Oscillating Airbag Coupling Device for Steering Wheel Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering wheels with rigidly coupled airbag modules experience uncomfortable vibrations during idling or low-speed driving, leading to faulty horn activations and increased actuating forces or distances, which compromise comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that oscillates the airbag module relative to the steering wheel structure, using a mounting member with a damping element and locking elements to separate vibration damping from horn function, allowing for reduced actuating path and force while maintaining high safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the airbag module is rigidly coupled to the steering wheel structure, then the horn activation force is low, but vibrations occur during idling or low-speed driving
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two distinct functional interfaces: a first interface (locking element) providing rigid coupling for horn activation, and a second interface (damping element) providing vibration damping. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve low activation force and vibration reduction by treating these as separate coupling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element acts as an intermediary component between the mounting member and the steering wheel structure. It mediates the mechanical coupling by providing vibration damping while allowing the locking element to maintain rigid coupling for horn function, thus resolving the conflict between vibration isolation and force transmission.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the airbag module is oscillatingly coupled to the steering wheel structure using a damping element, then vibrations are reduced, but the horn activation path and force increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device separates the horn activation function from the vibration damping function by providing two distinct coupling interfaces. The locking element provides rigid coupling specifically for horn activation with minimal travel, while the damping element handles vibration damping independently, preventing vibration transmission to the airbag module.
Solution Approach 2:
Different coupling characteristics are applied locally at different interfaces: the locking element provides rigid, low-travel coupling optimized for horn activation, while the damping element provides compliant, vibration-damping coupling at the mounting member level. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each interface for its specific function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the airbag module is oscillatingly coupled to the steering wheel structure, then vibrations are reduced, but clearance and actuating distance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device segments the motion paths: the locking element maintains minimal axial clearance for horn activation, while the damping element absorbs radial and lateral vibrations. This segmentation ensures that vibration damping does not translate into increased actuating path for horn function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the damping element to provide the primary coupling and accepting increased travel, the invention inverts the approach by using the locking element as the primary coupling for horn activation and the damping element as a supplemental vibration reduction component, thereby minimizing actuating path while still reducing vibrations.
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 effectively dampens vibrations and reduces horn activation forces, enhancing comfort and safety by isolating the airbag module from steering wheel vibrations, thus minimizing faulty horn activations and improving the overall steering experience.
Implementation Method 1
a damping element for oscillating coupling of the mounting member to the steering wheel structure
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axially restrictedly movable manner.