Airbag horn switch with temperature compensation

摘要

A pressure activated switch (26) is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel (12) of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover (16) and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device (28) is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilised for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.