JPH11115671A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering wheel which can prevent inserts buried in a pad part from being uncoupled when the pad part is expanded. SOLUTION: A steering wheel is equipped with a steering wheel main body, and with an air bag device. The steering wheel main body is provided with a ring part core metal 5, spoke part core metals 6A through 6C, a sheathing body sheathing these components, and with a pad part which is disposed roughly at the center upper part of a ring part, and is integrally formed with the sheathing body. The air bag device is disposed underneath the pad part. Besides, inserts 60 and 61 are buried in the pad part so as to be mounted to auxiliary connection parts 22A and 22B, and to an auxiliary connection part 24. In this case, the inserts 60 and 61 are locked to the auxiliary connection parts 22A and 22B, and the auxiliary connection part 24 by means of a locking projection 63, and a locking projection respectively, and concurrently, they are surely fixed thereto by means of fusion parts Y formed through ultrasonic welding.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel, and more particularly, to a steering wheel in which a pad portion is formed integrally with a cover of a ring portion and an airbag device is disposed below the pad portion. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a steering wheel has an annular ring portion, a pad portion disposed at the center of the ring portion, and a plurality of spoke portions extending to the center from the ring portion. A ring core is buried in the portion, and a spoke core is buried in the spoke portion. In this case, the ring core metal and the spoke core metal are covered with a covering made of, for example, foamed polyurethane. A boss plate for attaching the steering wheel body to the steering shaft is connected to the spoke core below the pad. In such a steering wheel, after the steering wheel body (boss plate) is attached to the steering shaft and before the pad portion is mounted, an airbag device or the like is inserted through the opening for the pad portion. . Then, the pad portion is attached.

On the other hand, in recent years, there has been proposed a steering wheel in which a boundary between the cover and the pad portion is eliminated by integrally forming the cover and the pad portion (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-133955). ). According to this technique, the cover and the pad portion are integrated, and the design is improved.

In the steering wheel disclosed in the above publication, an insert is buried in the pad portion in order to prevent the pad portion from scattering when the airbag device is operated. In such a case, the insert has been fixed to the foamed resin member on the cored bar.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional steering wheel, since the insert is fixed to the foamed resin member, the foamed resin member may be damaged when the pad portion is expanded due to the inflation of the airbag. As a result, the insert may be detached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an insert embedded in a pad portion from coming off when the pad portion is developed. It is to provide a steering wheel.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a ring core metal,
A steering wheel main body having a pad portion formed substantially at the center of a spoke portion core metal and a covering body covering the spoke portion and a ring portion and integrally formed with the covering portion, and disposed below the pad portion; In the steering wheel provided with an airbag device, an insert is buried in the pad portion, and the insert is wound around a metal core portion forming a part of the steering wheel body, and at least both end portions of the insert are The gist of the invention is that the insert is fixed to the metal core by fusing a part of the removed parts to each other.

In the invention according to a second aspect, in the steering wheel according to the first aspect, the gist is that the core portion connects the plurality of spoke portion cores to each other. .

Further, in the invention according to the third aspect, in the steering wheel according to the first or second aspect, a locking projection is formed to project from the cored bar, and a part of the insert is formed on the locking projection. The gist is to lock the lock.

Note that the vertical direction of the steering wheel described in this specification refers to the direction along the axial direction of the steering shaft, and does not refer to the vertical direction when the steering wheel is mounted on a vehicle.

(Operation) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pad portion is deployed by operating the airbag device disposed below the pad portion. When the pad portion is developed, the pad portion is prevented from being scattered because the insert is buried inside the pad portion.

At this time, the insert is wound around the metal core forming a part of the steering wheel body, and a part of the insert except for at least both ends is fixed by being mutually fused. ing. Therefore, when the pad portion is deployed, the insert receives stress from the airbag device,
Since the insert is securely fixed, it does not easily come off the cored bar.

[0013] In particular, according to the present invention, the insert is fixed by fusing a part of the insert wound around the cored bar to each other. Attachments are provided on at least portions except for both ends. Therefore, the strength of both ends of the insert is not reduced by fusion, and the fusion state of the inserts is secured while maintaining the strength of both ends, so that the above-described action is more reliably achieved. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the core portion connects the plurality of spoke portion cores to each other. Therefore, the work of fixing the insert is easily performed, and the fixing state is stabilized.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the first and second aspects of the present invention, a locking projection protrudes from the cored bar, and a part of the insert is locked to the locking projection. For this reason, when the pad portion is deployed, the insert receives stress from the airbag device. However, since the insert is more securely fixed, it is more likely that the insert will be detached from the cored bar portion. This will surely be prevented.

[0016]

As described above, according to the steering wheel of the present invention, an excellent effect that the insert buried in the pad portion can be reliably prevented from coming off when the pad portion is deployed. Play.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a plan view of the steering wheel W in the present embodiment,
2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

As shown in these figures, a steering wheel main body 1 of a steering wheel W includes an annular ring portion 2 and a pad portion 3 disposed at the center of the ring portion 2.
And three spoke portions 4 extending from the ring portion 2. The ring portion 2 is composed of a ring core metal 5 made of a light-weight die-cast metal such as magnesium or a magnesium alloy, and a covering 7a covering the ring core metal. The spoke portion 4 is the same as the ring core metal 5. The spoke cores 6A, 6B, and 6C are made of metal and a cover 7b that covers them. Coatings 7a, 7
The b and the pad portion 3 are integrally formed of a soft synthetic resin material (for example, polyurethane foam). Note that a shift switch 4a is provided in a part of the spoke portion 4.

On the other hand, a storage recess 11 surrounded by a cover 7b is formed below the pad portion 3, and a membrane switch 12 and an airbag device 13 are provided in the storage recess 11. Have been. Membrane switch 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes upper and lower thin plates which form part of a horn switch circuit (not shown). The thin plates contact each other when the pad portion 3 is pressed, and the horn is sounded by the contact.

The airbag device 13 is a bag-shaped airbag 14 which is folded and stored, an inflator 15 for supplying an inflating gas to the airbag 14, and holds and fixes the airbag 14 and the inflator 15. And a bag holder 16. The bag holder 16 is fixed to the spoke core 6A and the like by screws 17 and the like, for example, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of left and right spoke cores 6B and 6C are connected to a connecting portion 2 below the spoke cores 6B and 6C.
1 is connected to the boss 8. Each of the spoke cores 6B and 6C is different from the other spoke core 6A (on the driver side) with respect to the sub-connectors 22A and 22B constituting the core.
Are linked by Thus, the spoke cores 6A to 6C, the ring core 5 and the boss 8 are firmly connected, and the boss 8, the connecting portion 21 and the sub-connecting portion 22 are connected.
A and 22B form a relatively large opening 23 (see FIG. 2) on the driver's seat side of the boss 8. Also, the spoke cores 6B and 6C are at the upper part thereof,
Similarly, they are connected by a sub-connecting part 24 which also constitutes a metal core part.

In the present embodiment, the sub-connecting portion 24 is formed to be bent in a direction away from the spoke core 6A, and the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B are formed to be bent substantially in a hook shape. I have. Accordingly, the sub-connection portions 22A and 22B and the sub-connection portion 24 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan as a whole. Further, in the present embodiment, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a lower cover 25 made of resin is provided so as to surround the lower side of the steering wheel body 1.

Next, the mounting structure of the steering wheel W will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, a recess 31 is provided at the tip of the steering shaft 30.
Are formed, and a female screw 31 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 31. On the outer periphery of the steering shaft 30, a serration 32 is provided on a tapered surface 33 formed below the concave portion 31. The serration 32 includes a predetermined number (for example, about 30) of teeth.

The boss 8 has an insertion hole 1 formed in the center thereof.
At 8, it is inserted into the tip of the steering shaft 30 and is fixed to the steering shaft 30 by a gear bolt 34 screwed to the female screw 31 a. Also,
The inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 18 is provided with the steering shaft 3.
An inclined surface 20 corresponding to the 0 tapered surface 33 is formed. Serrations 19 corresponding to the serrations 32 of the steering shaft 30 are formed on the inclined surface 20.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a metal housing case 41 is fixed to the boss 8, and the upper side of the insertion hole 18 is covered by the housing case 41. Storage case 4
1 has a ceiling wall 42, an upright wall 43, and a flange 44, and the flange 44 is fixed to the boss 8 with a screw 45. The upright wall 43 has a pair of through holes 4 facing each other.
3a and 43b are formed. Both through holes 43a, 43b
An operation jig 46 extending in a direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the steering shaft 30 is fitted into the steering shaft 30. The operation jig 46 includes a hexagonal column-shaped operation part 47 and a cylindrical part 4.
8, a drive gear 49 having helical teeth and a thin cylindrical portion 50 are provided.

A cylindrical portion 48 is attached to one of the through holes 43a via a bush 51 made of synthetic resin or rubber, and the operating portion 47 projects outward from the through hole 43a. I have. The cylindrical portion 50 is mounted in the other through hole 43b via a bush 52 made of synthetic resin or rubber. The distal end of the cylindrical portion 50 is
b, and is caulked by a caulking jig (not shown) via a washer 53. As described above, the operation jig 46 is supported in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the steering shaft 30 and can rotate around its own axis. Further, at the time of the rotation, the bushes 51, 52 and the through holes 43a, 4
It is configured such that a predetermined or higher operation stress is required due to a frictional force generated between 3b or between the bushes 51 and 52 and the operation jig 46.

The gear bolt 34 is provided in the housing case 41 in a direction perpendicular to the operation jig 46. The gear bolt 34 has a male screw 55 screwed to the female screw 31a of the steering shaft 30, a driven gear 56 having a diameter larger than that, and having helical teeth,
It has a constricted portion 57 and a large diameter portion 58. Storage case 41
The ceiling wall 42 has a through hole 42a formed therein, and the gear bolt 34 is fitted into the through hole 42a. More specifically, a constricted portion 57 and a large-diameter portion 58 protrude upward from the through hole 42a, and an E-ring 59 is fitted into the constricted portion 57. Thus, the gear bolt 34 is supported on the housing case 41 so as to be rotatable about its own axis without moving up and down.

The driven gear 56 is connected to the operating jig 4.
6 drive gear 49. Therefore, when the operation jig 46 is rotated, the gear bolt 34 is also rotated.

Next, a characteristic portion of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
22B (driver side) and the sub-connecting portion 24 are attached with inserts 60 and 61 made of cloth made by coating thermoplastic polyurethane on a mesh-like nylon 66 fiber, respectively. Buried inside. Here, insert 60,
The detailed configuration of 61 and its mounting procedure will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inserts 60 and 61 are cut in advance into the shapes shown in the drawings. At the time of this cutting, the insert 61 fixed to the sub-connecting portion 24 includes a deployment portion 61a corresponding to the vehicle front side of the pad portion 3 and a winding for winding the insert 61 around the sub-connecting portion 24. And a portion 61b. On the other hand, the insert 60 fixed to the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B (driver side) includes a development portion 60a of the pad portion 3 corresponding to the driver side and the insert 60.
And a winding section 60b for winding the sub-connection section around the sub-connection sections 22A and 22B.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of locking projections 62 projecting downward are integrally formed on the sub-connecting portion 24. The sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B (driver side) extend to the driver side, that is, the ring portion 2
A plurality of locking projections 63 extending in the horizontal direction with respect to the (ring core metal 5) are integrally formed.

Then, for example, the insert 60 is attached to the sub-connecting portions 22A, 22B in the following procedure. First, as shown in FIG.
Is wound around the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B. At this time, the mesh hole of the insert 60 (which may be any appropriate hole or a pre-formed positioning hole) is inserted into the locking projection 63 to position the insert 60. .

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the unfolded portion 60a of the insert 60 and the tip of the wrapped portion 60b are overlapped with each other, and a part of the overlapping portion, that is, at least both end portions of the insert 60, A part of the parts to be removed is mutually fused by ultrasonic welding. In this case, at predetermined positions of the insert 60, three fusion parts Y are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plane.

In the same manner as described above, the other insert 61 is also provided with the locking projection 62 of the sub-connecting portion 24.
(Refer to FIG. 5), the positioning and locking, and the winding portion 61b
Is fixed to the sub-connecting portion 24 by winding it around the sub-connecting portion 24 and then performing ultrasonic welding. Also in this case, similarly to the above, at predetermined positions of the insert 61, three fusion parts Y are formed in a substantially rectangular planar shape.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the core metal or the like to which the inserts 60 and 61 are fixed is set in a mold (not shown), and the pad portion 3 and the covering members 7a and 7 are formed.
b is integrally formed. Thus, the steering wheel main body 1 in which the inserts 60 and 61 are embedded in the pad portion 3 is obtained.

Next, a method of attaching the steering wheel body 1 to the steering shaft 30 will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
1 and the membrane switch 12 and the airbag device 13 are inserted through the opening 23 formed by the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B. Then, the bag holder 16 is fixed to the spoke core 6A and the like with the screws 17 (see FIG. 2) and the like. At this time, since the opening 23 is formed relatively large, the airbag device 13 and the like can be easily mounted. Further, at this time, the sub-connecting portion 22
The locking projections 63 (see FIG. 5) formed integrally with the A and 22B extend in the driver direction, that is, in the horizontal direction with respect to the ring portion 2, so that the opening area of the opening portion 23 can be reduced. Therefore, the insertion of the airbag device 13 and the like is not hindered.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the boss 8 of the steering wheel W is
Fit. At this time, the position of the boss 8 is adjusted so that the serration 32 of the steering shaft 30 and the serration 19 of the boss 8 mesh with each other.

In this state, the male screw 55 of the gear bolt 34
Is screwed into the female screw 31a at the tip of the steering shaft 30. That is, a fastening tool (not shown) is inserted through a through hole (not shown) of the lower cover 25, and fitted into the operation portion 47 of the operation jig 46. Then, the operation jig 46 is rotated in a predetermined tightening direction. Then, the torque of the operation jig 46 is transmitted to the teeth of the driven gear 56 of the gear bolt 34 meshing with the teeth of the drive gear 49 (see FIG. 3), and the gear bolt 34 rotates in a predetermined tightening direction. Accordingly, the male screw 55 of the gear bolt 34 is screwed to the female screw 31a of the steering shaft 30, and the boss 8 is fixed to the steering shaft 30, as shown in FIGS. The attachment of the main body 1 to the steering shaft 30 is completed.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. According to the present embodiment, the airbag device 13 disposed below the pad portion 3 is operated, that is, the airbag 14 is inflated, so that the pad portion 3 is flattened along the cutout portion. Torn and unfold. When deploying this pad section 3,
Since the inserts 60 and 61 are buried inside the pad portion 3, the pad portion 3 is prevented from scattering.

At this time, the mesh-shaped insert 6 made of cloth
0 and 61 are wound around the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B and the sub-connecting portion 24, respectively, and the unfolding portions 60a and 61 are respectively.
A part of the overlapped portion between a and the tips of the winding portions 60b and 61b is fused to each other. Therefore, when the pad portion 3 is expanded, the inserts 60 and 61 receive stress from the airbag 14, but the insert 6
Since 0 and 61 are securely fixed, the
A, 22B and 24 do not come off. As a result, when the pad portion 3 is deployed, the inserts 60, 6
1 can be reliably prevented from being detached.

In particular, the fusion between the expanded portions 60a, 61a of the inserts 60, 61 and the ends of the wrapped portions 60b, 61b is performed at least at portions except for both ends. Therefore, the strength of both ends of the inserts 60 and 61 is not reduced by fusion, and the unfolded portions 60a and 61a and the wrapped portion 60 are maintained in a state where the strength of both ends is maintained.
Since the fused state of the b and 61b with the tip portion is ensured, the above-described operation and effect can be further ensured.

In this embodiment, the insert 6
Reference numerals 0 and 61 are fixed to the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B and the sub-connecting portion 24, and a part thereof is
A, 22B, 24 locking projections 63, 62 protrudingly formed
It is locked to. Therefore, the mounting state of the inserts 60 and 61 can be further stabilized, and the above-described operation and effect can be further ensured.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the pad portion 3 is formed integrally with the covering members 7a and 7b, the airbag device 13 and the like are inserted from the opening 23. At this time, a locking projection 63 for locking a part of the insert 60 on the driver side extends in the horizontal direction with respect to the ring portion 2 and projects so as not to obstruct the opening portion 23 (see FIG. 12). Is formed. Therefore,
The work of inserting the airbag device 13 or the like is not hindered by the presence of the locking projection 63. As a result, the work of disposing the airbag device 13 and the like can be performed smoothly.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the sub-connecting portions 22A, 22B, to which the inserts 60, 61 are fixed,
Numeral 24 connects the spoke cores 6A, 6B and 6C. Therefore, the fixed state can be stabilized. In addition, the sub-connecting portions 22A, 22B, and 24 have a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and the attachment portions thereof are substantially linear, so that the fixing work of the inserts 60 and 61 can be easily performed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be carried out as follows by appropriately changing a part of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention. (1) In the above embodiment, the overlapped portions of the inserts 60 and 61 are fused by ultrasonic welding. However, if the overlapped portions of the inserts 60 and 61 can be fused to each other, for example, hot air The fusion may be performed by welding, high frequency welding, friction welding, or the like, and the fusion method is not particularly limited to ultrasonic welding.

(2) In the above embodiment, the insert 6
Although three fusion parts Y are provided for each of 0 and 61, the inserts 60 and 61 are connected to the sub-connection parts 22A and 22A.
If it can be fixed securely to 22B, 24, one place,
Two or four or more portions may be provided, and the number of the fused portions Y is not particularly limited. Further, the fusion part Y is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plane, but the shape of the fusion part Y may be any shape.

(3) In the above embodiment, the insert 6
A cloth made of nylon 66 fiber coated with thermoplastic polyurethane was used as a material constituting 0,61. However, if the cloth material has a predetermined flexibility and strength, for example, a base cloth for the airbag 14 is used. Any material may be adopted. Further, molded inserts made of resin may be used as the inserts 60 and 61.

(4) In the above embodiment, the two inserts 60 and 61 are connected to the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22A, respectively.
B, the fixing is made to the sub-connecting portion 24, but only one sheet may be fixed to the sub-connecting portions 22A and 22B on the driver side.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a three-spoke type steering wheel W has been described. However, a steering wheel having another external shape such as a two-spoke type or a four-spoke type is described. It may be embodied. In these cases, although related to the above (4), the cloth insert is cut in accordance with the notch formed in the pad portion of the steering wheel (the portion which ruptures when the airbag is inflated), and its shape is formed. I just need.

(6) In the above embodiment, the spoke cores 6A to 6C, the connecting part 21, the sub-connecting parts 22A and 22B,
Although the boss 24 and the boss 8 are formed integrally, they may be formed separately and connected by, for example, bolts.

The technical idea which is not described in each claim of the claims but can be grasped from the above embodiment is described below together with its effects. (A) The steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein the insert has a mesh hole, and the size of the mesh hole is equivalent to the size of the locking projection.

With such a configuration, the size of the mesh hole of the insert corresponds to the size of the locking projection. Can be easily and reliably locked.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a core metal and the like of a steering wheel and an insert.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a core metal and the like of the steering wheel.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a gear bolt, an operation jig, and the like.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a state where the steering wheel is attached to the steering shaft.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an insert fixed to the sub-connection portion.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an insert fixed to a sub-connecting portion (driver side).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the insert is locked with a locking projection of a sub-connecting portion (driver side).

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state where an insert is fixed to a sub-connection portion (driver side).

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a state in which an airbag device or the like is inserted from an opening.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering wheel main body, 2 ... Ring part, 3 ... Pad part, 5 ... Ring part core metal, 6A, 6B, 6C ... Spoke part core metal, 7a, 7b ... Coating body, 13 ... Airbag device, 22A, 22B .., A sub-connecting part constituting the cored bar, 24
... Sub-connecting part constituting cored bar, 60.
... insert, 62 ... locking projection, 63 ... locking projection, W ...
Steering wheel, Y ... fused part.

Continuing from the front page (72) Katsunobu Sakane, 1 Ochiai, Nagahata, Kasuga-cho, Nishi-Kasugai-gun, Aichi Pref. Inside the company

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A steering wheel main body having a ring core, a spoke core, a covering for covering them, and a pad disposed substantially at the upper center of the ring and integrally formed with the covering. And an airbag device disposed below the pad portion. An insert is embedded in the pad portion, and the insert is inserted in a metal core portion forming a part of the steering wheel body. And a part of the insert except for at least both ends is fused to each other to fix the insert to the cored bar. 2. The metal core part connects a plurality of the spoke part metal cores to each other.
A steering wheel according to claim 1. 3. A locking projection protruding from the metal core,
The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein a part of the insert is locked to the locking projection.