Various implementations of a horn system include one or more force sensors disposed on a first portion of a driver air bag module and one or more actuators disposed on a second portion of the driver air bag module. For example, the force sensors may be disposed adjacent a perimeter of a base plate of the driver air bag module, and the actuators may extend inwardly toward the force sensors from an inner surface of a cover of the driver air bag module, or vice versa. To actuate the horn, the cover is moved axially toward the base plate, causing the actuators to apply force to the force sensors. Force signals received from the force sensors are used by one or more processors to determine characteristics of the force received and/or select a control message for communicating to the horn system based on the force signal characteristics.

A steering wheel includes a steering wheel body and a base. The base carrying an inflator and an airbag package, such that the base, the inflator and the airbag package form a first sub-assembly. The base is connected to the steering wheel body at least indirectly via at least one elastic element, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body in at least one direction so that the whole sub-assembly serves as a vibration damping mass. The steering wheel also includes a cover element with a roof extending over the airbag package, and at least one horn sensor generating a signal when a pressing force exceeding a predefined value is applied to the roof. The cover element is not rigidly connected to the base, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body under deformation of the elastic element while the cover element does not move relative to the steering wheel body.

The invention relates to an airbag module (111) for arranging on a steering wheel (112), a locking element (130) and a contact element (131) being arranged on the airbag module (111), the locking element (130) being designed to lock together with a catch element (120) arranged on the steering wheel (112) by means of which the airbag module (111) and the steering wheel (112) can be interconnected. The locking element (130) can be moved and can adopt an unlocked state, a locked state and an intermediate state between the two, in relation to the catch element (120), where, in the intermediate state in which there is mechanical contact between the locking element (130) and the catch element (120), there is no electrical contact between the contact element (131) and the locking element (130), whereas, in the locked state in which the locking element (130) is mechanically coupled to the catch element (120), there is electrical contact between the contact element (131) and the locking element (130). In the locked state, when the catch element (120) and the locking element (130) are locked together, the contact element (132), the locking element (130) and the catch element (120) are electrically interconnected. The contact element (131) can be electrically connected to a horn contact (116) in order to generate a horn signal. The invention also relates to a steering wheel and to a method for connecting an airbag module to a steering wheel.

A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a light guide to allow light transmission from a light source for a user interface, and a cover to cover the light guide. The user interface may be presented at the cover. The cover may comprise a depression in an inner surface of the cover and the light guide may comprise a projection comprising a light-transmissive resin fit within the depression. The projection may comprise an icon to be presented at the user interface when illuminated, and to be hidden by the cover when not illuminated. The user interface may comprise a light display and an input device connected to a sensor. The icon may comprise an image. The cover thickness may be greater than the projection height. The component may comprise a steering wheel, console, floor console, center console, instrument panel, door panel, dashboard, display, armrest, or cockpit.

A device for operating a horn of a vehicle includes: a horn operation cover covering a top portion and a circumference of an airbag module mounted on a frame of a steering wheel of the vehicle, the horn operation cover configured to be moved downward or upward; a conductive plate spring having one end fixed to the frame and another end in contact with the horn operation cover; and a conductive contact terminal disposed under the plate spring such that a contact between the contact terminal and the plate spring is possible. When the horn operation cover is moved downward so as to press the other end of the plate spring, the plate spring electrically contacts the contact terminal, thereby operating the horn.

An assembly includes a housing (12) and a cover (20) that define a cavity (15). An air bag (22) is positioned in the cavity (15), and the cover (20) has hooks (46) that engage with the housing (12) to secure the cover (20) to the housing (12). The air bag (22) expands to absorb kinetic energy of a driver. The hooks (46) are energized into engagement with the housing (12) directly or indirectly by the air bag (22) as it expands.

A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a light guide to allow light transmission from a light source, and a cover to cover the light guide. The light guide may comprise an icon or indicator and the cover may comprise a depression or indentation in an inner surface of the cover. The icon/indicator of the light guide may comprise a light-transmissive resin material configured to fit within the depression/indentation in the cover. The icon/indicator may be presented when illuminated and hidden by the cover when not illuminated. The cover may comprise a polymer material coupled to the light guide. The cover may present a user interface. A surface of the cover may comprise an information region and/or a decorative region. The component may comprise a steering wheel, console, floor console, center console, instrument panel, door panel, dashboard, display, armrest, or cockpit.

A driver seat airbag may include: a mounting plate seated on a wheel armature; a cover coupled to the mounting plate so as to be lifted and lowered; an elastic member installed between the mounting plate and the cover to apply an elastic force to the cover; an electrode unit installed in the mounting plate; and a connector installed on the cover and connected to the electrode unit when the cover is lowered.

A steering wheel includes: a cylindrical slider which is disposed on an outer side of a support member so as to slide in a front-to-rear direction and which is biased to the rear; a cap member which covers at least respective rear end portions of the support member and the slider from the rear; a movable-side contact portion which is provided inside the cap member; an annular damper holder which is mounted inside the cap member; an annular elastic member which is interposed between the slider and the damper holder; a transmitting portion which is provided in an inner circumferential portion of the damper holder; and a movement catch portion which is provided on an outer circumferential portion of the slider so as to be positioned immediately before the transmitting portion and to which a forward movement of the damper holder is transmitted through the transmitting portion.

The present invention relates to a steering wheel component (2) and a steering wheel assembly comprising the steering wheel component (2). The steering wheel component (2) comprises an airbag door cover (21), wherein the airbag door cover (21) has an integral panel (210), wherein the panel (210) has a first area (31) for closing an airbag housing (22) and a second area (32), which is arranged beside the first area (31) and is configured as an operating surface for a multifunction switch (3).