Switch assembly for an airbag module attachment

• US 7,121,581 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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: Luo, Jason, Ridolfi, Adolfo, Girardi, Federico, Testa, Giuseppe, Xu, Xiaoping
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sliteris, Joselynn Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/999,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/728.2, 200/61.54, 200/61.55, 200/61.57, 200/520, 200/341, 200/344, 200/345, 200/61.56, 200/16.R, 200/16.A, 200/16.C, 200/243
• 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 mounting a first contact;

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

a second switch portion, said second switch portion mounting a second contact corresponding to said first contact; and

a second switch engagement member extending from said second switch portion engageable with a metallic steering wheel armature that is overmolded with a non-metallic material, wherein said second switch engagement member includes one or more substantially cylindrical shaped engagement members having an extended portion, said one or more substantially cylindrical shaped engagement members snap-in engageable with one or more apertures defined by the overmolded steering wheel armature wherein said first switch portion is movable relative to said second switch portion, said first switch portion includes one or more first hooks and said second switch portion includes one or more second hooks, said first and second hooks snap-in engage when said airbag cover is attached to said overmolded steering wheel armature and interact to limit movement of said first switch portion relative to said second switch portion.

2. The switch assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a biasing member to bias said first switch portion relative to said second switch portion.

3. The switch assembly according to claim 2 wherein said biasing member includes a coil spring.