JP2002096737A - Heater device, steering wheel and steering wheel manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce manufacturing cost by facilitating assembly of a steering wheel with a heater device. SOLUTION: A ring rim portion 5 of a steering wheel body 2 is covered with the heater device 21 and further covered with a surface skin 22. The heater device 21 is in a net form with a woven heater wire 28. In mounting the heater device 21, the heater device 21 is mounted on the surface skin 22 to form an annular cylindrical member 55 which is applied on an outer periphery B of the rim portion 5 having an inner periphery A fixed to the rim portion 5 with a both-sided adhesive tape and sewed thereto with a yarn. The heater device 21 is movable on the outer periphery B, preventing the breakage of the heater wire 28 in applying the cylindrical member 55 on the rim portion 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a heater device for heating a steering wheel of an automobile, a steering wheel having the heater device, and a method of manufacturing a steering wheel having the heater device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a steering wheel for controlling a vehicle is used in a cold place such as outdoors in winter,
For comfortable steering after starting, it is desired to quickly heat the rim to a temperature suitable for the gripping operation of the driver.

[0003] In this regard, a configuration is conceivable in which cooling water for an engine or warm air from an air-conditioning box is guided to a rim portion of a steering wheel and heated. However, in this configuration,
For vehicles cooled in cold places, such as outdoors in winter,
There is a problem that a sufficient warm-up is required and that rapid heating is difficult.

In this regard, there is known a configuration in which a sheet-like heater device is incorporated in a grip portion of a steering by using electric power generated by an engine.

[0005] For example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-11029, a heat insulating material is provided at a portion where a gripping operation is performed, and a sheet-like heat generating unit is provided on the surface side of the heat insulating material. A configuration in which an outer skin is provided on the surface side of a unit is known. And this heating unit
A heating wire, which is formed by winding a heating wire around a core yarn, is arranged in a zigzag manner on the inner surface of an aluminum soaking foil, and is closely attached. However, in such a configuration in which the heater wire is attached to the seat in a zigzag manner, the work of attaching the appearance well along the rim portion of the steering wheel having a circular cross section is complicated, and it is difficult to improve the workability.
Providing a product having a good finished appearance has a problem that requires a manufacturing cost. Further, in this configuration, a thick heater wire forms a projection on the skin, so that a so-called “heater wire is protruded” easily occurs, and the presence of the heater wire can be visually and tactually sensed. have.

Further, as described in, for example, JP-A-4-15162, a plurality of thin heating wires are knitted to form a net-shaped heating insert, and this heating insert is bonded to a coating material or otherwise. It is known that the coating material is attached to the steering wheel body together with the heating insert by a suitable method. This configuration is preferable in that it is possible to deform while following the curved surface shape of the rim portion while securing the heat generation amount per unit area, so that a so-called "heater wire is not easily raised" state is unlikely to occur. However, it is not always easy to attach a net-shaped heater braided in a flat band along the surface of the rim portion of the steering wheel body, and a method of preforming the mesh-shaped heater to match the shape of the rim portion. Then, the manufacturing cost increases and the versatility decreases. Also,
Although it is not clear from the configuration described in JP-A-4-15162, in a configuration in which a mesh-shaped heater is fixed by attaching an adhesive or the like, the power is concentrated on the fixed portion and the heater wire is easily cut. . In a configuration in which a relatively small number of heater wires are combined, the capability of the heater is likely to be reduced due to partial disconnection, and it is necessary to perform mounting work so as not to damage the heater wires. Alternatively, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost because a detailed inspection is required.

[0007]

In a configuration in which a heater wire is attached to a sheet in a zigzag shape as in the above-mentioned conventional art, the heater wire is likely to be in a floating state, and it is difficult to improve the appearance and the operational feeling. are doing. In addition, in a configuration in which a plurality of thin heating wires are braided into a net shape, it is necessary to perform mounting work so as not to damage the heater wires, and there is a problem that manufacturing work is complicated and manufacturing cost is difficult to reduce. I have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is capable of reducing a manufacturing cost, manufacturing a heater device for keeping a steering wheel warm, a steering wheel having a heater device, and manufacturing a steering wheel having a heater device. The aim is to provide a method.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heater device mounted on an annular rim portion of a steering wheel body, wherein the heater device includes a plurality of heater wires that generate heat when energized. An eggplant heater body,
And a side end provided along the edge of the heater main body and fixed along the inner peripheral side of the rim.

In this configuration, the heater device is attached to the steering wheel main body in a state where the heater device is attached to the rim portion and covered with a covering member as necessary. When the heater wire is energized, the rim portion is heated substantially in a plane by the heater body. By configuring the net-shaped heater body with a plurality of heater wires, each heater wire can be thinned, and the appearance can be easily improved. In the heater device, the heater body is movably supported on the outer periphery of the rim by fixing the side end along the inner periphery of the rim. Therefore, when a force is applied to the heater device when the heater device and the covering member are attached or the steering wheel is operated, the concentration of the force on a portion is suppressed, and the heater device is protected. For this reason, the manufacturing operation of the steering wheel for attaching the covering member and the heater device to the steering wheel body is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0011] The steering wheel according to claim 2 is
A steering wheel body having an annular rim portion, a heater device for covering the rim portion, and a covering member for covering the rim portion and the heater device, wherein the heater device includes a plurality of heaters that generate heat when energized. A heater body having a net-like shape provided with a wire, and a side end provided along an edge of the heater body and fixed to the covering member along an inner peripheral side of the rim. It is.

In this configuration, the heater device is attached to the steering wheel body with the covering member attached to the rim. When the heater wire is energized, the rim portion is heated substantially in a plane by the heater body. By forming the net-shaped heater body with a plurality of heater wires, each heater wire can be thinned, and the appearance can be easily improved. In the heater device, the heater body portion is movably supported on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion by fixing the side end portion to the covering member along the inner peripheral side of the rim portion. Therefore, when a force is applied when the heater device and the covering member are attached or the steering wheel is operated, concentration of the force on a part is suppressed, and the heater device is protected. For this reason, the manufacturing operation of the steering wheel for attaching the covering member and the heater device to the steering wheel body is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a steering wheel, comprising: a steering wheel main body having an annular rim portion, a net-shaped heater main body portion covering the rim portion; A method of manufacturing a steering wheel, comprising attaching a covering member that covers a heater device, wherein the heating device is formed in a cylindrical shape, the heater device is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the covering member, and the covering is performed along edges on both sides. A cylindrical member to which the heater device is fixed is formed on the member, and the cylindrical member is fitted on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion, and both side edges of the cylindrical member are mutually joined along the inner peripheral portion of the rim portion. It is connected and attached to the rim.

In this configuration, the cylindrical member formed by attaching the heater device to the covering member is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion, and the edges on both sides of the cylindrical member are fitted to the inner peripheral portion of the rim portion. The heater device is attached to the steering wheel body by being connected to each other along the same. And
When the heater wire is energized, the rim is heated in a substantially planar manner by the heater body. By forming the net-shaped heater body, the heater wire can be made thinner, and the appearance can be easily improved. The heater device has a side end fixed to the covering member along the inner peripheral side of the rim portion, and the heater main body portion is movably supported on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion. Therefore, when a force is applied when the heater device and the covering member are attached or when the steering wheel is operated, concentration of the force on a part of the heater device is suppressed,
The heater device is protected. For this reason, the manufacturing operation of the steering wheel for attaching the covering member and the heater device to the steering wheel body is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a heater device, a steering wheel, and a method of manufacturing a steering wheel according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a steering wheel of an automobile.
The vehicle includes a steering wheel body 2 and an airbag device (airbag module) as a pad body (not shown) mounted on the occupant side of the steering wheel body 2. The steering wheel 1 is normally mounted on a steering shaft provided in a vehicle in an inclined state. Hereinafter, the occupant side of the airbag device, that is, the front side will be on the upper side, and the steering shaft side, that is, the rear side will be on the lower side. The front side of the vehicle, ie, the windshield above the front side, will be referred to as the front side, and the rear side, ie, the rear lower side, of the vehicle will be referred to as the rear side or the near side.

The steering wheel body 2 is
A rim portion (ring portion) 5 that is an annular grip portion, a boss portion 6 located inside the rim portion 5, and a plurality of the present embodiment that connects the rim portion 5 and the boss portion 6 Then 4
And a spoke portion 7 of the book. A substantially cylindrical boss 8 fitted to the steering shaft is provided at a lower portion of the boss portion 6 on the vehicle body side.
A boss plate 9 constituting a core body, also called a hub core, is integrally fixed to the boss 8 by die casting a magnesium alloy or the like. From the boss plate 9, the core metal 7a of the spoke portion 7 is integrally extended or fixed by welding or the like. Further, the core metal 5a of the rim part 5 is fixed to the core metal 7a of the spoke part 7 by welding or the like. An inner covering 10 made of a soft foamed polyurethane or the like is provided on the surface of the entire periphery of the metal core 5a of the rim 5 and the surface of the metal core 7a of the spoke 7 on the rim 5 side. Are formed.

Hereinafter, the side of the rim portion 5 facing the boss portion 6 along the circumferential direction will be described as an inner peripheral portion A, and the opposite side of the inner peripheral portion A will be described as an outer peripheral portion B.

A lower cover 11 made of resin, also called a back cover or a body cover, is attached to the boss 6 of the steering wheel, and the lower part of the boss 6 is covered. The lower cover 11 has a central opening 11a penetrating vertically, a rear opening 11b opening on the rear side, and substantially circular side openings 11c, 11 opening on both sides.
and c are formed. In the central opening 11a, an electric connection device such as a clock spring (not shown) for inserting the steering shaft and electrically connecting the vehicle body side and the steering wheel 1 side is arranged. The rear opening 11b and the side opening 11c are working openings, the rear opening 11b is covered with a lid 13 that is a detachable lid, and each side opening 11c is a detachable lid. It is covered with a mask 14, which is a body. Further, the lower cover 11 is provided with mounting bosses 11d provided with screw holes at a plurality of positions, in this embodiment, at four positions. Is screwed into the mounting boss 11d, and the lower cover 11 is mounted on the boss plate 9.

On both sides of the boss plate 9, mounting portions 16, 16 are provided integrally with the boss plate 9. Each of the mounting portions 16 is horizontally extended outwardly, and is then slightly upwardly inclined in an upwardly inclined manner. The portion has a bracket hole 18 formed in a long hole shape along the longitudinal direction.

Although the airbag device is not shown,
A horn switch mechanism as a switch device is integrally incorporated, and the device main body is supported via the horn switch mechanism. The device main body includes a base plate made of a metal plate or the like, a bag-shaped airbag, a folded airbag. A cover made of resin, an inflator for injecting gas, a retainer for fixing the inflator and the airbag to the base plate, a metallic tubular belt for fixing the cover to the base plate, and the like. On the other hand, the horn switch mechanism includes a horn plate as a support, a pair of switch mechanisms on both sides, a horn spring as a coil spring as four urging means, a Torx bolt as three connecting means, and a pair of harnesses on both sides. The boss plate 9 is attached to the attachment portions 16, 16. When the airbag device is pushed, the contacts of the horn switch contact each other, and the horn is blown.
On the other hand, in the event of a car collision, on the other hand, gas is rapidly injected from the inflator into the airbag, the folded airbag is rapidly inflated, the cover body is torn, and the airbag is moved to the front of the occupant. The horn plate is plastically deformed to protect the occupant.

A heater device 21 is disposed on the surface side of the inner covering portion 10 of the rim portion 5 of the steering wheel body 2, and a skin 22 as a covering member is provided on the surface side of the heater device 21. Are located.

The heater device 21 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, a heater main body 25 which is a long band-like net and has a slender rectangular shape as a whole is provided.
Edges on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the heater body 25 are side ends 26, 26, and ends of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the heater main body 25 are end portions 27a, 27b. And the heater main body 25 is
A plurality of heater wires 28 are woven in a net shape, that is, a net shape, and each heater wire 28 has an insulating film provided on the surface of a core wire that generates heat when energized. That is, in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, one heater wire 28 is indicated by a bold line, and each heater wire 28 goes straight for two squares except for the one located at the end portion in the width direction, and then the other heater wires 28 Hooked around the heater wire 28 and turned back, proceeded in the opposite direction by one square, and
After being wrapped around 28 and bent at a substantially right angle, a zigzag is drawn so as to go straight again by two squares, and is woven from one terminal 27a to the other terminal 27b.

Also, each terminal 27a, 27b of the heater main body 25
A terminal plate 29, which is a thin plate made of copper, is arranged in the, and the core wires of the heater wires 28 are connected in parallel to form a heater having a predetermined capacity. Usually, a heater for a steering wheel is 60 W to 100 W.
A heater having a capacity of? Further, one lead wire 31 is connected to each terminal unit 27, and a connector 31a is attached to a distal end of each of the lead wires 31.

On the other hand, a yarn 32 of polyester, nylon, or the like is passed through each side end portion 26 along the longitudinal direction, and a heater wire 28 disposed at the end portion in the width direction is hung and supported. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a double-sided adhesive tape 33, which is a fixing means and an adhesive means, is attached to one side, that is, the skin 22 side, at each side end 26.

In this embodiment, each heater wire 28
For example, a copper-nickel alloy wire, which is a core wire having a wire diameter of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, is provided with a polyurethane resin coating as an insulating film, and has a resistance value of 60Ω.
Further, each heater wire 28 is woven in a net shape with a rhombus with a side length d of 2 mm of 2 mm, and the width L of the heater device 21 is about 70 mm in natural length. In between, 30 heater wires 28 are arranged in parallel, operated at 12V, and have a heater capacity of 72W.

As shown in FIG. 5, the skin 22 is a sheet made of natural or artificial leather. In the present embodiment, a plurality of strip-shaped members 41, 42, 43, which are natural cowhide.
44 are connected by a connecting portion 45 to form a main portion 47 which is formed in a substantially band shape as a whole and covers the rim portion 5 and an extending portion 48 which is extended from the main portion 47 and covers each spoke portion 7. ing. The skin 22 is provided with stitch holes 50 over the entire length along the vicinity of the edges 49 on both sides.

As for the operation of attaching the heater device 21 to the steering wheel body 2, first, as shown in FIG. 5, a heater in which a double-sided adhesive tape 33 is adhered to the inner surface side of a substantially belt-shaped skin 22 is used. The device 21 is attached, and further, a double-sided adhesive tape 52 is attached in the width direction from the inner surface side of the heater device 21 along the connecting portion 45 of the skin 22. The double-sided adhesive tapes 33 and 52 attached to the respective surfaces of the heater main body 25 of the heater device 21 have an adhesive action on both surfaces of the heater device 21 through the stitches of the heater main body 25, respectively.

Next, the skin to which the heater body 25 is attached
The heater device is joined by stitching both ends of 22
An annular tubular member 55 is formed with the inner surface 21. The cylindrical member 55 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rim portion 5 of the steering wheel body 2.

Therefore, the operation of winding the skin 22 around the rim portion 5 of the steering wheel body 2 is as follows: the skin 22 is pulled and extended, the cylindrical member 55 is temporarily expanded in diameter, and the skin 22 shown by a chain line in FIG. The central part in the width direction of the heater device 21
56 is attached along the outer peripheral portion B of the rim portion 5. In this state, the skin 22 is elastically deformed by receiving the tension, and fits near the outer peripheral portion B of the rim portion 5 without wrinkles. In addition, during this mounting operation, the heater body 25 of the heater device 21 attached to the back surface, that is, the inner surface of the skin 22 is also extended, but the heater body 25 has a net shape and the entire surface along the skin 22. Since it is not constrained specifically and is not constrained at least at the outer peripheral portion B, the elongation is not concentrated at a specific location, and the heater wire 28 does not break. That is, the outer skin 22 and the heater device 21 are wound around the rim portion 5 with dimensional changes in the mounting operation due to their respective extending characteristics. In addition, since the heater main body 25 is easier to extend than the skin 22, the extension of the skin 22 does not cause the heater main body 25 to reach the elongation limit. Therefore, the heater wire 28 is not broken during the mounting operation.

The outer skin 22 extended by the outer peripheral portion B of the rim portion 5 is inclined inward so as to wind up the rim portion 5 and further along the surface of the rim portion 5 to form the double-sided adhesive tapes 33 and 52. As a result, the rim portion 5 is temporarily adhered and adhered to the surface.

In this state, the edges 49 of the skin 22 are butted against each other on the inner peripheral portion A of the rim portion 5, and a sewing thread 58 made of polyester or the like passing through a stitch hole 50 is used as shown in FIG. And stitch it.

Then, the lead wire 31 of the heater device 21 is connected to a harness (not shown) on the steering wheel main body 2 side via a connector 31a provided at the distal end.

Further, although not shown, a temperature control means provided with a temperature sensor and the like is provided on the steering wheel main body 2 side, so that power supply to the heater device 21 is interrupted so as not to be out of a predetermined temperature range. Control. Further, the temperature control means includes a voltage control circuit and the like, and can adjust the heat generation amount.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the heater device 21 for covering the annular rim portion 5 of the steering wheel 1 used for steering an automobile or the like is described.
That is, regarding the steering wheel with a heater device, a net-like heater device 21 attached to a skin 22 is used. The heater device 21 has side end portions 26, 26 arranged along the circumferential direction of the rim portion 5, and At the end of the side end portion 26, a net-like shape having a pair of terminal portions 27a and 27b intersecting with the side end portion 26 is formed.
Since the side end portions 26, 26 are fixedly mounted on the inner peripheral side of the rim portion 5, the heater device 21 is not fixed to the surface of the rim portion 5 at the outer peripheral portion B of the rim portion 5, but receives an external force. Also heater wire 28
The force is not concentrated on a specific narrow range or point, and the mesh structure allows the surface of the rim portion 5 to move, disperses the stress, and prevents the heater wire 28 from breaking.

In the configuration having the skin 22 covering the rim portion 5 and the heater device 21, the side end portions 26, 26 are fixed to the skin 22 at a position corresponding to the inner peripheral side of the rim portion 5. The heater device 21 has a skin 22 on the outer peripheral portion B side of the rim portion 5.
And the skin 22 and the heater device 21 can be extended so as not to be restricted to each other. Therefore, even if it is extended by receiving an external force, the force is not concentrated on a specific narrow area or point of the heater wire 28, and the mesh structure allows the surface of the rim 5 to move and disperses the stress. Breakage of the heater wire 28 can be prevented.

That is, in the heater device 21, the central portion of the heater main body 25 is located on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion 5, and when the heater device 21 is attached to the rim portion 5, the skin 22 is extended by about 20%.
Since it is a part to which considerable tension is applied, the heater device 21 can be freely moved, thereby protecting the heater device 21, facilitating the mounting operation, reducing the manufacturing cost, and being fixed to another member. Side ends 26, 26
Is located on the inner peripheral portion A side of the rim portion 5 and need not be movable.

When the heater device 21 is attached to the rim 5, the heater device 21 is integrally fixed to the skin 22, and an annular cylindrical member having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the rim 5.
By forming the tubular member 55 and assembling the tubular member 55 to the rim part 5, the mounting work including the winding work of the skin 22 and the heater device 21 around the rim part 5 becomes easy, and the complicated work can be reduced. The manufacturing cost can be reduced, and disconnection due to the mounting operation can be reduced.

Further, since the heater main body portion 25 having the net structure of the heater device 21 is deformed so as to expand and contract, it is not necessary to fix the heater wire using an expensive adhesive tape having elasticity. The manufacturing cost can be easily reduced as compared with the configuration using a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the manufacturing cost can be reduced while improving the quality of the steering wheel 1.

In the above embodiment, the heater device
After the member 21 was attached to the skin 22, this member was attached to the steering wheel body 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. After the heater device 21 was attached to the steering wheel body 2, the heater device 21 was covered. Thus, the skin 22 can be attached.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rim portion 5 of the steering wheel body 2 is provided with a foamed polyurethane resin on the entire peripheral surface of the cored bar 5a, as in the above embodiment. The inner coating 10 is formed, and the inner coating 10 is covered with the heater device 21 and the skin 22. In addition, C is a parting line of the mold when forming the inner covering portion 10, that is, a parting line, and is formed at the inner peripheral portion A of the rim portion 5.

In this embodiment, the heater device
The position of the double-sided adhesive tape 33 for fixing the 21 is near the inner peripheral portion A of the rim portion 5 as in the above-described embodiment, but this double-sided adhesive tape 33 is first attached to the heater device 21 and the skin 22. Instead of being attached, it is designed to be pasted on the inner covering portion 10 of the rim portion 5 in advance. That is,
The double-sided adhesive tape 33 first peels off the release paper (not shown) arranged on one of the adhesive surfaces to expose the adhesive surface, and the adhesive surface is exposed to a predetermined position on the surface of the inner coating portion 10, for example, the inner peripheral portion A. Press and paste at positions along both sides. In this state, the release paper is still disposed on the other adhesive surface of the double-sided adhesive tape 33.

Then, from this state, the heater device 21 is wound around the rim portion 5. In FIG. 6, the heater device 21 is illustrated with a thickness, but the heater main body 25 is formed in a net shape by weaving thin heater wires 28 as in the above-described embodiment. The heater device 21 is arranged such that the outer peripheral portion B of the rim portion 5 is aligned with the central portion in the width direction of the heater main body portion 25, and the heater main body portion 25 is fitted on the inner coating portion 10 by a self-restoring force. The release paper left on the double-sided adhesive tape 33 is peeled off in a state where the side ends 26, 26, which are the parts, are separated from each other with the inner peripheral portion A of the rim portion 5 interposed therebetween and peeled off. Is fixed on these double-sided adhesive tapes 33.

Further, a skin 22 is wound on the heater device 21 to constitute the steering wheel 1 as shown in FIG. The skin 22 is formed as a closed-loop or annular tubular member having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rim portion 5, similarly to the tubular member 55 shown in FIG. Then, the outer skin 22 is wound around the rim portion 5 by expanding the diameter of the cylindrical member, fitting the outer peripheral portion B of the rim portion 5 so as to cover the outer peripheral portion B, and then sewing and fixing the inner peripheral portion A side.

According to this embodiment, the heater device 21 is not fixed on the outer peripheral portion B side of the rim portion 5 on which the outer skin 22 is pressed or rubbed with a strong force on the inner covering portion 10. In the winding operation of the skin 22, even if the skin 22 is rubbed with the heater device 21, the heater wire 28 is moved, so that the heater wire is moved.
It is possible to prevent breakage such as disconnection at specific locations of the heater body 28 and the net-shaped heater body 25. Therefore, the heater device 21 incorporated in the steering wheel body 2 can exhibit the desired electric heating performance, and the yield can be improved. Further, since a large extension of the skin 22 can be ensured, the skin 22 can be easily wound without wrinkles, and the appearance of the product can be easily improved. Also the epidermis
The winding operation of the 22 is the same as the configuration without the heater device 21, so that the assembling operation of the steering wheel 1 can be performed by a normal operation. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be reduced while improving the quality of the steering wheel 1.

In each of the above-described embodiments, a member formed into an annular shape, that is, a closed loop shape by abutting longitudinal ends of the skin 22 is fitted to the rim portion 5.
Although the workability has been improved, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. After the belt-shaped skin is wound around the rim portion of the steering wheel body, the opposite ends can be stitched and joined.

[0048]

According to the heater device of the first aspect, the heater device can be attached to the steering wheel body with the heater device attached to the rim portion and covered with a covering member as necessary. By energizing the heater wire, the rim can be heated in a substantially planar manner by the heater main body. By forming the net-shaped heater body with a plurality of heater wires, each heater wire can be made thinner, and the appearance can be easily improved. The heater device has a side end portion fixed along the inner peripheral side of the rim portion, so that the heater main body portion is movably supported on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion. When a force is applied to the heater device during the operation of the wheel, this force can be prevented from being concentrated on a part, and the heater device can be protected. For this reason, the manufacturing operation of the steering wheel in which the covering member and the heater device are attached to the steering wheel body can be facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the steering wheel of the second aspect, the heater device can be attached to the steering wheel body with the covering member attached to the rim. By energizing the heater wire, the rim can be heated in a substantially planar manner by the heater main body. By forming the net-shaped heater body with a plurality of heater wires, each heater wire can be made thinner, and the appearance can be easily improved. The heater device is
By fixing the side end to the covering member along the inner peripheral side of the rim, the heater main body is movably supported on the outer peripheral portion of the rim. When a force is applied at the time of the operation, the concentration of the force on a part can be suppressed, and the heater device can be protected. Therefore, the manufacturing operation of the steering wheel in which the covering member and the heater device are attached to the steering wheel body can be easily performed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the method of manufacturing a steering wheel according to the third aspect, the cylindrical member formed by attaching the heater device to the covering member is fitted to the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion, and the edge portions on both sides of the cylindrical member are provided. Are connected to each other along the inner peripheral portion of the rim portion, whereby the heater device can be attached to the steering wheel body. By energizing the heater wire, the rim can be heated in a substantially planar manner by the heater main body. By forming the net-shaped heater main body, the heater wire can be thinned, and the appearance can be easily improved. And
The heater device has a side end fixed to the covering member along the inner peripheral side of the rim portion, and the heater body is movably supported on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion. When a force is applied during operation of the steering wheel, this force can be prevented from being concentrated on a part of the heater device, and the heater device can be protected. For this reason, the manufacturing operation of the steering wheel for attaching the covering member and the heater device to the steering wheel body can be facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is partially cut away.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a steering wheel body to which the heater device and the skin are attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the same heater device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in which a part of the heater device is enlarged.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a skin to which the heater device is attached.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rim portion showing the steering wheel same as the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering wheel main body 5 Rim part 21 Heater device 22 Skin as a covering member 25 Heater main body part 26 Side end part 28 Heater wire 55 Cylindrical member A Inner peripheral part B Outer peripheral part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Nobukazu Akaike 218 Aoshima-cho, Fuji-shi, Shizuoka F-term in Japan Plastics Co., Ltd. 3D030 DB53 DB59 DB81

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heater device attached to an annular rim portion of a steering wheel body, comprising: a net-shaped heater body portion having a plurality of heater wires that generate heat when energized; and an edge portion of the heater body portion. And a side end portion fixed along the inner peripheral side of the rim portion. 2. A steering wheel body having an annular rim portion, a heater device for covering the rim portion, and a covering member for covering the rim portion and the heater device. A net-shaped heater body having a plurality of heater wires that generate heat; and a side end provided along an edge of the heater body and fixed to the covering member along an inner peripheral side of the rim. A steering wheel, comprising: 3. A heater device provided with a net-shaped heater body portion covering the rim portion, and a covering member covering the rim portion and the heater device are attached to a steering wheel body provided with an annular rim portion. A method of manufacturing a steering wheel, comprising: a cylindrical shape, wherein the heater device is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the covering member, and wherein the heater device is fixed to the covering member along edges on both sides. Forming a member, fitting the tubular member to the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion, connecting the edges on both sides of the tubular member to each other along the inner peripheral portion of the rim portion, and attaching the tubular member to the rim portion. Characteristic method of manufacturing a steering wheel.