JP2001180502A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce assembling man-hours so as to provide a steering wheel with improved production efficiency. SOLUTION: In the steering wheel S provided with a steering wheel body 10 and an air bag device, a standing piece 12b standing on the air bag device side is arranged above a boss 15 in the steering wheel body 10, and in the standing piece 12b, a hook part 12c or an engaging hole part serving as a first engaging part is formed. In a side face part 21a of a module cover 21 for the air bag device, an engaging hole part 21b or a hook part engaging with the first engaging part is formed in the matching position with the standing piece 12b so as to serve as a second engaging part. A projection part 16 protruding to the air bag device side and touching the air bag device side partially at least is arranged in the steering wheel body 10. When the first engaging part and the second engaging part are engaged with each other, the air bag device is supported by the projection part 16 and connected to the steering wheel body 10 side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel, and more particularly, to a steering wheel with improved workability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a configuration in which an airbag device is provided on a steering wheel, and the airbag device operates when an automobile receives an impact, thereby ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0003]

Conventionally, when the airbag device is installed on the steering body side, the airbag device side and the steering wheel body side are connected by fastening with bolts and nuts.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a steering wheel main body 111 and an airbag device 112 are formed by connecting a connecting portion 113a provided on a retainer 113 and a metal core 114 of the steering main body 111 with a bolt 120a and a nut 120b. It is connected by fixing with. As described above, in the conventional configuration, it takes time and effort to assemble the airbag device and the steering wheel body.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of assembling steps,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel that can improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel including a steering wheel body and a cover body that covers at least a substantially center of the steering wheel body. There is provided a standing piece that stands on the cover body side above the boss of the steering wheel body, and the standing piece has at least engaging means including a hook formed at the tip or an engaging hole. A first engaging portion having one is formed, and a side portion extending toward the steering wheel main body side is formed on the cover body side, and an alignment position with the standing piece is formed on the side surface portion. A second engaging portion provided with at least one engaging means including an engaging hole or a hook for engaging with the first engaging portion, and the cover is provided on the steering wheel body. A protrusion is provided that protrudes toward the body side and at least a part of which is in contact with the cover body side, and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged with each other, whereby the cover body is configured to have the protrusion. And is connected to the steering wheel body side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel having a steering wheel body and an airbag device substantially at the center of the steering wheel body. An upright piece is provided to stand on the airbag device side above the boss of the main body, and the upright piece has at least one engaging means including a hook formed at a distal end or an engaging hole. A first engaging portion formed on the side surface of the module cover of the airbag device, at an alignment position with the standing piece, an engaging hole or an engaging hole for engaging with the first engaging portion. A second portion provided with at least one engagement means including a hook portion;
The steering wheel main body is provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the airbag device side and at least partially contacts the airbag device side, and the first engaging portion and the first By engaging the second engaging portion, the airbag device is supported by the convex portion and connected to the steering wheel body side.

As described above, in the steering wheel of the present embodiment, when the cover body or the airbag device is attached to the steering wheel, the steering wheel is provided on the steering wheel body without using a connecting member such as a bolt or a nut as in the related art. Since the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion provided on the module cover are engaged and connected,
The cover body, the airbag device, and the steering wheel can be assembled with one touch without using a connecting member such as a bolt, an installation tool, or the like, so that the assembling workability can be greatly improved.

[0009] The second engaging portion may be provided in the retainer. That is, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel including a steering wheel main body and an airbag device substantially at the center of the steering wheel main body. A first standing piece is provided which stands vertically above the airbag device side, and the first standing piece has at least one engaging means including a hook formed at a tip portion or an engaging hole. Is formed on the side surface of the retainer of the airbag device, and includes an engagement hole or a hook that engages with the first engagement portion at a position aligned with the standing piece. A second having at least one engagement means
The steering wheel main body is provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the airbag device side and at least partially contacts the airbag device side, and the first engaging portion and the first By engaging the second engaging portion, the airbag device is supported by the convex portion and connected to the steering wheel body side.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A steering wheel S of the present embodiment.
Has a steering wheel main body 10 and an airbag device 20 as main components. The steering wheel main body 10 has at least two or more standing pieces 12 b that stand on the airbag device 20 side above the boss 15.
Is provided.

A first engaging portion is formed on the standing piece 12b. As the first engaging portion, a hook portion 12c is formed at the tip of the standing piece 12b. Or engaging hole 1 in the standing piece
2d is formed.

On the side surface 21a of the module cover 21 which is a component of the airbag device 20,
At least one of the engaging hole 21b or the hook 21c is formed at a position aligned with b as a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion. Note that the second engagement portion is
It may be provided on the retainer 24.

The steering wheel body 10 is provided with a convex portion 16 protruding toward the airbag device 20. The protrusion 16 is provided on the steering wheel body 10.
When the vehicle and the airbag device 20 are connected, the airbag device 20 is supported from the steering wheel body 10 side.

In the above configuration, the steering wheel main body 10 and the airbag device 20 are connected with one touch by engaging the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The members, arrangements, and the like described below do not limit the present invention, and can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

1 to 5 show one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel, and FIG.
3 is an exploded view of the steering wheel, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

The steering wheel S of this embodiment comprises a steering wheel body 10 and an airbag device 20, and the airbag device 20 is connected to the steering wheel body 1
It is configured so that it can be attached to 0 with one touch.

The steering wheel body 10 of the present embodiment comprises:
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rim portion 11 having an annular shape
And the airbag device 2 located inside the rim portion 11.
0, a rim 11 and a core 12
And a spoke portion 13 connecting the two.

At a substantially central position of the cored bar 12 is provided a boss 15 connected to a steering shaft (not shown). The lower part (body side) of the cored bar 12 is covered with a resin lower cover 14, and the lower part of the lower cover 14 is attached to the body side and the steering wheel S.
A connection device for electrically connecting the side is provided.

The airbag device 20 of the present embodiment includes a module cover 21 that covers the entire airbag device, a bag-shaped airbag 22 that is inflatably folded, and an inflator 25 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 22. , A retainer 24 holding the inflator 25 and an airbag 22
To a retainer 24.
The airbag device 20 includes the steering wheel body 10.
It is arranged in the center of.

The airbag device 20 operates such that when an impact is generated, gas is rapidly injected from the inflator 25 into the airbag 22, and the folded and stored airbag 22 is inflated. . Due to the pressure of the inflation of the airbag 22, the module cover 21 is torn,
A projecting opening of the airbag 22 is formed, and the airbag 22 projects from the projecting opening and inflates and deploys to the front of the occupant to protect the occupant.

Next, the assembly of the steering wheel body 10 and the airbag device 20 in this embodiment will be described. The first engagement portion provided on the steering wheel body 10 side and the second engagement portion provided on the airbag device 20 side are engaged with the steering wheel body 10 and the airbag device 20. Are linked by

The first engaging portion is provided on an upright piece 12b located on the metal core 12 of the steering wheel body 10. The standing piece 12b is a member having a substantially L-shaped cross section,
It is provided to stand upright on the airbag device 20 side above the boss portion 15. In this example, as shown in FIG.
Four standing pieces 12b are provided at equal intervals.

A hook 12c is provided at the tip of the standing piece 12b as a first engaging portion. The hook portion 12c is to be engaged with an engagement hole provided in the module cover 21 of the airbag device 20 described below. The hook 12c is provided with a taper at the tip so as to be easily engaged with the engagement hole. The hook 12c
Is not limited to the shape shown in the present embodiment. For example, the distal end of the standing piece 12b may be formed of a flexible member, and the distal end of the standing piece 12b may be provided with a bulging portion that can be fitted into the engagement hole.

The second engaging portion that engages with the hook portion 12c as the first engaging portion is formed on the side surface 21a of the module cover 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the second engagement portion is formed as an engagement hole 21b into which the hook 12c can be fitted.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the steering wheel body 10 and the airbag device 20
The hook 2c of the module cover 21 is engaged with the engaging hole 21b of the module cover 21 to connect the hooks 12c.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a convex portion 16 is provided on the metal core portion 12 of the steering wheel body 10 of this embodiment. The protrusion 16 is attached to the cored bar 12 by welding or the like, or is formed integrally with the cored bar 12.

The projection 16 is provided on the steering wheel body 1.
When the first engagement portion on the 0 side and the second engagement portion on the side of the airbag device 20 are engaged, the first engagement portion abuts on the retainer 24 of the airbag device 20 and the airbag device 20 is moved to the steering wheel. It is formed to a length that can be supported from the main body 10 side.

At this time, the projections 16 are formed slightly longer as long as the hooks 12c and the engagement holes 21b can engage with each other, so that the hooks 12c and the engagement holes 21b can be more firmly connected. It can be connected and is suitable.

As described above, since the airbag device 20 is supported from the steering wheel body 10 side by the convex portion 16, a pad body is attached to the airbag device 20 as a horn mechanism, for example. Even if a membrane switch is provided between the airbag device 20 and the airbag device 2,
0 is preferable without moving to the steering wheel body 10 side.

The horn mechanism may have a structure in which a switch for blowing the horn is separately provided in the spoke portion 13 of the steering wheel body 10 in addition to the membrane switch.

The procedure for attaching the airbag device 20 to the steering wheel body 10 is as follows. First,
Module cover 21, airbag 22, ring 23,
The airbag device 20 obtained by assembling the retainer 24 and the inflator 25 with bolts, rivets or the like is located above the center of the steering wheel body 20.

An engagement hole 21b of the airbag device 20;
After confirming that the standing piece 12b on the side of the steering wheel body 10 is aligned, the airbag device 20 is then pushed toward the side of the steering wheel body 10.

Then, the convex portion 16 and the retainer 24 come into contact with each other to support the airbag device 20. Further, the standing piece 12b is fitted to the side surface 21a of the module cover 21 while bending outward, and then the hook 12c of the standing piece 12b is bent.
Are fitted into the engagement holes 21b of the module cover 21. In this manner, the airbag device 20 can be mounted on the steering wheel main body 1 without using bolts or mounting tools.
0 is attached.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example in which the steering wheel body 10 and the airbag device 20 are connected by another structure. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
An engaging hole 12d is formed in the upright piece 12b as an engaging portion of (1). A hook 21c that engages with the engaging hole 12d of the standing piece 12b is formed on the module cover 21 side.

The engaging hole 12d of the standing piece 12b
To the hook 21c of the module cover 21,
The airbag device 20 and the steering wheel 10 are connected.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an engaging hole 12d is formed in a standing piece 12b as a first engaging portion. And this engagement hole 12d
The hook 24 formed on the side surface 24a of the retainer 24
b is engaged.

The engaging hole 12d of the standing piece 12b
Then, the hook portion 24b of the retainer 24 is fitted to connect the steering wheel body 10 and the airbag device 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is preferable to form the retainer 24 from a resin in order to bend and facilitate the fitting. Also, the hooks 21c, 2
Of course, 4b may be formed in a shape other than the illustrated shape.

As shown in FIG. 8, an engaging hole 24c as a second engaging portion is formed on the side surface 24a of the retainer 24.
The airbag device 20 and the steering wheel body 10 may be connected by engaging the engagement hole 24c with the hook 12c of the standing portion 12b.
Further, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 may be combined.

In this embodiment, the configuration in which the airbag device 20 is assembled to the steering wheel body 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the airbag device 20 is provided in a place different from the steering wheel body 10. In such a case, the steering hole main body 10 is connected to a cover (not shown) in which a damper is stored inside.

As described above, when connecting the steering wheel main body 10 and the cover body, the standing piece 12b
The first engaging portion provided on the side of the cover body and the second engaging portion provided on the side surface of the cover body are engaged with each other, and the convex portion 16 on the steering wheel body 10 side is connected to the bottom plate of the cover body. , And the steering wheel body 10 and the cover body are assembled.

[0042]

As described above, according to the steering wheel of the present invention, when the airbag device or the cover body is attached to the steering wheel, the steering wheel does not use a connecting member such as a bolt or a nut as in the prior art. Since the first engagement portion provided on the wheel body and the second engagement portion provided on the module cover or the cover body are engaged and connected, the airbag device or the cover body and the steering wheel are connected to each other. The wheel and the wheel can be assembled with one touch without using a connecting member or a mounting tool, and the assembling workability can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a steering wheel.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an airbag device and a steering wheel body according to another connection method.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an airbag device and a steering wheel body according to another connection method.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an airbag device and a steering wheel body according to another connection method.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Steering wheel main body 11 Rim part 12 Core part 12b Standing piece 12c Hook part 12d Engagement hole part 13 Spoke part 14 Lower cover 15 Boss part 16 Convex part 20 Airbag device 21 Module cover 21a Side surface part 21b Engagement hole part 21c Hook 22 Airbag 23 Ring 24 Retainer 24a Side 24b Hook 25 Inflator S Steering wheel

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A steering wheel comprising a steering wheel body and a cover body covering at least a substantially center of the steering wheel body, wherein a standing piece is provided upright on a cover body side above a boss of the steering wheel body. The standing piece is formed with a first engaging portion provided with at least one engaging means including a hook portion or an engaging hole formed at a tip portion, and the cover body side includes the first engaging portion. A side surface portion extending toward the steering wheel main body side is formed, and the side surface portion includes an engagement hole or a hook that engages with the first engagement portion at a position aligned with the standing piece. A second engaging portion provided with at least one engaging means is formed; the steering wheel body is provided with a convex portion projecting toward the cover body and at least a part of which is in contact with the cover body side; By the first engaging portion and said second engaging portion is engaged, the steering wheel, wherein the cover body is connected to the steering wheel main body is supported by the protrusion. 2. A steering wheel having a steering wheel main body and an airbag device substantially at the center of the steering wheel main body, wherein a standing piece standing on the airbag device side above a boss of the steering wheel main body is provided. A first engaging portion provided with at least one engaging means including a hook formed at a distal end portion or an engaging hole, and a module cover of the airbag device is provided. On the side of the
A second engaging portion having at least one engaging means including an engaging hole or a hook engaging with the first engaging portion is formed at a position aligned with the standing piece; The steering wheel main body is provided with a protrusion projecting toward the airbag device and at least a portion of which is in contact with the airbag device, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged. Thereby, the airbag device is supported by the projection and connected to the steering wheel body side. 3. A steering wheel having a steering wheel main body and an airbag device substantially at the center of the steering wheel main body, wherein a standing piece standing on the airbag device side above a boss of the steering wheel main body is provided. A first engaging portion provided with at least one engaging means including a hook portion or an engaging hole formed at a tip end portion of the standing piece, and a retainer of the airbag device is provided. A second engaging portion provided on the side surface portion with at least one engaging means including an engaging hole or a hook engaging with the first engaging portion at a position aligned with the standing piece; The steering wheel main body is provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the airbag device side and at least partially contacts the airbag device side. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion Engage with the part And a steering wheel, characterized in that the airbag device is connected to the steering wheel main body is supported by the protrusion.