DE202020101461U1 - Actuating device for a vehicle horn and vehicle steering wheel with such an actuating device - Google Patents

Abstract

Actuating device for a vehicle horn (12), comprising a base body (14) which is fixedly coupled to a first horn contact (16), and an actuator element (18) which is pivotably mounted on the base body (14) and about a pivot axis relative to the base body (14) (A) is rotatable, the actuator element (18) having a force application point (P) for actuating the vehicle horn (12) and a second horn contact (20) for contacting the first horn contact (16), the force application point (P) and the Second horn contact (20) are arranged relative to the pivot axis (A) so that when the actuator element (18) is pivoted, a path length (L1) covered by the force application point (P) and a path length (L2) covered by the second horn contact (20) differ from one another .

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a vehicle horn and a vehicle steering wheel with such an actuating device.

The integration of a vehicle horn in the hub area of a vehicle steering wheel poses a technical challenge, especially when a gas bag module is also installed in the hub area.

For reasons of economy and functional reliability, the vehicle horn should have a particularly simple and robust construction.

In the WO 2015/135657 A1 Therefore, a multifunctional assembly has already been proposed for fastening a gas bag module to a vehicle steering wheel, with a steering wheel-side part and a module-side part, the multifunctional assembly having both a guide device for guided movement of the module-side part from a rest position to a horn position and electrical contacts for a horn circuit.

For optical reasons and in order to minimize the risk of contamination and impairment of function, a particularly small gap is also sought between the steering wheel components that can be moved relative to one another when the horn is operated. At the same time, however, the two electrical horn contacts for triggering a horn signal should not be too close to one another when the vehicle horn is in a rest position, in order to prevent the vehicle horn from being triggered incorrectly, for example due to vibrations when driving or on rough roads.

In addition, for reasons of comfort, it would be desirable that the vehicle horn can be actuated by the driver with as little effort as possible.

The object of the invention is therefore to create an actuating device for a vehicle horn which enables a particularly small gap on the vehicle steering wheel and at the same time reduces or largely prevents false triggering of the vehicle horn.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an actuating device for a vehicle horn, comprising a base body that is firmly coupled to a first horn contact, and an actuator element that is pivotably mounted on the base body and rotatable relative to the base body about a pivot axis, the actuator element being a force application point for Actuation of the vehicle horn as well as a second horn contact for contacting the first horn contact, the force application point and the second horn contact being arranged relative to the pivot axis in such a way that when the actuator element is pivoted, a path length covered by the force application point and a path length covered by the second horn contact differ from one another. Via this pivot mounting of the actuator element, the path of the force application point, i.e. a horn actuation path relevant for the gap size, relative to the path of the second horn contact, i.e. a contact path relevant for incorrect triggering of the vehicle horn, can be set almost arbitrarily by means of a simple lever arm variation.

According to one embodiment of the actuating device, the path length covered by the force application point when the actuator element is pivoted is smaller, in particular at most half as great, as the path length covered by the second horn contact. As a result, the horn actuation path becomes smaller than the contact path, so that when the vehicle horn is in a rest position, the gap on the vehicle steering wheel can be reduced compared to the distance between the two horn contacts.

In other words, with respect to the pivot axis, a lever arm of the force application point is preferably smaller than a lever arm of the second horn contact, in particular at most half as large.

The actuator element is designed in particular as a two-sided lever, that is to say the force application point and the second horn contact are located on different sides with respect to the pivot axis.

Furthermore, a spring element can be arranged between the base body and the actuator element of the actuating device, which acts on the two horn contacts away from one another. In the unactuated state of the vehicle horn, the actuating device is consequently in a rest position, which is preferably defined by a stop, and can be moved against the spring force into a horn position in which the two horn contacts touch.

The invention also comprises a vehicle steering wheel with a vehicle horn which has at least one actuation device described above, a steering wheel base body that can be rotated about a steering axis, and a horn cap for covering the steering wheel base body in the area of a steering wheel hub, the horn cap for triggering a horn signal in Direction of the steering axis is movable towards the steering wheel body. The vehicle steering wheel preferably has several, in particular three, described above Actuating devices which are arranged distributed with respect to the steering axis in the circumferential direction.

According to a variant embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel, the at least one actuating device for the vehicle horn is integrated into the steering wheel base body. The base body of the actuating device can be firmly connected to the steering wheel base body by, for example, anchoring extensions of the base body being foamed directly into a foam covering the steering wheel base body.

In this embodiment variant, the actuator element preferably comprises a fastening extension for positioning and fixing the horn cap on the steering wheel base body, in particular the fastening extension having the point of application of force.

The horn cap can then accordingly have a cap extension for forming a connection, in particular a latching connection, with the fastening extension of the actuator element. For example, the cap extension is a sleeve-like positioning pocket which is slipped over the fastening extension largely without play and is locked to the fastening extension.

According to a further embodiment variant, the vehicle steering wheel has a gas bag module, the horn cap being designed as a cover cap for the gas bag module. In this case, the cover cap is preferably axially displaceable relative to the other module components in order to trigger a horn signal, the other module components in particular being firmly connected to the steering wheel base body (“floating cover”). Alternatively, the cover cap can also be firmly connected to the other module components and the entire gas bag module can be mounted so as to be axially displaceable relative to the steering wheel base body in order to trigger a horn signal (“floating module”).

• - 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Fahrzeughupe mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Betätigungseinrichtung;
• - 2 eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht der Betätigungseinrichtung gemäß 1;
• - 3 eine Seitenansicht der Betätigungseinrichtung gemäß 1 in einer Ruheposition;
• - 4 eine Seitenansicht der Betätigungseinrichtung gemäß 1 in einer Hupposition;
• - 5 eine ausschnittsweise Draufsicht auf einen Lenkradgrundkörper eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeuglenkrads im Bereich einer Lenkradnabe;
• - 6 eine Untersicht einer Hupenkappe für den Lenkradgrundkörper gemäß 5; und
• - 7 eine perspektivische Untersicht eines Gassackmoduls zur Montage am Lenkradgrundkörper gemäß 5.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. In this shows:

• - 1 a perspective view of a vehicle horn with an actuating device according to the invention;
• - 2 a perspective exploded view of the actuating device according to 1 ;
• - 3 a side view of the actuator according to 1 in a rest position;
• - 4th a side view of the actuator according to 1 in a horn position;
• - 5 a partial plan view of a steering wheel base body of a vehicle steering wheel according to the invention in the area of a steering wheel hub;
• - 6th a bottom view of a horn cap for the steering wheel body according to 5 ; and
• - 7th a perspective bottom view of a gas bag module for mounting on the steering wheel base body according to FIG 5 .

the 1 until 4th show an actuator 10 for a vehicle horn 12th of a motor vehicle. The actuator 10 comprises a base body 14th who stuck with a first horn contact 16 is coupled, as well as an actuator element 18th , which can be swiveled on the base body 14th stored and relative to the base body 14th is rotatable about a pivot axis A, wherein the actuator element 18th a force application point P. to operate the vehicle horn 12th as well as a second horn contact 20th for contacting the first horn contact 16 having. According to 3 are the point of application of force P. and the second horn contact 20th arranged relative to the pivot axis A in such a way that when the actuator element is pivoted 18th one from the force application point P. Distance covered L ₁ and one from the second horn contact 20th Distinguish distance traveled L ₂ from one another.

The geometric boundary conditions are selected so that when the actuator element is pivoted 18th that of the force application point P. Distance covered L _{1 is} less than that of the second horn contact 20th Distance covered L ₂ .

This is achieved in that, with reference to the pivot axis A, a lever arm x _{1 of} the force application point P. is smaller than a lever arm x _{2 of} the second horn contact 20th . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator element 18th designed as a two-sided lever, in which the force application point P. and the second horn contact 20th with respect to the pivot axis A are on different sides. The lever arm x ₁ , x ₂ is the distance of the force application point perpendicular to the direction of the respective path length L ₁ , L ₂ P. or the second horn contact 20th from swivel axis A.

In particular, based on the 3 it becomes clear that the lever arm x _{1 is} less than half the size of the lever arm x ₂ , so that when the actuator element is pivoted 18th also the distance traveled L _{1 of} the force application point P. less than half _{the distance covered L 2 of} the second horn contact 20th is.

the 3 and 4th each show a side view of the actuating device 10 , wherein the actuator 10 according to 3 in an inoperative rest position and according to 4th is in an actuated horn position.

Between the main body 14th and the actuator element 18th is a spring element 22nd arranged which the two horn contacts 16 , 20th away from each other, and thus the actuating device 10 acted upon in their rest position.

In the rest position, a free path length s _{1 of} the force application point can be P. are in the order of magnitude of about 0.5 mm and a distance s _{2 between} the two horn contacts is about 1.2 mm. Due to the comparatively large distance s _{2 between} the horn contacts 16 , 20th the vehicle horn is triggered incorrectly 12th largely prevented in the event of vibrations or shocks of the motor vehicle while driving. Due to the leverage on the actuator element 18th however, there is a significantly smaller shift s _{1 of} the force application point P. necessary to overcome this contact distance s ₂ and trigger a horn signal. Thus, the gap that is visible to vehicle occupants between the components of a vehicle steering wheel that can be moved relative to one another when the horn is operated can be reduced 24 without increasing the likelihood of the vehicle horn being triggered incorrectly 12th elevated.

As in 1 indicated schematically, includes the vehicle horn 12th next to at least one actuator described above 10 a power source 26th , a loudspeaker 28 as well as electrical cables 30th to form an electrical horn circuit. The horn circuit is in the unactuated rest position of the actuating device 10 according to 3 interrupted and in the actuated horn position of the actuating device 10 according to 4th closed.

the 5 shows a part of a steering wheel body 32 of the vehicle steering wheel 24 in the area of a central steering wheel hub 34 , which is rotatable about a steering axis B. The vehicle steering wheel 24 also has a vehicle horn 12th with three actuators described above 10 which are arranged distributed in the hub area with respect to the steering axis B in the circumferential direction. The steering wheel body 32 in the present case includes a steering wheel skeleton 36 as well as a steering wheel foam 38 with which the steering wheel skeleton 36 is at least partially foamed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating devices 10 for the vehicle horn 12th in the steering wheel body 32 integrated. Concretely, each basic body has 14th the controls 10 for fixing on the steering wheel body 32 at least one anchoring process 40 on that directly in the steering wheel foam 38 of the steering wheel body 32 is foamed, as in the 3 and 4th indicated.

The vehicle steering wheel 24 also includes an in 6th illustrated horn cap 42 to cover the steering wheel body 32 in the area of the steering wheel hub 34 , with the horn cap 42 to trigger a horn signal in the direction of the steering axis B to the steering wheel body 32 is movable towards.

According to the 1 until 4th has the actuator element 18th an attachment extension 44 for positioning and fixing the horn cap 42 on the steering wheel body 32 on, where the force application point P. on the attachment extension 44 is provided.

the 7th shows a perspective view of a gas bag module 46 with a horn cap 42 according to 6th , with the horn cap 42 here accordingly as a cover cap of the gas bag module 46 is trained. When assembling the vehicle steering wheel 24 becomes the gas bag module 46 the steering wheel body 32 fed in the direction of the steering axis B until the fastening hook 49 of the gas bag module 46 in a known manner with a retaining spring 50 of the steering wheel body 32 lock into place.

The horn cap 42 points according to the 6th and 7th Cap processes 48 to form a connection, in particular a latching connection, with the fastening extensions 44 the actuator elements 18th on. The cap processes 48 are in particular designed as sleeve-like positioning pockets that are largely free of play over the attachment extensions 44 everted and with the attachment projections 44 be locked. This is done on the attachment extensions 44 Ledges 51 formed, which in an assembled state of the airbag module 46 with recesses 52 of the cap processes 48 snap into place and the horn cap 42 of the gas bag module 46 firmly to the actuator element 18th the actuator 10 associate.

Based on 7th it is easy to see that the horn cap, which is designed as a cover cap 42 several elongated holes 54 has, in which module hook 56 of the gas bag module 46 intervene so that the cap is axially displaceable relative to the other module components to trigger a horn signal. In this case, the remaining module components are in particular fixed to the steering wheel base body 32 connected ("floating cover" principle). As a result, only the relatively low weight of the horn cap has to be used to trigger and stop a horn signal 42 are moved so that for the spring element 22nd only a low spring stiffness and consequently for actuating the vehicle horn 12th also only a small actuating force F is necessary.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the cover cap is firmly connected in the axial direction to the other module components and the entire gas bag module 46 to trigger a Horn signal relative to the steering wheel body 32 is axially displaceable ("floating module" principle).

To operate the vehicle horn 12th is used by a vehicle occupant via the horn cap 42 an axial actuation force F ( 4th ) in the force application point P. of the actuator element 18th applied and thus the actuating device 10 from their rest position according to 3 in their horn position according to 4th emotional. This closes the horn circuit and a horn signal from the vehicle horn 12th triggered.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2015/135657 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Actuating device for a vehicle horn (12), comprising a base body (14) which is fixedly coupled to a first horn contact (16), and an actuator element (18) which is pivotably mounted on the base body (14) and relative to the base body (14) a pivot axis (A) is rotatable, the actuator element (18) having a force application point (P) for actuating the vehicle horn (12) and a second horn contact (20) for contacting the first horn contact (16), the force application point (P) and the second horn contact (20) are arranged relative to the pivot axis (A) such that when the actuator element (18) is pivoted, a path length (L ₁ ) covered by the force application point (P) and a path length (L 1) covered by the second horn contact (20) are arranged ₂ ) differ from each other. Actuator according to Claim 1 , characterized in that when the actuator element (18) is pivoted, the path length (L ₁ ) covered by the force application point (P) is smaller than the path length (L ₂ ) covered by the second horn contact (20). Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with respect to the pivot axis (A), a lever arm (x ₁ ) of the force application point (P) is smaller than a lever arm (x ₂ ) of the second horn contact (20), in particular at most half that big Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator element (18) is designed as a two-sided lever. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring element (22) is arranged between the base body (14) and the actuator element (18), which acts on the two horn contacts (16, 20) away from each other. Vehicle steering wheel with a vehicle horn (12) which has at least one actuating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, a steering wheel base body (32) which can be rotated about a steering axis (B) and a horn cap (42) for covering the steering wheel base body (32) in the area of a steering wheel hub (34), wherein the horn cap (42) for triggering a horn signal can be moved in the direction of the steering axis (B) towards the steering wheel base body (32). Vehicle steering wheel after Claim 6 , characterized in that the at least one actuating device (10) for the vehicle horn (12) is integrated into the steering wheel base body (32), in particular wherein the base body (14) of the actuating device (10) is firmly connected to the steering wheel base body (32). Vehicle steering wheel after Claim 7 , characterized in that the actuator element (18) has a fastening extension (44) for positioning and fixing the horn cap (42) on the steering wheel base body (32), in particular wherein the force application point (P) is provided on the fastening extension (44). Vehicle steering wheel after Claim 8 , characterized in that the horn cap (42) has a cap extension (48) for forming a connection, in particular a latching connection, with the fastening extension (44) of the actuator element (18). Vehicle steering wheel according to one of the Claims 6 until 9 , characterized by a gas bag module (46), the horn cap (42) being designed as a cover cap of the gas bag module (46), in particular the horn cap (42) being axially displaceable relative to the other module components to trigger a horn signal.

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