JP3252407B2 - Steering wheel pad structure - 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 pad provided with a horn switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following structure is known as a structure of a pad of a steering wheel provided with a horn switch. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, an insert 13 for supporting the skin 16 is embedded in a thick skin 16 on the pad surface, and a polyamide resin net 14 is mounted and fixed on the upper part of the insert 13, Epidermis 16
Buried inside. On the net 14, a flat horn switch 15 which is activated by a pressing force from above is supported. The skin 16 contains an inflator 11 having a firing device and a folded airbag 12.

The skin 16 is made of a soft urethane resin, and has an insert 13, a net 14, and a horn switch 1.
5 is formed by an insert molding method in which injection molding is performed in a state of being placed in a mold.

[0004]

However, the horn switch 15 is buried and fixed in a flat shape on the net 14 in the skin 16. On the other hand, the surface of the skin 16 covering the upper part has a smooth curved shape. Therefore, the thickness of the skin 16 on the horn switch 15 varies depending on the location,
For example, the pad may be thicker at the center and thinner at the periphery.

Therefore, when the horn switch 15 is operated by pressing the upper surface of the skin 16, the horn switch 15
Is absorbed by the skin 16 and becomes smaller as the thickness of the skin 16 on the horn switch 15 increases. As a result, the operation load of the horn switch 15 varies depending on the location, and there is a problem that the operational feeling of the horn switch is poor. In addition, insert molding has a problem that formability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel pad structure which can make the operating load of a horn switch constant and has a good operability of the horn switch. is there.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a box-shaped insert is provided,
One of Ru attaching a flat horn switch on the same insert
On the other hand, an airbag is housed inside the insert, and a skin of a certain thickness is provided on the outer surface of the insert and the horn switch so as to cover the insert and the horn switch, and between the horn switch and the skin, Ru provided operation load adjustment member to uniform operation load of the horn switch
At the same time, the skin has an inset for breaking and expanding the skin.
The gist is a structure of a steering wheel pad in which a flation line is formed .

[0008]

The operation load adjusting member provided between the horn switch and the skin does not change the absorption of the pressure applied to the surface of the skin even when the skin of the pad of the steering wheel is pressed. Therefore, the operation load of the horn switch becomes uniform over the entire pad.

[0009]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular box-shaped insert 2 constituting a pad 1 has a cross section L
The bag holder 3 having a character shape is fixed with rivets 4. The inflator 5 is attached to the bag holder 3. The inflator 5 includes a firing device, and the gas generating agent is decomposed by the operation of the firing device to generate nitrogen gas. An airbag 6 is folded and stored in the upper part of the inflator 5.
The airbag 6 is inflated by the nitrogen gas generated by the inflator 5.

The insert 2 has a fixed shape and is made of a hard material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PE) to protect the inflator 5 and the airbag 6.
T), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) having a high hardness, a metal or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, a flat pressure-sensitive horn switch (hereinafter simply referred to as a horn switch) 7 is mounted and fixed to a concave portion 2a provided on the upper surface of the insert 2 with a rivet (not shown). When the horn switch 7 is pressed, the horn sounds by contacting the internal contacts. The horn switch 7
May be attached to the insert 2 with an adhesive,
Also, it may be fixed by sewing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the insert 2 is covered with a skin 8, and between the skin 8 and the horn switch 7, the thickness of the skin 8 is constant and the curved shape is maintained constant. A rib 9 as an operation load adjusting member for keeping the pressure applied to the horn switch 7 constant is formed integrally with the skin 8. The upper portion of the rib 9 is formed in a smooth arc shape so that the height is higher toward the center of the pad 1 and lower toward the periphery so as not to impair the design of the skin 8, and the lower portion is a horn. It is formed flat so as to make uniform contact with the switch 7. Although the rib 9 is formed integrally with the skin 8 by an injection molding method, the rib 9 and the skin 8 may be separately formed and then joined with a rivet or an adhesive.

The skin 8 is made of a soft material such as a soft vinyl chloride resin or a soft TPU. On the other hand, the rib 9 needs to have a shape, a material, and the like capable of transmitting the pressing force from the skin 8 to the horn switch 7 as it is. For example, as shown in FIG. And a large number of holes so that the entire skin 8 can be uniformly supported. As the material of the rib 9, a hard vinyl chloride resin, a TPU having a high hardness, or the like is used. The insert 2 to which the horn switch 7 is fixed is attached.
The pad 1 is formed by covering a skin 8 having a rib 9 on the back surface as shown in FIG.

The operation of the structure of the steering wheel pad 1 constructed as described above will be described. When the upper surface of the skin 8 of the pad 1 is pressed by hand, the pressing force is
Is transmitted to the horn switch 7 via the rib 9. At this time, as described above, the height of the rib 9 is formed in an arc shape such that it is higher toward the center of the pad 1 and lower toward the periphery, but the thickness of the skin 8 is kept constant. . Therefore, the pressing force applied to the skin 8 is always transmitted to the rib 9 with a constant force regardless of the pressed position.

As described above, the ribs are formed of a shape and material that can be transmitted to the horn switch 7 without absorbing the pressure from the skin 8. Therefore, the force applied to the rib 9 is applied to the central portion of the pad 1,
Regardless of the peripheral portion, the power is transmitted to the horn switch 7 almost as it is. As a result, the operation load of the horn switch 7 can be made constant at any place, and the operation feeling of the horn switch 7 is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, but may be configured as follows. That is, instead of the ribs 9, as shown in FIG. 5, a number of projections 10 may be provided on the back surface of the skin 8. The height of the protrusion 10 increases as the distance between the horn switch 7 and the skin 8 increases. With this configuration, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Second Embodiment Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Explanation will be made according to 6. In this embodiment, mainly the first
A description will be given of a portion different from the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, a flange 21 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the resin inner 2A as the insert. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the resin inner 2A. As shown in FIG. 14, plate-like support protrusions 22 extending upward (in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface) are provided on both front and rear (upper and lower sides) edges of the resin inner 2A. Are provided at predetermined intervals. FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the resin inner, and plate-like support protrusions 23 extending downward are provided at predetermined intervals on both left and right edges. FIG. 16 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 14, and as shown in FIG. 14, the rear end edge of the resin inner 2A is hung, and mounting holes 24 are provided at four places in the hung portions.

As shown in FIG. 6, the resin inner 2A
A flat membrane switch 7 is placed on the upper rear side. This membrane switch 7 has a planar shape as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the membrane switch 7 is composed of two upper and lower stainless steel thin plates 2.
5 and a phosphor bronze thin plate 26 interposed therebetween, and a spacing member 27 made of an insulating epoxy resin that maintains a constant spacing is interposed between them. These outer surfaces are covered with a film 28 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to prevent infiltration of moisture and the like. A gap is formed in the spacing member 27 to allow contact between the stainless steel thin plate 25 and the phosphor copper thin plate 26.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.
As shown in the figure, the upper part of the thin plate 25 is formed narrow. An extra space is hardly formed between both sides of the thin plate 25 and the film 28.

As shown in FIG. 11, the membrane switch 7
A connection terminal 29 is drawn out from the upper center of the phosphor bronze thin plate 26, and is connected to a horn device (not shown) via a connector 30 shown in FIG. Then, when the membrane switch 7 is pressed, the thin plate 25 made of stainless steel and the thin plate 26 made of phosphor bronze come into contact, and the horn device sounds the horn. Each of the thin plates 25 is pulled out on both sides of the connection terminal 29, and the tip thereof is T
It is branched in a letter shape, and a support hole 31 is provided at each of two locations at the branch portion. Then, this membrane switch 7 is mounted on the resin inner 2A, and
The support hole 31 and the mounting hole 24 of the resin inner 2A are aligned with each other in a state where the membrane switch 7 is bent downward by X-ray, and the rivet 4 is inserted into both holes 24 and 31, so that the membrane switch 7 is made of resin. The inner 2A and the bag holder 3 are tightened and fixed.

The stainless steel thin plate 25 of the membrane switch 7 is electrically connected to a handle core (not shown) via the rivet 4 and the bag holder 3, and connected to a minus terminal of the battery via the steering shaft 33. I have.

As shown in FIG. 6, the resin inner 2A
A resin skin 8 is provided above the membrane switch 7.
Are supported by a metal bracket 32 fixed to the resin inner 2A with rivets 4. That is, the skin 8 is attached to the resin inner 2A by inserting the metal bracket 32 into the locking holes 36 and 37 provided at both ends of the resin inner 2A and the skin 8 respectively. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the skin 8 taken along the line AA in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. 8, the skin 8 has a shape in which the center is gently depressed in the left-right direction. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the skin 8 taken along the line BB in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. 9, the skin 8 has a substantially swelled shape in the front-rear direction. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the skin 8. As shown in FIG. 10, a large number of ribs 9 as load adjusting members projecting in a cross shape are independently provided at predetermined intervals on the lower surface of the skin 8. ing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the height of the rib 9 is adjusted according to the shape of the upper surface of the skin 8. The rib 9 has a function of keeping the load on the membrane switch 7 constant and a function of maintaining the design shape of the upper surface of the skin 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, an inflation line L is formed on the skin 8 so as to extend left and right. Then, the skin 8 is broken and expanded at the inflation line L. The back holder 3 is mounted on a boss 34 fixed to a steering shaft 33, and the lower portion of the pad 1 is covered with a lower cover 35.

The operation of the pad 1 constructed as described above will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6, a membrane switch 7 is disposed at a rear portion on the resin inner 2A. As shown in FIG. 16, the membrane switch 7 is firmly held by the thin plate 25 being fixedly fastened to the attachment hole 24 of the resin inner 2A by inserting the rivet 4 into the support hole 31 of the branch portion. You. Next, the skin 8 is covered above the resin inner 2A and the membrane switch 7, and both ends thereof are fixed to the resin inner 2A by the metal bracket 32. Thus, the pad 1 is formed by sequentially laminating the membrane switch 7 and the skin 8 on the resin inner 2A.

As described above, since the pads 1 are formed by lamination, no pressure such as the molding pressure accompanying the insert molding is applied, and therefore, less stress is applied to the membrane switch 7 as compared with the insert molding method. . For this reason, there is no problem even if the skin 8 having a desired curved surface shape, material, and the like is freely arranged, and the manufacturing is simpler than the insert molding.

As described above, the height of the rib 9 projecting from the lower surface of the skin 8 is adjusted according to the shape of the upper surface of the skin 8, and the skin 8 is formed to have a constant thickness. .
Moreover, since the ribs 9 are independently formed at predetermined intervals in a cross shape, the skin 8 is easily deformed as compared with the case of being formed in a long plate shape, and is formed in a rod shape or a column shape. The deformation of the rib 9 itself is smaller than in the case where the rib 9 is provided. Therefore, when the upper surface of the skin 8 is pressed by hand, this pressing force is transmitted to the membrane switch 7 via the rib 9,
At this time, the pressure applied to the membrane switch 7 is constant even if the upper surface pressed is different, and when a greater force is applied than the membrane switch 7 is turned on, the rib 9 is deformed and the reaction force applied to the operated hand is increased. , A good operational feeling can be obtained. Moreover, the rib 9 can hold the upper surface of the skin 8, that is, the design surface of the pad 1 in a predetermined shape.

Further, since the thin plate 25 constituting the membrane switch 7 is fastened and fixed to the mounting hole 24 on the side surface of the resin inner 2A with the rivet 4, the airbag 6 expands and the resin inner 2A and the skin 8 are separated. It is held with sufficient mounting strength even when it is expanded at the inflation line L. Moreover, the membrane switch 7 is made of the resin inner 2
Since the resin inner 2A and the outer skin 8 expand or contract due to a temperature change, they are deformed by being attached and not being adhered and being able to move relative to the resin inner 2A and the outer skin 8. There is no fear.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described second embodiment, but may be configured as follows. That is, as the ribs 9 on the lower surface of the skin 8, as shown in FIG. 17A, the interval between the cross-shaped ribs 9 of the second embodiment may be changed depending on the location. As shown in FIG. 17B, the cross-shaped ribs 9 and the X-shaped ribs 9 may be combined and arranged at equal intervals, and as shown in FIG. It may be changed depending on the location. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 17D, the ribs 9 may be formed in a Y-shape and may be arranged at regular intervals. As shown in FIG. . Further, as shown in FIG. 17 (f), the ribs 9 may be formed in a straight line, and they may be arranged vertically and horizontally at equal intervals, as shown in FIG. 17 (g). It may be changed depending on the location.

Although the pad of the above embodiment has an air bag therein, it may be a pad provided with an energy absorber or a general pad.

[0032]

According to the present invention, the operation load of the horn switch can be made constant, and as a result, the operation feeling of the horn switch is excellent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pad of a steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a rib formed on the back surface of the skin.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where a flat horn switch is mounted on an insert.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a rib is integrally formed on the back surface of the skin.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a rib showing another example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a pad of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a steering wheel.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the epidermis taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the skin along line BB in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the epidermis.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a membrane switch.

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing a membrane switch.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a resin inner.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view showing a resin inner.

FIG. 16 is a view as viewed in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 14;

17 (a) to (g) show another example of the present invention, and are views showing the shape of a rib on the back surface of the skin.

FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view showing the structure of a conventional pad.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... pad, 2 ... insert, 2A ... resin inner as an insert, 5 ... inflator, 6 ... airbag,
7 ... Membrane switch as horn switch, 8 ...
Skin, 9 ... Rib as operating load adjusting member, 10 ... Protrusion as operating load adjusting member.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Junichi Mizutani 1 Ochiai Nagahata, Kasuga-cho, Nishi-Kasugai-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Gosei Co., Ltd. Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takanori Kozu, Aichi Prefecture, Kasuga-cho, Nishi-Kasugai-gun Ochiai, Nagahata 1 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Synthetic Co., Ltd. Inside (56) References JP-A 1-1113080 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 16/02 B60Q 5/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] With disposing 1. A box-shaped insert (2), while the Ru mounting a flat horn switch onto the insert (2) (7), on the inside of the insert (2) d
The insert (2 ) is housed on the outer surface of the insert (2) and the horn switch (7).
And a skin (8) having a constant thickness so as to cover the horn switch (7), and operating the horn switch (7) between the horn switch (7) and the skin (8). Rutotomo provided operation load adjustment member to balance the weight load (9, 10)
In addition, the epidermis (8) is provided for breaking and expanding the epidermis (8).
The pad structure of a steering wheel, wherein the inflation line (L) is formed .