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.

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.

The invention relates to a vehicle horn control system, installed on the steering wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a base part (10), a control device (52), which can move relative to the base part between a rest position and a depressed position, shock-absorbing means comprising a deformable part (31) made from an elastomer material, said means being arranged between the base part and the control device in order to absorb vibrations; and an electric circuit with at least one closed switch when the control device is in the rest 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.

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.

Disclosed is a method in which a first vehicle transmits a message in a wireless communication system. In the method, a message is generated on the basis of a user input with respect to a steering apparatus of the first vehicle, and the generated message is transmitted to at least one second vehicle present near the first vehicle by means of the wireless communication system on the basis of a transmission direction and transmission width for the message. The transmission direction and transmission width are determined on the basis of the user input.

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.

A damper unit for use in a vibration-reducing assembly for a steering wheel is disclosed. The damper unit includes a slider configured, upon horn activation, to slide on a guide shaft. A damper element made from an elastomeric material is arranged on a first part of the slider. A molded horn spring element is molded directly on a second part of the slider and is configured to exert a spring force on the slider. The damper unit provides a unitary structure providing both a vibration damping function and a horn spring function in one single assembly unit, reducing the number of components to assemble. A vibration-reducing damper assembly including one or more such damper units is also disclosed, as well as a method of making such a damper unit.

A mounting structure for a driver-seat airbag device for mounting an airbag device to a main body of a steering wheel, the mounting structure includes: a core metal provided on the main body of the steering wheel; and a base plate mounted to the core metal; a snap pin, provided on the airbag device, the snap pin protruding toward the base plate; a separate holding member mounted to a mounting portion of the base plate; and a clip engaged with the holding member, wherein the snap pin is held by the holding member and is engaged with the clip so that the airbag device is mounted to the main body.

The electronic communication system for a vehicle includes a processor, a memory, an audio output device, a power supply, and a controller. The electronic communication system for a vehicle is useful for storing and accessing sound files, which may include the brand name of an automobile, and emitting audible communications to the environment external to a vehicle.