JP2008037221A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering wheel capable of allowing a driver to comfortably drive a vehicle by various kinds of functions such as deodorization. <P>SOLUTION: The steering wheel 1 comprises a rim part 2, spoke parts 4, and a boss part 3, and is provided with a holding part 7 which is a molding containing porous carbon powder (carbide, porous graphite, etc.). The holding part 7 forms at least a part of the rim part 2, and fixed to a core 5 of the rim part 2 or the spoke parts 4a, 4d. Static electricity is discharged by carbon powder, odor and sweat is removed, and excessive temperature rise is prevented thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering wheel for vehicle steering.

  Conventionally, various proposals have been made regarding a steering wheel for comfortable driving of a vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a steering wheel cover having a photocatalyst layer for deodorization in a vehicle.

JP 2006-15907 A

  By the way, the steering wheel is an important part in steering the vehicle, and it is desirable that the driver can drive more comfortably. While conducting research on carbon materials, the inventors of the present application found that the properties of carbon materials related to conductivity, odor and moisture adsorption, thermal conductivity, etc. are suitable for steering wheels, and as a result of earnest research, I came up with a steering wheel that will be described in detail.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel that enables a driver to drive more comfortably.

  In order to achieve the above object, a steering wheel according to claim 1 is a steering wheel having a core metal that forms a skeleton of a rim portion, a spoke portion, and a boss portion, at a portion constituting at least a part of the rim portion. A molded body containing porous carbon powder is disposed, and the molded body is fixed to a core bar corresponding to a rim portion or a spoke portion.

  A steering wheel according to a second aspect is the steering wheel according to the first aspect, wherein the molded body is obtained by mixing carbon powder of carbide and graphite.

  The steering wheel according to a third aspect is the steering wheel according to the first or second aspect, wherein the molded body includes carbon powder containing porous graphite.

  A steering wheel according to a fourth aspect is the steering wheel according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the molded body contains silver.

  The steering wheel according to claim 5 is the steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the molded body contains phthalocyanine.

  According to the steering wheel of the present invention, since the molded body containing the porous carbon powder is disposed at a location constituting at least a part of the rim portion, static electricity is removed by the carbon powder contained in the molded body. In addition, odors and sweat are removed, and excessive temperature rise is prevented so that a comfortable driving environment can be prepared. As a result, the driver can drive more comfortably.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. The steering wheel 1 includes, as basic components, a substantially annular rim portion 2, a boss portion 3 located at the center of the rim portion 2, and a spoke portion 4 that connects the rim portion 2 and the boss portion 3. The cored bar 5 forms the skeleton of each part.

  The boss portion 3 has an annular boss 3a that is located in the center and to which a steering shaft (not shown) is coupled, and a boss support portion 3b that is connected to the spoke portion 4 at a peripheral portion thereof. The outer side of the gold 5 is covered with a jacket 6 made of synthetic resin, for example.

  The spoke part 4 connects a predetermined outer peripheral position of the boss support part 3b and an inner peripheral position of the rim part 2 corresponding to the predetermined outer peripheral position, and the outer side is also covered with a jacket body 6 made of, for example, synthetic resin. . Specifically, the steering wheel 1 of the present embodiment is a four-spoke type, and includes a first spoke part 4a, a second spoke part 4b, a third spoke part 4c, and a fourth spoke part 4d. The first spoke portion 4a and the second spoke portion 4b are substantially level with respect to the boss portion 3 at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions in the timepiece, that is, at the steering wheel position when the vehicle goes straight. Is provided. The third spoke portion 4c and the fourth spoke portion 4d are provided at the 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock positions in the timepiece with respect to the boss portion 3.

  The rim portion 2 is connected to the spoke portion 4 and is positioned substantially concentrically with respect to the boss 3a of the boss portion 3, and the outer side thereof is also covered with a jacket body 6 made of synthetic resin, for example.

  The above-described cored bar 5 that forms the skeleton of the boss part 3, the spoke part 4, and the rim part 2 is generally integrally formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. The core 5 is formed by injecting molten metal into a mold using a die casting machine or the like. Then, the core metal 5 is covered with the above-described synthetic resin jacket 6 except for the portion of the gripping portion (molded body) 7 described below.

  Next, the gripping part 7 which is a main part of the present invention will be described. The gripping portion 7 is disposed at a portion constituting a part of the rim portion 2, that is, a portion having a predetermined length of a substantially annular shape. The cored bar 5 corresponding to the location leading to the base part of the first spoke part 4a and the second spoke part 4b is covered and fixed thereto. Specifically, the gripping portion 7 is fitted along the shape of the core metal 5 before or after covering the core metal 5 with the outer cover body 6 as shown in FIG. Then, the rim portion 2 and / or the spoke portion 4 (4a, 4b) are fixed to the core metal 5. Thereby, the holding part 7 and the cored bar 5 are electrically connected. In the present embodiment, the core metal 5 of the rim portion has a U-shaped cross section, and the grip portion 7 also has a U-shaped cross section. Note that the gripping portion 7 may be formed over the entire circumference of the rim portion 2 instead of staying in the annular predetermined length of the rim portion 2. In this case, the outer cover 6 does not have a portion covering the rim 2. Further, the surface of the gripping part 7 is coated with water-based acrylic or the like for preventing wear and chipping and fixing the carbon powder described below.

More specifically, the gripping portion 7 includes porous carbon powder, and the porous carbon powder is a carbide such as charcoal or bamboo charcoal, porous graphite, or the like. When the carbon powder is porous, it exerts a deodorizing action that adsorbs odors to the pores (voids). Moreover, carbon powder has electroconductivity in parts other than a space | gap. Specifically, the resistivity of carbide is distributed in the range of about 1 × 10 ⁻¹ to 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω · cm, and has an intermediate conductivity between an insulator and a conductor (metal or the like). The resistivity of graphite is about 1 × 10 ⁻² Ω · cm, and the conductivity is lower than that of the conductor. Further, the carbon powders are fixed through a binder. Examples of the binder include sepiolite, phenolic adhesive, pitch, tar, and the like.

In the first example of this embodiment, bamboo charcoal is used as the carbon powder, and sepiolite is used as the binder. Bamboo charcoal is about 40-50% by weight of the entire gripping part 7, and sepiolite is also about 60-50% by weight. The larger the proportion of bamboo charcoal, the better in terms of conductivity and deodorizing function, but if it is too large, the physical strength, for example, the strength against gripping or external force will be reduced. Bamboo charcoal has a surface area of 20 ares per cm ³ , has a larger void surface area, and costs less than charcoal. Moreover, the electroconductivity requested | required of carbon powder is a grade which can discharge the static electricity accumulate | stored in the body so that it may mention later, and bamboo charcoal usually has the electroconductivity of that extent enough. Further, sepiolite itself is porous although the surface area of the voids is small, and can enhance the deodorizing effect in synergy with the effect of carbide (bamboo charcoal).

  The gripping part 7 according to the first example of the present embodiment can be obtained by mixing bamboo charcoal and sepiolite at the above ratio, heating the molded one in a state deficient in oxygen, and firing at about 800 ° C. or higher. it can. Firing at about 800 ° C. or higher is desirable for increasing the conductivity. In the first example, since a conventional furnace can be used, the cost can be reduced as compared with a second example described later.

  The carbon powder of carbide may be added with graphite in order to improve conductivity or strength. By adding graphite, parts other than the voids are thickened or made dense.

  In the second example of this embodiment, the carbon powder is a mixture of porous graphite and bamboo charcoal, and the binder is a phenol-based adhesive, pitch or tar. Porous graphite has voids formed by solidifying graphite into a fibrous form or an aggregate of particles. Porous graphite has higher electrical conductivity and higher strength than carbides, but it is difficult to make the surface area of the voids as low as that of carbides. Porous graphite has many irregularities and grooves on its surface, so it can absorb harmful electromagnetic waves in the vehicle. The ratio of porous graphite and bamboo charcoal can be adjusted between 0 and 100%. If importance is attached to the discharge of static electricity accumulated in the body, the proportion of bamboo charcoal is reduced. If the deodorizing function is important, the proportion of bamboo charcoal is increased. Note that 0% or 100% is also possible.

  The gripping portion 7 according to the second example of the present embodiment is a predetermined lump formed by adding about 5% by weight of a phenolic adhesive, pitch or tar, mixing porous graphite and bamboo charcoal at a desired ratio, and press-molding. It can be obtained by heating (for example, a rectangular shape) in a state deficient in oxygen, firing at about 2000 to 3000 ° C., and then processing into the shape of the gripping part 7. The phenol component, pitch, or tar is volatilized at about 1200 ° C. or more, and is fired in a state where porous graphite and bamboo charcoal are fixed. In this 2nd example, since the holding | grip part 7 is substantially 100% formed from carbon powder, the outstanding electroconductivity or a deodorizing function can be obtained.

  Next, the operation of the steering wheel 1 will be described.

  A driver is likely to be charged with static electricity due to friction between clothes and a seat sheet accompanying a driving operation, and the static electricity charged on the human body accumulates fatigue. In such a situation, the gripping portion 7 of the steering wheel 1 contains carbon powder and therefore has higher conductivity than the insulator. Therefore, when the driver grips the gripping portion 7, static electricity charged on the human body is spoken from the gripping portion 7. The part 4 and the boss part 3 are always discharged. Accordingly, the driver is less tired by removing static electricity, thereby enabling safe and comfortable driving.

  Also, odors and sweat generated in the palm during driving cause discomfort and concentration dispersion. In such a situation, the carbon powder of the gripping part 7 adsorbs (deodorizes), for example, odorous components such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide or nicotine, absorbs palm sweat, or adsorbs sweat odor into the gap. Or Thus, deodorization and palm sweat absorption can maintain concentration and enable safe and comfortable driving. It should be noted that the deodorizing effect is great in that the grip portion 7 is near the driver's nose.

  Further, when sunlight is irradiated through a windshield or the like under the hot sun in summer, the steering wheel 1 may rise in temperature so that it cannot be touched with bare hands. However, even when the temperature of the steering wheel 1 rises as described above, the gripping portion 7 can dissipate heat efficiently because it has a large surface area for releasing heat in contact with freely entering and exiting air. As a result, the degree of heat storage is low and excessive temperature rise can be prevented. Further, since the thermal conductivity is higher than that of the synthetic resin outer casing 6 or the like, the grip 7 is rapidly cooled by the cold air when the cooler in the vehicle is turned on. Thus, safety and comfort can be realized also in terms of temperature.

  Carbon powder absorbs external energy such as light and heat and emits far infrared rays. This radiation is performed even at room temperature, but the amount increases as the temperature rises due to palm heat. As a result, blood circulation is promoted, and a relaxing effect is achieved, contributing to comfortable driving. In addition, as described in JP-A-2006-7557, it has been confirmed by the present inventor that carbon powder has an effect of increasing brain α-waves, which also provides a relaxing effect and comfortable driving. Contribute to.

  Next, a more desirable embodiment of the gripping portion 7 described above will be described.

  The gripping part 7 preferably contains silver (for example, about 1% by weight). It is known that the smell of human sweat is mainly caused by germs decomposing sweat. As described above, the gripping part 7 can improve driving comfort by absorbing palm sweat, and can prevent the generation of odor from the adsorbed sweat by suppressing bacteria by the antibacterial action of silver. Can do. In addition, the silver on the surface of the gripping part 7 has an effect of directly exerting an antibacterial action against various germs on the palm. Silver can be included in the gripping part 7 by being dissolved or dispersed in a solution and impregnated.

  In addition, the gripping part 7 preferably contains phthalocyanine (for example, about 1% by weight). Phthalocyanine exhibits a deodorizing action by catalyzing the oxidation reaction of odor components. As described above, the gripping portion 7 can improve driving comfort by adsorbing odors, and by containing phthalocyanine, the odorous components adsorbed in the gaps of the carbon powder are changed to another substance. Therefore, the deodorizing action is prevented from being saturated, and in addition, a deodorizing action can be exhibited. This phthalocyanine reacts well even at room temperature and has a long life because it performs a cycle reaction. As a result, the deodorizing function can be maintained for a long period of 10 years or longer, which is the same as the life of the vehicle. Note that phthalocyanine exists as a compound such as metal phthalocyanine polycarboxylic acid (specifically, cobalt phthalocyanine tetracarboxylate, iron phthalocyanine tetracarboxylate, cobalt phthalocyanine octacarboxylate, or iron phthalocyanine octacarboxylate). Moreover, the compound of phthalocyanine can be included in the holding part 7 by making it melt | dissolve or disperse | distribute to a solution and making it impregnate.

  The steering wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to that described in the embodiment, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims. Is possible. For example, it can be applied to a three-spoke type steering wheel, or the shape of the rim part can be changed as appropriate (for example, a square ring), and the part to be gripped for driving operation can be used as a gripping part for a construction vehicle, train, boat, airplane, etc. Of course, it can be applied to the steering wheel of other vehicles.

1 is a front view of a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing along the AA line same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Rim part 3 Boss part 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) Spoke part 5 Core metal 6 Outer body 7 Holding part (molded body)

Claims (5)

In a steering wheel having a cored bar that forms a skeleton of a rim part, a spoke part, and a boss part,
A molded body containing porous carbon powder is disposed at a location constituting at least a part of the rim portion, and the molded body is fixed to a core metal corresponding to the rim portion or the spoke portion. Steering wheel. The steering wheel according to claim 1,
The molded body is a steering wheel characterized in that the carbon powder is a mixture of carbide and graphite. In the steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2,
The molded body is characterized in that the carbon powder contains porous graphite. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A steering wheel, wherein the molded body contains silver. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The molded body contains a phthalocyanine, a steering wheel.

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