Elastomeric Latching Pin for Airbag Module Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latching pins for height-adjustable gas bag modules in motor vehicle steering wheels do not provide a comfortable operating experience and fail to ensure a mechanically reliable connection under all operating conditions while maintaining smooth operation and narrow tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A latching pin with a radially extending web and U-shaped bracket, featuring adjustable damping behavior and secure anchoring within the foam covering and metallic skeleton, ensures a defined stop for the gas bag module's horn movement and reliable attachment, using a combination of U-shaped brackets, peg-shaped supports, and a trapezoidal cross-sectional geometry for enhanced stability and vibration resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional latching pins with rigid stops are used, then a defined axial stop is created for the gas bag module, but the operating experience is uncomfortable and the stop behavior is not resilient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the stop from rigid to resilient by using an elastomeric material. This allows the stop to provide both comfort through resilient contact and reliability through maintained mechanical connection. The elastomeric stop can deform under load and return to its original position, providing a comfortable operating experience while ensuring reliable attachment of the gas bag module.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching pin combines different materials to achieve both comfort and reliability. The pin itself may be made of a rigid material for structural integrity, while the stop portion is made of an elastomeric material for comfortable contact. This composite approach allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the rigid pin provides mechanical strength and the elastomeric stop provides comfortable, resilient contact.
2Manufacturing precision
If narrow tolerances are used to reduce gap dimensions, then a compact design is achieved, but the connection may become unstable under operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric stop changes from a rigid dimension-critical component to a resilient element that can accommodate tolerance variations. The elastomeric material's ability to deform elastically allows the system to maintain stable connection even with narrow tolerances and reduced gap dimensions, as the stop can compress and expand to compensate for minor dimensional variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gas bag module is made height-adjustable, then additional electrical functions can be activated, but the attachment mechanism must handle both mobility and stability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric stop provides a resilient connection that accommodates the height-adjustable movement of the gas bag module while maintaining reliable attachment. The stop can deform to allow vertical adjustment and then return to its original position to maintain the mechanical connection, thus supporting both mobility and stability requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a comfortable, resilient stop behavior with adjustable damping and ensures a mechanically reliable, jam-free, and height-adjustable attachment of the gas bag module, maintaining narrow tolerances and stability under all operating conditions, including crash scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one stop is formed from an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
Damping behavior of the attack is adjustable within wide limits
Implementation Method 3
form-fitting anchoring within the foam covering and metallic skeleton
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
In the case of a locking pin (22) for vertically movable mounting of an airbag module (30) on a frame (12) of a motor vehicle steering wheel (10) and at least in part within a foam structure (20) molded onto the frame (12), the locking pin (22) includes at least one stop for the airbag module (30) which is integrally bonded to the locking pin (22).