Petri Ag

Takata Petri Ag

Helmut Bonn

Gregor Zeller

Michael Germuth-L&ouml;ffler

Egon Schlett

Harald Burdack

Ulrich Zawidzki

Uwe Esskuchen

Gerhard H&ouml;ssbacher

The invention relates to a switch provided with self-cleaning contacts used, in particular for actuating a horn for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The inventive switch comprises at least two opposite contacts one of which is movable and touches the opposite contact by means of an actuating element. The self-cleaning of the contacts is carried out by the reciprocal sliding thereof, the contact associated with the actuating element is fixed to a supporting element which is embodied in such a way that it is elastic and fixed to an end, an opposite end being free and moveable. Said invention is characterized in that the supporting element from the fixing side outward has an inclined line with respect to the direction of actuation in the direction of said actuating element, and subsequently in the direction of the free end thereof. A line is also inclined in the direction of the free end thereof with respect to the direction of actuation starting from the actuating element.

Switch provided with self-cleaning contacts

The invention relates to a switching device for a vehicle horn of a vehicle having an actuation element by means of which the vehicle horn is triggered when pressure is applied by an operator. In order to make the switching device particularly user-friendly, the invention provides for the actuation element to be mounted on a pantograph device in such a way that the actuation element can move exclusively in a direction which is predefined by the pantograph device.

Switching device for a vehicle horn

A steering wheel for motor vehicle that includes at least one switching device for actuating an electric functional group such as, for example, a vehicle horn. The switching device includes two electric contact elements that can be moved in relation to one another and can be brought into contact with one another for actuating the functional group. According to the invention, one of the contact elements is mounted in a springy manner and so that one of the contact elements glides along the other element after the two contact elements have been brought into contact with one another for actuating the electric functional group.

Steering wheel having a switching device for actuating an electrical functional group of a motor vehicle

The invention relates to a device for transmitting electric current between two components, which twist in relation to one another, of a steering device for motor vehicles. The inventive device comprises a rotor which is assigned to the steering wheel and which can turn together with the same, a stator which is assigned to a stationary subassembly of the motor vehicle, and at least one flexible printed circuit board which runs from the rotor to the stator. When the steering wheel is turned, said printed circuit board can, according to the direction of turning, be wound onto a winding element or unwound therefrom. In addition, the printed circuit board comprises a flat flexible support on which the conductor tracks run from the stator to the rotor. According to the invention, each opposing surface ( ) of the flexible support ( ) is provided with conductor tracks ( ) running from the stator to the rotor.

Device for transmitting electric current between two components of a steering device for motor vehicles

A steering wheel assembly has an electrical switching device that can be used, for example, for activating a horn or any other electrically run devices. The electrical switching device includes first and second electrical contact elements. At least one of the first and second contact elements can be formed of an electrically conductive synthetic material and a metal conductor at least partially embedded therein. The synthetic material forms a contact surface. The steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel base, an airbag module having a housing displaceable relative to the steering wheel base. The first contact element can be arranged on the base, and the second contact element can be arranged on either the base or the displaceable member. The housing can comprise a carrier for housing a gas generator and an airbag, and a cover connected to the carrier for covering the carrier. The second contact element can be arranged either on the base or on the carrier and/or the cover.

Steering wheel assembly and a switching device thereof

A steering wheel includes a rim having a structural core, an outer casing, and a heating device for heating the outer casing. The core includes a frame and an insulating layer formed around the frame. The heating device includes a layer of electrically conductive plastic surrounding the core, and a pair of electrodes extending along the length of the conductive layer. The electrodes extend substantially along the entire peripheral length of the conductive layer, and the conductive layer encapsulates the insulating layer and the electrodes. The conductive layer heats the outer casing, which can be a decorative layer comprised of one or more of wood, leather, film, and lacquer, when current flows through the electrodes. The electrodes are positioned along the conductive layer to allow current to uniformly pass along the periphery of the steering wheel rim into the conductive layer.

Heatable steering wheel, and rim and method thereof

The invention relates to a heating element for a part of an automobile which is held, especially the steering wheel. The heating element consists of a textile support with at least one heating resistor. According to the invention, a knitted textile support is used.

Heating element for a part of an automobile which is held, especially the steering wheel

The invention relates to a heating device for a moveable part of a motor vehicle such as an automobile which can be held, such as a steering wheel. The heater is connected to a source of electrical energy in a stationary part of the vehicle by a contact unit having a stator and a rotor. A voltage converter of the heating device is provided in the stationary part of the vehicle, before the contact unit or in the stator of the contact unit. The voltage converter enables the generation of a higher voltage than the normal 12 volt standard voltage of the vehicle.

Heating device for heating a moveable part of an automobile, especially a steering wheel heater

A device for determining the angular position of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle uses a steering angle sensor and an electronic evaluation device for determining the angular position. The steering angle sensor is integrated in a contact unit for transmitting energy and data from stationary subassemblies of the vehicle to the steering wheel and vice versa. Preferably, the steering angle sensor is disposed as part of a stator and rotor in a contact unit which operates in a contactless manner and comprises the stator and the rotor. In this way, the steering angle sensor does not require any additional space for installation and costs are reduced.

Device for determining the angular position of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle

A plug for gas generators of air bag impact protection systems has current paths formed by sheet metal strips and an inductance coil in one of both interrupted current paths that form two poles. One of the current paths is U-shaped; its branch opposite the counter-current path (4) is interrupted to form two inner poles (1, 2) and acts as a mechanical support for the inductance coil (5) that electrically bridges the interruption, and the other branch (3), located next to the counter-current path (4), forms together with the counter-current patch (4) plug pins (6, 7) that extend outwards. The plug pins (6, 7) are formed by bending the T-or forked-shaped ends of the current paths (3, 4). The inductance coil (5) is arranged in a housing and is provided with electric connections that can be directly connected to the inner poles (1, 2). In order to manufacture this plug, a preform is first cut out of a sheet metal web. The poles and current paths are repeated and held away from each other in the preform, then are embedded in a common substrate and the inductance coil (5) is mechanically and electrically connected to its support (1, 2).

Plug for gas generators of air bag impact protection systems and process

A current conductor apparatus for connecting the stator of a steering column to a rotor of a steering wheel. The stator and rotor are guided concentrically with respect to one another by rotation guides and are provided with contacts for establishing an electrical connection between them. The rotor and stator are stapled to one another without being aligned by the guides. The axial and radial play between them is limited, and they may be fastened to the steering wheel and column without rotating or contacting one another. In order to facilitate the center adjustment of the apparatus, stator is provided with an attachment with a tapped hole for a screw. The screw and spring are used to hold clamp, which projects into a corresponding bore on rotor with its one elbow end and extends up to an area lying on shoulder of stator with its other end. Rotor and stator are provided with stops to limit the axial play.

Current transfer element for steering wheels of motor vehicles

A connecting element establishes an electrical connection between two mutually rotating parts, such as the steering column and the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle. The connecting element includes a stator fastened to the steering column and a rotor fastened to a hub of the steering wheel. A current conductor in the form of a flat ribbon cable is carried on the rotor and passes through the walls of the rotor and the stator for the establishement of electrical contact between the power source and a power consuming device. The rotor and stator of the connecting element are combined in a cassette and each may be equipped with a multiple pole socket to receive a locking pin connector. Each locking pin connector has a predetermined number of poles corresponding at maximum to the number of poles of the multiple pole socket. A short circuit bridge is fastened to the housing of the stator. The multiple pole socket of the rotor is equipped with a receptacle for the connection of a short circuit bridge located on the generator cable. The connector pins may include the ends of the insulated conductor wires or may be reinforced by fitted contact pins. The ends of the conductor wires may be ground off and the flat ribbon cable fitted to a contact part containing connector pins.

Electrical connecting element for rotating parts

Steering wheel with an electric lead to a protective gas bag impact device located in the steering wheel bowl of an automotive vehicle including a current conductor formed by a conducting strip arranged with several windings within a fixedly mounted housing surrounded a steering wheel hub. One end of the cable terminates in a core fastened to the steering wheel hub while the other terminates in the housing. A disk toothed over at least part of its circumference is mounted on the housing and an actuating element engaging the toothed disk is mounted on the hub or spindle. The toothed disk is located radially in relation to the axis of the hub and the spindle and the actuating element is formed by a flange-like transport disk surrounding the spindle or the hub and equipped with a radial slot which is provided with bevelling in the area of the slot. The edges of the slot are spread to form an opening corresponding to the tooth division of the toothed disk. Alternatively, the toothed disk is arranged axially parallel to the spindle and the actuating element is formed by a pinion mounted of the axle of the spindle or hub. The axle of the toothed disk is coupled by a potentiometer to a display for visibly displaying the deflection of the steering assembly from the center position.

Steering wheel with an electrical lead to a protective gas bag impact

Aligning device for a current carrying connector of protective gas bag impact installations having a helical conductor arranged with several concentric windings within a fixedly mounted housing surrounding a core. The core is fastened to a steering spindle and rotates with the steering wheel. A first end of the helical strip terminates in terminals associated with the housing. The second end terminals are associated with the core. The core is equipped with a bore and the housing with a locking recess. The housing and the core may be immobilized in relation to each other using locking means having a clip pin insertable into the bore of the core and a locking projection fitting into the locking recess. The locking means may exhibit a ring surrounding the steering spindle and resting on the core or a pot surrounding a steering spindle. The locking recess and locking projection have respective widths which allow a slight rotational clearance between the core and the housing.

Aligning device for a current connector of protective gas bag impact

Steering wheel with an electric cable to a protective gas bag impact device located in the bowl of the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle, having a conductor formed of several concentric windings of a conducting strip arranged in a housing surrounding the steering wheel spindle and hub. One end thereof terminates in a core fastened to the steering wheel hub and rotates therewith, while the other end terminates in a fixedly mounted housing. A spring-loaded two arm rocker with arms at an angle to each other, is mounted on the hub or spindle. One arm of which projects into the path of a nut securing the steering wheel on the spindle. A recess located in the hub within the pivoting range of said arm and a recess located in the housing within the pivoting range of the other arm. The spring is loading the rocker in a rotating direction against the housing.

Growing community of inventors

Haibach, Germany

Helmut Bonn