Switch assembly for an airbag module attachment

• US 6,860,509 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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: Testa, Giuseppe, Luo, Jason, Ridolfi, Adolfo, Xu, Xiaoping, Girardi, Federico
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sliteris, Joselynn Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/340,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20030151237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/728.2, 200/61.54, 200/61.55, 200/61.57
• 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 vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.

Claims

1. A snap-in switch assembly comprising:

a first switch portion;

a first switch engagement member extending from said first switch portion engageable with an airbag cover, wherein said first switch engagement member includes one or more substantially hook shaped engagement members engageable with one or more substantially hook shaped members extending from the airbag cover;

a pair of alignment pins extending from said first switch portion;

a second switch portion, said first switch portion being movably engageable with said second switch portion;

a second switch engagement member extending from said second switch portion engageable with a steering wheel hub, wherein said second switch engagement member includes a pair of substantially pin shaped engagement members having an extended portion, each substantially pin shaped engagement member engageable with an aperture defined by the steering wheel hub, and further including an alignment aperture for receiving one of said alignment pins of said first switch portion;

a biasing member mounted between said first switch portion and said second switch portion to bias said first switch portion relative to said second switch portion, said biasing member including a first contact; and

a second contact, said first contact being movable relative to said second contact.

2. The snap-in switch assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a first electrical connection extending from said first contact and a second electrical connection extending from said second contact.

3. The snap-in switch assembly according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of switch assemblies electrically connected to said first electrical connection and said second electrical connection.

4. The snap-in switch assembly according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of switch assemblies are connected in parallel.

5. A switch assembly comprising:

a first switch portion;

a first switch engagement member extending from said first switch portion engageable with an airbag module;

a second switch portion, said first switch portion being movably engageable with said second switch portion;

a second switch engagement member extending from said second switch portion engageable with a steering wheel hub;

a biasing member mounted between said first switch portion and said second switch portion to bias said first switch portion relative to said second switch portion, said biasing member including a first contact;

a second contact, said first contact being movable relative to said second contact;

a first electrical connection extending from and electrically connected to said first contact through the biasing member and a second electrical connection extending from said second contact; and

a flexible casing extending from said second switch portion including said first electrical connection and said second electrical connection molded therewith.

6. The switch assembly according to claim 5 further comprising a plurality of switch assemblies electrically connected to said first electrical connection and said second electrical connection.

7. The switch assembly according to claim 5 wherein said plurality or switch assemblies are connected in parallel.

8. A switch assembly comprising:

a first switch portion;

a first switch engagement member extending from said first switch portion engageable with an airbag module;

a second switch portion, said first switch portion being movably engageable with said second switch portion;

a second switch engagement member extending from said second switch portion engageable with a steering wheel hub;

a biasing member mounted between said first switch portion and said second switch portion to bias said first switch portion relative to said second switch portion, said biasing member being a coil spring, the coil spring including an integral first contact; and

a second contact mounted on the second switch portion, the first contact being movable relative to said second contact wherein a closed circuit can be formed when the first contact touches the second contact as the coil spring depresses.

9. The switch assembly according to claim 8 further comprising a first electrical connection extending from and electrically connected to said first contact through the coil spring and a second electrical connection extending from said second contact.

10. The switch assembly according to claim 9 further comprising a plurality of switch assemblies electrically connected to said first electrical connection and said second electrical connection.

11. The switch assembly according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of switch assemblies are connected in parallel.

12. The switch assembly according to claim 10 further comprising a flexible casing including said first electrical connection and said second electrical connection molded therewith.

13. The switch assembly according to claim 8 wherein said first switch engagement member includes a substantially hook shaped engagement member engageable with a substantially hook shaped member extending from the airbag module.

14. The switch assembly according to claim 8 wherein said second engagement member includes a substantially pin shaped engagement member having an extended portion, said substantially pin shaped engagement member engageable with an aperture defined by the steering wheel hub.