JPH09240489A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an assemble working property in an air bag-carried steering wheel in which covering bodies for covering a ring part core and spoke part cores, and a pad part are integrally molded and an air bag device is provided. SOLUTION: A steering wheel body 1 has covering bodies 7a, 7b for covering a ring part core 5 and spoke part cores 6A, and a pad part 3 integrally molded with the covering bodies. A boss 8 is integrated with the spoke part cores 6A at both sides through a connecting part, and is located at the side lower than the ring part core 5, etc., to form an opening part 23 by connecting the spoke part core 6A connected to the boss 8 to the other spoke part core 6A through an auxiliary connecting part. An air bag device 13 is interposed through the opening part 23. Thus, the assembly of a steering wheel W is easily completed. Now, the boss 8 integrated with the steering wheel body 1 is installed on the extreme end of a steering shaft 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A steering wheel has an annular ring portion, a pad portion provided at the center of the ring portion, and a spoke portion extending from the ring portion. At the same time, the spoke core is embedded in the spoke. In this case, the ring core metal and the spoke core metal are covered with a covering made of, for example, foamed polyurethane. Further, below the pad portion, a tip portion of the spoke core is connected to a boss plate (boss). This boss is usually attached to the tip of the steering shaft by nut tightening.

[0003] In the steering wheel constructed as described above, the spoke core, and thus the boss integrated with the steering wheel body, are attached to the steering shaft by nut tightening. It is mounted, and the pad portion is mounted thereon.

On the other hand, in recent years, there has been proposed a steering wheel in which the cover and the pad portion are integrally formed to eliminate the boundary between the cover and the pad portion (for example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-133955). No.). According to this technique, the cover and the pad portion are integrated, and the design can be improved.

By the way, in the steering wheel in which the cover and the pad portion are integrally formed as described above, the designability is improved, and at the same time, although the appearance shape tends to be widely used, at the time of assembling the steering wheel. In, the following problems occur. In other words, in the above steering wheel, the airbag device cannot be arranged above or below the covering body of the boss, the ring core metal, and the spoke core metal, and therefore the boss and the spoke core metal must be divided in advance. .

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the steering wheel is composed of the steering wheel main body including the spoke core, the boss, and the airbag device. Had to be attached to. Therefore, the assembling work becomes extremely complicated, and the workability is deteriorated.

Particularly, since a high degree of reliability is required for the connection between the boss and the spoke core metal, more complicated work is required. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to integrally form a pad body and a covering body that covers the ring core metal and the spoke core metal, and
A steering wheel equipped with an air bag device is to provide a steering wheel capable of improving workability in assembling.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1, a boss fixed to a steering shaft, a ring core metal, a spoke core metal, and a coating for covering them. A steering wheel that has a pad portion that is located substantially above the center of the body and the ring portion and that is integrally formed with the covering body, and a portion of the spoke core metal is integrally connected to the boss via a connecting portion. Body and
A steering wheel comprising an air bag device arranged between the pad portion and the boss, wherein the boss is configured to be positioned below the ring portion core metal and the spoke portion core metal, An opening formed by the boss, the connecting portion, and the auxiliary connecting portion is provided with a sub connecting portion connecting at least the spoke core metal connected to the boss and the other spoke metal cores. The gist of this is that it is inserted from above.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering wheel according to the first aspect, the steering wheel is provided on at least one of the boss and the boundary between the boss and the connecting portion. The gist of the invention is to provide a self-aligning mechanism that allows the body to be deformed when a load larger than a predetermined value is applied.

Furthermore, the gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that in the steering wheel described in claim 2, the boss and the connecting portion are made of different materials.

Further, in the invention described in claim 4, in the steering wheel described in claim 3, the boss is made of iron and the connecting portion is made of die-cast aluminum integrally formed with the spoke core metal. The point is that it is configured.

The vertical direction of the steering wheel described in the present specification means the direction along the axial direction of the steering shaft, and does not necessarily mean the vertical direction when the steering wheel is mounted on the vehicle.

(Operation) In the invention described in claim 1, the boss is constructed so as to be located below the ring core and the spoke core, and at least the spoke core connected to the boss. Gold and the other core metal of the spoke portion are connected by the sub connecting portion. The airbag device is disposed between the pad portion and the boss by being inserted through the opening formed by the boss, the connecting portion and the sub connecting portion. That is, according to the present invention,
Assembling of the steering wheel can be completed only by fixing the airbag device from the opening having a relatively large area formed in the steering wheel body and fixing the boss to the steering shaft.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 1, a part of the boss,
A self-aligning mechanism is provided on at least one of the boundary portions of the boss and the connecting portion. Therefore, when a load greater than a predetermined value is applied to the steering wheel body, the self-aligning mechanism deforms at least one of the boss and the boundary portion between the boss and the connecting portion, and absorbs stress. To be done.

Further, in the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 2, the boss and the connecting portion are made of different materials. Further, in particular, in the invention according to claim 4, the boss is made of iron, and the connecting portion is made of die cast aluminum integrally molded with the spoke core metal. Therefore, when a load larger than a predetermined value is applied to the steering wheel main body, the boundary portion between the boss and the connecting portion is likely to be deformed, so that the operation of the invention described in claim 2 can be performed more reliably. It will be.

[0016]

Therefore, according to the present invention, the steering wheel provided with the airbag device, in which the covering body for covering the ring core metal and the spoke core metal and the pad part are integrally formed, is assembled. At that time, it exerts an excellent effect that the workability can be dramatically improved.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the steering wheel W according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

As shown in these drawings, the steering wheel body 1 of the steering wheel W includes an annular ring portion 2 and a pad portion 3 arranged in 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 5 made of, for example, a steel pipe and a covering 7a that covers the ring core. The spoke portion 4 is made of a spoke core 6A made of a lightweight die-cast metal such as an aluminum alloy. 6B and 6C and a covering 7b for covering them.
The covers 7a and 7b and the pad portion 3 are integrally formed of a soft synthetic resin material (for example, foamed polyurethane). The steering wheel body 1 is integrally connected to the boss 8. This structure will be described later in detail.

On the other hand, below the pad portion 3, a storage recess 11 surrounded by the cover 7b is formed. The storage recess 11 is provided with a membrane switch (not shown) and an airbag device 13. The membrane switch has upper and lower thin plates that form part of a horn switch circuit (not shown), and the thin plates contact each other when the pad unit 3 is pressed, and the horn sounds in accordance with the contact.

The airbag device 13 is a bag-shaped airbag 14 that is folded and stored, an inflator 15 for supplying inflation gas to the airbag 14, and an airbag 14 and the inflator 15 that are held and fixed. It is composed of a bag holder 16. The bag holder 16 is
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, it is fixed to the spoke core metal 6A by screws 17. This fixing method will be described later.

Next, details of the structure of the steering wheel W (characteristic portion of this embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the mounting structure of the boss 8 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the steering shaft 30
A serration 31 is formed at the most distal end, and an annular groove 32 is formed at the central portion in the vertical direction. A predetermined number (generally about 30) of teeth 31 a are formed on the serration 31 of the steering shaft 30. A through hole 9 is formed in the center of the boss 8, and a steel adapter 10 is fixed to the inner periphery of the through hole 9 by welding.

The adapter 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape in the lower portion and a substantially C-shape in a flat surface in the upper portion. A bolt hole 18 having a female screw is formed at the substantially C-shaped tip portion. Adapter 1
Serrations 19 corresponding to the serrations 31 of the steering shaft 30 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of 0. And, at the tip of the steering shaft 30,
The adapter 10 is fitted so that the serrations 19 and 31 mesh with each other. Further, the bolt hole 1
A bolt 33 is fastened to 8 so that a part of itself enters the annular groove 32. Thus, the adapter 10 and the boss 8 are firmly fixed to the tip of the steering shaft 30.

On the other hand, as described above, in the present embodiment, the boss 8 is
It is configured integrally. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the boss 8 is connected to the spoke cores 6B and 6C on the left and right sides via the connecting portion 21. However, boss 8
Is the ring core metal 5 and the spoke core metal 6B, 6C.
It is located below.

The spoke cores 6B, 6C are also provided.
For the remaining spoke driver core 6A (on the driver's side)
They are connected by the sub-connecting part 22. by this,
The spoke cores 6A to 6C, the ring core 5 and the boss 8 are firmly connected to each other, and the boss 8, the connecting portion 21 and the sub-connecting portion 22 make a comparison on the driver's seat side of the boss 8. The target opening 23 is formed.
Further, each spoke portion core metal 6B, 6C is connected to the support bar 2
4 to ensure stability when the airbag 14 is expanded.

In this embodiment, a resin lower cover (not shown) is provided so as to surround the lower side of the steering wheel body 1. Next, a procedure for attaching the steering wheel W to the steering shaft 30 will be described.

First, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the membrane switch and the airbag device 13 is inserted through the opening 23 formed by the boss 8, the connecting portion 21 and the sub connecting portion 22. Then, the bag holder 16 of the airbag device 13 is screwed to the spoke core metal 6A or the like with a screw 17
Fixed by. At this time, since the opening 23 is formed relatively large, the airbag device 13 can be easily mounted inside the steering wheel body 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the boss 8 (adapter 10) with which the steering wheel body 1 is integrated is inserted into the tip of the steering shaft 30. At this time, the serrations 31 of the steering shaft 30
And the serration 19 formed on the adapter 10 are engaged with each other. Then, in this state, a bolt 33 is screwed into the bolt hole 18 of the adapter 10 to fix the boss 8 to the steering shaft 30. Here, since the steering wheel main body 1 (the spoke cores 6B and 6C) is connected to the boss 8 via the connecting portion 21, the airbag device is secured by fixing the boss 8 to the steering shaft 30. The steering wheel main body 1 having 13 is also fixed at the same time.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the spoke cores 6B and 6C are integrally connected to the boss 8 via the connecting portion 21. Further, the boss 8 is configured to be positioned below the ring core metal 5 and the spoke core metals 6A to 6c, and at least the spoke core metals 6B and 6C connected to the boss 8 and the other spokes. The opening 23 is formed by connecting the core metal 6A with the sub connecting portion 22.

(B) Therefore, the airbag device 13 is
By being inserted through the opening 23, the pad portion 3 and the boss 8 are easily disposed. That is, according to the present embodiment, assembling of the steering wheel W is performed only by fixing the airbag device 13 from the opening 23 having a relatively large area and fixing the boss 8 to the steering shaft 30. Can be completed. Therefore, when assembling the steering wheel W, the workability can be dramatically improved.

(B) Further, even when the opening 23 is provided as described above, the boss 8 is firmly connected to the spoke cores 6B and 6C on the left and right sides through the connecting part 21. At the same time, the spoke cores 6B, 6C are firmly connected to the remaining spoke (driver's side) spokes 6A by the sub-connecting portion 22. Therefore, the spoke cores 6A to 6C, the ring core 5 and the boss 8 are firmly connected to each other. Therefore, when the steering wheel W as a whole is taken into consideration, sufficient stability of the assembled state can be secured.

(C) Further, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 21 is adapted to connect the spoke cores 6B, 6C extending from both sides and the boss 8. Therefore, the spoke cores 6B, 6C, the connecting portion 21, and the boss 8 are located on substantially the same straight line in a plan view, and the strength can be made more stable. As a result, the effect described in (b) above can be made more reliable.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, in the configuration and the like of the present embodiment, the same members and the like as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the steering wheel W of the type having three spokes 4 (spoke cores 6A to 6C) is embodied. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it has four spoke cores 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D. In this case, for example, the boss 8 is connected to the spoke cores 34C and 34D on the left and right sides via the connecting portion 35. However, like the first embodiment, the boss 8 is located below the ring core 5 and the spoke cores 34A to 34D.

Further, the spoke cores 34B, 34
C is the remaining spoke (driver's side) spoke cores 34A, 3
4B is connected by a sub connecting portion 36. As a result, the spoke cores 34A to 34D, the ring core 5 and the boss 8 are firmly connected, and the boss 8, the connecting part 35 and the sub connecting part 36
A relatively large opening 37 is formed on the driver seat side of the boss 8. As a result, the same operational effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, also in the configuration and the like of the present embodiment, members and the like equivalent to those in the above-described first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the boss 8 is provided with the spokes 6B and 6C on the left and right sides through the connecting portion 21.
, And they were integrally formed of the same material. On the other hand, in the present embodiment,
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the boss 8 is made of steel, and the connecting portion 21 includes a spoke core metal 6B,
Like 6C, it is made of die-cast aluminum. The boundary between the boss 8 and the connecting portion 21 constitutes a self-aligning mechanism. In this embodiment, in order to secure the strength between the both 8 and 21 under normal conditions, the boss 8 is formed with a through hole 8a, and the connecting portion 21 is provided inside the through hole 8a. The die-cast aluminum that composes is wrapping around.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. Basically,
Also in the present embodiment, the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained. In addition to this, in this embodiment, the boss 8 and the connecting portion 21 are made of different materials so that the boundary portion between the boss 8 and the connecting portion 21 constitutes the self-aligning mechanism. . Therefore, when a load larger than a predetermined value is applied to the steering wheel body 1, the self-aligning mechanism causes
The boundary portion between the boss 8 and the connecting portion 21 is deformed, and this deformation absorbs and relaxes the stress. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it can be said that even when a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the steering wheel body 1, the stress due to the load can be effectively absorbed and relaxed.

The present invention can be embodied as follows in addition to the above embodiment. (1) In each of the above embodiments, the steering wheel W of the type having three or four spoke cores 6A to 6C and 34A to 34D is embodied, but the number of spokes (spoke cores) The number may be two, or may be five or more, and the number thereof is not limited at all.

(2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the airbag 17 is fixed to the steering wheel body 1 by the screw 17.
However, other fixing means such as rivets and clips may be used.

(3) In each of the above-described embodiments, when fixing the boss 8 (steering wheel body 1) to the steering shaft 30, the adapter 10 and the bolt 33 are used.
However, as in the conventional case, a nut may be used for fixing.

(4) In the third embodiment, the boss 8 is used.
Although the self aligning mechanism is configured by the boundary portion between the connecting portion 21 and the connecting portion 21, the self aligning mechanism may be provided on the boss 8 itself.

A technical idea which is not described in each claim of the claims and which can be understood from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below together with its effect. (A) In the steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the connecting portion is provided so as to connect the spoke cores extending from both sides and the boss.

With this structure, the spoke core metal, the connecting portion, and the boss are positioned substantially on the same straight line in plan view, and the strength can be made more stable. .

(B) In the steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the above-mentioned supplementary note (a), the spoke core metal is composed of any one of 2 to 4 bars.

With such a structure, the opening can be formed easily and surely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cored bar structure of a steering wheel according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the steering wheel.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing an adapter and the like of a steering wheel.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a steering wheel body and the like for explaining the operation when the airbag device and the like are arranged.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation when the steering wheel is attached to the steering shaft.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cored bar structure according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cored bar structure of a steering wheel according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a steering wheel according to a third embodiment.

[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, 34
A, 34B, 34C, 34D ... Spoke core metal, 7a,
7b ... Cover, 8 ... Boss, 13 ... Airbag device, 2
1, 35 ... Connection part, 22, 36 ... Sub connection part, 30 ... Steering shaft, W ... Steering wheel.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A boss (8) fixed to a steering shaft (30), a ring core metal (5), a spoke core metal (6A, 6B, 6C, 34A, 34B, 34C,
34D), a covering body (7a, 7b) for covering them, and a pad portion (3) integrally formed with the covering body (7a, 7b), which is located substantially above the center of the ring portion (2), Spoke cores (6A, 6B, 6C, 34A,
34B, 34C, 34D) have a connecting portion (21, 3).
5) A steering wheel body (1) integrally connected to the boss (8) via an air bag device (13) arranged between the pad portion (3) and the boss (8). A steering wheel including: the boss (8), the ring portion core metal (5) and the spoke portion core metal (6A, 6B, 6C, 34A, 34B, 34C,
34D) and is configured to be positioned below
A sub-connecting part (22, 36) for connecting at least the spoke cores (6B, 6C, 34C, 34D) connected to the boss (8) and the other spoke cores (6A, 34A, 34B). ) Is provided, and the airbag device (13) is provided.
Is an opening (23, 3) formed by the boss (8), the connecting portion (21, 35) and the sub connecting portion (22, 36).
7) A steering wheel which is arranged so as to be inserted through from 7). 2. A part of the boss (8) and at least one of the boundaries between the boss (8) and the connecting portions (21, 35) are at least a predetermined distance with respect to the steering wheel body (1). The steering wheel according to claim 1, further comprising a self-aligning mechanism that allows deformation when a load is applied. 3. The boss (8) and the connecting portion (21,
35) The steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the steering wheel and the steering wheel are made of different materials. 4. The boss (8) is made of iron, and the connecting portion (21, 35) is provided with the spoke core metal (6A, 6).
B, 6C, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D) and die-cast aluminum integrally molded with the steering wheel according to claim 3.