Flexible Horn Contact Assembly for Multi-Model Steering Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle steering devices face challenges in integrating a horn assembly due to varying shapes and sizes of steering devices and airbag modules, requiring laborious adjustments and complex, cost-intensive production of specially shaped components.
Innovation Solution
A horn assembly featuring an electrically non-conductive carrier element with an elongated, flexible electrical conductor and an electrically conductive clip that can be easily adapted and locked to form horn contacts at any desired location, eliminating the need for complex adjustments and minimizing component variety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specially shaped horn assembly components are created for different vehicle models, then the horn assembly can be adapted to varying shapes and sizes of steering devices and airbag modules, but the logistical complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized horn assembly that can be used across multiple vehicle models. The key innovation is the flexible electrical conductor (cable) that can be cut to different lengths and the clip mechanism that can be positioned at various locations along the cable, allowing one horn assembly design to adapt to different steering device and airbag module configurations without requiring model-specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical connection system into modular components: a flexible electrical conductor (cable) that can be divided into different lengths, and a clip that can be positioned at various locations along the cable. This segmentation allows the horn assembly to be configured for different vehicle models by simply adjusting the cable length and clip position, rather than creating entirely different horn assemblies for each model.
2Adaptability or versatility
If horn assembly components are specially shaped for different vehicle models, then proper integration with steering devices and airbag modules is achieved, but the production effort and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The horn assembly uses a universal design with a standardized clip and cable system that can be manufactured once and used across all vehicle models. The flexibility comes from the ability to cut the cable to different lengths and position the clip at various locations, rather than manufacturing different shaped components for each model, significantly simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (cable length, clip position along the cable) to adapt the horn assembly to different vehicle models. Instead of changing the shape or structure of the horn assembly components, the solution varies the length and positioning parameters, which are much easier to manufacture and adjust.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard horn assembly components are used across different vehicle models, then production costs and logistical complexity are reduced, but adaptation to varying shapes and sizes of steering devices and airbag modules becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the electrical conductor flexible and adjustable rather than fixed. The cable can be cut to different lengths and the clip can be positioned at various locations, allowing a standardized horn assembly to dynamically adapt to different vehicle configurations. This dynamic adjustability maintains production efficiency while achieving model-specific adaptation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a horn assembly (16) of a vehicle steering apparatus (10), comprising an electrically non-conductive carrier element (18), an elongate flexible electrical conductor (20) which is arranged on the carrier element (18), an electrically conductive clip (22) which is in contact with the flexible electrical conductor (20), is latched to the carrier element (18) and forms a first horn contact, and also a second horn contact which is at a distance from the first horn contact in a basic position of the horn assembly (16) and is electrically connected to the first horn contact in an operating position of the horn assembly (16). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for producing the horn assembly (16) and to a vehicle steering apparatus (10) having a horn assembly (16) of this kind.