Steering wheel with a static driver airbag module

• US 20060125216A1
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• 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, Ridolfi, Adolfo
• Granted Patent: US 7,350,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/105 Non-rotatable hubs, e.g. the central part of the steering wheel not rotating
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 7/06 with chains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19851 Gear and rotary bodies

Abstract

An assembly of a steering wheel with static airbag module has a rotor portion and a stator portion. A first gear and a second gear are at least partially superimposed. An intermediate supporting element is located between first and second gears with the gears directly axially coupled. An intermediate element has a portion that defines a path for the means for axially coupling said first and second gear to temporarily disengage them from the gears when a relative rotation between the intermediate element and the first and second gears occurs.

Claims

1. An assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module, the assembly comprising:

a rotor portion and a stator portion;

a first gear and a second gear, which are at least partially superimposed;

an intermediate element supporting said first and second gear; and

a means for axially coupling said first and second gear;

said intermediate element having at least a first portion interposed between said two gears and at least a second portion extending from said first portion, said second portion defining a path for said means for axially coupling said first and second gear to disengage said means from said gears and to successively engage again said means with said gears when a relative rotation between said intermediate element and said first and second gear occurs.

2. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said first and second gears are circular toothed wheels arranged coaxially.

3. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 2, wherein said first gear is a driving gear coupled to the ring portion of said steering wheel, and said second gears are driven gears coupled to a vehicle steering shaft, and said intermediate element is coupled to said airbag module and to said vehicle to remain stationary.

4. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 3, wherein said means for axially coupling said first and second gear are moved by said driving gear and transmit torque and motion to said driven gear, guided by said at least a first part and said at least a second part of the intermediate element.

5. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 2, wherein said first gear is coupled to said airbag module in a stationary position with respect to said vehicle, said second gear is coupled in a stationary position to said vehicle, and said intermediate element is coupled to the ring portion of said steering wheel and to a vehicle steering shaft, wherein a relative circulation of said means for axially coupling said first and second gear with respect to said intermediate element occurs, said means for axially coupling said first and second gear being guided by said at least a first part and said at least one second part of the intermediate element.

6. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said first part of said intermediate element has a substantially circular shape and said at least one second part of said intermediate element has a lobe shape.

7. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 4, wherein when said means for axially coupling said first and second gear are guided by said at least one first part of said intermediate element they engage said gears, and when said means for axially coupling said first and second gear are guided by said at least one second part of said intermediate element they are moved apart from said gears.

8. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 4, wherein said gears slidingly rotate on said first part of said intermediate element.

9. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 6, wherein said intermediate element is provided with a through-hole that communicates an exit opening of said at least one lobe-shaped part with an exit opening of said first part through said gears.

10. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said means for axially coupling said first and second gear are rollers having a cylindrical core engaging the grooves between two superimposed teeth of said gears, and two or more disc portions for the vertical abutment of the means for axially coupling said first and second gear one with another.

11. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 6, wherein said means for axially coupling said first and second gear are linked to form a chain.

12. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises one or more bearings interposed between said intermediate element and said gears to resist forces substantially acting along their axis.

13. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according claim 1, wherein said intermediate element is provided with a guiding groove and said means for axially coupling said first and second gear have at least one disc portion which at least partially fits said groove.

14. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 1, wherein said gears are internally toothed wheels and said second portion of said intermediate element is protruding internally to said element and said gears.

15. The assembly of a steering wheel and a static driver airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a casing that co-operates with said intermediate element and said gears to guide said means for axially coupling said first and second gear.