JP2551911Y2 - Steering wheel device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel device used for a steering system of a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A horn pad is provided at a center portion of a steering wheel of an automobile. When a horn pad is pushed by a hand, a horn switch circuit is turned on and a horn sounds. As a material for the horn pad, a relatively soft resin such as urethane foam is used to protect a driver in the event of a collision or the like.

In a conventional steering wheel device, a horn pad including a pad body made of a soft synthetic resin and an insert member made of a hard resin provided on the back side of the pad body is known.

A horn pad of this type is held by a well-known fastener integrally formed with an insert member so as to be movable with a predetermined stroke with respect to a wheel core, and when the horn pad is manually pushed, a movable contact is provided. Contact the fixed contact. The horn pad is urged by a return spring in a direction in which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above steering wheel device, energy is absorbed inside the horn pad in order to alleviate the energy when the occupant's head or the like collides with the horn pad in the event of a frontal collision of an automobile. Plates may be installed.

However, if the hard resin insert member is located on the back side of the pad body, the insert member may be broken by the force of collision, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the insert member is made of sheet metal, it becomes difficult to integrally form a fastener with the insert member so that the horn pad can be attached with one touch. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more secure steering wheel device that can effectively absorb energy at the time of a collision.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The steering wheel device according to the present invention, which has been developed to achieve the above object, comprises a wheel.
Wheel core metal and the wheel core metal on the driver side
Movably in the direction of contact and separation with two wheel cores
Steering wheel with horn pad
An apparatus, wherein the wheel core bar and the horn pad
A hat-shaped energy absorbing plate made of metal plate
In addition, the horn pad is
Inserter with an opening at the part facing the main part of the rate
And a soft resin covering the outside of this insert member
And a pad body.
For assembling the movable contact member at multiple locations on the rate
A contact plate section is provided.
Some of the contact plates in the contact plate
Each part has a notch that is open on one side.
This notch allows the energy absorbing plate to
Therefore, when deformed in the direction of collapse, support on the wheel core side
Is engaged with the support portion in a state where the
The other contact plate has holes.
The support part on the wheel core is inserted into the hole of
The plate part is held .

[0008]

[Function] When a large load is applied in the direction of crushing the horn pad as in the case of a frontal collision, the energy applied to the horn pad is transmitted to the energy absorbing plate via the pad body, and the energy absorbing plate is plastically deformed. , Some of the energy is absorbed. Since the opening is provided at the central portion of the insert member, that is, at the portion facing the main portion of the energy absorbing plate , the load applied to the horn pad deforms the energy absorbing plate without the intervention of the insert member. For this reason, the hard insert member does not participate in absorbing the collision energy, and the load applied to the relatively soft pad body can be directly transmitted to the energy absorbing member. Also,
When a heavy load in the direction of crushing the pad is applied,
When the deformation reaches the energy absorbing plate, the energy
Energy absorbing plate plastically deforms and the contact plate
By deforming the part, the collision energy is absorbed
You. Hat-shaped sheet metal energy absorption like this idea
Using a plate to evenly distribute the load at the time of collision
be able to. And the energy absorption plate is big
When deformed, depending on the magnitude of the load and the degree of deformation,
Notch of contact plate dropped from support
State. For this reason, metal energy absorbing plates
Load-deformation characteristics as seen when fully fixed
Peak is reduced, and a rigid wheel core is no longer necessary.
Effectively decelerates the impact without deforming it upwards
As well as the stroke required to absorb energy.
Can be

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. A steering wheel device 10 for an automobile shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an annular rim portion 11, a center boss portion 12 located at the center of rotation of the rim portion 11, and spokes connecting the rim portion 11 and the boss portion 12. And a wheel core 15 inside. In the illustrated example, three spoke portions 13 are provided radially from the boss portion 12 to the rim portion 11.

The rim portion 11 includes a rim core 15a and a covering material 17 covering the entire circumference of the rim core 15a. A part of the spoke core metal 15b is also covered by the covering material 17.
The covering material 17 is made of an appropriate synthetic resin such as soft vinyl chloride or urethane foam. A serration hole 18 provided in the boss core 15c is fixed to an end of a steering shaft (not shown).

Each of the spoke cores 15b is provided with a fixed-side contact member 21 constituting a part of the horn switch circuit. The fixed side contact member 22 is also provided on the rising portion 15d of the boss core 15c. The contact member 2
Support portions 23 and 24 are provided near 1 and 22. The support portions 23 and 24 are formed by fixing a collar 26 and a washer 27 to the wheel core 15 with screws 25 as shown as one of the support portions 23 in FIG.

The energy absorbing plate 30 is supported by the support portions 23 and 24. The energy absorbing plate 30 is formed by pressing a sheet metal such as an iron plate into the following shape, and an example of the plate thickness is about 1.2 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, etc., the energy absorbing plate 30 has a shape (hat shape) in which a basin is turned down, and includes a disk-shaped main portion 31 and a main portion 31. Rising wall 3 provided on the entire edge of 31
2 and a flange 3 connected to the base of the rising wall 32
Consists of three.

The main portion 31 and the rising wall 32 are smoothly connected to each other via a curved portion 35. A curved portion 36 is also formed between the rising wall 32 and the flange portion 33. Also, a center boss portion 1 is provided on a part of the main portion 31.
2 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first contact plate 41 made of sheet metal is
And a second contact plate 42 also made of sheet metal,
The horn bracket 43 is fixed to the flange portion 33 by an appropriate fixing means such as welding.

The first contact plate 41 is provided with a pair of left and right arms 45. At an appropriate position 47 of the arm 45, the plate 41 is integrally joined to the flange 33 by spot welding or the like. . At the end of the arm 45, a movable contact member 51 constituting a part of the horn switch circuit and a notch 52 are provided. The movable contact member 51 and the notch 52 are also provided at the center of the arm 45.
Is provided.

The notch 52 is engaged with the collar 26 of the support 23 described above. Thus, the first contact plate 41 is movably supported in the axial direction of the collar 26 within a predetermined stroke range.

The second contact plate 42 has a mounting base 60 fixed to the flange 33, a bent end 63 having a movable contact member 61 and a through hole 62, and a leg 64. . The leg 64 connects the mounting base 60 and the bent end 63. The mounting base 60 is fixed to the flange 33 at an appropriate location 67.

The collar 26 of the support 24 is inserted through a through hole 62 provided in the second contact plate 42. Thus, the second contact plate 42 is movably supported in the axial direction of the collar 26 within a predetermined stroke range.

Accordingly, the horn bracket 4 including the energy absorbing plate 30 and the contact plates 41, 42
Numeral 3 is movable in a direction of coming and coming with a predetermined stroke with respect to the wheel core 15. In addition, in the above-described support structure, at least one of the three cutout portions 52 falls off from the support portion 23 when the energy absorbing plate 30 is greatly deformed in the direction in which the energy absorption plate 30 is crushed due to a collision or the like.

The movable contact members 51 and 61 are provided at positions spaced apart from and opposed to the fixed contact members 21 and 22, respectively.
When a horn pad 85 described later is pressed, at least one of the movable-side contact members 51 and 61 is fixed to the fixed-side contact member 2.
They are in contact with 1, 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, a wheel core 15
A resin lower cover 70 is fixed to the wheel core 15 with screws 71 on the back surface of the wheel. Lower cover 70
A well-known slip ring 72 as a conductive path of the horn switch is provided concentrically with the center boss portion 12.

A fastening boss 75 is formed integrally with the lower cover 70. A receiving hole 76 is provided in the fastening boss 75. A spring support 79 is provided on the lower cover 70.
A return spring 80 using a compression coil spring or the like is provided. The return spring 80 is connected to the horn bracket 43.
Is biased in a direction away from the wheel core 15, that is, in a direction away from the movable contact members 51 and 61 from the fixed contact members 21 and 22.

The horn pad 85 is arranged on the upper surface of the wheel core 15, that is, on the side facing the driver.
The horn pad 85 includes a pad body 86 and a pad body 8.
6 and an insert member 87 provided on the back surface side. The pad body 86 is made of a soft synthetic resin such as a soft polyvinyl chloride or a polyurethane foam having a relatively high density.

The insert member 87 is made of a synthetic resin harder than the pad body 86, for example, an ABS resin.
The energy absorbing plate 30 described above is accommodated in a space between the insert member 87 and the wheel core 15.

As means for integrating the insert member 87 and the pad body 86 with each other, for example, the pad body 86
When foam molding is performed, the insert member 87 is previously inserted into the mold.
Is set, and then the pad body 86 is injection-molded. Note that the pad body 86 and the insert member 87 may be manufactured in a separate process and then fixed to each other with an adhesive.

On the back side of the insert member 87, a convex portion 9 is provided.
0, 91 and a fastener 92 are formed integrally with the insert member 87. The projections 90 and 91 project toward the flange 33 of the energy absorbing plate 30. The fastener 92 protrudes toward the lower cover 70.

A connection hook 93 is provided at the tip of the fastener 92.
Is provided. The connection hook 93 is inserted into the receiving hole 76 of the fastening boss 75, is held movably in the axial direction of the boss 75 with a certain stroke, and is held so as not to fall out of the receiving hole 76.

As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, a circular opening 96 is provided at a central portion of the insert member 87, that is, at a position facing the main portion 31 of the energy absorbing plate 30. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 97 are provided integrally with the pad body 86 at the center of the pad body 86, that is, at a position covering the opening 96. FIG. 7 shows a part of the rib 97.

Next, the operation of the steering wheel device 10 having the above configuration will be described. When the horn pad 85 is pressed by hand, the horn bracket 4
3 is pushed in the direction of the wheel core 15, so that the contact plates 41, 42 are fixed to the fixed side contact members 21, 2.
Move in two directions. Therefore, when at least one of the movable contact members 51 and 61 contacts the fixed contact members 21 and 22, the horn switch circuit is closed and the horn sounds.

When the hand is released from the horn pad 85, the horn bracket 43 moves in the direction away from the wheel core 15 by the elasticity of the return spring 80, and the horn pad 85 also moves in the same direction. 51, 61 are separated from the fixed side contact members 21, 22 and the horn stops sounding. Since the horn pad 85 of this embodiment is a floating type, the horn can be sounded by pressing any part of the horn pad 85.

In an impact test or the like using a head form, when a load in the direction of crushing the horn pad 85 is applied and the deformation of the pad body 86 reaches the energy absorbing plate 30, the energy absorbing plate 30 plastically deforms. Moreover, the contact plates 41 and 42 are also deformed, so that the collision energy is absorbed. According to the hat-shaped sheet metal energy absorbing plate 30 as shown in the illustrated example, the load at the time of collision can be evenly dispersed.

When the energy absorbing plate 30 is greatly deformed, the notch 52 of the first contact plate 41 falls off from the supporting portion 23 in accordance with the magnitude of the load and the degree of deformation. For this reason, the peak of the load-deformation characteristic as seen when the metal energy absorbing plate 30 is completely fixed is alleviated, and the rigid metal core 15 is effectively deformed without being deformed more than necessary. At the same time, the collision object is decelerated, and a stroke necessary for absorbing energy is obtained.

In the insert member 87 of this embodiment, an opening 96 is provided at a position facing the energy absorbing plate 30, and only the pad body 86 made of a soft resin faces the energy absorbing plate 30. When the collision object collides with the horn pad 85, the pad body 8
The portion where the sixth rib 97 is provided comes into direct contact with the energy absorbing plate 30.

For this reason, problems such as cracking of the hard insert member 87 and rebound of a collision object can be suppressed, and energy can be effectively absorbed by deforming the energy absorbing plate 30 and the contact plates 41 and 42 with a short stroke. Is done.

Since the fastener 92 can be formed integrally with the insert member 87 made of resin, the fastening boss 75 can be attached to the receiving hole 76 with one touch, and the assembling property is good.

The energy absorbing plate 30 is supported on the wheel core 15 via the contact plates 41 and 42 and the supporting portions 23 and 24, and an opening 96 is provided at the center of the insert member 87. Therefore, the mass of the horn pad 85 can be made as small as possible. For this reason, the horn pad 85 suitable for the floating type can be obtained such that the horn pad 85 has good vibration characteristics, and the horn pad 85 does not easily fall off during a collision.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that portions common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

The steering wheel device 1 of this embodiment
The horn bracket 101 used for the energy absorbing plate 102 includes an energy absorbing plate 102 and a contact plate portion 10.
3 and 104 are integrally formed. The horn bracket 101 is integrally formed into the following shape by pressing a thin sheet metal such as an iron plate having a thickness of about 1 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the energy absorbing plate 102 has a shallow hat shape such as an ashtray, and has a main portion 11 having an opening 109 in the center.
0 and a flat portion 112 connected around the main portion 110 with a rising wall 111 interposed therebetween. Opening 109
Are also used as working holes when attaching the end of the steering shaft to the boss portion 12.

In FIG. 10, the energy absorbing plate 1
A first contact plate portion 103 having a cutout 115 is provided on both left and right sides and a lower portion of the second contact plate 02. Above the energy absorption plate 102, a second contact plate portion 104 having a round hole 116 is provided. The first contact plate portion 103 faces the iron core stay portion 118 of the wheel core 15.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first contact plate 103 is provided with a pair of left and right legs 121 and a center leg 122 with two slits 120 as boundaries. Legs 121 on both sides and central leg 122
In the figure, the bent portions are shifted from each other. The base portion 125 provided with the cutout portion 115 is connected to the support portion 23 on the spoke core 15b side by a screw 25 via an insulating bush 126 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin or the like and a collar 26. It is attached to. The contact plate 103 is movable in the axial direction of the collar 26. The base portion 125 of the contact plate portion 103 is provided with a hole 127 for assembling the insulating bush 126 and the movable contact member 51.

On the other hand, the second contact plate 104
As shown in FIG. 12, a leg 131 reinforced by a rib 130 and a base 13 having a round hole 116 are formed.
2, and supported by the support portion 24 of the iron core stay portion 135 on the upper part of the wheel core metal 15 by a screw 133 and a collar 134 inserted through the round hole 116. Base 1
32 is assembled via an insulating bush 140 made of an electrically insulating material. This contact plate portion 104
Is movable in the axial direction of the collar 134. The insulating bush 14 is attached to the base 132 of the contact plate 104.
A hole 141 for assembling the movable contact member 61 with the movable contact member 61 is provided.

The steering wheel device 10 of the present embodiment
Also, a horn pad (not shown) configured in the same manner as the horn pad 85 of the first embodiment is mounted using a fastening boss 75 or the like to effectively absorb energy at the time of collision. I can do it.

In the steering wheel device 100, the horn bracket 101 falls off in the event of a collision because the notch 115 of the first contact plate 103
Is a place where is provided. Since the second contact plate portion 104 is supported by the screw 133 and the collar 134 inserted into the round hole 116, the second contact plate portion 104 does not fall off.

As described above, the peak load is suppressed by adopting a mounting structure in which the horn bracket 101 falls off at the left and right spoke portions 13 and the lower spoke portion 13 where a peak load is likely to be generated at the time of collision. ing. Further, since the core stay 135 is fixed on one side, the core stay 135 is easily deformed in the event of a collision, and a peak load unlike other parts does not occur. For this reason, the deformation behavior of the iron core stay portion 135 at the time of collision is also reduced by the energy absorbing plate 102.
It can exhibit the energy absorption effect as well.

[0047]

According to the steering wheel device of the present invention, the horn pad according to claim 1 and the energy absorption.
By combining the plates , energy can be effectively absorbed with a limited stroke, and safety can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a steering wheel device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a horn pad removed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an energy absorbing plate used in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an energy absorbing plate used in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state where a contact plate is attached to the energy absorbing plate shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front view showing a horn pad used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a steering wheel device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a horn bracket used in the device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a first contact plate portion of a horn bracket used in the device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a second contact plate portion of the horn bracket used in the device shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering wheel device, 12 ... Center boss part, 13 ... Spoke part, 15 ... Wheel core metal, 30 ... Energy absorption plate, 41, 42 ... Contact plate, 43 ... Horn bracket, 52 ... Notch part, 85 ... Horn pad 86, pad body, 87, insert member, 96, opening, 97, rib, 100, steering wheel device, 101, horn bracket, 102, energy absorbing plate, 103, 104, contact plate, 115, cutout.

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A wheel core (15) and the wheel core (1).
A horn pad (85) arranged on the driver side of (5) and held movably in a direction of coming and going with respect to the wheel core (15).
And a hat-shaped metal plate energy absorbing plate (30, 102) provided between the wheel core (15) and the horn pad (85), and the horn pad (85). Is the above energy absorption plate
An insert member (87) having an opening (96) at a portion facing the main portion (31, 110) of (30, 102), and the insert member (87)
And a pad body (86) made of a soft resin that covers the outside of the energy absorbing plate (30, 102), and a contact plate portion (51, 61) for attaching a movable contact member (51, 61) to a plurality of locations. 41, 42, 103, 104) are provided.Some of the contact plate portions (41, 103) of these contact plate portions (41, 42, 103, 104) are provided with cutout portions (52, 115) which are open on one side, respectively. Notch (52,
115) is engaged with the support portion (23) in a state where the energy absorbing plate (30, 102) can be dropped from the support portion (23) on the wheel core metal (15) side when deformed in a direction to be collapsed by external force, And holes in other contact plate (42,104)
(62, 116), wherein the support portion (24) of the wheel core (15) is inserted into the hole (62, 116) to hold the contact plate portion (42, 104). .