steering wheel (5) in a floating manner, wherein the hinge device (2) and the fixing device (4) are arranged at a distance from each other. The housing of the invention also comprises a contact device (9) for triggering the vehicle horn, which contact device is arranged at a distance from the hinge device (2), and the housing (1) mounted in a floating manner can be pivoted about the hinge device (2) in order to trigger the vehicle horn by means of the applied pressure.

Description

Housings for airbag components

technical field

The present invention relates to housings for air bag modules.

Background technique

It is known to secure these airbag assemblies in the center of the steering wheel skeleton by locking the airbag assembly housing in place. To trigger the vehicle horn, a separate horn plate is assigned to the housing in the center of the steering wheel frame, which horn plate is generally arranged in a floating manner via screws. The vehicle horn is then triggered by the pressure exerted on the housing, due to which the housing is deflected in the axial direction into the center of the steering wheel skeleton.

However, these concepts have the disadvantage that not only a very large horn plate is required, but at the same time the horn plate must be moved in the axial direction to trigger the vehicle horn, which means high forces and relatively large actuation distances required.

Therefore, the present invention is based on the problem of providing a housing for an airbag assembly for activating the vehicle horn, which is characterized by a compact design and a short actuation distance.

Contents of the invention

A housing for an airbag assembly according to the invention for arrangement on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle provides: at least one hinge means for pivotally fastening the housing on the steering wheel; and at least one Fastening means, said at least one fastening means for additionally floating mounting of the housing on the steering wheel; said hinge means and said fastening means are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, according to the invention, the housing has contact means for activating the vehicle horn, which contact means are arranged at a position spaced from said articulation means, about which the housing mounted in a floating manner can pivot, whereby by The applied pressure triggers the vehicle horn. The housing is characterized in that at least one centering device is provided for centering the housing on the steering wheel, and that the floating mounting of the housing takes place by means of said fastening device and at least one spring element.

The housing according to the invention achieves a compact construction by arranging the contact means directly on the housing, triggering the vehicle horn with a very short actuation distance and low pressure exerted by the driver of the vehicle, which in turn results from the fact that the housing surrounds the hinge Pivotability. With the housing according to the invention, an actuation distance of at most 1 mm, in particular 0.5 to 0.3 mm, can be achieved for triggering the vehicle horn.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing also has at least one centering device for centering the housing on the steering wheel. This ensures a stable arrangement of the housing according to the invention on the steering wheel.

The articulation device can be arranged on the spokes of the steering wheel, more precisely on the region of the steering wheel spokes adjacent to the steering wheel hub. Due to the resulting shorter lever travel, this measure allows a shorter actuation distance for triggering the horn.

A fastening device, which can be designed, for example, as a locking hook, is advantageously arranged in the region of the steering wheel hub. This allows simple fastening of the housing in the region of the steering wheel hub by locking in openings provided for the housing in the steering wheel.

The floating mounting of the housing is achieved by said fastening means and at least one spring element, the fastening means designed as locking hooks serving to fasten the housing to the steering wheel by locking the housing in place. At the same time, at least one spring element arranged between the housing and the steering wheel generates a force to be exerted which acts on the housing and the steering wheel in opposite directions. This enables the housing according to the invention to operate the horn.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the contact device arranged on the housing is designed as a contact plate, which can be arranged on that side of the housing facing the steering wheel hub in the installed position. The contact plate is particularly advantageously of horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped design, as a result of which the shape of the contact plate is adapted to the shape of the housing. This ensures reliable triggering of the vehicle horn.

The problem is also solved by a steering wheel for a motor vehicle having a housing for an airbag assembly according to the invention. For floating mounting of the housing on the steering wheel, said fastening means of the housing engages in a lockable manner in an opening arranged in the region of the steering wheel hub on which the housing rests on at least one spring element arranged in the region of the steering wheel hub .

The articulation device is advantageously arranged on the steering wheel spokes in the area assigned to the steering wheel hub. The housing is thus pivotable about said articulation in the direction of the steering wheel hub under the effect of applied pressure.

The one centering device in the region of the steering wheel hub can likewise engage in the bearing element of the steering wheel, so that movement of the housing is reduced.

The pivoting of the housing enables a contact plate arranged on the housing to come into contact with a horn cable arranged in the region of the steering wheel hub, thereby activating the horn.

Description of drawings

The invention will be described in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a housing for an airbag assembly arranged on a steering wheel as part of a device for actuating a vehicle horn;

Figure 1B shows the arrangement according to Figure 1A from the opposite side;

FIG. 2A shows a plan view of a housing arranged on a steering wheel for an airbag assembly;

Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2A along the axis A-A;

Figure 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 2A along the axis B-B;

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device for actuating the vehicle horn to be arranged in the center of the steering wheel skeleton;

Figure 4 shows a steering wheel skeleton in which the means for actuating the vehicle horn can be integrated with the housing for the airbag assembly;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing for an air bag assembly fitted in the center of a steering wheel frame.

Detailed ways

1A and 1B show a housing 1 for an airbag assembly arranged on a steering wheel 5 for arrangement on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, from opposite perspectives.

The shell-like housing 1 has a bottom plate 36 with a laterally protruding edge extending in peripheral direction along the entire bottom plate 36 and forming six side surfaces 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. The first side surface 30 of the housing 1 adjoins two side surfaces extending away from each other in a symmetrical manner, namely a second side surface 31 and a third side surface 32, which merge into a fourth side surface. The side surface 33 and the fifth side surface 34, while the fourth side surface 33 and the fifth side surface 34 themselves are connected by a sixth side surface 35, which is opposite to and parallel to the first side surface 30, in this Arranged on the first side surface 30 are two articulation means 2 that pivotably fasten the housing 1 to the steering wheel 5 .

The steering wheel 5 arranged with the housing 1 shown in FIG. 1A has four spokes 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , in each case a first spoke 40 and a second spoke 41 arranged substantially in what is referred to as the 6 o'clock position. The position, ie pointing substantially downwards in the direction of the driver, is arranged at the position of the steering wheel 5 of the vehicle which allows the motor vehicle to travel straight ahead. A third spoke 42 (not visible in FIG. 1A ) is arranged at the 10 o'clock position, while a fourth spoke 43 is arranged at the 2 o'clock position.

It can also be seen in FIG. 1A that the housing 1 for the airbag assembly is pivotably mounted on the first spoke 40 and the second spoke 41 of the steering wheel 5 via the hinge means 2 arranged on the first side surface 30 .

A corresponding centering device 3 for centering the housing 1 on the steering wheel 5 is arranged on an opposite fourth side surface 33 and a fifth side surface 34 of the housing 1 . Here, the respective centering means 3 are formed as pins, each of which engages in a bearing element 11 arranged in the center of the steering wheel 5 .

According to FIG. 1B , in addition, a fastening device 4 for floating mounting of the housing 1 to the steering wheel 5 is arranged in the region of the sixth side surface 35 at the bottom of the housing 1 , said fastening device being here designed in conjunction with a spring element 15 combinations of locking hooks 4. After the corresponding locking hook 4 passes through the opening arranged in the center of the steering wheel 5 , the corresponding locking hook 4 can be locked in a recess arranged on the underside of the steering wheel 5 . The housing 1 is thus arranged in the region of the hub 6 of the steering wheel 5 on that side of the steering wheel 5 facing the driver of the motor vehicle.

In the region of the housing 1 where the locking hook 4 is also arranged, a floating fixation of the housing 1 is brought about by arranging two spring elements 15 between the bottom plate 36 of the housing 1 and the region of the hub 6 of the steering wheel 5 . The arrangement of the spring element 15 will become clearer below with reference to FIG. 3 .

2A shows a plan view of the embodiment already shown in FIG. 1 of the housing 1 arranged on the steering wheel 5 for the airbag assembly, through which all four spokes 40, 41, 42, 42, 43. It can also be seen in this figure that the floor 36 of the housing has a circular opening arranged above the hub 6 of the steering wheel 5 . A gas generator for inflating the airbag can be accommodated through this opening. The airbag can likewise be fastened to the housing 1 , as can be inferred from FIG. 3 .

Starting from FIG. 2A , FIG. 2B shows a sectional view according to the axis A-A, while FIG. 2C shows a sectional view according to the axis B-B, ie through the steering wheel hub 6 . 2B and 2C clearly show that the housing 1 does not rest directly on the steering wheel 5 . On the contrary, the housing 1 is pivotably mounted on the first spoke 40 and the second spoke 41 on the steering wheel 5, and due to the floating mounting, the housing 1 can move under the applied pressure in the area of the hub 6 of the steering wheel 5. direction offset.

FIG. 3 shows the device for actuating the vehicle horn and the housing 1 for the airbag module in an exploded view. When assembling the device, the airbag 14 is placed with its inflow opening onto the central opening of the housing 1 and the airbag 14 is secured to the housing 1 by means of the retaining ring 13 using suitable fastening means. The device is covered towards the driver with the upper cover 25 .

The horseshoe-shaped contact plate 9 in the present exemplary embodiment is arranged on the side of the base 36 of the housing 1 opposite the airbag 14 . In this case, the corresponding flank of the contact plate 9, which can produce the contact for triggering the horn, is formed as a locking hook 4 at the fastening device 4 in the edge region of the bottom plate 36 of the housing starting from the side of the housing with the hinge device 2 extended in the direction. The central area of the contact plate 9 connecting the flanks of the contact plate 9 is arranged on the bottom plate 36 in the area of the hinge device 2 , ie in the area of the first side surface of the housing 1 .

For floating fixing of the housing 1 on the steering wheel 5 , the housing 1 rests in the region opposite the articulation 2 on spring elements 15 in the form of horn springs which themselves rest in the central region of the steering wheel 5 . As described above, the housing 1 is locked at the center of the steering wheel 5 by the locking hook 4 . A gas generator 16 (preferably of single-stage design) for inflating the airbag 14 in the event of an impact protrudes into the central opening of the housing 1 in the direction of the hub 6 of the steering wheel 5 . The gas generator 16 is fastened to the steering wheel 5 via at least one groove 17 . Furthermore, a current-carrying horn cable 18 for activating the horn and protruding upwards in the direction of the contact plate 9 is arranged in the central region of the steering wheel 5 .

The pressure exerted by the driver of the motor vehicle on the upper cover 25 counter to the spring force generated by the spring element 15 causes a pivotal deflection of the housing 1 about the articulation 2 in the direction of the central region of the steering wheel 5 . In this way, the contact plate 9 arranged on the housing 1 comes into contact with the current-carrying horn cable 18 via its flanks, so that the vehicle horn is triggered.

Thus, the actual horn operation does not take place on the first and second spokes 40, 41 of the steering wheel skeleton 5, which are arranged at the 6 o'clock position, but in substantially opposite areas of the housing 1, in particular along the The arrangement of the fourth side surface 33 and the fifth side surface 34 of the contact plate 9 of 1 takes place. Under the effect of the applied pressure, the contact plate 9 comes into contact with rivets 17 which are arranged and connected in the region of the hub 6 of the steering wheel 5 and which carry current by being connected to a horn cable 18 .

After the end of the pressure application, the restoring force of the spring element 15 interrupts the contact again and thus pivots the housing 1 back about the articulation 2 upwards, ie in the direction of the driver of the motor vehicle, so that the horn signal is terminated.

By means of the above arrangement of the housing 1 at a small distance from the central area of the horn cable 18 required for the arrangement of the steering wheel 5 to activate the horn, the actuation distance required to activate the horn can be reduced because of the use of the articulation through the housing The arrangement can minimize the lever travel. Actuation distances of less than 1 mm, in particular 0.5 to 0.3 mm, can thus be obtained.

FIG. 4 shows a steering wheel skeleton 5 in the central area of which, after assembly, the device for actuating the vehicle horn shown in FIG. 3 can be mounted. For this purpose, the device shown in FIG. 3 is fastened to the steering wheel 5 via two retaining devices 21 which can be pushed sideways into openings in the housing 1 .

The device is then covered with a lower cover 26 in the direction of the longitudinal columns.

Then, in order to complete the steering wheel 5, in the case of the illustrated embodiment, the multifunction switch for operating the various devices arranged in the motor vehicle and the spoke assembly 20 can be arranged on the top of the device by means of screws 22. side, thereby presenting a steering wheel 5 suitable for installation in a motor vehicle.

The sectional view of FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a device fitted in a steering wheel 5 for actuating a vehicle horn with a housing 1 according to the invention. The housing 1 for the airbag module is centered on the steering wheel 5 by centering means 3 in the form of at least one centering element which engages in an opening arranged on the steering wheel hub 6 . It can also be seen that the housing 1 is fastened to the steering wheel 5 by holding means 21 . An upper cover 25 and a lower cover 26 enclose the means for actuating the vehicle horn.

Claims (11)

1. shell that is used for air bag component, this shell is used to be arranged in the bearing circle of power actuated vehicle, and has:

At least one articulated mounting (2), described at least one articulated mounting (2) are used for shell (1) is pivotably mounted on bearing circle (5); With

At least one securing device (4), described at least one securing device (4) are used in addition shell (1) being floated being installed in bearing circle (5),

Described articulated mounting (2) and described securing device (4) are arranged in the position that is spaced apart from each other of shell (1); And

Be used to trigger the contact device (9) of horn for vehicle, this contact device is arranged in and described articulated mounting (2) spaced positions place,

Can pivot around described articulated mounting (2) with ralocatable mode housing mounted (1), thus the pressure activated horn for vehicle by being applied in,

This shell is characterised in that,

At least one aligning gear (3) is provided, is used for shell (1) is centered in bearing circle (5), and

Carry out the unsteady installation of shell by described securing device (4) and at least one spring element (15).

2. shell according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described securing device (4) is designed to lock hook (4).

3. shell according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that, described contact device is designed to contact plate (9).

4. shell according to claim 3 is characterized in that, described contact plate (9) is arranged on that side of faces direction dish hub (6) in the installation site of shell (1).

5. shell according to claim 3 is characterized in that, described contact plate (9) designs for the shape of a hoof.

6. bearing circle that is used for power actuated vehicle, this bearing circle has the shell (1) that is used for air bag component according to claim 1.

7. bearing circle according to claim 6, it is characterized in that, for being floated, shell (1) is installed on the bearing circle (5), the described securing device (4) of shell (1) is bonded in the regional interior opening that is arranged in steering wheel hub (6) in lockable mode, and shell (1) is shelved on regional interior at least one spring element (15) that is arranged in steering wheel hub (6).

8. according to claim 6 or 7 described bearing circle, it is characterized in that described articulated mounting (2) is arranged on the steering wheel spoke (40,41) and distributes in the zone of steering wheel hub (6).

9. bearing circle according to claim 6 is characterized in that, described at least one aligning gear (3) in the zone of steering wheel hub (6) is bonded in the supporting member (11) of bearing circle (5).

10. bearing circle according to claim 6 is characterized in that, shell (1) can pivot on the direction of steering wheel hub (6) around described articulated mounting (2) under the pressure effect that is applied in.

11. bearing circle according to claim 6 is characterized in that, the pivot of shell (1) can contact the contact plate (9) that is arranged on the shell (1) with the loudspeaker cable (18) in the zone that is arranged in steering wheel hub (6), thereby triggers loudspeaker.

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