Driver airbag formed contact spring
First Claim
1. An apparatus for reducing gap variation between an airbag module and a steering wheel insert while acting as a horn switch for a horn comprising:
- a contact spring disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert, said contact spring configured having at least two raised locations having one side of each of said at least two raised locations biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn; and
an insulative spring retainer having one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain said contact spring, said retainer configured having at least one said contact aligned with a corresponding said second side of said at least two raised locations, said retainer configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing gap variation between an airbag module and a steering wheel insert while acting as a horn switch for a horn. The apparatus includes a contact spring disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert. The spring has at least two raised locations having one side of each raised location biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn. An insulative spring retainer has one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain the contact spring. The retainer is further configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert and includes at least one contact aligned with a corresponding raised location to actuate the horn upon electrical contact therebetween.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reducing gap variation between an airbag module and a steering wheel insert while acting as a horn switch for a horn comprising:
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a contact spring disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert, said contact spring configured having at least two raised locations having one side of each of said at least two raised locations biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn; and
an insulative spring retainer having one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain said contact spring, said retainer configured having at least one said contact aligned with a corresponding said second side of said at least two raised locations, said retainer configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for allowing a common horn mechanism for different DAB and SW insert configurations comprising:
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a pair of a contact springs disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert, each contact spring configured having at least two raised locations having one side of each of said at least two raised locations biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn; and
a pair of insulative spring retainers, each retainer having one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain a corresponding contact spring of said pair of contact springs, said each retainer configured having at least one said contact aligned with a corresponding said second side of said at least two raised locations, said retainer configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert.
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21. A method for reducing gap variations between an airbag module and a steering wheel insert while providing a horn switch therebetween, the method comprising:
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configuring a contact spring for disposal between the airbag module and the SW insert and having at least two raised locations having one side of each of said at least two raised locations biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn;
securing the contact spring in an insulative spring retainer, said insulative retainer configured to isolate said contact spring form the SW insert, said insulative spring retainer having one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain said contact spring, said retainer configured having at least one said contact aligned with a corresponding said second side of said at least two raised locations; and
operably coupling said retainer to the steering wheel insert.
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22. An air bag module and steering wheel assembly comprising:
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an air bag module including a base plate, an air bag mounted on the base plate, a container enclosing the air bag and connected to the base plate, a plurality of elongated cylindrical mounting members affixed to the base plate for securing the module to a steering wheel insert;
the steering wheel insert attachable to a steering column and having a plurality of apertures receiving the mounting members;
a contact spring disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert, the contact spring configured having at least two raised locations having one side of each of the at least two raised locations biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite the first direction to actuate the horn; and
an insulative spring retainer having one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain the contact spring, the retainer configured having at least one the contact aligned with a corresponding the second side of the at least two raised locations, the retainer configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert, whereby a horn circuit connectable to a power source is closed through contact of the spring with the contact and the horn is activated when the container is depressed.
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Specification