Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Patent
1995-06-12
1997-01-28
Culbreth, Eric D.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
200 6155, 2807282, 280750, 280751, B60R 2116
Patent
active
055971776
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a steering wheel pad structure in which a horn switch is operated by pressing, against the urging force of an elastic member, a pad which is mounted to a steering wheel.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
In an air bag device provided in the steering wheel of a vehicle, the air bag device and a pad which houses the air bag device are formed as a single module. This module is supported at a steering wheel via an elastic body. Further, a horn switch is disposed between the module and the steering wheel. By pressing the pad against the urging force of the elastic member and moving the pad and the air bag device, the horn switch is operated.
However, in conventional steering wheel pad structures, as described above, the elastic body supports not only the pad but also the air bag device. Therefore, it is necessary to make the spring constant of the elastic body large and urge the pad and the air bag device toward the vehicle occupant. Accordingly, there is a drawback in that when the horn switch is operated, it is necessary to press the pad with a large pressing force, and operation of the horn switch cannot be effected smoothly.
In order to be able to operate the horn switch without requiring a large pressing force, the horn switch is provided at the steering wheel rim or spokes. By pressing this horn switch, the horn is operated. However, there is a drawback in that the horn switch is difficult to operate when the steering wheel is being turned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has taken the above into consideration, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a steering wheel pad structure in which operation of a horn switch can be effected smoothly.
In the entire steering wheel pad structure of the present invention, a pad, which houses an energy absorbing member which absorbs inertial movement force of a vehicle occupant, is supported at a steering wheel via an urging member, and by pushing the pad against the urging force of the urging member, the entire pad moves and a horn switch is operated, the feature of the invention being that the energy absorbing member is mounted to the steering wheel separately and independently of the pad so that the energy absorbing member does not move in accordance with movement of the entire pad.
In the steering wheel pad structure of the present invention, the energy absorbing member, which absorbs the inertial movement force of the vehicle occupant, is mounted to the steering wheel separately and independently of the pad. Namely, in the present invention, there is no need for the urging member (e.g., an elastic body) to support the energy absorbing member. As compared with a case in which the pad and the energy absorbing member are formed as a single module, the spring constant of the elastic can be made small, and the force required at the time of operating the horn switch can be made small.
Because the present invention is structured as described above, in accordance with the steering wheel pad structure of the present invention, there is a superior effect in that operation of the horn switch can be effected smoothly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a steering wheel pad structure of an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view in the direction of the arrow along the line 2--2 of FIG. 2 in a state in which an air bag device is mounted.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a steering wheel before the air bag device has been mounted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, a steering wheel pad structure of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in accordance with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
A steering pad 12 is disposed in a central portion of a steering wheel 10. An air bag device 30 serving as an energy absorbing member and illustrated in FIG. 1 is disposed between the steering pad 12 and the steering wheel 10. The steering pad 12 is fixed to plates for fixing 16 which are fastened to contact pla
REFERENCES:
patent: 4325568 (1982-04-01), Clark et al.
patent: 4644817 (1987-02-01), Albrecht et al.
patent: 4963704 (1990-10-01), Buma et al.
patent: 5239147 (1993-08-01), Allard et al.
European Search Report.
Cole Thomas W.
Culbreth Eric D.
Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
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