Steering wheel device for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a housing (9) for holding an airbag cushion; a lock plate (8) which is provided so that the plate surface overlaps the rear surface (9d) of the housing, and to which the damper unit is attached; a coil spring that elastically supports the lock plate, which overlaps the housing, on the steering wheel; and a bushing (25) provided so as to be inserted through both the housing and the locking plate to fix the coil spring, and the bushing is locked and fixed to the locking plate by a first locking means, and the bushing fixed to the locking plate by the first locking means is locked and fixed to the housing by a second locking means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel device, which can improve the durability of the installation and fixing portion of the coil spring when an additional component or an additional part is installed to the vehicle steering wheel in a state of being elastically supported via a coil spring. Background Art

[0002] There are known various structures in which various accessory components or accessory parts such as an airbag module and a horn circuit are mounted on a vehicle steering wheel in a state of being elastically supported via a coil spring.

[0003] In the "Shock absorber unit and steering wheel for air bag module" of Patent Document 1, the steering wheel includes a steering wheel body and an air bag module, and the air bag module is mounted on the steering wheel body via a horn plate and a plurality of shock absorber units. The shock absorber unit includes a protector, a rubber bushing, and a resin bushing. A coil spring is interposed between the leg portion and the core rod portion of the protector in a force storage state.

[0004] In the "steering wheel" of Patent Document 2, the front end of the pin protruding from the airbag module passes through a cylindrical guide member provided on the horn plate and protrudes to the back of the horn plate. A tapered surface is provided on the front end side of the pin, and a locking spring provided on the back of the horn plate is pressed against the tapered surface. The airbag module is pressed against a rubber support provided on a pedestal portion of the horn plate, and the support sheet portion is compressed. The distance between the horn switch and the rubber support is set to be less than 15 mm.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-159696

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-006341 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] The steering wheel serves as a vibration transmission path for the running vibration from the road surface, etc. Therefore, the vibration is input to various attached components and attached parts on the steering wheel, and the vibration is also input to the coil spring between the steering wheel and these attached components, etc. As a result, the mounting and fixing portion of the coil spring may become loose, so a countermeasure is required to improve the durability of the mounting and fixing portion.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle steering wheel device that can improve the durability of the installation and fixing portion of the coil spring when an additional component or an additional part is mounted to the vehicle steering wheel in a state of being elastically supported via a coil spring.

[0011] Solutions to the problem

[0012] A vehicle steering wheel device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a retaining plate for retaining an accessory component mounted on a vehicle steering wheel; an assembling plate having a plate surface overlapping the plate surface of the retaining plate and having an accessory component mounted on the steering wheel assembled thereon; a coil spring elastically supporting the assembling plate overlapping the retaining plate on the steering wheel; and a bushing inserted through the retaining plate and the assembling plate in order to fix the coil spring, and the bushing is locked and fixed to the assembling plate by a first locking device, and the bushing fixed to the assembling plate by the first locking device is locked and fixed to the retaining plate by a second locking device.

[0013] The first locking device preferably includes: a first through hole formed in the assembly plate material, and the bushing is rotatably inserted around the bushing; a plurality of hooks on the bushing, which are spaced around the bushing and are elastically bent and deformed freely; a pressing flange portion, which is formed on the first through hole toward the inside of the first through hole and elastically bends and deforms the hooks moved by the rotation of the bushing; a pair of engaging portions formed on the bushing, which engage with the pressing flange portions from the front and rear sides through the rotation of the bushing to support the bushing on the assembly plate material; and a groove portion formed on the pressing flange portion, which elastically restores the hooks moved by the rotation of the bushing and locks the hooks to prevent the bushing from rotating.

[0014] The second locking device preferably includes: a second through hole formed in the retaining plate material, through which the bushing locked and fixed to the assembling plate material by the first locking device is inserted; and a stop protrusion formed on the above-mentioned bushing from the bushing toward the outside, the above-mentioned second through hole having a locking flange portion, which is formed toward the inside of the second through hole and locks the above-mentioned stop protrusion to inhibit the above-mentioned bushing from rotating.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] The vehicle steering wheel device according to the present invention can improve the durability of the mounting and fixing portion of the coil spring when the accessory member or accessory component is mounted to the vehicle steering wheel in a state of being elastically supported via the coil spring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically illustrating a steering wheel to which the vehicle steering wheel device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1Side cross-section of the steering wheel.

[0019] Figure 3 It shows that the setting Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an example of an air bag module in a steering wheel.

[0020] Figure 4 Observed from behind Figure 3 A perspective view of an airbag module is shown.

[0021] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram of a housing applicable to a vehicle steering wheel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of a lock plate applied to the vehicle steering wheel device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 The coil spring is mounted to the Figure 6 The diagram is a schematic illustration of the appearance of the locking plate shown.

[0024] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram of a bushing applied to a vehicle steering wheel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 9 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining how a bush is mounted to a lock plate in the vehicle steering wheel device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining how a bush is mounted to a housing in the vehicle steering wheel device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.11 It is expanded to show Fig.10 (c) is a cross-sectional view of the P region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figures 1 to 6 A vehicle steering wheel 1 and an airbag module 2 mounted on the steering wheel are shown.

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

[0031] Including Figure 1 In the following drawings including the above, each direction is illustrated assuming that the steering position of the steering wheel 1 mounted on 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 wheel is facing the forward direction.

[0033] In the figure, Z of the three-dimensional coordinate system, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Z-axis direction", is an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the steering shaft (not shown). The direction of the Z-axis is such that the direction of the front wheel along the steering shaft is downward and the direction of the steering wheel 1 is upward. In terms of the relationship with other components, the Z-axis direction is a direction parallel to the axis of the coil spring 24 described later. In addition, the Z-axis direction is also parallel to the direction in which the housing 9 as the holding plate and the locking plate 8 as the assembly plate overlap.

[0034] Similarly, the direction of the X-axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system is on a plane orthogonal to the Z-axis, from the 3 o'clock direction (right direction) to the 9 o'clock direction (left direction) of the analog clock, and the direction of the Y-axis is on the same plane from the 12 o'clock direction (upward direction) to the 6 o'clock direction (downward direction). In addition, the side viewed from the driver's side is the front side, and the opposite side is 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] In general, the airbag module 2 also functions as a horn switch, which is pressed by the driver to sound the horn.

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

[0039] The steering wheel 1 is made of metal, and generally includes a central boss portion 3, a rim 4 gripped by a driver, and spokes 5 connecting the boss portion 3 and the rim 4. A steering shaft is coupled to the boss portion 3.

[0040] The structure of the airbag module 2 will be described. The driver side of the airbag module 2 is covered with a resin horn cover 6 which functions as a design surface.

[0041] An airbag cushion 7 is folded and accommodated inside the horn cover 6 to be inflated and deployed in an emergency.

[0042] like Figure 3As shown, the airbag module 2 includes: a metal locking plate 8; a metal shell 9, which is provided with a peripheral wall 9a on the front surface side to form a disk shape, and its plate surface is provided in two overlapping sheets on the plate surface of the locking plate 8; two hollow cylindrical shock absorber units 10; a pin 11, which is slidably inserted into the hollow interior of the shock absorber unit 10 and connects the airbag module 2 to the boss portion 3 of the steering wheel 1; a connecting member 12, which is provided in the shell 9 and is formed in the form of a hook that is locked to the boss portion 3 of the steering wheel 1, and connects the airbag module 2 to the boss portion 3 slidably along the Z-axis direction; an inflator 13, which supplies inflator gas to the airbag cushion 7; a metal retainer 15, which has a bolt 15a for tightening a nut 14, and fixes the airbag cushion 7, the inflator 13, etc. to the shell 9; and a horn cover 6, which accommodates the airbag cushion 7.

[0043] As described later, the damper unit 10 is an example of an additional component mounted to the steering wheel 1 , and is assembled to the lock plate 8 as an assembly plate.

[0044] As will be described later, the airbag cushion 7 is an example of an additional component to be attached to the steering wheel 1 , and is held by a housing 9 as a holding plate member.

[0045] The damper unit 10 is a component that elastically mounts the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 , and constitutes the center of the module damper.

[0046] The structure of the damper unit 10 will be briefly described. The damper unit 10 is configured such that a ring-shaped elastic body 16 for damping vibration is housed inside a holder 17 , and an insulating plate 18 overlapping one end of the elastic body 16 is locked by a sleeve 19 inserted through the inside of the elastic body 16 and held.

[0047] The pin 11 provided in the damper unit 10 has a flange portion 11a at one end portion. The pin 11 is inserted into the damper unit 10 from the housing 9 side so that the flange portion 11a abuts against the sleeve 19 of the damper unit 10.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the two shock absorber units 10 are arranged side by side along 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. That is, when the steering angle of the steering wheel 1 is set to zero, the two shock absorber units 10 are arranged at the positions of 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock in each direction of the analog clock relative to the central axis of the steering wheel 1, that is, the steering axis.

[0049] The pin 11 is provided so as to protrude from the damper unit 10 toward the boss portion 3 of the steering wheel 1 in the Z-axis direction.

[0050] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 5 (a) and Figure 6 (a) The housing 9 and the lock plate 8 are described.

[0051] Figure 5 (a) is a perspective view of the housing 9 viewed from the rear. Figure 6 (a) is a perspective view of the lock plate 8 as seen from the rear.

[0052] The lock plate 8 has a hole portion 8 a formed through the center for mounting the inflator, and two groove-shaped retaining portions 20 formed at positions away from the hole portion 8 a in accordance with the arrangement of the two damper units 10 .

[0053] A locking hole 20 a for locking and fixing the holder 17 of the damper unit 10 is formed through the holding portion 20 .

[0054] As a structure for fixing the damper unit 10 to the locking hole 20a, for example, the locking hole 20a and the retainer 17 are both formed into an elliptical shape defined by a major axis and a minor axis, the major axes of the locking hole 20a and the retainer 17 are aligned with each other, and the retainer 17 is inserted into the locking hole 20a, and then the retainer 17 is rotated to be locked in the locking hole 20a. In this way, the damper unit 10 is attached to the locking plate 8.

[0055] The tip 11b of the other end of the pin 11 inserted into the damper unit 10, which is opposite to the flange portion 11a, protrudes from the locking hole 20a toward the boss portion 3 of the steering wheel 1 (see Figure 4 ).

[0056] The housing 9 is formed in a size that covers almost the entire lock plate 8 including the retaining portion 20 .

[0057] A hole 9 b through which the inflator 13 passes is formed at the center of the housing 9 , and a peripheral wall 9 a rising toward the front is formed at the outer edge of the housing 9 .

[0058] Since the housing 9 covers the retaining portion 20 , the flange portion 11 a of the pin 11 inserted into the damper unit 10 is sandwiched between the housing 9 and the retaining portion 20 of the locking plate 8 , so that the pin 11 and the damper unit 10 are assembled and retained between the housing 9 and the locking plate 8 .

[0059] The lock plate 8 is formed with an assembly protrusion 8 b so as to be mounted to the housing 9 with the plate surfaces overlapping each other, and the housing 9 is formed with a locking hole 9 c which is fitted with the assembly protrusion 8 b.

[0060] An elastically deformable locking piece 6 b formed on the cylindrical portion 6 a of the horn cover 6 of the airbag module 2 is also locked to the locking hole 9 c of the housing 9 .

[0061] The horn cover 6 accommodating the airbag cushion 7 is attached to the housing 9 by locking the locking piece 6 b in the locking hole 9 c .

[0062] Furthermore, bolt insertion holes 21 for inserting the bolts 15 a of the retainer 15 are formed on the housing 9 and the lock plate 8 .

[0063] The connecting member 12 provided in the housing 9 has a joint portion 12a at one end along the Z-axis direction, the joint portion 12a being joined to the peripheral wall 9a of the housing 9 by a rivet 22, and a hook portion 12b at the other end, the hook portion 12b being engaged with the boss portion 3 of the steering wheel 1. The connecting member 12 is formed of, for example, an elastically deformable metal plate or the like.

[0064] The connecting member 12 is provided between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2 in parallel with the damper unit 10 .

[0065] The hook portion 12 b is covered with a resin elastic material 23 , and has both electrical insulation and buffering functions between the boss portion 3 and the housing 9 .

[0066] The connecting member 12 has an opening 12c extending in the Z-axis direction between the engaging portion 12a and the hook portion 12b. A protrusion (not shown) of the boss portion 3 is inserted through the opening 12c. The airbag module 2 is slidable relative to the boss portion 3 in the Z-axis direction by a length corresponding to the opening 12c in the Z-axis direction.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the pin 11 and the connecting member 12 are members for mounting the airbag module 2 to the boss portion 3 of the steering wheel 1 from the Z-axis direction.

[0068] Specifically, if Figure 4 As shown, the connecting member 12 is arranged on the lower side of the steering wheel 1 in the up-down direction (Y-axis direction) with reference to the neutral position of the steering wheel 1. In other words, when the steering angle of the steering wheel 1 is set to zero, the connecting member 12 is arranged at the 6 o'clock position of the analog clock relative to the central axis (steering axis) of the steering wheel 1.

[0069] In terms of positional relationship with the damper units 10 , the connection member 12 is disposed at the center between the two damper units 10 and close to the bottom (the 6 o'clock side) of the damper units 10 .

[0070] Therefore, the damper unit 10 and the connecting member 12 are arranged at the vertices of an inverted isosceles triangle with respect to the airbag module 2 .

[0071] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, the airbag module 2 is provided with a pair of coil springs 24 via bushings 25 on both sides of the connecting member 12 along the X-axis direction. The axis of the coil spring 24 is parallel to the Z-axis direction. The axis of the coil spring 24 refers to a line passing through the center of the coil spring 24, that is, the coil spring axis.

[0072] Specifically, the coil springs 24 are provided on the rear surface 8 c of the lock plate 8 and are interposed between the boss portion 3 and the airbag module 2 .

[0073] The inflator 13 has a bolt insertion hole 21 , and has an outer peripheral flange 13 a that abuts against the rear surface 8 c of the lock plate 8 .

[0074] Although not shown, an insertion hole portion into which the inflator 13 is inserted is formed in the airbag cushion 7. Bolt insertion holes for the retainer 15 are formed around the insertion hole.

[0075] The retainer 15 is provided inside the airbag cushion 7 . The retainer 15 has a hole portion 15 b which communicates with the hole portion 9 b of the housing 9 and the hole portion 8 a of the lock plate 8 and positions the inflator 13 inside the airbag cushion 7 .

[0076] The retainer 15 is aligned with the insertion hole portion of the airbag cushion 7 so that the bolt 15 a protrudes from the bolt insertion hole.

[0077] The assembly of the airbag module 2 is described as follows: the insertion hole portion of the airbag cushion 7 is aligned with the hole portion 9 b of the housing 9 , and the bolts 15 a of the retainer 15 protruding from the airbag cushion 7 are inserted through the bolt insertion holes 21 of the housing 9 .

[0078] When the bolts 15 a are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 21 of the housing 9 , the periphery of the insertion hole portion of the airbag cushion 7 is sandwiched by the retainer 15 and the housing 9 , and the airbag cushion 7 is mounted on the outer shell 9 .

[0079] Therefore, the housing 9 holds the airbag cushion 7 which is an incidental component mounted to the steering wheel 1 .

[0080] On the other hand, regarding the lock plate 8 , the damper unit 10 is fitted into the holding portion 20 from the surface side (the housing 9 side) of the lock plate 8 , and is fixed to the lock plate 8 through the locking hole 20 a .

[0081] The front end portion 11 b of the pin 11 is inserted into the damper unit 10 from the housing 9 side, and protrudes outward from the locking hole 20 a of the lock plate 8 .

[0082] Then, the housing 9 is covered on the locking plate 8 from the front side so that the two overlap each other. The overlapping direction is parallel to the Z-axis direction.

[0083] The flange portion 11 a of the pin 11 is sandwiched between the housing 9 and the lock plate 8 and is held therebetween.

[0084] Next, the outer peripheral flange 13a of the inflator 13 abuts against the rear surface 8c of the lock plate 8, and the inflator 13 passes through the hole 8a of the lock plate 8, the hole 9b of the housing 9 and the hole 15b of the retainer 15, and is inserted into the insertion hole of the airbag cushion 7.

[0085] The bolts 15 a of the retainer 15 protruding from the bolt insertion holes 21 of the housing 9 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 21 of the lock plate 8 and the outer peripheral flange 13 a of the inflator 13 , and the nuts 14 are tightened from the rear side of the lock plate 8 .

[0086] Thereby, the airbag cushion 7 and the inflator 13 are fixed and held in the housing 9 , and the damper unit 10 , which is an incidental component mounted to the steering wheel 1 , is mounted to the lock plate 8 .

[0087] The connection member 12 attached to the housing 9 is arranged parallel to the damper unit 10 along the Z-axis direction.

[0088] Next, the horn cover 6 is mounted on the housing 9 . The locking piece 6 b of the horn cover 6 is locked in the locking hole 9 c of the housing 9 .

[0089] As described above, the airbag module 2 is assembled.

[0090] When the airbag module 2 is mounted to the steering wheel 1 along the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, between the boss portion 3 and the lock plate 8, a helical horn spring 26 which is an elastically deformable elastic member is provided around the pin 11. In addition, a pair of helical springs 24 are mounted on bushings 25 on both sides of the connecting member 12.

[0091] The coil spring 24 and the horn spring 26 come into contact with the boss portion 3 , and elastically support the airbag module 2 with respect to the steering wheel 1 .

[0092] The horn spring 26 ensures a clearance between the boss portion 3 and the airbag module 2 for horn operation.

[0093] When the airbag module 2 is mounted on the boss 3, the pin 11 has its front end 11b inserted and held in a mounting hole (not shown) provided in the boss 3 while the coil spring 24 and the horn spring 26 are elastically compressed. At the same time, the hook 12b of the connecting member 12 is locked on the boss 3.

[0094] Thus, the airbag module 2 is mounted and coupled to the steering wheel 1 via the damper unit 10 and the coupling member 12 from the Z-axis direction.

[0095] Therefore, the airbag module 2 is connected to the steering wheel 1 via the shock absorber unit 10, and is freely movable toward the steering wheel 1 side in a state elastically supported by the horn spring 26, that is, is freely connected to the steering wheel 1 in a push-operation manner (see Figure 2 B).

[0096] The damper unit 10 is provided between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 to dampen vibration of the steering wheel 1 .

[0097] The vibration of the steering wheel 1 is transmitted to the damper unit 10 via the pin 11. The transmitted vibration is damped by the elastic body 16 of the damper unit 10, with the airbag module 2 serving as the damper mass.

[0098] When a signal is sent from a vehicle sensor in an emergency situation, inflator gas is supplied from the inflator 13 to the airbag cushion 7 .

[0099] The airbag cushion 7 supplied with the inflator gas causes the horn cover 6 to rupture and expand and deploy into the vehicle interior space, thereby restraining the driver.

[0100] 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 10 slides relative to the pin 11 held by the boss portion 3 , and the horn spring 26 is elastically compressed and deformed.

[0101] As a result, the contacts provided on the airbag module 2 and the boss portion 3 are electrically connected, and the horn sounds.

[0102] When the pressure on the airbag module 2 is released, the horn spring 26 elastically recovers and the airbag module 2 moves backward, whereby the contacts are separated and the sounding stops.

[0103] Therefore, the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 form a conductive circuit.

[0104] The coil spring 24 disposed on the rear surface 8 c of the lock plate 8 and interposed between the boss portion 3 and the airbag module 2 elastically supports the airbag module 2 from the boss portion 3 side around the connecting member 12 disposed on the 6 o'clock side.

[0105] The coil spring 24 ensures stable support of the airbag module 2 when the horn is not operated and good pressing operability of the airbag module 2 when the horn is operated.

[0106] Specifically, the coil spring 24 elastically supports the lock plate 8 on which the housing 9 is superimposed with respect to the boss portion 3 .

[0107] Will refer to Figures 5 to 11 The structure for attaching these coil springs 24 to the airbag module 2 via the bushing 25 will be described in detail.

[0108] Figure 7 The coil spring 24 is shown mounted on the locking plate 8 via the bushing 25 .

[0109] Figure 5 (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of the housing 9, Figure 6 (b) is an enlarged view of a main part of the locking plate 8.

[0110] Figure 8 (a) to Figure 8(e) are a stereoscopic view, a front view, a top view, a bottom view and a side view of the bushing 25, respectively.

[0111] Fig. 9 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the bushing 25 is mounted on the locking plate 8, wherein: Fig. 9 (a) is a perspective view showing how the bushing 25 is assembled to the locking plate 8. Fig. 9 (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the bushing 25 is locked using the first locking device. Fig. 9 (c) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the action of the bushing 25 when the bushing 25 is locked using the first locking device. Fig. 9 (d) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the bush 25 is locked using the first locking device. Fig. 9 (e) is a perspective view showing a state in which the bushing 25 is fixed to the lock plate 8 .

[0112] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the bushing 25 is mounted on the housing 9 . Fig.10 (a) is a perspective view showing how the bushing 25 is assembled to the housing 9. Fig.10 (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the bushing 25 is locked using the second locking device. Fig.10 (c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the bushing 25 is fixed to the housing 9 .

[0113] Fig.11 It is expanded to show Fig.10 (c) is a cross-sectional view of the P region.

[0114] The bushing 25 is provided to be inserted through both the lock plate 8 and the housing 9 , and fixes the coil spring 24 to the airbag module 2 .

[0115] The bushing 25 according to the present embodiment is made of a synthetic resin material and is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape.

[0116] like Figure 8 As shown, the bushing 25 includes a spring holding portion 25 a provided on one side, ie, the boss portion 3 side, and a fixing portion 25 b provided on the other side, ie, the airbag module 2 side, along the Z-axis direction.

[0117] One end of the coil spring 24 in the longitudinal direction is held by the spring holding portion 25a, thereby being attached to and fixed to the bushing 25 (see Figure 7 ).

[0118] The bushing 25 , whose fixing portion 25 b is locked and fixed to the locking plate 8 by the first locking means and locked and fixed to the housing 9 by the second locking means, is mounted on the airbag module 2 by these double locking fixations.

[0119] The double locking of the bushing 25 means that firstly the bushing 25 alone is locked on the locking plate 8 by the first locking device, and then the bushing 25 mounted on the locking plate 8 is locked on the housing 9 together with the locking plate 8 by the second locking device.

[0120] The first locking device and the second locking device may be locking devices of any structure as long as they can lock the bushing 25 with respect to the locking plate 8 and the housing 9 separately to prevent and inhibit the movement of the bushing 25.

[0121] In the present embodiment, the first locking device is constituted by the bushing 25 and the locking plate 8 .

[0122] like Figure 6 As shown in (b), the lock plate 8 is formed with a first through hole 27 for rotatably inserting the bushing 25 around the bushing 25, that is, around the Z axis.

[0123] The first through hole 27 is set to a size that allows the fixing portion 25 b of the bushing 25 to be inserted therethrough.

[0124] like Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of hooks 29 are formed on the fixing portion 25 b of the bushing 25 at intervals around the bushing 25 so as to be elastically bendable and deformable.

[0125] In the example shown in the figure, two hooks 29 are formed at intervals of 180 degrees. The hooks 29 are formed in an L-shape with a base end 29 a connected to the bushing 25 .

[0126] When the bushing 25 is inserted through the first through hole 27, the hook 29 is arranged so that the L-shaped free end 29b faces the hole edge 27a of the first through hole 27 (see Fig. 9 c) The hook 29 is elastically bent and deformed toward the hollow interior of the bushing 25.

[0127] like Figure 6 As shown in (b), a pressing flange portion 30 is formed in the first through hole 27 so as to protrude toward the inside of the first through hole 27 .

[0128] That is, the size of the first through hole 27 is narrowed by the pressing flange portion 30. In the example shown in the figure, two pressing flange portions 30 are provided for two hooks 29.

[0129] When the bushing 25 is Fig. 9 When the flange portion 30 is rotated as shown in (b), the hook 29 which moves along the hole edge 27a of the first through hole 27 due to the rotation is pressed. Fig. 9 (c) shows elastic bending deformation.

[0130] The bushing 25 is provided with a pair of engaging portions which engage with the pressing flange portion 30 from both front and rear sides, avoiding the hook 29 .

[0131] Specifically, if Figure 8 As shown, with the position of the free end 29b of the hook 29 as a reference, on one side of the spring retaining portion 25a, a first engaging portion 31 is formed to protrude outward in an arc shape and engage with the rear surface of the pressing flange portion 30, and on the opposite side, a second engaging portion is formed to protrude outward in the form of a protrusion and engage with the front surface of the pressing flange portion 30. The second engaging portion is located between the first engaging portions 31 and is arranged to overlap with the hook 29, and is formed with a gap separated from the hook 29 along the Z-axis direction.

[0132] In the present embodiment, the second engaging portion also functions as a stopper protrusion 32 (hereinafter, the second engaging portion is referred to as a stopper protrusion).

[0133] In the example shown in the figure, two first engaging portions 31 and two stopper protrusions 32 are provided corresponding to the two pressing flange portions 30 .

[0134] In addition, in the figure, 28 is a convex portion, on which a clamp for rotating the bushing 25 is mounted (refer to Fig. 9 (arrow R in (b)).

[0135] When the hook 29 is elastically deformed by the pressing flange 30 due to the rotation of the bushing 25 , the first engaging portion 31 and the stopper protrusion 32 engage with the pressing flange 30 from both the front and rear sides and slide relative to the pressing flange 30 due to the rotation of the bushing 25 .

[0136] like Figure 6 As shown in (b), the pressing flange portion 30 is partially cut out to form a groove portion 33 into which the hook 29 is inserted.

[0137] like Fig. 9 As shown in (d), the groove portion 33 elastically restores the hook 29 that has been rotated in an elastically deformed state due to the pressing flange portion 30 that protrudes into the first through hole 27 .

[0138] Furthermore, the groove portion 33 locks the elastically restoring hook 29 in the circumferential direction of the first through hole 27 , thereby preventing the bushing 25 from rotating.

[0139] When the hook 29 is engaged with the groove 33 , the bushing 25 is supported on the lock plate 8 by the first engagement portion 31 and the stopper protrusion 32 that engage with the pressing flange 30 from both the front and rear sides.

[0140] The hook 29 is locked on the pressing flange portion 30 provided in the first through hole 27, and the first locking device is engaged with the paired first engaging portion 31 and the stop protrusion 32, and the bushing 25, such as Fig. 9 As shown in (e), the spring holding portion 25a is locked and fixed to the lock plate 8 in a state where it protrudes from the lock plate 8 toward the boss portion 3.

[0141] like Fig. 9 As shown in (a), the bushing 25 is mounted from the rear surface 8c of the locking plate 8.

[0142] During installation, the fixing portion 25 b including the hook 29 and the stopper protrusion 32 is inserted into the first through hole 27 while avoiding the pressing flange portion 30 , and then the bushing 25 is rotated to a position where the hook 29 is locked in the groove portion 33 .

[0143] In the present embodiment, the second locking means is constituted by a stopper protrusion 32 formed on the fixing portion 25 b of the bushing 25 and a second through hole 34 formed in the housing 9 .

[0144] As described above, the stopper protrusion 32 also functions as a second engaging portion that engages with the pressing flange portion 30 .

[0145] like Figure 5 As shown in (b), the housing 9 is formed with a second through hole 34 into which the bushing 25 is inserted.

[0146] The first through hole 27 is formed to have a size that allows the stopper protrusion 32 to pass therethrough in order to position the stopper protrusion 32 relative to the hole edge 34a of the second through hole 34 by inserting the bushing 25 from the rear surface 8c side of the lock plate 6.

[0147] The second through hole 34 is formed to be slightly larger than the first through hole 27 with a margin.

[0148] like Figure 5 As shown in (b), a locking flange portion 35 is formed in the second through hole 34 so as to protrude into the second through hole 34 .

[0149] like Fig.10 As shown in (b), the locking flange portion 35 is embedded in the second through hole 34 through the bushing 25, and the protruding stop protrusion 32 located at the hole edge 34a of the second through hole 34 is locked in the rotation direction of the bushing 25 around the Z axis, thereby suppressing the rotation of the bushing 25.

[0150] In the example shown in the figure, two locking flange portions 35 are formed corresponding to the two locking protrusions 32 .

[0151] The locking flanges 35 press and lock the two stopper protrusions 32 from both sides of the bushing 25 with respect to the second through hole 34 , thereby preventing the stopper protrusions 32 from rotating around the bushing 25 .

[0152] like Fig.10 As shown in (a), the lock plate 8 to which the bushing 25 is fixed is mounted from the rear surface 9d of the housing 9.

[0153] The second locking device prevents the bushing 25 , which is locked by the first locking device and fixed at a predetermined rotational position of the locking plate 8 , from rotating on the housing 9 .

[0154] like Fig.10 As shown in (c), the bushing 25 is doubly locked and fixed by the housing 9 superimposed on the locking plate 8 by the second locking device that uses the locking flange 35 provided in the second through hole 34 to lock the stopper protrusion 32.

[0155] Fig.11 The bushing 25 is doubly locked by the locking plate 8 and the housing 9 .

[0156] The first locking device locks and fixes the bushing 25 to the locking plate 8 by engaging the hook 29 with the pressing flange 30 (groove 33) of the first through hole 27 and engaging with the first engaging portion 31 and the stopper protrusion 32. The second locking device locks and fixes the bushing 25 to the housing 9 by engaging the stopper protrusion 32 of the bushing 25 with the engaging flange 35 of the second through hole 34, thereby doubly locking the bushing 25.

[0157] In the present embodiment, the engagement between the bushing 25 and the pressing flange portion 30 and the locking of the bushing 25 by the locking flange portion 35 are ensured only by the locking protrusions 32 .

[0158] However, it is of course possible to ensure the engagement with the pressing flange portion 30 and the locking by the locking flange portion 35 by using a separate portion formed on the bushing 25 .

[0159] The vehicle steering wheel device involved in this embodiment is arranged between a steering wheel 1 serving as a vibration transmission path and an airbag module 2 having an airbag cushion 7 as an accessory component or a shock absorber unit 10 as an accessory part, and a coil spring 24 that is elastically deformed by the operation of a horn and bears the reaction force of the expansion action accompanying the deployment when the airbag is activated is fixed to the bushing 25 of the airbag module 2, and is doubly locked and fixed to the airbag module 2 by a first locking device and a second locking device.

[0160] This can prevent the fixing portion of the coil spring 24 to the airbag module 2 from being loosened or rattled, thereby significantly improving durability and firmly mounting the airbag module 2 on the steering wheel 1 .

[0161] The first locking device has a pressing flange portion 30 including a groove portion 33 on the first through hole 27 of the locking plate 8, and has a hook 29 and a pair of snap-fit ​​portions (a first snap-fit ​​portion 31 and a stop protrusion 32) on the bushing 25. The groove portion 33 of the pressing flange portion 30 is used to snap the hook 29 to prevent the bushing 25 from rotating, and the pair of snap-fit ​​portions are snapped into the pressing flange portion 30 to support the bushing 25 on the locking plate 8.

[0162] The first locking device has a simple structure, but can reliably lock and fix the bushing 25 to the locking plate 8.

[0163] The second locking device has a locking flange portion 35 on the second through hole 34 of the housing 9 and a stopping protrusion 32 on the bushing 25. The locking of the stopping protrusion 32 of the locking flange portion 35 suppresses the rotation of the bushing 25 which is locked and fixed to the locking plate 8 by the first locking device.

[0164] The structure of the second locking device is also extremely simple, but it can cooperate with the first locking device to reliably lock and fix the bushing 25 to the housing 8.

[0165] Furthermore, a strong and secure fixing structure of the bushing 25 can be ensured within a narrow space that is substantially equal to the thickness of the housing 9 and the lock plate 8 .

[0166] The above-mentioned vehicle steering wheel device 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.

[0167] For example, in the above example, two damper units 10 are provided as additional components at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock directions of the analog clock, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the damper units 10 may be provided at the 12 o'clock direction of the analog clock in addition thereto, or may be provided only at the 12 o'clock direction of the analog clock. That is, the number of additional components may be more than one (one or more).

[0168] [Note 1]

[0169] A steering wheel device for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a retaining plate, which is used to retain an additional component installed on the vehicle steering wheel 1; an assembling plate, which is arranged to overlap with the retaining plate and is used to assemble one or more additional components installed on the steering wheel 1; a coil spring, which elastically supports the assembling plate overlapping the retaining plate on the steering wheel 1; and a bushing 25, which is inserted through the retaining plate and the assembling plate and is arranged to fix the coil spring 24, and the bushing 25 is locked and fixed to the assembling plate by a first locking device, and the bushing 25 fixed to the assembling plate by the first locking device is locked and fixed to the retaining plate by a second locking device.

[0170] [Note 2]

[0171] The vehicle steering wheel device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the first locking device preferably includes: a first through hole 27, which is formed in the assembly plate material for inserting the bushing 25 around the bushing 25 so as to be rotatable; a plurality of hooks 29, which are formed on the bushing 25 at intervals around the bushing 25 and are elastically bent and deformed freely; a pressing flange portion 30, which is formed on the first through hole 27 toward the inside of the first through hole 27 and elastically bends and deforms the hook 29 moved by the rotation of the bushing 25; a pair of engaging portions, which are formed on the bushing 25 and engage with the pressing flange portion 30 from the front and rear sides by the rotation of the bushing 25 to support the bushing 25 on the assembly plate material; and a groove portion 33, which is formed on the pressing flange portion 30 and elastically restores the hook 29 moved by the rotation of the bushing 25 and locks the hook 29 to inhibit the rotation of the bushing 25.

[0172] [Note 3]

[0173] The vehicle steering wheel device described in Notes 1 to 2 is characterized in that the second locking device preferably includes: a second through hole 34, which is formed in the retaining plate and through which the bushing 25 locked and fixed to the assembly plate by the first locking device is inserted; and a stop protrusion 32, which is formed on the bushing 25 from the bushing 25 toward the outside, and the second through hole 34 has a locking flange portion 35, which is formed toward the inside of the second through hole 34 and locks the stop protrusion 32 to inhibit the bushing 25 from rotating.

[0174] [Note 4]

[0175] In the vehicle steering wheel device described in Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, one or more additional components may be provided at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions of the assembly plate when the steering angle of the steering wheel 1 is set to zero.

[0176] [Note 5]

[0177] In the vehicle steering wheel devices described in Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the one or more additional components may be the damper unit 10 .

[0178] [Note 6]

[0179] The vehicle steering wheel device described in Supplementary Notes 1 to 5 further includes a connecting member 12 connecting the holding plate to the steering wheel 1. The connecting member 12 can be set at the 6 o'clock position of the steering wheel 1 when the steering angle of the steering wheel 1 is set to zero.

[0180] [Note 7]

[0181] In the vehicle steering wheel device described in Supplementary Note 6, the connecting member 12 can connect the holding plate to the steering wheel, and the holding plate can slide in a direction parallel to the axis of the coil spring 24 .

[0182] Explanation of symbols

[0183] 1 Steering wheel

[0184] 7 Airbag cushion

[0185] 8 Locking plate

[0186] 8c Rear surface of the locking plate

[0187] 9 Shell

[0188] 9d rear surface of the housing

[0189] 10 Shock absorber unit

[0190] 24 Coil spring

[0191] 25 Bushing

[0192] 27 First through hole

[0193] 29 Hook

[0194] 30 Press the flange

[0195] 31 first engaging portion

[0196] 32 Stop protrusion

[0197] 33 Groove

[0198] 34 Second through hole

[0199] 35 locking flange

Claims

1. A vehicle steering wheel device, characterized in that: have: A retaining plate for retaining an additional component mounted on a vehicle steering wheel; An assembly plate, which is arranged to overlap with the holding plate and is assembled with one or more additional components to be mounted on the steering wheel; a coil spring that elastically supports the assembly plate on which the holding plate is overlapped on the steering wheel; and a bushing inserted through both the holding plate and the assembling plate to fix the coil spring, and The bushing is locked and fixed to the assembly plate by a first locking device. The bushing fixed to the assembling plate material by the first locking device is locked and fixed to the holding plate material by the second locking device.

2. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein: The first locking device comprises: a first through hole formed in the assembly plate and through which the bushing is rotatably inserted; A plurality of hooks are formed on the bushing at intervals around the bushing so as to be elastically bendable and deformable; A pressing flange portion is formed on the first through hole toward the inside of the first through hole and elastically bends and deforms the hook moved by the rotation of the bushing; a pair of engaging portions formed on the bushing, engaging with the pressing flange from both the front and rear sides by the rotation of the bushing, and supporting the bushing on the assembly plate; and The groove is formed on the pressing flange portion, and elastically restores the hook moved by the rotation of the bushing and locks the hook to prevent the bushing from rotating.

3. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second locking device comprises: a second through hole formed in the holding plate material, through which the bushing locked and fixed to the assembly plate material by the first locking device is inserted; as well as, A stopper protrusion is formed on the bushing and extends outward from the bushing. The second through hole has an engaging flange portion that is formed toward the inside of the second through hole and engages with the stopper protrusion to suppress rotation of the bushing.

4. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The one or more additional components are provided at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions of the assembly plate when the steering angle of the steering wheel is set to zero.

5. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 4, wherein: The one or more additional components are shock absorber units.

6. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A connecting member is further provided for connecting the holding plate to the steering wheel. The connecting member is provided at a position in the 6 o'clock direction of the steering wheel when the steering angle of the steering wheel is set to zero.

7. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 6, wherein: The connecting member connects the holding plate to the steering wheel, and the holding plate is slidable in a direction parallel to the axis of the coil spring.

Images