Steering wheel device for vehicle

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a steering wheel device for a vehicle configured so that, even when motion occurs in an attaching pin member that couples a steering wheel to an airbag module, conduction failures in a conduction circuit for sounding a horn can be prevented from occurring so that the horn can be reliably operated. [Solution] This invention comprises: a horn spring 15 provided between a steering wheel 1 and an airbag module 2 which serves as a damper mass; a damper unit 10 provided on the airbag module; and a pin 11, one end 11a of which is held by the steering wheel, and at another end 11b of which the damper unit is disposed in a slidable manner. A conduction circuit 5 of a horn includes: the pin which is formed from an electrically conductive material; a horn contact 22 that is provided on the airbag module and that contacts and separates from the pin due to elastic deformation of the horn spring; and a U-shaped spring 26 that is provided to the steering wheel and that conducts by clipping the pin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel device for a vehicle that can reliably operate the horn by preventing poor conductivity in the conductive circuit that activates the horn even if movement occurs in the mounting pin member that connects the steering wheel and the airbag module. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional technique for incorporating a horn switch mechanism between a steering wheel and an airbag module.

[0003] In the "steering wheel with airbag device" of Patent Document 1, the horn switch mechanism includes a fixed pin as a support member fixed to a core metal of the steering wheel body and supporting a bag holder so that the bag holder can move back and forth relative to the core metal, and a movable mounting member as an insulating part interposed between the fixed pin and the bag holder to provide electrical insulation therebetween. The horn switch mechanism also includes a compression coil spring as a biasing member that biases the bag holder in a direction away from the core metal, and a contact terminal as a movable contact part that moves with the bag holder. When the bag holder moves toward the core metal against the biasing force of the compression coil spring, the contact terminal comes into contact with the fixed pin, establishing electrical conduction, thereby activating the vehicle's horn device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-69934 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the background art, the fixing pin is a component that connects the core and the bag holder. The fixing pin is inserted into an insertion hole in the core, and one side of the fixing pin is locked by a clip. This fixes the fixing pin to the core in a conductive state. With this structure, when the horn is operated to compress and deform the compression coil spring and move the bag holder toward the core, the clip acts as a fulcrum, and the fixing pin may tilt relative to the insertion hole. If the fixing pin tilts, excessive impact vibrations may be transmitted to the conductive path from the contact terminal through the fixing pin to the core, which may cause momentary contact failure.

[0006] In particular, when attempting to damp vibrations from the steering wheel, for example, if a damper unit is provided on the bag holder side and a fixing pin is provided on the damper unit so that vibrations from the steering wheel are transmitted to the damper unit through the fixing pin, it is expected that the fixing pin will move at an even greater angle. For this reason, a measure to ensure electrical continuity from the contact terminal to the core metal has been desired.

[0007] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a vehicle steering wheel device that can reliably operate the horn by preventing poor conductivity in the conductive circuit that activates the horn even if movement occurs in the mounting pin member that connects the steering wheel and the airbag module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle steering wheel device of the present invention comprises an elastically deformable horn spring that is provided between the steering wheel and an airbag module and supports the airbag module from the steering wheel, and a mounting pin member that has one end held by the steering wheel and the other end held by the airbag module and connects the airbag module to the steering wheel so that it can move relatively to the steering wheel, and is characterized in that a conductive circuit that is connected to a horn device that sounds a horn includes the mounting pin member made of a conductive material, a horn contact that is provided on the airbag module and moves toward and away from the mounting pin member due to elastic deformation of the horn spring, and an electrode member that is provided on the side of the steering wheel and clips onto the mounting pin member to be connected to the mounting pin member.

[0009] The airbag module is a damper mass, and the airbag module is provided with a damper unit that damps vibrations of the steering wheel, and the damper unit is slidably provided at the other end of the mounting pin member, and it is desirable that the mounting pin member transmits vibrations of the steering wheel to the damper unit.

[0010] The electrode member is preferably a U-shaped spring that holds the mounting pin member by sandwiching it.

[0011] It is desirable that the steering wheel is provided with a collar member that holds the mounting pin member, the collar member is provided with a spring seat that is pressed toward the steering wheel by the elasticity of the horn spring, and the electrode member is sandwiched between the spring seat and the steering wheel.

[0012] The collar member is preferably provided in a press-fit state on the steering wheel so that the spring seat presses the electrode member toward the steering wheel.

[0013] The collar member is preferably provided with an engagement portion for engaging the electrode member. The electrode member is preferably electrically connected to a terminal provided on the steering wheel. The electrical connection circuit is preferably configured with a clock spring on both the power supply side and the ground side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the vehicle steering wheel device of the present invention, even if movement occurs in the mounting pin member connecting the steering wheel and the airbag module, poor conductivity in the conductive circuit that activates the horn can be prevented, and the horn can be operated reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a preferred embodiment of a steering wheel device for a vehicle according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a damper unit provided in the steering wheel device of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the steering wheel device of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a U-shaped spring is provided on a collar member provided in the steering wheel device of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the U-shaped spring of FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of an electrode member used in a steering wheel device for a vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a modified example of the steering wheel device for a vehicle according to the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A preferred embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of the vehicle steering wheel device according to this embodiment, with Fig. 1(a) showing the entire steering wheel 1 and Fig. 1(b) showing the steering wheel 1 in an exploded state with an airbag module 2 removed. In the following description, the side facing the driver will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the back side.

[0017] The steering wheel 1 is installed in the driver's seat of the vehicle. The steering wheel 1 is connected to a steering shaft that passes through the inside of a steering column. The steering wheel 1 transmits the steering operation of the driver to the steering gear and the like.

[0018] An airbag module 2 with a built-in airbag cushion is attached to the steering wheel 1. The driver's side of the airbag module 2 is covered with a resin horn cover 3, which serves as a decorative surface.

[0019] A box-shaped housing 4 is provided on the rear side of the horn cover 3. The housing 4 accommodates an airbag cushion and an inflator for supplying inflator gas to the airbag cushion.

[0020] In an emergency, when inflator gas is supplied from the inflator to the airbag cushion, the airbag cushion tears open the horn cover 3 and deploys and inflates toward the passenger compartment, restraining and protecting the driver.

[0021] The airbag module 2 normally functions as a horn button that the driver presses in the Z direction in the figure toward the steering wheel 1 when sounding the horn.

[0022] The airbag module 2 further functions as a damper mass, and therefore the airbag module 2 is provided with a damper unit 10 that damps vibrations of the steering wheel 1.

[0023] First, the mounting structure of the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1 will be described.

[0024] The steering wheel 1 is made of an electrically conductive metal core member.

[0025] The core metal member is roughly composed of a central boss portion 6, a circular rim portion 7 that the driver grips, and spoke portions 8 that connect the boss portion 6 and the rim portion 7. The boss portion 6 is formed with a shaft hole 9 to which the steering shaft is connected.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of damper units 10 are disposed in a housing 4 of an airbag module 2 which serves as a damper mass.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the damper unit 10 is provided with a rod-shaped mounting pin member (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pin") 11 that protrudes in the Z direction toward the boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1.

[0028] One longitudinal end 11a of the pin 11 is attached to the boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1, and the other longitudinal end 11b is attached to the damper unit 10 on the airbag module 2 side. In this way, the pin 11 is provided between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1.

[0029] The pin 11 transmits vibrations of the steering wheel 1 to the damper unit 10. The pin 11 is made of a conductive material to constitute a conductive circuit 5 (described later) that is electrically connected to a horn device that sounds the horn.

[0030] As will be described later, a horn spring 15, which is a compression coil spring and is elastically deformable, is provided between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2 so as to surround the pin 11.

[0031] The horn spring 15 elastically supports the airbag module 2 from the steering wheel 1.

[0032] The damper unit 10 to which the other end 11b of the pin 11 is attached will now be briefly described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the damper unit 10 is composed of an inner sleeve 16, an annular seat 16a formed and extending outward from the inner sleeve 16, an annular flange 16b formed on the inner sleeve 16 facing outward and disposed opposite the annular seat 16a, an annular piece 17 engaged with the annular flange 16b, an annular elastic body 18 disposed between the annular piece 17 and the annular seat 16a to surround the inner sleeve 16 and to damp vibrations, and an annular outer sleeve 19 disposed to cover the outside of the elastic body 18.

[0033] The outer sleeve 19 is attached to a through hole 20 formed in the housing 4. In this way, the damper unit 10 is fixed to the airbag module 2.

[0034] The other end 11b of the pin 11 is inserted into the inner sleeve 16 so as to be slidable relative to the inner sleeve 16.

[0035] At the tip of the other end 11 b of the pin 11 , a plate-shaped head portion 21 is formed so as to cover the annular piece 17 .

[0036] Vibrations of the steering wheel 1 are transmitted from the pin 11 to the elastic body 18 via the inner sleeve 16, and also from the head portion 21 to the elastic body 18 via the annular piece 17. As a result, the vibrations of the steering wheel 1 are damped by the elastic body 18, with the airbag module 2 acting as a damper mass.

[0037] Furthermore, the head portion 21 is locked so as not to come off from the damper unit 10 via the inner sleeve 16. Therefore, the pin 11 is inserted into the damper unit 10 from the front side to the back side.

[0038] The boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1 to which one end 11a of the pin 11 is attached will now be briefly described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a through hole 13 is formed in the boss portion 6 for inserting one end 11a of the pin 11 from the front side to the back side. A collar member 12 is fitted and fixed into this through hole 13 in a pressed-fit state by press-fitting or the like.

[0039] The collar member 12 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and includes a main body 12e that is inserted into the through hole 13 of the boss 6, and an annular flange 12a.

[0040] The main body 12e is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has a circular opening at one end in the longitudinal direction, through which one end 11a of the pin 11 is inserted.

[0041] The flange portion 12a is formed at one end of the main body portion 12e in the longitudinal direction and extends outward along the periphery of the main body portion 12e.

[0042] When the main body 12e is fitted into the through hole 13, the flange 12a is placed over the boss 6 on the outer periphery of the through hole 13.

[0043] That is, when the collar member 12 is fixed to the through hole 13, the rear surface of the flange portion 12a is pressed against the surface of the boss portion 6.

[0044] This flange portion 12 a also serves as a spring seat for the horn spring 15 .

[0045] The main body 12e of the collar member 12 is formed in a truncated cone shape such that the outer and inner diameters gradually narrow slightly in the length direction (Z direction) from one end on the flange portion 12a side to the other end.

[0046] By forming the collar member 12 in a truncated cone shape, when the collar member 12 is pressed from the front side to the back side of the boss portion 6, it is firmly fitted and fixed in the through hole 13.

[0047] A seat portion 23 on which the conical portion 11c formed at the tip of one end 11a of the pin 11 sits is integrally molded by resin molding at the end opposite to the end on the flange portion 12a side of the collar member 12.

[0048] The collar member 12 is formed with a positioning groove 12d at a position behind the boss portion 6.

[0049] The positioning groove 12d is formed in the main body 12e of the collar member 12 in a horizontal direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the collar member 12.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning groove 12d is formed so as to appear over approximately half the circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the collar member 12.

[0051] A shaft-shaped spring material 14 is inserted into the positioning groove 12d.

[0052] The spring material 14 is provided so as to penetrate the positioning groove 12d in a lateral direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the collar member 12 while being in contact with the rear surface of the boss portion 6.

[0053] As a result, the spring material 14 is inserted into the positioning groove 12d while being supported by the boss portion 6 so as to be elastically deformable.

[0054] When the conical portion 11c of the pin 11 inserted into the collar member 12 passes through the positioning groove portion 12d, the spring material 14 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed outward.

[0055] When the conical portion 11c is seated on the seat portion 23, the spring member 14 elastically restores its original shape. As a result, the spring member 14 is elastically and releasably engaged with the engaging groove portion 11d of the pin 11 so as to press the pin 11 between the spring member 14 and the seat portion 23. As a result, the spring member 14 holds the pin 11 to the collar member 12 (this is an assembly method known as "snap-in").

[0056] As a result, one end 11a of the pin 11 is held by the seat portion 23 in the length direction of the collar member 12, and the locking groove portion 11b is locked by the spring material 14, so that the pin 11 is held by the boss portion 6.

[0057] A pin 11, one end 11a of which is held by the boss portion 6 and the other end 11b of which a damper unit 10 is slidably mounted, connects the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 so as to be relatively movable in the Z direction.

[0058] Furthermore, the pin 11 transmits vibrations of the steering wheel 1 to the damper unit 10 .

[0059] Hereinafter, with regard to the relative movement of the airbag module 2 in the Z direction, "forward" refers to a relative movement toward the steering wheel 1, and "reverse" refers to a relative movement away from the steering wheel 1.

[0060] Between the surface of the flange portion 12a of the collar member 12 and the rear surface of the annular seat 16a of the inner sleeve 16, a horn spring 15 is provided which is elastically compressible and deformable.

[0061] The horn spring 15 elastically supports the airbag module 2 from the steering wheel 1 .

[0062] The horn spring 15 always elastically biases the airbag module 2 in the Z direction, away from the steering wheel 1, and as a reaction to this bias, strongly presses the flange portion 12a of the collar member 12 toward the boss portion 6.

[0063] The elastic force of the horn spring 15 is received by the boss portion 6 through the locking flange portion 16b of the inner sleeve 16, via the head portion 21 on the other end 11b side of the pin 11, and through the spring material 14 that locks the locking groove portion 11d on one end 11a side of the pin 11.

[0064] When the airbag module 2 is pressed in the Z direction toward the steering wheel 1, the horn spring 15 undergoes elastic compression deformation, causing the damper unit 10 to slide relative to the pin 11 and move forward.

[0065] When the pressing operation of the airbag module 2 is released, the damper unit 10 slides in the opposite direction relative to the pin 11 due to the elastic restoring force of the horn spring 15, and the airbag module 2 is moved backward.

[0066] Next, the conductive circuit 5 that is connected to the horn device to sound the horn will be described.

[0067] An electrically conductive horn contact 22 is provided in the housing 4 of the airbag module 2, arranged opposite to the head portion 21 of the electrically conductive pin 11 in the Z direction. The horn contact 22 is connected to an electrical wiring 25. Hereinafter, conduction refers to electrical conductivity.

[0068] The horn contact 22 is brought into contact with and separated from the head portion 21 of the pin 11 as the horn spring 15 is elastically deformed.

[0069] Specifically, when the horn spring 15 is elastically compressed and deformed, the damper unit 10 slides relative to the pin 11 held by the boss portion 6. As the damper unit 10 slides, the airbag module 2 moves forward, and the horn contact 22 of the housing 4 comes into contact with the head portion 21 of the pin 11.

[0070] On the other hand, when the elastic compression deformation of the horn spring 15 is released, the horn spring 15 elastically restores its original shape, and the damper unit 10 slides in the opposite direction relative to the pin 11. As the damper unit 10 slides in the opposite direction, the airbag module 2 moves backward, and the horn contact 22 moves away from the head portion 21.

[0071] In this way, the horn contact 22 and the head portion 21 of the pin 11 are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the forward and backward movement of the airbag module 2, thereby turning on and off the electrical connection.

[0072] In order to establish electrical continuity from the pin 11 to the boss portion 6, an electrode member is provided on the boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1, which is electrically connected to the pin 11 by clipping the pin 11.

[0073] In this embodiment, the electrode member is a U-shaped spring 24 made of a conductive material.

[0074] The U-shaped spring 24 is provided on the steering wheel 1 side, sandwiched between the boss portion 6 and the flange portion 12a of the collar member 12 provided on top of the boss portion 6. Specifically, the U-shaped spring 24 is provided between the front surface of the boss portion 6 and the back surface of the flange portion 12a.

[0075] As shown in Figure 6, the U-shaped spring 24 is composed of a curved portion 24a, a pair of straight portions 24b extending parallel to each other from both ends of the curved portion 24a, and bent portions 24c formed at the tips of the straight portions 24b to prevent the spring from coming loose.

[0076] The U-shaped spring 24 is provided so as to intersect with the pin 11. Specifically, the U-shaped spring 24 is provided with the pin 11 such that the side surfaces extending in the length direction thereof are sandwiched from both sides by a pair of linear portions 24b.

[0077] The distance between the pair of straight portions 24b is set to be narrower than the outer diameter of the pin 11 so that when the pin 11 is sandwiched, the straight portions 24b are flexed and deformed, generating tension in the straight portions 24b, which intensifies the sandwiching action (see f in FIG. 4). This ensures that electrical continuity is maintained between the pin 11 and the U-shaped spring 24 at all times.

[0078] The main body portion 12e of the collar member 12 is provided with an engagement portion that holds the straight portion 24b in order to hold the U-shaped spring 24 on the main body portion 12e.

[0079] More specifically, the engaging portion is configured as a through-hole 12c through which the straight portion 24b is inserted, as shown in Fig. 5. The through-hole 12c is formed by penetrating a pair of bulging portions 12b that are integrally formed on the back surface side of the flange portion 12a on which the U-shaped spring 24 is disposed.

[0080] This through hole 12c is formed to communicate with the inside of the main body portion 12e in order to ensure that the pin 11 is sandwiched by the straight portion 24b.

[0081] The U-shaped spring 24 inserted into the through-hole 12c is prevented from coming off the collar member 12 by preventing the bent portion 24c from coming off the through-hole 12c.

[0082] The U-shaped spring 24 is sandwiched between the rear side of the flange portion 12 a of the collar member 12 , which also serves as a spring seat for the horn spring 15 , and the front side of the boss portion 6 .

[0083] Therefore, the U-shaped spring 24 is sandwiched between the boss portion 6 and the U-shaped spring 24 while being pressed toward the boss portion 6 by the elastic biasing force of the horn spring 15 acting via the spring seat.

[0084] In particular, when the horn is operated, an elastic biasing force that is strengthened by the compressive deformation of the horn spring 15 acts on the U-shaped spring 24 .

[0085] The U-shaped spring 24 is also provided in a state of being strongly pressed against the boss portion 6 via the flange portion 12a of the collar member 12 which is provided in a state of being pressed and fitted into the boss portion 6.

[0086] The boss portion 6, which is electrically connected to the U-shaped spring 24, is connected to an electrical wiring 25. It is desirable to provide the boss portion 6 with a terminal of the conductive circuit 5 in order to ensure electrical continuity.

[0087] As the terminal, a tapping screw 26 or the like made of a conductive material and screwed into the boss portion 6 to connect with the electrical wiring 25 can be used.

[0088] Furthermore, it is preferable that the power supply side and the earth side of the electrical wiring 25 of the conductive circuit 5 are configured by a conventionally known clock spring. A horn device is connected to the clock spring.

[0089] Power is supplied from the clock spring via an electrical wiring 25 to either the horn contact 22 on the airbag module 2 side or the U-shaped spring 24 on the steering wheel 1 side, and the other one is earthed.

[0090] Of course, the conductive circuit 5 may be formed not only by a clock spring but also by any other conventionally known current path.

[0091] Next, the operation of the vehicle steering wheel device according to the present invention will be described.

[0092] First, assembly will be described. On the steering wheel 1 side, the U-shaped spring 24 is attached to the collar member 12 by inserting the pair of straight portions 24b into the through-holes 12c of the pair of bulging portions 12b.

[0093] The collar member 12 provided with the U-shaped spring 24 is pushed into the through-hole 13 and fitted and fixed to the boss portion 6 in a pressed-in state. As a result, the U-shaped spring 24 is disposed on the steering wheel 1 side.

[0094] The U-shaped spring 24 is firmly sandwiched between the boss portion 6 and the flange portion 12a.

[0095] Furthermore, electrical wiring 25 is connected to the boss portion 6 with a tapping screw 26. The electrical wiring 25 may be connected before the completion of assembly.

[0096] On the airbag module 2 side, the electrical wiring 25 is connected to the horn contact 22 in advance.

[0097] In the damper unit 10, the inner sleeve 16 is slidably inserted onto the pin 11 so that the head portion 21 on the other end 11b side of the pin 11 faces the horn contact 22.

[0098] The damper unit 10 with the pin 11 attached thereto is fitted into the through hole 20 of the housing 4. In this way, the pin 11 is attached to the airbag module 2.

[0099] Furthermore, a horn spring 15 is installed on the rear side of the annular sheet 16a so as to surround the pin 11.

[0100] Next, the airbag module 2 is attached to the steering wheel 1.

[0101] While the horn spring 15 is in contact with the front side of the flange portion 12 a of the collar member 12 , the conical portion 11 c on the side of one end 11 a of the pin 11 is inserted into the collar member 12 .

[0102] Thereafter, while compressing and deforming the horn spring 15, the pin 11 is inserted toward the seat portion 23, whereby the conical portion 11c is seated on the seat portion 23.

[0103] At this time, the spring material 14 is elastically deformed and snaps into the locking groove portion 11d of the pin 11. As a result, the pin 11 is held on the steering wheel 1 via the collar member 12.

[0104] With the above steps, the connection of the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1 is completed.

[0105] Finally, the electrical wiring 25 connected to the horn contact 22 and the tapping screw 26 is connected to a clock spring connected to the horn device.

[0106] The vehicle steering wheel device of this embodiment assembled in this manner performs the following functions: (1) in the event of an emergency, the airbag cushion deploys and inflates to protect the driver, and (2) the damper unit 10 damps the vibrations of the steering wheel 1.

[0107] Furthermore, the vehicle steering wheel device according to this embodiment has the function of (3) sounding a horn.

[0108] When the driver sounds the horn, he or she presses the airbag module 2 toward the steering wheel 1.

[0109] The pressed airbag module 2 moves forward, the horn spring 15 is compressed and elastically deformed, the damper unit 10 slides relative to the pin 11 , and the horn contact 22 comes into contact with the head portion 21 of the pin 11 .

[0110] This establishes electrical continuity between the horn contact 22 and the U-shaped spring 24 via the pin 11, and further between the U-shaped spring 24 and the tapping screw 26 via the boss portion 6, thereby energizing the conductive circuit 5.

[0111] When the conductive circuit 5 is turned on, electricity is passed through the clock spring to the horn device, causing the horn to sound.

[0112] When the driver releases the pressure on the airbag module 2, the airbag module 2 moves backward due to the elastic restoration of the horn spring 15, the damper unit 10 slides in the opposite direction relative to the pin 11, and the horn contact 22 moves away from the head portion 21.

[0113] This cuts off the current flow through the conductive circuit 5, and the horn stops sounding.

[0114] In the vehicle steering wheel device according to this embodiment, an electrode member, such as a U-shaped spring 24, which clips onto pin 11, which moves by tilting when damping vibrations of the steering wheel 1, and is electrically connected to the pin, is provided on the steering wheel 1. Therefore, this U-shaped spring 24 can stably and reliably establish electrical continuity between the steering wheel 1 and pin 11, preventing malfunction of the horn due to poor electrical conduction.

[0115] The electrode member is made up of a U-shaped spring 24, which holds the pin 11 by sandwiching it between the springs. Therefore, the U-shaped spring 24 itself has a simple structure and is easy to install, making it possible to prevent poor electrical conduction with a simple structure.

[0116] The U-shaped spring 24 is sandwiched between the flange portion 12a of the collar member 12 and the boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1, and the elastic force of the horn spring 15 presses the U-shaped spring 24 toward the boss portion 6 through the flange portion 12a. This allows the U-shaped spring 24 to be in firm contact with the boss portion 6, making it possible to more reliably prevent poor electrical conduction.

[0117] The collar member 12, which presses the U-shaped spring 24 against the boss portion 6 with its flange portion 12a, is provided in a pressed-fit state on the boss portion 6. Therefore, the force that holds the collar member 12 to the boss portion 6 allows the U-shaped spring 24 to be firmly in contact with the boss portion 6, making it possible to more reliably prevent poor electrical conduction.

[0118] The collar member 12 is provided with a through-hole 12c that engages with the U-shaped spring 24. Therefore, during assembly, the collar member 12 can be fitted into the boss portion 6 with the U-shaped spring 24 already installed in the collar member 12, improving ease of assembly.

[0119] A terminal such as a tapping screw 26 connected to an electrical wiring 25 is provided on the boss portion 6, and the terminal and the U-shaped spring 24 are electrically connected via the boss portion 6. This ensures the electrical continuity of the electrical circuit 5.

[0120] The conduction circuit 5 is made up of a clock spring connected to the horn device, and the clock spring establishes the power supply side and the ground side. This makes it possible to easily configure the conduction circuit by utilizing an existing current path.

[0121] 7 shows a modified example of the electrode member 27. This electrode member 27 has a vertical wall portion 27a that is flexible and expandable, and a contact piece 27b that has spring properties and is formed on the vertical wall portion 27a. The electrode member 27 is inserted into the main body portion 12e of the collar member 12.

[0122] Conduction is ensured by the abutment piece 27b elastically contacting the peripheral side surface of the pin 11 inserted into the collar member 12. Of course, even with this modification, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0123] A modified example of the steering wheel device for a vehicle according to the above embodiment is shown in Fig. 8. Unlike the above embodiment in which the damper unit 10 is provided, this modified example does not include a damper unit.

[0124] In this modification, a holder piece 28 made of synthetic resin is provided at the mounting location of the damper unit instead of the damper unit. The holder piece 28 does not incorporate the elastic body.

[0125] This holder piece 28 corresponds to a single component molded from resin, in which the inner sleeve 16, the annular piece 17, and the outer sleeve 19, which are separate components in the above embodiment, are molded.

[0126] The holder piece 28 is formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder having an outer shape corresponding to that of the outer sleeve attached to the housing 4 of the airbag module 2. The pin 11 is slidably inserted into the inside of the holder piece 28. Furthermore, the end face of the holder piece 28 facing the head portion 21 of the pin 11 is covered by the head portion 21.

[0127] An annular seat portion 28a for mounting the horn spring 15 is formed on the outer surface of the holder piece 28.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the other end 11b of the pin 11 is provided to the airbag module 2 via the damper unit. However, in this modified example, one end 11b of the pin 11 is held by the airbag module 2 via a holder piece 28.

[0129] The pin 11 itself is the same as in the above embodiment. The pin 11 is inserted into the holder piece 28 so as to be slidable relative to the holder piece 28. As a result, the airbag module 2 is connected to the steering wheel 1 by the pin 11 so as to be movable relative to the steering wheel 1.

[0130] When the driver sounds the horn, he or she presses the airbag module 2, which is the horn button, toward the steering wheel 1.

[0131] The pressed airbag module 2 moves forward due to the compressive elastic deformation of the horn spring 15 , causing the holder piece 28 of the airbag module 2 to slide relative to the pin 11 .

[0132] As the holder piece 28 slides, the horn contact 22 comes into contact with the head portion 21 of the pin 11. When the horn contact 22 comes into contact with the pin 11, electricity is passed through the conduction circuit 5 via the U-shaped spring 24, causing the horn to sound.

[0133] When the driver releases the pressure on the airbag module 2, the horn spring 15 elastically restores, causing the holder piece 28 to slide in the opposite direction relative to the pin 11, separating the horn contact 22 from the head portion 21 and stopping the horn sound.

[0134] Of course, even with such a modified example, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0135] The vehicle steering wheel device described above is a preferred example of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, and configurations of the detailed parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for explanatory purposes only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1 steering wheel 2 Airbag Module 5 Continuity circuit 10 Damper unit 11-pin 11a One end of pin Other end of pin 11b 12 Colored parts 12a Flange 12b Bulge 12c through hole 15 Horn Spring 22 Horn contact 24 U-shaped spring 26 Tapping screws

Claims

1. an elastically deformable horn spring provided between the steering wheel and the airbag module for supporting the airbag module from the steering wheel; and a mounting pin member having one end held by the steering wheel and the other end held by the airbag module for connecting the airbag module to the steering wheel so as to be relatively movable; A horn device that sounds the horn and a conductive circuit that is conductive are The mounting pin member is formed of a conductive material; a horn contact provided on the airbag module, the horn contact being brought into contact with and separated from the mounting pin member by elastic deformation of the horn spring; an electrode member provided on the steering wheel side, the electrode member clipping onto the mounting pin member and being electrically connected to the mounting pin member; The invention comprises: The steering wheel is provided with a collar member that holds the mounting pin member, the electrode member is a U-shaped spring that holds the mounting pin member by sandwiching it, 10. A steering wheel device for a vehicle, wherein the collar member has a through-hole through which the electrode member of the U-shaped spring is inserted.

2. the airbag module is a damper mass; The airbag module is provided with a damper unit that damps vibrations of the steering wheel, the damper unit is slidably provided on the other end of the mounting pin member, 2. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the mounting pin member transmits vibrations of the steering wheel to the damper unit.

3. The collar member is provided with a spring seat that is pressed toward the steering wheel by the elasticity of the horn spring, 3. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electrode member is sandwiched between the spring seat and the steering wheel.

4. 4. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the collar member is provided in a press-fit state on the steering wheel so that the spring seat presses the electrode member toward the steering wheel.

5. 3. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electrode member is electrically connected to a terminal provided on the steering wheel.

6. 3. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power supply side and the earth side of the conductive circuit are constituted by clock springs.

7. The electrode member of the U-shaped spring has a pair of straight portions that sandwich and hold the mounting pin member, and a bent portion formed at the tip of the straight portions, 3. A steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the straight portion of the electrode member of the U-shaped spring is inserted into the through-hole of the collar member and holds the mounting pin member by sandwiching it, thereby preventing the bent portion from coming out of the through-hole.

8. The collar member has a flange portion on the front side of which the horn spring is provided, and a pair of bulges integrally formed on the back side of the flange portion, 3. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole is formed so as to pass through the bulging portion.

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