Trw Limited

Glen P Margetak

Michael E Heidorn

Eric W Wright

An air bag module (22) is supported by a vehicle steering wheel (20) and includes an inflatable air bag (24). A rupturable cover (40) is supported by the steering wheel (20) to conceal the air bag (24) when the air bag is uninflated. A vehicle horn switch (60) is located between the cover (40) and the air bag (24) and includes a first conductor (80) connectable with one of a vehicle horn (62) and a source of electrical power (64). A second conductor (82) extends substantially parallel to and is spaced from the first conductor (80). The second conductor (82) is electrically connectable to the other of the source of electrical power (64) and the vehicle horn (62). The second conductor (82) is deflectable to contact the first conductor (80) to actuate the horn (62). A film structure (84, 86) encloses the first and second conductors (80, 82). First projections (100) are attached to the film structure (86). A plurality of force concentrators (120) on the cover (40) extend toward the switch (60) and cooperate with the first projections (100) to concentrate force applied to the cover (40) to an area of the film structure (86) to deflect the second conductor (82) into electrical contact with the first conductor (80).

Steering wheel with air bag cover and horn switch

A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering wheel unit (12) for use with a vehicle steering column (14). The steering wheel unit (12) has parts which are interconnected separately from the steering column (14). The interconnected parts of the steering wheel unit (12) include a steering wheel structure (40,190), an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (22), an inflator housing (160), and a cover (30) for covering the restraint (22) and the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40,190). The steering wheel structure (40,190) includes a rim (42), at least one spoke (44), and a hub plate (190) which supports the rim (42) and the spoke (44) for rotation about an axis (45). The hub plate (190) further functions as a reaction plate for supporting the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40). The cover (30) includes inner and outer cover parts (56,58) which respectively include inner and outer deployment door layers (80,82; 90,92) extending over the restraint. Each of the cover parts (56,58) is connected directly to the steering wheel structure (40,190).

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Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Glen P Margetak