Assembly for retaining an airbag module to a steering wheel

• US 20050248135A1
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ridolfi, Roberto, Poli, Valerio, Anselmi, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,994 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/731
• 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

An assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel of a vehicle has the airbag module moveable between a resting position and a working position, corresponding to the actuation of the horn of the vehicle. Advantageously, the retaining assembly drives the airbag module exclusively along parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel, providing constant horn activation loads.

Claims

4-1. The assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical elements comprise hinges.

17. An assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel of a vehicle comprising a means for coupling the airbag module to a steering wheel frame, the airbag module being moveable between a resting position and a working position corresponding to the actuation of a horn of the vehicle, the assembly having only one switch to activate the horn, the airbag module being movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel such that for any location on the airbag module where a depressing force is applied the operation of the horn is substantially the same.

18. An assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel of a vehicle comprising a means for coupling the airbag module to a steering wheel frame, the airbag module being moveable between a resting position and a working position corresponding to the actuation of a horn of the vehicle, the assembly having only one switch to activate the horn, the airbag module being movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel such that for any location on the airbag module where a depressing force is applied the operation of the horn is substantially the same, the means for coupling comprising mechanical elements for transmitting only a displacement parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel, imparted to a first location on the airbag module, to at least one second location on the airbag module.

19. The assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel comprising mechanical elements according claim 18 further comprising at least one resilient member interposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel frame for returning the airbag module to the resting position upon activation of the horn.

20. The assembly of an airbag module and a steering wheel according to claim 18, wherein the mechanical elements are rigid to transmit substantially identical displacements from the first location to the second location.