Driver airbag formed contact spring
First Claim
1. A horn switch assembly disposed between an airbag module and a steering wheel armature comprising:
- a contact spring configured to be disposed adjacent the airbag module, said contact spring having first and second raised portions and an intermediate portion between said first and second raised portions, said first and second raised portions having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first and second raised portions biasing the airbag module in a first direction; and
an insulative spring retainer being disposed between the steering wheel armature and said contact spring, said insulative spring retainer having an electrical contact, wherein at least one of said first and second raised portions of said contact spring are moved in a second direction opposite said first direction when a force is applied to the airbag module such that at least one of said first and second raised portions contact said electrical contact to energize a horn activation circuit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing gap variation between an airbag module and a steering wheel insert while acting as a horn switch for a horn. The apparatus includes a contact spring disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel insert. The spring has at least two raised locations having one side of each raised location biasing the airbag module in a first direction while an opposite second side thereof electrically connects with a contact when the airbag module is biased in a second direction opposite said first direction to actuate the horn. An insulative spring retainer has one surface disposed on the steering wheel insert and an opposite surface configured to retain the contact spring. The retainer is further configured to operably couple with the steering wheel insert and includes at least one contact aligned with a corresponding raised location to actuate the horn upon electrical contact therebetween.
32 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A horn switch assembly disposed between an airbag module and a steering wheel armature comprising:
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a contact spring configured to be disposed adjacent the airbag module, said contact spring having first and second raised portions and an intermediate portion between said first and second raised portions, said first and second raised portions having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first and second raised portions biasing the airbag module in a first direction; and
an insulative spring retainer being disposed between the steering wheel armature and said contact spring, said insulative spring retainer having an electrical contact, wherein at least one of said first and second raised portions of said contact spring are moved in a second direction opposite said first direction when a force is applied to the airbag module such that at least one of said first and second raised portions contact said electrical contact to energize a horn activation circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for assemblying a horn switch assembly between an airbag module and a steering wheel armature, the method comprising:
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disposing an insulative spring retainer on the steering wheel armature, said insulative spring retainer having a first side and a second side, said first side being disposed on said steering wheel armature, said second side having an electrical contact disposed thereon;
disposing a contact spring on said second side of said insulative spring retainer, said contact spring having first and second raised portions and an intermediate portion between said first and second raised portions, said insulative spring retainer insulating said contact spring from said steering wheel armature;
disposing the air bag module on said contact spring, said first and second raised portions of said contact spring biasing the airbag module in a first direction, wherein at least one of said first and second raised portions of said contact spring are moved in a second direction opposite said first direction when a force is applied to the airbag module such that at least one of said first and second raised portions contact said electrical contact to energize a horn activation circuit.
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20. A steering wheel assembly, comprising:
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a steering wheel armature;
an insulative spring retainer having a first side configured to be disposed on the steering wheel armature, and an opposite second side, said insulative spring retainer having an electrical contact disposed on said second side;
a contact spring disposed on said second side of said insulative spring retainer, said contact spring having first and second raised portions and an intermediate portion between said first and second raised portions, said insulative spring retainer insulating said contact spring from said steering wheel armature; and
an air bag module disposed on said contact spring, said first and second raised portions of said contact spring biasing said airbag module in a first direction, wherein at least one of said first and second raised portions of said contact spring are moved in a second direction opposite said first direction when a force is applied to the airbag module such that at least one of said first and second raised portions contact said electrical contact to energize a horn activation circuit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification