Steering Horn Grounding Switch Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horn systems in vehicles face issues with gaps in the physical construction of the steering wheel assembly, leading to aesthetically undesirable gaps and potential contamination, while also requiring excessive force to actuate the horn and being prone to inadvertent activation due to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A steering assembly with a grounding circuit that includes a base plate connected to a hub, featuring a horn grounding switch with a ground contact that moves between a normally closed and open position relative to the vehicle electrical ground, allowing for reliable and efficient actuation of the horn using a selectable force, and minimizing the gap between the air bag module and the steering wheel hub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the air bag module is spaced apart from the steering wheel hub, then the horn actuation force is reduced, but gaps are created that are aesthetically undesirable and allow contaminant accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The horn switch is segmented into separate components: a stationary contact on the steering wheel hub and a movable contact on the air bag module. This segmentation allows the air bag module to be positioned away from the hub while maintaining electrical connectivity through the movable contact that engages with the stationary contact during actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable contact acts as an intermediary between the air bag module and the steering wheel hub electrical circuit. This intermediary enables the air bag module to be spaced from the hub while still completing the electrical circuit for horn actuation when the movable contact engages with the stationary contact.
2Shape
If the air bag module is positioned close to the steering wheel hub, then the gap is minimized for aesthetic purposes, but excessive force is required to actuate the horn
Solution Approach 1:
The horn switch is divided into stationary and movable contact components, allowing the air bag module to maintain close proximity to the hub for aesthetic purposes while the movable contact provides the necessary mechanical movement to complete the electrical circuit with minimal actuation force.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable contact on the air bag module is designed to dynamically engage with the stationary contact on the hub. This dynamic engagement allows the air bag module to be positioned close to the hub while still requiring minimal force to actuate, as the movable contact can deflect or move to complete the circuit.
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 reduces the gap between the air bag module and the steering wheel, provides reliable control for the horn system, and minimizes the risk of inadvertent activation by requiring less displacement to actuate the horn, thus enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing force directs the ground contact to a normally closed position in electrical communication with the vehicle electrical ground
Data Source
AI summary
A steering assembly and a system for actuating a vehicle horn uses a grounding signal transmitted from the steering assembly to an electronic control unit in communication with an electronically actuated horn. The steering assembly includes a base plate connected to a hub in the steering assembly. At least one horn grounding switch is coupled to the base plate and has a ground contact generating an output from the horn grounding switch. The ground contact is movable between a normally closed position connected to the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the off status of the vehicle horn and an open position disconnected from the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the on status of the vehicle horn. A biasing force directs the ground contact to a normally closed position in electrical communication with the vehicle electrical ground.