Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel having a retaining portion of a resilient ring for forming elements for holding hooks on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel in zones of interaction with the hooks, a mounting portion of the resilient ring forming a mounting rotation axis to ensure the rotation of the resilient ring, the resilient ring further including a locking portion, wherein the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel includes a first stop which is arranged to block the movement of the locking portion of the resilient ring in a first direction perpendicular to the mounting rotation axis (Y).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel having a retaining portion of a resilient ring for forming elements for holding hooks on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel in zones of interaction with the hooks, a mounting portion of the resilient ring forming a mounting rotation axis to ensure the rotation of the resilient ring, the resilient ring further including a locking portion, wherein the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel includes a first stop which is arranged to block the movement of the locking portion of the resilient ring in a first direction perpendicular to the mounting rotation axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag module (1), comprising a housing (2), a cover (3) connected to the housing (2) for forming a receiving space, a gas generator (4) arranged in the receiving space, an airbag arranged in the receiving space and a plate (5) for securing the airbag module (1) on a steering wheel, characterized in that the housing (2), the cover (3), the gas generator (4) and the airbag form an assembly, which is connected to the plate (5) via at least one releasable securing device (6), wherein at least the cover (3) of the assembly and the plate (5) can be moved relative to one another in a parallel direction (7) in relation to the plate (5) when the securing device (6) is partially released, and are secured relative to one another in a parallel direction (7) in relation to the plate (5) when the securing device (6) is tightened.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit (10) for a motor vehicle having, a steering wheel body (12), an airbag module (20) accommodated in a hub region of the steering wheel body (12), which includes a housing (22), an inflator connected to the housing (22), and an airbag (29) folded into the housing (22), and at least three axial positioning units which define the axial position of the housing (22) when not pressed down with respect to the steering wheel body (12). Each of the three axial positioning units include an axial positioning element (40) connected on the module side to the housing (22), or an axial positioning element connected to the steering wheel body on the steering wheel body side, wherein the positioning element features a metal support unit (42). The at least three support units (42) are elements separate from each other.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit, including a steering wheel body (10), an airbag housing (30) in the hub region of the steering wheel body with an airbag (38); First positioning units (40) between the steering wheel body (10) and the airbag housing (30) that position the airbag housing (30) on the steering wheel body (10) in the axial direction; Second positioning units between the steering wheel body (10) and the airbag housing (30) position the airbag housing (30) on the steering wheel body (40) in the radial plane. The second positioning unit includes at least one positioning element (52, 62) having a contact surface (56, 66a, 66b), normal or surface normals are perpendicular to the axial direction; and an opposing contact surface (58, 68a, 68b) for the contact surface (56, 66a, 66b). The positioning element (52, 62) includes at least one elastically deformable positioning section (54, 64a, 64b).

Abstract: Driver airbag cushion assemblies comprising dampening means. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a driver airbag module, a steering wheel armature, and an intermediate plate positioned between the driver airbag module and the steering wheel armature. The assembly may further comprise one or more horn actuators, such as horn springs coupled to the airbag module, and one or more dampening members. The one or more dampening members may be used to couple two or more of the armature, plate, and airbag module together. In some embodiments, the dampening member(s) may be functionally and/or physically decoupled from the one or more horn actuators.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit, including a steering wheel body (10), an airbag housing (30) in the hub region of the steering wheel body with an airbag (38); First positioning units (40) between the steering wheel body (10) and the airbag housing (30) that position the airbag housing (30) on the steering wheel body (10) in the axial direction; Second positioning units between the steering wheel body (10) and the airbag housing (30) position the airbag housing (30) on the steering wheel body (40) in the radial plane. The second positioning unit includes at least one positioning element (52, 62) having a contact surface (56, 66a, 66b), normal or surface normals are perpendicular to the axial direction; and an opposing contact surface (58, 68a, 68b) for the contact surface (56, 66a, 66b). The positioning element (52, 62) includes at least one elastically deformable positioning section (54, 64a, 64b).

Abstract: A steering wheel unit (10) for a motor vehicle having, a steering wheel body (12), an airbag module (20) accommodated in a hub region of the steering wheel body (12), which includes a housing (22), an inflator connected to the housing (22), and an airbag (29) folded into the housing (22), and at least three axial positioning units which define the axial position of the housing (22) when not pressed down with respect to the steering wheel body (12). Each of the three axial positioning units include an axial positioning element (40) connected on the module side to the housing (22), or an axial positioning element connected to the steering wheel body on the steering wheel body side, wherein the positioning element features a metal support unit (42). The at least three support units (42) are elements separate from each other.

Abstract: Driver airbag cushion assemblies comprising dampening means. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a driver airbag module, a steering wheel armature, and an intermediate plate positioned between the driver airbag module and the steering wheel armature. The assembly may further comprise one or more horn actuators, such as horn springs coupled to the airbag module, and one or more dampening members. The one or more dampening members may be used to couple two or more of the armature, plate, and airbag module together. In some embodiments, the dampening member(s) may be functionally and/or physically decoupled from the one or more horn actuators.

Abstract: An airbag system (3) having a two-chamber airbag (4), wherein the main chamber has an impact surface (7) which the vehicle occupant can contact and a support surface (8) with the main chamber (5) supported on an interior fitting (2) of the vehicle. A secondary chamber (11) forms a support cushion for the main chamber (5), the main chamber (5) having a greater volume than the secondary chamber (11). The secondary chamber (11) is located between the support surface (8) and the interior fitting (2). The airbag (4) has an overflow protective element (24) between the main and secondary chambers (11). A first gas generator (16) inflates the main chamber (5) and a second gas generator (17) inflates the secondary chamber (11), wherein both generators (16, 17) or only the first generator (16) can be controlled for inflating the main chamber (5) as desired.

Abstract: An airbag system (3) having a two-chamber airbag (4), wherein the main chamber has an impact surface (7) which the vehicle occupant can contact and a support surface (8) with the main chamber (5) supported on an interior fitting (2) of the vehicle. A secondary chamber (11) forms a support cushion for the main chamber (5), the main chamber (5) having a greater volume than the secondary chamber (11). The secondary chamber (11) is located between the support surface (8) and the interior fitting (2). The airbag (4) has an overflow protective element (24) between the main and secondary chambers (11). A first gas generator (16) inflates the main chamber (5) and a second gas generator (17) inflates the secondary chamber (11), wherein both generators (16, 17) or only the first generator (16) can be controlled for inflating the main chamber (5) as desired.

Abstract: A safety arrangement includes an airbag housing, a cover and pair of horn contacts for actuating a vehicle horn. The airbag housing mounts to a steering wheel frame. The cover is resiliently mounted on the housing and spaced therefrom such that the cover may be depressed towards the housing to close the horn contacts. The housing and cover are hooked to one another for preventing subsequent disconnection of the cover from the housing upon release of the cover to open the horn contacts. A stop is mounted to one of the cover and the housing for movement between a operable position, in which the stop arrests relative movement of the cover and housing towards one another so as to prevent un-hooking of the cover from the housing, and an assembly position, in which the cover may be depressed sufficiently far towards the housing to allow un-hooking of the cover from the housing and consequent disconnection of the housing and cover upon release of the cover.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit for a motor vehicle. The steering wheel unit has a steering wheel and an airbag module (30) located in the hub area of the steering wheel. This airbag module forms a housing (32), an airbag (52) folded into the housing, and a gas generator (54). The airbag module can be pushed down against the force of at least one spring element to activate a horn, whereby positioning means are present which define the position of the airbag module in relation to the steering wheel. In order to achieve a high degree of operational reliability and a very exact positioning of the airbag module in the steering wheel, at least one retaining means (28;38,68) is present which acts between the airbag module and the steering wheel (28;38,68). This retaining means is ineffective in the absence of outer forces and when the airbag module (30) is pressed down to activate a horn.

Abstract: A steering wheel unit for a motor vehicle. The steering wheel unit has a steering wheel and an airbag module (30) located in the hub area of the steering wheel. This airbag module forms a housing (32), an airbag (52) folded into the housing, and a gas generator (54). The airbag module can be pushed down against the force of at least one spring element to activate a horn, whereby positioning means are present which define the position of the airbag module in relation to the steering wheel. In order to achieve a high degree of operational reliability and a very exact positioning of the airbag module in the steering wheel, at least one retaining means (28;38,68) is present which acts between the airbag module and the steering wheel (28;38,68). This retaining means is ineffective in the absence of outer forces and when the airbag module (30) is pressed down to activate a horn.

Abstract: A safety arrangement includes an airbag housing, a cover and pair of horn contacts for actuating a vehicle horn. The airbag housing mounts to a steering wheel frame. The cover is resiliently mounted on the housing and spaced therefrom such that the cover may be depressed towards the housing to close the horn contacts. The housing and cover are hooked to one another for preventing subsequent disconnection of the cover from the housing upon release of the cover to open the horn contacts. A stop is mounted to one of the cover and the housing for movement between a operable position, in which the stop arrests relative movement of the cover and housing towards one another so as to prevent un-hooking of the cover from the housing, and an assembly position, in which the cover may be depressed sufficiently far towards the housing to allow un-hooking of the cover from the housing and consequent disconnection of the housing and cover upon release of the cover.

Abstract: A method of folding an air-bag is disclosed. The air-bag is initially located in a substantially flat condition. Two side portions of the air-bag are rolled inwardly towards the gas generator and are then folded back (9, 10) towards the centre of the air-bag, thus releasing tension in the upper layer of fabric between the two rolls. The rolled regions are then themselves rolled inwards form the opposed ends thereof and are again finally turned back, again to release any tension in the central region of the fabric. Consequently, the central region of the fabric, which is located opposite the gas generator, is slack, enabling that part of the fabric to move away from the gas generator relatively easily when the gas generator is activated.