JP2008296699A - Vehicle steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to suppress cracking of a decorative cover member caused by bending deformation of a spoke portion forward of a vehicle, and to suppress exposure of a fractured portion to a passenger side accompanying cracking of the decorative cover member.
A steering wheel body for a vehicle is integrated by connecting a hub portion 11 having a connecting portion to an airbag module and a connecting portion to a steering shaft to a wheel portion 12 by a spoke portion 13. 10 and at least the spoke part 13 from the occupant side, a decorative cover member 30 fixed by connecting the connecting parts 32 and 33 to both the hub part 11 and the spoke part 13 in the vicinity of the wheel part 12 respectively. I have. The decorative cover member 30 includes a bendable deformable portion 31a that can be elastically deformed or plastically deformed with respect to a bending load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering wheel for a vehicle, in particular, a steering wheel main body integrated by connecting a wheel portion to a wheel portion from a hub portion having a connecting portion to an attachment portion of an airbag module and a steering shaft, A vehicle including a decorative cover member that is connected and fixed to both the hub portion and the wheel portion or the spoke portion near the wheel portion to cover at least the spoke portion from the occupant side. Related to steering wheel.

This type of vehicle steering wheel is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, and has a good design by a decorative cover member assembled to the steering wheel body.
JP 2006-151116 A

  In the vehicle steering wheel described in Patent Document 1 described above, when the decorative cover member is formed of, for example, a hard synthetic resin, if a load forward of the vehicle is applied to the wheel portion of the steering wheel body, the spoke portion There is a possibility that the decorative cover member may break along with the forward bending deformation of the vehicle, and the broken portion may be exposed on the surface (occupant side) of the steering wheel.

  The present invention has been made to cope with the above-described problems, and is integrated by connecting a wheel portion from a hub portion having a connecting portion to an attachment portion of an airbag module and a steering shaft by a spoke portion. A steering wheel main body, and at least the spoke part from the occupant side, so that a decoration is fixed by connecting a connecting part to both the hub part and the wheel part or the spoke part near the wheel part. In the vehicle steering wheel including the cover member, the decorative cover member includes a bendable deformable portion between the two connecting portions that can be elastically deformed or plastically deformed with respect to a bending load in the vehicle front-rear direction. There is a special feature.

  In the vehicle steering wheel according to the present invention, when a load on the front side of the vehicle is applied to the wheel portion of the steering wheel body, the decorative cover member is bent at the bending deformable portion along with the bending deformation of the spoke portion toward the front of the vehicle. Elastic deformation or plastic deformation. For this reason, the crack (break) of the decoration cover member accompanying the bending deformation to the vehicle front of a spoke part can be suppressed, and the steering wheel surface (occupant side) of the break part accompanying the crack of a decoration cover member It is possible to suppress exposure.

  In implementing the present invention, the bending deformable portion may be formed by providing a notch on the back surface of the decorative cover member. In this case, it is possible to easily perform the bending deformation in the bending deformable portion of the decorative cover member accompanying the bending deformation of the spoke portion forward of the vehicle by the notch provided on the back surface of the decorative cover member. .

  In carrying out the present invention, the decorative cover member is formed of a base material having the bending deformable portion and a flexible material (for example, leather or soft synthetic resin) applied to the surface of the base material. It is also possible to consist of at least two layers of skin material. In this case, even when the base material breaks due to the bending deformation of the spoke part toward the front of the vehicle, the surface skin material prevents the base material from being exposed to the surface (occupant side). It is possible.

  In carrying out the present invention, the decorative cover member may be formed of an aluminum material or a soft synthetic resin material. In these cases, the decorative cover member is formed of an aluminum material or a soft synthetic resin material (a material that is difficult to break with respect to a bending load), and even if the spoke part is bent and deformed forward of the vehicle, the decorative cover member Since it is difficult to break, it is possible to suppress the broken portion of the decorative cover member from being exposed to the steering wheel surface (occupant side).

  In carrying out the present invention, the decorative cover member has a third connecting portion that extends from the back surface toward the spoke portion and is connected to the spoke portion at an extended end portion between the connecting portions. The third connecting portion may be formed with a bucklable portion capable of buckling when the spoke portion is bent and deformed forward of the vehicle. In this case, the buckling (breaking) of the decorative cover member accompanying the bending deformation of the spoke part toward the vehicle front can be suppressed by buckling at the buckling possible part formed on the decorative cover member. This is particularly effective when the spoke portion is largely bent forward. Moreover, the buckling possible part of the decorative cover member is formed in a third connecting part that extends from the back surface of the decorative cover member toward the spoke part of the steering wheel body and is connected to the spoke part at the extended end part. Therefore, the buckling at the buckling possible portion is not exposed to the occupant side.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a steering wheel SH for a vehicle embodying the present invention. The steering wheel SH includes a steering wheel body 10, an airbag module 20 assembled to the steering wheel body 10, and a pair of left and right decorations. In addition to the cover members 30 and 40, a lower cover 90 that partially covers the back surfaces of these components is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the steering wheel body 10 includes a hub portion 11 and a wheel portion 12, and a spoke portion 13 that connects and integrates the hub portion 11 and the wheel portion 12. The hub portion 11 has an attachment portion (four attachment holes) 11a for the airbag module 20 and a connection portion (one attachment hole) 11b to a steering shaft (not shown), and is formed of a metal plate. Has been. The wheel portion 12 has an annular cored bar 12a and a coating layer 12b made of a synthetic resin such as urethane for covering it.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the spoke portion 13 extends from the hub portion 11 to the left and right in FIG. 3, and is integrally connected to an annular core 12 a (see FIG. 2) of the wheel portion 12. And leg portions 13c and 13d that extend downward from the hub portion 11 in FIG. 3 and are integrally connected to the annular core metal 12a (see FIG. 2) of the wheel portion 12, and are integrated with the hub portion 11. It is made of a metal plate.

  The airbag module 20 is a well-known unit having a built-in horn switch (not shown). The airbag module 20 can be inflated and deployed between the steering wheel body 10 and an occupant (not shown) at the time of a vehicle collision, and is normally folded. Air bag body housed in the case in an inflated state, an inflator capable of injecting and supplying gas to the air bag body in the event of a vehicle collision, and when the air bag body is inflated and deployed covering the air bag body in the stowed state A pad to be broken, and a support plate for assembling these members to the hub portion 11 of the steering wheel body 10 (all not shown) are configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the left decorative cover member 30 is a part of the spoke portion 13, that is, the arm portion 13 a on the left side of FIG. 3 and the left leg of FIG. 3 from the airbag module 20. The part 13c is a one-piece molded product made of a hard synthetic resin such as ABS that covers the occupant side, and has a garnish part 31 exposed to the occupant side. The garnish part 31 has three types of switches SL1 and SL2. , SL3 are assembled.

  The left decorative cover member 30 extends from the rear surface of the garnish portion 31 toward the hub portion 11 and is connected to a mounting hole 11c provided in the hub portion 11 at an extended end portion by a tapping screw 61. 1 tapping portion 32 and a spoke portion 13 in the vicinity of the wheel portion 12 formed to protrude from the back surface of the garnish portion 31 toward the leg portion 13c, that is, a mounting hole 13c1 provided at the wheel portion side end portion of the leg portion 13c. A cylindrical second connecting portion 33 connected by a screw 62 is provided.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown to (a) of FIG.4 and FIG.6, between the both connection parts 32 and 33 of the decorating cover member 30, ie, the intermediate part of the garnish part 31, a bending deformation is possible. A portion 31a is formed. The bendable deformable portion 31a is formed by providing a V-shaped notch that opens toward the back surface side of the garnish portion 31 in the decorative cover member 30 (this shape can be changed as appropriate). .

  Further, the bending deformable portion 31a is applied to the bending load in the vehicle front-rear direction applied to the decorative cover member 30 (for example, generated when the second connecting portion 33 moves forward of the vehicle with respect to the first connecting portion 32). On the other hand, elastic deformation or plastic deformation is possible, and the bending load described above is applied to the lower end of FIG. 1 of the wheel portion 12 of the steering wheel main body 10 from the occupant side, and both legs of the spoke portion 13 of the steering wheel main body 10 are applied. It occurs when the parts 13c and 13d are bent and deformed toward the front of the vehicle.

  The left decorative cover member 30 extends between the connecting portions 32 and 33 from the back surface of the garnish portion 31 toward the end of the leg portion 13c toward the hub portion side, and the leg portion 13c at the extended end portion. The third connecting portion 34 is connected to the mounting hole 13c2 provided in the upper and lower ends by a tapping screw 63, and the bending deformation of the leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion 13 is a predetermined amount in the third connecting portion 34. The buckling possible part 34a which can be buckled in the case of the above is formed. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7A, the buckling possible portion 34a has a V-shape that opens toward the right side of the vehicle at the middle portion of the third connecting portion 34 (this shape can be changed as appropriate). ) Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the decorative cover member 40 on the right side is a part of the spoke portion 13, that is, the arm portion 13 b on the right side of FIG. This is a one-piece molded product made of a hard synthetic resin such as ABS that covers the other leg 13d from the occupant side, and has a garnish portion 41 that is exposed to the occupant side. The garnish portion 41 has three types of switches. SR1, SR2, SR3 are assembled.

  The right decorative cover member 40 extends from the back surface of the garnish portion 41 toward the hub portion 11 and is connected to a mounting hole 11d provided in the hub portion 11 at an extended end portion by a tapping screw 71. 1 tapping portion 42 and a spoke portion 13 in the vicinity of the wheel portion 12 formed so as to protrude from the back surface of the garnish portion 41 toward the leg portion 13d, that is, tapping in a mounting hole 13d1 provided at the wheel portion side end portion of the leg portion 13d. A cylindrical second connecting portion 43 connected by a screw 72 is provided.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown to FIG. 5 and FIG.6 (b), between the connection parts 42 and 43 of the decorating cover member 40, ie, the intermediate part of the garnish part 41, bending deformation is possible. A portion 41a is formed. This bendable part 41a is formed by providing a V-shaped notch that opens toward the back side of the garnish 41 in the decorative cover member 40 (this shape can be changed as appropriate). .

  Further, the bending deformable portion 41a is applied to the bending load in the vehicle front-rear direction applied to the decorative cover member 40 (for example, generated by moving the second connecting portion 43 forward of the vehicle with respect to the first connecting portion 42). On the other hand, elastic deformation or plastic deformation is possible, and the bending load described above is applied to the lower end of FIG. 1 of the wheel portion 12 of the steering wheel main body 10 from the occupant side, and both legs of the spoke portion 13 of the steering wheel main body 10 are applied. It occurs when the parts 13c and 13d are bent and deformed toward the front of the vehicle.

  Further, the right decorative cover member 40 extends between the connecting portions 42 and 43 from the back surface of the garnish portion 41 toward the hub side end of the leg portion 13d, and the leg portion 13d at the extended end portion. The third connecting portion 44 connected to the mounting hole 13d2 provided by the tapping screw 73 is provided, and the third connecting portion 44 has a predetermined amount of bending deformation of the leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion 13. The buckling possible part 44a which can buckle in the case of the above is formed. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7B, the buckling possible portion 44a has a V-shaped notch that opens toward the left side of the vehicle at the middle portion of the third connecting portion 44 (this shape is appropriately determined). Can be changed).

  In the steering wheel SH of this embodiment configured as described above, a load acts on the lower end portion of the wheel portion 12 in the steering wheel main body 10 from the occupant side, and both leg portions of the spoke portion 13 in the steering wheel main body 10 are obtained. When 13c and 13d are bent and deformed toward the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 with the decorative cover member 40 on the right as an example, along with the bending deformation of both leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion 13 The decorative cover members 30 and 40 are elastically deformed or plastically deformed at the bending deformable portions 31a and 41a. For this reason, the crack (break) of each decoration cover member 30 and 40 accompanying the bending deformation to the vehicle front of both the leg parts 13c and 13d in the spoke part 13 can be suppressed, and each decoration cover member 30 and 40 can be suppressed. It is possible to suppress the exposure of the fractured part to the steering wheel surface (occupant side) due to cracking.

  Further, in the steering wheel SH of this embodiment, the bendable deformable portions 31a and 41a of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 are formed by providing notches on the back surfaces of the decorative cover members 30 and 40, respectively. The bending deformation in the bending deformable portions 31a and 41a of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 accompanying the bending deformation of the both leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion 13 to the front of the vehicle can be easily performed in a simple shape. Is possible.

  In the steering wheel SH of this embodiment, the decorative cover members 30 and 40 extend from the back surface toward the spoke portions 13c and 13d and are connected to the spoke portions 13c and 13d at the extended end portions. The third connecting portions 34, 44 are provided between the connecting portions 32, 33, 42, 43, and the third connecting portions 34, 44 are connected to the front sides of the leg portions 13c, 13d in the spoke portion 13, respectively. Buckling possible portions 34a and 44a are formed which can be buckled when the bending deformation is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount.

  For this reason, as shown in the example of the decorative cover member 40 on the right side in FIG. 9, the spoke portions are also buckled by the buckling possible portions 34 a and 44 a formed on the decorative cover members 30 and 40. 13 can suppress cracking (breaking) of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 due to the bending deformation of the both leg portions 13c and 13d forward of the vehicle, and in particular, the front of the both leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion 13 of the vehicle. This is effective when the bending deformation to is large. Further, the buckling possible portions 34 a and 44 a of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 extend from the back surfaces of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 toward the leg portions 13 c and 13 d in the spoke portion 13 of the steering wheel body 10. Since the extension end portion is formed on the third connecting portions 34 and 44 connected to the leg portions 13c and 13d of the spoke portion 13, the buckling at the buckling possible portions 34a and 44a is caused on the occupant side. Never exposed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the garnish portions 31 and 41 having the bendable deformable portions 31a and 41a of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 are implemented as a single layer structure. However, the garnish portions 31 and 41 are illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the base material 31A, 41A having the bendable parts 31a, 41a and a flexible material (for example, leather or soft synthetic resin) applied to the surface of the base material 31A, 41A are formed. It is also possible to implement by implementing at least two layers of the skin materials 31B and 41B. In this case, even if the base materials 31A and 41A break along with the bending deformation of the leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion 13 toward the front of the vehicle, the base material 31A and the base material 31A and the base material 31A and It is possible to suppress the breakage portion of 41A from being exposed to the surface (occupant side).

  In the above-described embodiment, the decorative cover members 30 and 40 are made of hard synthetic resin. However, the decorative cover members may be formed of an aluminum material or a soft synthetic resin material. Is possible. In these cases, each decorative cover member is formed of an aluminum material or a soft synthetic resin material (a material that is not easily broken against a bending load), and the leg portions 13c and 13d in the spoke portion are bent forward of the vehicle. Since each decorative cover member is not easily broken even if it is deformed, it is possible to prevent the broken portion of each decorative cover member from being exposed to the steering wheel surface (occupant side).

  In the above-described embodiment, the second connecting portions 33 and 43 (wheel-side mounting portions) of the decorative cover members 30 and 40 are connected to the spoke portions 13 in the vicinity of the wheel portion 12. The second cover portion (33, 43) of the decorative cover member (30, 40) is connected to the annular core (12a) or the synthetic resin coating layer (12b) of the wheel portion (12). Is also possible.

  Moreover, in above-described embodiment, in each decorative cover member 30,40, the 3rd connection part 34,44 which has each buckling possible part 34a, 44a is provided between both connection part 32 * 33,42 * 43. However, the third connecting portions 34 and 44 may be omitted. In the above-described embodiment, the switches SL1, SL2, SL3, SR1, SR2, and SR3 are provided on the decorative cover members 30 and 40, but these switches are not provided on the decorative cover members. It is also possible to implement.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a steering wheel according to the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. It is a front view of the steering wheel main body shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged vertical side view showing a bending deformable portion of each decorative cover member shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. It is a partial expanded transverse bottom view which shows the buckling possible part of each decorating cover member shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing when the bending deformation to the vehicle front of the leg part in the spoke part of a steering wheel main body is small. It is an operation explanatory view in the case where the bending deformation of the leg portion in the spoke portion of the steering wheel body to the front of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined amount. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged vertical side view showing a modified embodiment of a garnish portion in each decorative cover member shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Explanation of symbols

SH ... steering wheel, 10 ... steering wheel body, 11 ... hub portion, 12 ... wheel portion, 13 ... spoke portion, 20 ... airbag module, 30 ... decorative cover member on the left, 31 ... garnish portion, 31a ... bending Deformable part, 32 ... 1st connection part, 33 ... 2nd connection part, 34 ... 3rd connection part, 34a ... Buckling possible part, 40 ... Right decoration cover member, 41 ... Garnish part, 41a ... Bending Deformable part 42 ... 1st connection part 43 ... 2nd connection part 44 ... 3rd connection part 44a ... Buckling possible part

Claims (6)

A steering wheel main body integrated by connecting a wheel portion from a hub portion having a connecting portion to an airbag module attachment portion and a steering shaft by a spoke portion;
A vehicle including a decorative cover member that is connected and fixed to each of the hub portion and the wheel portion or the spoke portion near the wheel portion to cover at least the spoke portion from the occupant side. Steering wheel for
The vehicular steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the decorative cover member includes a bendable deformable portion between the two connecting portions that can be elastically deformed or plastically deformed with respect to a bending load in the vehicle longitudinal direction.   2. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the bending deformable portion is formed by providing a notch on a back surface of the decorative cover member. 3.   3. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the decorative cover member includes a base material having the bending deformable portion and a skin material formed of a flexible material applied to a surface of the base material. A vehicle steering wheel comprising at least two layers.   The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the decorative cover member is made of an aluminum material.   2. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the decorative cover member is made of a soft synthetic resin material.   The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the decorative cover member extends from a back surface thereof toward the spoke portion and is connected to the spoke portion at an extended end portion. A third connecting portion is provided between the two connecting portions, and a buckling capable portion capable of buckling when the spoke portion is bent and deformed forward of the vehicle is formed in the third connecting portion. A vehicle steering wheel that is characterized.

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