Removable mounting device for an airbag module on a steering wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a removable mounting device for an airbag module (1) on a steering wheel (2). The mounting device comprises a mounting portion (31) of an elastic rod (30) to form, in a locking position of the rod (30), a retaining element for at least one hook (11) on the other part of the module or the steering wheel. The elastic rod (30) has an unlocked position in which the mounting portion (31) of the rod (30) is no longer in the interaction zone with the at least one hook (11). The device further comprises a rod (30) release element, connected to either the module (1) or the steering wheel (2) and arranged to move the rod (30) during an extraction movement of the module (1) so that the rod (30) is repositioned from the locking position. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel.

[0002] Document EP1957324 describes a removable mounting device for an airbag module comprising a hook secured to a module interacting with an elastic ring to retain the module on the steering wheel. When the module is disassembled, the elastic ring is held in the unlocked position to allow the module to be extracted without it being necessary to pivot the module. The module also comprises an actuating element which makes it possible to move the elastic ring into the locking position when the module is installed. The movement of the elastic ring by the actuating element is only obtained when the module is pushed in to the maximum, i.e. beyond its nominal position. There is therefore a risk that when the module is mounted, the maximum push-in stroke of the module is not reached, which results in the module not being fixed.

[0003] An aim of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art document mentioned above and in particular, to propose a removable mounting device in which the locking of the airbag module is ensured after the elastic ring is held in the unlocked position during disassembly of the module.

[0004] For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel, the mounting device comprising, at least one mounting hook linked to one of the airbag module or the steering wheel, the at least one mounting hook cooperating with at least one insertion element located on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel and, a mounting portion of an elastic ring to form, in a locking position of the elastic ring, an element for holding the at least one mounting hook on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel in an area of ​​interaction with the at least one mounting hook,the elastic ring having an unlocking position in which the mounting portion of the elastic ring is no longer in the interaction zone with the at least one mounting hook characterized in that the removable mounting device further comprises an element for releasing the elastic ring, linked to one of the airbag module or the steering wheel and arranged to move the elastic ring during an extraction movement of the airbag module so that the elastic ring is replaced from the locking position or in the position, locking.

[0005] Thus, it is understood that when the airbag module is disassembled, the elastic snap ring initially in the unlocked position is automatically repositioned in the locked position when the airbag module is extracted. Thus, when the airbag module is reassembled, the elastic snap ring is already in the disassembly position; any risk of reassembly without the snap ring being in the reassembly position is eliminated. Thus, when the module is in its position of use, it is necessarily retained on the module.

[0006] According to another embodiment, the device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel may comprise an elastic ring retaining element linked to one of the airbag module or the steering wheel and arranged to maintain the elastic ring in the unlocked position.

[0007] This retaining element makes it possible to maintain the elastic ring in the unlocked position and therefore to be able to extract the airbag module without it being necessary to pivot the module during disassembly. This is particularly important when the clearances between the module and the steering wheel are very small. Such small clearances make the assembly more aesthetic but prevent any possibility of rotation of the module during its disassembly.

[0008] According to another embodiment, the retaining element may comprise a lug comprising a stop for holding the elastic ring in its unlocked position.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the lug may comprise a ramp to facilitate the movement of the elastic ring towards its unlocking position, in which the elastic ring bears against the stop.

[0010] The ramp of the lug makes it easier to move the elastic ring into the unlocking position against the lug.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the lug can be mounted on an elastic tab.

[0012] The presence of the elastic tab makes it possible to reduce the forces required to move the elastic ring into the unlocking position since it can deform to allow the elastic ring to pass and can return to its initial position when the elastic ring reaches the unlocking position.

[0013] According to another embodiment, a tool for retaining the elastic ring separate from the airbag module and the steering wheel may be provided to hold the elastic ring in the unlocked position.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel comprises an element for locking the retaining tool in a position in which the retaining tool is arranged to hold the elastic ring (30) in the unlock position.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the release element may comprise a release hook whose trajectory during the extraction movement of the airbag module crosses the elastic ring when it is in the unlocked position.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the release hook can extend in a direction parallel to the extraction direction.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the height of the release hook may be strictly greater than the height of the at least one mounting hook.

[0018] Thus, the hook will be arranged to come into contact with the elastic ring only when the mounting hook is disengaged from the elastic ring.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the removable mounting device may comprise at least two mounting hooks, one mounting portion per mounting hook and one retaining element per mounting portion.

[0020] According to another embodiment, when the airbag module is assembled on the steering wheel, the mounting hook can be in contact with the elastic ring and the release element (12) can be distant from the elastic ring by more than 1 mm or even more than 1.5 mm depending on the extraction direction.

[0021] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for dismantling a removable mounting device for an airbag module on a steering wheel according to the first aspect, characterized in that it comprises a step of moving the elastic ring into its unlocking position, a step of extracting the airbag module so that the release element moves the elastic ring to replace it in the locking position.

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] [fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a part of a steering wheel equipped with the removable mounting device according to the invention

[0024] [fig.2] represents a perspective view of an airbag module according to the invention;

[0025] [fig.3] represents a perspective detail view of the mounting device removable according to the invention in which the unlocked position and the locked position of the elastic ring are shown;

[0026] [fig.4] represents a detailed view from below of the removable mounting device according to the invention in which the unlocked position and the locked position of the elastic ring are shown;

[0027] [fig.5] represents a mounting plate of the removable mounting device according to the invention in which the unlocked position and the locked position of the elastic ring are shown;

[0028] [fig.6] represents a sectional view of details of a first embodiment of the removable mounting device according to the invention in which the unlocked position and the locked position of the elastic ring are shown;

[0029] [fig.7] represents a sectional view of details of a second embodiment of the removable mounting device according to the invention in which the unlocked position and the locked position of the elastic ring are shown;

[0030] The removable mounting device according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0031] In a manner known per se, an airbag module 1 is mounted on the steering wheel 2 by means of, for example, a fixing plate 3. The fixing of the mounting plate 3 on the steering wheel 2 is carried out by means of screws 21. The airbag module 1 is mounted on the mounting plate 3 by clipping. To do this, the mounting plate 3 comprises a plurality of openings or orifices 35 through which hooks 11 of the airbag module 1 are introduced. The clipping of the module 1 onto the mounting plate 3 is carried out by means of an elastic ring 30 (visible in FIG. 2) which interacts with the hooks 11 in an interaction zone at the level of the openings 35.According to the embodiment variant shown, the elastic ring 30 is mounted on the mounting plate 3, however, embodiment variants can be envisaged in which the elastic ring 30 is mounted on or secured to the frame 2 of the steering wheel and / or the airbag module 1. Obviously, if the elastic ring 30 is mounted on or secured to the airbag module 1, the hooks 11 are mounted on or secured to the steering wheel 2. The mounting plate 3 is not essential, the airbag module 1 could be mounted directly on the steering wheel 1. The mounting plate 3 can also support a part of the horn system.

[0032] It is understood that to dismantle the airbag module 1 it is necessary to move the elastic ring 30 into an unlocked position in which it is outside the interaction zone at the openings 35. When the airbag module 1 is mounted on the steering wheel 2 in particular via the mounting plate 3 by means of at least two mounting hooks 11, it is not always possible to dismantle the airbag module 1 by disengaging the mounting hooks 11 one after the other. Indeed, the disengagement of a first hook and then of a second hook requires tilting or moving the airbag module 1. In certain cases, the operating clearance between the inflatable module 1 and the steering wheel 2 is too small to allow this movement or tilting.

[0033] In this case, or simply to facilitate the disassembly of a cushion module 1 inflatable, the mounting plate 3 may comprise a retaining element 37 for the elastic ring 30 visible in particular in figures 5 to 7. The retaining element 37 is arranged to keep the elastic ring 30 out of the interaction zone after the latter has been moved. The retaining element 37 is for example a lug formed on the mounting plate 3. More precisely, the lug is formed on the face of the plate 3 on which the elastic ring 30 is mounted.

[0034] The lug 37 may comprise a first portion 38 forming a stop for the elastic ring 30 to hold it in the unlocked position. This first portion 38 forms, for example, a surface perpendicular to the plane of the mounting plate 3.

[0035] The lug 37 may comprise a second portion 39 forming a ramp to facilitate the movement of the elastic ring 30 towards its unlocking position, in particular against the first portion 38. The first and second portions 38, 39 may be adjacent so that when the elastic ring 30 is moved to the end of the second portion 39, it comes into abutment against the first portion 38. According to another embodiment not shown, the lug 37 may comprise a junction portion between the first and second portions 38, 39.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the lug 37 can be mounted on an elastic tab 40 arranged on the mounting plate 3 so that the lug 37 can move substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mounting plate 3. In other words, when the elastic snap ring 30 is moved into the unlocking position, the force exerted on the lug 37 will cause the elastic tab 40 to bend, which will facilitate the passage of the elastic snap ring 30 over the lug 37. When the elastic snap ring 30 crosses the lug 37, the elastic tab 40 then returns the lug 37 to its initial position so that the elastic snap ring 30 is then held in the unlocking position by the lug 37. It is understood that the elastic tab 40 makes it possible to reduce the force required to bring the elastic snap ring 30 into its unlocking position. unlocking.

[0037] According to another alternative embodiment shown in Figure 7, the lug 37 is replaced by a retaining or disassembly tool 50. When disassembling the cushion module, this retaining tool 50 can also be used to move the elastic ring 30 into its unlocking position. When the unlocking position of the elastic ring is reached, the retaining tool 50 is held in place on the mounting plate 3, for example by means of a locking element such as a wedge or a stud (not shown) which can be positioned either on the mounting plate 3 or outside the steering wheel 2. In a manner known per se, during disassembly, the retaining tool 50 can be introduced into the steering wheel 2 through an orifice made on a trim cover (not shown).

[0038] According to a characteristic of the invention, the airbag module 1 comprises a release element 12 for the elastic ring 30 when the latter is in the disassembly position. The release element is arranged to move the elastic ring 30 when the airbag module 1 is extracted. The movement of the elastic ring 30 by the release element 12 then causes the elastic ring to return to the locking position. It is then understood that after extraction of the airbag module 1 from the steering wheel 2, the elastic ring 30 is automatically replaced in the locking position in order to ensure the locking of the airbag module 1 on the steering wheel 2 when the airbag module 1 is reassembled.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the release element comprises a release hook 12 secured to the airbag module 1. The release hook 12 extends for example in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of extraction of the airbag module 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the extraction direction is substantially parallel to the axis A of rotation of the steering wheel. The release hook 12 is positioned so that the trajectory of the release hook 12 during the movement of extraction of the airbag module 1 crosses the elastic ring 30 when the latter is in the unlocked position. Thus, during the extraction movement, the release hook 12 will at least engage with the elastic ring 30. This interaction will then cause a movement of the elastic ring 30, causing the elastic ring 30 to move into its locked position.The release hook 12 is of course oriented so as not to hinder the movement of the elastic ring 30 from its unlocking position to its locking position.

[0040] More precisely and according to the embodiment variant shown, the movement of the elastic ring 30 caused by the release hook causes the movement of the elastic ring 30, for example, beyond the stop of the lug 37 or the retaining tool 50. The elastic ring 30 is then no longer held in its unlocked position and therefore returns to its locked position.

[0041] According to the variant shown in Figures 1 to 7, the release hook 12 extends in the same direction as the mounting hooks 11. The height of the release hook 12 is strictly greater than the height of the mounting hooks 11. Thus, during the extraction movement of the airbag module 1, the mounting hooks 11 will pass outside the zone of interaction with the elastic ring 30 before the release hook 12 causes the elastic ring to move. The return of the elastic ring 30 to its locking position will therefore not be able to relock the airbag module 1 on the steering wheel 2 during the movement.

[0042] For example, when the airbag module is assembled on the steering wheel, the mounting hook (11) is in contact with the elastic ring (30) and the hook of the beration (12) is distant from the elastic ring (30) by more than 1 mm or even more than 1.5 mm depending on the extraction direction.

[0043] The fixing plate 3 may comprise an opening 14 for the passage of the release hook 12. This opening 14 is distinct from the openings 35 intended for the passage of the hooks 11 for mounting the airbag module 1.

[0044] The disassembly of the airbag module 1 is carried out as follows: - The elastic ring 30 is first moved to its unlocking position for at least one mounting hook 11 of the airbag module 1. This operation is carried out for example by means of the retaining tool 50 or any other means known per se. The elastic ring 30 can also be held in this position by the retaining element 37 or the retaining tool 50. - once the elastic ring 30 is outside the interaction zone with the mounting hooks 11, the airbag module 1 is extracted. The extraction then causes the elastic ring 30 to move by the release element 12, causing the elastic ring 30 to move and return to its locking position.

[0045] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0046] In particular, according to another variant embodiment not shown, the mounting device does not comprise a mounting plate and the airbag module comprises the hooks. According to this variant embodiment, the steering wheel frame comprises insertion means for receiving the hooks of the airbag module. These insertion means may take the form of openings as on the mounting plate or simple notches. As for the variants described previously, the elastic ring interacts with the hooks to hold the airbag module on the steering wheel.

[0047] According to another alternative embodiment not shown, the mounting device does not comprise a mounting plate and the steering wheel frame comprises hooks. According to this alternative embodiment, the airbag module comprises insertion means for receiving the steering wheel hooks. These insertion means may take the form of openings as on the mounting plate or simple notches or one or more holes, openings, grooves or recesses. The airbag module also comprises means for locking the elastic ring. As for the variants described previously, the elastic ring interacts with the hooks to hold the airbag module on the steering wheel.

Claims

Claims

1. A device for removable mounting of an airbag module (1) on a steering wheel (2), the mounting device comprising: - at least one mounting hook (11) connected to one of the airbag module (1) or the steering wheel (2), the at least one mounting hook (11) cooperating with at least one insertion element (35) located on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel and - a mounting portion (31) of an elastic ring (30) to form, in a locking position of the elastic ring (30), a holding element of the at least one mounting hook (11) on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel in an area of ​​interaction with the at least one mounting hook (11),- the elastic ring (30) having an unlocking position in which the mounting portion (31) of the elastic ring (30) is no longer in the zone of interaction with the at least one mounting hook (11) characterized in that the removable mounting device further comprises a release element (12) of the elastic ring (30), linked to one of the airbag module (1) or the steering wheel (2) and arranged to move the elastic ring (30) during an extraction movement of the airbag module (1) so that the elastic ring (30) is returned to the locking position.,

2. A device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 1 wherein a retaining element (37) of the elastic ring connected to one of the airbag module or the steering wheel is arranged to hold the elastic ring (30) in the unlocked position.

3. A device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 2 in which the retaining element comprises a lug (37) comprising a stop (38) for holding the elastic ring (30) in its unlocked position.

4. A device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 3 in which the lug (37) comprises a ramp (39) to facilitate the movement of the elastic ring (30) towards its unlocked position in which the elastic ring (30) bears against the stop (38).

5. Device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel according to one of claims 3 to 4 in which the lug (37) is mounted on an elastic tab (40).

6. Device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 1 in which a retaining tool (50) of the elastic ring (30) separate from the airbag module and the steering wheel is provided to maintain the elastic ring in the unlocked position.

7. A device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 6 wherein the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel comprises an element for locking the retaining tool (50) in a position in which the retaining tool (50) is arranged to hold the elastic ring (30) in the unlocked position.

8. Device for removable mounting of an airbag module on a steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 6 in which the release element comprises a release hook (12) whose trajectory during the extraction movement of the airbag module (1) crosses the elastic ring (30) when it is in the unlocked position.

9. A device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 8 wherein the release hook (12) extends in a direction parallel to the extraction direction.

10. A device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the height of the release hook (12) is strictly greater than the height of the at least one mounting hook (11).

11. A device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, when the airbag module is assembled on the steering wheel (2), the mounting hook (11) is in contact with the elastic ring (30) and the release element (12) is distant from the elastic ring (30) by more than 1 mm or even more than 1.5 mm depending on the extraction direction.

12. A device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel according to one of claims 2 to 11 comprising at least two mounting hooks (11), one mounting portion (31) per mounting hook (11) and one retaining element (37) per mounting portion (31).

13. Method for dismantling a removable mounting device of an airbag module (1) on a steering wheel (2) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of moving the elastic ring into its unlocking position - a step of extracting the airbag module so that the release element moves the elastic ring to replace it in the locking position.

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