Vehicle steering wheel

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising a steering wheel skeleton and an airbag module mounted to the steering wheel skeleton, the airbag module having a pin, wherein the vehicle steering wheel comprises a fixed wire mounted to the steering wheel skeleton, the airbag module being hookable by the pin on the fixed wire, wherein the pin has a recess configured for receiving the fixed wire such that the pin is hooked on the fixed wire, the recess having a first groove flank in front and a second groove flank behind in the insertion direction of the pin, the fixed wire being supported on the first groove flank and the second groove flank at the same time. The vehicle steering wheel can have improved acoustic properties and durability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more specifically, to a vehicle steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] In some vehicles, the steering wheel may have an airbag module mounted on the steering wheel frame, which may integrate a horn-activating mechanism. The airbag module can be pressed, causing the mating contacts of the horn to switch from a disengaged state to an engaged state, thus activating and sounding the horn. When the pressure on the airbag module is released, the airbag module returns to its original position, the mating contacts of the horn switch back from the engaged state to the disengaged state, and the horn stops sounding.

[0003] In some known vehicle steering wheels, the airbag module may have multiple pins that can be detachably hooked onto a fixing wire attached to the steering wheel frame when the airbag module is installed to the steering wheel frame. Referring to the direction of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire and the steering wheel frame may have an axial gap to prevent excessive radial friction between the fixing wire and the steering wheel frame during the installation or removal of the airbag module. Such excessive friction could lead to excessive assembly or disassembly forces for installing or removing the airbag module. Furthermore, in the prior art, an axial gap is typically left between the fixing spring and the pin to allow the airbag module pins to be smoothly inserted into the steering wheel frame and hooked onto the fixing spring. Due to the aforementioned axial gap, a larger radial gap may also be required between the airbag module and the steering wheel frame to ensure smooth installation of the airbag module. This radial gap may negatively impact the visual appearance of the vehicle steering wheel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The inventors of this application discovered in their research on vehicle steering wheels that the gap between the fixing wire and the pin of the vehicle steering wheel is related to the noise of the vehicle steering wheel. In this case, the vehicle with the steering wheel vibrates during driving, and this vibration can be transmitted to the airbag module, causing the pin of the airbag module to continuously hit the fixing wire, thereby causing noise and wear.

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a vehicle steering wheel that can have improved acoustic performance.

[0006] The objective can be achieved by a vehicle steering wheel including a steering wheel frame and an airbag module mounted to the steering wheel frame. Preferably, the vehicle steering wheel includes a horn-activating device integrated with the airbag module. The airbag module has a pin, and the vehicle steering wheel further includes a fixing wire mounted to the steering wheel frame. The pin has a groove configured to receive the fixing wire, such that the pin is hooked onto the fixing wire. The groove has a first groove side facing forward and a second groove side facing backward along the insertion direction of the pin, and the fixing wire is supported on both the first and second groove sides.

[0007] When a vehicle with this steering wheel is in motion, the pin can move together with the fixing wire, and the two can remain substantially stationary relative to each other, with virtually no collision between the pin and the fixing wire and the resulting noise.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may abut against not only the side of the first groove but also the side of the second groove.

[0009] In some embodiments, the groove may have a bottom surface, and the fixing wire does not abut against the bottom surface.

[0010] In some embodiments, the groove may not have a bottom surface, and the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface are adjacent to each other.

[0011] In some embodiments, the groove may be an annular groove extending over the entire circumference of the pin.

[0012] In some embodiments, the groove may be a groove extending on a portion of the circumference of the pin.

[0013] In some embodiments, the side surface of the first groove may be an annular surface.

[0014] In some embodiments, the side surface of the second groove may be a truncated conical surface.

[0015] In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the groove may be a cylindrical surface.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one of the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface may be a plane.

[0017] In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the groove may be a plane.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may be indirectly supported on at least one of the first groove side and the second groove side by means of an accessory attached to the fixing wire.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixing wire can be abutted against the side of the first groove and can be indirectly supported on the side of the second groove by means of the attachment.

[0020] In some embodiments, the side of the second groove may form an angle of 10° to 80° with the central axis of the pin, for example, an angle of approximately 45°, 60° or 75°.

[0021] In some embodiments, the accessory may be a plastic component, particularly an elastically deformable plastic component.

[0022] In some embodiments, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire can be tensioned relative to the steering wheel frame in the axial direction, so that the fixing wire is stationary relative to the steering wheel frame, wherein the airbag module can be hooked onto the fixing wire by a pin.

[0023] By tensioning the fixing wire in the axial direction, the fixing wire can better resist vibration, at least reducing or even completely avoiding the mutual collision between the fixing wire and the steering wheel frame caused by vehicle vibration during vehicle operation. This can improve the acoustic performance of the vehicle steering wheel and reduce wear on the fixing wire, thereby increasing product durability. Furthermore, it is also possible to minimize the radial clearance between the airbag module and the steering wheel frame.

[0024] In some implementations, the vehicle steering wheel may be configured for use in motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars or trucks, such as sedans.

[0025] In some embodiments, the axial tension of the fixing wire can be achieved by a pulling element for pulling the fixing wire and / or by a squeezing element for squeezing the fixing wire.

[0026] In some embodiments, the vehicle steering wheel may include a support member that, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, lifts a fixing wire from the steering wheel frame in the axial direction.

[0027] In some embodiments, the support member may be a component mounted to a fixed steel wire.

[0028] In some embodiments, the support member may be a component fixed relative to the fixing wire, such as a plastic component injection molded onto the fixing wire.

[0029] In some embodiments, the support member may be a component fixed relative to the steering wheel frame, for example, mounted as a separate component on the steering wheel frame or integrally formed on the steering wheel frame.

[0030] In some embodiments, the support member may be an integral component of the fixing wire.

[0031] In some embodiments, the support member may be fitted onto a fixing wire and supported on the steering wheel frame.

[0032] In some embodiments, the support member may have multiple support arms, each of which is supported on the steering wheel frame at a location spaced apart from the support portion of the support member used to fix the steel wire, particularly at its free end.

[0033] In some embodiments, the support member may have exactly two support arms that are supported on the steering wheel frame at their free ends.

[0034] In some embodiments, the two support arms may have protrusions at their free ends, which are supported on the steering wheel frame.

[0035] In some embodiments, the support arm may have a flat surface, wherein the surface is rigid at the free end and flexible in the remaining areas. The rigid surface portion may have a supporting function. The flexible surface area may have a minor or even negligible supporting function.

[0036] In some embodiments, the support member may have a sleeve that is fitted over a fixing wire.

[0037] In some embodiments, the length of the sleeve can be selected such that the sleeve extends to the bend of the fixing wire.

[0038] In some embodiments, the support member may be a plastic component, particularly an elastically deformable plastic component.

[0039] In some embodiments, the support member may be made of a rigid material, such as hard plastic.

[0040] In some embodiments, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the supporting force of the support member on the fixed wire can be oriented in the axial direction, especially upward.

[0041] In some embodiments, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the supporting force of the support member on the fixing wire may have an axially oriented component, particularly a principal component, i.e., a component greater than another component. The supporting force may be particularly oriented upwards.

[0042] In some embodiments, the steering wheel frame may include a boss having a bottom, and the fixing wire rests against the bottom of the boss.

[0043] In some embodiments, the bottom of the boss may have a flat bottom surface.

[0044] In some embodiments, the boss may have a through hole into which the pin can be inserted and hooked onto a fixing wire in the area of ​​the through hole.

[0045] In some implementations, the number of bosses may be ≥3, with each boss mating with a corresponding pin of the airbag module.

[0046] In some embodiments, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the steering wheel frame may have a boss at the three o'clock, six o'clock and nine o'clock positions respectively.

[0047] In some implementations, the vehicle steering wheel may include a single fixed steel wire.

[0048] In some embodiments, along the extension of the fixing wire, the fixing wire can be lifted axially from the steering wheel frame at multiple locations by a corresponding support member.

[0049] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may be stopped at multiple other locations in the axial direction upward or in the direction of lifting from the steering wheel frame, for example, by a boss.

[0050] In some embodiments, for each boss, a support member may be provided on the section of the steel wire adjacent to the boss that is fixing the steel wire.

[0051] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may include a generally U-shaped portion, which includes a bottom edge and two sides.

[0052] In some implementations, one side mates with a first boss, the bottom side mates with a second boss, and the other side mates with a third boss.

[0053] In some embodiments, the bottom edge may have a radially outward protrusion that passes through a through hole in the second boss.

[0054] In some embodiments, a support member may be provided at the bend of the fixing wire from the bottom edge to each side edge.

[0055] In some embodiments, the two sides may be located radially inside the corresponding boss, and the fixing wire has a first segment that is bent radially outward at the end of the side opposite to the bottom edge and a second segment that is bent relative to the first segment immediately following the first segment, the second segment passing through a through hole of the corresponding boss.

[0056] In some embodiments, a support member may be provided at the bend of the fixing wire from the side to the first segment.

[0057] In some implementations, each side and the corresponding first and second segments can roughly form a triangle.

[0058] In some implementations, the two sides may pass through through holes in the corresponding bosses.

[0059] In some implementations, each side may be provided with two support members located on either side of the corresponding boss.

[0060] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have an end section that is bent radially inward from the side.

[0061] In some embodiments, the steering wheel frame may have two receiving portions, each receiving one end of the fixing wire.

[0062] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have an axial protrusion formed by bending the fixing wire, and the axial protrusion constitutes the support member.

[0063] In some implementations, each boss may be equipped with a separate retaining wire.

[0064] In some implementations, some bosses may be equipped with a common fixing wire, while the remaining bosses may each be equipped with a separate fixing wire.

[0065] In some implementations, some bosses may be equipped with a common fixing wire, while the remaining bosses may be equipped with another common fixing wire. For example, in the case where there are a total of four bosses in the central part of the steering wheel frame, every two bosses may be equipped with a common fixing wire.

[0066] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have a straight section through a through-hole with a corresponding boss and a curved portion bending back from the straight section. Preferably, the straight section is tensioned relative to the steering wheel frame in the axial direction by the support member. Preferably, the curved portion presses against the flange of the through-hole.

[0067] In some embodiments, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire is tensioned relative to the steering wheel frame in the radial direction.

[0068] In some embodiments, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire is tensioned radially relative to the steering wheel frame, wherein each boss radially inward presses the fixing wire.

[0069] In some implementations, with reference to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the forces used to achieve radial tension can be oriented in the radial direction, or can have components oriented in the radial direction, especially the principal components, i.e., the components in the radial direction are greater than the components in the tangential direction.

[0070] In some embodiments, the retaining wire may have an insulating layer on the section that contacts the pin. The insulating layer may, for example, be a plastic-coated layer.

[0071] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may have a circular or elliptical cross-section or any other suitable shape.

[0072] In some embodiments, the fixing wire may be in a plane over most of its total length (e.g., more than 80% or 90% of the total length) or over its entire length in an undeformed initial state.

[0073] The technical features mentioned above, those to be mentioned later, and those shown individually in the accompanying drawings can be combined arbitrarily, as long as the combined technical features are not contradictory. All technically feasible combinations of features are included in this document. Attached Figure Description

[0074] An exemplary embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0075] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a vehicle steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a vehicle's steering wheel.

[0077] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the airbag module in the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0078] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial top view of the steering wheel frame of a vehicle.

[0079] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partially enlarged perspective view of the steel wires securing the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0080] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0081] Figure 7 yes Figure 1A perspective view of the pins of the airbag module on the vehicle's steering wheel.

[0082] Figure 8 and Figure 9 These are partial top views and partial perspective views of the steering wheel frame of a vehicle steering wheel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Figure 10 This is a bottom perspective view of the fixing wire of the vehicle steering wheel according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 11 This is a partial perspective view of the steering wheel frame of a vehicle steering wheel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figures 12 to 14 This is a perspective view of a pin implemented in various different ways.

[0086] Figure 15 This is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle steering wheel according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0087] First refer to Figures 1 to 7 A vehicle steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. The vehicle steering wheel includes a steering wheel frame 1 and an airbag module 2 mounted to the steering wheel frame 1. Typically, a horn-activated device can be integrated into the airbag module 2. The steering wheel frame 1 may have a rim 11 and a central portion 12 connected to the rim 11 via spokes. The central portion 12 may have a central hole 13 for mounting the vehicle steering wheel to a steering column, the central hole 13 or the steering column defining the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel. Around the central hole 13, the central portion 12 may have a mounting surface 14. The mounting surface 14 may be substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the central hole 13, or the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0088] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the airbag module 2 may have an airbag cover 21 and a housing component 22. A folded airbag (not shown) can be housed in a chamber surrounded by the airbag cover 21 and the housing component 22. A gas generator 23 may be mounted at the bottom of the housing component 22. For example, in the event of an impending collision, the gas generator 23 is detonated, and the gas produced by the gas generator 23 rapidly fills the airbag. The inflating airbag can cause a weak point in the panel of the airbag cover 21 to break, and the continuing to inflate airbag ejects from the broken panel of the airbag cover 21, providing cushioning for the driver and thus providing safety protection. The airbag module 2 may have a pin 24. Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the airbag module 2 has three pins 24. Referring to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the first pin 24a can be positioned at the three o'clock position, the second pin 24b at the six o'clock position, and the third pin 24c at the nine o'clock position. The airbag module 2 can be hooked onto a [device / object] via the pins 24. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The visible fixing wire 3 can be installed on the central part 12 of the steering wheel frame 1.

[0089] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the steering wheel frame 1 may have a mounting surface 14 surrounding a central hole 13 in the central portion 12. The steering wheel frame 1 may have three bosses 15: a first boss 15a at the three o'clock position, a second boss 15b at the six o'clock position, and a third boss 15c at the nine o'clock position. Each boss 15 may have a through hole 16, wherein the first boss 15a has a first through hole 16a, the second boss 15b has a second through hole 16b, and the third boss 15c has a third through hole 16c. Each boss has a gap 17a, 17b, or 17c below it. A fixing wire 3 extends from below the through holes 16 of each boss 15 through these through holes 16. The airbag module 2 may have its pin 24 inserted into these through holes 16 and hooked onto the fixing wire 3. Each boss 15 may have a flat bottom surface, which may be substantially in the same plane as the mounting surface 14, or may be slightly higher than the mounting surface 14.

[0090] In its initial, undeformed state, the fixing wire 3 can be at least substantially in a plane. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the fixing wire 3 may include a generally U-shaped portion, which may include a bottom edge 31 and two side edges 32. One right side edge 32 mates with a first boss 15a, the bottom edge 31 mates with a second boss 15b, and the other left side edge 32 mates with a third boss 15c. The bottom edge 31 has a radially outward protrusion 35 passing through a through-hole 16b of the second boss 15b. The two side edges 32 are radially inward of the corresponding bosses 15a and 15c. The fixing wire 3 has a first segment 33 that bends radially outward at the end of the side edge 32 opposite to the bottom edge 31, and a second segment 34 that bends relative to the first segment 33, passing through the through-holes 16a and 16c of the corresponding bosses 15a and 15c. Each side edge 32 and the corresponding first segment 33 and second segment 34 may generally form a triangle.

[0091] Along the extension direction of the fixing wire 3, for example from the fixing wire 3 in Figure 4 From the right end to the left end shown in the diagram, four support members 4 can be sequentially provided on the fixing wire 3: a first support member 4a adjacent to the first boss 15a and located on the right first segment 33; a second support member 4b adjacent to the second boss 15b and located at the transition between the bottom edge 31 and the side edge 32; a third support member 4c adjacent to the third boss 15c and located on the left first segment 33. Each support member 4 can be a plastic component, especially an elastically deformable plastic component. Alternatively, the support members 4 can also be made of a rigid material, especially a hard plastic.

[0092] Referring to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, these support members 4 can respectively lift the fixing wires 3 from the steering wheel frame 1 in the axial direction. The supporting force of these support members 4 on the fixing wires 3 can be at least substantially oriented in the axial direction. In an alternative embodiment, the supporting force can have a principal component oriented in the axial direction, which is greater than another component oriented in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the resultant force of the principal component and the other component being the supporting force.

[0093] Due to the axial support of each supporting member 4 on the fixing wire 3, the fixing wire 3 abuts against the bottom of each boss 15. Each boss 15 can apply a compressive force to the fixing wire 3 downward in the axial direction. The fixing wire 3 is tensioned relative to the steering wheel frame 1 in the axial direction, so that the fixing wire 3 is stationary relative to the steering wheel frame 1, with no movement gap between them.

[0094] like Figure 5 As shown, the support member 4 is a component mounted to the fixing wire 3. Each support member 4 may have a sleeve 43. The sleeve 43 may extend to the corresponding bend of the fixing wire 3 as an anti-torsional measure for the support member 4 relative to the fixing wire 3. In addition to the sleeve 43, the support member 4 may have two or more support arms 42. These support arms 42 may be supported on the steering wheel frame 1 at locations spaced apart from the support portion of the support member 4 for fixing the wire 3, particularly at their free ends, and more specifically, on the mounting surface 14 of the central portion 12 of the steering wheel frame 1. Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 4 may have exactly two support arms 42, each having a protrusion 41 at its free end, the protrusion 41 being supported on the mounting surface 14 of the steering wheel frame 1. In an embodiment not shown, each support arm may have a flat surface for contacting the mounting surface 14 of the steering wheel frame 1, the surface having a rigid portion at the free end of the support arm and a flexible portion in the remaining area, the rigid portion serving the function of the protrusion 41.

[0095] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A partial longitudinal sectional view of the vehicle steering wheel, wherein the cutting plane passes through the central axis of one of the pins 24 of the airbag module 2, and Figure 7 This is a perspective view of pin 24. (As shown) Figure 6 As shown, the horn-activated device may include a horn plate 6 that moves together with the housing component 22 of the airbag module 2, the horn plate having a contact 7a. When the vehicle steering wheel is installed in the vehicle, when the airbag module 2 is not pressed, the contact 7a separates from its mating contact 7b, and when the airbag module 2 is pressed to a predetermined degree, the contact 7a moves toward the contact 7b, making contact with the contact 7b and thus activating and sounding the vehicle horn. The horn-activated device also includes a return spring 5 provided on each boss 15. When the pressing of the airbag module 2 ends, the return spring 5 causes the contacts 7a and 7b to separate again, and the vehicle horn stops sounding. The pin 24 may have a shank and a top 51, and a groove 52 may be provided in the end section of the shank for receiving the fixing wire 3, such that the pin 24 hooks onto the fixing wire 3. The groove 52 has a first groove side surface 52b forward and a second groove side surface 52a backward along the insertion direction of the pin 24, and a groove bottom surface 52c between the first groove side surface 52b and the second groove side surface 52a. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 52 is an annular groove, the first groove side surface 52b is an annular surface, the second groove side surface 52a is a truncated conical surface, and the groove bottom surface 52c is a cylindrical surface. The fixing wire 3 may have a circular cross-section. The fixing wire 3 is supported on both the first groove side surface 52b and the second groove side surface 52a, wherein the fixing wire is in contact with both the first groove side surface 52b and the second groove side surface 52a, but not with the groove bottom surface 52c. In the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel, the fixing wire has no movement clearance in the groove 52. During the driving of a vehicle with this steering wheel, despite vehicle vibrations that can be transmitted to the airbag module, the fixing wire will essentially not collide with either the first or second groove side surface, and thus noise caused by such collisions can be at least reduced, and especially avoided.

[0096] Next, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 A vehicle steering wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 8 and Figure 9 These are partial top views and partial perspective views of the steering wheel frame 101, where... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The local and in described in Figure 4 The parts described in the second embodiment correspond to the parts in the first embodiment. Other parts of the vehicle steering wheel not shown in the second embodiment may be the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0097] In the second embodiment, the central portion 112 of the steering wheel frame 101 also has a center hole 113, a mounting surface, and three bosses 115. Compared to the first embodiment, the steering wheel frame 101 additionally has two receiving portions 118, each receiving portion 118 receiving one end of the fixing wire 103. Each support member 104 may be constructed in the same or similar manner as the support member 4 in the first embodiment.

[0098] The fixing wire 103 may include a generally U-shaped portion, which may include a bottom edge 131 and two side edges 132, wherein a right side edge 132 mates with a first boss and passes through a through hole of the first boss, the bottom edge 131 mates with a second boss and passes through a through hole of the second boss with its radially projecting portion 135, and the other left side edge 132 mates with a third boss and passes through a through hole of the third boss. The fixing wire 103 also has end sections 133 that are bent radially inward from each side edge 132. The two end sections 133 extend into a receiving portion 118 of the steering wheel frame 101.

[0099] Along the extension direction of the fixing wire 103, for example from the fixing wire 103 at... Figure 8 and Figure 9 From the right end to the left end shown in the diagram, six support members 104 are sequentially provided on the fixing wire 103. Two support members 104 are provided on the fixing wire 103 near each boss. Referring to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, these support members 104 can respectively lift the fixing wire 103 from the steering wheel frame 101 in the axial direction. The supporting force of these support members 104 on the fixing wire 103 can be at least substantially oriented in the axial direction. In an alternative embodiment, the supporting force can have a principal component oriented in the axial direction.

[0100] Due to the axial support of the supporting members 104 on the fixing wire 103, the fixing wire 103 abuts against the bottom of each boss 115. Each boss 115 can apply a compressive force to the fixing wire 103 in the axial direction downwards. The fixing wire 103 is tensioned relative to the steering wheel frame 101 in the axial direction, so that the fixing wire 103 is stationary relative to the steering wheel frame 101, with no movement gap between them.

[0101] Instead of the support members 4 and 104 installed on the fixed steel wires 3 and 103, in embodiments not shown, the support members for axially supporting the fixed steel wires can be fixedly connected to the steering wheel frame or be an integral part of the steering wheel frame.

[0102] Figure 10 This is a perspective bottom view of the fixing wire 203 of a vehicle steering wheel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Other components of the vehicle steering wheel, particularly the steering wheel frame and airbag module, may be configured similarly or identically to those in the first or second embodiment. The fixing wire 203 has a U-shaped portion comprising a bottom edge 231 and two side edges 232, the bottom edge 231 also having radial protrusions 235. The fixing wire 203 has six axial protrusions formed by bending the fixing wire 203 and constituting support members 204. In the assembled state, these axial protrusions, as support members 204, are axially supported on the mounting surface of the steering wheel frame, and the steering wheel frame applies an upward axially oriented support force to the fixing wire 203 at these axial protrusions. Simultaneously, three bosses of the steering wheel frame apply a downward axially oriented compressive force to the fixing wire 203 between the two axial protrusions that mate with the corresponding bosses. Therefore, the fixing wire 203 can be axially tensioned. In its initial, undeformed state, the fixing wire 203 can be substantially in a plane, except for the six axial protrusions. The extension direction of the fixing wire 203 can be the same as or similar to that of the fixing wire 103.

[0103] In the first to third embodiments of the vehicle steering wheel, the axial tension attached to the fixing wire can be radially tensioned. For example, the bosses of the steering wheel frame can radially inwardly compress the fixing wire. The radially inward force exerted by the bosses on the fixing wire can be at least substantially oriented in the radial direction, or can have a principal component oriented in the radial direction.

[0104] Figure 11This is a partial perspective view of the steering wheel frame of a vehicle steering wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The remaining parts of the steering wheel frame (not shown) and the airbag module (not shown) can be constructed in the same or similar manner as in the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the central portion 312 of the steering wheel frame has a central hole 313, which defines the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel. Referring to the rotation axis of the steering wheel, around the central hole 313, a boss 315 is provided at the three o'clock, six o'clock, and nine o'clock positions of the steering wheel frame, each boss having a through hole 316 and equipped with a separate fixing wire 303. Three pins of the airbag module can be inserted into the corresponding through holes 316 and hooked onto the corresponding fixing wires 303. Figure 11 As can be seen, the fixing wire 303 has a straight section with a through hole 316 passing through a corresponding boss 315 and a curved section that bends back from the straight section. The straight section is tensioned relative to the steering wheel frame in the axial direction by a support member, and the curved section presses against the flange of the through hole.

[0105] Figures 12 to 14 This is a perspective view of pins implemented in various ways, which can be used in airbag modules to hook the airbag module onto a fixing wire. For example, in Figures 12 to 14 Any of the pins shown can be used in, for example Figures 1 to 11 The steering wheels of the various vehicles shown.

[0106] In such Figure 12 In the embodiment shown, the groove 152 of the pin 124 extends on a portion of the circumference of the pin 124, wherein the first groove side surface, the second groove side surface, and the groove bottom surface are all planes, the first groove side surface is perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 124, the groove bottom surface is parallel to the central axis, and the second groove side surface has an angle of approximately 60° with the central axis.

[0107] In such Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 252 of the pin 224 extends along a portion of the circumference of the pin 224. The groove 252 has a first groove side surface and a second groove side surface, but no groove bottom surface, wherein the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface are respectively planar and adjacent to each other. The first groove side surface is perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 224, and the second groove side surface has an angle of approximately 60° with the central axis.

[0108] In such Figure 14In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 352 of the pin 324 extends over the entire circumference of the pin 324. The groove 352 has a first groove side surface and a second groove side surface, but no groove bottom surface, wherein the first and second groove side surfaces are adjacent to each other. The first groove side surface is perpendicular to the central axis of the pin 324, and the second groove side surface has an angle of approximately 60° with the central axis. The first and second groove side surfaces of the groove 352 can be aligned with... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The first groove side 52b and the second groove side 52a of the groove 52 shown are constructed in the same or similar manner.

[0109] Figure 15 This is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle steering wheel according to another embodiment, wherein the cutting plane passes through the central axis of one of the pins of the airbag module. Figure 15 A partial cross-sectional view shows one of the bosses of the steering wheel frame, and a pin, also partially depicted, is inserted into a groove in the boss and hooked onto a fixing wire. In this embodiment, the pin can be used with... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The pin shown is constructed in the same or similar manner, and the fixing wire has an attachment 7 on the section that interacts with the pin. Attachment 7 can be a plastic component, such as an elastically deformable plastic component. The fixing wire rests against the first groove side of the pin's groove on one side, and is indirectly supported on the second groove side of the pin's groove on the other side by means of attachment 7. During vehicle operation, despite vehicle vibrations that can be transmitted to the airbag module, the fixing wire will essentially not collide with the first or second groove side of the airbag module's pin's groove, and thus can at least reduce, and especially avoid, noise caused by such collisions.

[0110] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The singular forms “a” and “the one” as used herein should include the plural forms unless the context explicitly states otherwise. It is understood that the terms “comprising” and “including,” and other similar terms, when used in the application documents, specifically describe the presence of the stated operation, element, and / or component, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals always denote similar elements.

[0111] The thickness of the elements in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. It is also understood that if an element is described as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element, then the element may be directly formed on, coupled to, or connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements between them. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on," "directly coupled to," and "directly connected to" are used herein, it indicates that there is no intermediate element. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly, such as "between" and "directly between," "attached" and "directly attached," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.

[0112] Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “over,” “under,” etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region relative to another element, layer, or region, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these terms should also encompass other orientations of the device in addition to those described in the accompanying drawings.

[0113] It is understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept.

[0114] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely for understanding the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make modifications based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering wheel comprising a steering wheel frame and an airbag module mounted to the steering wheel frame, the airbag module having pins (24, 124, 224, 324), wherein, The vehicle steering wheel includes a fixing wire mounted to the steering wheel frame, and the airbag module (2) can be hooked onto the fixing wire by a pin. The pin has a groove configured to receive the fixing wire, such that the pin is hooked onto the fixing wire. The groove is either an annular groove extending over the entire circumference of the pin or a groove extending over a portion of the circumference of the pin. The groove has a first groove side facing forward and a second groove side facing backward along the insertion direction of the pin. The fixing wire is supported on both the first and second groove sides. - The groove has a bottom surface, and the fixing wire does not touch the bottom surface of the groove, or - The groove does not have a bottom surface, and the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface are adjacent to each other.

2. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing wire is in contact with not only the side of the first groove but also the side of the second groove.

3. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The side surface of the first groove is an annular surface, and the side surface of the second groove is a truncated conical surface.

4. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the groove is a cylindrical surface.

5. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The side surfaces of the first and second grooves are both planes.

6. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the groove is a plane.

7. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fixing wire is indirectly supported on at least one of the first groove side and the second groove side by means of an accessory (7) installed on the fixing wire.

8. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fixing wire is attached to the side of the first groove and indirectly supported on the side of the second groove by means of the attachment.

9. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that, The accessory is an elastic, deformable plastic part.

10. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The steering wheel frame includes multiple bosses (15, 115, 315), each boss having a bottom and a through hole (16, 116, 316). The fixing wire rests against the bottom of the boss and passes through the through hole of the boss. The through hole of each boss mates with a pin of the airbag module. The pin can be inserted into the through hole and hooked onto the fixing wire in the area of ​​the through hole.

11. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that, Referring to the rotation axis of the vehicle steering wheel, the steering wheel frame has a boss at the three o'clock, six o'clock and nine o'clock positions respectively.

12. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The fixing wire includes a generally U-shaped portion, which includes a bottom edge (31, 131, 231) and two side edges (32, 132, 232), one side edge mates with a first boss, the bottom edge mates with a second boss, and the other side edge mates with a third boss.

13. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The bottom edge has radially outward protrusions (35, 135, 235), which pass through the through hole of the second boss.

14. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The two sides are located radially inside the corresponding bosses, and the fixing wire has a first section (33) that is bent radially outward at the end of the side opposite to the bottom edge and a second section (34) that is bent relative to the first section immediately following the first section, the second section passing through the through hole of the corresponding boss.

15. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 14, characterized in that, Each side and the corresponding first and second segments roughly form a triangle.

16. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 12, characterized in that, The two sides have through holes through the corresponding bosses.

17. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 16, characterized in that, The fixing wire has an end section (133) that bends radially inward from the side.

18. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 16, characterized in that, The steering wheel frame has two receiving portions (118), each receiving portion receiving one end of the fixing wire.

19. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The vehicle steering wheel includes a single fixing wire that passes through each boss.

20. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each boss is equipped with a separate fixing wire.

21. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 20, characterized in that, The fixing wire has a straight section with a through hole through a corresponding boss and a curved section that bends back from the straight section.

22. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The vehicle steering wheel includes a horn-activating device integrated with the airbag module.

Images