JP2007296922A - Horn device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a horn device for a vehicle capable of reducing manufacturing costs by simple assembly with a fingertip operation and reducing the number of parts. <P>SOLUTION: This horn device for a vehicle has a steering wheel body, a stationary plate 10, a movable plate 30, and a coil spring 60. The coil spring 60 is held by the movable plate 10, and an arm 61 extends from its end. A grip part 63 projecting from an outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 10 is formed in the middle. An engagement pawl 17 is formed on the stationary plate 10. When the movable plate 30 is pressed in the stationary plate 10, the engagement pawl 17 is engaged with the arm 61, so that the movable plate 30 can be connected with the stationary plate 10 by a fingertip operation. When the grip part 63 is pressed inside the movable plate 30, the arm 61 is flexed inward, so that engagement of the engagement pawl 17 and the arm 61 is canceled and the movable plate 30 is detached from the stationary plate 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle horn device that is provided, for example, in a steering wheel of an automobile and causes a horn to resonate.

  In general, a horn device for a vehicle is disposed at the inner central portion of a steering wheel of an automobile. When a horn pad that is a cover that covers the device is pressed, the horn device is activated and the horn resonates. ing. As a conventional horn device for a vehicle of this type, for example, a fixed plate supported by a steering wheel and a movable plate elastically supported on the fixed plate via a coil spring, both ends of the coil spring are held. The assembly is performed by connecting the movable plate and the fixed plate with bolts and nuts. However, in this conventional vehicle horn device, the movable plate and the fixed plate are connected using bolts, nuts, and the like, so that the work is complicated and troublesome.

  In order to cope with this, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a steering wheel main body, a fixed plate (frame body) fixed to the steering wheel main body, and a module that is disposed above the fixed plate and houses an airbag device. A cover, and a coil spring (biasing means) disposed between the fixing plate and the module cover, wherein the module cover is provided with a plurality of protrusions on the inner side of each side and on the outer side of the one side On the other hand, the fixing plate is provided with a standing wall along an outer peripheral edge thereof, and a plurality of engaging hole portions into which the projections are inserted and a notch into which the protruding piece is inserted. A steering wheel having a portion is disclosed. Further, a substantially U-shaped wire is elastically mounted on the outer periphery of the standing wall of the fixed plate.

When assembling the steering wheel, the coil spring is fixed to the fixing plate with screws in advance, and in this state, the module cover is pushed toward the fixing plate. Then, the projecting piece of the module cover enters the notch portion of the fixing plate, presses the wire on the outer periphery thereof and spreads it outward, and at the same time, the protrusions of the module cover enter the engaging hole portions of the fixing plate. When inserted and the protruding piece completely enters the notch, the wire is not pressed and elastically returns to its original position, and each protrusion inserted into the engagement hole is pressed from above and engaged. The module cover is prevented from being detached from the fixing plate via the wire so as not to be detached from the hole.
JP 2001-187575 A

  In the case of the above-mentioned patent document 1, since a bolt or the like is not used, the module cover can be assembled to the fixed plate relatively easily. However, after the coil spring is assembled to the fixed plate, a wire is further provided on the outer periphery of the fixed plate. There is a problem in installation workability. In addition, a wire must be manufactured separately from the coil spring, resulting in a disadvantage that the number of parts is large and the manufacturing cost is increased.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle horn device that can be easily assembled with a single touch and that can reduce the number of parts and reduce the manufacturing cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the first of the present invention is
The steering wheel body,
A fixed plate fixed to the steering wheel body,
A movable plate arranged so as to be close to and away from the fixed plate;
A coil spring disposed between the fixed plate and the movable plate and elastically biasing the movable plate in a direction away from the fixed plate;
The fixed plate side and the movable plate side are arranged, and when the movable plate is brought close to the fixed plate, a contact point that makes contact with each other to resonate the horn,
The coil spring is held by one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and an arm portion extends from an end portion thereof, and the middle of the arm portion protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the one plate. It is bent in a letter shape to form a knob part,
The one plate is formed with a holding portion that holds the arm portion so as to bend,
The other plate of the fixed plate and the movable plate extends toward the one plate, and when the one plate is pushed into the other plate, the coil spring of the arm portion An engagement claw is formed that engages with the knob portion and connects the one plate to the other plate so as to be close to and away from each other at a predetermined distance.
With the engaging claw engaged with the arm portion, the arm portion is pushed inward or pulled outward of the one plate, so that the arm portion is moved inwardly or outwardly of the one plate. The vehicle horn device is provided so that the engagement between the engagement claw and the arm portion can be released by being bent in the direction.

  According to the above invention, when one plate holding the coil spring is pushed into the other plate, the engaging claw extending from the other plate is engaged with the arm portion held by the holding portion. One plate can be easily connected to the other plate with one touch. Also, if you want to remove one plate from the other plate, push the knob inside the one plate or pull it outward to bend the arm inward or outward of one plate. The engagement between the engaging claw and the arm can be smoothly released, and the workability during removal can be improved.

  Further, the arm portion extends from the end portion of the coil spring, a part of the arm portion is bent to form a knob portion, and the arm portion and the knob portion are formed integrally with the coil spring. By simply attaching to the one plate, the arm portion and the knob portion can be arranged at predetermined positions, so that the attachment workability can be improved and the number of parts can be reduced to increase the manufacturing cost. Further, since the arm portion and the knob portion are integrated with the coil spring, it is possible to reliably prevent the arm portion and the knob portion from falling off.

  A second aspect of the present invention provides the vehicle horn device according to the first aspect, wherein the coil spring is held at a corner of the one plate.

  According to the said invention, since the coil spring is hold | maintained at the corner | angular part of one plate, the arm part extended from the edge part can be formed long. As a result, since the arm portion can be easily bent, the force required when the engaging claw of the other plate is engaged with and removed from the arm portion is reduced, and the arm portion can be attached and detached with a light operation.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the arm portion extends from an end portion of the coil spring along an outer edge portion of the one plate, and is engaged with the other plate. The knob portion is provided at the tip of the portion where the claw engages, the tip of the knob portion forms a locking end portion, and the support portion for contacting and supporting the locking end portion is provided on the one plate. A vehicle horn device is provided.

  According to the above invention, the locking end portion is provided in the vicinity of the tab portion of the arm portion, and this locking end portion is abutted and supported by the support portion of one of the plates, so that the tab portion serves as an action point. When pushing and pulling, the arm part is bent with the locking end supported by the support part as a fulcrum, so the arm part can be greatly bent, and the engagement between the coil spring of the arm part and the knob part It is possible to easily remove the engaging claws of the other plate.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the one plate is provided with a projecting piece to be inserted into the inner periphery of the coil spring, and the tip of the projecting piece is coiled. Provided is a vehicle horn device configured to bend radially outward of a spring and enter a gap between wound wire rods forming the coil spring so as to hold the coil spring rotatably. It is.

  According to the above invention, since the coil spring is rotatably held, when the knob portion is bent, the coil spring rotates along with it, and the bending length of the arm portion can be increased. It is possible to make the arm portion easier to bend.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a fitting hole is formed in the steering wheel body, the fixing plate is formed of a synthetic resin, and the fitting hole is formed in the fitting hole. A fitting claw that is inserted and fitted is projected toward the steering wheel body, and an insertion hole or a gap is formed in a portion adjacent to the fitting claw. An insertion piece extends toward the fixed plate, and the insertion piece extends so that it is inserted into the insertion hole or gap of the fixed plate when the engaging claw is engaged with the arm portion. The vehicle horn device is provided.

  According to the above invention, the fixed plate and the movable plate are steered by engaging the fitting pawl of the fixed plate with the fitting hole of the steering hole main body and engaging the engaging pawl of the fixed plate with the arm portion of the movable plate. When mounted on the wheel body, the movable plate insertion piece is inserted into the insertion hole or gap at the position adjacent to the fixed plate fitting claw. It is possible to reliably prevent the claw from being bent and disengaged from the fitting hole, and to firmly fix the fixing plate to the steering wheel body. In addition, since the fixed plate is made of synthetic resin, it can be reliably insulated from the contact provided on the movable plate, and malfunction of the horn can be prevented.

  According to the vehicle horn device of the present invention, the engaging claw that extends from the other plate to the arm portion held by the holding portion by simply pushing one plate holding the coil spring into the other plate. Are engaged, and one plate can be easily connected to the other plate with one touch. Also, when the knob part is pushed into the inside of one plate or pulled outward, the arm part is bent inward or outward of one plate, and the engagement between the engaging claw and the arm part is released, One plate can be smoothly removed from the other plate.

  Further, the arm part extends from the end of the coil spring, and a part of the arm part is bent to form a knob part, and the arm part and the knob part are formed integrally with the coil spring. By simply attaching to the plate, the arm and knob can be placed in place, improving the mounting workability, reducing the number of parts and improving the manufacturing cost, and the arm and knob. Can be reliably prevented from falling off.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1-8, one Embodiment of the horn apparatus for vehicles of this invention is described.

  This vehicle horn device (hereinafter referred to as “horn device”) is used, for example, in a steering wheel of an automobile. Referring to FIG. 1, the horn device includes a steering wheel main body 1, a fixed plate 10 fixed to the steering wheel main body 1, and a movable plate 30 disposed so as to be able to approach and separate from the fixed plate 10. A coil spring 60 is provided between the fixed plate 10 and the movable plate 30 and elastically biases the movable plate 30 in a direction away from the fixed plate 10. A front cover 70 having a horn pad 71 and a cylindrical case 72 extending from the lower surface thereof is mounted above the movable plate 30 (occupant side), and between the front cover 70 and the movable plate 30. Further, an airbag device 75 is accommodated. The airbag module 9 is the movable plate 30 to which the coil spring 60 is attached and the front cover 70 is mounted in a state where the airbag device 75 is accommodated. Further, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, “upward” means the upper side (ie, the occupant side) in FIG. 1, and “downward” means the lower side (ie, the vehicle body side) of FIG. “Front” means the front window side, and “rear” means the rear window side.

  Explaining each component, the steering wheel main body 1 has a substantially annular shape, and a plurality of spoke portions 2 extend from the inner periphery thereof toward the central direction, and a metal support plate 3 is interposed through the spoke portions 2. Are connected. A box-like back side cover 4 having an upper opening through the spoke portion 2 is attached to the back side (lower side in FIG. 1) of the support plate 3, and cooperates with the front side cover 70. It covers the components. The support plate 3 is provided with a pair of fitting holes 5 and 5 having a long hole shape with a predetermined interval along one side thereof, and the same is applied to the other side facing the one side. The fitting hole 5 having a shape is provided so as to be positioned between the pair of fitting holes 5. A fitting claw 13 to be described later is inserted into and fitted into the fitting hole 5, and the fixing plate 10 is fixed to the support plate 3. Cylindrical pins 6 protrude from the four corners of the support plate 3, and the pin 6 is provided with one contact 7 of the horn operating circuit (see FIG. 8). In addition, tool insertion holes 8 and 8 having a predetermined diameter are provided in opposite side walls of the back cover 4. For example, a tool such as a flat-blade screwdriver is inserted into the tool insertion holes 8 and 8 so that a push-pull operation of the knob portion 63 described later can be performed.

  A fixed plate 10 is disposed above the support plate 3. 2 to 4 together, the fixing plate 10 has a substantially rectangular frame shape having an opening 11 in the center, and a notch 12 having a predetermined size is formed in a part of the outer periphery. . 2 and 4 show the fixed plate 10 upward and the movable plate 30 downward for convenience.

  A plurality of fitting claws 13 protrude toward the support plate 3 on the back side (support plate 3 side) of the fixed plate 10 on both sides in the front-rear direction, corresponding to the fitting holes 5 of the support plate 3. It is installed. That is, a pair of fitting claws 13 and 13 are provided on the front side of the fixed plate 10 along the inner peripheral edge adjacent to the opening 11 at a predetermined interval, and on the rear side facing the above, The fitting claw 13 is provided so as to protrude from the inner peripheral edge adjacent to the opening 11 while being positioned between the pair of fitting claws 13 and 13. Each fitting claw 13 includes a column portion 13a erected from the end face of each piece of the fixed plate 10, and a claw portion 13b protruding from the tip of the column portion 13a toward the cutout portion 12 side. The outer surface of each claw portion 13b on the side of the notch 12 is formed with a tapered surface 13c that becomes gradually thinner toward the tip, and is easily inserted into the fitting hole 5 of the support plate 3. As described above, as a result of forming the claw portion 13 b toward the notch portion 12, each fitting claw 13 is placed on the inner periphery of the fitting hole 5 when inserted into the fitting hole 5 of the support plate 3. When pressed, it bends to the opposite side of the notch 12.

  In addition, at positions adjacent to the side of the pair of fitting claws 13 formed in the front side of the fixed plate 10 in the bending direction, insertion holes 14 and 14 having a long hole shape wider than the column portion 13a are provided. The insertion piece 34 of the movable plate 30 to be described later is inserted and is adjacent to the outer side of the fitting claw 13 in the bending direction. On the other hand, since the fitting claw 13 formed on the rear side opposite to the above has an air gap in the opening 11 on the bending direction side, the insertion piece 34 of the movable plate 30 is also adjacent in this case. It has become. Further, pin insertion holes 15 for inserting the pins 6 formed on the support plate 3 are formed at the respective corners of the fixed plate 10.

  On the other hand, on the front side (movable plate 30 side) of the fixed plate 10, engagement claws 17 that engage with arm portions 61 described later are provided on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the pair of sides toward the movable plate 30. Oppositely projecting. Each engaging claw 17 is substantially in the middle in the length direction of both left and right sides, and a column portion 17a standing from the outer peripheral edge of both sides, and a claw portion protruding from the column portion 17a toward the inside of the fixed plate 10 17b. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each claw portion 17b has a tapered surface 17c whose side surface located inside the fixed plate 10 becomes gradually thinner toward the tip, and smoothly introduces the arm portion 61. Thus, the claw portion 17b is easily engaged with the arm portion 61. Further, both side surfaces along the extending direction of each claw portion 17 b are arc-shaped end surfaces 17 d that are slightly rounded in an arc shape, and when engaging the engaging claw 17 with the arm portion 61, It is made difficult to catch on both side edges of a notch groove 38 (described later) of the movable plate 30 disposed in a state where the portion 61 is exposed. A cylindrical boss 18 for supporting one end of the coil spring 60 is provided at each corner on the front side of the fixed plate 10 and around the pin insertion hole 15.

  The fixed plate 10 in this embodiment is made of synthetic resin, and insulates the support plate 3 disposed below the fixed plate 10 and the movable plate 30 disposed above. It is possible to do.

  A movable plate 30 is disposed above the fixed plate 10 so as to be able to approach and separate from the fixed plate 10 via a coil spring 60. Referring to FIG. 2, the movable plate 30 is made of a metal plate and has a substantially similar shape to the fixed plate 10. That is, the movable plate 30 has a substantially rectangular frame shape having an opening 31 at the center, and a notch 32 having a predetermined size is formed in a part of the outer periphery. An L-shaped hook 33 is extended from one peripheral edge of the notch 32 so that a harness or the like can be attached.

  From the back side (the fixed plate 10 side) of the movable plate 30, a plurality of insertion pieces 34 are erected toward the fixed plate 10 corresponding to the insertion holes 14 of the fixed plate 10. That is, of the pair of sides facing the front and rear of the movable plate 30, a pair of insertion pieces 34, 34 are erected on the front side at a predetermined interval along the inner peripheral edge adjacent to the opening 31. Has been. On the other hand, also from the rear side of the movable plate 30, one insertion piece 34 is erected from the inner peripheral edge adjacent to the opening 31 and located in the middle of the pair of insertion pieces 34 and 34. Cuts 35, 35 are formed on both sides of the base of each insertion piece 34. As shown in FIG. 7, each insertion piece 34 is configured so that the arm plate 61 of the coil spring 60 engages with the engagement claw 17 and the movable plate 30 is connected to the fixed plate 10. The length extends to the insertion hole 14 and the gap (meaning the opening 11), and in the present embodiment, the leading end extends to the fitting hole 5 of the support plate 3 and is fitted. It becomes a part which controls the bending of the nail | claw 13. Tapered surfaces 34 a and 34 a are formed on both sides of the distal end portion of each insertion piece 34 so as to become narrower toward the distal end to facilitate insertion into the insertion hole 14. Further, reinforcing ribs 36 are erected at a predetermined height toward the fixed plate 10 at the periphery of the opening 31 other than the portion where the insertion piece 34 is provided.

  On both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to both the front and rear sides of the movable plate 30, a notch groove 38 is formed with a predetermined width from the outer peripheral edge to the inside substantially in the middle of the length direction. This notch groove 38 is used to expose a part of an arm portion 61 of a spring 60 described later from the outer edge portion of the movable plate 30, whereby the engaging claw 17 is moved from the outside of the movable plate 30 to the arm portion 61. Can be engaged. Further, the notch groove 38 is provided between a portion for holding a coil spring 60 to be described later and a slit 43 to be described later for projecting and holding the knob portion, as shown in FIG. The engaging claw 17 is adapted to engage between the coil spring 60 of the arm portion 61 and the knob portion 63.

  Further, in a position adjacent to the notch groove 38 provided on both the left and right sides, after extending in the outward direction of the movable plate 30, it is bent downward and further bent inward, and substantially when viewed from the side. A presser piece 40 having a U-shape is provided. The presser piece 40 holds the arm portion 61 so as to be slidable on the inner side of the presser piece 40, prevents the arm portion 61 from coming off in the vertical direction, and further restricts the arm portion 61 from projecting to the outside of the movable plate 30. It is a part which permits bending to the inside of the movable plate 30.

  Except for the notch groove 38, the pressing piece 40, and the notch portion 32, ribs 41 are erected on the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30 at a predetermined height toward the fixed plate 10. The rib 41 reinforces the movable plate 30 in the same manner as the rib 36 provided on the periphery of the opening 31.

  The ribs 41 provided on the left and right sides of the movable plate 30 are formed with slits 43 extending from the position close to the notch groove 38 along the circumferential direction of the movable plate 30 by a predetermined length. The slit 43 slidably holds a knob portion 63 of the arm portion 61 which will be described later and also prevents the upper portion from coming off. Further, the knob portion 63 projects from the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30 through the slit 43.

  In the case of this embodiment, the holding portion in the present invention means the slit 43 of the rib 41 provided on the left and right sides and the pressing piece 40, and the arm portion 61 is moved to the inside or outside of the movable plate 30. It is held so that it can be bent.

  A small-diameter cutout hole 44 is formed around the slit 43 on both the left and right sides of the movable plate 30, and the support portion 45 having a substantially L shape is formed by raising the cutout hole 44. It stands up toward the fixed plate 10. The support portion 45 includes an upright piece 45a erected from the periphery of the notch hole 44 and a bent piece 45b bent from the upright piece 45a to the outside of the movable plate 30. The locking end portion 65 is supported by the standing piece 45a, and the bent piece 45b is used to prevent the locking end portion 65 from coming off in the vertical direction.

  A holding hole 47 is formed at each corner of the movable plate 30 at a position corresponding to the boss 18 provided on the upper surface side of the fixed plate 10. A protruding piece 48 protrudes toward the fixed plate 10 from the inner peripheral edge of the holding hole 47 in the circumferential direction, and the protruding piece 48 supports the inner periphery of the end of the coil spring 60. Become. Further, in a state where the inner periphery of the end of the coil spring 60 is supported by the projecting piece 48, the tip 49 of the projecting piece 48 is bent outward in the radial direction of the coil spring 60 as shown in FIG. The distal end portion 49 is configured to enter the gap between the wound wire rods forming the portion 60. Thus, the coil spring 60 is prevented from coming off in the vertical direction and is held so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the holding hole 47.

  Further, a cylindrical pin 50 is provided in the vicinity of the holding hole 47 at each corner of the movable plate 30 at a position corresponding to the pin insertion hole 15 of the fixed plate 10. Is provided with the other contact 51 of the horn operating circuit.

  A coil spring 60 that is held at each corner of the fixed plate 10 and elastically biases the fixed plate 10 in a direction away from the movable plate 30 is formed by winding a metal wire at a predetermined pitch. ing. In the present invention, an arm portion 61 extending from the end portion of the coil spring 60 by a predetermined length is provided, and in addition, the middle of the arm portion 61 is bent in a U shape so as to protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30. Thus, a knob portion 63 is formed. The arm portion 61 is formed to extend along the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30 when the coil spring 60 is held at one corner of the movable plate 30. Further, the distal end of the knob portion 63 bent in a U-shape is folded back so as to be substantially parallel to the arm portion 61 and extended by a predetermined length, and is a locking end portion supported by the support portion 45 of the movable plate 30. 65. As described above, the arm portion 61 is extended from the end portion of the coil spring 60, the knob portion 63 is formed from the middle of the arm portion 61, and the locking end portion 65 is formed from the tip of the knob portion 63. Therefore, the coil spring 60 is integrally formed with an arm portion 61, a knob portion 63, and a locking end portion 65. In the case where the arm portion and the like are integrally formed on the coil spring 60, the coil spring 60 is held at the upper corners on both the left and right sides of the movable plate 30 and assembled along the left and right sides of the movable plate 30. However, a single coil spring is assembled to the lower corners of the left and right sides of the movable plate 30.

  Then, in a state where the coil spring 60 is held in the holding hole 47 of the movable plate 30, the arm portion 61 is arranged along the inner peripheral edge of the rib 41 and introduced into the inside of the presser piece 40, whereby the arm portion 61 is moved. The knob portion 63 is protruded to the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30 through the slit 43 while being held so as to bend, and the locking end portion 65 is in contact with and supported by the support portion 45 to be assembled to the movable plate 30. The state is shown in FIG. 5A. In this state, the arm 61 is exposed from the notch groove 38, so that the engaging claw 17 can be engaged with the arm 61. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the coil spring 60 is compressed and disposed between the movable plate 30 and the fixed plate 10, so that the movable plate 30 is elastically moved away from the fixed plate 10. At the same time, the movable plate 30 is connected to the fixed plate 10 so as to be close to and away from each other at a predetermined distance. At this time, the contact 7 on the fixed plate side and the contact 51 on the movable plate side are separated as shown in FIG. 8A, and the operating circuit of the horn is open.

  When the coil spring 60, the arm portion 61, the knob portion 63, and the locking end portion 65 are assembled to the movable plate 30, the knob portion 63 projects from the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30, and the arm portion 61 further Since it is held so as to be able to bend by the holding portion composed of the rib 36 and the pressing piece 40, the arm portion 61 formed integrally with the knob portion 63 is moved in a predetermined direction by applying an external force by pushing the knob portion 63. Can be bent. Moreover, since the arm part 61 is extended from the edge part of the coil spring 60, the elastic force from the coil spring 60 acts, As a result, external force acts on the knob part 63. When it disappears, it is elastically returned to the outer side of the movable plate 30 by the elastic force. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the knob portion 63 is pushed in from the outside to the inside, the locking end portion 65 abutted and supported by the support portion 45 becomes a fulcrum. Thus, the arm portion 61 can be bent inward. In this embodiment, the arm portion 61 is bent inward with the locking end portion 65 as a fulcrum. However, the arm portion 61 may be bent outward by pulling the knob portion 63 outward. Good.

  Next, a method for assembling the horn device of the present invention will be described.

  First, the arm portion 61 is introduced inside the presser piece 40, the arm portion 61 is disposed along the inner periphery of the ribs 41 of both the left and right pieces of the movable plate 30, and the knob portion 63 protrudes from the slit 43. The locking end portion 65 is brought into contact with and supported by the support portion 45, and the arm portion 61, the knob portion 63, and the locking end portion 65 are disposed at predetermined positions. Then, one end portion of the coil spring 60 is supported on the projecting piece 48 projecting from the peripheral edge of the holding hole 47 of the movable plate 30, and in this state, a force is applied from the inside to the distal end portion 49 of the projecting piece 48. The spring 60 is bent to the outer periphery in the radial direction so as to enter the gap between the wires, and the coil spring 60 is rotatably held. This operation is performed on both the left and right sides of the movable plate 30, and the other corners are attached with the coil spring alone by the above procedure, and the coil spring 60 is attached to each corner of the movable plate 30.

  In the above state, the airbag device 75 is placed above the movable plate 30, and the front side cover 70 is covered from above, and the lower end portion of the cylindrical case 72 is abutted against the upper surface of the movable plate 30. The airbag module 9 is configured by attaching the front cover 70 to the movable plate 30 by engaging means (not shown) in a state where the bag device 75 is accommodated. Further, even when the front cover 70 is pressed from above, the airbag device 75 is not pressed, and when the front cover 70 is pressed, the movable plate 30 is pressed. In this state, the coil spring 60 is suspended from below the movable plate 30, the arm portion 61 is exposed from the notch groove 38, and the knob portion 63 projects from the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30 through the slit 43. It has become a state.

  On the other hand, by aligning each fitting claw 13 of the fixed plate 10 with each fitting hole 5 of the support plate 3 of the steering wheel main body 1 and pushing it in from above, the tapered surface 13 c is formed on the inner periphery of the fitting hole 5. When pressed, the fitting claw 13 bends in the opposite direction to the notch 12, and when the claw 13 b reaches the back side of the fitting hole 5, the claw 13 b is elastically restored. The fixing plate 10 is fixed to the support plate 3 by fitting. In this state, each engagement claw 17 of the fixed plate 10 is protruded toward the movable plate 30.

  And each insertion piece 34 extended toward the fixing plate 10 from the lower part of the airbag module 9 is aligned with each insertion hole 14 and space | gap of the fixing plate 10, and the lower end part of each coil spring 60 is made to correspond. The airbag module 9 is set above the fixed plate 10 by being inserted and supported in the bosses 18 of the fixed plate 10. In this state, the airbag module 9 is pushed into the fixed plate 10 against the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 60. Then, the arm portion 61 is pressed by the taper surface 17c of the engaging claw 17 and bent to the inside of the movable plate 30. When the claw portion 17b of the engaging claw 17 reaches the arm portion 61, the arm portion 61 is elastically restored. While expanding to the outside of the movable plate 30 and engaging with the claw portion 17b (see FIGS. 4 and 5A), the insertion piece 34 of the movable plate 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 14 and the gap ( The airbag module 9 is attached to the fixed plate 10 by being inserted into the opening 11).

  Thus, according to this horn device, the engagement claw 17 is engaged with the arm portion 61 simply by pushing the movable plate 30 into the fixed plate 10, so that the airbag module 9 can be connected via the movable plate 30. It can be easily connected to the fixed plate 10 with one touch. The arm portion 61 involved in the engagement with the fixed plate 10 extends from the end of the coil spring 60 and is formed integrally with the coil spring 60, so that the coil spring 60 is attached to the movable plate 30. Only the arm portion 61 can be disposed at a predetermined position. As in the above cited reference 1, the coil spring and the wire that contributes to the attachment of the module cover and the fixing plate are separately provided, and it is not necessary to attach them separately, and the attachment workability can be improved. The manufacturing cost can be improved by reducing the number of parts.

  Moreover, in the said state, as shown in FIG. 7, the insertion piece 34 of the movable plate 30 is inserted in the opening 11 which is the insertion hole 14 or the space | gap in the position adjacent to the fitting nail | claw 13 of the fixed plate 10. FIG. Since it extends to the position of the fitting surface 13d of the fitting claw 13, for example, even if the fixing plate 10 is formed of a synthetic resin, the bending of the fitting claw 13 is restricted and the fitting hole 5 is not bent. It is possible to reliably prevent the separation, and the fixing plate 10 can be firmly fixed to the steering wheel body 1.

  In a state where the airbag module 9 is fixed to the support plate 3, the movable plate 30 is elastically biased by the compressed coil spring 60, and as shown in FIG. When the driver presses the movable plate 30 against the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 60 through the front cover 70, the contact 51 on the movable plate side is separated from FIG. ), The contact 7 and the contact 51 come into contact with each other, the horn switch operating circuit is closed, and the horn can be resonated.

  Further, when the airbag device 75 is activated, the horn pad 71 is broken and the airbag pops out to protect the occupant. In this case, the front cover 70 and the airbag device 75 are replaced. There is a need to. At that time, the airbag module 9 is removed from the fixed plate 10.

  At that time, in the present invention, the knob portion 63 is configured to protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the movable plate 30, and therefore can be removed by the following procedure. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, from the state in which the engaging claw 17 is engaged with the arm portion 61 and the movable plate 30 is connected to the fixed plate 10, the back cover 4 is connected as shown in FIG. When the rod-shaped tool T is inserted from the tool insertion hole 8 provided in the shaft and the knob portion 63 is pushed in, the locking end portion 65 abutted and supported by the support portion 45 becomes a fulcrum and the knob portion 63 acts. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5B, the arm portion 61 connected to the knob portion 63 is greatly bent to the inside of the movable plate 30, and the engagement between the engaging claw 17 and the arm portion 61 is released. can do.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the knob portion 63 is bent in a U shape, and the distance from the bent top portion to the knob portion 63 is L, which has a relatively large distance. Therefore, when the pressing force indicated by the symbol F is applied from the tool T, a large bending moment can be applied to the knob portion 63 with the locking end portion 65 as a fulcrum. As a result, the arm portion 61 can be bent to the inside of the movable plate 30 by a larger distance, and the engagement between the engagement claw 17 and the arm portion 61 can be smoothly released.

  In this way, the engagement between the engaging claw 17 and the arm portion 61 can be smoothly released simply by pushing the knob portion 63 with the tool T. Therefore, the movable plate 30 can be easily detached from the fixed plate 10, and the removal workability is improved. To improve. In addition, after finishing pushing in with respect to the knob part 63 with the tool T, the arm part 61 is elastically restored by the elastic urging | biasing force of the coil spring 60, and is arrange | positioned in the inner periphery of the rib 41 again.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the coil spring 60 is hold | maintained at the corner | angular part of the movable plate 30, the arm part 61 extended from the edge part can be formed long. As a result, the arm portion 61 can be easily bent, so that the force required for engaging and disengaging the engaging claw 17 with the arm portion 61 can be reduced, and the arm portion 61 can be attached and detached with a light operation.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the coil spring 60 is rotatably held, when the knob portion 63 is bent, the coil spring 60 is rotated accordingly, and the bending length of the arm portion 61 is increased. The arm 61 can be bent more easily.

  In the above embodiment, the coil spring 60 and the arm portion 61 are attached to the movable plate 30 and the engaging claw 17 is provided on the fixed plate 10. However, in the present invention, the coil spring 60 and the arm portion 61 are provided. Is attached to the fixed plate 10, the engaging claw 17 is provided on the movable plate 30, and when the movable plate 30 is pushed toward the fixed plate 10, the engaging claw of the movable plate 30 is attached to the coil attached to the fixed plate 10. You may make it engage with the arm part 61 of the spring 60. FIG.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the pin 6 protrudes from the four corners of the support plate 3 of the steering wheel main body 1 and the contact 7 is provided, this contact 7 can also be attached to the fixed plate 10, for example. It may be attached to any member on the fixed plate side. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the pin 50 protrudes from the periphery of the holding hole 47 of the movable plate 30 to provide the contact 51. However, the contact 51 can be provided on the lower surface of the airbag device 75, for example. May be attached to any member on the movable plate side.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the horn apparatus for vehicles of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state before the assembly | attachment of the stationary plate and movable plate | board of the horn apparatus for vehicles. It is a perspective view which shows the stationary plate of the horn apparatus for vehicles. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached the stationary plate and movable plate of the horn apparatus for vehicles. The assembled state of the horn apparatus for vehicles is shown, (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the arm part and the engaging claw engaged, (b) is engagement with an arm part and an engaging claw. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state cancelled | released. It is sectional drawing in the AA arrow line of Fig.5 (a). It is sectional drawing in the assembly | attachment state of the horn apparatus for vehicles in the BB arrow line of FIG. The operation | movement state of the horn of the horn apparatus for vehicles is shown, (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state before operation | movement, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel main body 5 Fitting hole 9 Airbag module 10 Fixed plate 13 Fitting claw 14 Insertion hole 17 Engagement claw 30 Movable plate 34 Insertion piece 45 Support part 48 Protrusion piece 49 Tip part 60 Coil spring 61 Arm part 63 Knob 65 Locking end 70 Front cover 75 Airbag device

Claims (5)

The steering wheel body,
A fixed plate fixed to the steering wheel body,
A movable plate arranged so as to be close to and away from the fixed plate;
A coil spring disposed between the fixed plate and the movable plate and elastically biasing the movable plate in a direction away from the fixed plate;
The fixed plate side and the movable plate side are arranged, and when the movable plate is brought close to the fixed plate, a contact point that makes contact with each other to resonate the horn,
The coil spring is held by one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and an arm portion extends from an end portion thereof, and the middle of the arm portion protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the one plate. It is bent in a letter shape to form a knob part,
The one plate is formed with a holding portion that holds the arm portion so as to bend,
The other plate of the fixed plate and the movable plate extends toward the one plate, and when the one plate is pushed into the other plate, the coil spring of the arm portion An engagement claw is formed that engages with the knob portion and connects the one plate to the other plate so as to be close to and away from each other at a predetermined distance.
With the engaging claw engaged with the arm portion, the arm portion is pushed inward or pulled outward of the one plate, so that the arm portion is moved inwardly or outwardly of the one plate. The vehicle horn device is configured so that the engagement between the engagement claw and the arm portion can be released by bending the engagement claw in the direction.   The vehicle horn device according to claim 1, wherein the coil spring is held at a corner of the one plate.   The arm portion extends from an end portion of the coil spring along an outer edge portion of the one plate, and the knob portion is provided at a tip of a portion where the engaging claw of the other plate is engaged, The vehicle horn device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a tip portion of the knob portion forms a locking end portion, and a support portion that abuts and supports the locking end portion is provided on the one plate.   The one plate is provided with a projecting piece to be inserted into the inner periphery of the coil spring, and the tip of the projecting piece is bent outward in the radial direction of the coil spring to form the coil spring. The horn device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the horn device is configured to be inserted into a gap of a wire and to hold the coil spring rotatably. A fitting hole is formed in the steering wheel body,
The fixing plate is formed of a synthetic resin, and a fitting claw that is inserted into the fitting hole to be fitted protrudes toward the steering wheel body, and is different from a portion adjacent to the fitting claw. A hole or void is formed,
The movable plate has an insertion piece extending toward the fixed plate, and the insertion piece has an insertion hole or gap in the fixed plate when the engaging claw is engaged with the arm portion. The vehicle horn device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the horn device is extended so as to be inserted into the vehicle.

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