Horn switch integrated with airbag module

• US 20040004344A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hwnag, Jin-chul, Ahn, Jung-bae, Seo, Ju-hyung, Kim, Seo-hong
• Application Number:
  US10/318,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20040004344A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/003 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2037 the module or a major component thereof being yieldably mounted, e.g. for actuating the horn switch or for protecting the driver in a non-deployment situation horn switches integrated in steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21658

Abstract

A horn switch integrated with an airbag module, which is capable of utilizing the inside of a steering wheel more effectively by changing the mounting structure of a horn switch unit installed in the steering wheel, includes a fixed plate fixed in the steering wheel, a moving plate supported vertically movable by a plurality of coil springs mounted at an upper portion of the fixed plate and contacted with a lower portion of the airbag module, and a horn switch unit formed at an upper surface of the fixed plate and generating a horn when the moving plate is moved near or in contact with the fixed plate.

Claims

1. A horn switch integrated with an airbag module received in a steering wheel of an automobile, comprising:

a fixed plate fixed to a boss of the steering wheel;

a moving plate supported vertically movable by a plurality of coil springs mounted at an upper portion of the fixed plate, the moving plate being in contact with a lower portion of the airbag module; and

a horn switch unit for generating an alarm when the moving plate is moved near or contacted with the fixed plate.

2. A horn switch integrated with an airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the fixed plate includes:

a fixed body fixed to the boss of the steering wheel;

a plurality of spring fixing units protruding at four corners of the fixed body to prevent separation of the coil springs, each spring fixing unit having a groove at an upper center for combination; and

guide protrusions respectively protruding at both sides of the fixed body to guide vertical movement of the moving plate.

3. A horn switch integrated with an airbag module according to claim 2, wherein the moving plate includes:

a moving body provided at an upper portion of the fixed plate and having a predetermined thickness;

holes perforated to the moving body with a predetermined diameter corresponding to the spring fixing units in order to combine the fixed plate and the moving plate with a predetermined space by using bolts through the grooves; and

guide parts vertically extended at both sides of the moving body, each guide part having a guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion.

4. A horn switch integrated with an airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the coil spring is interposed between the hole of the moving plate and the spring fixing unit of the fixed plate.

5. A horn switch integrated with an airbag module according to claim 3, wherein a silencing material is inserted into the hole of the moving plate in order to prevent interference between the outer circumference of the bolt and the inside of the hole.

6. A horn switch integrated with an airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the horn switch unit includes:

at least one conductive film attached to a predetermined position on an upper surface of the fixed plate with a predetermined thickness;

at least one contact part inserted to the moving plate in correspondence with the conductive film, the contact part in contact with the conductive film when the moving plate descends; and

at least one cable connected to the contact part and generating an electric signal when the conductive film is in contact with the contact part.