Steering wheel airbag module and vehicle steering wheel

Abstract

A steering wheel airbag module (12) of a vehicle steering wheel has a housing (16) with a cover (26) and a generator support (24), the cover (26) having a cover section (36) arranged opposite a base (28) of the generator support (24), and an outlet opening (18) for an airbag (20) being formed laterally between the base (28) and the cover section (36). The cover (26) has a side wall section (38), at the end (42) of which close to the base (28) a first suspension structure (44) is formed. The generator support (24) has, on the base (28), a second suspension structure (48) that interacts with the first suspension structure (44), the suspension structures (44, 48) connecting the cover (26) to the generator support (24) and forming a pivot bearing (50) about which the cover section (36) can be pivoted with respect to the base (28), and the suspension structures (44, 48) being arranged on a side of the housing (16) opposite the outlet opening (18).

Description

[0001] Steering wheel, accelerator pedal module and vehicle steering wheel

[0002] The invention relates to a steering wheel gasbag module and a vehicle steering wheel with a steering wheel gasbag module.

[0003] Steering wheel gasbag modules are known in which the gasbag does not exit its gasbag module perpendicular to a plane of the steering wheel rim directly towards the vehicle occupant, but transversely to a rotational axis of the steering wheel, and then unfolds through the steering wheel rim onto a front side of the steering wheel.

[0004] In this design, the module housing of the steering wheel airbag module remains closed at the top towards the front of the steering wheel and must be as stable and deformation-resistant as possible at this point to optimally support the airbag's deployment movement. To facilitate easy placement of the airbag within the module housing, it is usually designed in two parts: a cover and a generator support. The cover must be securely attached to the generator support.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a space-saving, safe and cost-effective connection of the components of the module housing in such a steering wheel gasbag module.

[0006] This task is solved by a steering wheel gasbag module having a housing comprising a cover and a generator support, wherein the generator support has a base with a receiving structure for a gas generator and the cover has a lid section arranged opposite the base, and an outlet opening for a gasbag is formed laterally between the base of the generator support and the lid section of the cover, wherein the cover has a side wall section with a first suspension structure formed at the end near the base, and the generator support has a second suspension structure at the base which interacts with the first suspension structure, and the suspension structures connect the cover to the generator support and form a pivot bearing about which the lid section can be pivoted towards the base after the suspension structures have been inserted into each other.wherein the mounting structures are arranged on one side of the housing opposite the outlet opening.

[0007] The interlocking mounting structures require significantly less space than a conventional screw or snap-fit ​​connection, thus making better use of the limited installation space in the steering wheel. Nevertheless, the ability to pivot the cover relative to the generator bracket provides good access to the interior of the housing, allowing, for example, the placement of the gas generator and the folded gas bag.

[0008] It has proven sufficient to simply insert the first and second suspension structures into each other as a detachable connection and not to fasten them to each other in any other way.

[0009] The second mounting structure is preferably arranged on an underside of the bottom of the generator carrier, which, in the installed state of the steering wheel gasbag module, is directed towards a hub area of ​​the vehicle steering wheel.

[0010] Before the two suspension structures are connected, the cover and the generator support are separate components that can therefore be manufactured separately.

[0011] Preferably, the free end of the side wall section near the ground engages behind the underside of the bottom of the generator support.

[0012] The suspension structures can be implemented cost-effectively. For example, one of the suspension structures can be formed by at least one projection and the other by at least one corresponding recess into which the projection engages. The projection can be implemented as a hook or a tab, and the recess as a depression or slot.

[0013] In a first preferred embodiment, the first suspension structure is designed as a hook at the free end of the side wall section closest to the ground. Accordingly, the bottom of the generator support has a recess on its underside or an opening as a second suspension structure into which this hook engages to connect the two suspension structures. In a second preferred embodiment, the free end of the side wall section closest to the ground has a slot or recess as a first suspension structure into which a tab or projection extending outwards from the bottom of the generator support engages as a second suspension structure.

[0014] Preferably, the first mounting structure is formed integrally with the cover and the second mounting structure is formed integrally with the generator support to simplify manufacturing. This is possible for both plastic and metal housings. In the latter case, the mounting structures are preferably manufactured by stamping and / or forming.

[0015] To further secure the cover to the generator support, the cover can be firmly connected to the generator support, particularly by screws, at a distance from the mounting structures, especially in the area adjacent to the outlet opening.

[0016] In addition to the side wall section that carries the first suspension structure, the cover preferably has wall sections on its sides adjoining the side wall section that border on side wall areas of the generator support projecting from the ground towards the cover when the cover is in its position pivoted towards the ground.

[0017] The bolting can be advantageously carried out on these wall sections of the cover and side wall areas of the generator support. Sufficient installation space is usually available at these locations, situated laterally to the mounting structures, for example for screw-in bushings.

[0018] To stabilize the cover, the side wall section of the cover can rest against a side wall of the generator support that protrudes from the ground, thus supporting the side wall section of the cover.

[0019] Preferably, several first and second mounting structures are provided along a central axis of the pivot bearing, which forms a pivot axis of the pivot bearing. The respective mounting structures are each arranged on a straight line, and when mounted, these lines coincide and form the central axis of the pivot bearing. In one possible embodiment, the side wall section has two longitudinal webs at the end closest to the ground, each terminating in a first mounting structure that lies on a straight line. The generator support accordingly has two matching second mounting structures, which are also arranged on a straight line.

[0020] To stabilize the mounting structures, a preferred embodiment includes a counter element that secures the mounting structures against loosening. The counter element can, for example, be a suitable component with at least one recess or slot to accommodate, for instance, a protruding tab of the generator support and thus protect it from bending.

[0021] In one option, the counter element is a component located in the hub area of ​​a steering wheel, which, when the steering wheel gasbag module is mounted on the steering wheel, rests against the generator carrier from the outside. The component can be an integral part of the steering wheel hub and, for example, have suitable recesses into which the projection or tab of one of the mounting structures on the generator carrier extends.

[0022] In a second option, the counter element is a component separate, in particular from the hub area, the cover, and the generator carrier, which rests against the generator carrier from the outside, especially on its underside, and which optionally has fastening elements for securing the generator carrier in a hub area of ​​a steering wheel. For example, the counter element can be a sheet metal piece with at least one opening.

[0023] The above-mentioned task is also solved with a vehicle steering wheel with a steering wheel gasbag module described above, wherein the mounting structures are arranged in the area of ​​a 6 o'clock position of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0024] The gas bag's outlet opening is usually located at the 12 o'clock position (all position information refers to a vehicle steering wheel aligned for straight-ahead driving).

[0025] Normally, the available space in the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions is sufficient to accommodate the space required for bolting the cover to the generator bracket. However, the installation space at the 6 o'clock position is usually limited, making the clip-on structures, which require less space than a bolted connection, advantageous at this location. In a preferred embodiment, the clip-on structures at the 6 o'clock position are combined with a bolted connection at both the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions.

[0026] The outlet opening at the 12 o'clock position, however, can be left open, i.e., it can be neither covered by a rigid section of the generator support nor by the cover, so that the generator support and cover are not connected to each other at the 12 o'clock position.

[0027] Naturally, the housing can be covered with a flexible, tearable film or fabric in the area of ​​the outlet opening to protect against environmental influences.

[0028] Since the steering wheel gasbag module is housed in the steering wheel hub, the outlet opening is normally closed by a section of steering wheel trim which has a pivoting flap or a weakening zone to allow the gasbag to escape when the steering wheel gasbag module is activated.

[0029] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. The figures show:

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view through a vehicle steering wheel according to the invention with a steering wheel gasbag module according to the invention;

[0031] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a steering wheel gasbag module according to a first embodiment before the cover is pivoted;

[0032] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the cover of the steering wheel gas bag module from Figure 2;

[0033] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the steering wheel gasbag module from Figure 2 during the pivoting of the cover;

[0034] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the steering wheel gasbag module from Figure 2 in the fully assembled state; Figures 6 to 8 show schematic representations of a steering wheel gasbag module according to a second embodiment before, during and after pivoting the cover;

[0035] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic representations of a variant of the steering wheel gasbag module from Figure 6 with a counter element;

[0036] Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of the counter element and the suspension structures of the steering wheel gasbag module from Figure 9;

[0037] Figure 12 shows a schematic top view of the steering wheel gasbag module from Figure 9;

[0038] Figure 13 shows a schematic view of the underside of the steering wheel throttle module from Figure 9; and

[0039] Figure 14 shows a schematic side view of the steering wheel gasbag module from Figure 9.

[0040] For the sake of clarity, not all identical components are always labelled with reference symbols.

[0041] The same reference numerals, as well as numbers increased by 100, designate identical or essentially identical or equivalent components and parts in different embodiments.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a vehicle steering wheel 10 with a steering wheel gasbag module 12, which is mounted in a hub area 14 of the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0043] The steering wheel gasbag module 12 comprises a housing 16 having a lateral outlet opening 18 that defines an outlet direction R for a gasbag 20. The outlet direction R runs parallel to a plane of a steering wheel rim 22 of the vehicle steering wheel 10 and transversely to its axis of rotation A. When the gasbag 20 leaves the housing 16, it is redirected after a short distance perpendicular to the outlet direction R and moves through the steering wheel rim 22 until it is fully deployed on a front face of the vehicle steering wheel 10 and is positioned there like a conventionally known steering wheel gasbag. Figures 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of the steering wheel gasbag module 12.

[0044] The housing 16 includes a generator support 24 and a cover 26 connected to the generator support 24.

[0045] A gas generator 30 (see, for example, Figure 6) is fixed to a base 28 of the generator support 24 on a receiving structure 31 (not shown) as is conventionally known. The receiving structure 31 can be designed as is conventionally known and here has an opening (not shown) for a body of the gas generator 30 as well as openings for its mounting bolts 32.

[0046] Before the steering wheel gas bag module 12 is activated, the gas bag 20 is folded into a package 34 and placed over the gas generator 30 (see Figure 6).

[0047] The cover 26 essentially consists of a lid section 36 and a side wall section 38, which extends from a side edge of the lid section 36 towards the bottom 28 of the generator support 24.

[0048] On the two edges of the cover section 36 adjacent to the side wall section 38, the cover 26 has a wall section 40 projecting towards the floor 28, which extends over a significantly shorter area than the side wall section 38.

[0049] A first suspension structure 44 is formed at the free end 42 of the side wall section 38, near the base 28 of the generator support 24. In this embodiment, the first suspension structure 44 has the shape of a hook.

[0050] In one possible variant, several first suspension structures 44, here two hooks, are formed on the side wall section 38 along a straight line (directed into the image plane in Figures 2 and 3).

[0051] A second suspension structure 48, corresponding to the first suspension structure 44, is formed on an edge section 46 of the base 28 of the generator support 24 on one side 47 of the housing 16 opposite the outlet opening 18. If several first suspension structures 44 are provided, a corresponding number of second suspension structures 48 are also present.

[0052] In this embodiment, the second suspension structure 48 has the form of a recess in a lower surface 49 of the base 28, the recess being directed into the interior of the housing 16.

[0053] The two suspension structures 44, 48 interlock and together form a pivot bearing 50, so that the cover 26 can be pivoted relative to the generator support 24 in a pivoting direction S towards the outlet opening 18.

[0054] The hook of the first suspension structure 44 engages with the recess of the second suspension structure 48. The suspension structures 44 and 48 are connected to each other only by positive locking and are not otherwise attached to each other.

[0055] The generator carrier 24 has side wall areas 52 on three sides, with the exception of the outlet opening 18, which project from the base 28 in the direction of the cover section 36.

[0056] To mount the cover 26 on the generator support 24, the cover 26 is suspended by its first mounting structure 44 into the second mounting structure 48 on the generator support 24, as shown in Figure 2. The cover 26 is pivoted about the pivot bearing 50, which is formed by the mounting structures 44, 48, about a central axis M of the two mounting structures 44, 48, which forms a pivot axis of the pivot bearing 50, in the pivot direction S, until the side wall section 38 abuts the adjacent side wall section 52 of the generator support 24 and the cover section 36 is opposite the base 28 (see Figure 5).

[0057] At the end of each of the two opposing side wall sections 52 of the generator support 24, facing the cover section 36, a screw area 54 is formed on both sides of the side wall section 38. This screw area interacts with openings in a lateral flange 56 at the free end of the wall sections 40 of the cover 26. The cover 26 and the generator support 24 are screwed firmly together in this screw area 54, as can be seen in Figure 5. This embodiment is particularly suitable for generator supports 24 that are manufactured from metal or plastic using a casting process.

[0058] The steering wheel gasbag module 12 is now fully assembled and can be installed in the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0059] In the example shown here, the outlet opening 18 is not covered by either a section of the generator carrier 24 or a section of the cover 26. It is possible to close the outlet opening 18 with a flexible film or fabric with appropriate weakened zones to protect the interior of the housing 16 from environmental influences. After installation in the vehicle steering wheel 10, the outlet opening 18 is typically concealed by a trim piece of the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1, the steering wheel gasbag module 12 is mounted in the vehicle steering wheel 10 such that the side 47 of the steering wheel gasbag module 12, on which the mounting structures 44, 48 are located, is positioned at a 6 o'clock position Pe of the vehicle steering wheel 10, while the outlet opening 18 is located at a 12 o'clock position P12. The screw areas 54 are accordingly positioned at a 3 o'clock and a 9 o'clock position (each with respect to a straight-ahead position of the vehicle steering wheel 10).

[0061] Figures 6 to 14 show a second embodiment of the steering wheel gasbag module 112.

[0062] The operating principle and the general shape of the generator carrier 124 and the cover 126 are identical to those of the first embodiment just described.

[0063] In contrast to the first embodiment, the first suspension structure 144 is formed by a recess, here a slot, in the free end 142 of the side wall section 138 of the cover 126, which is close to the base 128 of the generator support 124. The end 42 is angled relative to the adjoining area of ​​the side wall section 138 and runs (in the fully assembled state) parallel to the underside 149 of the base 128.

[0064] The second suspension structure 148 consists of a projection extending from the edge section 146 of the base 128 of the generator support 124, here in the form of a tab that is punched out of the base 128 and bent outwards, i.e., away from the underside 149. This tab of the second suspension structure 148 extends through the slot of the first suspension structure 144 and thus forms the pivot bearing 150.

[0065] In this embodiment, several first and second suspension structures 144, 148 are normally provided along a straight line, which together form a central axis M of the pivot bearing 150 in the assembled state.

[0066] This arrangement can be seen in Figure 14, where two longitudinal webs 160 are formed at the free end of the side wall section 138, each terminating in a slot of a first suspension structure 144. Accordingly, two tabs are formed in the base 128 of the generator support 124 as second suspension structures 148.

[0067] This embodiment is particularly suitable for generator carriers 124 made from a sheet of metal by stamping and forming.

[0068] To mount the steering wheel gasbag module 112, the slots of the first mounting structures 144 are pulled over the tabs of the second mounting structures 148, while the cover 126 is pivoted to the side (see Figure 6). The cover 126 is then pivoted towards the outlet opening 18 (see Figure 7) until the lid section 136 of the cover 126 is positioned above the base 128 of the generator support 124 and the side wall section 138 rests against the adjacent side wall area 152 of the generator support 124 (Figure 8).

[0069] As in the first embodiment, the two wall sections 140 of the cover 126 located laterally to the side wall section 138 are now screwed to the corresponding side wall areas 152 of the generator support 124 in the screw areas 154 on both sides of the pivot bearing 150 at their lateral flanges 156 (see Figures 12 to 14).

[0070] In one variant shown in Figures 10 to 14, a counter element 162 is provided to secure the connection of the suspension structures 144, 148. This counter element has a recess or opening 164 for each of the second suspension structures 148, i.e., in this case, the tabs on the generator carrier 124. As can be seen particularly well in Figure 11, the tabs extend through the openings 164 of the counter element 162 and are thus protected against bending.

[0071] In the example shown here, the counter element 162 is a sheet metal plate having openings 164 and arranged on the underside 149 of the base 128 of the generator support 124. Optionally, the counter element 162 has fastening elements for mounting the generator support 124 in the hub area 14 of the vehicle steering wheel 10; however, the steering wheel gasbag module 112 can also be attached to the hub area 14 in another suitable manner. In a variant not shown, the counter element 162 is designed as a single-piece section of the hub area 14 of the vehicle steering wheel 10, in which recesses are provided into which the tabs of the second mounting structures 148 engage when the steering wheel gasbag module 112 is inserted into the hub area 14. All features of the individual embodiments and variants can be freely interchanged or combined with one another at the discretion of a person skilled in the art.In particular, a counter element can also be used in the first embodiment.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) with a housing (16) comprising a cover (26; 126) and a generator carrier (24; 124), wherein the generator carrier (24; 124) has a base (28; 128) with a receiving structure (31) for a gas generator (30) and the cover (26; 126) has a lid section (36; 136) arranged opposite the base (28; 128), wherein an outlet opening (18) for a gasbag (20) is formed laterally between the base (28; 128) of the generator carrier (24; 124) and the lid section (36; 136) of the cover (26; 126), wherein the cover (26; 126) has a side wall section (38; 138) at the base (28; 128) near end (42; 142) a first suspension structure (44; 144) is formed, and the generator support (24; 124) has a second suspension structure (48; 148) at the bottom (28; 128) which interacts with the first suspension structure (44; 144), wherein the suspension structures (44, 48; 144, 148) support the cover (26;126) connect to the generator support (24; 124) and form a pivot bearing (50; 150) about which the cover section (36; 136) can be pivoted into one another towards the bottom (28; 128) after the insertion of the suspension structures (44, 48; 144, 148), wherein the suspension structures (44, 48; 144, 148) are arranged on one side (47) of the housing (16) opposite the outlet opening (18).; 2. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to claim 1, wherein one of the suspension structures (44, 48; 144, 148) is formed by at least one projection and the other suspension structure (48, 44; 148, 144) is formed by at least one corresponding recess into which the at least one projection engages.

3. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to claim 2, wherein the projection is a hook or a tab and the recess is a depression or a slot.

4. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first suspension structure (44; 144) is formed integrally with the cover (26; 126) and the second suspension structure (48; 148) is formed integrally with the generator carrier (24; 124).

5. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (26; 126) is firmly connected, in particular screwed, to the generator carrier (24; 124) at a distance from the suspension structures (44, 48; 144, 148), in particular in the area adjacent to the outlet opening (18).

6. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall section (38, 138) of the cover (26; 126) abuts a side wall area (52; 152) of the generator carrier (24; 124) projecting from the ground (28; 128).

7. Steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several first and second suspension structures (44; 48; 144, 148) are provided in the direction of a central axis (M) of the pivot bearing (50; 150) which forms a pivot axis of the pivot bearing (50; 150).

8. Steering wheel gasbag module (112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a counter element (162) is provided which secures the suspension structures (144, 148) against loosening.

9. Steering wheel gasbag module (112) according to claim 8, wherein the counter element (162) is a component in a hub area (14) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) which, in a state of the steering wheel gasbag module (112) mounted on the vehicle steering wheel (10), rests against the generator carrier (124) from the outside, or a separate component which rests against the generator carrier (124) from the outside.

10. Steering wheel gasbag module (112) according to claim 9, wherein the counter element (162) is a sheet metal provided with at least one opening (164).

11. Vehicle steering wheel (10) with a steering wheel gasbag module (12; 112) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting structures (44; 48; 144, 148) are arranged in the area of ​​a 6 o'clock position of the vehicle steering wheel (10).

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