Static driver airbag module using steering wheel mounted gears

• US 6,893,044 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richards, George Frank, Holmes, Francis J., Worrell, Barry C., Johnson, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/227,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20030067147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/728.2, 745/52
• 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: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

In an automotive steering wheel-airbag module assembly a gear system is coupled to a steering wheel and to a steering shaft or column for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel directly to the steering shaft or column. An airbag module is positioned within the diameter of the steering wheel, wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel;

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space;

an airbag module fixed to the housing;

wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein the gear system comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel, wherein rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the ring gear; and

a spur gear engaged to the ring gear and configured to rotate about another axis when said steering wheel is rotated;

wherein said another axis is displaced from the first axis.

2. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel, wherein the sear system comprises a planetary gear system including;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel;

a sun gear rotatably received about said first axis;

a set of planetary gears engaged to the sun gear and the ring gear and rotatable about a second set of axes;

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space;

an airbag module fixed to the housing;

wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position with respect to the vehicle during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein the set of planetary gears comprises;

a first spur gear engaged to the sun gear and rotatable about the second set of axes; and

a second spur gear coaxial with the first spur gear and operative to rotate in unison therewith and engaged to the ring gear.

3. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the sun gear rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the ring gear when torque is applied to the steering wheel.

4. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the sun gear rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the ring gear when torque is applied to the steering wheel.

5. The assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the ratio of the set of planetary gears to the ring gear to the sun gear is about 1:

3;

1.

6. The assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the ratio of the first spur gear to the sun gear is about 1:

3 and the ratio of the second spur gear to the ring gear is about 1;

3.

7. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel;

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space;

an airbag module fixed to said portion of the housing;

wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel and the gear system comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel; and

a spur gear engaged to the ring gear and configured to rotate about another axis;

wherein said another axis is displaced from the first axis and the ratio of the spur gear to the ring gear is about 3;

4.

8. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel;

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space, the housing comprising;

a first plate including a first aperture therein for passage of vehicle electronic connections and instrumentation therethrough, a second plate positioned in opposition to the first plate and connected thereto, the second plate including a second aperture aligned with the first aperture for passage of vehicle electronic connections and instrumentation therethrough;

an airbag module fixed to the housing;

wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel and the gear system comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel; and

a spur gear engaged to the ring gear and configured to rotate about another axis;

wherein said another axis is displaced from the first axis and the first plate includes a set of ribs emanating outward from the first axis.

9. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle having a steering shaft, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel, wherein the gear system includes a belt drive mechanism;

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space;

an airbag module fixed to the housing;

wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel; and

wherein the belt drive mechanism comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel;

a set of idler gears;

a first spur gear coupled to the steering wheel;

a second spur gear engaged with the ring gear, and

an endless belt continuously encircling and engaged to the first spur gear, the second spur gear and the idler gears.

10. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle having an airbag module, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and being configured for transferring torque applied to die steering wheel, wherein the gear system comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel, such that rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the ring gear; and

a spur gear engaged to the ring gear and configured to rotate about another axis;

wherein said another axis is displaced from the first axis; and

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space, said housing being configured to receive the airbag module and said housing remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel.

11. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 10, wherein said housing further comprises an aperture that remains stationary during rotation of the steering wheel.

12. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 10, wherein the housing comprises:

a first plate including a first aperture therein configured for passage of vehicle electronic connections therethrough; and

a second plate positioned in opposition to the first plate and connected thereto, the second plate including a second aperture aligned with said first aperture, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture remain stationary during rotation of the steering wheel.

13. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle having an airbag module, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and being configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel, wherein the gear system comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel; and

a spur gear engaged to the ring gear and configured to rotate about another axis;

wherein said another axis is displaced from the first axis; and

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space, said housing being configured to receive the airbag module and said housing remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein the housing comprises;

a first plate including a first aperture therein configured for passage of vehicle electronic connections therethrough; and

a second plate positioned in opposition to the first plate and connected thereto, the second plate including a second aperture aligned with said first aperture, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture remain stationary during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture define an arcuate opening disposed between a portion of said spur gear and a portion of said ring gear.

14. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 13, wherein the ratio of the spur gear to the ring gear is about 3:

4.

15. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle having an airbag module, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and being configured for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel, wherein the gear system comprises;

a ring gear rotatable about a first axis and connected to the steering wheel; and

a spur gear engaged to the ring gear and configured to be rotated about another axis;

wherein said another axis is displaced from the first axis; and

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space, said housing being configured to receive the airbag module and said housing remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein the housing comprises;

a first plate including a first aperture therein configured for passage of vehicle electronic connections therethrough; and

a second plate positioned in opposition to the first plate and connected thereto, the second plate including a second aperture aligned with said first aperture, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture remain stationary during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein the assembly is configured for use without a clock spring coil.

16. A steering wheel-airbag module assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a rotatable steering wheel encompassing an accessible space;

a gear system coupled to the steering wheel and for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel, said sear system comprises;

a ring gear connected to said rotatable steering wheel, wherein

rotation of said rotatable steering wheel causes rotation of the ring gear;

a sun gear being configured to rotate about an axis; and

a plurality of planet gears rotatably received between said ring gear and said sun gear;

a housing enclosing the gear system, a portion of said housing being positioned within the accessible space;

an airbag module fixed to the housing, wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel, wherein the plurality of planet gears comprises a first set of planet gears configured to rotatably engage said sun gear and a second set of planet gears configured to rotatably engage said ring gear as well as said first set of planet gears.

17. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 16, wherein each of said first set of planet gears comprises a first gear surface to rotatably engage said sun gear and a second gear surface to rotatably engage said second set of planet gears.

18. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 17, wherein each of said second set of planet gears comprises a pair of gear surfaces one for rotatably engaging said ring gear and the other for rotatably engaging one of said first set of planet gears.

19. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 17, wherein said first gear surface and said second gear surface of each of said first set of planet gears are configured to rotate about a common axis.

20. The steering wheel-airbag module assembly as in claim 18, wherein said pair of gear surfaces of each of said second set of planet gears are configured to rotate about a common axis.