Patent ID: 8087691

Claim:
A steering wheel unit for a motor vehicle with a steering wheel and an airbag module ( 30 ) located in the hub area of the steering wheel, the airbag module having a housing ( 32 ), an airbag ( 52 ) folded into the housing, and a gas generator ( 54 ), whereby the airbag module can be pushed down against the force of at least one spring element to activate a horn, the steering wheel unit comprising positioning means for defining the position of the airbag module in relation to the steering wheel, and retaining means ( 28 ; 38 , 68 ) for acting between the airbag module and the steering wheel, the retaining means comprising a first retaining element connected to the steering wheel and a second retaining element connected to the airbag module, the first retaining element and the second retaining element being in mechanical contact and holding the airbag module at the steering wheel upon failure of the positioning means caused by a deployment of the airbag, and the first retaining element and the second retaining element being not in mechanical contact with each other in the absence of forces caused by the deployment of the airbag and when the airbag module is pushed down.