Steering Wheel Horn Assembly

Abstract

A steering wheel horn assembly is provided. The device comprises a horn base (21), a horn button (22), multiple elastic members (23), and multiple limiting members (24). The horn base has a receiving portion (211). The horn button is displaceably attached to the receiving portion. The elastic member is disposed between the horn button and the receiving portion, with both ends abutting the horn button and the horn base, respectively. The limiting member passes through the receiving portion, with one end locked to the horn button and the other end abutting the horn base. Each limiting member has a locking depth, which determines the static height between the horn button and the horn base. By adjusting the locking depth of at least some of these limiting members, the static height can be flexibly adjusted, enhancing the applicability and expandability of the product.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a horn assembly, and more particularly to a steering wheel horn assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that a horn assembly is usually built into the steering wheel of a vehicle. This horn assembly is attached to a predetermined mounting hole in the steering wheel by having a socket that is inserted from top to bottom. Inside this socket is located a button that the driver presses to operate the horn.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned conventional structure has the following problems.

[0004] First, the socket is inserted into the mounting hole from top to bottom, with its outer periphery tightly contacting the top surface of the steering wheel. Furthermore, the protruding structure creates a step on the top surface of the steering wheel, making the assembly discontinuous. This structure occupies a continuous space on the top surface of the steering wheel, negatively impacting the steering feel.

[0005] Second, the assembled height of this button is entirely limited by the fixed structure of the mounting socket, making it impossible to adjust to different specifications or ergonomic requirements. This fixed structure not only causes the protruding structure to occupy space, but also limits the expandability of the product.

[0006] Third, sockets are usually secured in mounting holes by snap-fit ​​structures. Under prolonged pressure, vibration, or temperature variations, these structures are prone to fatigue, wear, or loosening at the snap-fit ​​points, which reduces the stability and durability of the assembly.

[0007] That is, speaker assemblies still have room for improvement in terms of flexibility during assembly and adjustment, structural and aesthetic integrity, and long-term stability. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel horn assembly designed to address the shortcomings of the prior art, particularly with respect to aesthetic integrity, operational feel, assembly and adjustment flexibility, and long-term stability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a steering wheel horn assembly including a horn base, a horn button, multiple elastic members, and multiple restricting members. The horn base includes a receiving portion. The horn button is displaceably mounted within the receiving portion of the horn base. Each elastic member is disposed between the horn button and the receiving portion. Each restricting member is mounted through the receiving portion, with one threaded end fixed to the horn button and the other end abutting the horn base.

[0010] In the steering wheel horn assembly, each elastic member is disposed between the horn button and the horn base, with both ends of the elastic member abutting against the bottom surface of the horn button and the bottom surface of the horn base, respectively.

[0011] In the steering wheel horn assembly, each limiting member has a locking depth, and the locking depth of the limiting member defines the rest height of the horn button relative to the horn base.

[0012] In the steering wheel horn assembly, the horn base has a mounting portion surrounding a receiving portion. The mounting portion has a plurality of first screw holes and is attached to the underside of the steering wheel. The steering wheel has a mounting hole communicating with the receiving portion. The steering wheel has an assembly portion around the mounting hole, and the assembly portion has a plurality of second screw holes corresponding to the first screw holes. A plurality of fasteners lock the first screw holes and the second screw holes, allowing the horn button to be inserted through the mounting hole.

[0013] The steering wheel horn assembly further includes an electrical member mounted to the bottom of the horn base, with a restrictor member surrounding the electrical member and a spaced apart restrictor member mounted to the bottom of the horn base.

[0014] In a steering wheel horn assembly, the electrical components include a base, a button, and a terminal. The base is attached to the bottom of the horn base. The button is attached to the base and positioned within a receptacle. The terminal is attached to the base and located outside the horn base. The horn button moves and abuts against the button, connecting the button to the terminal.

[0015] In the steering wheel horn assembly, each elastic member is fitted to each restricting member.

[0016] The steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention provides the following functions:

[0017] The horn button is movable relative to the horn base, with each elastic member providing a restoring force. Combined with the positional constraints imposed by each limiting member on the horn button's return path, this ensures stable movement during displacement and improves tactile feedback for the operator. Furthermore, the locking depth of each limiting member defines the rest height of the horn button. This rest height can be flexibly adjusted according to different requirements, enhancing the applicability and expandability of the product.

[0018] The bottom mounting method eliminates the need for protruding structures on the top surface of the steering wheel, improving the operability.

[0019] The mounting part is fixed to the steering wheel via multiple screw holes, effectively preventing loosening and wear during long-term use and increasing mounting stability.

[0020] The above description is intended solely to describe the problems addressed by the present invention, the technical means adopted to solve them, and the resulting effects. Specific details of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following examples and related drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a three-dimensional assembly view of a steering wheel horn assembly according to the present invention from a first perspective; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective assembly view of the steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention from a second perspective. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded view of a steering wheel horn assembly according to the present invention from a first perspective; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second perspective exploded view of the steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a top view of the steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention assembled and installed on the steering wheel along the direction AA in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention attached to the steering wheel along the direction AA in FIG. 5 and a schematic diagram of the operation thereof. [Figure 8] 1 is a three-dimensional assembly view of the steering wheel horn assembly of the present invention attached to the steering wheel; FIG. [Figure 9]1 is an exploded view of a steering wheel horn assembly according to the present invention attached to a steering wheel; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description of the embodiments is accompanied by the accompanying drawings.

[0023] 1 to 9, the present invention provides a steering wheel horn assembly 20. The steering wheel horn assembly 20 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a horn base 21 and a horn button 22.

[0024] Horn base 21 (shown in FIGS. 1 to 8) is configured as a disk-shaped body in one embodiment. Horn base 21 has axially oriented receiving portion 211 therein, and is configured as a groove-shaped body in one embodiment. Horn base 21 has mounting portion 212 arranged circumferentially around its outer periphery. In one embodiment, mounting portion 212 is configured as a ring body. Mounting portion 212 surrounds receiving portion 211 and is located outside the opening of receiving portion 211. In one embodiment, mounting portion 212 is provided with a plurality of first screw holes spaced apart in the circumferential direction on mounting portion 212.

[0025] Horn button 22 (shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6-9) is displaceably mounted within receiving portion 211 of horn base 21. In one embodiment, horn button 22 is configured as a cover body.

[0026] The steering wheel horn assembly 20 further includes a plurality of elastic members 23 , a plurality of restricting members 24 , and an electrical member 25 .

[0027] In one embodiment, the elastic members 23 (see FIGS. 3 to 7) are configured as springs. These elastic members 23 are arranged annularly at intervals between the horn button 22 and the horn base 21, with both ends of the elastic members 23 abutting against the lower bottom surface of the horn button 22 and the inner bottom surface of the horn base 21, respectively, thereby realizing the aforementioned displaceable mounting.

[0028] In one embodiment, the restricting members 24 (shown in FIGS. 3 to 7) are configured as screws. These restricting members 24 are each screwed upward into the receiving portion 211 from the outer bottom surface of the horn base 21. One end of each screw member is fixed to the bottom portion of the lower surface of the horn button 22, and the other end abuts against the outer bottom portion of the horn base 21. In this embodiment, when viewed in the circumferential direction from the bottom side of the horn base 21 (see FIG. 5), the elastic members 23 and the restricting members 24 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and each restricting member 24 is located between two adjacent elastic members 23.

[0029] In another embodiment, the restricting member 24 (not shown) is circumferentially aligned with the elastic member 23 and is attached to the elastic member 23 so as to penetrate the elastic member 23 in the axial direction, thereby allowing the elastic member 23 to be fitted axially into the restricting member 24.

[0030] The electrical member 25 (see FIGS. 2 to 7) is assembled to the bottom of the horn base 21, and the restricting member 24 surrounds the electrical member 25 and is disposed annularly at a distance from the bottom of the horn base 21. The electrical member 25 includes a base 251 attached to the bottom of the horn base 21. In one embodiment, the base 251 has a screw thread on its outer periphery and is screwed into the bottom surface of the horn base 21. The base 251 is further fixed by a positioning member P (see FIGS. 2 to 7) via the screw thread. In one embodiment, the positioning member P is configured as a lock ring and positions the base 251 on the bottom surface of the horn base 21. One end of the base 251 is provided with a button 252 disposed inside the horn base 21. The other end of the base 251 is provided with a terminal 253 disposed outside the horn base 21 and connected to a circuit (not shown). The button 252 can be connected to the terminal 253 as needed.

[0031] In one embodiment, the steering wheel horn assembly 20 is mounted to a steering wheel 10 (see FIGS. 6-9). A mounting hole 11, which in one embodiment is configured as a hole, is provided in a central portion of the steering wheel 10. The steering wheel 10 has an assembly portion 12 on the periphery of the mounting hole 11. In one embodiment, the assembly portion 12 includes a plurality of second threaded holes spaced apart circumferentially around the periphery of the mounting hole 11.

[0032] As described above, horn base 21 can be attached upward from the underside of steering wheel 10, and when mounting portion 212 is positioned below assembly portion 12 of steering wheel 10, receiving portion 211 communicates with mounting hole 11. A first screw hole in mounting portion 212 is aligned with a second screw hole in assembly portion 12. Thereafter, a plurality of connecting members S (see FIGS. 6 to 9) are used to fasten the first screw hole and the second screw hole, thereby securely fastening horn base 21 to the underside of steering wheel 10. In one embodiment, connecting members S are screws.

[0033] The present invention employs a mounting method in which the horn base 21 is mounted to the underside of the steering wheel 10 from bottom to top, so that the mounting portion 212 is located on the underside of the steering wheel 10, not on the top surface. As a result, the protrusion structure does not create a discontinuous assembly state on the top surface of the steering wheel, and the visual integrity of the appearance is improved.

[0034] The outer diameter of the horn button 22 matches the inner diameter of the mounting hole 11, allowing the horn button 22 to fit through the mounting hole 11 and partially protrude from the top surface of the steering wheel 10. Importantly, the rest height of the horn button 22 is determined by a limiting member 24 (described below) and is not fixed. In its initial state, the top surface of the horn button 22 can be adjusted to protrude slightly or to be flush or nearly flush with the top surface of the steering wheel 10. This displaceable and adjustable structure improves operability and aesthetic integrity while avoiding the space-occupying issues of protruding elements.

[0035] The operational function of each component is further described below.

[0036] The elastic member 23 is disposed between the horn button 22 and the horn base 21 to provide a restoring elastic force when the horn button 22 is pressed.

[0037] The limiting members 24 extend upward from the outer bottom surface of the horn base 21, passing through the receiving portion 211, and are locked to the bottom of the underside of the horn button 22. Each limiting member 24 has a locking depth, and the locking depth of the limiting member 24 combined with the restoring elastic force of the elastic member 23 determines the rest height of the horn button 22 relative to the horn base 21. Therefore, by adjusting the locking depth of at least one of these limiting members 24 (i.e., the depth to which the limiting member 24 is locked to the bottom of the horn button 22), the rest height can be flexibly adjusted to meet different specifications and requirements. This allows the horn button 22 to maintain a stable movement path during displacement, improving the applicability and scalability of the product.

[0038] When the horn button 22 receives a downward external force that exceeds the predetermined elastic force of the elastic member 23, the horn button 22 is displaced downward. The limiting member 24 moves together with the horn button 22, thereby separating from the outer bottom surface of the horn base 21. When no external force is applied to the horn button 22 and the horn button 22 is pushed back to its rest height (original position) by the elastic member 23, the limiting member 24 moves together with the horn button 22 and abuts against the outer bottom surface of the horn base 21. This limits the return position of the horn button 22.

[0039] The electrical member 25 is connected to the circuit when the horn button 22 is pressed. When the horn button 22 moves downward, the bottom surface of the lower part of the horn button 22 comes into contact with the button 252 connected to the terminal 253, activating the circuit that sounds the horn. Conversely, when the horn button 22 moves upward, the bottom surface of the back of the horn button 22 separates from the button 252, which is then disconnected from the terminal 253 and the circuit is released.

[0040] The horn base 21 of the present invention is fixed to the connecting member S in a bottom-up alignment manner, which effectively prevents loosening and wear caused by vibrations and temperature changes during long-term use, improving the stability and safety of the product.

[0041] Finally, the above disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements within the spirit and scope of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10.Steering wheel 11...Mounting hole 12...Assembly section 20...Steering wheel horn assembly 21...Horn bass 211...receiving part 212...Mounting part 22...Horn button 23...Elastic member 24...Restricting member 25...Electrical components 251...base 252...button 253...Terminal P... Positioning member S...Connecting member

Claims

1. a horn base having a receiving portion; a horn button displaceably attached to a receiving portion of the horn base; a plurality of elastic members respectively disposed between the horn button and the receiving portion; a plurality of restricting members each passing through the receiving portion, one screw end of which is fixed to the horn button and the other end of which abuts against the horn base; Including the steering wheel horn assembly.

2. 2. The steering wheel horn assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic members are annularly disposed between the horn button and the horn base, and both ends of each elastic member abut against the bottom surface of the horn button and the bottom surface of the horn base, respectively.

3. 2. The steering wheel horn assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the limiting members has a locking depth, the locking depth of the limiting members defining a rest height of the horn button relative to the horn base.

4. 2. The steering wheel horn assembly of claim 1, wherein the horn base has a mounting portion surrounding a receiving portion, the mounting portion having a plurality of first screw holes, the mounting portion being assembled to the underside of the steering wheel, the steering wheel having a mounting hole communicating with the receiving portion, the steering wheel having an assembly portion around the mounting hole, the assembly portion having a plurality of second screw holes opposite the first screw holes, and a plurality of connecting members locking the first screw holes and the second screw holes and allowing the horn button to pass through the mounting hole.

5. 2. The steering wheel horn assembly of claim 1, further comprising an electrical member mounted on a bottom of the horn base, the restricting member surrounding the electrical member and abutting the bottom of the horn base at a distance.

6. The electrical member is a base attached to the bottom of the horn base; a button attached to the base and disposed within the receptacle; and a terminal attached to the base and disposed outside the horn base; 6. The steering wheel horn assembly of claim 5, wherein displacement of the horn button causes it to abut against the button, which is connected to the terminal.

7. 2. The steering wheel horn assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is fitted to the restricting member.

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