Airbag system installed in the steering wheel

Abstract

Provided is an airbag device provided to a steering wheel in which an airbag module can be reduced in size so as to be accommodated in a steering wheel having a smaller center pad than in the prior art. To achieve this, this airbag device comprises an airbag module including an airbag cushion and a cylindrical inflator (4) that supplies inflator gas to the airbag cushion, a damper unit that damps vibration transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel, an assembly member (18) which is formed of a plate material and to which the inflator and damper unit are assembled, and an elastic member that is provided between the assembly member and the steering wheel and that elastically supports the airbag module on the steering wheel. Formed on the assembly member are a circular penetrating portion (19) for press-fitting and fixing the inflator, and a holding portion (20) that holds the damper unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device provided in a steering wheel capable of miniaturizing an airbag module with respect to the outer diameter dimension of the steering wheel.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, Patent Document 1 is known regarding a technique for attaching an airbag module equipped with an inflater to a steering wheel.

[0003] In the "Steering Wheel with Airbag Device" of Patent Document 1, the horn switch mechanism includes a fixing pin as a support member that is fixed to the core metal of the steering wheel body and supports the bag holder so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the core metal, and a movable mounting member as an insulating portion that is interposed between the fixing pin and the bag holder and electrically insulates between them. Further, the horn switch mechanism 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 side contact portion that moves together with the bag holder. Then, the vehicle horn device is configured to operate by the contact terminal contacting the fixing pin and conducting due to the movement of the bag holder toward the core metal side against the biasing force of the compression coil spring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses the mounting configuration of an inflator, "

[0018] The airbag device comprises a bag holder, an airbag, an inflator, and a pad, as shown in the figure. ...

[0024] The inflator has a cylindrical body with a flange portion, and four mounting pieces extend radially outward from the flange portion at equal angular intervals. Each mounting piece has a screw insertion hole corresponding to the screw insertion hole of the bag holder. ... The inflator is then inserted into the opening of the bag holder, and the flange portion abuts against the peripheral edge of the opening, and is mounted together with the ring retainer described later. ...

[0047] Each component (each horn switch mechanism, ring retainer, airbag, and pad) is assembled to the bag holder from above. ..."

[0006] In a structure where an inflator having a flange portion formed by extending a mounting piece radially outward is attached to the mounting surface of a bag holder that follows the steering surface of the steering wheel, and functional components such as a horn switch mechanism are further attached to the outer perimeter of the inflator, it is necessary to secure a large mounting space in order to mount an inflator large enough to reach the position of the mounting piece, and the functional components must be placed outside this mounting space.

[0007] As a result, the size of the bag holder, which assembles the inflator and functional components along the steering surface of the steering wheel, has increased. This has created a problem in that airbag systems installed in steering wheels with smaller center pads than conventional ones cannot be miniaturized relative to the outer diameter of the steering wheel's center pad.

[0008] Generally, driver's side airbags have functions such as a horn function, a damper function, and a function to hold the airbag cushion when it deploys during a collision. They also need to be easily integrated into the steering wheel. To achieve these goals, some driver's side airbags have a three-pin damper structure. This structure requires multiple metal components, such as a housing, locking plate, inflator flange, and retainer, to hold components like the inflator, airbag cushion, damper, and pad. While these components were sometimes formed by drawing to provide strength, this presented a barrier to miniaturization.

[0009] The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide an airbag device that can be installed in a steering wheel, which allows for miniaturization of the airbag module so that it can be used with a steering wheel having a smaller center pad than conventional steering wheels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present invention comprises an airbag module including an airbag cushion and a cylindrical inflator that supplies inflator gas to the airbag cushion, a functional component provided between the airbag module and the steering wheel, and an assembly member formed of a plate material to which the inflator and the functional component are assembled, wherein the assembly member is formed with a circular through portion for press-fitting and fixing the inflator and a holding portion for holding the functional component.

[0011] Preferably, the circular through-port is formed in the assembly member in the axial direction of an axis perpendicular to the center of the bottom surface of the inflator, and includes a circular hole into which the inflator is fitted, and an annular rib formed on the inner periphery of the circular hole that presses against the circumferential surface of the inflator.

[0012] Preferably, an annular stopper is provided on the outer circumference of the inflator between the annular rib and the gas ejection hole of the inflator.

[0013] Preferably, the assembly member has a flat surface on the outer circumference of the circular through-hole, and the holding portion is provided with a step between it and the flat surface.

[0014] Preferably, the step is formed by a vertical wall extending from the flat portion, and the retaining portion is formed within the groove.

[0015] The functional component is a damper unit that dampens vibrations transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel, and preferably includes an elastic member provided between the assembly member and the steering wheel, which elastically supports the airbag module on the steering wheel.

[0016] The airbag module is provided with a fixing member that is placed over the airbag module and attached to the assembly member, and it is desirable that the functional component is held at one end between the fixing member and the assembly member, and at the other end by the steering wheel.

[0017] The airbag module is provided with a cover that covers the airbag cushion, and it is preferable that the cover is attached to the fixing member.

[0018] Preferably, the assembly member includes an annular reinforcing wall portion that surrounds the flat portion and the holding portion.

[0019] The airbag module is provided with a cover that covers the airbag cushion, and it is preferable that the cover be attached to the reinforcing wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] In the airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the airbag module can be miniaturized so as to be compatible with a steering wheel having a center pad smaller than the conventional one.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a preferred embodiment of an airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of an airbag module provided in the airbag device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory view of a damper unit provided in the airbag device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of an airbag device provided in the steering wheel shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of an assembled state of an inflator and an assembly member provided in the airbag module of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] It is a side view of the assembled state shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a view of the state where a fixing member is provided as seen from the back side with respect to the assembled state shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing a modified example of an assembly member provided in an airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a view of the assembled state shown in FIG. 8 as seen from the back side. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of an airbag device provided in a steering wheel with respect to the modified example of FIG. 8.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the outline of the airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to this embodiment, where Figure 1(a) shows the entire steering wheel 1, and Figure 1(b) shows the disassembled state with the airbag module 2 removed from the steering wheel 1. In this specification, the side facing the driver is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side as the back side.

[0024] The steering wheel 1 is installed in the driver's seat of the vehicle and is connected to a steering shaft that runs through the inside of the steering column, transmitting the steering operation of the steering wheel 1 by the driver to the steering gear, etc.

[0025] The steering wheel 1 is made up of a metal core member. The core member is made up of approximately 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.

[0026] The boss portion 6 has a shaft hole 9 into which the steering shaft is connected. In addition, the boss portion 6 has three mounting holes 13 around the shaft hole 9 into which hollow cylindrical collar members 12 are positioned (see Figure 4).

[0027] The steering wheel 1 is steered by a rim portion 7 that determines the steering surface, and the outer diameter of this rim portion 7 becomes the outer diameter of the steering wheel 1.

[0028] An airbag module 2, which has an airbag cushion built into it, is attached to the steering wheel 1.

[0029] The driver's side of the airbag module 2 is covered by a horn cover 3. The horn cover 3 consists of a decorative cover surface 3a and a hollow cylindrical portion 3b integrally formed on the back side of the cover surface 3a (see Figures 2 and 4). The airbag cushion 5 is housed inside the cylindrical portion 3b.

[0030] In the event of an emergency such as a collision, when inflator gas is supplied to the airbag cushion 5, the airbag cushion 5 opens the cover surface 3a of the horn cover 3, expands and inflates toward the passenger compartment, and restrains and protects the driver.

[0031] Normally, the airbag module 2 functions as a horn button that the driver presses toward the steering wheel 1 when sounding the horn.

[0032] The airbag module 2 also functions as a damper mass. Therefore, the airbag module 2 is equipped with a damper unit 10 that dampens vibrations of the steering wheel 1 (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0033] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the airbag module 2. The airbag module 2 includes a horn cover 3, an airbag cushion 5, an inflator 4 that supplies inflator gas to the inside of the airbag cushion 5, and a module base 15 for mounting and securing the inflator 4 and the airbag cushion 5.

[0034] The module base 15 consists of a retainer ring 16 to which the airbag cushion 5 is attached, a fixing member 17 made of plate material and superimposed on the back side of the retainer ring 16, and an assembly member 18 made of plate material and further superimposed on the back side of the fixing member 17. The fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18 have bolt holes 18a through which the bolts 16a of the retainer ring 16 are inserted.

[0035] The assembly member 18 has a circular through-hole 19 to which the inflator 4 is attached at its center, and three holding parts 20 are formed in an arrangement surrounding the circular through-hole 19 (see Figures 4 and 7). In this embodiment, the holding parts 20 are through holes.

[0036] The fixing member 17 and the retainer ring 16 each have holes 16b and 17a, respectively, which communicate with the circular through-hole 19 and position the inflator 4 inside the airbag cushion 5.

[0037] The bolts 16a of the retainer ring 16 are inserted through the bolt holes 18a of the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18, and the nuts 21 are fastened from the back side of the assembly member 18, thereby assembling the inflator 4 and the airbag cushion 5 to the module base 15.

[0038] The module base 15 is further fitted with the cylindrical portion 3b of the horn cover 3, which houses the airbag cushion 5.

[0039] The airbag module 2 is constructed by assembling the airbag cushion 5, inflator 4, and horn cover 3 onto the module base 15, and functions as a damper mass for vibration damping.

[0040] Between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1, a damper unit 10 is provided as a functional component to reduce vibrations transmitted between the airbag module 2 and the steering wheel 1.

[0041] The airbag module 2 is connected to and mounted on the steering wheel 1 via this damper unit 10.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, damper units 10 are installed in each of the three retaining parts (through holes) 20 of the assembly member 18 that constitutes the module base 12 of the airbag module 2.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2-4, the damper unit 10 consists of a hollow cylindrical damping member 14 attached to the holding portion 20 of the assembly member 18, and a rod-shaped pin 11 that slides freely through the damping member 14. The pin 11 has a connecting tip portion 11a at one end and a base plate portion 11b at the other end. The damping member 14 is made of rubber 51 that provides vibration damping.

[0044] Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the damper unit 10, and Figure 3(b) is an exploded perspective view of the damper unit 10.

[0045] The damping member 14 constituting the damper unit 10 is composed of an annular insulator 50 that is superimposed on the base plate portion 11b of the pin 11 and surrounds the pin 11, an annular rubber 51 that surrounds the pin 11 and is superimposed on the annular insulator 50 and provides vibration damping, a collar 52 that is formed in a cylindrical shape that slidably surrounds the pin 11 with the rubber 51 positioned on the outside and has a claw portion 52a that engages with the annular insulator 50 to clamp the rubber 51, and a holder 53 that is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outside of the rubber 51 and is provided on the base plate portion 11b side of the pin 11 and holds the rubber 51 to the pin 11.

[0046] The collar 52 is provided with a spring seat 52b for the horn spring 23, which will be described later.

[0047] In assembling the damper unit 10, the rubber 51 is inserted into the holder 53, the annular insulator 50 is placed on top of the rubber 51, and the annular insulator 50 is locked in place by the claw portion 52a of the collar 52 inserted from the opposite side of the holder 53, thereby completing the damping member 14.

[0048] The connecting tip 12a of the pin 11 is formed in a cone shape. The pin 11 is pressed into the collar 52 from the side of the connecting tip 12a, thereby being fitted into the damping member 14 in a way that prevents it from being removed.

[0049] The pin 11 is connected to the steering wheel 1 by inserting its longitudinal connecting tip 11a, which has a constricted portion 11d, into the collar member 12, and locking the constricted portion 11d with a locking member 22 provided on the boss portion 6.

[0050] The pin 11 is connected to the airbag module 2 by the fact that its other end 11b in the longitudinal direction, which has a flange portion 11c, is locked to a damping member 14 provided on the holding portion 20 of the assembly member 18.

[0051] Between the boss portion 6 of the steering wheel 1 and the assembly member 18 of the module base 15, a horn spring 23 is provided as an elastically deformable elastic member, surrounding the pin 11. The horn spring 23 elastically supports the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1.

[0052] Vibrations from the steering wheel 1 are transmitted to the damping member 14 via the pin 11. The damping member 14 uses the airbag module 2 to which the damping member 14 is attached as a damper mass to dampen the transmitted vibrations from the steering wheel 1.

[0053] Furthermore, when the horn is pressed towards the steering wheel 1, the horn spring 23 is elastically deformed, causing the damping member 14 to slide against the pin 11 connected to the steering wheel 1, and the module base 15 moves toward the steering wheel 1 together with the damping member 14.

[0054] The horn contacts that activate the horn are provided on the pins 11 and module base 15, which move in and out of contact with each other, although these are not shown in the diagram.

[0055] In the airbag system provided on the steering wheel according to this embodiment, the inflator 4 and the damper unit 10, which is a functional component, are assembled to an assembly member 18 having a unique configuration, as shown in detail in Figures 4 to 7.

[0056] The inflator 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape. On one end of the inflator 4 that has a gas ejection hole 4a, i.e., the end opposite to the boss portion 6 that is inserted into the airbag cushion 5, an annular stopper 4b is formed that protrudes slightly in the radial direction of the inflator 4.

[0057] The assembly member 18 is formed from a plate material. The assembly member 18 includes a circular through-hole 19 formed at the center, three holding parts 20 that protrude radially outward from the circular through-hole 19 and are formed to match the arrangement of the three damper units 10, and a flat part 24 that connects these holding parts 20 and the circular through-hole 19 and reinforces the holding parts 20.

[0058] The circular through-hole 19 consists of a circular hole 19a formed by penetrating the assembly member 18 in the axial direction (length direction) of the cylindrical inflator 4, and an annular rib 19b formed on the inner periphery of the circular hole 19a, rising in the axial direction of the inflator 4.

[0059] The inflator 4 is press-fitted into the circular hole 19a of the circular through-hole 19, from the front side to the back side along the axial direction of the inflator 4, and the annular rib 19b is pressed against the circumferential surface 4c of the inflator 4.

[0060] As a result, the inflator 4 is firmly fixed to the circular through-hole 19 of the assembly member 18 by press-fitting.

[0061] The annular stopper 4b of the inflator 4, which is assembled to the circular through-hole 19, is positioned opposite the annular rib 19b in the axial direction of the inflator 4, with a gap between them.

[0062] The annular rib 19b prevents the inflator 4 from moving towards the boss portion 6 through the circular hole 19a when the inflator 4 ejects inflator gas from the gas ejection hole 4a, thereby preventing the inflator 4 from coming off the assembly member 18.

[0063] A rigid wall 25 is formed on the assembly member 18 by bending from the front side to the back side, thereby increasing the strength of the assembly member 18.

[0064] This rigid wall 25 forms a recessed groove 26 on the back side, and a holding portion 20 is formed within the recessed groove 26.

[0065] The damping member 14 of the damper unit 10 is locked and held in the holding portion 20, which is a through hole.

[0066] As a locking structure, both the through-hole-shaped holding portion 20 and the damping member 14 are formed in an elliptical shape defined by, for example, a major axis and a minor axis. The major axes and minor axes of the holding portion 20 and the damping member 14 are aligned, the damping member 14 is inserted into the holding portion 20, and then the damping member 14 is rotated to lock into the holding portion 20. In this way, the damper unit 10 is assembled to the assembly member 18.

[0067] The flat portion 24 has a grooved portion 26 equipped with a holding portion 20, which is connected to the circular through portion 19 via a rigid wall 25. This connects the holding portion 20, which is cantilevered from the circular through portion 19, to the circular reinforcing portion 19 for reinforcement.

[0068] The circular through-hole 19, rigid wall 25, recessed groove 26, etc. of the assembly member 18 can be formed by conventional press molding of the plate material.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the plate-shaped fixing member 17 is placed over the assembly member 18 from the airbag module 2 side and overlapped, and the nut 21 is fastened to the retainer ring 16, thereby attaching and fixing both the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18. Figures 4 and 7 show the assembly member 18 with the fixing member 17 attached.

[0070] The fixing member 17 is disc-shaped and large enough to cover the groove portion 26 of the assembly member 18. A hole 17a for passing the inflator 4 is formed in its center, and an annular vertical wall portion 17b is formed at the outer edge, rising outwards.

[0071] The damper unit 10 has a pin 11 with a constricted portion 11d, the connecting tip 11a of which is held by the steering wheel 1, and the other end 11b of the pin 11 with a flange portion 11c on the airbag module 2 side is positioned between the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18 by a fixing member 17 that covers the groove portion 26.

[0072] The assembly member 18 has an assembly projection 18b formed on it for alignment and assembly with the fixing member 17, and the fixing member 17 has a locking hole 17c formed on it that fits with the assembly projection 18b.

[0073] An elastically deformable locking hook 3c, formed on the cylindrical portion 3b of the horn cover 3 of the airbag module 2, is further locked into the locking hole 17c of the fixing member 17.

[0074] By locking the locking hook 3c into the locking hole 17c, the horn cover 3, which houses the airbag cushion 5, is attached to the fixing member 17, i.e., the module base 15 on which the inflator 4 is provided.

[0075] The operation of the airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0076] First, the inflator 4 is attached to the circular through-hole 19 of the assembly member 18, and the damper unit 10, which is a functional component, is attached to the holding part 20.

[0077] Next, the fixing member 17 is placed on top of the assembly member 18 from the front side, and the airbag cushion 5 with the retainer ring 16 attached is assembled from the front side by passing the bolt 16a of the retainer ring 16 through the bolt holes 18a of the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18, and the nuts 21 are fastened to the bolt 16a to secure it.

[0078] Next, the horn cover 3 is attached to the fixing member 17. This completes the airbag module 2.

[0079] To attach the airbag module 2 to the steering wheel 1, position it in the mounting hole 13 of the boss portion 6 which is provided with the collar member 12, place the horn spring 23 between the steering wheel 1 and the airbag module 2, pass the pin 11 of the damper unit 10 through the horn spring 23 and insert it into the collar member 12, and lock the constricted portion 11d of the pin 11 with the locking member 22.

[0080] This completes the installation of the airbag module 2 onto the steering wheel 1.

[0081] In the airbag device provided on the steering wheel according to this embodiment, the inflator 4 is cylindrical in shape and does not have a flange portion. The assembly member 18 has a circular through-hole 19 into which the inflator 4 is fitted, and the inflator 4 is press-fitted and fixed to the assembly member 18.

[0082] This allows the holding portion 20 of the damper unit 10, which is a functional component, to be formed so that it is located very close to the inflator 4, eliminating the need for wasted space due to the mounting piece of the background technology, and allowing the damper unit 10 to be brought closer to the inflator 4.

[0083] As a result, the steering surface of the steering wheel 1 can be made more compact by reducing the assembly space for the inflator 4 and damper unit 10, and the airbag module 2 can be significantly miniaturized relative to the outer diameter of the steering wheel 1.

[0084] An airbag system equipped with such a miniaturized airbag module 2 can be appropriately fitted to non-circular or irregularly shaped steering wheels 1.

[0085] The circular through-hole 19 is formed by passing through the assembly member 18 in the axial direction of the inflator 4 and having a circular hole 19a into which the inflator 4 is fitted, and an annular rib 19b formed on the inner periphery of the circular hole 19a and pressing against the circumferential surface 4c of the inflator 4. As a result, the inflator 4 can be firmly fixed to the assembly member 18.

[0086] Since the inflator 4 can be firmly fixed to the assembly member 18 that makes up the module base 15, the inflator gas can be supplied to the airbag cushion 5 without any difference compared to conventional methods.

[0087] The inflator 4 is provided with an annular stopper 4b that faces the annular rib 19b, which prevents the inflator 4 from coming off the assembly member 18 when the inflator gas is ejected.

[0088] The assembly member 18 has a groove 26 formed by a rigid wall 25 that enhances the strength of the assembly member 18, and a holding portion 20 is formed within the groove 26, thereby increasing the overall strength of the assembly member 18 to which the inflator 4 and damper unit 10 are assembled.

[0089] The airbag module 2 is equipped with a fixing member 17 that is placed over the airbag module 2 and attached to the assembly member 18. The damper unit 10 has the other end 11b of the pin 11 held between the fixing member 17 and the assembly member 18, and the connecting end 11a is held on the steering wheel 1. This ensures that the vibration damping effect of the damper unit 10 is properly maintained.

[0090] The airbag module 2 is equipped with a horn cover 3 that covers the airbag cushion 5, and the horn cover 3 is attached to a fixing member 17 that makes up the module base 15, so the airbag module 2 can be constructed with a small number of parts.

[0091] The assembly member 18 includes a circular through-hole 19 formed at the center, a holding portion 20 formed at a position projecting radially outward from the circular through-hole 19, and a flat portion 24 formed connecting the holding portion 20 and the circular through-hole 19, which reinforces the holding portion 20. Therefore, the overall strength of the assembly member 18 to which the inflator 4 and damper unit 10 are assembled can be further enhanced.

[0092] Figures 8 to 10 show modified versions of the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the fixing member 17 was attached to the assembly member 18 on top of it, but in this modified version, the fixing member 17 is omitted, and the ring retainer 16 is directly fastened to the assembly member 18 with a nut 21.

[0093] The assembly member 18 of this modified example is formed in a disc shape and, similar to the assembly member of the above embodiment, is provided with a circular through portion 19, a holding portion 20, and a flat portion 24. In addition, at the outer edge, an annular reinforcing wall portion 27 is formed, extending outwards and connected in a series to the flat portion 24 and the holding portion 20, surrounding the flat portion 24 and the holding portion 20.

[0094] By providing an annular reinforcing wall portion 27 facing the annular rib 19b in the radial direction of the assembly member 18, the strength of the assembly member 18 can be further enhanced.

[0095] A vent piece 27a is formed on this annular reinforcing wall portion 27 for engaging an elastically deformable locking hook 3c formed on the cylindrical portion 3b of the horn cover 3 of the airbag module 2.

[0096] By securing the locking hook 3c to this vent piece 27a, the horn cover 3, which houses the airbag cushion 5, is attached to the assembly member 18, i.e., the module base 15 to which the inflator 4 is fixed.

[0097] This modified version will, of course, produce the same effects and advantages as the embodiment described above.

[0098] In this modified example, the number of parts and weight can be reduced by omitting the fixing member 17.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the damper unit 10 was used as an example of a functional component, but it is of course not limited to the damper unit 10, and other functional components that can be assembled to the assembly member 18, such as other horn components, may also be used.

[0100] The airbag device provided on the steering wheel described above is a preferred example of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented or carried out in various ways. In particular, unless otherwise stated in this specification, the present invention is not limited to the detailed shapes, sizes, and configurations of the parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited thereto unless otherwise stated in this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1. Steering wheel 2 Airbag Modules 3 Horn cover 4 Inflators 4b Annular stopper 4c Inflator circumferential surface 5 Airbag cushion 10 Damper Units 17 Fixing member 18 Assembly components 19 Circular through section 19a Circular hole 19b Annular rib 20 Holding part 23 Horn Spring 24 Plane section 25 Hard wall 26 Groove 27 Reinforcement wall section

Claims

1. An airbag module including an airbag cushion and a cylindrical inflator that supplies inflator gas to the airbag cushion, A functional component provided between the airbag module and the steering wheel, It comprises a plate material and an assembly member to which the inflator and the functional components are assembled, The assembly member is provided with a circular through-hole for press-fitting and fixing the inflator, a holding portion for holding the functional component, and a flat portion formed connecting the circular through-hole and the holding portion, which reinforces the holding portion. The aforementioned circular through portion is The assembly member has a circular hole formed through it in the axial direction of an axis perpendicular to the center of the bottom surface of the inflator, into which the inflator is fitted, The circular hole is configured to include annular ribs that are formed on the inner periphery of the inflator, rising from the flat portion in the axial direction of the inflator, and pressing against the circumferential surface of the inflator. The holding portion is provided with a step between it and the flat portion. The aforementioned step is formed by a recessed groove created by a vertical wall extending from the flat portion. An airbag device provided in a steering wheel, characterized in that the groove portion is formed by connecting the annular rib of the circular through portion via the vertical wall.

2. The airbag device provided in a steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that an annular stopper is provided on the outer circumference of the inflator between the annular rib and the gas ejection hole of the inflator.

3. An airbag device provided on a steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining portion is formed within the groove portion.

4. The aforementioned functional component is a damper unit that dampens vibrations transmitted between the airbag module and the steering wheel. An airbag device provided on a steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises an elastic member provided between the assembly member and the steering wheel, which elastically supports the airbag module on the steering wheel.

5. The airbag module is provided with a fixing member that is placed over the airbag module and attached to the assembly member, The airbag device provided on a steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that one end of the functional component is held between the fixing member and the assembly member, and the other end is held by the steering wheel.

6. The airbag module is provided with a cover that covers the airbag cushion, The airbag device provided on the steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover is attached to the fixing member.

7. The airbag device provided in the steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly member comprises an annular reinforcing wall portion surrounding the flat portion and the holding portion.

8. The airbag module is provided with a cover that covers the airbag cushion, The airbag device provided on the steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover is attached to the reinforcing wall portion.

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