MXPA96006470A - Air bag cushion set with boc insulator cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air bag cushion assembly for use in an air bag module, the assembly comprising an air bag cushion having a collar defining an open mouth for receiving inflating fluid; horn switch cavity sized to contain a horn switch assembly, the horn switch cavity having a cavity opening sized to receive a horn switch assembly, the horn switch cavity being secured to the air bag cushion.

Description

ES $ !: 0NJUNT0 OF AIR BAG CUSHION WITH CAVITY OF HORN SWITCH FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air bag module on the driver's side with horn switch mounting and, more particularly, to an air bag cushion assembly having a horn switch cavity for receive a set of horn switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Driver-side air bag modules, which include an air bag o-ring and an air bag module cover, are usually placed within a hub of a motor vehicle's steering wheel. An annular retainer ring secures the air bag cushion to the air bag module, and a cushion band retains the air bag cushion in a folded position prior to deployment. Both the air bag module cover and the cushion band include a tear seam or weakened portion to allow the air bag cushion to break through and fully unfold during a rapid collision or deceleration of the motor vehicle. . The hub of the steering wheel happens to be in the same area that conventionally includes the horn switch. Consequently, the air bag module cover must serve to operate the horn switch. A horn switch assembly typically includes appropriate components such as a membrane-type horn switch and a reinforcing plate, for example, and the horn switch assembly is linked to an inner surface of a cover horn drive face. of air bag module by ultrasonic welding or thermal stacking. The assembly of the horn switch assembly to the airbag module cover by ultrasonic welding or thermal stacking is a time-consuming assembly process, which increases the manufacturing cost of the airbag module. In addition, the horn switches are sometimes damaged by thermal stacking, requiring the replacement of both the horn switch assembly and the air bag module cover, since the entire air bag module cover must be replaced When a damaged or defective speaker horn switch assembly is replaced to the air bag module cover. In addition, the thermal stacking i places restrictions on the design, material and manufacture of the air bag module cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air bosla module having a horn switch assembly mounted to avoid one or all of the problems associated with welding or thermal stacking of an assembly - from horn switch to an air bosla module cover. In carrying out this invention, a cushion band is provided for use with an inflatable air bag cushion, which has a collar defining an open mouth for receiving inflation fluid. The demo band comprises a belt and a horn interuptor cavity. The strap has a first insurable end to the collar of the air bag cushion and is designed to bridge through the folded air bag cushion. A second end of the strap is insurable to the collar of the air bag cushion to retain the air bag cushion in a bent condition. A weakened portion of the belt is breakable during inflation of the air cushion. The horn switch cavity is dimensioned to contain a horn switch assembly and has a marginal edge secured to the belt and a cavity opening sized to receive a horn switch assembly. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air bag cushion assembly for use in an air bag module is provided. The air bag cushion assembly comprises an air bossa cushion and a horn switch cavity. The air bag cushion has a collar that defines an open mouth to receive inflating fluid, and the horn switch cavity is dimensioned to contain a horn switch assembly and has an argon edge secured to the air bag cushion and a cavity opening sized to receive a horn switch assembly. In accordance with another aspect of the presinvon, there is provided an air bag cushion assembly for use in an air bag module. The airbag cushion assembly comprises a foolproof air bag cushion, a cushion band, and a horn switch cavity. The airbag cushion has a collar that defines an open mouth to receive inflating fluid. , and the cushion band has a strap. A first end of the belt extends from the collar of the airbag cushion and the belt is dimensioned to bridge through the bair bosla cushion. A second end of the strap is secured to the collar of the airbag cjín to retain the airbag cushion in a bcondition. A weakened portion of the belt is breakable during inflation of the airbag cushion. The horn switch cavity is dimensioned to contain a horn switch assembly and has a marginal edge secured to the belt and a cavity opening sized to receive a horn switch assembly. A horn switch cavity of conformity with the presinvon allows a horn switch assembly to be mounted within an air bag module without being heat sealed or welded to an air bag module cover.

The invention, together with objects, features, advantages and additional aspects thereof, is more clearly understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air bag cushion assembly according to the present invention, including an air bag cushion and horn switch cavity; Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in upper elevation of the air bag cushion assembly of Figure 1, with the folded air bag cushion and the horn switch cavity positioned on the folded air bag cushion and which contains a horn switch; Figure 3 is an additional enlarged elevational view, partly in section, of the air-cushion cushion assembly of Figure 2 mounted within an air bag module; Figure 4 is a detailed view of another air bag cushion assembly in accordance with the present invention, including an air bag cushion and a cushion band having a horn switch cavity; Figure 5 is a top elevational view, enlarged of the air bag cushion assembly of Figure 4 with the air bag cushion folded, the cushion band retaining the air bag cushion in its folded position and the horn switch cavity positioned on the cushion band and cushion of the folded air bag and containing a horn switch; and Figure 6 is an additional view in side elevation, amplified, partially in section, of the air bag cushion assembly of Figure 5 mounted within an air bag module. The same reference numbers refer to the same elements through the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, the present invention is directed to an air bag cushion assembly 10 that includes an air cushion cushion 12 having a horn switch speed 14. . The airbag cushion 12 has a collar 16 which forms an open mouth 18 and which has a plurality of fastener receiving holes 20. An air bag cushion and the material that comrpenses an air bag cushion are known to those experienced in the field. The horn interuptor cavity 14, which can be made from the same material as the airbag cushion 12, is generally rectangular and has a marginal edge comprising two longer opposite edges 22 and two opposite edges 24, 25 more shorts As shown, the two opposite opposite edges 22, 23 and a shorter opposite opposite edge 24 are secured to the bag cushion 12 by sewing 25, and the other shorter opposite edge 25 forms a cavity opening 28 sized to receive a speaker switch assembly. The horn switch cavity 14 is dimensioned to contain a horn switch assembly 42, and is positioned on the side of the air bag cushion 12 towards the collar 15, as opposed to being positioned on the opposite air bag cushion. to the collar, so that the horn switch cavity is less likely to become-in contact with an occupant during deployment of the air bag cushion. Referring to Figure 3, the air bag assembly 10, with the folded air bag cushion 12, is mounted on an air bag module 30 that also includes an inflator 32, a module housing 34 and an air bag module cover 36. The air bosla module 30 is a type of conductor side of the air bosia module to be in the hub of a flywheel. The air bag module 30 is known to those experienced in the field and, therefore, is only described in detail as it is relevant to the present invention. The collar 16 of the airbag cushion 12 is sandwiched between an annular retainer ring 38 and the module housing 34, and fastened with fastener fasteners comprising bolts 40 extending from the retainer ring. The four bolts 40, which may be unitary with the retainer ring 38, pass through the four bracket receiving holes of the collar 36 of the airbag cushion 12 and are secured with -nuts 41 to secure the collar of the air bag. air bag cushion - to module housing 34. As shown in Figure 1, the collar 16 of the airbag cushion 12 is normally mounted or secured to the retainer ring and bolts 40 to form a subassembly for shipping and handling before being mounted on the airbag module. The horn switch cavity 14 is shown to contain the horn switch assembly 42 having appropriate components such as a horn switch 43, a reinforcing plate 44 and a conductor 45 connectable to a remote horn control circuit ( not shown) for example. The airbag module cover 36 includes a horn activation face 47 having an external surface 47a and an internal surface 47b. It is intended that the driver apply pressure to the external surface 47a of the horn activation face 47 of the air bag module cover 36 to activate the horn switch 43 of the horn switch assembly 42. The air bag cushion 12 is bent so that the horn switch cavity 14 and the horn switch assembly 42 are positioned between the bent air bossa cushion and the inner surface 47b of the horn activation face 47. of cover 36 of air bag module. For purposes of illustration, the airbag cushion 12 is bent in a loose fashion and packaged within the air bag module cover 36. In fact, the airbag cushion 12 and the horn switch assembly 42 are tightly packed in the inner surface 47b of the boot activation face 47 of the air bag module cover 36, so that the horn activation face does not have to be pressed too far to operate the horn switch 43. Also, for purposes of illustration, the air bosla cushion 12 is shown more -large than the real one. The horn activation face 47 of the air bag module cover 36 has a tear and joint seam 48 for allowing the air bag cushion 12 to break through the air bag module cover during the deployment. The horn switch cavity 14 should be placed in the air bag cushion 12 so that it will last <In the deployment of the air cushion cushion, the cavity opening 28 is generally oriented downward toward the collar 16 of the airbag cushion to reduce the likelihood that the horn switch assembly 42 will be pulled out of the air bag. horn switch cavity. As shown, the horn interlock cavity 14 is preferably positioned so that the cavity gap 28 extends below the tear-off seam 48 to ensure that the cavity opening will remain within the cover. 36 of air bag module during deployment of the airbag cushion 12, so that the horn switch assembly 42 does not fall out. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, another air bag cushion assembly 50 according to the present invention is shown and includes an air bag cushion 52, a cushion band 54 and a horn switch cavity 56. The air bosla cushion 52 has a collar 58 that forms an open mouth 59 and has four holding holes 60 The cushion band 54, which can be made from the same material as the air bag cushion 52, is to retain the folded air bag cushion 52 in a folded condition and includes a collar 62 and a band or strap 64. The collar 62 is similar to the collar 58 of the air bag cushion 52, defines four receiving noses 65 of fastener, and is positioned adjacent to the collar 58 of the air bag cushion 52. The collar 62 of the cushion band 54 could also be secured to the collar 58 of the air bag crank 52 as a unitary piece by sewing for example. The belt 64 has a first end 67 extending from the collar 62 of the cushion band 54. In the native alteration, the cushion band 54 could be provided without the collar 62 and the first end 67 of the belt 64 could extend from the collar 58 to the air bag cushion 52. The strap 64 bridges through the folded air bag cushion 52 and has a second end 68 which is connectable to either the collar 58 of the air bag cushion 52, the collar 62 of the cushion band 54 or a ring of catch. As shown, two tabs 70, 72 which define pin receiving holes 71, 73 extend from the second end 68 of the strap 64 for attachment to a detent ring as explained below. It is important that the strap 64 be broken during deployment of the air bag cushion 52 so as not to interfere with the operation of the air bag cushion 52. The strap 64 therefore must be slotted, perforated or otherwise have a weakened portion that can be broken during the deployment of the cushion. As shown, the weakened portion comprises the two tabs 70, 72 since the tabs are relatively very narrow compared to the strap -64 so that the tabs will break during the deployment of the cushion. The horn switch cavity 56 is generally rectangular and has a marginal edge comprising two opposed edges 76 77 longer and two shorter opposite edges 78, 79. As shown, the two opposite longer edges 76, 77 and a shorter opposite edge 78 are secured to the belt 64 of the cushion band 54 by stitching 80, and the other opposite edge 79 -shorter forms a cavity opening 81 sized to receive a horn switch assembly 83. The horn switch cavity 56 is dimensioned to contain the horn switch assembly 83, and is positioned on the belt 64 so that the horn switch cavity is on the belt -64 and the air bag cushion 52. bent.

Referring to Figure 6, the air bag assembly 50 is mounted on an air bag module 85 that also includes an inflator 86, a module housing 87 and an air bag module cover 88. The collar 58 of the airbag cushion 52 and the collar 62 of the cushion belt 54 are sandwiched between an annular retainer ring 89 and the module-seat 87 and secured with four bolts 91 as -strands extending from the 89 retainer ring. The bolts 91, which may be unitary with the retainer ring 89, pass through the collet-holder holes 58 of the air bag cushion 52 and the holder-receiving holes 65 of the collar 62 of the air bag cushion 52. cushion band 54 and secured with nuts 92 to secure the bag-air cushion collar and the cushion band collar to the retainer ring 89. Two of the four bolts 91 also pass through the receiving holes 71, 73 of the two tongues 70, 72 extending from the second end 68 of the belt 64 to secure the second end of the belt to the housing 87 of the belt. module. As shown in Figure 4, the collar 58 of the air bag cushion 52 and the collar 62 of the cushion band 54 are normally mounted or secured to the retainer ring 89 and bolts 91 to form a sub-assembly for boarding and handling before mounting on the airbag module. The horn switch cavity 56 is shown by counting the horn switch assembly 83 having suitable components such as a horn switch 93, a reinforcing plate 94 and a conductor 95 connecting the circuit breaker to a circuit horn remote control (not shown) by -example. The airbag module cover 88 includes a horn activation shell 97 having an external surface 97a and an inner surface 97b. It is intended that a driver apply pressure to the external surface 97a of the horn activation face 97 of the air bag module cover 88-to activate the horn switch 93 of the horn switch assembly 83. The horn switch cavity 56 and the horn switch assembly 83 are positioned directly below the inner surface 97b of the horn activation face 97 of the air bag module cover 88. For illustrative purposes, the airbag cushion 52 is shown loosely bent and packaged within the airbag module cover 88. In reality, the airbag cushion 52 and the horn switch assembly 83 are hermetically packaged against the inner surface 97a of the horn activation face 97 of the air bosse module cover 88. , so that the horn activation face does not have to be depressed much to actuate the horn switch 93. Also, for purposes of illustration, the air bag cushion 52 is shown to be thicker than the actual one. The horn activation face 97 of the air bag module cover 88 has a tear seam 98 and an articulation 99. During deployment of the air bag cushion 52, the horn activation face 97 breaks in the seam -98 of tearing and oscillating outside the path of the air bag cushion around the articulation 99. The cushion band 54 is preferably positioned with respect to the air bag module cover 88 so that when the airbag cushion 52 is deployed, the breakage of the tabs 70, 72, the collar 64 and the horn switch cavity 56 will swing out of the path of the airbag cushion in the same direction as the face 97 of horn activation of air bag module cover 88. As shown, the horn switch cavity 56 is positioned on the belt 64 so that when the belt oscillates out of the path of the air bag cushion 52, the cavity opening 81 will generally face downward toward the collar 62. of the cushion band 54 to reduce the likelihood of the horn switch assembly 83 being pulled out of the horn switch cavity. In the alternative, the cushion band 54 could be positioned with respect to the air bosse module cover 88 so that the belt 64 and horn switch cavity 56 oscillate out of the path of the air bag cushion 52 in the opposite direction to the horn activation face 97 of the air bag module cover 88. In that case, the bobbin switch cavity 56 should be positioned so that the cavity opening 81 is oriented downwardly as the belt 64 swings away from the path of the airbag cushion 52, and preferably from the The cavity opening extends downwardly from the tear pocket 98 to ensure that the cavity opening will remain within the air bag or module cover 88 during deployment of the air bag cushion. to reduce to an additional minimum the probability that the set 83 of horn switch fall out. A horn cut-off cavity in accordance with the present invention allows a horn switch assembly to be mounted within an air bag module without being stacked thermally or welded to an air bag module cover. The horn switch assembly is simply inserted into the cavity or horn switch bag during assembly of the air leakage module, and is separated from the horn switch cavity during service or replacement of the coil switch assembly . The present invention may include other changes and modifications without abandoning its true spirit and scope. For example, the bite switch cavity could be configured differently from that shown and described to accommodate a different set of horn switch. Also, the horn switch cavity could be secured to the airbag cushion or belt by means other than sewing, such as an appropriate adhesive, for example. Many changes are possible. Since other requirements and environments varied to suit particular requirements and environments of oepration will be evident to those experienced in the field, the invention is not considered limited to the examples selected for purposes of illustration, and includes all changes and modifications. that they do not constitute an exit from the true spirit and scope of this invention as claimed in the following clauses and equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

1. - An air bag cushion assembly for use in an air bag module, the assembly comprising: an air bag cushion having a collar defining an open mouth for receiving inflating fluid; and a cavity or horn switch bag dimension to contain a horn switch assembly, the horn switch cavity having a cavity opening sioned to receive a horn switch assembly, the horn switch cavity secured to the horn switch cavity. air bag cushion.

2. An air bag cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a retainer ring secured to the cushion of the air bag cushion.

3. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a horn switch assembly contained within the horn switch cavity.

4. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the horn declimber cavity has a marginal edge, at least a portion of the marginal edge secured to the air bag cushion.

5. - The air bag cushion assembly of claim 4, wherein: the horn switch cavity is generally rec_ tangular with a marginal edge that is divided into two longer opposite edges and two shorter opposite edges, both b? There are two longitudinal opposing edges and one shorter optic edge comprising one portion of the marginal edge secured to the air bag cushion, and the other shorter opposite edge forming the cavity opening.

6. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 5, wherein: the marginal edge portion of the horn interlock cavity is secured to the air bag cushion by costu re. 7.- The air bag cushion assembly of the reivij? 1, further comprising: a cushion band including a belt having a first end extending from the collar of the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion being bent, the belt bridging through the airbag. folded air bag cushion and having a second end secured to the air bag cushion collar to retain the air bag cushion in a-bent condition, a weakened portion of the breakable belt during inflation of the air bag cushion air; and the horn switch cavity having a marginal edge, at least a portion of the marginal edge secured to the belt between the first end and the second end. 8. A set of air-cushion cushion of claim 7, wherein: the cushion strap having a collar secured to the air bag cushion collar, the first end of the strap extending from the collar the cushion band, and the second end of the strap secured to the collar of the cushion band. 9. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein: the horn switch cavity which is generally rectangular with the marginal edge being divided into two longer opposite edges and two shorter opposite edges, the two longer opposites and a shorter opposite edge comprising one portion of the marginal edge secured to the belt, and the other opposite edge shorter forming the cavity opening. 10. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 9, wherein: the marginal edge portion of the horn inter- face cavity is secured to the cushion band belt by sewing. 11. A cushion band for use with an inflatable, folded air bag cushion having a collar defining an open mouth for receiving inflation fluid, the cushion band comprising: a strap having a first end insurable to the air bag cushion collar, the belt dimensioned to bridge the air bag cushion bent and having a securable second end to the collar of the air bag cushion to retain the air bag cushion. air in a bent condition, a weakened portion of the breakable strap during the airbag cushion i_n; and i a horn switch cavity sized to contain a horn switch assembly, and having a bor. of marginal and a cavity opening diraensionada to receive a set of horn switch, at least a portion of the marginal edge secured to the belt between the first end and the second end of the belt. 12. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a horn switch assembly contained within the horn switch cavity. 13. The cushion band of claim 11, in d? of: the cushion band having a collar insurable to the air bag cushion collar, the first end of the belt extending from the cushion band collar, and the second end of the insurable strap to the collar of the cushion cushion band 14 The cushion band of claim 13, in d? of: the horn switch cavity which is generally rectangular with the marginal edge being divided into two opposite longer edges and two shorter opposite edges, the two longer opposite sides and a shorter opposite edge comprising a portion of the marginal edge secured to the belt, and the other opposite edge shorter forming the cavity opening. 15. The cushion band of claim 14, in d? of: the marginal edge portion of the horn interlock cavity is secured to the belt of the cushion band by sewing. 16. An airbag cushion assembly for use in an air bag module, the assembly comprising: an inflatable, folded airbag cushion having a collar defining an open mouth for receiving fluid from the airbag.; a retainer ring secured to the cushion collar of the air bag; a cushion band including a strap and a collar, the collar secured to the retainer ring and the strap having a first end extending from the cushion band colar, the belt bridging through the bent air bosla cushion and having a second end secured to the restraint ring for retaining the airbag cushion in a bent condition, a weakened portion of the strap being breakable during inflation of the airbag cushion; and a horn switch cavity sized to contain a horn switch assembly and having a cavity opening sized to receive a horn switch assembly, the horn switch cavity secured to the air bag cushion. 1

7. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 14, wherein: the horn switch cavity having a marginal edge, at least a portion of the marginal edge secured to the belt between the first end and the second end. 1

8. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 17, wherein: the horn switch cavity being generally rectangular and having a marginal edge divided into two longer opposite edges and two shorter opposite edges, the two bo Longer opposites and a shorter opposite edge comprising one portion of the marginal edge secured to the belt, and the other opposite edge shorter forming the cavity opening. 1

9. The air-cushion cushion assembly of claim 18, wherein: the two longer opposed edges and a shorter opposite edge of the marginal edge of the boundary switch cavity being secured to the belt of the band. of cushion by sewing. 20. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 19, wherein: the air bag cushion collar having a plurality of fastener receiving holes; the collar of the cushion band having a plurality of fastener receiving holes; a plurality of fasteners extending from the retainer ring through the plurality of fastener receiving holes in the collar of the air bag cushion and through the plurality of fastener receiving holes in the collar of the cushion band for secure the cushion collar of the airbag and the collar of the cushion band of the retention ring; and two tabs extending from the second end of the strap, each tab defining a fastener receiving hole positioned around a fastener of the plurality of fasteners extending from the retainer ring to secure the second end of the strap to the ring of detent, the weakened portion of the belt comprising the two tabs. 21. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 20, wherein: the horn switch cavity positioned on the cushion band belt so that the horn switch cavity is positioned between the belt and a horn activation face of an air bag module in the cover of an air bag module when the air bag cushion assembly is mounted in the air bag module. 22. The air bag cushion assembly of claim 21, further comprising: a horn switch assembly contained within the horn switch cavity. 10 145 0 5