Device for actuating an electrical contactor

• US 6,247,723 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Bohn, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Douglas
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/335,541
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/728.3, 200/61.54
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/04 Hand wheels

Abstract

A horn switch on a vehicle includes an actuator (1) connected to the steering wheel via webs (2) resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis. The actuator is normally spaced from a contact foil and, when actuated, urges on the contact foil to establish an electrical contact between opposed contact areas of the foil.

Claims

1. A device comprising an electrical contactor on a vehicle steering wheel and an actuator arranged to be movable to a limited degree relative to said steering wheel in a direction corresponding to a steering wheel axis against a return bias, said actuator being connected to a component of said steering wheel via webs reversibly and resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis in response to axial pressure acting on said actuator, said webs in the deflected state actuating said contactor, thereby providing an electrical contact.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuator is formed by a cover cap for an air bag module accommodated in said steering wheel.

3. A device comprising an electrical actuator on a vehicle steering wheel arranged to be movable to a limited degree relative to said steering wheel in a direction corresponding to a steering wheel axis against a return bias, said actuator being connected to a component of said steering wheel via webs resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis in response to axial pressure acting on said actuator, said actuator being a pressure-sensitive contact foil, said contact foil being arranged on a contact mount extending in the direction of said steering wheel axis.

4. A device comprising an electrical actuator on a vehicle steering wheel arranged to be movable to a limited degree relative to said steering wheel in a direction corresponding to a steering wheel axis against a return bias, said actuator being connected to a component of said steering wheel via webs resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis in response to axial pressure acting on said actuator, said actuator including a contact mount extending in the direction of said steering wheel axis, said contact mount comprising a cylindrical surface area arranged concentric to said steering wheel axis, and including a circumferential contact foil strip applied to a circumferential portion of said cylindrical surface area.

5. A device comprising an electrical actuator on a vehicle steering wheel arranged to be movable to a limited degree relative to said steering wheel in a direction corresponding to a steering wheel axis against a return bias, said actuator being connected to a component of said steering wheel via webs resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis in response to axial pressure acting on said actuator, said actuator including a contact mount extending in the direction of said steering wheel axis, said contact mount comprising a cylindrical surface area arranged concentric to said steering wheel axis, and strip sections of said contact foil applied to a circumferential portion of said cylindrical surface area.

6. A device comprising an electrical actuator on a vehicle steering wheel arranged to be movable to a limited degree relative to said steering wheel in a direction corresponding to a steering wheel axis against a return bias, said actuator being connected to a component of said steering wheel via webs resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis in response to axial pressure acting on said actuator, said contactor having at least one first fixed contact tongue and at least one second resiliently deflectable contact tongue which can be pressed against said first contact tongue by means of said web transverse to said steering wheel axis.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said contact tongues extend substantially in the direction of said steering wheel axis.

8. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein a plurality of pairs of contact tongues are distributed circumferentially in an area concentrical to said steering wheel axis.

9. A device comprising an electrical actuator on a vehicle steering wheel arranged to be movable to a limited degree relative to said steering wheel in a direction corresponding to a steering wheel axis against a return bias, said actuator being connected to a component of said steering wheel via webs resiliently deflectable transversely to said steering wheel axis in response to axial pressure acting on said actuator, said actuator being formed by a cover cap for an air bag module accommodated in said steering wheel, and an inflator mount being fixedly connected to said steering wheel, said mount being generally pot-shaped with a rim extending substantially parallel to said steering wheel axis, said cover cap being connected to said rim via said deflectable webs.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein a contact foil is arranged at said rim of said inflator mount above a fastener location for said webs.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said webs each have a deflection point radially opposite said contact foil.

12. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first contact tongues are arranged on said circumferential rim of said inflator mount and said second contact tongues are arranged at deflection locations of said webs.

13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said deflection locations of said webs are further configured as predetermined breaking areas.

14. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said webs are connected to said rim of said inflator mount by means of clips engaging recesses in said inflator mount, and which clips release on activation of said air bag.