Steering module

• US 6,145,402 A
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Matsushita, Tomohiko, Nishitani, Keizo, Okahira, Toshifumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Herrmann, Allan D.
• Application Number:
  US09/197,570
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 74/484 R, 74/498, 439/34
• US Class Current: 74/484.00R
• 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 74/20256 Steering and controls assemblies

Abstract

A steering module comprises: a steering wheel attached to a member which is attached to a car body portion, the steering wheel being connected to a steering shaft which passes through the member; a pad having at least one electric part, the pad being attached to the member through the steering wheel; a first connector arranged in the member; and a second connector arranged in the pad, the second connector electrically connecting with the electrical part, and electrically connected to the first connector. The steering module further comprises: an external gear secured to the steering shaft; an internal gear connected to the steering wheel, the internal gear being arranged to surround the external gear; and an intermediate gear rotatably supported by the member attached to the car body portion, the intermediate gear being located between and engaged with the external gear and the internal gear. In the steering module, the first connector is located at an inside of the internal gear. The first connector electrically connects with a wire harness arranged in the car body portion. The electric part includes one of a display unit and an operation switch mounted in the pad.

Claims

1. A steering module, comprising:

a steering wheel;

a member having an opening, the steering wheel being connected to a steering shaft which passes through the opening in the member;

a pad having at least one electric part, the pad being attached to the member through the steering wheel;

a first connector arranged in the member; and

a second connector arranged in the pad, the second connector electrically connecting with the electrical part, and electrically connected to the first connector.

2. The steering module of claim 1, wherein when the pad is attached to the member attached to the car body portion, the second connector is electrically connected to the first connector.

3. The steering module of claim 1, further comprising:

an external gear secured to the steering shaft;

an internal gear connected to the steering wheel, the internal gear being arranged to surround the external gear; and

an intermediate gear rotatably supported by the member attached to the car body portion, the intermediate gear being located between and engaged with the external gear and the internal gear;

wherein the first connector is located at an inside of the internal gear.

4. The steering module of claim 1, wherein the first connector electrically connects with a wire harness arranged in the car body portion.

5. The steering module of claim 1, wherein the electric part includes one of a display unit and an operation switch mounted in the pad.