Steering wheel airbag module assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag module assembly for a steering wheel, belonging to the field of automotive passive safety technology. The assembly comprises a housing and a lower bridge plate detachably connected to the housing. Two damping and vibration reduction assemblies are disposed between the housing and the lower bridge plate. Two first through holes are evenly formed on the bottom wall of the housing. The damping and vibration reduction assembly comprises a damper, a damper fixing buckle, and an upper bridge plate. The top of the damper is engaged with the first through hole, the bottom of the damper extends out of the first through hole, the damper is provided with a second through hole, the damper fixing buckle is inserted into the second through hole, a connecting hook is fixed to the bottom of the damper fixing buckle, the upper bridge plate is located between the damper and the lower bridge plate, the upper bridge plate is provided with a first connecting hole, the connecting hook passes through the first connecting hole and hooks onto the bottom of the upper bridge plate, and a horn spring is connected between the upper bridge plate and the lower bridge plate. The present invention reduces the space occupied by the damper in the airbag module, thereby saving component costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile passive safety, and in particular to an airbag module assembly for a steering wheel. Background Art

[0002] With the development of intelligent automobiles, consumers have higher and higher requirements for the driving experience and appearance of automobiles, and are also paying more attention to the safety and comfort of automobiles. During the driving process, the vibration caused by the engine itself or the collision of the car tires with the ground will be transmitted to the steering wheel through the chassis, causing the steering wheel to shake, seriously reducing driving comfort, and posing a safety hazard to the driver.

[0003] To reduce steering wheel vibration, a vibration damping device is typically installed inside the steering wheel. These devices can be added as an independent damping device, the generator acting as a damper, or the airbag module acting as a damper. The airbag module is the most effective damper. However, existing airbag module damper systems typically require three or more dampers, which occupy a large portion of the airbag module's space, reducing the airbag's space utilization. This runs counter to the trend of miniaturization of airbag modules. Furthermore, the increased number of dampers increases product costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an airbag module assembly for a steering wheel.

[0005] A steering wheel airbag module assembly includes a shell and a lower bridge plate detachably connected to the shell, two damping and vibration reduction assemblies are arranged between the shell and the lower bridge plate, two first through holes are evenly opened on the bottom wall of the shell, the damping and vibration reduction assembly includes a damper, a damper fixing buckle and an upper bridge plate, the top of the damper is engaged with the first through hole, the bottom of the damper extends out of the first through hole, a second through hole is opened on the damper, the damper fixing buckle is inserted into the second through hole, a connecting hook is fixed to the bottom of the damper fixing buckle, the upper bridge plate is located between the damper and the lower bridge plate, a first connecting hole is opened on the upper bridge plate, the connecting hook passes through the first connecting hole and hooks on the bottom of the upper bridge plate, and a horn spring is connected between the upper bridge plate and the lower bridge plate.

[0006] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention offers the following advantages: Two damping and vibration reduction assemblies are evenly spaced below the housing, minimizing the space occupied by the airbag module in both the X and Y directions. This also reduces the structural damping, saving component costs. The cover hook structure at the bottom of the cover's vertical wall clips into the housing's circumferential groove via a support ring, increasing airbag space utilization and facilitating module miniaturization. The airbag module's integrated speaker system facilitates testing and monitoring speaker performance during module manufacturing, improving the stability of the speaker's pressing force and travel performance, and better meeting the subsequent development needs of automotive manufacturers.

[0007] Optionally, a mounting groove is provided on the lower bridge plate, a guide positioning plate is fixed in the mounting groove, a plug hole is provided on the damper fixing buckle, the plug hole passes through the damper fixing buckle, and the guide positioning plate is inserted into the plug hole.

[0008] Optionally, a mounting hole is provided on the guide positioning plate, and a plug-in protrusion for plugging into the mounting hole is fixed on the inner wall of the plug-in hole.

[0009] Optionally, two slots are opened on the bottom wall of the installation slot, and the guide positioning plate is located between the two slots. Each slot corresponds to a horn spring, one end of the horn spring is fixed to the bottom of the slot, and the other end of the horn spring is abutted against the upper bridge plate.

[0010] Optionally, a first conductive steel wire is installed at the bottom of the shell, and a second conductive steel wire is installed at the top of the lower bridge plate. When the shell is pressed downward, the first conductive steel wire and the second conductive steel wire can be connected.

[0011] Optionally, a cover body is provided on the side of the shell away from the lower bridge plate, and the cover body includes an integrally formed cover, a cover wall and a cover hook, the cover hook is fixed on the inner wall of the cover wall away from the cover, the cover wall is inserted into the shell, an air bag belt support ring assembly is provided in the shell, the air bag belt support ring assembly includes a support ring, a groove is provided on the inner bottom wall of the shell, the cover hook is located in the groove, the support ring is located above the groove, a plurality of bolts are provided on the support ring, the bolts pass through the support ring and the bottom wall of the shell and are threadedly connected with nuts, and due to the action of the support ring, the cover hook is confined in the groove.

[0012] Optionally, a plurality of notches are provided on the circumference of the cover vertical wall away from one end of the cover.

[0013] Optionally, at least two hooks are fixed to the bottom of the shell, and at least two second connection holes are opened on the lower bridge plate, each hook corresponds to a second connection hole, and the hook passes through the second connection hole and hooks on the bottom of the lower bridge plate.

[0014] Optionally, the air bag with support ring assembly also includes a gas generator and a folding air bag. A connecting plate is fixed to the periphery of the gas generator. The connecting plate is located below the support ring. The bolts pass through the connecting plate, and the folding air bag is connected to the support ring.

[0015] Optionally, the first through hole and the second through hole are both semicircular in shape, and the damper and the upper bridge plate are also semicircular in shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention, constitute a part of this application, and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the cover body in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the air bag belt support ring assembly of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the shell in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the cover, shell and support ring in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the damping and vibration reduction assembly of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the lower bridge plate structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the bottom structure of the housing in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of the plug-in protrusion in the damping fixing buckle of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the card slot and the mounting hole in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the lower bridge plate in the present invention;

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals: 1. cover; 11. cover; 111. pre-tear line; 12. cover wall; 121. notch; 13. cover hook; 2. housing; 21. groove; 22. center hole; 23. first through hole; 24. first connecting block; 241. first U-shaped groove; 25. hook; 3. lower bridge plate; 31. mounting groove; 311. card slot; 32. second connecting block; 321. second U-shaped groove; 33. positioning cylinder; 34. second connecting hole; 35. guide positioning plate; 351. Mounting hole; 4. Airbag belt support ring assembly; 41. Support ring; 411. Bolt; 412. Nut; 42. Gas generator; 421. Connecting plate; 43. Folding airbag; 5. Damping and vibration reduction assembly; 51. Damper; 511. Second through hole; 52. Damper fixing buckle; 521. Connecting hook; 522. Plug-in hole; 523. Plug-in protrusion; 53. Upper bridge plate; 531. First connecting hole; 6. Speaker assembly; 61. Speaker spring; 62. First conductive steel wire; 63. Second conductive steel wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the following is a summary of the present invention with reference to the embodiments and the appended drawings. Figure 1 -Attached Figure 12 Here, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their description are used to explain the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The steering wheel airbag module assembly provided by the present invention comprises a cover 1, a housing 2, and a lower bridge plate 3. The housing 2 is positioned between the cover 1 and the lower bridge plate 3. The cover 1 comprises an integrally formed cover 11, a cover wall 12, and a cover hook 13. A pre-tear line 111 is provided on the cover 11. The cover 11 may be circular, rectangular, or trapezoidal in shape, but is circular in this embodiment. The pre-tear line 111 can be formed through injection molding and laser engraving processes, and the pre-tear line 111 can be designed to have an H-shaped, I-shaped, or petal-shaped profile.

[0032] The cover vertical wall 12 is located below the cover 11, and the cover vertical wall 12 is located around the pre-tear line 111. A plurality of notches 121 are opened circumferentially on the end of the cover vertical wall 12 away from the cover 11. The cover hook 13 is located at the end of the cover vertical wall 12 away from the cover 11, and the cover hook 13 is fixed on the inner wall of the cover vertical wall 12.

[0033] The airbag belt support ring assembly 4 is mounted inside the cover wall 12. The notch 121 facilitates demolding and assembly with the airbag belt support ring assembly 4. The cover hook 13 is located at the end of the cover wall 12 away from the cover 11. The upper end of the housing 2 is open, and the bottom of the cover wall 12 is inserted into the housing 2.

[0034] Reference Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 The airbag belt support ring assembly 4 includes a support ring 41, a gas generator 42, and a folded airbag 43. Bolts 411 are provided on the support ring 41. A connecting plate 421 is fixed to the periphery of the gas generator 42. The bolts 411 penetrate the folded airbag 43, the support ring 41, and the connecting plate 421. The bottom wall of the housing 2 is provided with a groove 21. The support ring 41 is located above the groove 21. The cover hook 13 is located in the groove 21. The edge of the support ring 41 restrains the cover hook 13 in the groove 21. The bolt 411 penetrates the bottom wall of the housing 2 and is threadedly connected to a nut 412. The support ring 41 restrains the cover hook 13 in the groove 21, thereby increasing the space utilization of the airbag and facilitating the miniaturization of the module design.

[0035] A central hole 22 is formed at the center of the bottom wall of the housing 2, and the bottom of the gas generator 42 passes through the central hole 22. The cover 1 and the housing 2 form a closed space through the support ring 41, and the folded air bag 43 is located in the closed space.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 A damping vibration reduction assembly 5 and a speaker assembly 6 are provided between the shell 2 and the lower bridge plate 3. Two damping vibration reduction assemblies 5 are provided, and the two damping vibration reduction assemblies 5 are symmetrically arranged along the center line of the shell 2. The damping vibration reduction assembly 5 includes a damper 51, a damper fixing buckle 52 and an upper bridge plate 53. The material of the damper 51 can be EPDM material or silicone material. Two first through holes 23 are provided on the bottom wall of the shell 2. The first through hole 23 is a semi-arc through hole. The first through hole 23 is a stepped hole. The damper 51 and the upper bridge plate 53 are also semi-circular. The top of the damper 51 is clamped in the first through hole 23, and the bottom of the damper 51 passes through the first 241 semi-arc hole.

[0037] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8The damper 51 has a second through-hole 511, which is a semi-arc-shaped through-hole. The bottom of the damper fixing buckle 52 passes through the second through-hole 511. Two mounting slots 31 are defined on the upper surface of the lower bridging plate 3, symmetrically arranged about the center of the lower bridging plate 3. The upper bridging plate 53 is located at the bottom of the damper 51 and positioned within the mounting slots 31. A first connecting hole 531 is defined on the upper bridging plate 53. A connecting hook 521 is secured to the bottom of the damper fixing buckle 522, which passes through the first connecting hole 531 and hooks onto the bottom of the upper bridging plate 53. The damper fixing buckle 52 has a plug-in hole 522, which extends from top to bottom through the damper 51 fixing buckle. Two damping and vibration reduction assemblies 5 are provided, arranged in a semi-arc shape, achieving vibration reduction while minimizing space in the X and Y directions of the airbag module.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 The speaker assembly 6 includes a speaker spring 61, a first conductive steel wire 62, and a second conductive steel wire 63. A plurality of first connecting blocks 24 are fixed to the bottom of the housing 2. Each first connecting block 24 has a first U-shaped groove 241, and the first conductive steel wire 62 is installed in the first U-shaped groove 241. A plurality of second connecting blocks 32 are fixed to the side of the lower bridging plate 3 close to the housing 2. Each second connecting block 32 has a second U-shaped groove 321, and the second conductive steel wire 63 is located in the second U-shaped groove 321.

[0039] The top of the speaker spring 61 contacts the upper bridge plate 53. Each mounting slot 31 has two retaining slots 311 at its bottom. A guide plate 35 is secured between the two retaining slots 311. The end of the speaker spring 61 facing away from the upper bridge plate 53 is secured to the bottom of the retaining slot 311. The guide plate 35 is inserted into the insertion hole 522, securing the connecting hook 521 securely to the bottom of the upper bridge plate 53. The guide plate 35 also guides the upper bridge plate 53 as it moves up and down. When pressure is applied to the cover 11, the cover 11, the shell 2 and the airbag belt support ring 41 form an assembly assembly 4, which moves to one side of the lower bridge plate 3 through the guide positioning plate 35 and the damper 51 fixing buckle on the lower bridge plate 3. The first conductive steel wire 62 and the second conductive steel wire 63 come into contact, and the speaker circuit is connected to realize the sounding of the speaker. At the same time, the speaker spring 61 installed between the lower bridge plate 3 and the upper bridge plate 53 is compressed. After the pressure disappears, the speaker spring 61 rebounds and pushes the upper bridge plate 53 and the lower bridge plate 3, thereby resetting the first conductive steel wire 62 and the second conductive steel wire 63, and the entire speaker pressing process is completed.

[0040] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11An inserting protrusion 523 is fixed to the inner wall of the inserting hole 522, and a mounting hole 351 is formed on the guide positioning plate 35. When the guide positioning plate 35 is inserted into the inserting hole 522, the inserting protrusion 523 is inserted into the mounting hole 351. When the speaker spring 61 is reset, the damper fixing buckle 52 cannot move upward due to the restraining effect of the inserting protrusion 523, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the damper fixing buckle 52 and the guide positioning plate 35.

[0041] The damper 51 separates the housing 2 from the upper bridge plate 53. The housing 2, cover 11, airbag belt support ring assembly 4, and gas generator 42 are located above the damper 51, serving as its tuned mass. The horn spring 61 and damper 51 form a tuned mass damper (TMD), aligning the damper 51's natural frequency with the steering wheel's vibration frequency. When the steering wheel shakes, the airbag module absorbs the vibration energy, suppressing it and achieving its vibration-absorbing effect.

[0042] Reference Figure 12 Two positioning cylinders 33 are fixed to the bottom of the lower bridge plate 3. The two positioning cylinders 33 are symmetrically arranged about the center position of the lower bridge plate 3. The end of the positioning cylinder 33 away from the lower bridge plate 3 is set into a hook shape. The positioning cylinder 33 is connected to the steering wheel retaining spring to ensure that the airbag module is still fixed on the steering wheel after the airbag module is detonated and deployed.

[0043] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 Two hooks 25 are fixed to the bottom of the housing 2, and two second connection holes 34 are defined in the lower bridging plate 3. These second connection holes 34 are symmetrically located about the center of the lower bridging plate 3, with each hook 25 corresponding to a second connection hole 34. The hooks 25 pass through the second connection holes 34 and hook onto the bottom of the lower bridging plate 3. After the airbag is deployed, the hooks 25 remain attached to the bottom of the lower bridging plate 3, thereby securing the housing 2 and the lower bridging plate 3.

[0044] When the vehicle collides, the gas generator 42 generates gas to inflate the folded airbag 43. The folded airbag 43 expands instantly when it is inflated. During the expansion process, the cover 11 is squeezed to tear the tear line, and the folded airbag 43 rushes out from the torn cover to form a round airbag.

[0045] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An airbag module assembly for a steering wheel, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell (2) and a lower bridge plate (3) detachably connected to the shell (2), two damping vibration reduction components (5) are arranged between the shell (2) and the lower bridge plate (3), two first through holes (23) are evenly opened on the bottom wall of the shell (2), the damping vibration reduction component (5) comprises a damper (51), a damper fixing buckle (52) and an upper bridge plate (53), the top of the damper (51) is snap-fitted with the first through hole (23), the bottom of the damper (51) extends out of the first through hole (23), and the damper (51) is opened. A second through hole (511) is provided, a damper fixing buckle (52) is inserted into the second through hole (511), a connecting hook (521) is fixed to the bottom of the damper fixing buckle (52), an upper bridge plate (53) is located between the damper (51) and the lower bridge plate (3), a first connecting hole (531) is provided on the upper bridge plate (53), the connecting hook (521) passes through the first connecting hole (531) and is hooked on the bottom of the upper bridge plate (53), and a horn spring (61) is connected between the upper bridge plate (53) and the lower bridge plate (3); The lower bridge plate (3) is provided with a mounting groove (31), a guide positioning plate (35) is fixed in the mounting groove (31), a plug hole (522) is provided on the damper fixing buckle (52), the plug hole (522) penetrates the damper fixing buckle (52), and the guide positioning plate (35) is inserted into the plug hole (522); A mounting hole (351) is provided on the guide positioning plate (35), and a plug-in protrusion (523) for plugging into the mounting hole (351) is fixed on the inner wall of the plug-in hole (522); A plurality of notches (121) are formed in the circumferential direction of the cover vertical wall (12) away from one end of the cover (11).

2. The steering wheel airbag module assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two slots (311) are provided on the bottom wall of the mounting slot (31), and the guide positioning plate (35) is located between the two slots (311). Each slot (311) corresponds to a horn spring (61), and one end of the horn spring (61) is fixed to the bottom of the slot (311), and the other end of the horn spring (61) is in contact with the upper bridge plate (53).

3. The steering wheel airbag module assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first conductive steel wire (62) is installed at the bottom of the housing (2), and a second conductive steel wire (63) is installed at the top of the lower bridge plate (3). When the housing (2) is pressed downward, the first conductive steel wire (62) and the second conductive steel wire (63) can be connected.

4. The steering wheel airbag module assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cover body (1) is provided on a side of the housing (2) away from the lower bridge plate (3), the cover body (1) including an integrally formed cover (11), a cover vertical wall (12) and a cover hook (13), the cover hook (13) being fixed on an inner wall of the cover vertical wall (12) away from the cover (11), the cover vertical wall (12) being inserted into the housing (2), and an air bag belt support ring assembly (4) being provided in the housing (2), the air bag belt support ring assembly (4) including a support ring (4 1), a groove (21) is provided on the inner bottom wall of the housing (2), a cover hook (13) is located in the groove (21), a support ring (41) is located above the groove (21), a plurality of bolts (411) are provided on the support ring (41), the bolts (411) pass through the support ring (41) and the bottom wall of the housing (2) and are threadedly connected with nuts (412), and due to the action of the support ring (41), the cover hook (13) is restricted in the groove (21).

5. The steering wheel airbag module assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two hooks (25) are fixed to the bottom of the housing (2), and at least two second connection holes (34) are opened on the lower bridge plate (3), each hook (25) corresponds to a second connection hole (34), and the hook (25) passes through the second connection hole (34) and is hooked on the bottom of the lower bridge plate (3).

6. The steering wheel airbag module assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air bag with support ring assembly (4) further includes a gas generator (42) and a folding air bag (43). A connecting plate (421) is fixed to the periphery of the gas generator (42). The connecting plate (421) is located below the support ring (41). The bolt (411) passes through the connecting plate (421). The folding air bag (43) is connected to the support ring (41).

7. The steering wheel airbag module assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first through hole (23) and the second through hole (511) are both semicircular in shape, and the damper (51) and the upper bridge plate (53) are also semicircular in shape.

Images