In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced.

In some embodiments, an energy absorber element can comprise: a first support wall and a second support wall, a crush wall joining the first and second support walls together to define a deformable zone; a connection mechanism configured to connect the first and/or second support wall to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for using an energy absorber element in a vehicle can comprise: detachably connecting an energy absorber element to a vehicle at a support location for a vehicle component, once the energy absorber element has absorbed energy, detaching the energy absorber element from the vehicle; and separately replacing the energy absorber element from the vehicle component. In some embodiments, the vehicle component is not replaced.

There is provided a core of a steering wheel to which a module can be stably fixed while manufacturing cost is suppressed. Core (28) includes boss core portion (36) at which a gate of a mold is set and which is connected to a steering shaft. Core (28) includes a rim core portion that is positioned around boss core portion (36). Core (28) includes a plurality of spoke core portions (37) that connect boss core portion (36) to the rim core portion. Core (28) includes connecting portion (66) that includes fixing portion (66e) to which a module is fixed and connects spoke core portions (37) positioned on upper and lower sides in a neutral state of the steering wheel. Core (28) includes expansion portion (71) of which a width gradually increases downward toward upper end portion (66a) of connecting portion (66) in the neutral state of the steering wheel.

A steering wheel damper may include a plate fastened to a hub of a steering wheel; one or more posts each having one side fixed to a surface of the plate and the other side extending perpendicular to the surface of the plate; a mass body spaced from the plate, attached to the other side of the post, supported by the posts, and having upper and lower portions configured as magnet bodies having different polarities; and an electromagnet made by winding a coil around a core fixed to the surface of the plate.

A steering wheel damper may include a plate fastened to a hub of a steering wheel; one or more posts each having one side fixed to a surface of the plate and the other side extending perpendicular to the surface of the plate; a mass body spaced from the plate, attached to the other side of the post, supported by the posts, and having upper and lower portions configured as magnet bodies having different polarities; and an electromagnet made by winding a coil around a core fixed to the surface of the plate.

The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (10) comprising a steering wheel skeleton (12), an attachment component (14), a connection component (20) for fastening the attachment component (14) to the steering wheel skeleton (12), and a first resilient damping element (16) which couples the connection component (20) to the attachment component (14) so as to be able to oscillate, a second resilient damping element (18) being provided which couples the connection component (20) to the steering wheel assembly (12) so as to be able to oscillate.

The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (10) comprising a steering wheel skeleton (12), an attachment component (14), a connection component (20) for fastening the attachment component (14) to the steering wheel skeleton (12), and a first resilient damping element (16) which couples the connection component (20) to the attachment component (14) so as to be able to oscillate, a second resilient damping element (18) being provided which couples the connection component (20) to the steering wheel assembly (12) so as to be able to oscillate.

The occupant protection device that protects an occupant boarding on a vehicle and includes: a base portion fixed to the vehicle; an operation portion connected to the base portion and configured to move back and forth between a first position serving as an initial position and a second position used to suppress movement of the occupant when inertial force acts on the occupant; and a control unit configured to perform movement control to move the operation portion from the first position to the second position. The operation portion is movable repeatedly from the first position to the second position through the movement control by returning to the first position after having moved from the first position to the second position. The occupant protection device includes an buffering means configured to buffer a collision impact on the occupant against the operation portion when the operation portion moves to the second position.

The occupant protection device that protects an occupant boarding on a vehicle and includes: a base portion fixed to the vehicle; an operation portion connected to the base portion and configured to move back and forth between a first position serving as an initial position and a second position used to suppress movement of the occupant when inertial force acts on the occupant; and a control unit configured to perform movement control to move the operation portion from the first position to the second position. The operation portion is movable repeatedly from the first position to the second position through the movement control by returning to the first position after having moved from the first position to the second position. The occupant protection device includes an buffering means configured to buffer a collision impact on the occupant against the operation portion when the operation portion moves to the second position.

A coupling device (16) for mounting an airbag module (14) to be oscillating on a steering wheel structure (12) of a vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a mounting member (18) which includes, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial bottom side (20) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the steering wheel structure (12) as well as an opposite axial top side (22) which in the assembled state of the vehicle steering wheel (10) faces the airbag module (14), a contact face (24) for a damping element (26) provided on the axial bottom side (20) for oscillating coupling of the mounting member (18) to the steering wheel structure (12), and comprising a locking element (28) disposed on the top side (22) of the mounting member (18) for locking with the prefabricated airbag module (14), wherein the locking element (28) is configured so that the airbag module (14) can be coupled to the mounting member (18) by a locking connection substantially in an axially fixed manner or in an axially restrictedly movable manner.