Structure for mounting airbag module to steering wheel

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: an engagement member (26) provided so that the base end (26a) side thereof is joined to a housing (15) of an airbag module, and having an engagement hole (28) on the front end (26b) side thereof; an engagement protrusion (27) which is formed on a core rod (3) of the steering wheel, protrudes upward from a lower position in the vertical direction of the steering wheel toward the center of the steering wheel with respect to the neutral position of the steering wheel, and is inserted into the engagement hole of the engagement member to attach the airbag module to the steering wheel; and an insulating member (32), which is provided between the engagement protrusion and the engagement hole, and which prevents contact between the engagement protrusion and the engagement hole engaged with the engagement protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure which is excellent in assembling workability and can reliably mount an air bag module to a steering wheel. Background Art

[0002] There are various known structures for attaching an airbag module including a driver's airbag to a steering wheel, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The structure of the "steering wheel shock absorber structure and vehicle steering wheel device" of Patent Document 1 includes: a shock absorber unit, two of which are provided between the steering wheel and the airbag module serving as the shock absorber mass, and attenuate the vibration of the steering wheel; and a snap-fit ​​structure (a hook of a plate-shaped shock absorber) which is provided between the steering wheel and the airbag module in parallel with the shock absorber unit, and maintains the steering wheel and the airbag module so as to be able to move relative to each other.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-026263 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a hook of a plate-shaped damper provided on the airbag module is engaged with a steering wheel, so that the airbag module can be reliably mounted on the steering wheel with excellent operability.

[0008] Mounting the airbag module on the steering wheel has always required further improvement.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure which is excellent in assembling workability and can reliably mount an airbag module to a steering wheel.

[0010] Solutions to the problem

[0011] The structure for installing an airbag module to a steering wheel involved in the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a locking component, whose base end side is connected to the shell of the airbag module and whose front end side has a locking hole; a locking protrusion, which is formed on the core rod of the steering wheel and protrudes upward from a lower position in the up and down direction of the steering wheel toward the center of the steering wheel with the neutral position of the steering wheel as a reference, and is inserted into the above-mentioned locking hole of the above-mentioned locking component, thereby installing the above-mentioned airbag module to the steering wheel; and an insulating component, which is arranged between the locking protrusion and the above-mentioned locking hole and prevents contact between the locking protrusion and the locking hole engaged with the locking protrusion.

[0012] The engaging component preferably has a engaging hole formed therethrough and is formed by a plate material that can be bent and elastically deform freely. The engaging protrusion has an inclined surface formed along the direction in which the airbag module is installed on the steering wheel. The front end side of the engaging component slides on the inclined surface. The engaging component slides on the inclined surface and generates bending elastic deformation. When the engaging hole reaches the terminal end of the upper inclined surface, the engaging component restores its elasticity and the engaging protrusion is inserted into the engaging hole.

[0013] The core bar of the steering wheel is preferably formed in a mold divided by a parting line, and the parting line is arranged to intersect the inclined surface.

[0014] The housing of the airbag module and the core rod of the steering wheel form a conductive circuit.

[0015] The airbag module damper mass, preferably a damper unit for damping the vibrations of the steering wheel, is arranged between the steering wheel and the airbag module in parallel with the engagement member.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] The structure for mounting an air bag module to a steering wheel according to the present invention exhibits excellent assembling workability and can ensure reliable mounting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an example of a steering wheel to which the structure for mounting an airbag module according to the present invention is applied.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a main portion of a mandrel of a steering wheel in a first preferred embodiment of a structure for attaching an airbag module to a steering wheel according to the present invention, as viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0020] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram of an airbag module according to a first preferred embodiment of a structure for attaching an airbag module to a steering wheel according to the present invention, as viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0021] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 An explanatory diagram of the back side of the airbag module shown.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the airbag module is shown.

[0023] Figure 6 Is set in Figure 3 An enlarged perspective view of an engagement member with an insulating member in an airbag module is shown.

[0024] Figure 7 The present invention is a preferred embodiment of the structure for mounting the airbag module to the steering wheel, an initial mounting state ( Figure 2 , a schematic illustration of the diagram (viewed from the AA line).

[0025] Figure 8 Yes Description Figure 3 FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the engagement action between the engagement member of the airbag module and the engagement protrusion of the core rod.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is shown by Figure 8 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing an engagement state of an engagement protrusion engaged by an engagement action and an engagement hole having an insulating component.

[0027] Fig.10 It is shown Figure 2 The mandrel and Figure 3 A perspective view of the main parts of the airbag module shown in the installed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment 1 of a structure for mounting an airbag module to a steering wheel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figures 1 to 5 A vehicle steering wheel 1 and an airbag module 2 mounted on the vehicle steering wheel 1 are shown.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically illustrating the steering wheel 1 to which the airbag module 2 is mounted.

[0031] Including Figure 1 In the following drawings including FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 , each direction is shown assuming that the steering position of the steering wheel 1 mounted to the vehicle is in the neutral position.

[0032] The steering position being in the neutral position refers to a position where the steering angle of the steering wheel 1 is “zero” and the steered front wheels are facing the forward direction.

[0033] In the figure, the direction of the Z axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is along the steering axis (not shown), with the direction of the front wheels being downward and the direction of the steering wheel 1 being upward.

[0034] Similarly, the direction of the X-axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is from the 3 o'clock direction (right direction) to the 9 o'clock direction (left direction) of the analog clock in a plane orthogonal to the Z-axis, and the direction of the Y-axis is from the 12 o'clock direction (upward direction) to the 6 o'clock direction (downward direction) in the same plane. In addition, the side viewed from the driver's side is recorded as the front side, and the opposite side is recorded as the rear side.

[0035] The steering wheel 1 is mounted in a driver's seat of a vehicle, is connected to a steering shaft, and transmits a steering operation of a driver to a steering gear and the like.

[0036] In the center of the steering wheel 1, an airbag module 2 is provided which functions as a driver's seat airbag in an emergency.

[0037] Typically, the airbag module 2 also functions as a horn switch, and the driver can sound the horn by pressing the horn switch.

[0038] The airbag module 2 also has a function as a module shock absorber for damping vibrations of the steering wheel 1 .

[0039] The base portion of the steering wheel 1 is formed of a metal mandrel 3 produced by casting.

[0040] The mandrel 3 generally comprises a boss area 5 having a central boss hole 4, a rim 6 held by the driver, and spokes 7 and 8 connecting the boss area 5 and the rim 6. The boss hole 4 is connected with a steering shaft.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the boss area 5 has a bridge portion 9 that connects the bases of the left and right spokes 7 at a distance from the boss hole 4 at 6 o'clock in the lower vertical direction (Y-axis direction) in the neutral position of the steering wheel 1.

[0042] Will refer to Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5 The structure of the airbag module 2 will be briefly described. The driver's side of the airbag module 2 is covered with a resin horn cover 10 as a design surface.

[0043] A locking plate 12 is provided at the deep end of the horn cover 10 , and a damper unit 11 to be described later is fixed to the locking plate 12 .

[0044] Inside the horn cover 10 , an airbag cushion 13 is folded and accommodated to be deployed and inflated in an emergency.

[0045] An inflator 14 housed in an airbag cushion 13 is mounted on the lock plate 12 .

[0046] In an emergency, when a signal is sent from a vehicle sensor, inflator gas is supplied from the inflator 14 to the airbag cushion 13 .

[0047] The airbag cushion 13 receiving the inflator gas ruptures the speaker cover 10 and expands and deploys into the interior space of the vehicle to restrain the driver.

[0048] The airbag module 2 includes: a metal locking plate 12; a metal shell 15, which is formed in a disc shape and has a peripheral wall 15a on the surface side, and two of them are overlapped on the surface of the locking plate 12; two hollow cylindrical shock absorber units 11; a pin 16, which can be slidably inserted into the hollow interior of the shock absorber unit 11; an inflator 14; a bolt 17a fastened with a nut 18; a metal fixing ring 17, which is used to fix the airbag cushion 13 and the inflator 14 to the shell 15; and a speaker cover 10, which accommodates the airbag cushion 13.

[0049] Although not shown, an insertion hole portion into which the inflator 14 is inserted is formed in the airbag cushion 13. Bolt insertion holes for the fixing ring 17 are formed around the insertion hole portion.

[0050] The fixing ring 17 is provided inside the airbag cushion 13. The fixing ring 17 is aligned with the insertion hole portion of the airbag cushion 13 so that the bolts 17a protrude from the bolt insertion holes.

[0051] A hole 12a is formed at the center of the lock plate 12 for inserting the inflator 14. Two locking holes 12c for mounting and fixing the two damper units 11 are formed in recesses 12b on both sides of the hole 12a.

[0052] A hole portion 15 b through which the inflator 14 inserted into the hole portion 12 a of the lock plate 12 is inserted is formed inside the peripheral wall 15 a of the disk-shaped housing 15 .

[0053] The airbag cushion 13 is mounted in the housing 15 with the insertion hole aligned with the hole 15 b. The periphery of the insertion hole of the airbag cushion 13 is sandwiched between the fixing ring 17 and the housing 15.

[0054] The damper unit 11 is mounted into the recess 12 b from the front side (the housing 15 side) of the lock plate 12 , and is fixed to the lock plate 12 through the lock hole 12 c .

[0055] The pin 16 has a head 16 a at one end, is inserted into the damper unit 11 from the housing 15 side, and is disposed through the locking hole 12 c of the locking plate 12 .

[0056] The head 16 a of the pin 16 is sandwiched between the housing 15 and the locking plate 12 and held therebetween.

[0057] The inflator 14 has an outer peripheral flange 14 a that contacts the rear surface of the lock plate 12 .

[0058] The inflator 14 is inserted into the interior of the insertion hole portion of the airbag cushion 13 via the hole portion 12 a of the lock plate 12 , the hole portion 15 b of the housing 15 , and the fixing ring 17 .

[0059] Bolts 17 a of a fixing ring 17 protruding from the airbag cushion 13 pass through the housing 15 , the lock plate 12 , and an outer peripheral flange 14 a of the inflator 14 , and are fastened to nuts 18 on the rear side of the lock plate 12 .

[0060] Thereby, the airbag cushion 18 and the inflator 14 are fixed to the housing 15 , and the shock absorber unit 11 is assembled into the lock plate 12 .

[0061] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the locking portion 10 a of the rim of the horn cover 10 is locked to the locked portion 15 c formed on the peripheral wall 15 a of the housing 15 .

[0062] The locking portion 10a of the speaker cover 10 is also held between the pressing portion 12d of the locking plate 12 and the locked portion 15c of the housing 15 by assembling the locking plate 12 to the housing 15 (see Figure 7 ).

[0063] The damper unit 11 included in the airbag module 2 is a component that elastically mounts the airbag module 2 to the core bar 3 of the steering wheel 1 , and forms the center of the module damper.

[0064] Briefly explain the shock absorber unit 11, as shown in Figure 5 As shown, a vibration-damping annular elastic body 19 is accommodated in a holder 20 , and an insulating plate 21 overlapping one end of the elastic body 19 is locked by a sleeve 22 inserted through and held inside the elastic body 19 .

[0065] The retainer 20 is fixed to the lock plate 12 by being inserted into the lock hole 12 c of the lock plate 12 and rotated relative to the lock hole 12 c.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the two damper units 11 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction with the neutral position of the steering wheel 1 as a reference, and are arranged close to the left and right sides of the airbag module 2 .

[0067] like Figure 3 As shown, the pin 16 projects from the damper unit 11 in the Z-axis direction toward the boss region 5 of the mandrel 3 .

[0068] By attaching the pin 16 to the core bar 3 , the airbag module 2 is attached to and coupled to the steering wheel 1 via the damper unit 11 from the Z-axis direction.

[0069] Thus, the damper unit 11 that damps the vibration of the steering wheel 1 is arranged between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 .

[0070] The pin 16 passes through the spiral horn spring 23 and is inserted into a collar member 24 provided on the mandrel 3. The pin 16 is mounted and held to the mandrel 3 (see FIG. Figure 7 ).

[0071] That is, the horn spring 23 is provided between the core bar 3 and the airbag module 2 , and a gap for the horn operation is ensured between these core bar 3 and the airbag module 2 .

[0072] Thus, the airbag module 2 is movably, that is, pushably, coupled to the steering wheel 1 via the damper unit 11 in a state where the airbag module 2 is elastically supported by the horn spring 23 on the steering wheel 1 .

[0073] The vibration of the steering wheel 1 is transmitted to the damper unit 11 via the pin 16. The transmitted vibration is damped in the elastic body 19 of the damper unit 11 with the airbag module 2 serving as the damper mass.

[0074] In the present embodiment, as the performance of the elastic body 19 , since vibration attenuation is achieved by the damper units 11 provided at two locations of the airbag module 2 , it is preferable to increase the hardness, and preferably set the Shore A rubber hardness to HS18 to HS80.

[0075] Regarding the horn function, when the airbag module 2 is pressed toward the steering wheel 1 in the Z-axis direction, the entire airbag module 2 including the damper unit 11 slides relative to the pin 16 held by the collar member 24 of the core rod 3 , and the horn spring 23 is elastically compressed and deformed.

[0076] As a result, the contacts provided at the housing 15 of the airbag module 2 and the core rod 3 are electrically connected, and the horn sounds.

[0077] When the pressure on the airbag module 2 is released, the horn spring 23 elastically recovers and the airbag module 2 moves backward, so that the contact is separated and the sounding stops.

[0078] Therefore, the housing 15 of the airbag module 2 and the core rod 3 of the steering wheel 1 form an electrically conductive circuit.

[0079] In order to reliably operate the horn, an embossed pattern (not shown) is arranged on the outer edge of the housing 15 as a contact point on the airbag module 2 side, and Figure 2 As shown, a copper rivet 25 is preferably arranged on the mandrel 3 as a connection point on the steering wheel 1 side.

[0080] In this embodiment, as a structure for mounting the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 from the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. Figures 6 to 10 As shown, a locking member 26 is provided on the housing 15 , and a locking protrusion 27 is provided on the core rod 3 .

[0081] The engaging member 26 is provided between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2 in parallel with the damper unit 11 .

[0082] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the engaging member 26 is formed of a plate material that can be bent and elastically deformed in the plate thickness direction.

[0083] The engaging member 26 is provided on the airbag module 2 side by being joined to the peripheral wall 15 a of the housing 15 at one end portion in the longitudinal direction, that is, at a base end 26 a side.

[0084] The engaging member 26 has an engaging hole 28 formed therethrough in the plate thickness direction at the other end in the longitudinal direction, that is, at the front end 26b side. In the example shown in the figure, the engaging hole 28 is formed in a substantially square shape in the longitudinal direction of the engaging member 26.

[0085] A pair of left and right ribs 26 c are provided on the front end 26 b side of the engagement member 26 . The pair of left and right ribs 26 c are arranged on both sides of the engagement member 26 in the width direction with the engagement hole 28 interposed therebetween and are formed by being bent toward the housing 15 side.

[0086] As a material for the engagement member 26 , from the viewpoint of a balance among elasticity, strength, and cost, a stainless steel material is most preferable, and among them, SUS 301C SP 3 / 4H t 0.6 is particularly preferable.

[0087] The base end 26 a side of the engagement member 26 is joined to the peripheral wall 15 a of the housing 15 by rivets 29 at two locations in the width direction of the engagement member 26 in order to ensure high rigidity against the tensile load generated between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2 .

[0088] An engaging protrusion 27 is integrally provided on the bridge portion 9 of the boss region 5 formed by the core rod 3 of the steering wheel 1 in a manner protruding from the bridge portion 9 .

[0089] With the neutral position of the steering wheel 1 as a reference, the engaging protrusion 27 is formed to protrude upward from the lower side of the steering wheel 1 in the vertical direction, that is, from the bridge portion 9 at the 6 o'clock side below the boss hole 4, toward the boss hole 4 which is the center of the steering wheel 1. Thus, the engaging protrusion 27 is located between the bridge portion 9 and the boss hole 4.

[0090] like Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, the engaging protrusion 27 appears on the front side of the bridge portion 9 in the Z-axis direction, and is formed by an inclined surface 30 extending obliquely upward toward the boss hole 4 with the bridge portion 9 (front side) as a starting end 30a.

[0091] The surface of the engagement protrusion 27 on the rear side of the bridge portion 9 is a flat engagement surface 31 extending downward from the terminal end 30b of the inclined surface 30 to the bridge portion 9 (rear side). That is, the engagement protrusion 27 is formed into a substantially right triangle when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0092] The inclined surface 30 is formed toward the direction in which the airbag module 2 is mounted to the steering wheel 1 , that is, toward the Z-axis direction.

[0093] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the front end 26 b side of the engaging member 26 slides on the inclined surface 30 .

[0094] The width dimension of the engagement protrusion 27 in the X-axis direction is set so as to be insertable into the engagement hole 28 of the engagement member 26 .

[0095] When the front end 26b of the engagement member 26 slides on the inclined surface 30, the front edge 28a of the square engagement hole 28 near the front end 26b of the engagement member 26 moves first, and the rear edge 28b of the base end 26a of the engagement member 26 moves later.

[0096] When the airbag module 2 is mounted to the steering wheel 1 from the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in (a), the front end 26 b of the engaging member 26 is first located on the starting end 30 a side of the inclined surface 30 .

[0097] Next, when the airbag module 2 is pressed toward the steering wheel 1, Figure 8 As shown in (b), the front end 26b of the engagement member 26 slides on the inclined surface 30, and as the engagement member 26 is displaced toward the boss hole 4, the engagement member 26 is elastically bent and deformed.

[0098] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 5( c ), when the front edge 28 a of the engagement hole 28 reaches the terminal end 30 b of the inclined surface 30 and exceeds the terminal end 30 b , the engagement member 26 elastically recovers and the engagement protrusion 27 is inserted into the engagement hole 28 .

[0099] Then, if Fig. 9 and 10 As shown, the front edge 28 a of the engagement hole 28 inserted into the engagement protrusion 27 is engaged with the engagement surface 31 of the engagement protrusion 27 .

[0100] Thereby, the engaging protrusion 27 and the engaging hole 28 are engaged, and the airbag module 2 is mounted to the core bar 3 of the steering wheel 1 .

[0101] The inclined surface 30 allows the engaging member 26 to be smoothly bent and elastically deformed.

[0102] The spokes 7 , 8 etc. and the bridge 9 as well as the mandrel 3 of the steering wheel 1 having the boss area 5 including the snap-in protrusions 27 are formed by pouring metal in a casting mold divided by the parting line P.

[0103] like Figure 7 As shown, the parting line P is set to cross the inclined surface 30 so that burrs or frosting are not generated on the upper end or the lower end of the engaging protrusion 27 .

[0104] Furthermore, the inclined surface 30 may be polished to make the inclined surface smoother. In this way, even if the parting line P remains, the engaging member 26 can be elastically deformed smoothly.

[0105] This prevents the engagement member 26 from being obstructed when being assembled to the engagement protrusion 27 , and prevents the engagement member 26 from being damaged, thereby enabling smooth assembly.

[0106] An insulating member 32 is provided as a covering material between the engagement protrusion 27 and the engagement hole 28 to insulate electrical conduction by preventing contact between the engagement protrusion 27 and the engagement hole 28 engaged with the engagement protrusion 27. In this embodiment, the insulating member 32 is provided on the engagement member 26 having the engagement hole 28.

[0107] The insulating member 32 is formed of a non-conductive material such as a synthetic resin material and is provided so as to be aligned with the position of the rib 26 c of the engaging member 26 .

[0108] like Figure 6 and 9 As shown, the insulating member 32 is provided to cover the front and rear surfaces of the engaging member 26 including the rib 26c, and to fit with the bent portion 28c of the front edge 28a of the engaging hole 28 engaged with the engaging surface 31 of the engaging protrusion 27, thereby covering the front edge 28a.

[0109] Therefore, the rear edge 28 b side of the engagement hole 28 may be covered or not covered by the insulating member 32 .

[0110] Fig. 9 The engaging hole 28 is shown in a state where the engaging protrusion 27 is engaged. The insulating member 32 including the rib 26c and the bent portion 28c provided on the front edge 28a of the engaging hole 28 is engaged with the engaging surface 31 of the engaging protrusion 27.

[0111] Therefore, by using the insulating member 32, it is possible to ensure quietness, wear resistance, and impact resistance of the engagement portion in all directions of the X, Y, and Z axes at a low cost.

[0112] In the Z-axis direction, the airbag module 2 is arranged on the core rod 3 of the steering wheel 1 under the rebound force of the horn spring 23 .

[0113] Therefore, in the engagement member 26 on the airbag module 2 side, only the front edge 28 a of the engagement hole 28 engages with the engagement surface 31 with respect to the engagement protrusion 27 of the core rod 3 .

[0114] Thus, only the front edge 28 a of the engagement hole 28 and its periphery are insulated from the engagement protrusion 27 , thereby cutting off the electrical conduction between the core rod 3 and the housing 15 of the airbag module 2 .

[0115] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, on the locking plate 12 of the airbag module 2, a pair of coil springs 33 are provided on both sides of the engagement member 26 via bushings 34 in the X-axis direction (see Figure 5 ).

[0116] The coil springs 33 ensure a support structure for the airbag module 2 around the engagement member 26 at the six o'clock side from the core rod 3, that is, stable support for the airbag module 2 when the horn is not operated and good pressing operability of the airbag module 2 when the horn is operated.

[0117] Will refer to Figures 7 to 10 The operation of the structure for mounting the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0118] When the airbag module 2 is mounted on the steering wheel 1, Figure 7 As shown, the pin 16 inserted into the damper unit 11 faces the collar component 24 near the boss hole 4 of the core rod 3 from the Z-axis direction, so that the front end 26b of the engaging component 26 provided with the insulating component 32 abuts against the starting end 30a of the inclined surface 30 of the engaging protrusion 27.

[0119] Next, if Figure 8 As shown, the airbag module 2 is pressed toward the core rod 3 in the Z-axis direction, and the engaging member 26 is moved along the inclined surface 30 of the engaging protrusion 27 to be bent and elastically deformed.

[0120] Finally, the engagement protrusion 27 is inserted into the engagement hole 28 by the elastic restoring action of the engagement member 26 .

[0121] When the engaging protrusion 27 is inserted into the engaging hole 28, Fig. 9 As shown, the insulating member 32 abuts against the engaging surface 31 of the engaging protrusion 27 , and the core rod 3 and the airbag module 2 including the engaging member 26 are engaged in an electrically insulated state.

[0122] Therefore, if Fig.10 As shown, the engaging part 26 engaged with the housing 15 of the airbag module 2 has the front edge 28a of the engaging hole 28 engaged with the engaging surface 31 of the engaging protrusion 27 when the engaging hole 28 surrounds the engaging protrusion 27, and the airbag module 2 is mounted on the core rod 3 of the steering wheel 1.

[0123] Almost simultaneously with this installation, the damper unit 11 is coupled to the collar part 24 of the boss region 5 via the pin 16 , and the coupling between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 is completed via the damper unit 11 .

[0124] In the structure for mounting the airbag module on the steering wheel according to the present embodiment, the engaging protrusion 27 is inserted into the engaging hole 28 , that is, the engaging protrusion 27 is mounted by being engaged with the engaging hole 28 surrounding the engaging protrusion 27 .

[0125] Therefore, when the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 are mounted to transmit vibration, reliable mounting without rattling of the engaging portion between the engaging member 26 and the engaging protrusion 27 in all directions of the X, Y, and Z axes can be ensured.

[0126] Furthermore, the engaging member 26 is provided with an insulating member 32 covering the front edge 28a of the engaging hole 28 and its periphery. Therefore, electrical insulation between the engaging member 26 provided on the housing 15 and the core rod 3 forming the engaging protrusion 27 can be ensured, and the horn can be properly operated.

[0127] Furthermore, by inserting the engagement protrusion 27 into the engagement hole 28 and installing the insulating member 32 into the engagement hole 28, it is possible to ensure quietness, wear resistance, and impact resistance at the engagement portion.

[0128] When the airbag module 2 is mounted on the steering wheel 1 , the engaging member 26 is elastically deformed by bending due to the inclined surface 30 of the engaging protrusion 27 .

[0129] Therefore, the engagement protrusion 27 and the engagement hole 28 can be engaged only by pressing the airbag module 2, so that the mounting operation is extremely simple and excellent assembly workability can be achieved.

[0130] The above-mentioned structure of installing the airbag module to the steering wheel is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and other embodiments can also be implemented or practiced in various ways. Unless there is a special record of the subject matter in this specification, the present invention is not restricted by the shape, size and structural configuration of the detailed parts shown in the drawings. In addition, the expressions and terms used in this specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited to this unless there is a special record of the subject matter.

[0131] [Note 1]

[0132] The structure for installing the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 includes: a snap-fitting component 26, whose base end side is connected to the shell 15 of the airbag module 2 and whose front end side has a snap-fitting hole 28; a snap-fitting protrusion 27, which is formed on the core rod 3 of the steering wheel 1 and protrudes upward from a lower position in the up-down direction of the steering wheel 1 toward the center of the steering wheel 1 with the neutral position of the steering wheel 1 as a reference, and is inserted into the above-mentioned snap-fitting hole 28 of the above-mentioned snap-fitting component 26, thereby installing the above-mentioned airbag module 2 on the steering wheel 1; and an insulating component 32, which is arranged between the snap-fitting protrusion 27 and the above-mentioned snap-fitting hole 28 and prevents the snap-fitting protrusion 27 from contacting the snap-fitting hole 28 snapped to the snap-fitting protrusion 27.

[0133] [Note 2]

[0134] In the structure for installing the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 as recorded in Note 1, the engaging component 26 has a engaging hole 28 formed therethrough and is formed of a plate material that can bend and elastically deform freely. An inclined surface is formed on the engaging protrusion 27 along the direction of installing the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1, and the front end 26b side of the engaging component 26 slides on the inclined surface 30. The engaging component 26 slides on the inclined surface 30 and generates bending elastic deformation. When the engaging hole 28 reaches the terminal end 30b of the upper inclined surface 30, the engaging component 26 restores its elasticity, and the engaging protrusion 27 can also be inserted into the engaging hole 28.

[0135] [Note 3]

[0136] In the structure for mounting the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 described in Supplementary Note 1, the core bar 3 of the steering wheel 1 is formed in a mold divided by a parting line P, and the parting line P is provided to cross the inclined surface.

[0137] [Note 4]

[0138] In the structure in which the airbag module 2 is mounted on the steering wheel 1 as described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the housing 15 of the airbag module 2 and the core rod 3 of the steering wheel 1 may form a conductive circuit.

[0139] [Note 5]

[0140] In the structure for installing the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 as described in any one of Notes 1 to 4, the airbag module 2 is a shock absorber mass, and the shock absorber unit 11 for suppressing the vibration of the steering wheel 1 can also be arranged between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2 in parallel with the locking component 26.

[0141] Explanation of symbols

[0142] 1 Steering wheel

[0143] 2 Airbag module

[0144] 3 Mandrel

[0145] 11 Shock absorber unit

[0146] 15 Housing

[0147] 26 Snap-fit ​​parts

[0148] 26a Base end of the engagement member

[0149] 26b Front end of the engagement member

[0150] 27 Engagement protrusion

[0151] 28 snap-in holes

[0152] 30 Inclined surface

[0153] 30b inclined surface terminal

[0154] 32 Insulation parts

[0155] P Parting line

Claims

1. A structure for mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel, characterized in that: include: An engaging member having a base end side joined to a housing of the airbag module and having an engaging hole at a front end side; an engaging protrusion formed on the core rod of the steering wheel and protruding upward from a lower position in the vertical direction of the steering wheel toward the center of the steering wheel with the neutral position of the steering wheel as a reference, and inserted into the engaging hole of the engaging member, so as to mount the airbag module on the steering wheel; as well as, An insulating member is provided between the engaging protrusion and the engaging hole and prevents contact between the engaging protrusion and the engaging hole engaged with the engaging protrusion.

2. The structure for mounting an airbag module to a steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging member has the engaging hole formed therethrough and is formed of a plate material that is flexible and elastically deformable. The engaging protrusion has an inclined surface formed along a direction in which the airbag module is mounted on the steering wheel, and the front end side of the engaging member slides on the inclined surface. The engaging member slides on the inclined surface and generates bending elastic deformation, and When the engagement hole reaches the terminal end of the upper inclined surface, the engagement member restores its elasticity and the engagement protrusion is inserted into the engagement hole.

3. The structure for mounting an airbag module to a steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mandrel of the steering wheel is formed in a mold divided by a parting line, and the parting line is arranged to intersect the inclined surface.

4. The structure for mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The housing of the airbag module and the core rod of the steering wheel form a conductive circuit.

5. The structure for mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The airbag module is a shock absorber mass, and, A damper unit that damps vibration of the steering wheel is provided between the steering wheel and the airbag module in parallel with the engagement member.

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