A vehicle comprising: an airbag device comprising a housing and an airbag, the airbag having a packed configuration and an expanded configuration, the airbag expanding through the aperture in the housing when moving from the packed configuration to the expanded configuration; a composite material panel positioned to cover the airbag device, the panel comprising a break line running over the panel, the break line being proximal to the aperture so that when the airbag moves to the expanded configuration the airbag forces the panel to tear along the break line; and a first protection flap, the first protection flap having an initial configuration where the first protection flap is located adjacent the airbag in the packed configuration and a deployed configuration where the first protection flap covers at least one edge of the panel that runs along one side of the break line when the panel has torn due to the airbag moving to the expanded configuration.

The disclosure is directed to a steering device assembly for positioning and fastening an airbag module on a steering device of a motor vehicle. The steering device assembly comprises a first positioning body having a detent lever, a carrier, a spring element, and a second positioning body. The detent lever comprises a first leg and a second leg connected to the first leg at one leg end the detent lever is mounted for pivoting between an initial position and a final assembly position on the carrier. The spring element loads the detent lever into the final assembly position. Each leg extends to an opposite free leg end at a specified angle. The second positioning body has a stop for the free leg end of the first leg for pivoting the detent lever from the initial position into the final assembly position and a detent contour for locking with the free leg end of the second leg in the final assembly position of the detent lever. A method for installing an airbag module on a steering device of a motor vehicle by the steering device assembly.

The disclosure is directed to a steering device assembly for positioning and fastening an airbag module on a steering device of a motor vehicle. The steering device assembly comprises a first positioning body having a detent lever, a carrier, a spring element, and a second positioning body. The detent lever comprises a first leg and a second leg connected to the first leg at one leg end the detent lever is mounted for pivoting between an initial position and a final assembly position on the carrier. The spring element loads the detent lever into the final assembly position. Each leg extends to an opposite free leg end at a specified angle. The second positioning body has a stop for the free leg end of the first leg for pivoting the detent lever from the initial position into the final assembly position and a detent contour for locking with the free leg end of the second leg in the final assembly position of the detent lever. A method for installing an airbag module on a steering device of a motor vehicle by the steering device assembly.

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.

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.

A steering assembly and a system for actuating a vehicle horn uses a grounding signal transmitted from the steering assembly to an electronic control unit in communication with an electronically actuated horn. The steering assembly includes a base plate connected to a hub in the steering assembly. At least one horn grounding switch is coupled to the base plate and has a ground contact generating an output from the horn grounding switch. The ground contact is movable between a normally closed position connected to the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the off status of the vehicle horn and an open position disconnected from the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the on status of the vehicle horn. A biasing force directs the ground contact to a normally closed position in electrical communication with the vehicle electrical ground.

A steering assembly and a system for actuating a vehicle horn uses a grounding signal transmitted from the steering assembly to an electronic control unit in communication with an electronically actuated horn. The steering assembly includes a base plate connected to a hub in the steering assembly. At least one horn grounding switch is coupled to the base plate and has a ground contact generating an output from the horn grounding switch. The ground contact is movable between a normally closed position connected to the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the off status of the vehicle horn and an open position disconnected from the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the on status of the vehicle horn. A biasing force directs the ground contact to a normally closed position in electrical communication with the vehicle electrical ground.

A steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel base plate, a safety airbag and a cover and a housing, wherein the cover and the housing define a space for accommodating an airbag and a light-emitting mark. The light-emitting mark includes an electronic control element, a mark portion, and a flexible circuit board. The electronic control element is configured to be based on a rigid printed circuit board. The flexible circuit board is configured to have a first end connected to the electronic control element and a second end connected to the mark portion so that the electronic control element controls light emission of the mark portion by means of the flexible circuit board. The electronic control element is arranged in a first position in the steering wheel assembly. The mark portion is arranged in a second position in the steering wheel assembly. The second position is positioned at the cover.

A steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel base plate, a safety airbag and a cover and a housing, wherein the cover and the housing define a space for accommodating an airbag and a light-emitting mark. The light-emitting mark includes an electronic control element, a mark portion, and a flexible circuit board. The electronic control element is configured to be based on a rigid printed circuit board. The flexible circuit board is configured to have a first end connected to the electronic control element and a second end connected to the mark portion so that the electronic control element controls light emission of the mark portion by means of the flexible circuit board. The electronic control element is arranged in a first position in the steering wheel assembly. The mark portion is arranged in a second position in the steering wheel assembly. The second position is positioned at the cover.

The disclosure relates to a coupling device for securing an airbag module to a steering wheel main body of a vehicle steering wheel. The coupling device comprises: a securing body which has, relative to a steering wheel axis, an axial lower face that faces the steering wheel main body when the vehicle steering wheel is assembled, and an axial upper face that faces the airbag module when the vehicle steering wheel is assembled. An engagement element is disposed on the upper face of the securing body, for engaging with the airbag module. The engagement element is designed so that the airbag module can be coupled to the securing body by an engagement connection in such a manner that it cannot be substantially axially displaced or it can be limitedly axially displaced. An electronic control unit is provided and the securing body at least partly forms a housing of the electronic control unit.