Abstract:
The invention relates to a badge assembly for connection to an airbag cover, especially a front plate ( 30 ) of the airbag cover, comprising a badge ( 10 ) and a retaining plate ( 20 ) adapted to be connected to each other by clipping, wherein the retaining plate ( 20 ) has at least one material weakening forming a defined breaking or bending line ( 21 ) and wherein the badge ( 10 ) is breakable or bendable so that the badge ( 10 ) jointly with the retaining plate ( 20 ) breaks along the defined breaking line into at least two parts or bends along the defined bending line ( 21 ) upon opening of the airbag cover. The invention further relates to a cover for an airbag module, an airbag module and a steering wheel for a multitrack ground vehicle comprising such badge assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a badge assembly for connection to an airbag cover and further deals with a cover for an airbag module, an airbag module as well as a steering wheel for a multitrack ground vehicle each having such badge assembly. 
         [0002]    In practice badge assemblies are known which are arranged, for example, on an airbag cover of a vehicle steering wheel. Badge assemblies of this type comprise a badge visible to the driver or occupant of the ground vehicle and usually providing an indication of the car manufacturer. So far the badge is usually in the form of a car manufacturer&#39;s logo. One or more counter-pieces connectable to the badge usually serve for fastening the badge to the airbag cover so that the airbag cover is clamped between the badge and the counter-piece. The connection between the badge and the counter-piece can be made by riveting or by a click-stop connection. 
         [0003]    The guiding of predetermined breaking lines in the cover is comparatively complicated due to the badge being mounted on the cover. Such predetermined breaking lines are required to have the cover break in a well-directed manner, when an airbag is activated in the case of crash and inflates explosively. In some cases it has been considered to guide the predetermined breaking lines around the badge and the badge assembly, resp., which results in opening halves of the cover of unequal size. The unequally shaped halves of the cover behave differently upon opening of the airbag, whereby additional costs are incurred in designing such airbag cover. 
         [0004]    Most of the known badge assemblies are welded to the cover or fixed thereto by bending over its respective metal attachment feet. Such previously employed techniques for connecting the emblem to the airbag cover require increased manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is the object of the invention to state a badge assembly for connection to an airbag cover which is easy to mount and safely and undetachably connected, even during initiation of the air bag. Another object of the invention consists in indicating a cover for an airbag module, an airbag module and a steering wheel, each including such badge assembly. 
         [0006]    In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of claims  1  and  2  as regards the badge assembly, by the subject matter of claim  9  as regards the cover, by the subject matter of claim  14  as regards the airbag module and by the subject matter of claim  15  as regards the steering wheel. 
         [0007]    The invention is based on the idea to state a badge assembly for connection to an airbag cover, especially a front plate of the airbag cover. According to a first inventive concept, the badge assembly comprises a badge and a retaining plate adapted to be connected to each other by clipping. The retaining plate includes at least one material weakening, the material weakening forming a defined breaking iine and the badge being breakable such that the badge jointly with the retaining plate breaks into at least two parts along the defined breaking line upon opening of the airbag cover. 
         [0008]    According to a second inventive concept, tbe badge assembly comprises a badge and a retaining plate adapted to be connected to each other by clipping. The retaining plate includes at least one material weakening, the material weakening forming a defined bending line and the badge being bendable such that the badge jointly with the retaining plate bends along the defined bending line upon opening of tbe airbag cover without breaking apart. 
         [0009]    The badge assembly according to the invention can be mounted especially easily as relatively few component parts are required. The badge assembly substantially comprises the badge and a retaining plate, the connection between the badge and the retaining plate being made by simple clipping. Moreover, according to the first inventive concept, the retaining plate includes a material weakening forming a defined breaking line. In this way the badge assembly can be arranged in the area of predetermined breaking lines of the airbag cover, which improves the design variety of airbag covers. This is assisted by the fact that the badge itself is breakable so that the badge breaks jointly with the retaining plate. A predetermined breaking line of the airbag cover hence can extend across the badge assembly, wherein opening of the airbag cover upon activation of the airbag continues to be easily possible. Furthermore, the invention allows designing the parts of the airbag cover separating from each other for opening in a similar geometry, thereby the design of the airbag cover being facilitated. Complicated bypassing of the badge by predetermined breaking lines guided in a complicated manner can be dispensed with. 
         [0010]    Also, the badge assembly according to the second inventive concept can be mounted easily as only few parts and assembly steps are required. The badge assembly substantially comprises the badge and a retaining plate, the connection between the badge and the retaining plate being made by simple clipping. Moreover, according to the second inventive concept, the retaining plate includes a material weakening forming a defined bending line. In this way the badge assembly can be arranged in the area apart from or distant of predetermined breaking lines of the airbag cover, which improves the design variety of airbag covers. This is assisted by the fact that the badge itself is bendable so that the badge and the retaining plate do not break jointly with the cover. A predetermined breaking line of the airbag cover hence can extend apart or distant from the badge assembly, wherein opening of the airbag cover upon activation of the airbag continues to be easily possible. Furthermore, the invention allows a positioning of the badge assembly at parts of the airbag cover which bent itself when opening during deployment of the airbag. As the badge assembly is designed to be bendable, any undesired breaking off of parts of the badge assembly can be avoided, thereby the design of the airbag cover being facilitated. Complicated arrangement of the badge along predetermined breaking lines in a complicated manner can be dispensed with. 
         [0011]    In a preferred configuration of the invention it is provided that the badge has a substantially constant thickness and/or is designed free from predetermined breaking lines. In other words, although the badge is breakable or breakable (according to the respective embodiment or concept), it has no defined predetermined breaking lines, however. In particular, the badge can be formed of a plastic material. The plastic material can be additionally provided with a decorative design layer, for example a chromium layer. 
         [0012]    In another special configuration of the badge assembly according to the invention, the badge and the retaining plats are breakable in a substantially splinter-proof manner. In this way individual splinters of the badge assembly are prevented from moving across an occupant compartment like a shot upon breakup of the airbag cover and from increasing the risk of injury for vehicle occupants. Rather, it is advantageously provided that each of the badge and the retaining plate breaks into two or more predefined parts, wherein clear and smooth bending edges are formed. The bending edges are orientated at the bending line in the retaining plate. Preferably the badge can break in such way that it breaks along the material weakening of the retaining plate without exhibiting inherent predetermined bending lines. 
         [0013]    As regards the connection between the badge and the retaining plate, it is preferably provided that it is non-detachable. Thus, on the one hand, an especially good fixation of the badge assembly on an airbag cover is achieved and inadvertent detaching upon opening the airbag cover is avoided. On the other hand, the non-detachable connection between the badge and the retaining plate also prevents theft. The badge preferably is not separable from the retaining plate without being destroyed. Rather, the badge and/or the retaining plate have to be damaged so as to separate the badge and the retaining plate from each other. 
         [0014]    The retaining plate can have plural clip acceptances arranged outside the material weakenings. The clip acceptances permit fixing the badge to the retaining plate. The arrangement of the clip acceptances outside the material weakenings increases the stability of the clip connection. 
         [0015]    In preferred embodiments the badge includes a decoration member and one or more clip extensions which are formed integrally with the decoration member. Within the scope of the present application, the badge part visible to a vehicle occupant, usually a car manufacturer&#39;s logo, is referred to as decoration member. Clip extensions which in the mounted state of the badge assembly protrude into the retaining plate, especially engage in the clip acceptances, are connected to this decoration member. The clip connection between the badge and the retaining plate is preferably made by engaging the clip extensions of the badge in the clip acceptances of the retaining plate. 
         [0016]    In a preferred configuration of the invention each of the clip projections has a distance portion so that in the state clip-connected to the retaining plate a lower side of the badge is arranged spaced apart from the upper side of the retaining plate. Thus a defined distance exists between the badge and the retaining plate. This distance can serve for receiving a front plate of the airbag cover. The front plate of the airbag cover in this way can be clamped between the badge and the retaining plate, thereby the badge assembly being appropriately fixed to the airbag cover. 
         [0017]    The badge moreover may have one central clip extension and plural off-center clip extensions, the central clip extension having a circular cross-sectional profile and the off-center clip extensions having a substantially oval cross-sectional profile. The off-center clip extensions having an oval cross-sectional profile fix the badge to the retaining plate in a substantially torsion-proof manner. On the other hand, it is advantageous to design the central clip extension to be circular, thereby the alignment of the badge with the retaining plate being facilitated. Especially the central clip extension further may have a larger length than the off-center clip extensions. Therefore, during mounting of the badge the central clip extension can first engage in the retaining plate. In this way a temporary rotatable connection is made between the badge and the retaining plate so that by rotating the badge the alignment of the off-center clip extensions with corresponding off-center clip acceptances in the retaining plate is enabled. As soon as the off-center clip extensions are aligned with the off-center clip acceptances, by movement between the badge and the retaining plate toward each other the off-center clip extensions can be clipped into the off-center clip acceptances. Then the badge is connected to the retaining plate in the desired alignment. 
         [0018]    As regards the alignment of the badge assembly relative to the airbag cover, the retaining plate is preferably configured to have a substantially circular outer contour with a flattened side. Accordingly, for example the front plate of the airbag cover can comprise a recess corresponding to the outer contour of the retaining plate. In this way the retaining plate can be arranged at the airbag cover only at an orientation defined before. Due to the defined alignment between the badge and the retaining plate the defined alignment between the retaining plate and the airbag cover in total also allows a correct alignment between the badge and the airbag cover. This ensures that the badge is arranged at the airbag cover with the desired orientation. 
         [0019]    An independent aspect of the invention relates to a cover for an airbag module, consequently an airbag cover, comprising an afore-described badge assembly. It is provided in a preferred configuration that a front plate of the cover is arranged between the badge and the retaining plate. In particular, the clip extensions of the badge can extend through the front plate, especially through apertures provided in the front plate. In addition, the material weakening of the retaining plate may be configured to be aligned along a predetermined bending line of the cover, in particular along a predetermined bending line of the front plate. The badge assembly thus can be arranged exactly in the area of a predetermined bending line of the cover. Nevertheless it is further ensured due to the bending line defined by the material weakening and the breakable badge that the cover appropriately opens upon deployment of an airbag. 
         [0020]    Another independent aspect of the invention relates to an airbag module comprising an afore-described badge assembly and/or an afore-described cover. Finally the invention deals also deals with a steering wheel for a multitrack ground vehicle, the steering wheel comprising the badge assembly and/or the cover and/or the afore-mentioned airbag module. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Hereinafter the invention shall be illustrated in detail by way of embodiments with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of a badge assembly according to the invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment in the mounted state on an airbag cover; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a retaining plate of the badge assembly according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of the retaining plate according to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of the detail according to  FIG. 3  along the line F-F; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of a badge of the badge assembly according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the badge according to  FIG. 5  along the line B-B; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed view of the badge according to  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    In  FIG. 1  a section across a badge assembly in the mounted state is shown. The badge assembly comprises a badge  10  and a retaining plate  20  connected to each other by clipping. A front plate  30  of an airbag cover extends between the retaining plate  20  and the badge  10 . The front plate  30  is fixed by clamping substantially between the badge  10 , especially a decoration member  11  of the badge  10 , and the retaining plate  20 . The front plate  30  comprises an aperture  31  through which the badge  10 , especially a clip extension  12  of the badge  10 , extends. Moreover, it is visible in  FIG. 1  that the front plate  30  includes a recess  32  in which the decoration member  11  of the badge  10  is embedded. It is achieved in this way that the decoration member  11  does not project from the front plate  30 , which on the one hand serves for a better appearance of the front plate  30  and, on the other hand, for reducing the risk of injury. 
         [0030]    The badge  10  comprises the decoration member  11  and clip extensions  12  integrally formed at the decoration member  11 . In the cross-section according to  FIG. 1  it is clearly visible that the clip extension  12  has a plurality of portions. A distance portion  13  keeping the decoration member  11  spaced apart from the retaining plate  20  is directly connected to the decoration member  11 . In particular, the distance portion  13  ensures that a lower side  19  of the badge  10  remains spaced apart from an upper side  26  of the retaining plate  20 . The distance portion  13  comprises a shoulder  16  which is transformed into a neck  15 . In the transition from the shoulder  16  to the neck  15  the clip extension  12  is tapered. A head  14  whose cross-sectional diameter substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional diameter of the shoulder  16  is connected to the neck  15 . On Its outer periphery the neck  15  forms a slide surface  18  which is inwardly curved starting from the shoulder  16  toward the head  15 . At right angles a stop face  17  is connected to the slide surface  18 . The stop face  17  extends substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the clip extension  12 . 
         [0031]    The retaining plate  20  comprises a clip acceptance  22  including plural elastic fingers  23 . The fingers  23  are curved from the upper side  26  of the retaining plate  20  toward a rear side  29 . The curvature of the fingers  23  substantially corresponds to the curvature of the slide surface  18  at the clip extension  12 . Furthermore, the fingers  23  include an end face  24  which in the connected state with the badge  10  is adjacent to the stop face  17  of the clip extension  12 . The respectively opposed fingers  23  are flexibly outwardly movable in the axial direction of the clip extensions  12  by a pressing movement of the badge. Especially the head  14  of the clip extension  12  forces the fingers  23  substantially radially outwardly during the joining movement between the badge  10  and the retaining plate  20 . As soon as the fingers  23  have reached the area of the neck  15 , the elastic resetting force of the fingers  23  causes the fingers  23  to be urged radially inwardly and in this way to engage in the recess formed by the tapered neck  15 . The end face  24  abutting against the stop face  17  prevents the clip extension  12  from being withdrawn from the clip acceptance  22 . Thus the badge  10  is non-detachably connected to the retaining plate  20 . In other words, a non-destructive separation of the badge  10  and the retaining plate  20  is impossible. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 2  a top view of the retaining plate  20  is shown. It is visible that the retaining plate  20  includes plural clip acceptances  22  with one central clip acceptance  22   a  and plural off-center clip acceptances  22   b  being provided. The clip acceptances are arranged in total outside material weakenings, especially outside breaking/bending lines  21 . It is further evident that the off-center clip acceptances  22   b  are irregularly arranged in the retaining plate. In this way it is achieved that only one single orientation between the badge  10  and the retaining plate  20  permits tight connection between the badge  10  and the retaining plate  20 . The off-center clip acceptances  22   b  have a substantially oval contour for receiving clip extensions  12  having an oval cross-sectional profile. 
         [0033]    The central clip acceptance  22   a  in total comprises three fingers  23  substantially forming a circular acceptance for a correspondingly circular clip extension  12 . The central clip acceptance  22   a  substantially forms a pivot bearing for a rotating alignment of the badge  10  relative to the retaining plate  20 . Especially the badge  10  has corresponding clip extensions  12 , with a central clip extension  12   a  having a larger length than the off-center clip acceptances  12   b . This results in the fact that with the connection between the retaining plate  20  and the badge  10  first the central clip extension  12   a  engages in the central clip acceptance  22   a . Then the badge  10  is connected to the retaining plate  20 , although it continues to be rotatable vis-à-vis the retaining plate  20 . In this way tbe correct orientation for the badge  10  relative to the retaining plate  20  can be easily found so as to connect the off-center clip acceptances  12   b  to the off-center clip acceptances  22   b  when the joining movement is continued. 
         [0034]    It is further evident from  FIG. 2  that the retaining plate  20  has two straight material weakenings extending transversely across the retaining plate  20 . Said material weakenings preferably form breaking or bending lines  21 . The breaking lines  21  completely pass through the retaining plate so that the retaining plate  20  can completely break in two along at least one of the breaking lines  21 . The breaking lines  21  or material weakenings are adapted so that a splinter-proof breaking occurs. 
         [0035]    According to the second alternative of the invention, the bending lines  21  completely pass through the retaining plate so that the retaining plate  20  can bend in a predetermined desired manner along at least one of the bending lines  21 . The bending lines  21  or material weakenings are adapted so that no breaking occurs. 
         [0036]    Moreover, two positioning apertures  25  are evident between the breaking/bending lines  21 . The positioning apertures  25  exhibit a substantially rectangular contour. The positioning apertures  25  and corresponding positioning pins at the front plate  30  of the airbag cover enable the exact positioning of the retaining plate  20 . 
         [0037]    Furthermore, the outer contour of the retaining plate  20  serves as positioning aid. For this purpose, the retaining plate  20  has a substantially circular outer contour  27 , the outer contour  27  comprising a flattened side  28 . In the front plate  30  preferably a corresponding recess is provided which is equally circular and has a flattened side. In this way the retaining plate  20  can be arranged only at one single orientation relative to the front plate  30 . In connection with the irregularly arranged off-center clip acceptances  22   a  the configuration of the retaining plate  20  enables the badge  10  to be exactly aligned relative to the front plate  30 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 3  an off-center clip acceptance  22   b  is shown in detail. It is evident that the off-center clip acceptance  22   b  has a substantially oval aperture contour. The off-center clip acceptance  22   b  comprises four fingers  23 , wherein two diametrically opposed fingers  23  are circular arc-shaped. Two further diametrically opposed fingers  23  substantially exhibit a straight shape. Between the individual fingers  23  slits  23   a  ensuring sufficient freedom of movement of the elastic fingers  23  are provided. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a section across the off-center clip acceptance  22   b  according to  FIG. 3 . The two diametrically opposed fingers  23  each of which includes an end face  24  are clearly visible. The fingers  23  are transformed substantially flush into the upper side  26  of the retaining plate  20 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of a badge  10 . The badge  10  comprises plural clip extensions  12 , with one central clip extension  12   a  and plural off-center clip extensions  12   b  being provided. The off-center clip extensions  12   b  are substantially arranged on a circular line around the center of the badge  10 . The distance between the off-center clip extensions  12   b  along the circular line is different so that in total an irregular arrangement of the off-center clip extensions  12   b  is resulting. The central clip extension  12   a  is arranged centrally in the badge  10  and has a substantially circular cross-sectional contour. As explained in the foregoing already, the central clip extension  12   a  is preferably longer than the off-center clip extensions  12   b  so that the central clip extension  12   a  engages in the central clip acceptance  22   a  for pre-positioning the badge  10  relative to the retaining plate  20  and enables the badge  10  to rotate vis-à-vis the retaining plate  20 . In this manner, the off-center clip extensions  12   b  can be aligned relative to the off-center clip acceptances  22   b.    
         [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates a section across the badge  10  along the line B-B. The badge generally includes a decoration member  11 . The off-center clip extension  12   b  is integrally formed with the decoration member  11 . The off-center clip extension  12   b  and generally the clip extensions  12  of the badge  10 , resp., comprise a distance portion  13 , a neck  15  and a head  14 . Moreover, a shoulder  16  is arranged at the distance portion  13 . Starting from the shoulder  16  a slide surface  18  extends in curved shape toward the head  14 . The curved slide surface  18  forms the tapered neck  15  of the clip extension  12 . The slide surface  18  abuts against a stop face  17  extending substantially at right angles to the slide surface  18  and/or to the longitudinal axis of the clip extension  12 . The stop face  17  forms a lower side of the head  14 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 7  the off-center clip extension  12   b  is shown in a top view. The decoration member  11  and the head  14  of the off-center clip extension  12   b  are evident. It is also clearly visible that the head  14  has a substantially oval cross-sectional contour. The cross-sectional contour of the off-center clip extension  12   b  in general corresponds to the cross-sectional contour of the off-center clip acceptance  12  in the retaining plate  20 . 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  badge 
           11  decoration member 
           12  clip extension 
           12   a  central clip extension 
           12   b  off-center clip extension 
           13  distance portion 
           14  head 
           15  neck 
           16  shoulder 
           17  stop face 
           18  slide surface 
           19  lower side 
           20  retaining plate 
           21  breaking/bending line 
           22  clip acceptance 
           22   a  central clip acceptance 
           22   b  off-center clip acceptance 
           23  finger 
           23   a  slit 
           24  end face 
           25  positioning aperture 
           26  upper side 
           27  outer contour 
           28  flattened side 
           29  rear side 
           30  front plate 
           31  aperture 
           32  recess