Steering wheel having air bag module

摘要

A steering wheel in which a ceiling portion (46) of a pad (45) of an air bag module (M1) has adjacent peripheral edges (46a) extending along the individual spoke portions (S) of a steering wheel body to be positioned close to a cover layer (27) of the individual spoke portions. Each of the adjacent peripheral portions has a push rib (51). A bag holder (54) has extensions (63b) capable of abutting against the individual push ribs (51). Movable contacts of the individual switch bodies (70) are individually supported by the extensions under the push ribs. Stationary contacts of the individual switch bodies (70) are individually supported by a stationary plate (71) which is supported in abutment by the individual spoke portion cores in the vicinity of the individual stationary contacts. The steering wheel enables the operation of a horn switch with a reduced operational load when the peripheral edge of the pad of the air bag module is depressed and retains a clear feel of arrival at the bottom. This improves the operational feel of the horn switch. In a second embodiment a horn switch is assembled with the air bag module body before being assembled with the steering wheel body. A function switch is assembled with a component of the horn switch before being assembled with the air bag module body. In a third embodiment, the steering wheel comprises mounting bolts holding members with retaining pawls for temporarily mounting an air bag module on the steering wheel body. The air bag module comprises retaining holes in the vicinity of the screwing portion of each of said mounting bolt for retaining said pawls.