Airbag device provided in steering wheel

Abstract

Provided is an airbag device provided in a steering wheel, the airbag device being capable of reducing the size of an airbag module so as to correspond to a steering wheel having a center pad that is smaller than in the prior art. In order to achieve this, this airbag device is provided with: an airbag module comprising an airbag cushion and a cylindrical inflator (4) for supplying inflation gas to the airbag cushion; a damper unit that attenuates vibration transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel; an assembly member (18) formed of a plate material and used for assembling the inflator and the damper unit; and an elastic member that is provided between the assembly member and the steering wheel and that elastically supports the airbag module on the steering wheel. A circular through part (19) for press-fitting the inflator and fixing the inflator and a holding part (20) for holding the damper unit are formed on the assembly member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device mounted on a steering wheel, which can reduce the size of an airbag module relative to the outer diameter of the steering wheel. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique of mounting an airbag module including an inflator on a steering wheel.

[0003] In the "steering wheel with airbag device" of Patent Document 1, the horn switch mechanism includes: a fixing pin as a supporting member, which is fixed to the core rod of the steering wheel body and supports the bag holder so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the core rod; and a movable mounting member as an insulating portion, which is interposed between the fixing pin and the bag holder and electrically insulates them. In addition, the horn switch mechanism includes: a compression coil spring as a biasing member, which biases the bag holder in a direction away from the core rod; and a contact terminal as a movable side contact portion, which moves together with the bag holder. And, the structure is such that, by the movement of the bag holder toward the core rod side against the biasing force of the compression coil spring, the contact terminal and the fixing pin are brought into contact and conduction, thereby operating the horn device of the vehicle.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-69934 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] Patent Document 1 describes the installation structure of the inflator as follows: "

[0018] The airbag device, as shown in the figure, comprises a bag bracket, an airbag, an inflator and a cushion. …

[0024] The inflator has a flange portion on a cylindrical body, and four mounting pieces further extend radially outward at equal angles on the flange portion. Each mounting piece has a screw insertion hole corresponding to the screw insertion hole of the bag bracket. … Furthermore, the inflator … is inserted into the opening of the bag bracket, the flange portion is in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening, and is installed together with the annular retaining member described later. …

[0047] The components (the horn switch mechanisms, the annular retaining member, the airbag and the cushion) are assembled onto the bag bracket from above."

[0009] In a structure in which an inflator having a flange portion formed by a mounting plate extending radially outward is mounted on a mounting surface of a bag bracket along the steering surface of a steering wheel, and functional components such as a horn switch mechanism are mounted on the outer periphery of the inflator, in order to install an inflator of a size that reaches the position of the mounting plate, a wider mounting space needs to be ensured, and the functional components have to be arranged outside the mounting space.

[0010] Therefore, there is a problem that the size of the bag bracket in which the inflator and functional components are assembled is enlarged along the steering surface of the steering wheel, and the airbag device installed in the steering wheel having a smaller center pad than before cannot be miniaturized relative to the outer diameter of the center pad of the steering wheel.

[0011] Generally speaking, the driver's seat airbag has functions such as a horn function, a damping function, and a function of maintaining the airbag cushion when the airbag cushion is in operation during a collision. In addition, it is also necessary to easily assemble the driver's seat airbag on the steering wheel. In order to achieve these, there is an airbag with a damping structure of three pins as a driver's seat airbag. In this structure, in order to maintain the inflator, airbag cushion, shock absorber, pad and other components, it is necessary to configure a housing, a lock plate, an inflator flange, a retainer and other metal parts. In addition, in order to have strength, it is sometimes formed by deep drawing, but this becomes an obstacle to miniaturization.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device provided in a steering wheel, which can reduce the size of an airbag module so as to be compatible with a steering wheel having a smaller center pad than conventional ones.

[0013] Solutions to the problem

[0014] The airbag device of the steering wheel involved in the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: an airbag module, which includes an airbag cushion and a cylindrical inflator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag cushion; a functional component, which is arranged between the airbag module and the steering wheel; an assembly component, which is formed of a plate material and is used to assemble the inflator and the functional component, and a circular through-portion for press-fitting and fixing the inflator and a retaining portion for retaining the functional component are formed on the assembly component.

[0015] The circular through-portion is preferably constructed to include: a circular hole formed on the assembly component and extending axially through an axis orthogonal to the center of the bottom surface of the inflator; and an annular rib formed on the inner periphery of the circular hole and pressed against the peripheral side surface of the inflator.

[0016] An annular stopper is preferably provided on the outer peripheral portion of the inflator between the annular rib and the gas ejection hole of the inflator.

[0017] The assembly member preferably has a flat surface portion on the outer periphery of the circular through portion, and a step is provided between the holding portion and the flat surface portion.

[0018] The step is preferably a groove portion formed by a vertical wall extending from the planar portion, and the retaining portion is formed in the groove portion.

[0019] The functional component is preferably a damper unit for damping vibration transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel, is disposed between the assembly component and the steering wheel, and has an elastic component for elastically supporting the airbag module on the steering wheel.

[0020] The airbag module preferably includes a fixing member that covers and is fixed to the assembly member from the airbag module side, and one end of the functional component is held between the fixing member and the assembly member, and the other end is held on the steering wheel.

[0021] The airbag module preferably includes a cover covering the airbag cushion, and the cover is mounted on the fixing component.

[0022] The assembly member preferably includes an annular reinforcement wall portion surrounding the planar portion and the holding portion.

[0023] The airbag module preferably includes a cover that covers the airbag cushion, and the cover is attached to the reinforcement wall portion.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] In the airbag device provided on the steering wheel according to the present invention, the airbag module can be miniaturized so as to be compatible with a steering wheel having a smaller center pad than conventional ones. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating a first preferred embodiment of an airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an airbag module included in an airbag device.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An explanatory diagram of a damper unit included in an airbag device.

[0029] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of an airbag device provided in a steering wheel shown.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of an assembled state of an inflator and assembly components included in an airbag module.

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Side view of the assembled state shown.

[0032] Figure 7Yes Figure 5 The assembled state shown is a view of the state where the fixing components are set as viewed from the back.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a modified example of assembly components of the airbag device included in the steering wheel according to the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 9 From the back Figure 8 The assembled state is shown in the figure for observation.

[0035] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 8 A cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of an air cushion device provided in a steering wheel of a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present embodiment. Figure 1 (a) shows the overall state of the steering wheel 1, Figure 1 (b) shows a disassembled state in which the airbag module 2 is removed from the steering wheel 1. In this specification, the side facing the driver is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the back side.

[0038] The steering wheel 1 is provided on a driver's seat of a vehicle and is connected to a steering shaft passing through a steering column, so that the steering operation of the steering wheel 1 by the driver is transmitted to a steering gear and the like.

[0039] The steering wheel 1 is made of a metal core member, which is roughly composed of a central boss portion 6 , a circular rim portion 7 gripped by a driver, and spoke portions 8 connecting the boss portion 6 and the rim portion 7 .

[0040] The boss portion 6 is formed with an axial hole 9 for connecting the steering shaft. In addition, the boss portion 6 is provided with three mounting holes 13 (see FIG. 1 ) in which hollow cylindrical collar members 12 are arranged around the axial hole 9. Figure 4 ).

[0041] The steering wheel 1 is steered by a rim portion 7 that defines a steering surface, and the outer diameter of the rim portion 7 is the outer diameter of the steering wheel 1 .

[0042] An airbag module 2 having a built-in airbag cushion is mounted on the steering wheel 1 .

[0043] The driver side of the airbag module 2 is covered by a speaker cover 3. The speaker cover 3 is composed of a cover surface 3a which becomes a design surface and a hollow cylindrical portion 3b which is integrally formed on the inner side of the cover surface 3a (see Figure 2 and Figure 4 The airbag cushion 5 is accommodated in the interior of the cylindrical portion 3b.

[0044] In an emergency situation such as a collision, when inflation gas is supplied to the airbag cushion 5 , the airbag cushion 5 ruptures the cover surface portion 3 a of the horn cover 3 , expands into the vehicle interior space, and restrains and protects the driver.

[0045] The airbag module 2 normally functions as a horn button that the driver presses on the steering wheel 1 when sounding the horn.

[0046] The airbag module 2 also functions as a damping mass. Therefore, a damper unit 10 (see FIG. 1 ) for damping the vibration of the steering wheel 1 is provided in the airbag module 2. Figure 2 to Figure 4 ).

[0047] Figure 2 The exploded perspective view of the airbag module 2 is shown. The airbag module 2 includes a horn cover 3 and an airbag cushion 5, an inflator 4 for supplying inflation gas to the inside of the airbag cushion 5, and a module base 15 for mounting and fixing the inflator 4 and the airbag cushion 5.

[0048] The module base 15 is composed of a retaining ring 16 for mounting the airbag cushion 5, a fixing member 17 formed of a plate and overlapped on the back side of the retaining ring 16, and an assembling member 18 formed of a plate and further overlapped on the back side of the retaining member 17. Bolt through holes 18a are formed in the fixing member 17 and the assembling member 18 for inserting the bolts 16a of the retaining ring 16.

[0049] On the assembly member 18, a circular through-hole 19 to which the inflator 4 is mounted is located at the center, and three retaining portions 20 are formed in an array surrounding the circular through-hole 19 (see FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 7 ) In the present embodiment, the holding portion 20 is a through hole.

[0050] Holes 16 b and 17 a are formed in the fixing member 17 and the retaining ring 16 , respectively. The holes 16 b and 17 a are communicated with the circular through-hole 19 and allow the inflator 4 to be positioned inside the airbag cushion 5 .

[0051] The bolts 16 a of the retaining ring 16 are inserted through the bolt through holes 18 a of the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18 , and the nuts 21 are tightened from the back side of the assembly member 18 , whereby the inflator 4 and the airbag cushion 5 are assembled to the module base 15 .

[0052] The cylindrical portion 3 b of the horn cover 3 accommodating the airbag cushion 5 is also mounted on the module base 15 .

[0053] The airbag module 2 is configured by assembling an airbag cushion 5 , an inflator 4 , and a horn cover 3 on a module base 15 , and functions as a damping mass for damping vibration.

[0054] Between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 , a damper unit 10 is provided as a functional component for damping vibration transmitted between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 .

[0055] The airbag module 2 is connected to and mounted on the steering wheel 1 via the damper unit 10 .

[0056] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the damper units 10 are respectively arranged on three holding portions (through holes) 20 of an assembly member 18 constituting a module base 12 of the airbag module 2 .

[0057] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the damper unit 10 is composed of a hollow cylindrical damping member 14 mounted on a holding portion 20 of an assembly member 18 and a rod-shaped pin 11 slidably inserted through the damping member 14. The pin 11 has a connecting front end portion 11a at one end and a bottom plate portion 11b at the other end. The damping member 14 is configured to have a rubber 51 that performs a vibration damping function.

[0058] Figure 3 (a) is a perspective view of the damper unit 10, Figure 3 (b) is an exploded perspective view of the damper unit 10.

[0059] The structure of the damping component 14 constituting the damper unit 10 is briefly described, and its structure includes: an annular insulator 50, which overlaps with the bottom plate portion 11b of the pin 11 and surrounds the pin 11; an annular rubber 51, which surrounds the pin 11 and overlaps with the annular insulator 50, and plays a role in damping vibration; a ring 52, which is formed into a cylindrical shape that slidably surrounds the pin 11, and the rubber 51 is arranged on the outside, and the claw portion 5a is engaged with the annular insulator 50 and clamps the rubber 51; a retaining member 53, which is formed into a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outside of the rubber 51, is arranged on the bottom plate portion 11b side of the pin 11, and retains the rubber 51 on the pin 11.

[0060] The collar 52 is provided with a spring seat 52 b of the horn spring 23 described later.

[0061] In assembling the damper unit 10 , the rubber 51 is inserted into the holder 53 , the annular insulator 50 is overlapped with the rubber 51 , and the annular insulator 50 is locked by the claw 52 a of the collar 52 inserted from the opposite side of the holder 53 , thereby completing the damper component 14 .

[0062] The connecting tip 12a of the pin 11 is formed in a tapered shape. The pin 11 is pressed into the collar 52 from the connecting tip 12a side and is embedded in the damping member 14 so as not to be removed.

[0063] The longitudinal connecting front end portion 11 a of the pin 11 having the constricted portion 11 d is inserted into the collar member 12 , and the constricted portion 11 d is locked by the locking member 22 provided on the boss portion 6 , thereby being connected to the steering wheel 1 .

[0064] The pin 11 is connected to the airbag module 2 by locking the damping member 14 provided on the holding portion 20 of the assembly member 18 at the other end portion 11 b in the longitudinal direction having the flange portion 11 c.

[0065] A horn spring 23 as an elastic member capable of elastic deformation is provided between the boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1 and the assembly member 18 of the module base 15 so as to surround the pin 11. The horn spring 23 elastically supports the airbag module 2 on the steering wheel 1.

[0066] The vibration of the steering wheel 1 is transmitted to the damping member 14 via the pin 11. The damping member 14 damps the transmitted vibration of the steering wheel 1 by using the airbag module 2 to which the damping member 14 is mounted as a damping mass.

[0067] In the horn operation of pressing the airbag module 2 toward the steering wheel 1 , the horn spring 23 elastically deforms, whereby the damping member 14 slides relative to the pin 11 connected to the steering wheel 1 , and the module base 15 moves toward the steering wheel 1 together with the damping member 14 .

[0068] A horn contact for sounding the horn is provided on the pin 11 and the module base 15 which, although not shown, contact and separate from each other.

[0069] In the airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to the present embodiment, the inflator 4 and the damper unit 10 as a functional component are as follows. Figures 4 to 7 As shown in detail, it is assembled on an assembly component 18 having a unique structure.

[0070] The inflator 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a small annular stopper 4b protruding radially of the inflator 4 at one end having the gas ejection hole 4a, i.e., at the end opposite to the boss portion 6 and inserted into the airbag cushion 5.

[0071] The assembly member 18 is formed of a plate material and includes: a circular through-portion 19 formed at the center; three retaining portions 20 protruding radially outward from the circular through-portion 19 and formed to match the arrangement of the three damper units 10; and a flat portion 24 connecting the retaining portions 20 and the circular through-portion 19 to form and reinforce the retaining portions 20.

[0072] The circular through-portion 19 is composed of a circular hole 19 a formed to penetrate the assembly member 18 in the axial direction (length direction) of the cylindrical inflator 4 , and an annular rib 19 b formed to stand in the axial direction of the inflator 4 at the inner peripheral edge of the circular hole 19 a .

[0073] The inflator 4 is pressed into the circular hole 19 a of the circular through-hole 19 from the front side to the back side in the axial direction of the inflator 4 , and the annular rib 19 b is pressed against the peripheral side surface 4 c of the inflator 4 .

[0074] Thus, the inflator 4 is firmly fixed to the circular through-portion 19 of the assembly member 18 by press-fitting.

[0075] The annular stopper 4 b of the inflator 4 assembled to the circular penetration portion 19 faces the annular rib portion 19 b with a gap therebetween in the axial direction of the inflator 4 .

[0076] The annular rib 19 b blocks the inflator 4 from moving toward the boss portion 6 through the circular hole 19 a when the inflator 4 ejects the inflator gas from the gas ejection hole 4 a , thereby preventing the inflator 4 from being separated from the assembly member 18 .

[0077] The assembly member 18 is bent from the front side to the back side to form a solid wall 25 for reinforcing the strength of the assembly member 18 .

[0078] The solid wall 25 forms a recessed groove portion 26 that is recessed toward the back surface side, and the holding portion 20 is formed in the recessed groove portion 26 .

[0079] The damping member 14 of the damper unit 10 is locked and held by the holding portion 20 serving as the through hole.

[0080] As a locking structure, the through-hole-shaped holding portion 20 and the damping member 14 are both formed into, for example, an elliptical shape defined by a major axis and a minor axis, and the damping member 14 is inserted into the holding portion 20 by aligning the major axes and minor axes of the holding portion 20 and the damping member 14, and then the damping member 14 is rotated, so that the damping member 14 is locked to the holding portion 20. Thus, the damper unit 10 is assembled to the assembly member 18.

[0081] In the flat surface portion 24 , the groove portion 26 provided with the holding portion 20 is connected to the circular through portion 19 via the solid wall 25 , thereby connecting and reinforcing the holding portion 20 in a cantilevered state from the circular through portion 19 and the circular reinforcing portion 19 .

[0082] The circular through-hole portion 19 , the solid wall 25 , the recessed groove portion 26 and the like of the assembly member 18 can be formed by ordinary press forming of a plate material.

[0083] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As described above, the plate-shaped fixing member 17 is overlapped on the assembly member 18 from the airbag module 2 side, and the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18 are both mounted and fixed by tightening the nut 21 on the holding ring 16 . Figure 4 and Figure 7 The state where the fixing member 17 is assembled to the assembly member 18 is shown.

[0084] The fixing member 17 is disc-shaped and has a size covering the recessed groove 26 of the assembly member 18 . A hole 17 a for passing the inflator 4 is formed at the center thereof, and an annular vertical wall 17 b is formed at the outer edge thereof to stand upright toward the surface.

[0085] In the damper unit 10 , the connecting front end portion 11 a of the pin 11 having the constricted portion 11 d is held on the steering wheel 1 , and the other end portion 11 b of the pin 11 having the flange portion 11C on the airbag module 2 side is located between the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18 via the fixing member 17 covering the groove portion 26 .

[0086] The assembling member 18 is provided with an assembling protrusion 18 b for aligning with the fixing member 17 for assembly, and the fixing member 17 is provided with a locking hole 17 c which fits with the assembling protrusion 18 b .

[0087] An elastically deformable locking hook 3 c formed on the cylindrical portion 3 b of the horn cover 3 of the airbag module 2 is also locked to the locking hole 17 c of the fixing member 17 .

[0088] By locking the locking hook 3 c in the locking hole 17 c , the horn cover 3 accommodating the airbag cushion 5 is mounted on the fixing member 17 , that is, the module base 15 on which the inflator 4 is provided.

[0089] The operation of the airbag device included in the steering wheel according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0090] First, the inflator 4 is assembled to the circular through-hole portion 19 of the assembly member 18 , and the damper unit 10 as a functional component is assembled to the holding portion 20 .

[0091] Next, after the fixing component 17 is overlapped with the assembly component 18 from the surface side, the bolt 16a of the retaining ring 16 is passed through the bolt through holes 18a of the fixing component 17 and the assembly component 18, thereby assembling the airbag cushion 5 with the retaining ring 16 installed from the surface side, and the nut 21 is tightened and fixed on the bolt 16a.

[0092] Next, the horn cover 3 is mounted on the fixing member 17. Thus, the airbag module 2 is completed.

[0093] In order to install the airbag module 2 on the steering wheel 1, the airbag module 2 is located in the mounting hole 13 of the boss portion 6 provided with the ring component 12, and a horn spring 23 is provided between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2, so that the pin 11 of the damper unit 10 is inserted into the ring component 12 through the horn spring 23, and the contraction portion 11d of the pin 11 is locked by the locking component 22.

[0094] Thereby, the installation of the airbag module 2 on the steering wheel 1 is completed.

[0095] In the airbag device included in the steering wheel according to the present embodiment, the inflator 4 is formed into a cylindrical shape without a flange portion, a circular through portion 19 for inserting the inflator 4 is formed on the assembly member 18 , and the inflator 4 is press-fitted and fixed to the assembly member 18 .

[0096] Thus, the holding portion 20 of the damper unit 10 as a functional component can be formed so as to be located near the inflator 4 around the inflator 4 , and the damper unit 10 can be brought close to the inflator 4 without requiring an extra space due to the mounting piece in the background art.

[0097] As a result, the assembly space of the inflator 4 and the damper unit 10 can be reduced and made compact with respect to the steering surface of the steering wheel 1 , and the airbag module 2 can be significantly miniaturized with respect to the outer diameter of the steering wheel 1 .

[0098] If the airbag device includes such a miniaturized airbag module 2 , it can be appropriately equipped even with a steering wheel 1 that is not circular or has an irregular shape.

[0099] The circular through portion 19 is composed of a circular hole 19a formed on the assembly component 18 and penetrating the inflator 4 along the axial direction and embedded with the inflator 4, and an annular rib 19b formed on the inner peripheral edge of the circular hole 19a and pressed against the peripheral side surface 4c of the inflator 4, so that the inflator 4 can be firmly fixed to the assembly component 18.

[0100] Since the inflator 4 can be firmly fixed to the assembly member 18 constituting the module base 15 , the inflator gas can be supplied to the airbag cushion 5 as well as in the related art.

[0101] Since the inflator 4 is provided with the annular stopper 4 b facing the annular rib 19 b , it is possible to prevent the inflator 4 from being separated from the assembly member 18 when the inflation gas is ejected.

[0102] The assembly member 18 has a groove 26 formed by a solid wall 25 for reinforcing the strength of the assembly member 18 , and the retaining portion 20 is formed in the groove 26 , thereby reinforcing the strength of the entire assembly member 18 in which the inflator 4 and the damper unit 10 are assembled.

[0103] The airbag module 2 has a fixing member 17 that covers and is mounted and fixed on the assembly member 18 from the airbag module 2 side, the other end 11b of the pin 11 of the damper unit 10 is held between the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18, and the connecting front end 11a is held on the steering wheel 1. Thus, the vibration damping effect of the damper unit 10 can be appropriately ensured.

[0104] The airbag module 2 includes the horn cover 3 covering the airbag cushion 5 . The horn cover 3 is mounted on a fixing member 17 constituting a module base 15 . Therefore, the airbag module 2 can be constructed with a small number of parts.

[0105] The assembly component 18 includes a circular through-portion 19 formed at a central position, a retaining portion 20 formed at a position protruding radially outward from the circular through-portion 19, and a planar portion 24 formed by connecting the retaining portion 20 and the circular through-portion 19 to reinforce the retaining portion 20, thereby further enhancing the overall strength of the assembly component 18 for assembling the inflator 4 and the damper unit 10.

[0106] Figures 8 to 10 In the above embodiment, the fixing member 17 is superimposed on the assembly member 18 , but in this modification, the fixing member 17 is omitted and the annular retainer 16 is directly fastened to the assembly member 18 by the nut 21 .

[0107] The assembly component 18 of this modified example is formed into a disc shape. Similar to the assembly component of the above-mentioned embodiment, in addition to having a circular through portion 19, a retaining portion 20, and a planar portion 24, a reinforcing wall portion 27 is formed at the outer edge position rising toward the surface side, which is connected in series with the planar portion 24 and the retaining portion 20 and surrounds these planar portions 24 and the retaining portion 20 to form a ring shape.

[0108] By providing the annular reinforcing wall portion 27 facing the annular rib portion 19 b in the radial direction of the assembly member 18 , the strength of the assembly member 18 can be further increased.

[0109] The annular reinforcing wall portion 27 is provided with an opening piece 27 a for locking an elastically deformable locking hook 3 c formed on the cylindrical portion 3 b of the horn cover 3 of the airbag module 2 .

[0110] By locking the locking hook 3 c on the opening piece 27 a , the horn cover 3 accommodating the airbag cushion 5 is mounted on the assembly member 18 , that is, the module base 15 to which the inflator 4 is fixed.

[0111] Of course, this modification also achieves the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0112] In this modification, by omitting the fixing member 17, it is possible to reduce the number of components and reduce the weight.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the damper unit 10 is illustrated and described as a functional component, but the present invention is not limited to the damper unit 10 , and other functional components such as other horn components may be assembled to the assembly component 18 .

[0114] The airbag device provided in the steering wheel described above is a preferred example of the present invention, and other embodiments can also be implemented or completed by various methods. In particular, the present invention is not restricted by the shape, size, and structural configuration of the detailed components shown in the drawings, unless there is a record of the subject matter defined in the specification of this application. In addition, the expressions and terms used in the specification of this application are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless there is a record of the subject matter specifically defined.

[0115] Explanation of symbols

[0116] 1…Steering wheel 2…Airbag module

[0117] 3… Speaker cover 4… Inflator

[0118] 4b... annular stopper 4c... peripheral side of inflator

[0119] 5...Airbag cushion 10...Damper unit

[0120] 17…Fixed parts 18…Assembly parts

[0121] 19...circular through portion 19a...circular hole

[0122] 19b... annular rib 20... retaining portion

[0123] 23… Horn spring 24… Flat surface

[0124] 25… solid wall 26… groove part

[0125] 27…Reinforced wall

Claims

1. An airbag device provided on a steering wheel, characterized in that: have: An airbag module including an airbag cushion and a cylindrical inflator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag cushion; a functional component disposed between the airbag module and the steering wheel; an assembly component, which is formed of a plate and is used to assemble the inflator and the functional component, The assembly member is formed with a circular through portion for press-fitting and fixing the inflator and a holding portion for holding the functional component.

2. The airbag device for a steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein: The circular through portion is configured to include: a circular hole formed on the assembly component and extending through the assembly component along an axis perpendicular to the center of the bottom surface of the inflator, for inserting the inflator; An annular rib is formed on the inner periphery of the circular hole and is pressed against the peripheral side surface of the inflator.

3. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that: An annular stopper is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the inflator between the annular rib and the gas ejection hole of the inflator.

4. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein: The assembly member has a flat surface portion on the outer periphery of the circular through portion, and a step is provided between the holding portion and the flat surface portion.

5. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that: The step forms a groove portion by a vertical wall extending from the flat portion, The retaining portion is formed in the groove portion.

6. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The functional component is a damper unit that attenuates vibration transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel, An elastic member is provided between the assembly member and the steering wheel and elastically supports the airbag module on the steering wheel.

7. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The airbag module includes a fixing member that covers and is mounted and fixed to the assembly member from the airbag module side. One end side of the functional component is held between the fixing component and the assembly component, and the other end side is held on the steering wheel.

8. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that: The airbag module includes a cover covering the airbag cushion, The cover is mounted on the fixing component.

9. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that: The assembly member includes an annular reinforcement wall portion surrounding the planar portion and the holding portion.

10. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 9, wherein: The airbag module includes a cover covering the airbag cushion, The cover is mounted on the reinforced wall portion.

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