GB2362203A

GB2362203A - A heated steering wheel assembly for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2362203A
Application number: GB0011368A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-12
Filing date: 2000-05-12
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Also published as: GB0011368D0

Abstract

A heated steering wheel assembly for motor vehicles to provide heat or air conditioning to the drivers hands comprises a steering wheel 14 adapted to allow hot or cold air to circulate around a channel moulded inside the steering wheel to be released through holes or outlet ports 8 moulded through the rim of the wheel, a specially adapted buss 9 with grooves cut into it placed on the underside of the steering wheel, an additional two piece rim (10a and 10b, Fig. 4) on the underside of the buss 9, and a thin plate (17, Fig. 5) which rests on the lips (11) of the rim. A small chamber-like device 20 consisting of a deflector flap 30 is fitted to the air vent system to direct the flow of air and is controlled by a separate switch control 24. This innovative style of steering wheel assembly fulfils both psychological and physical needs in providing a comfortable hold for the driver.

Description

2362203 HEATED STEERING WHEEL The present invention relates to a steering

wheel of a motor vehicle of the type which enables hot or cold air to flow freely through the steering wheel providing comfort to the drivers hands during cold winter and hot summer weathers.

Majority of the countries suffer from extreme of cold winters and hot summers. When starting up a motor vehicle on a cold winter morning, the hard plastic steering wheel is cold to the touch and even when the motor has warmed sufficiently to heat the interior of the vehicle, the steering wheel remains cold and uncomfortable. Solid objects take a great deal of time to absorb the heat from the ambient air and it often takes a half hour or more for the steering wheel to reach a temperature that is comfortable to the touch. Plastic is a poor conductor and many motorists wear gloves to keep their hands warm.

In turn, during hot summers the steering wheel is susceptible to becoming hot upon exposure to direct sunlight. The steering wheel often requires time for it to cool off even with the air conditioning running on high. The heat makes the wheel hot to the touch and has a tendency to promote hand perspiration, which may cause the steering wheel to feel uncomfortable and make the steering wheel slippery when turned.

There have been numerous proposals for heated steering wheels all encompassing heating by electrical means such as a steering wheel which provides a steering wheel mounted heater comprising a heat conductive sheet covering the outer surface of the rim portion. However, none of these known steering wheels has been designed with the specific problem mentioned above in mind. Furthermore, there lacks a steering wheel, which does not utilise heating by electrical means at relatively low cost without affecting the safety deficiencies in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is therefore, to provide a heated steering wheel, which alleviates the drawback associated in the prior art, by providing a system for heating and cooling the steering wheel using the existing vehicles thermostatic system.

Accordingly, this invention provides a heated steering wheel assembly through which an unobstuctive air flow travels through an air hose supply connected to the thermostatic system primary duct of a vehicle, and up the steering column culminating in a rim and buss on the assembly and to the steering wheel.

In one aspect of this invention the steering wheel, calls for a conventional hard plastic steering wheel to be moulded with a channel bored inside. Holes or outlet ports maybe moulded or drilled on the inner rim of the said steering wheel.

In another aspect of the invention, the buss portion of the steering wheel is adapted merely by cutting grooves inside, thus allowing air to feed into the hollow channels of the said steering wheel. A double groove maybe cut to the required specification.

In another aspect of the invention, a rim, which is introduced onto the underside of the said buss, is manufactured so as to be wide enough to span the width of the grooves in the said buss. The rim is preferably constructed in two pieces with an aperture for a hose attachment. A thin plate or covering is also placed between the said buss and said rim, is included to prevent the hot to cold air from escaping from the bottom of the rim.

The said rim and the thin covering maybe manufactured from any material withstanding moderate temperatures, preferably it is constructed of metal or plastic.

In yet another aspect of the invention a small chamber-like device is located between the vehicles thermostatic system's primary duct. It is fitted with a deflector flap, which controls the air flow through to the steering wheel.

A hose, attached between the said chamber-like device and the steering wheel, is made of appropriate material, preferably neoprene rubber.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE I shows a perspective view of a heated steering wheel assembly. FIGURE 2a illustrates the cross-section of the steering wheel. FIGURE 2b shows the sliced view of the steering wheel. FIGURE 3 shows the front view of the 'Buss'. FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the rim. FIGURE 5 front view of the thin covering and hose edge. FIGURE 6 perspective view of the heated steering wheel system. FIGURE 7 is cross-sectional view of the chamber-like device. FIGURE 8 shows the cross-sectional view of the rim. FIGURE 9 is cross-sectional view of the rim with hose and hose edge connection.

The steering wheel as shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b, calls for a modification of a conventional hard plastic steering wheel to be moulded with a channel 15 bored inside above the steel frame 13 normally found in a standard steering wheel. Holes or outlet ports 8 are moulded or drilled on the inside of the rim 14 of the said steering wheel. These holes or outlet ports 8 maybe equally placed through the wheel rim.

The number of said holes or outlet ports 8 may be variable and maybe of any diameter and positioned anywhere along the steering wheel. The holes or outlet ports 8 extending to the said channel 15, which can be of any diameter as long as it does not reduce the strength of the said steering wheel.

As clearly shown in Figure 1, the heated steering wheel of the embodiment comprises a rim portion 10 of the steering wheel which is affixed to the underside of the buss 9.

The buss 9 is modified with double grooves 26 cut into the inside diameter, leaving an edge 27 between the interior of the buss, and around the hole 28 in the centre of the buss. The buss is still in one piece and retains its full strength, as shown in Figure 3.

The buss 9, on which the rim 10 is affixed, is altered to accommodate for the supply of hot and cold air, as shown in Figure 3. This will allow the air to travel from the air hose 12 situated along the steering column, to pass unintruded through the rim 10 and buss 9 and into the hub 4 and steering wheel. It will enable the air to flow unobstructed through the channel 15 and into the ducts 8 placed around the outer edge of the wheel rim. Thus, providing the required temperature (hot or cold) directly to the driver's hands.

The buss 9 is moderately altered as to sustain maximised air flow from the air hose into the hub when the steering wheel is turned, so that there is no loss of air flow, even when the steering wheel is turned to its fullest position.

In another embodiment, there is provided a rim 10 which comprises of two pieces, one centrally fitting around the centre hole 10a on the buss, and the second piece fitting on the buss adjacent to the outer edge 10b, as illustrated in Figure 4. This will allow a tight fitting on to the buss without obstructing the hole in the centre or the outer diameter of the buss 9. A groove is now made between the two lips 11 on the underneath of the rim made between the full diameter and the hole in the centre for the steering column, between the two pieces of the rim. There is now a cupped space formed between the buss and the rim. This allows for a circular groove running full diameter between the two lips as shown in Figure 8 now formed on the lower side of the rim. This is formed for the air hose to fit through, Figure 9.

The end of the hose running up the steering column to the lips in the rim is just wide enough to fit smoothly through the lips and held inside the rim by a hose edge 18 fastened around the outer end of the air hose, acting as a small collar. This being the similar width as the bottom of the lips in the rim as illustrated in Figure 9.

During normal operating functions when driving a vehicle when the steering wheel is turned the hub in the steering wheel and buss are all turned as one. With the addition of the rim this will also be turned in conjunction with the steering wheel, the air hose remaining firmly in place in the rim. When the steering wheel is turned, the rim in effect is able to slide around the hose by the aid of the hose edge holding it firmly in place in the rim. The hose edge is held firmly in place on top of the thin covering, which in turn is resting loosely on the lips so the hose remains in one position at all times in the buss as shown in Figure 9.

A thin covering 17 maybe fitted to rest on the bottom of the lips inside the rim 10. A small section 28 is cut out of the thin covering wide enough to span the diameter of the hose 12, but not the hose edge 18 as illustrated in Figure 5. The remaining section of the thin covering 17 is able to rest inside the bottom of the rim 10 on the lips 11. The thin covering is fractionally smaller than the circumference of the interior of the lips, as shown in Figure 9, and fits between the upper and lower pieces of the rim to provide an unrestricted movement, when the rims lips are turned. The thin covering 17 is also able to remain stationery alongside the hose 12 and hose edge 18.

The purpose of the thin covering is to prevent the hot to cold air from escaping from the bottom of the rim through the lips. Maintaining no loss of air flow through the steering column through to the driver's hands. The thin covering remains in same place when the rim and the buss turns. Air hose connected to the thin covering does not have to move For added safety, the air hose 12, as shown in Figure 6 maybe held in place by a hose fastener or bracket 25, securing it to the inner housing of the steering column, securing the hose in one place.

A small chamber-like device 20 comprising a deflector flap 30, is attached to the top of the vehicles thermostatic system primary duct, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7. Ile attachment maybe achieved by removing the top air hose 22 connected to the interior dashboard vents and positioning the small chamber-like device 20 in its place in between the dashboard vents and the vehicles systems primary duct. The air hose 22 to the interior dashboard will fit onto the small chamber-like device 20 enabling the interior air vents to work as normal. This maybe done by using a 'push on fit' opening at the top 31 and the rear 32 of the small chamber-like device 20, fastened by a regular hose clip. The added deflector flap 30 is fitted centrally in the chamber-like device and between the air hose 12 and the vehicles thermostatic system now relocated at the rear of the chamber device 20. Thus the added deflector flap 30 would only operate the heated/air conditioned steering wheel, as illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 7.

This can be operated by its own control slide switch 24 to be independently thermostatically controlled shown in Figure 6.

When air is channelled through the vehicles thermostatic system, air is not deprived from any of the other vents Figure 7. Both in car temperature and steering wheel temperature can be set at different temperatures.

The small chamber-like device that is connected to the thermostatic system primary duct on the top of the vehicles heating system is connected to the modified steering wheel by a hose 12 as shown in Figure 6. This small chamber-like device is made of same material as the outer housing of the vehicles thermostatic system, on which it rests and is secured onto it by a hard plastic adhesive able to withstand moderate heat.

The re-affixing of the air vent hose and the interior hose outlet duct onto the small chamber is done by using a regular ho,-!e fp-.--teyier or i-jbi-.lte ]be deflector flap 30 in the small chamber-like device 20 is of same construction as those already fitted into a vehicles thermostatically controlled heating system.

Thus adjusting the thermostatic system to "Heat" and selecting the hot range o n t h e ad d eglide switch control, automatically allows air to flow out of the inner wheel rim. Using the standard or existing vehicles blower will further increase flow according to the setting. The same principle may also be applied for cooling the steering wheel, again through the thermostatic system found in a vehicle.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined. For example, further adaptations which may be found attached to such vehicles for examples more powerful heaters, or air conditioning units may also be fitted to the present invention via the same principle, with no further alterations required This invention maybe fitted inside the car at the time of manufacture when new, or this principle of heated steering wheel maybe fitted as retrofit device onto existing vehicles.

The present invention maybe fitted onto different types of vehicles and steering wheels. In addition the space in the hub maybe utilised for fitting of air bag unit, as long as the holes or outlet ports are not obstructed.

Claims

1. A heated steering wheel assembly for motor vehicles comprises a conventional hard plastic steering wheel molded with a channel inside, a specially adabted buss with grooves cut out, additional rim placed onto the underside of the buss, a thin covering resting on the lips of the base of the rim, a small chamber-like device including a deflector flap connected to the vehicles thermostatic system

2. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein the steering wheel according to claim 1 comprises a channel moulded through out the arm and outer rim, with small ducts drilled through outer rim of the wheel joining to the said channel.

3. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein the modified steering wheel of the preceding claims with channels molded into it connecting through the centre of the wheel to the hub.

4. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein the said channel and the holes or outlet ports of the preceding claims may be of varying size and number, large enough to allow unrestricted flow of air to the drivers hands.

5. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein the buss according to claim 1 which is of regular manufacture is attached to the hub in claim 3, the buss is adapted by having two grooves evenly cut into it.

6. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein a rim as in claim 1 is affixed to the underside of the buss, the said rim is of similar material as the buss. The rim is able to rotate as one alongside the buss and hub, when the steering wheel is turned.

7. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein the rim according to claim 6 wherein the rim comprises of two pieces, one piece is centrally fitting around the centre hole and the second piece fitting on the buss adjacent to the outer edge.

8. A heated steering wheel assembly, wherein the pieces of the rim according to preceding claim has lips to form a cupped space with a groove.

9. A heated steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thin covering rest loosely on the lips of the base of the rim.

10. A heated steering wheel assembly, according to claim 9, wherein the thin covering has a section cut out to enable a hose to fit securely through.

11. A heated steering wheel assembly wherein the thin covering according to claim 9 and claim 10 is of thin base metal, or plastic able to withstand moderate heat.

12. A heated steering wheel assembly wherein the small chamber-like device according to claim 1 comprises a deflector flap which controls the direction of air flow.

13. A heated steering wheel assembly, according to preceding claim, wherein the chamber-like device is attached to the vehicles thermostatic system primary duct and the interior air vent connection.

14. A heated steering wheel assembly, according to preceding claim wherein a hose is connected between the chamber-like device and the steering wheel portion.

15. A heated steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the hose is affixed from the chamber-like device and extends up through the steering column culminating in a rim and buss.!,-. -ral:, in turn, is coYI,..i -e,,tpe ton -t- --- 1, -- n E- o r t -c. h steeir.ir,E, -v...inee.i.

16. The heated steering wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the deflector flap in the small chamber-like device is controlled by an independent slide switch control.

17. Any heated steering wheel assembly substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.