Steering Wheel Airbag Mounting Guide and Lock Spring

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering wheel structures with airbag modules require complex mechanisms and numerous parts to implement a dynamic damper function while mounting the airbag module using the snap-in method, necessitating a simpler and more efficient solution.

Innovation Solution

A steering wheel structure featuring a tubular guide member, a hook member, a damper rubber, and a lock spring, where the hook member is inserted into the guide member, and the lock spring engages to prevent coming-off, allowing for easy mounting of the airbag module with a reduced number of parts and enhanced dynamic damper functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex mechanism with numerous parts is used to mount the airbag module by snap-in method while implementing dynamic damper function, then the mounting reliability and vibration reduction effect are improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member integrates multiple functions: it serves as a mounting guide for the snap-in method, a structural component for the dynamic damper, and a holder for the lock spring. By combining these previously separate components into one integrated guide member, the patent reduces the total number of parts while maintaining mounting reliability and vibration reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides guidance for insertion, structural support for the damper mechanism, and retention for the lock spring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a complex mechanism with numerous parts is used to mount the airbag module by snap-in method while implementing dynamic damper function, then the mounting reliability and vibration reduction effect are improved, but the number of required parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member integrates multiple functions: it serves as a mounting guide for the snap-in method, a structural component for the dynamic damper, and a holder for the lock spring. By combining these previously separate components into one integrated guide member, the patent reduces the total number of parts while maintaining mounting reliability and vibration reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the lock spring is engaged with the hook member inserted into the guide member, then the airbag module can be securely mounted by snap-in method, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mountingVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock spring is designed to automatically engage with the hook member when the airbag module is inserted into the guide member. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for additional manual locking operations or complex locking mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of mounting while avoiding increased mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the engagement between the hook member and lock spring. By providing a guided insertion path and proper positioning features, the guide member ensures that the lock spring and hook member engage correctly without requiring complex alignment mechanisms or additional adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration simplifies the mounting process, reduces the number of required parts, and effectively reduces steering wheel vibrations during travel by utilizing the elasticity of the damper rubber and the airbag module's mass, while preventing vibration transmission to the airbag module.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing the elasticity of the damper rubber and the airbag module's mass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a lock spring that is attached to the guide member, wherein the lock spring is engaged with the hook member inserted into the guide member so as to prevent the hook member from coming-off from the guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10875564B2Steering wheel structure

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 ASHIMORI INDS CO LTD

AI summary

A steering wheel structure includes: a guide member (30) that is formed into a tubular shape, and attached to a mounting hole (12a) formed in a mounting plate (12) of an airbag module (10); a hook member (2) that is formed in a steering wheel (1), and is inserted into the guide member (30); a damper rubber (20) that is interposed between an edge portion of the mounting hole (12a) in the mounting plate (12), and the guide member (30); and a lock spring (40) that is attached to the guide member (30). The lock spring (40) is engaged with the hook member (2) inserted into the guide member (30) so as to prevent the hook member (2) from coming-off from the guide member (30).