GB2401838A - Driver's air-bag cover assembly - Google Patents
Driver's air-bag cover assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2401838A GB2401838A GB0311598A GB0311598A GB2401838A GB 2401838 A GB2401838 A GB 2401838A GB 0311598 A GB0311598 A GB 0311598A GB 0311598 A GB0311598 A GB 0311598A GB 2401838 A GB2401838 A GB 2401838A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- air
- cover
- bag
- spoke
- assembly according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns
- B60R21/2035—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit
- B60R21/2037—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit the module or a major component thereof being yieldably mounted, e.g. for actuating the horn switch or for protecting the driver in a non-deployment situation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
- B60R21/2165—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
- B60R21/21656—Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
Abstract
A drivers air bag cover assembly comprises a separately formed air bag cover 23 and a spoke cover 22. The air bag cover is located in a groove 34 on the spoke cover assembly, has castellations 25 which correspond to apertures 35 in the air bag cover and is fastened by snap acting clips to the separate spoke cover. The spoke cover has arms 30,31,32 which correspond with spokes on the steering wheel and which may be depressed to actuate a horn bar. During actuation the spoke and air bag cover move together.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A DRIVER'S AIR-BAG COVER ASSEMBLY" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a driver's air-bag cover assembly, and more particularly relates to a driver's air-bag cover assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel on which the air-bag is mounted, the steering wheel being provided with a rim connected to a hub by at least one spoke.
It has been proposed previously to provide a driver's air-bag cover for an air-bag to be mounted, in a motor vehicle, in the central hub of a steering wheel, the steering wheel having a plurality of spokes connecting the hub to a rim. In some prior proposals a single integral cover has been provided which covers the air-bag and which at least partially covers the base region of each spoke. This may be considered to be unappealing. It has been proposed, alternatively, to provide a two- part cover, with one part of the cover actually covering the air-bag, and another part of the cover being securely mounted to the spokes. An arrangement of this type does possess some advantages, but also has the disadvantage that if the air-bag is "floating" air-bag which actuates the horn, it is coly by depressing that part of the cover which actually covers the air-bag that the horn may be actuated.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved cover assembly for a driver's air-bag.
According to this invention there is provided a driver's air-bag cover assembly for a driver's air-bag in a motor vehicle, the cover assembly including an air-bag cover element, the air-bag cover element being securely fastened to a separate spoke cover element so that the air-bag cover element and spoke cover element may move as a single entity.
Preferably the air-bag cover element is snap-fastened to the spoke cover element.
Conveniently the air-bag cover element is provided with a central area adapted to cover the air-bag, the central area being provided at least partly with a peripheral lip, the peripheral lip being castellated, the spoke cover element being provided with a groove to receive the lip, the groove being configured to accommodate the castellations to secure the peripheral part of the air-bag cover in a precisely predetermined position relative to a predetermined part of the spoke cover element.
Preferably the base of the groove is provided with apertures to receive castellations.
Advantageously the air-bag cover element is provided with a wall surrounding a space to receive an air-bag unit, the wall being provided with mounting elements by which the air-bag may be mounted to the wall.
Conveniently the spoke cover unit is provided with a plurality of arms, each arm being configured to cover a respective spoke of a steering wheel, each arm being provided with at least one element to engage a horn actuating bar.
Preferably each arm is provided with two parallel webs, each web presenting an edge to engage a horn actuating bar.
Conveniently the air-bag cover and the spoke cover are formed of different materials.
Preferably the air-bag cover and the spoke cover are provided with different finishes.
Advantageously the air-bag cover and the spoke cover are of different 1 5 colours.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a steering wheel for a motor vehicle configured to receive an air-bag having an air-bag cover in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is an inverted view of an air-bag cover assembly in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the two components of the air-bag cover illustrated in Figure 2, FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the engagement between two parts of the air-bag cover.
Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a steering wheel 1 is illustrated, the steering wheel having a central hub 2 adapted to be connected to a steering column. The hub 2 comprises a planar hub plate 3, the lO hub plate 3 having three upstanding fingers 4, 5, 6 which, together, resiliently support a moveable horn actuator bar 7, the horn actuator bar 7 being of substantially "V"-shaped configuration. The hub plate 3 also supports the metal cores (not shown) of three spokes 10, l 1, 12, which extend from the hub to the rim 13 of the steering wheel.
As can be seen there is a considerable volume of space located above the hub plate 3 and between the upstanding fingers 4, 5, 6 to accommodate an air- bag. The air-bag is, as will become clear from the following description, to be provided with a cover which is a two-part cover, one part being intended to cover the air-bag, and thus being made of a material with a good "burst" capability to facilitate deployment of the air-bag should an accident arise, and the other part being a spoke cover adapted to cover the base regions of the spokes 10, 11, 12, that is to say the regions of the spokes closest to the hub 2.
As will become clear from the following description the entire arrangement is such that a downward pressure applied to the air-bag cover and/or to the spoke cover will cause the horn to be actuated.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the airbag cover assembly 20 that is intended to be mounted on the steering wheel 1 of s Figure 1, comprises two components namely an air-bag cover 21 and a spoke cover 22. The air-bag cover 21 is formed integrally and may be formed of a material with ideal "burst" characteristics, thus facilitating the deployment of an air-bag which is covered by the air-bag cover.
The air-bag cover 21 comprises a main area 23 which is substantially planar, and the area 23 may, as is known, be provided with one or more lines of mechanical weakness to facilitate the bursting of the air-bag cover on deployment of the air-bag. The forward-most periphery of the main area is constituted by a lip, 24, which is illustrated as an upwardly turned lip but which, in use, is a downwardly turned lip, since Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the air-bag cover from the underneath. The lip 24 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart castellations 25 for a reason that will become clear.
The edge of the main region 23 that is opposed to the lip 24 is provided with an integrally formed cowling 26 which is illustrated extending upwardly, but which, in use, will extend downwardly to provide a pleasing visual appearance for the air-bag cover.
The main area 23 supports a wall 27 which surrounds a chamber that will accommodate the air-bag. The wall 27 is provided with integrally formed mounting lugs 28 by means of which the air-bag unit itself may be mounted in position. The wall 27 incorporates two spaced-apart snap-acting clips 29 which, as will be described, serve to connect in a "snap" manner the air-bag cover 21 to the spoke cover 22.
The spoke cover 22 is a generally "U"-shaped element, having three arms 30, 31, 32 that correspond with the spokes 10, 11, 12 of the steering wheel. The arms radiate away from a generally "U"-shaped recess 33 which, as indicated by the arrow 34, is intended to receive the air-bag cover 21.
Surrounding the base of the recess 33 is a channel 34 configured to receive the lip 24 provided on the air-bag cover 21. The base of the channel 34 is provided with a plurality of apertures 35 to receive the castellations.
The castellations are received within the recesses in such a way that the peripheral part of the air-bag cover 21 is retained in a precisely predetermined position relative to the adjacent part of the spoke cover 22, thus providing a pleasing overall appearance, as shown most clearly in Figure 4.
Beneath each arm 30, 31, 32 of the spoke cover 22 are two vertical webs, such as the webs 36, 37 located under the arm 30, and the webs 38, 39 located under the arm 31. Similar webs are provided under the arm 32. The webs have co-aligned free edges and are positioned to overlie planar parts of the "U"-shaped horn actuator bar 7.
The air-bag cover, with the spoke cover firmly connected to it by the snap-acting clips 29, is connected to an air-bag and the air-bag is connected, as a "floating" air-bag, to the steering wheel as illustrated in Figure 1.
If a downward pressure is applied to any part of the air-bag cover 21, or the spoke cover 22, the complete assembly will "float", so that the coaligned edges of the planar webs 36, 37,or 38, 39, or the corresponding webs provided on the arm 32 of the spoke cover, engage the horn actuator bar 7 to actuate the horn.
Since the spoke cover is formed as a totally separate unit to the air-bag cover, the spoke cover may be made of a contrasting colour, and/or a contrasting finish and/or a different material to that used for the airbag cover, thus enhancing the opportunities open to vehicle designers.
In the present Specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
Claims (12)
- CLAIMS: 1. A driver's air-bag cover assembly for a driver's air-bag in amotor vehicle, the cover assembly including an air-bag cover element, the air- bag cover element being securely fastened to a separate spoke cover element so that the air-bag cover element and spoke cover element may move as a single entity.
- 2. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the air-bag cover element is snap-fastened to the spoke cover element.
- 3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the air-bag cover element is provided with a central area adapted to cover the air-bag, the central area being provided at least partly with a peripheral lip, the peripheral lip being castellated, the spoke cover element being provided with a groove to receive the lip, the groove being configured to accommodate the castellations to secure the peripheral part of the airbag cover in a precisely predetermined position relative to a predetermined part of the spoke cover element.
- 4. An assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the base of the groove is provided with apertures to receive castellations.
- 5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the air-bag cover element is provided with a wall surrounding a space to receive an air-bag unit, the wall being provided with mounting elements by which the air- bag may be mounted to the wall.
- 6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the spoke cover unit is provided with a plurality of arms, each arm being configured to cover a respective spoke of a steering wheel, each arm being provided with at least one element to engage a horn actuating bar.
- 7. An assembly according to Claim 6 wherein each arm is provided with two parallel webs, each web presenting an edge to engage a horn actuating bar.
- 8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the air-bag cover and the spoke cover are formed of different materials.
- 9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the air-bag cover and the spoke cover are provided with different finishes.
- 10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the air-bag cover and the spoke cover are of different colours.
- 11. A driver's air-bag cover assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
- 12. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0311598A GB2401838A (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2003-05-20 | Driver's air-bag cover assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0311598A GB2401838A (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2003-05-20 | Driver's air-bag cover assembly |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0311598D0 GB0311598D0 (en) | 2003-06-25 |
| GB2401838A true GB2401838A (en) | 2004-11-24 |
Family
ID=9958435
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0311598A Withdrawn GB2401838A (en) | 2003-05-20 | 2003-05-20 | Driver's air-bag cover assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2401838A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006131109A1 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2006-12-14 | Takata-Petri Ag | Cover plate for an airbag module |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1394638A (en) * | 1972-10-05 | 1975-05-21 | Daimler Benz Ag | Vehicle steering-wheel/inflatable-cusion arrangement for vehicles |
| US5409256A (en) * | 1994-01-04 | 1995-04-25 | General Motors Corporation | Driver-side air bag module assembly |
| US5560642A (en) * | 1995-01-06 | 1996-10-01 | Takata, Inc. | Driver air bag module assembly |
| US6053526A (en) * | 1998-04-06 | 2000-04-25 | Larry J. Winget | Air bag cover assembly having a membrane switch and an ornamental pad permanently fastened thereto and method of making same |
| JP2001063588A (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2001-03-13 | Nippon Plast Co Ltd | Steering wheel |
| US20030038460A1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2003-02-27 | Frank Sczeburek | Airbag module with latching connection |
-
2003
- 2003-05-20 GB GB0311598A patent/GB2401838A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1394638A (en) * | 1972-10-05 | 1975-05-21 | Daimler Benz Ag | Vehicle steering-wheel/inflatable-cusion arrangement for vehicles |
| US5409256A (en) * | 1994-01-04 | 1995-04-25 | General Motors Corporation | Driver-side air bag module assembly |
| US5560642A (en) * | 1995-01-06 | 1996-10-01 | Takata, Inc. | Driver air bag module assembly |
| US6053526A (en) * | 1998-04-06 | 2000-04-25 | Larry J. Winget | Air bag cover assembly having a membrane switch and an ornamental pad permanently fastened thereto and method of making same |
| JP2001063588A (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2001-03-13 | Nippon Plast Co Ltd | Steering wheel |
| US20030038460A1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2003-02-27 | Frank Sczeburek | Airbag module with latching connection |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006131109A1 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2006-12-14 | Takata-Petri Ag | Cover plate for an airbag module |
| US7665759B2 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2010-02-23 | Takata-Petri Ag | Cover plate for an airbag module |
| DE102005027271B4 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2011-06-01 | Takata-Petri Ag | Cover for an airbag module |
| CN101193777B (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2011-08-03 | 高田-彼得里公开股份有限公司 | Cover plate for an airbag module |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0311598D0 (en) | 2003-06-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |