JP2000085586A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install a finisher on the grip part of a steering wheel in good appearance and to facilitate installation work for the finisher. SOLUTION: A rim core bar 5a is covered with a flexible covering part 8. A finisher 20 made of a resin is installed on part of the front side. An installing hole part 26 and an installing stepped part 25 are formed on the rim core bar 5a. The finisher 20 has a decorated finisher body part 34. A first locking part 35 and second locking part 36 are projected from the back surface of the finisher body part 34. The first locking part 35 and the second locking part 36 are alternately placed long the longitudinal direction of the finisher body part 34. The first locking part 35 is inserted in the installing hole part 26. The second locking part 36 is engaged with the installing stepped part 25. The finisher 20 is installed on rim part 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel in which a separate member is attached to a grip portion to improve the appearance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-96128
As shown in JP-A-53-40928 or JP-A-57-92575, a separate molding is attached to a covering portion that covers the core of a steering wheel to improve the appearance. It has been known. And
In these configurations, a groove is provided in the synthetic resin coating,
A molding is press-fitted into the groove and fixed by bonding, heating, fitting or the like. However, these configurations have a problem in that a heating step or a step of immersing in a solvent is required in order to firmly fix the molding to the soft covering portion, and it is difficult to improve the production efficiency.

As shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 48-77829, a gripping portion of a steering wheel is covered with a reinforcing covering piece, and an ear-like extension of the reinforcing covering piece is covered with a spoke portion and screwed. A known configuration is known. However, this configuration has a problem that the degree of freedom of design is low because the reinforcing covering piece is fixed to the spoke portion.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional structure, a groove is provided in a covering portion made of synthetic resin which covers the core of the steering wheel, and a separate molding is press-fitted into the groove and fixed. In order to firmly fix the molding to the covering portion, a step of heating, a step of immersing in a solvent, and the like are required, and there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the production efficiency. In addition, in the configuration in which the reinforcing covering piece is put on the grip portion of the steering wheel and the ear-shaped extension of the reinforcing covering piece is put on the spoke portion and screwed, the reinforcing covering piece is fixed to the spoke portion. However, there is a problem that the degree of freedom of design is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel capable of easily and firmly attaching a separate member to a grip portion and improving the appearance.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel including a core, a cover softer than the core which covers at least a part of the core, and at least a part of the core. A grip portion provided with a finisher main body and a finisher provided integrally with the finisher main body and provided with locking portions extending in different directions from a plurality of locations directly engaging with the core body. .

In this configuration, at least a part of the core is covered by the finisher body of the finisher, and the appearance can be improved. The finisher is easily and firmly attached to the grip portion because the locking portions directed in different directions directly engage with the core body, respectively.

[0008] The steering wheel according to claim 2 is
2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the finisher main body is located on the front side of the grip.

In this configuration, the appearance of the front side where the finisher main body is disposed is improved, and the cover portion is provided on the rear side of the grip portion where the operator touches the grip portion when the operator grips the grip portion from the front side. Is arranged, so that the operational feeling is improved as compared with the configuration in which the entire grip portion is covered with the finisher main body portion.

The steering wheel according to claim 3 is
3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein each of the locking portions protrudes toward the core body and at least in two directions.

In this configuration, the finisher is easily and firmly attached by engagement.

[0012] The steering wheel according to claim 4 is
In the steering wheel according to the third aspect, the locking portions adjacent to each other are provided so as to project in directions different from each other.

In this configuration, the engagement becomes strong, and the finisher can be easily and firmly attached.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel,
5. The steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein the locking portion intersects with the first locking portion inserted into the inserted portion provided on the core along the axial direction of the steering wheel. 6. And a second locking portion which comes into contact with a mounting step provided on the core body.

In this configuration, the finisher is easily and firmly attached by pushing the finisher in the axial direction of the steering wheel.

The steering wheel according to claim 6 is
In the steering wheel according to claim 5, the locking portions located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the finisher main body portion,
This is the second locking portion.

In this configuration, the movement of the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the finisher main body in the axial direction is suppressed,
The finisher is easily and firmly attached.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a steering wheel according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a steering wheel of an automobile. The steering wheel 1 is a steering wheel main body 2 and an airbag (not shown) mounted on an upper side of the steering wheel main body 2 on the occupant side. It is composed of a device (airbag module) and the like. The steering wheel 1
Is normally mounted on a steering shaft provided in a vehicle in an inclined state. Hereinafter, the axial direction S of the steering shaft is defined as an up-down direction, and the occupant side of the airbag device 4, that is, the front side is set as an upper side. The rear side of the vehicle is referred to as the lower side, the front side of the vehicle, ie, the front windshield above the front side is referred to as the front side, and the rear side, ie, the rear lower side is referred to as the rear side or the near side.

The steering wheel body 2 is
A ring-shaped rim portion 5 as a grip portion called a ring portion and the like, and a boss portion 6 located inside the rim portion 5
And a plurality of spoke portions 7 connecting the rim portion 5 and the boss portion 6 in this embodiment. The spokes 7 are provided in a pair in substantially both side directions, and are formed in pairs on both sides in a C-shape on the front side of the occupant.

The rim 5, boss 6, and spoke 7 are provided with a rim core 5a, a boss core 6a, and a spoke core 7a as cores, respectively, and are connected or integrally formed with each other. Thus, a die casting core is formed. Then, the outer peripheral portion of the rim core 5a and the spoke core 7a
The outer peripheral portion of the portion on the rim portion 5 side is covered with the covering portion 8.

The boss core 6a is located below the boss 6 on the vehicle body side and has a boss 6b formed by forging, metal cutting, press forming, or the like, which is fitted to the steering shaft. The boss plate 6c is formed integrally with the boss 6b so as to be cast.

The spoke core bar 7a has a round bar-shaped core portion 7b connected to the boss 6b by welding or the like, and at least a part of the outer periphery of the core portion 7b has a die-cast portion 7c. Are integrally fixed by casting with aluminum die casting integral with the boss plate 6c. A connecting piece 9 is provided between the intermediate portions of the spoke cores 7a forming a pair on the near side.
And a central portion of the connecting piece 9 and the boss plate 6c are connected by an auxiliary connecting piece 9a. The connecting piece 9 and the auxiliary connecting piece 9a are formed integrally with the boss plate 6c, that is, an aluminum die cast integrally with the die cast portion 7c of the spoke core 7a. A support portion 9b, which is a screw hole, is formed in the center of the connecting piece 9. Also, spoke core metal 7a
A cylindrical spring seat 10a is formed on each of the connecting portions on both sides of the connecting piece 9 and the boss plate 6c located on the front side of these connecting portions. At the center, fixed contacts 10b that are directed upward are provided. In addition, boss plate
In the part from both sides of the front part of 6c to the spoke part 7,
The guide receiving portions 10c, 10c are integrally formed by aluminum die casting. Further, a screw seat 7d is formed integrally with each spoke core 7a by aluminum die casting.

A lower cover made of a resin (not shown) is attached to the boss 6 to cover the lower side of the boss 6. In addition, this lower cover is
It is attached to the steering wheel main body 2 by screws inserted from above into the through holes formed in the steering wheel body 2.

Further, the steering wheel body 2
Is provided with a horn switch mechanism, and an airbag device is attached via the horn switch mechanism. The horn switch mechanism includes a horn plate having a frame-shaped or substantially U-shaped flat plate provided with movable contacts that can be brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contacts, four horn springs serving as urging means, and a fixing tool. Stepped bolts (Torx bolts) are provided. The front side of the horn plate is slidably guided by the guide receiving portions 10c, 10c, and the rear center portion is slidably driven by stepped bolts screwed to the support portion 9b. It is guided and supported up and down within a predetermined range. The horn plate has a movable contact biased by a horn spring mounted on each spring seat 10a in a direction away from the fixed contact, so that the airbag device fixed to the horn plate can be pushed. Thereby, the movable contact is brought into contact with the fixed contact, and the horn device is operated. The airbag device is configured by attaching a bag-shaped airbag, a resin cover body, an inflator for injecting gas, and the like to a metal base plate. Then, when the vehicle collides, the airbag device rapidly injects an inert gas from the inflator into the airbag to rapidly inflate the folded and stored airbag. Then, by the pressure of the inflation of the airbag, the cover body is cleaved into a predetermined shape to form a projecting opening of the airbag, and the airbag is projected from the projecting opening to inflate and deploy in front of the occupant. Protects occupants from impact. Also, when the occupant is thrown forward and a load is applied to the rim portion 5, the rim core 5a and the spoke core 7a are deformed and retreated, and the impact is reduced. At this time, since the horn plate is supported by the connecting piece 9 connected between the spoke cores 7a, 7a on the front side, the horn plate is also securely pulled in together with the connecting piece 9, that is, the horn plate is The supported airbag device is also retracted to improve the shock absorption characteristics.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rim portion 5 has a covering portion centered on a rim core 5a, which is a core material fixed by welding or the like to the tip of the spoke core 7a. The finishers 20 and 21 are attached to some of them. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the state of attachment of the finishers 20 and 21, and shows a state in which a cross section at the AA position and a cross section at the BB position in FIG. 1 are combined. Hereinafter, the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side are described with reference to the center of the steering wheel main body 2, that is, the rotation axis, that is, the steering shaft, the direction away from the steering shaft as the outer peripheral side, and the direction approaching the steering shaft as the inner peripheral side. I do.

The rim core 5a is made of, for example, a metal such as magnesium or aluminum. The cross-sectional shape of the rim core 5a is such that the upper portion 22 has a hemispherical shape, and the lower portion has a circumferential surface extending downward from the hemispherical portion. Two ridges protruding along the direction
23 is formed, and on the outer peripheral side, a mounting step portion 25 having a lower surface as an annular locking surface is formed. further,
At an upper portion of the front side portion and the rear side portion of the rim core bar 5a, mounting holes 26 are formed at one or a plurality of locations, each of which is a groove-shaped recessed portion to be inserted downward, as an inserted portion. . The mounting step 25 may be formed continuously around the entire circumference, or may be formed only at a predetermined position.

The covering portion 8 includes a covering resin portion 28 formed of a resin used for molding a polyurethane rim, such as polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride, and a covering resin portion 28.
And a skin portion 29 made of resin, leather, or the like that covers the surface. The skin portion 29 of the covering portion 8 has a finisher mounting portion to which the finishers 20 and 21 are mounted.
The mounting step 25 and the mounting hole 26 of the rim core 5a are formed so as to be directly exposed to the outside without being covered by the covering portion 8.

The finisher 20 is formed integrally with a resin such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer or polycarbonate, for example, and has a curved plate-like finisher main body portion 34 and a rear surface side of the finisher main body portion 34. A first locking portion 35 and a second locking portion 36 which are protruding ribs are provided. The finisher body 34 is appropriately decorated on its surface, has a curved plate shape that is smoothly continuous with the skin portion 29, and covers the outer peripheral side from the upper side of the finisher mounting portion 30, that is, the rim portion 5. Also, the first
The locking portion 35 is formed in a rib shape along the longitudinal direction of the finisher body portion 34, that is, the circumferential direction of the rim portion 5, and
The projection is provided so that the width dimension is slightly reduced from the upper side to the lower side along the axial direction S. In addition, the second locking portion 36
Is the longitudinal direction of the finisher main body 34, that is, the rim 5
Are formed in a rib shape along the circumferential direction, and project from the outer peripheral side, which is a direction intersecting with the axial direction S, toward the inner peripheral side. Further, the first locking portion 35 and the second locking portion
36, the same locking portions are alternately arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other, and the horizontal position is different, that is, the same cut surface in the radial direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the rim portion 5 It is arranged so that it does not exist. Further, second locking portions 36 are arranged on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the finisher body portion 34, that is, a total of three or more odd-numbered locking portions 35, 36 are formed. Also, the rear finisher 21
Are similarly formed.

When the finishers 20 and 21 are pushed in the axial direction S from above the rim core 5a, the first locking portions 35 are fitted into the mounting holes 26, and the finisher body 34 is elastically deformed while the second
Is engaged with the mounting step 25. Further, in this state, both of the locking portions 35 and 36 are directly engaged with the rim core 5a and are firmly supported, and the covering portions 35 and 36 are covered between the finisher main body 34 and the rim core 5a. The portion 8 is elastically clamped, and the finishers 20, 21 are fitted to each other without rattling on the rim core 5a.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the decorativeness of the finishers 20, 21 is attached to the upper side of the rim portion 5, that is, a part of the occupant side, so that the design of the steering wheel 1 can be improved.

Further, by exposing the generally used soft covering portion 8 below the rim portion 5, that is, on the back side and the inner peripheral side, the rim portion 5 can be firmly held by hand.
The operation feeling and tactile sensation can be improved as compared with the configuration in which the whole is covered with the same material as the finishers 20 and 21.

Since both of the locking portions 35 and 36 are directly engaged with the rim core 5a, that is, are held so as not to come off by the force applied to the rim core 5a, the finisher
20, 21 can be held firmly. Each locking part
35 and 36 do not necessarily need to directly contact the rim core 5a, and if the engaging force is applied to the rim core 5a, cover between the locking portions 35 and 36 and the rim core 5a. The engagement may be performed via the resin layer of the portion 8 or the like.

Further, in the cross section of the rim portion 5, the locking portions 35 and 36 have a structure that does not exist on the same cut surface, and are provided at different angles toward the center of the core material, and particularly along the axial direction from above. And a second locking portion 36 which is engaged with the mounting step portion 25 from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side and is arranged alternately with each other. By disposing the second locking portion 36, the finishers 20, 21 can be firmly and securely fixed to the steering wheel body 2.

Further, the finishers 20, 21 can be easily attached to the steering wheel body 2 only by pushing in one direction, thereby improving workability and reducing manufacturing costs.

Further, the finisher body 34 and the rim core
By elastically holding the resin coating portion 8 between the rim portion 5a and the end portion 5a, the engagement of the finishers 20, 21 with the steering wheel body 2 is improved, and the tactile sensation when the rim portion 5 is gripped is improved. Can be.

When the finisher is attached, other fixing means such as an adhesive can be used in addition to the engagement of the engaging portion with the core.

Further, the skin portion 29 of the covering portion 8 can be provided at an appropriate position which does not hinder the engagement of the finisher. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. It may not be provided.

The number, shape, and arrangement of the locking portions provided on the finisher can be set as appropriate according to the shape of the finisher body.

For example, the first locking portion 35 extending downward from the rear surface of the finisher body 34 does not necessarily have to be formed vertically, that is, parallel to the axial direction S. For example, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to protrude from a position close to the circumferential side and to appropriately tilt the axis direction S.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second locking portion 36 extending from the rear surface of the finisher main body 34 toward the inner peripheral side can be formed at the edge of the finisher main body 34.

As shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to use a finisher 42 having a finisher body 41 that covers a portion of the rim 5 excluding the rear surface. In this embodiment, the cross section of the rim portion 5 is formed symmetrically, and the locking portions 44, 44 are formed in a direction substantially opposed to the lower end of the finisher main body 41.
45 are protruding. The rim core 5a is not provided with a mounting hole, and has a mounting step 46, which faces the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side.
47 are protruding. Further, the rim core metal 5a has only a lower end portion which is exposed to the outside without being covered by the finisher body portion 41 while being covered with the covering portion 8 in the vicinity of the lower end portion and above the mounting step portions 46 and 47. , A skin portion 29 is formed. Also in this embodiment, the outer locking portions 44 and the inner locking portions 45 are formed alternately at different positions.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the skin portion 29 of the covering portion 8 may not be provided.

[0044]

According to the steering wheel of the first aspect, at least a part of the core body is covered by the finisher body of the finisher, and the appearance can be improved. In addition, the finisher can be easily and firmly attached to the grip portion because the locking portions facing in different directions are directly engaged with the core body, respectively.

According to the steering wheel of the second aspect, in the steering wheel of the first aspect,
The appearance of the front side where the finisher body is located can be improved, and the covering section is located on the back side of the grip section where the finger touches when the operator grips the grip section from the front side. The operation feeling can be improved as compared with the configuration in which the whole is covered with the finisher main body.

According to the steering wheel according to the third aspect, in the steering wheel according to the first or second aspect, the plurality of locking portions are provided so as to face the core body and project in at least two directions. The finisher can be easily and firmly attached by engagement.

According to the steering wheel of the fourth aspect, in the steering wheel of the third aspect,
Since the mutually adjacent locking portions protrude in different directions, the engagement becomes strong, and the finisher can be easily and firmly attached.

According to the steering wheel of the fifth aspect, in the steering wheel of the third or fourth aspect, the locking portion is inserted into the inserted portion provided on the core along the axial direction of the steering wheel. And a second engaging portion that intersects the axial direction and abuts on a mounting step provided on the core body, so that the finisher is pushed in along the axial direction of the steering wheel. This makes it possible to easily and firmly attach the finisher.

According to the steering wheel of the sixth aspect, in the steering wheel of the fifth aspect,
Since the locking portions located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the finisher body are the second locking portions, the movement of the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the finisher body along the axial direction is suppressed, and the finisher can be easily operated. Can be attached firmly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steering wheel with the part cut away.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel, taken along the line AA in FIG. 1; (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel, taken along the line BB in FIG. 1; (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the steering wheel of the above, where a cross section at a position AA and a cross section at a position BB in FIG. 1 are appropriately overlapped. (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the steering wheel according to the present invention, in which a cross section at a position corresponding to AA and a cross section at a position corresponding to BB in FIG. 1 are appropriately overlapped. (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

7 is an explanatory view showing a still another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention, in which a cross section at a position corresponding to AA and a cross section at a position corresponding to BB in FIG. 1 are appropriately overlapped. (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a still further embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention, in which a cross section at a position corresponding to AA and a cross section at a position corresponding to BB in FIG. 1 are appropriately overlapped. (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

9 is an explanatory view showing a still further embodiment of the steering wheel according to the present invention, in which a cross section at a position corresponding to AA and a cross section at a position corresponding to BB in FIG. 1 are appropriately overlapped. (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line AA of FIG. 1 and BB, showing still another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing which superimposed the cross section of a considerable position suitably. (A) Disassembled state (b) Assembled state

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 5 Rim part as a grip part 5a Rim core as a core body 8 Covering part 20 Finisher 25 Mounting step part 26 Mounting hole part as an insertion part 34 Finisher main body part 35 First locking part 36 Second Locking part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Kaneko 218 Aoshima-cho, Fuji-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture F-term in Japan Plastics Co., Ltd. 3D030 CA01 CA03 DA12 DA26 DA34 DA44 DA64 DA65 DA66 DA69 DA70 DA76 DB77

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A core body, a covering part softer than the core body covering at least a part of the core body, a finisher main body part covering at least a part of the core body, and an integral part of the finisher main body part. A steering wheel, comprising: a grip portion provided with a finisher provided with locking portions that are directed to different directions from a plurality of locations directly engaging with the core body. 2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the finisher main body is disposed on the front side of the grip. 3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein each of the locking portions is provided so as to face the core body and protrude in at least two directions. 4. The steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein the mutually adjacent locking portions project in directions different from each other. 5. The first locking member is inserted into a receiving portion provided on a core body along an axial direction of the steering wheel.
The steering wheel according to claim 3, further comprising: a locking portion that intersects the axial direction and a second locking portion that abuts a mounting step provided on the core body. . 6. The steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the locking portions located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the finisher main body are second locking portions.