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WO2003059703A1 - Ensemble volant de direction - Google Patents

Ensemble volant de direction Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003059703A1
WO2003059703A1 PCT/SE2002/002441 SE0202441W WO03059703A1 WO 2003059703 A1 WO2003059703 A1 WO 2003059703A1 SE 0202441 W SE0202441 W SE 0202441W WO 03059703 A1 WO03059703 A1 WO 03059703A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cover
steering wheel
elements
recess
arrangement according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/SE2002/002441
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mats ÅHMAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Autoliv Development AB
Original Assignee
Autoliv Development AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Autoliv Development AB filed Critical Autoliv Development AB
Priority to AU2002359215A priority Critical patent/AU2002359215A1/en
Publication of WO2003059703A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003059703A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
    • B60R21/2165—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
    • B60R21/21656—Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/217—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
    • B60R2021/2172—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together the cover being connected to the surrounding part and to the module, e.g. floating mounts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns

Definitions

  • THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a steering wheel arrangement, and more particularly relates to a steering wheel arrangement for use in a motor vehicle such as a motor car.
  • an air-bag unit mounted on a steering wheel, with the air-bag unit comprising a housing containing an air-bag and an inflator adapted to inflate the air-bag in the event that an accident should occur.
  • the air-bag is configured to be located in front of the driver of a vehicle when the air-bag is inflated to provide a cushioning or protective effect.
  • a steering wheel arrangement comprising a steering wheel having a rim and a frame which is adapted to be connected to a steering column, there being an air-bag cover mounted on the steering wheel, the cover and the steering wheel having co-operating retaining formations, in the form of at least one triangular recess and at least one projecting element received within the recess, the cover being resiliently biased to urge the or each projecting element into engagement with part of the recess in which it is received to retain the cover in position, the cover being moveable against the bias with a floating movement.
  • each projecting element being received within a respective recess.
  • the projecting elements are present on the cover and the said recesses are present in retaining elements mounted on the steering wheel.
  • the retaining elements are two-part elements each with a split-line passing through each recess.
  • contact elements are provided which, on movement of the cover, complete a horn circuit.
  • an air-bag is retained in position beneath the cover, the cover being rupturable in response to inflation of the air-bag.
  • the cover is provided with first restricting elements which extend from an inner surface of the cover and which are engaged by cooperating second restricting elements mounted on the steering wheel.
  • the said first restricting elements are provided with elongate apertures, the second restricting elements being hooks provided on the steering wheel which engage with said apertures.
  • a steering wheel arrangement comprising a steering wheel having a frame adapted to be fixed to a steering column and a rim, the frame supporting a gas generator associated with an air-bag, there being a rupturable cover for the air-bag, the cover being movable relative to the frame of the steering wheel to bring electrical contact elements carried by the wheel and the cover into contact with each other, the cover being associated with resilient elements resiliently biasing the cover upwardly away from the gas generator, there being at least one retaining element on the steering wheel located adjacent the periphery of the cover, the retaining element and the cover being provided with at least one set of co-operating retaining formations, one of the or each set of formations comprising a triangular recess and the other of the or each set of formations comprising a projection extending into the recess.
  • each formation comprising a recess and a projection extending into the recess.
  • each recess is in a retaining element on the steering wheel, and each projection is on the cover.
  • each recess has an upwardly directed apex, and each projection is a projecting element which extends substantially in a plane which receives the cover of the air-bag.
  • the or each retaining element is formed of two components which are fastened together, having a split-line passing through each recess in the retaining element.
  • the frame is provided with two upstanding arms at spaced- apart positions, each arm carrying, at its upper end, an electrical contact, the cover having electrical contacts co-aligned with the contacts provided on the arms of the frame.
  • the resilient elements are helical compression springs which surround the contacts provided on the frame and the contacts provided on the cover, the springs serving to bias the cover away from the gas generator.
  • the cover is provided with depending restricting elements which extend down towards a lower part of the steering wheel frame, the depending restricting elements being apertured and engaging hooks which extend upwardly from the lower part of the steering wheel.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a steering wheel in accordance with the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 1,
  • FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure 2
  • FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of part of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3
  • FIGURE 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • a steering wheel arrangement in which an air-bag is mounted within a chamber partly defined by a "floating" or movable top cover.
  • the top cover of the chamber may be depressed against a spring bias in order to actuate a horn.
  • a steering wheel 1 which has an outer rim 2.
  • the outer rim is provided with a plurality of spokes 3, 4, 5, which extend substantially radially inwardly from the rim towards a central part of the steering wheel.
  • an air-bag unit 6 Located towards the centre of the steering wheel is an air-bag unit 6 which, as will become clear from the following description, has a movable upper cover 7.
  • the elongate elements 8, 9, each extend from a point on the rim 2 adjacent the base of the spoke 5, and past the side of the air-bag unit 6, continuing, overlying part of the spoke 3 or 4 respectively to a further point on the rim 2 adjacent the end of the spoke 3 or 4.
  • the steering wheel of Figure 1 incorporates a support frame 10.
  • the support frame 10 is adapted to be mounted securely in position on the steering column of a motor vehicle by a fixing arrangement which is not illustrated.
  • the support frame 10 includes a generally planar base 11. At two opposite sides, the base 11 is provided with upwardly directed support plates or arms 12, 13. The upper end of each support plate or arm is provided with at least one upwardly directed cylindrical projection 14, 15.
  • the base 11, the support plates or arms 12, 13, and the projections 14, 15 are all made of metal.
  • An aperture is provided in the centre of the base 11 which receives, in a conventional manner, a gas generator or inflator 16.
  • the gas generator or inflator 16 is provided to inject gas into an air-bag 17 which is initially tightly folded and lies immediately above the gas generator 16.
  • the air-bag 17 may be held in the folded state by a rupturable cover or breakable straps.
  • each hook element In the described embodiment four upwardly extending hook elements are provided which each extend upwardly from the base 11. Two spaced-apart identical hook elements 18 lie adjacent the plate 12, and two spaced-apart identical hook elements 19 lie adjacent the plate 13. Each hook element terminates with an outwardly directed horizontal arm 20, 21. The horizontal arms 20, 21 are located above the base 11, and terminate adjacent the respective plates 12 and 13.
  • the cover 7 is provided with a generally planar upper region 22 which may be provided with one or more lines of mechanical weakness 23, to facilitate the rupturing of the cover on inflation of the air-bag 17 so that the air- bag 17 may be deployed in an appropriate manner.
  • the cover is provided, on its under-surface, with two depending elements 24, 25. Each element is provided with two elongate apertures 26, 27 therein.
  • each aperture is perpendicular to the plane of the planar upper region of the cover.
  • the apertures 26 receive the free ends of the horizontally extending arms 20, and the elongate apertures 27 receive the free ends of the horizontally extending arms 21.
  • each depending element is replaced by two spaced-apart depending legs, each leg having an elongate aperture therein.
  • the cover is provided with at least two outwardly extending projections 32, 33, which may be in the form of integrally formed pins which extend outwardly beyond the periphery of the planar upper region 22 of the cover 7 within the plane of that planar upper region 22.
  • Each recess is of generally triangular form with an apex at the upper part of the recess.
  • Each retaining element as shown in Figure 2, may be formed of a two-part form, the two parts being snapped together or otherwise interconnected to form the complete retaining element, with the split-line between the two parts intersecting the recesses 34, 35.
  • the gas generator and the associated air-bag will initially be mounted in position on the base 11 of the frame 10. Subsequently the cover 7 will be mounted in position, and the depending elements 24, 25 of the cover and the upstanding hooks 18, 19 provided on the base, will be so manipulated that the horizontally extending arms 20, 21 are received within the respective apertures 26 and 27.
  • the hook elements 18, 19 may have a snap-action function.
  • the springs 30 and 31 will be trapped in position during this procedure.
  • the projections 32 and 33 will be received and retained within the recesses 34, 35, possibly by snapping on the upper part of the retaining elements 8 and 9 after the cover 7 has been initially located in position.
  • the springs 30, 31 will bias each projection 32, 33 into engagement with the upper apex of the respective recess 34, 35.
  • the cover 7 may be moved upwardly and downwardly by the application of pressure to the upper region 22 of the cover. As the cover moves downwardly, the depending elements 24 and 25 will move slightly, but this movement is permitted by virtue of the fact that the horizontally extending arms 20, 21 of the hook elements 18, 19 are located within elongate apertures 26, 27 which have an appropriate vertical extent. As the cover 7 is moved downwardly, so electrical contact may be established between the contacts 28 and 29, and the upstanding cylindrical projections 14 and 15, thus completing a horn circuit. The cover 7 is thus a "floating" button which, when depressed, actuates a horn.
  • the cover 7 is prevented from becoming disconnected from the steering wheel under the bias of the springs 30, 31 and is thus retained by the engagement of the projections 32 and 33 within the triangular recesses 34, 35.
  • the projections and recesses constitute cooperating retaining formations. Because the recesses are triangular, if the cover 7 is depressed, thus compressing the compression springs 30 and 31, the cover 7 will have a certain degree of freedom of movement which provides the cover with a desirable feel.
  • the nature of the triangular recesses is such that the projections 32, 33 will each be guided to the upper apex of the appropriate recess, and thus the cover 7 will return to the desired position.
  • the cover or straps retaining the air-bag will rupture or break, and the horizontal part of the cover will rupture, along the lines of mechanical weakness 23, to form separate parts that open like doors to permit the air-bag to escape.
  • the cover parts will not be discharged from the central part of the steering wheel, because the cover parts will be retained by virtue of the engagement of the hook elements 18 and 19, with the apertures 26, 27 formed in the depending elements 24, 25, provided on the cover 7.
  • the depending elements 24, 25 and the hook elements 18, 19, thus act as co-operating restricting elements which restrict movement of the cover parts away from the steering wheel, and which prevent the cover parts from becoming separated from the steering wheel.
  • projections 32, 33 there will be at least two projections 32, 33 on opposed sides of the cover to ensure that the cover returns to a desired position, and in a preferred embodiment there may be a greater number of projections, each co-operating with an appropriately dimensioned and located recess.
  • projecting pins may be provided on the retaining elements, with those projecting pins being received within recesses formed on the periphery of the cover.
  • the recesses in such an embodiment may again be of triangular form, but each having a downwardly directed apex.
  • FIG 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 illustrating an alternative form of retaining element where the retaining elements 36, 37 are of annular form. As well as having a part that lies adjacent the spoke 4 and which passes by the side of the air-bag unit 6, each element covers a respective spoke 3 or 4. Each element has a portion which extends, from the base of the spoke 3 or 4, adjacent the interior of the rim, back to the base of the spoke 5.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

L'ensemble volant de direction de cette invention possède un volant de direction comprenant un cadre qui définit une jante devant être reliée à la colonne de direction. Une enveloppe d'airbag (7) est montée sur le volant de direction. Cette enveloppe (7) et le volant de direction possèdent des formations de retenue coopérantes (33), (35), sous la forme d'un évidement (35) situé dans un élément de retenue (9) dans le volant de direction, et d'un élément en saillie (33) située sur l'enveloppe (7). L'enveloppe (7) est sollicitée de façon élastique (30) pour pousser l'élément en saillie (33) à s'engager dans une partie de l'évidement (9). L'enveloppe (7) peut être déplacée sous sollicitation du ressort avec un mouvement de flottement.
PCT/SE2002/002441 2002-01-16 2002-12-23 Ensemble volant de direction Ceased WO2003059703A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002359215A AU2002359215A1 (en) 2002-01-16 2002-12-23 A steering wheel arrangement

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0200952A GB2384211A (en) 2002-01-16 2002-01-16 A steering wheel arrangement
GB0200952.0 2002-01-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003059703A1 true WO2003059703A1 (fr) 2003-07-24

Family

ID=9929185

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2002/002441 Ceased WO2003059703A1 (fr) 2002-01-16 2002-12-23 Ensemble volant de direction

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002359215A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2384211A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003059703A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007145549A1 (fr) * 2006-06-15 2007-12-21 Autoliv Development Ab Dispositif de sécurité et son procédé d'assemblage
WO2008051117A1 (fr) * 2006-10-25 2008-05-02 Autoliv Development Ab Dispositif d'actionnement de klaxon et dispositif de sécurité pour un véhicule motorisé comportant un dispositif d'actionnement de klaxon
DE102007001476A1 (de) * 2007-01-09 2008-07-10 Takata-Petri Ag Gassackmodul
CN101535093A (zh) * 2006-11-13 2009-09-16 奥托立夫开发公司 一种安全气囊外壳装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20316601U1 (de) * 2003-10-29 2004-03-11 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh Gassackmodul

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2270883A (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-03-30 Autoliv Dev A steering wheel structure
GB2309123A (en) * 1996-01-15 1997-07-16 Autoliv Dev A steering wheel assembly
DE19852003A1 (de) * 1997-11-12 1999-05-20 Trw Repa Gmbh Fahrzeuglenkrad mit integriertem Gassack-Modul
EP0945311A2 (fr) * 1998-03-23 1999-09-29 TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG Dispositif de protection en cas d'accident

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2328188B (en) * 1995-03-17 1999-09-01 Patent Holding Co An air bag cover with a hidden switch assembly
US6250666B1 (en) * 1998-03-23 2001-06-26 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Airbag housing with horn mechanism
JPH11297155A (ja) * 1998-04-07 1999-10-29 Takata Kk ステアリングデバイス

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2270883A (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-03-30 Autoliv Dev A steering wheel structure
GB2309123A (en) * 1996-01-15 1997-07-16 Autoliv Dev A steering wheel assembly
DE19852003A1 (de) * 1997-11-12 1999-05-20 Trw Repa Gmbh Fahrzeuglenkrad mit integriertem Gassack-Modul
EP0945311A2 (fr) * 1998-03-23 1999-09-29 TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG Dispositif de protection en cas d'accident

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007145549A1 (fr) * 2006-06-15 2007-12-21 Autoliv Development Ab Dispositif de sécurité et son procédé d'assemblage
CN101466573B (zh) * 2006-06-15 2011-05-11 奥托立夫开发公司 安全装置及装配安全装置的方法
US8201847B2 (en) 2006-06-15 2012-06-19 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement and a method of assembling a safety arrangement
WO2008051117A1 (fr) * 2006-10-25 2008-05-02 Autoliv Development Ab Dispositif d'actionnement de klaxon et dispositif de sécurité pour un véhicule motorisé comportant un dispositif d'actionnement de klaxon
CN101535093A (zh) * 2006-11-13 2009-09-16 奥托立夫开发公司 一种安全气囊外壳装置
EP2089253A4 (fr) * 2006-11-13 2011-03-16 Autoliv Dev Agencement de recouvrement de coussin de securite gonflable
CN101535093B (zh) * 2006-11-13 2013-04-17 奥托立夫开发公司 一种安全气囊外壳装置
KR101357726B1 (ko) 2006-11-13 2014-02-03 오토리브 디벨로프먼트 에이비 에어백 커버 장치
DE102007001476A1 (de) * 2007-01-09 2008-07-10 Takata-Petri Ag Gassackmodul
DE102007001476B4 (de) * 2007-01-09 2013-07-04 TAKATA Aktiengesellschaft Gassackmodul

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2384211A (en) 2003-07-23
AU2002359215A1 (en) 2003-07-30
GB0200952D0 (en) 2002-03-06

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