IP Library Granted Patent US 10,099,642
Granted Patent B2
US 10,099,642 · App. 15/122,950 · Granted Oct 16, 2018

Locking pin for mounting an airbag module on a motor vehicle

Inventors: Stefan Bachmann (Heimbuchenthal, DE); Andre Funk (Aschaffenburg, DE); Klaus Hörst (Schneeberg, DE); Dieter Rumpf (Rödermark, DE); Alexander Weiss (Aschaffenburg, DE)
Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GmbH
B60R21/2037F16B19/004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,099,642
App. No.
15/122,950
Granted
Oct 16, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

In the case of a locking pin ( 22 ) for vertically movable mounting of an airbag module ( 30 ) on a frame ( 12 ) of a motor vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) and at least in part within a foam structure ( 20 ) molded onto the frame ( 12 ), the locking pin ( 22 ) includes at least one stop for the airbag module ( 30 ) which is integrally bonded to the locking pin ( 22 ).

Claims (11)

1. A locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) for mounting an airbag module ( 30 ) in a vertically movable manner on a frame ( 12 ) of a motor vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) and at least in part within a foam structure ( 20 ) molded onto the frame ( 12 ), wherein the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) comprises at least one stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) for the airbag module ( 30 ), said stop being integrally bonded to the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ), each stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) including a web ( 74 , 76 , 122 , 130 ) radially facing away from the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) which is transformed into an at least approximately U-shaped bracket ( 78 , 80 , 124 , 132 ).

2. The locking pin according to claim 1 , wherein on a free end of a first leg ( 82 , 84 ) of the bracket ( 78 , 80 , 124 , 132 ) a pin-shaped support ( 86 , 88 , 126 , 134 ) for the airbag module ( 30 ) is formed and a second leg ( 90 , 92 ) of the bracket ( 78 , 80 , 124 , 132 ) is transformed into the web ( 74 , 76 , 122 , 130 ).

3. The locking pin according to claim 2 , wherein the legs ( 82 , 84 , 90 , 92 ) of the bracket ( 78 , 80 , 124 , 132 ) extend at least approximately in parallel to a peripheral radially outwardly directed flange ( 42 , 118 ) of the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ), wherein the flange ( 42 , 118 ) extends at least approximately perpendicularly to a longitudinal center axis ( 94 , 138 ) of the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) and the at least one web ( 74 , 76 , 122 , 130 ) of the at least one stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) is formed on the flange ( 42 , 118 ).

4. The locking pin according to claim 3 , wherein the area of the flange ( 42 , 118 ) of the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) two stops ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) which are positioned diametrically opposed to each other are formed.

5. The locking pin according to claim 1 , wherein a first axial end portion ( 44 ) of the locking pin ( 22 ) is configured to receive by locking a guide bush ( 60 ) associated with the airbag module ( 30 ) and a second axial end portion ( 52 ) of the locking pin ( 22 ) facing away herefrom includes at least in part a peripheral thickened rim ( 54 ) exhibiting a cross-sectional geometry trapezoidal at least in part.

6. The locking pin according to claim 1 , wherein a first axial end portion ( 114 ) of the locking pin ( 110 ) is configured to receive by locking a guide bush ( 60 ) associated with the airbag module ( 30 ) and a second axial end portion ( 116 ) of the locking pin ( 110 ) facing away herefrom can be materially bonded to the frame ( 12 ) of the motor vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ).

7. The locking pin according to claim 6 , wherein the second axial end portion of the locking pin is thermally joined to the frame.

8. The locking pin according to claim 1 , wherein the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) is formed integrally with a plastic material.

9. A locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) for mounting an airbag module ( 30 ) in a vertically movable manner on a frame ( 12 ) of a motor vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) and at least in part within a foam structure ( 20 ) molded onto the frame ( 12 ), wherein the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) comprises at least one stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) for the airbag module ( 30 ), said stop being integrally bonded to the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ), wherein the locking pin ( 110 ) includes at least one at least approximately U-shaped fixture ( 120 ) for an electric connection line, the fixture ( 120 ) being integrally formed with the locking pin ( 110 ).

10. A locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) for mounting an airbag module ( 30 ) in a vertically movable manner on a frame ( 12 ) of a motor vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) and at least in part within a foam structure ( 20 ) molded onto the frame ( 12 ), wherein the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) comprises at least one stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) for the airbag module ( 30 ), said stop being integrally bonded to the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ), wherein the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) comprises a cut ( 48 ) extending transversely to its longitudinal center axis ( 94 , 138 ) and having an approximately plane and rectangular base area ( 96 ) for receiving a spring ( 50 ) associated with the airbag module ( 30 ) in a resiliently locking manner, wherein on at least one web ( 122 , 130 ) of the at least one stop ( 128 , 136 ) a substantially mushroom-shaped pin ( 144 ) is formed, wherein the latter faces away from the first axial end portion ( 114 ) of the locking pin ( 110 ).

11. A motor vehicle steering wheel ( 10 ) comprising a frame ( 12 ) and at least one locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) for mounting an airbag module ( 30 ) in a vertically movable manner on the frame ( 12 ) and at least in part within a foam structure ( 20 ) molded onto the frame ( 12 ), wherein the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) includes at least one stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) for the airbag module ( 30 ) which is formed integrally with the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ), each stop ( 70 , 72 , 128 , 136 ) including a web ( 74 , 76 , 122 , 130 ) radially facing away from the locking pin ( 22 , 110 ) which is transformed into an at least approximately U-shaped bracket ( 78 , 80 , 124 , 132 ).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2018
From: BACHMANN, STEFAN; FUNK, ANDRE; HORST, KLAUS; RUMPF, DIETER; WEISS, ALEXANDER
To: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 045364/0969 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2014 002 785 · Mar 4, 2014 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170066398A1 · Mar 9, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,202,425