Mounting structure of driver airbag and steering wheel

Abstract

An installation structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel includes a steering wheel frame and a grooved support plate. At least three positioning posts are fixed to the grooved support plate, with their lower ends passing through the steering wheel frame and limited by retaining springs. The structure is characterized by: a plastic coating on the retaining springs corresponding to the positions where they engage with the positioning posts; positioning sleeves inserted into and engaged with corresponding insertion holes on the steering wheel frame for each positioning post, with the positioning posts passing through the positioning sleeves; return springs fitted onto each positioning post between the grooved support plate and the positioning sleeves; multiple symmetrical bosses on the steering wheel frame, with a lower contact fixed to the upper end of each boss, and an upper contact fixed to the bottom surface of the grooved support plate above each boss. The upper and lower contacts are disconnected under the action of the return springs, forming an open circuit, and then contact each other when the airbag module is pressed to achieve the horn function. The advantages are: simple structure, convenient assembly and disassembly, accurate positioning, reliable insulation and strong stability, and low manufacturing cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automotive passive safety system technology, specifically relating to an installation structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] The reliability, assembly efficiency, and insulation performance of the driver's airbag and steering wheel directly affect the vehicle's passive safety protection and overall assembly economy. Existing installation structures mostly use bolt fastening, resulting in cumbersome and time-consuming assembly processes, which are unfavorable for mass production. While some snap-fit ​​installation structures simplify the assembly process, they lack targeted insulation design, making it easy for conductive interference to occur between the snap-fit ​​components and electrical contacts. This can lead to malfunctions in electrical components such as horn contacts and airbag trigger contacts, affecting driving safety. Furthermore, existing snap-fit ​​structures lack sufficient positioning accuracy and reset stability, making them prone to loosening, abnormal noises, and even affecting the airbag's deployment posture during a collision, thus reducing protective effectiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a driver airbag and steering wheel mounting structure that is simple in structure, easy to disassemble and assemble, accurate in positioning, reliable insulated and highly stable, and low in manufacturing cost.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A driver's airbag and steering wheel mounting structure includes a steering wheel frame and a grooved support plate for mounting the airbag module. At least three positioning posts are fixed to the grooved support plate, with their lower ends passing through the steering wheel frame and limited by retaining springs clipped onto the steering wheel frame. Its special feature is that: A plastic coating layer made of insulating material is provided on the snap ring corresponding to the snap-fit ​​positioning post, which is used to achieve insulation isolation after the positioning post and snap ring are snapped together; a positioning sleeve is inserted and snapped into the corresponding insertion hole position of each positioning post on the steering wheel frame, and the positioning post passes through the corresponding positioning sleeve through clearance fit to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning post; a return spring is sleeved on the positioning post between the slotted support plate and the positioning sleeve, which is used to provide return elasticity after installation to ensure stable opening and closing of the horn contact; Multiple bosses are symmetrically arranged on the steering wheel frame, and a lower contact is fixed at the upper end of each boss. An upper contact is fixed on the bottom surface of the grooved support plate corresponding to each boss. The upper and lower contacts are disconnected and open-circuited under the action of the reset spring, and they contact each other after the airbag module is pressed to realize the horn function.

[0005] As a further preferred option, the plastic coating layer is integrally injection molded from insulating material, and the thickness of the plastic coating layer is 0.5-2mm, so as to ensure the insulation performance without affecting the elastic clamping deformation capability of the snap ring.

[0006] As a further preferred embodiment, elastic claws are evenly distributed at the lower end of the outer edge of the positioning sleeve, and are engaged with the steering wheel frame by the elastic claws; a limiting groove is provided at the upper end of the outer edge of the positioning sleeve, and limiting protrusions are provided on the steering wheel frame near the outer edge of the positioning sleeve and are engaged in the corresponding limiting grooves, so as to realize the circumferential limiting of the positioning sleeve and reduce wear and noise.

[0007] As a further preferred embodiment, a retaining ring boss is provided on the steering wheel frame at the position corresponding to the positioning column. The insertion hole is provided on the retaining ring boss, the retaining ring is snapped into the root of the retaining ring boss, the limiting protrusion is provided on the upper end of the retaining ring boss, and the outer edge of the positioning sleeve is stepped and sits on the retaining ring boss through the outer step.

[0008] As a further preferred embodiment, the upper contact is riveted to the bottom surface of the grooved support plate, and the lower contact is riveted to the center hole at the upper end of the corresponding boss.

[0009] As a further preferred embodiment, two venting grooves are symmetrically provided on the inner wall of the central hole at the upper end of each boss. Each venting groove is connected to a rectangular groove on the top surface of the boss, which is used to discharge the high-pressure gas in the central hole during the riveting process.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment, the steering wheel frame is made of magnesium alloy, and the positioning sleeve is made of engineering plastic.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. By engaging the positioning pin with the plastic-coated snap ring and combining it with the pre-positioning and guiding function of the positioning sleeve, the driver's airbag and steering wheel can be quickly assembled and disassembled without the need for bolt fastening. This can significantly shorten assembly time, make assembly convenient and efficient, and improve the efficiency of mass production.

[0012] 2. Because the part of the snap ring that engages with the positioning post is coated with plastic, it can effectively isolate the positioning post and the snap ring, avoid conductive interference caused by direct contact between metal parts, prevent short circuits or signal abnormalities in the speaker circuit, and ensure stable operation of electrical components.

[0013] 3. Through the snap-fit ​​between the positioning sleeve and the steering wheel frame, and the clearance fit with the positioning column, precise positioning and anti-torsion can be achieved, ensuring accurate alignment of the upper and lower contacts; the return spring sleeve on the positioning column and located between the grooved support plate and the positioning sleeve can provide continuous preload, which can buffer vibration and impact, ensure stable contact pressing stroke, and prevent the snap-fit ​​structure from loosening after long-term use, thus improving the durability of the installation structure.

[0014] 4. The structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is low. The layout of each component is adapted to the spatial structure of the steering wheel and airbag module. There is no need to make major changes to the existing component design. It has strong compatibility. The positioning post and snap ring connection structure has strong load-bearing capacity, which can meet the usage requirements under collision conditions, does not affect the airbag deployment posture, and ensures the passive safety protection effect. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 AA sectional view.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of the steering wheel frame with the mounting bracket installed.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning sleeve.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the snap ring structure.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the lower contact points on the steering wheel frame.

[0021] Figure 7 This is an installation diagram of the present invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Steering wheel frame; 2. Groove support plate; 3. Positioning post; 4. Snap ring; 5. Positioning sleeve; 6. Return spring; 7. Upper contact; 8. Lower contact; 9. Plastic coating layer; 10. Airbag module; 10. Snap ring boss; 101. Limiting protrusion; 102. Boss; 103. Exhaust groove; 104. Bayonet; 201. Elastic claw; 501. Limiting slot; 502. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the present invention relates to a driver airbag and steering wheel mounting structure, including a steering wheel frame 1 and a grooved support plate 2 for mounting an airbag module 10. The lower end of the upper cover of the airbag module is inserted into the grooved support plate 2 and is engaged with a locking slot 201 on the bottom surface of the grooved support plate 2 by a plurality of claws arranged at the lower end of the upper cover.

[0025] At least three positioning posts 3 are fixed on the grooved support plate 2. In this embodiment, three positioning posts are used as an example. The upper end of each positioning post 3 is inserted into and fixed to the positioning hole on the bottom surface of the grooved support plate 2 by press riveting. The lower end of each positioning post 3 passes through the steering wheel frame 1 and is limited by the retaining spring 4 that is snapped onto the steering wheel frame 1. A plastic coating layer 9 is provided on the retaining spring 4 at the part corresponding to the snapping of the positioning post 3, which is used to achieve insulation isolation after the positioning post 3 and the retaining spring 4 are snapped together. The plastic coating layer 9 is integrally injection molded from insulating material, and the thickness of the plastic coating layer 9 is 0.5-2mm, so as to ensure the insulation performance without affecting the elastic clamping deformation capability of the retaining spring 4. A guide cone surface is provided at the lower end of the positioning post 3 to facilitate installation; an annular groove is provided at the lower part of the positioning post 3 to achieve snapping with the retaining spring 4.

[0026] Positioning sleeves 5 are inserted and engaged at the corresponding insertion holes of each positioning post 3 on the steering wheel frame 1. The positioning posts 3 pass through the corresponding positioning sleeves 5 with clearance fit to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning posts 3. Return springs 6 are respectively sleeved on the positioning posts 3 between the grooved support plate 2 and the positioning sleeves 5 to provide return elasticity after installation and ensure stable opening and closing of the horn contacts.

[0027] Three elastic claws 501 are evenly distributed at the lower end of the outer edge of the positioning sleeve 5. After the positioning sleeve 5 is inserted into the insertion hole, it is engaged with the steering wheel frame 1 by the elastic claws 501. A limiting groove 502 is provided at the upper end of the outer edge of the positioning sleeve 5. A limiting protrusion 102 is provided on the steering wheel frame 1 near the outer edge of the positioning sleeve 5 and is engaged in the corresponding limiting groove 502 to achieve circumferential limiting of the positioning sleeve 5 and reduce wear and noise.

[0028] An integral retaining ring boss 101 is provided on the steering wheel frame 1 at the position corresponding to the positioning post 3. The insertion hole is provided on the retaining ring boss 101. An inner insertion port is formed between the inner side of the retaining ring boss 101 and the steering wheel frame 1, and an outer retaining edge is formed between the outer side of the retaining ring boss 101 and the steering wheel frame 1. One end of the long rod of the retaining ring 4 is inserted into the inner insertion port and is locked in the annular groove at the lower part of the positioning post 3, and one end of the short rod is locked under the outer retaining edge. The limiting protrusion 102 is provided on the upper end of the retaining ring boss 101. The outer edge of the positioning sleeve 5 is stepped and sits on the retaining ring boss 101 through the outer step.

[0029] Multiple conical bosses 103 are symmetrically arranged on the steering wheel frame 1, and a lower contact 8 is fixed to the upper end of each boss 103. In this embodiment, four lower contacts are used as an example. The lower contacts 8 are connected to the negative terminal of the horn power supply module through the steering wheel frame 1. An upper contact 7 is fixed above each boss 103 on the bottom surface of the slotted plate 2. The upper contacts 7 are connected to the positive terminal of the horn power supply module through the slotted plate 2. The upper and lower contacts are disconnected and in an open circuit state under the action of the return spring 6, and they make contact with each other after the airbag module is pressed to realize the horn function. The upper contacts 7 are riveted to the bottom surface of the slotted plate 2, and the lower contacts 8 are riveted to the center hole at the upper end of the corresponding boss 103 by interference fit.

[0030] Two exhaust grooves 104 are symmetrically provided on the inner wall of the central hole at the upper end of each boss 103. Each exhaust groove 104 is connected to a rectangular groove on the top surface of the boss 103 to discharge the high-pressure gas in the central hole during the riveting process, so that the lower contact 8 is riveted to the steering wheel frame more reliably.

[0031] The steering wheel frame 1 is made of lightweight magnesium alloy, the positioning sleeve 5 is made of engineering plastic, the grooved support plate 2 is made of metal, and the positioning post 3 is made of carbon steel. The retaining ring 4 is made of 65Mn spring steel.

[0032] During assembly, if Figure 7 As shown, the driver's airbag is installed on the slotted bracket 2 and aligned with the positioning sleeve 5 on the steering wheel frame 1 through the positioning pin 3. The positioning pin 3 is inserted into the positioning sleeve 5 through the guiding fit of the positioning sleeve 5. Axial pressure is continued to be applied, and the retaining spring 4 is pressed by the guide cone surface at the lower end of the positioning pin 3, causing the retaining spring 4 to undergo elastic deformation. When the positioning pin 3 is inserted to the preset position, the retaining spring elastically returns to its original position and is locked in the annular groove of the positioning pin 3 by the rebound force of the retaining spring, thus completing the locking and fixing. At this time, the return spring 6 is in a pre-compressed state, pushing the slotted bracket 2 so that the upper contact 7 and the lower contact 8 are tightly fitted, realizing the conduction of the horn circuit. At the same time, the plastic coating layer 9 outside the retaining spring isolates the positioning pin 3 and the retaining spring to avoid interference caused by metal contact.

[0033] During disassembly, the circlip is squeezed with a special tool to deform and detach from the positioning post 3, allowing the driver's airbag side assembly to be quickly removed from the steering wheel side assembly. The operation is convenient.

[0034] The installation structure of this invention achieves rapid assembly through a snap-fit ​​method, which greatly improves production efficiency. The design of the plastic coating layer 9 ensures reliable insulation performance. Through the cooperation of the positioning sleeve 5 and the positioning post 3 and the setting of the return spring 6, the positioning is accurate and the contact is stable, which can effectively avoid loosening and signal abnormalities caused by vibration, and meet the usage requirements of the vehicle passive safety system.

[0035] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a driver's airbag and a steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel frame and a grooved support plate for mounting an airbag module, wherein at least three positioning posts are fixed on the grooved support plate, and the lower ends of the positioning posts pass through the steering wheel frame and are limited by retaining springs clipped onto the steering wheel frame; characterized in that: A plastic coating layer made of insulating material is provided on the snap ring corresponding to the snap-fit ​​positioning post, which is used to achieve insulation isolation after the positioning post and snap ring are snapped together; a positioning sleeve is inserted and snapped into the corresponding insertion hole position of each positioning post on the steering wheel frame, and the positioning post passes through the corresponding positioning sleeve through clearance fit to achieve circumferential positioning of the positioning post; a return spring is sleeved on the positioning post between the slotted support plate and the positioning sleeve, which is used to provide return elasticity after installation to ensure stable opening and closing of the horn contact; Multiple bosses are symmetrically arranged on the steering wheel frame, and a lower contact is fixed at the upper end of each boss. An upper contact is fixed on the bottom surface of the grooved support plate corresponding to each boss. The upper and lower contacts are disconnected and open-circuited under the action of the reset spring, and they contact each other after the airbag module is pressed to realize the horn function.

2. The mounting structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plastic coating layer is integrally injection molded from insulating material, and the thickness of the plastic coating layer is 0.5-2mm, so as to ensure the insulation performance without affecting the elastic clamping deformation capability of the snap ring.

3. The mounting structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower edge of the positioning sleeve is evenly distributed with elastic claws, which are engaged with the steering wheel frame. The upper edge of the positioning sleeve is provided with a limiting groove, and the steering wheel frame is provided with limiting protrusions near the outer edge of the positioning sleeve, which are engaged in the corresponding limiting grooves to achieve circumferential limiting of the positioning sleeve.

4. The mounting structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that: On the steering wheel frame, there are retaining ring bosses at the corresponding positioning column positions. The insertion hole is located on the retaining ring boss, the retaining ring is snapped into the root of the retaining ring boss, the limiting protrusion is located on the upper end of the retaining ring boss, and the outer edge of the positioning sleeve is stepped and sits on the retaining ring boss through the outer step.

5. The mounting structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The upper contact is riveted to the bottom surface of the grooved support plate, and the lower contact is riveted to the center hole at the upper end of the corresponding boss.

6. The mounting structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two venting grooves are symmetrically provided on the inner wall of the central hole at the upper end of each boss. Each venting groove is connected to a rectangular groove on the top surface of the boss and is used to discharge the high-pressure gas in the central hole during the riveting process.

7. The mounting structure for a driver's airbag and steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that: The steering wheel frame is made of magnesium alloy, and the positioning sleeve is made of engineering plastic.

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