US20100276838A1 - Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents
Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100276838A1 US20100276838A1 US12/837,366 US83736610A US2010276838A1 US 20100276838 A1 US20100276838 A1 US 20100276838A1 US 83736610 A US83736610 A US 83736610A US 2010276838 A1 US2010276838 A1 US 2010276838A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rim portion
- rim
- shell
- armature
- steering wheel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/04—Hand wheels
- B62D1/06—Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- B60Y2304/00—Optimising design; Manufacturing; Testing
- B60Y2304/03—Reducing weight
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- B60Y2410/00—Constructional features of vehicle sub-units
- B60Y2410/12—Production or manufacturing of vehicle parts
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
- Y10T74/20576—Elements
- Y10T74/20732—Handles
- Y10T74/20834—Hand wheels
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a decorative steering wheel and a method of manufacturing the steering wheel.
- a steering wheel includes a rim that is rotatable around a steering shaft.
- the rim includes an armature; a first rim portion surrounding the armature; and a second rim portion, covering part of the surface of the first rim portion.
- the first rim portion may have at least one seat in which the second rim portion is mounted.
- the second rim portion may be made of a first shell and a second shell. Each shell may have a bend that is mounted in one of the seats.
- the first shell may have a groove, and the second shell may have a protrusion mounted in the groove.
- a space may be defined between the two rim portions.
- a method of manufacturing a steering wheel includes providing an armature; injection molding a first rim portion such that the it surrounds the armature; injection molding a second rim portion; and attaching the first and second rim portions such that the second rim portion covers part of the surface of the first rim portion.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel according to an exemplary embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 illustrates a manufacturing process of the steering wheel of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- a steering wheel includes a boss 1 that is connected with a steering shaft (not shown), a plurality of spokes 3 radially disposed around boss 1 , and a rim 7 that is coaxial with boss 1 , attached to the outer ends of spokes 3 .
- Rim 7 is radially divided into an outer rim 9 and an inner rim 11 that join at the center of rim 7 .
- Outer rim 9 covers the entire circumference of a metallic armature 5 of rim 7 and may have a decorative pattern A, such as a wood pattern, on its surface.
- Outer rim 9 may be formed by injection molding of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin around the surface of armature 5 , and a film with the decorative pattern A may then be applied to the surface of outer rim 9 .
- ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- Inner rim 11 is attached to outer rim 9 .
- a soft pliable cover B may be attached to the surface of inner rim 11 .
- Inner rim 11 may also be formed by injection molding of ABS resin.
- Cover B may be made of a soft material, such as leather or synthetic leather.
- Outer rim 9 may include a seat 9 a to hold inner rim 11 in place.
- Inner rim 11 may be made of a shell 13 that has a semi-arc cross section, and soft pliable cover B attached to the surface of shell 13 .
- Shell 13 is composed of an upper shell 13 a and a lower shell 13 b, each with one end supported by seats 9 a. The other ends of the upper shell 13 a and the lower shell 13 b are connected to each other.
- the upper shell 13 a and the lower shell 13 b may each have a bend 13 c at one end that is placed in a respective one of the seats 9 a.
- a space S may be defined between the shell 13 and the outer rim 9 , such that the total weight of rim 7 is reduced.
- the above-described steering wheel may be made as follows, referring to FIG. 3 .
- boss 1 , spokes 3 , and armature 5 are formed first.
- outer rim 9 is injection molded onto armature 5 .
- wood pattern A is applied to at least a portion of outer rim 9 , such as the outer circumferential edge in the illustration.
- shell 13 is formed by injection molding upper and lower shells 13 a, 13 b.
- cover B is attached onto the surface of shell 13 .
- the outer rim 9 is attached to the inner rim 11 .
- the steering wheel is additionally provided with a variety of electrical parts and exterior materials for boss 1 and spokes 3 .
Abstract
A steering wheel includes a rim that is rotatable around a steering shaft. The rim includes an armature; a first rim portion surrounding the armature; and a second rim portion, covering part of the surface of the first rim portion. A method of manufacturing a steering wheel includes providing an armature; injection molding a first rim portion such that the it surrounds the armature; injection molding a second rim portion; and attaching the first and second rim portions such that the second rim portion covers part of the surface of the first rim portion.
Description
- This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/167,006, filed Jul. 2, 2008, which claims priority to Korean Application Serial Number 10-2007-0131758, filed on Dec. 15, 2007, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
- The present invention relates to a decorative steering wheel and a method of manufacturing the steering wheel.
- Many steering wheel rims are made of expensive injection molded polyurethane. Some include portions with wood patterned surfaces.
- A steering wheel includes a rim that is rotatable around a steering shaft. The rim includes an armature; a first rim portion surrounding the armature; and a second rim portion, covering part of the surface of the first rim portion.
- Another part of the surface of the first rim portion may have a decorative pattern. A cover may be provided on the second rim portion. The first rim portion may have at least one seat in which the second rim portion is mounted. The second rim portion may be made of a first shell and a second shell. Each shell may have a bend that is mounted in one of the seats. The first shell may have a groove, and the second shell may have a protrusion mounted in the groove. A space may be defined between the two rim portions.
- A method of manufacturing a steering wheel includes providing an armature; injection molding a first rim portion such that the it surrounds the armature; injection molding a second rim portion; and attaching the first and second rim portions such that the second rim portion covers part of the surface of the first rim portion.
- For better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel according to an exemplary embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 3 illustrates a manufacturing process of the steering wheel ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . - Embodiments of the invention are described hereafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- As shown in the figures, a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the invention includes a
boss 1 that is connected with a steering shaft (not shown), a plurality ofspokes 3 radially disposed aroundboss 1, and arim 7 that is coaxial withboss 1, attached to the outer ends ofspokes 3.Rim 7 is radially divided into anouter rim 9 and aninner rim 11 that join at the center ofrim 7. -
Outer rim 9 covers the entire circumference of ametallic armature 5 ofrim 7 and may have a decorative pattern A, such as a wood pattern, on its surface.Outer rim 9 may be formed by injection molding of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin around the surface ofarmature 5, and a film with the decorative pattern A may then be applied to the surface ofouter rim 9. -
Inner rim 11 is attached toouter rim 9. A soft pliable cover B may be attached to the surface ofinner rim 11.Inner rim 11 may also be formed by injection molding of ABS resin. Cover B may be made of a soft material, such as leather or synthetic leather. -
Outer rim 9 may include aseat 9 a to holdinner rim 11 in place.Inner rim 11 may be made of a shell 13 that has a semi-arc cross section, and soft pliable cover B attached to the surface of shell 13. - Shell 13 is composed of an
upper shell 13 a and alower shell 13 b, each with one end supported byseats 9 a. The other ends of theupper shell 13 a and thelower shell 13 b are connected to each other. - The
upper shell 13 a and thelower shell 13 b may each have abend 13 c at one end that is placed in a respective one of theseats 9 a. Aprotrusion 13 d, or agroove 13 e that is fitted onprotrusion 13 d, is provided at the other end. - A space S may be defined between the shell 13 and the
outer rim 9, such that the total weight ofrim 7 is reduced. - The above-described steering wheel may be made as follows, referring to
FIG. 3 . As shown inFIG. 3A ,boss 1,spokes 3, andarmature 5 are formed first. Next, as shown inFIG. 3B ,outer rim 9 is injection molded ontoarmature 5. Next, as shown inFIG. 3C , wood pattern A is applied to at least a portion ofouter rim 9, such as the outer circumferential edge in the illustration. Next, as shown inFIG. 3E , shell 13 is formed by injection molding upper andlower shells FIG. 3F , cover B is attached onto the surface of shell 13. Next, as shown inFIG. 3D , theouter rim 9 is attached to theinner rim 11. Thereafter, the steering wheel is additionally provided with a variety of electrical parts and exterior materials forboss 1 andspokes 3. - While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. A method of manufacturing a steering wheel, comprising:
providing an armature;
injection molding a first rim portion such that the first rim portion substantially surrounds the armature;
injection molding a second rim portion; and
attaching the first and second rim portions such that the second rim portion covers the first rim portion at a part of a surface of the first rim portion.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a decorative pattern to another part of the surface of the first rim portion.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching a cover to the second rim portion.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein attaching the first and second rim portions comprises mounting the second rim portion in at least one seat of the first rim portion.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein injection molding the second rim portion comprises injection molding a first shell and a second shell.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein each shell comprises a bend, wherein mounting the second rim portion in the seats comprises mounding each bend in one of the seats.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first shell comprises a groove, and the second shell comprises a protrusion, the method further comprising mounting the protrusion in the groove.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/837,366 US20100276838A1 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2010-07-15 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR10-2007-0131758 | 2007-12-15 | ||
KR1020070131758A KR100957294B1 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2007-12-15 | steering wheel and method of fabricating the same |
US12/167,006 US8047098B2 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2008-07-02 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
US12/837,366 US20100276838A1 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2010-07-15 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/167,006 Division US8047098B2 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2008-07-02 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100276838A1 true US20100276838A1 (en) | 2010-11-04 |
Family
ID=40680168
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/167,006 Active 2029-04-23 US8047098B2 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2008-07-02 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
US12/837,366 Abandoned US20100276838A1 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2010-07-15 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/167,006 Active 2029-04-23 US8047098B2 (en) | 2007-12-15 | 2008-07-02 | Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8047098B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2009143536A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100957294B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101456425B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102008027483B4 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5582079B2 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2014-09-03 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Steering wheel |
EP2511154B1 (en) * | 2011-04-06 | 2013-05-29 | Autoliv Development AB | A steering wheel |
KR101806675B1 (en) | 2016-03-25 | 2017-12-07 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Stitchless leather steering wheel |
KR102200682B1 (en) * | 2020-08-26 | 2021-01-12 | (주)씨엠텍 | Steering wheel for vehicle with resin blocking structure and manufacturing method thereof |
KR102200683B1 (en) * | 2020-08-26 | 2021-01-12 | (주)씨엠텍 | Steering wheel for vehicle with body appearance improving structure and manufacturing method thereof |
Citations (12)
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US3476897A (en) * | 1968-02-12 | 1969-11-04 | Gen Motors Corp | Steering wheel |
US4800775A (en) * | 1986-08-09 | 1989-01-31 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Steering wheel |
US6494114B1 (en) * | 1999-06-23 | 2002-12-17 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vehicle steering wheel |
US6499377B1 (en) * | 1999-06-23 | 2002-12-31 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vehicle steering wheel |
US6622591B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-09-23 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel with decorative element |
US6637289B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-10-28 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel with decorative element |
US6668683B2 (en) * | 2000-04-11 | 2003-12-30 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vehicle steering wheel |
US6668682B1 (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2003-12-30 | Takata-Petri Ag | Steering wheel comprising a decorative covering |
US6748822B2 (en) * | 2000-05-24 | 2004-06-15 | Takata-Petri Ag | Steering-wheel cover |
US6817100B2 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2004-11-16 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika Denki Seisakusho | Steering wheel and method for manufacturing steering wheel |
US6928898B2 (en) * | 2000-10-09 | 2005-08-16 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel comprising a decorative element |
US7143663B2 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2006-12-05 | Key Safety Systems, Inc. | Steering wheel with thermoplastic composites |
Family Cites Families (15)
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US2705816A (en) * | 1950-08-31 | 1955-04-12 | Gen Motors Corp | Method of making a steering wheel |
US2623405A (en) * | 1950-11-01 | 1952-12-30 | Gen Motors Corp | Steering wheel |
JPS56112361A (en) | 1980-02-05 | 1981-09-04 | Achilles Corp | Automobile steering wheel and its manufacturing method |
JPS606668U (en) * | 1983-06-24 | 1985-01-18 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Leather wrapped steering wheel |
JPH05105085A (en) * | 1991-04-17 | 1993-04-27 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Leathered steering wheel |
DE29803133U1 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 1998-04-16 | Petri Ag | steering wheel |
JP2000127982A (en) | 1998-10-29 | 2000-05-09 | Tendo Co Ltd | Grip member for steering |
DE29910992U1 (en) * | 1999-06-23 | 1999-11-04 | Trw Automotive Safety Sys Gmbh | Vehicle steering wheel |
JP2001213327A (en) | 2000-02-03 | 2001-08-07 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Leather wound steering wheel |
JP4487390B2 (en) * | 2000-06-23 | 2010-06-23 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Steering wheel |
JP2004306629A (en) | 2003-04-01 | 2004-11-04 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Steering wheel |
DE202004012304U1 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2004-12-09 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel with decorative element |
DE202004015234U1 (en) * | 2004-09-30 | 2005-02-10 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh | Heated steering wheel |
JP2006175890A (en) | 2004-12-20 | 2006-07-06 | Miroku Techno Wood Co Ltd | Steering wheel |
JP2006232273A (en) | 2006-05-29 | 2006-09-07 | Tokai Rika Co Ltd | Steering wheel manufacturing method |
-
2007
- 2007-12-15 KR KR1020070131758A patent/KR100957294B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2008
- 2008-06-09 DE DE102008027483.6A patent/DE102008027483B4/en active Active
- 2008-06-26 CN CN2008101292336A patent/CN101456425B/en active Active
- 2008-06-30 JP JP2008170094A patent/JP2009143536A/en active Pending
- 2008-07-02 US US12/167,006 patent/US8047098B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-07-15 US US12/837,366 patent/US20100276838A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3476897A (en) * | 1968-02-12 | 1969-11-04 | Gen Motors Corp | Steering wheel |
US4800775A (en) * | 1986-08-09 | 1989-01-31 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Steering wheel |
US6668682B1 (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2003-12-30 | Takata-Petri Ag | Steering wheel comprising a decorative covering |
US6494114B1 (en) * | 1999-06-23 | 2002-12-17 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vehicle steering wheel |
US6499377B1 (en) * | 1999-06-23 | 2002-12-31 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vehicle steering wheel |
US6668683B2 (en) * | 2000-04-11 | 2003-12-30 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Vehicle steering wheel |
US6748822B2 (en) * | 2000-05-24 | 2004-06-15 | Takata-Petri Ag | Steering-wheel cover |
US6637289B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-10-28 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel with decorative element |
US6622591B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-09-23 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel with decorative element |
US6761086B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2004-07-13 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel with decorative element |
US6928898B2 (en) * | 2000-10-09 | 2005-08-16 | Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Steering wheel comprising a decorative element |
US6817100B2 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2004-11-16 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika Denki Seisakusho | Steering wheel and method for manufacturing steering wheel |
US7143663B2 (en) * | 2003-01-30 | 2006-12-05 | Key Safety Systems, Inc. | Steering wheel with thermoplastic composites |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2009143536A (en) | 2009-07-02 |
CN101456425B (en) | 2013-03-27 |
DE102008027483B4 (en) | 2016-10-13 |
KR20090064181A (en) | 2009-06-18 |
US8047098B2 (en) | 2011-11-01 |
US20090152936A1 (en) | 2009-06-18 |
CN101456425A (en) | 2009-06-17 |
KR100957294B1 (en) | 2010-05-12 |
DE102008027483A1 (en) | 2009-06-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PARK, JOONMO;REEL/FRAME:024693/0858 Effective date: 20080614 Owner name: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PARK, JOONMO;REEL/FRAME:024693/0858 Effective date: 20080614 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |