WO2008024956A2 - Molded steering w heel - Google Patents

Molded steering w heel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008024956A2
WO2008024956A2 PCT/US2007/076731 US2007076731W WO2008024956A2 WO 2008024956 A2 WO2008024956 A2 WO 2008024956A2 US 2007076731 W US2007076731 W US 2007076731W WO 2008024956 A2 WO2008024956 A2 WO 2008024956A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
steering wheel
rim portion
wheel assembly
airbag module
spoke
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2007/076731
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008024956A3 (en
Inventor
Danielle L. White
Michael J. Olesko
Dennis A. Burton
Scott C. Purks
Eric J. Jaarda
Manish Chaturvedi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/467,266 external-priority patent/US20070068335A1/en
Application filed by Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd, General Electric Co filed Critical Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
Publication of WO2008024956A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008024956A2/en
Publication of WO2008024956A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008024956A3/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns
    • B60R21/2035—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a molded steering wheel assembly.
  • Steering wheels for vehicles are well known.
  • Some steering wheels include a circular rim connected by spokes to a central hub. Moving the rim turns the spokes and the central hub, which coveys torque to the vehicle's steering system.
  • the steering wheel may include an airbag module mounting location near the central hub of the steering wheel.
  • Typical steering wheels maintain performance requirements, such as meeting certain strength requirements. Such requirements help ensure performance of the steering wheel under various conditions. As an example, some requirements are directed toward maintaining steering control over the vehicle under a wide range of events. Other requirements relate to the allowable deflection or bend when loaded. Many steering wheels, especially molded steering wheels, require a support structure of a dissimilar material within the rim to meet the performance standards.
  • some steering wheels overmold a cast metal armature with polyurethane to form the rim.
  • the armature provides support and resists deflection, but undesirably increases the weight, cost, and complexity of the steering wheel.
  • the step of overmolding the cast metal armature also complicates the assembly process.
  • Other steering wheel support structures strengthen the airbag module mounting location for example.
  • An example steering wheel assembly includes an airbag module receiving surface generally defining a first plane.
  • a lower portion includes a lower rim portion and the airbag module receiving surface.
  • An upper portion includes an upper rim portion for covering the lower rim portion.
  • the upper rim portion and the lower rim portion define a second plane spaced from said first plane where the upper rim portion contacts the lower rim portion.
  • the lower portion may include an overmolded hub plate.
  • the steering wheel assembly may include an upper rim portion and a lower rim portion.
  • An upper spoke portion secures to the upper rim portion, and a lower spoke portion secures to the lower rim portion.
  • An airbag module mounting surface and the upper spoke portion define an airbag module receiving space.
  • An example method of assembling a steering wheel includes molding an upper rim portion together with an upper spoke portion and molding a lower rim portion together with a lower spoke portion and an airbag module mounting surface. The method also includes welding the upper rim portion to the lower rim portion.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view an example steering wheel assembly.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the Figure 1 assembly.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along Line 3-3 of Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the hub and hub plate of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the Figure 1 assembly.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a rear view of the upper portion of the Figure 1 assembly.
  • An example steering wheel assembly 10 includes an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 18.
  • a driver airbag module 22 secures within an airbag module mounting space 26 defined by the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18.
  • a plurality of lower spokes 30 connect the airbag module mounting space 26 to a lower rim 34.
  • a plurality of upper spokes 38 connect to an upper rim 42.
  • the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18 are injection molded of a high- strength polymer, such as Lexan EXL.
  • the upper portion 14 and lower portion 18 are generally aligned relative a rotational axis extending through a vehicular steering column (not shown).
  • the airbag module mounting space 26 provides clearance for mounting an airbag module or similar safety accessory within the steering wheel assembly 10.
  • the airbag module 22 mounts within the airbag module mounting space 26 adjacent a pair of airbag module receiving surfaces 28 that define a first plane generally transverse the rotational axis.
  • the bottom of the airbag module mounting space 26 includes a hub plate assembly 44 having a hub 46, as shown in Figures 2-4.
  • the hub plate assembly 44 is overmolded with the lower portion 18 to secure the hub plate assembly 44 within the lower portion 18.
  • the hub 46 attaches the hub plate assembly 44 to the steering column in a known manner.
  • the hub plate assembly 44 has a generally triangular profile that fits within a recessed area 50 of the lower portion 18.
  • the recessed area 50 extends approximately between a pair of walls 54 extending downward from the airbag module receiving surfaces 28.
  • the general shape of the hub plate assembly 44 enhances the connection between the hub plate assembly 44 and the lower portion 18.
  • the geometries of the example steering wheel assembly 10 prevent relative rotational movement between the hub plate assembly 44 and the lower portion 18.
  • the lower portion 18 accommodates a pair of covers 58.
  • Fasteners (not shown) extend through a plurality of apertures 62 to engage and secure the airbag module 22 (Figure 1) to the lower portion 18.
  • the covers 58 cover the heads of the fasteners and access pins when the airbag module 22 is in an installed position.
  • the covers 58 are injection molded in the injection molding tool used for forming the upper portion 14.
  • the removable covers 58 may be molded from a different polymer material than the lower portion 18 and the upper portion 14.
  • the covers 58 typically snap into the lower portion 18 in a known manner.
  • the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18 each include a plurality of molded strengthening ribs 66, as shown in Figures 1 and 6.
  • the steering wheel assembly 10 ( Figure 1) is constructed of a high- strength polymer, no additional reinforcing members of a dissimilar material are needed, which provides a relatively hollow steering wheel assembly 10.
  • the ribs 66 extending from the upper rim 42 and lower rim 34 are aligned radially from the rotational axis.
  • the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18 contact each other along a second plane generally perpendicular to the steering column axis and spaced from the first plane defined by the airbag module mounting surfaces 28.
  • the steering wheel assembly 10 may be leather wrapped or painted. Other examples include finishing the steering wheel assembly 10 with an in-mold film or hydrographic design.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

An example steering wheel assembly includes an airbag module receiving surface generally defining a first plane. A lower portion includes a lower rim portion and the airbag module receiving surface. An upper portion includes an upper rim portion for covering the lower rim portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define a second plane spaced from said first plane.

Description

MOLDED STEERING WHEEL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a molded steering wheel assembly. Steering wheels for vehicles are well known. Some steering wheels include a circular rim connected by spokes to a central hub. Moving the rim turns the spokes and the central hub, which coveys torque to the vehicle's steering system. The steering wheel may include an airbag module mounting location near the central hub of the steering wheel. Typical steering wheels maintain performance requirements, such as meeting certain strength requirements. Such requirements help ensure performance of the steering wheel under various conditions. As an example, some requirements are directed toward maintaining steering control over the vehicle under a wide range of events. Other requirements relate to the allowable deflection or bend when loaded. Many steering wheels, especially molded steering wheels, require a support structure of a dissimilar material within the rim to meet the performance standards. Accordingly, some steering wheels overmold a cast metal armature with polyurethane to form the rim. The armature provides support and resists deflection, but undesirably increases the weight, cost, and complexity of the steering wheel. The step of overmolding the cast metal armature also complicates the assembly process. Other steering wheel support structures strengthen the airbag module mounting location for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An example steering wheel assembly includes an airbag module receiving surface generally defining a first plane. A lower portion includes a lower rim portion and the airbag module receiving surface. An upper portion includes an upper rim portion for covering the lower rim portion. The upper rim portion and the lower rim portion define a second plane spaced from said first plane where the upper rim portion contacts the lower rim portion. The lower portion may include an overmolded hub plate. The steering wheel assembly may include an upper rim portion and a lower rim portion. An upper spoke portion secures to the upper rim portion, and a lower spoke portion secures to the lower rim portion. An airbag module mounting surface and the upper spoke portion define an airbag module receiving space. An example method of assembling a steering wheel includes molding an upper rim portion together with an upper spoke portion and molding a lower rim portion together with a lower spoke portion and an airbag module mounting surface. The method also includes welding the upper rim portion to the lower rim portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view an example steering wheel assembly. Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the Figure 1 assembly.
Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along Line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the hub and hub plate of Figure 1. Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the Figure 1 assembly. Figure 6 illustrates a rear view of the upper portion of the Figure 1 assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An example steering wheel assembly 10 includes an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 18. A driver airbag module 22 secures within an airbag module mounting space 26 defined by the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18. A plurality of lower spokes 30 connect the airbag module mounting space 26 to a lower rim 34. A plurality of upper spokes 38 connect to an upper rim 42. The upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18 are injection molded of a high- strength polymer, such as Lexan EXL. The upper portion 14 and lower portion 18 are generally aligned relative a rotational axis extending through a vehicular steering column (not shown).
The airbag module mounting space 26 provides clearance for mounting an airbag module or similar safety accessory within the steering wheel assembly 10. The airbag module 22 mounts within the airbag module mounting space 26 adjacent a pair of airbag module receiving surfaces 28 that define a first plane generally transverse the rotational axis.
The bottom of the airbag module mounting space 26 includes a hub plate assembly 44 having a hub 46, as shown in Figures 2-4. The hub plate assembly 44 is overmolded with the lower portion 18 to secure the hub plate assembly 44 within the lower portion 18. The hub 46 attaches the hub plate assembly 44 to the steering column in a known manner. The hub plate assembly 44 has a generally triangular profile that fits within a recessed area 50 of the lower portion 18. The recessed area 50 extends approximately between a pair of walls 54 extending downward from the airbag module receiving surfaces 28.
The general shape of the hub plate assembly 44 enhances the connection between the hub plate assembly 44 and the lower portion 18. As an example, the geometries of the example steering wheel assembly 10 prevent relative rotational movement between the hub plate assembly 44 and the lower portion 18.
Referring now to Figure 5, the lower portion 18 accommodates a pair of covers 58. Fasteners (not shown) extend through a plurality of apertures 62 to engage and secure the airbag module 22 (Figure 1) to the lower portion 18. The covers 58 cover the heads of the fasteners and access pins when the airbag module 22 is in an installed position. In one example, the covers 58 are injection molded in the injection molding tool used for forming the upper portion 14. The removable covers 58 may be molded from a different polymer material than the lower portion 18 and the upper portion 14. The covers 58 typically snap into the lower portion 18 in a known manner. In this example, the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18 each include a plurality of molded strengthening ribs 66, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Vibration welding the upper rim 42 to the lower rim 34, the upper spokes 38 to the lower spokes 30, and the ribs 66 secures the upper portion 14 relative the lower portion 18. As the steering wheel assembly 10 (Figure 1) is constructed of a high- strength polymer, no additional reinforcing members of a dissimilar material are needed, which provides a relatively hollow steering wheel assembly 10. Typically, at least the ribs 66 extending from the upper rim 42 and lower rim 34 are aligned radially from the rotational axis.
The upper portion 14 and the lower portion 18 contact each other along a second plane generally perpendicular to the steering column axis and spaced from the first plane defined by the airbag module mounting surfaces 28.
The steering wheel assembly 10 may be leather wrapped or painted. Other examples include finishing the steering wheel assembly 10 with an in-mold film or hydrographic design. The steering wheel assembly 10, when including a recyclable thermo-plastic, provides an eco-friendly design. Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims

1. A steering wheel assembly, comprising: an airbag module receiving surface generally defining a first plane; a lower portion including a lower rim portion and said airbag module receiving surface; and an upper portion including an upper rim portion secured to said lower rim portion, wherein said upper rim portion and said lower rim portion define a second plane spaced from said first plane.
2. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein said airbag module receiving surface defines a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners for securing an airbag module to said airbag module receiving surface.
3. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower portion includes at least one lower spoke extending between said airbag module receiving surface to said lower rim portion.
4. The steering wheel assembly of claim 3, wherein said upper portion includes at least one upper spoke for covering at least one lower spoke.
5. The steering wheel assembly of claim 4, wherein said at least one upper spoke includes at least two upper spokes and said airbag module receiving surface is positioned between said at least two upper spokes.
6. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, including ribs extending between said lower rim portion and said upper rim portion.
7. The steering wheel assembly of claim 6, wherein said upper rim portion and said lower rim portion are arranged about an axis and said plurality of ribs are aligned radially relative said axis.
8. The steering wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower portion includes an overmolded hub plate.
9. The steering wheel assembly of claim 8, wherein a hub attaches to said hub plate.
10. The steering wheel assembly of claim 8, wherein a surface of said lower portion transverse said airbag receiving surface limits rotational movement of said hub plate about an axis through said hub.
11. A steering wheel assembly, comprising: an upper rim portion; a lower rim portion; an upper spoke portion integrally molded with said upper rim portion a lower spoke portion integrally molded with said lower rim portion; and an airbag module mounting surface integrally molded with the lower spoke portion, wherein said airbag module mounting surface and said upper spoke portion define an airbag module receiving space.
12. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein said upper rim portion is vibration welded to said lower rim portion.
13. The steering wheel assembly of claim 12, wherein no space defined between said upper rim portion and said lower rim portion includes a support having a dissimilar material.
14. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein upper spoke portion is vibration welded to said lower spoke portion.
15. The steering wheel assembly of claim 14, wherein a space defined between said upper spoke portion and said lower spoke portion does not include a support having a dissimilar material.
16. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein said upper rim portion contacts said lower rim portion at a first plane, and said airbag module mounting surface defines a second plane spaced from said first plane.
17. The steering wheel assembly of claim 11, including a hub plate overmolded adjacent said airbag receiving surface.
18. The steering wheel assembly of claim 17, wherein a surface of said lower portion transverse said airbag receiving surface limits rotational movement of said hub plate about an axis through said hub.
19. A polymer steering wheel assembly, comprising: a base portion; a plurality of spokes extending from said base; and a hub plate overmolded within said base portion, said hub plate adapted to connect to a vehicle steering column.
20. The steering wheel assembly of claim 19, including a rim, said plurality of spokes extending from said base portion to said rim.
21. The steering wheel assembly of claim 19, including a hub for connecting said hub plate to said vehicle steering column.
22. The steering wheel assembly of claim 19, wherein said hub plate has a general triangular shape.
23. A method of assembling a steering wheel, comprising: a) molding an upper rim portion together with an upper spoke portion; b) molding a lower rim portion together with a lower spoke portion and an airbag module mounting surface; and c) welding the upper rim portion to the lower rim portion.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein at least one of the upper rim portion and the lower rim portion includes ribs extending to the other of the upper rim portion and the lower rim portion.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step c) includes welding the upper rim portion to the lower rim portion at the ribs.
26. The method of claim 23, including providing an airbag module support area for securing an airbag module to the lower rim portion.
27. The method of claim 26, including overmolding a hub plate within the airbag module support area.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the hub plate attaches to a hub.
PCT/US2007/076731 2006-08-25 2007-08-24 Molded steering w heel Ceased WO2008024956A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/467,266 2006-08-25
US11/467,266 US20070068335A1 (en) 2005-08-26 2006-08-25 Integrally molded composite steering wheels
US92847507P 2007-05-09 2007-05-09
US60/928,475 2007-05-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008024956A2 true WO2008024956A2 (en) 2008-02-28
WO2008024956A3 WO2008024956A3 (en) 2008-04-10

Family

ID=38935979

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/076731 Ceased WO2008024956A2 (en) 2006-08-25 2007-08-24 Molded steering w heel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2008024956A2 (en)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5765864A (en) * 1996-02-26 1998-06-16 Winget; Larry J. Unitary composite steering wheel and air bag cover assembly and method of making same
DE19653798C1 (en) * 1996-12-21 1998-06-25 Mst Automotive Gmbh Steering wheel with built-in airbag
DE29817868U1 (en) * 1998-10-06 1998-12-10 TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH, 63743 Aschaffenburg Ventilated steering wheel
DE29901404U1 (en) * 1999-01-27 1999-04-29 TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH, 63743 Aschaffenburg Motor vehicle steering wheel
US6622590B2 (en) * 2000-03-15 2003-09-23 Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. Core bar for steering wheels

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008024956A3 (en) 2008-04-10

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