Steering wheel
US6675675B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20834
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a steering wheel comprising a steering wheel body (30), an airbag unit (3), a detent connection for fixing the airbag unit to the steering wheel body, a contact device having a first and a second contact (8, 9) that are short-circuited for triggering an electric function element, especially an electric horn (24), when the airbag unit is moved in a direction toward the steering wheel body by a pressure exerted on said airbag unit. According to the invention, one of the detent elements of the detent device is, at least in part, electrically conductive and simultaneously forms the first contact (8) of the contact device. When an airbag is fastened according to the floating horn principle, the number of required parts is further reduced and it is possible to easily and securely fix the airbag unit to the steering wheel without the use of tools.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.