Steering wheel equipped with airbag device
AssigneeMazda Motor Corporation
InventorsKengo Nakamura, Satoshi Nishikaji
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The illuminator constituting an indirect illumination is provided on the driver side of the switch cover of the horn switch provided at the fixed portion. Specifically, the clear acryl plate is provided on the driver side of the switch cover. On the driver side of the acryl plate is provided the mask portion coated with black paint, while on its vehicle-front-side surface is provided the reflecting portion with coated white paint. The LEDs are provided behind the mask portion and inside the acryl plate. The mask portion constitutes the emblem of vehicle makers, and the emblem portion shines when the LEDs are tuned on. Thus, the visible function of the operational portion (switch cover), which is provided at the fixed portion can be improved.
Claims16
A steering wheel equipped with an airbag device, comprising:
- a peripheral ring portion to be griped by a driver;
- a center pad portion coupled to said ring portion via a spoke portion;
- and
- an airbag device disposed in said pad portion, the airbag device being operative to inflate an airbag cushion, which is accommodated in a ring shape, toward the driver at a vehicle crash,
- wherein said pad portion includes a fixed portion that does not open according to the inflation of the airbag cushion and an open portion that is disposed around the fixed portion and opens according to the inflation of the airbag cushion, and at the fixed portion of said pad portion are provided an operational portion to operate a vehicle on-board device and an illuminator operative to illuminate the operational portion.
A steering wheel equipped with an airbag device, comprising:
- a ring portion to be griped by a driver;
- a spoke portion;
- a pad portion coupled to said ring portion via said spoke portion;
- an airbag device disposed in said pad portion, the airbag device being operative to inflate an airbag cushion, which is accommodated in a ring shape, toward the driver at a vehicle crash;
- a horn switch, the horn switch including a switch cover operative to be pushed by the driver;
- and
- an illuminator,
- wherein said pad portion includes a fixed portion that does not open according to the inflation of the airbag cushion and an open portion that is disposed around the fixed portion and opens according to the inflation of the airbag cushion, and said switch cover of the horn switch and said illuminator are provided at the fixed portion of said pad portion, whereby said fixed portion at which said switch cover is provided can be illuminated by said illuminator.
A steering wheel equipped with an airbag device, comprising:
- a ring portion to be griped by a driver;
- a spoke portion;
- a pad portion coupled to said ring portion via said spoke portion;
- an airbag device disposed in said pad portion, the airbag device being operative to inflate an airbag cushion, which is accommodated in a ring shape, toward the driver at a vehicle crash;
- a horn switch;
- a member operative to be pushed by the driver, the member being operative to transmit a pushing force of the driver to said horn switch;
- and
- an illuminator;
- wherein said pad portion includes a fixed portion that does not open according to the inflation of the airbag cushion and an open portion that is disposed around the fixed portion and opens according to the inflation of the airbag cushion, and said member and said illuminator are provided at the fixed portion of said pad portion, whereby said fixed portion at which said member is provided can be illuminated by said illuminator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.