Steering wheel and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present application provides a steering wheel and a manufacturing method thereof. The steering wheel and the manufacturing method thereof are a steering wheel in which an overcoat member is attached to a wheel portion main body portion with good operability and excellent appearance, and a manufacturing method thereof, the steering wheel (1) including a wheel portion (5) having a wheel portion main body portion (19) and an overcoat member (12) covering at least a portion of the wheel portion main body portion. The steering wheel includes a decorative portion (21) attached to the wheel portion (5). The wheel portion main body portion includes an attachment portion (20) in a direction intersecting a direction in which the wheel portion main body portion extends, and the decorative portion is attached to the attachment portion. The overcoat member includes one divided body (30) and another divided body (31) covering one side and the other side of the wheel portion main body portion (19) divided with the attachment portion (20) as a reference. At least a portion of end portions (36, 37) of the one divided body and the other divided body, which are opposite each other in the attachment portion, are in complementary shapes to each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a steering wheel in which a decorative portion is attached to a grip portion, and a manufacturing method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] As for the wheel portion of the grip portion of the steering wheel, which is a steering wheel of an automobile, there is a wheel portion in which the appearance is improved by covering the surface with a covering member such as leather. In covering the wheel portion main body with the covering member, the following procedure is generally used: after attaching the substantially central portion in the length direction of the covering member, which is connected in a ring shape, to the outermost circumferential side of the wheel portion main body, the end edges of both sides in the length direction of the covering member are drawn while being made to approach the inner circumferential side of the wheel portion main body portion, and are sewn in a state in which the end edges of both sides face each other.

[0003] In the past, a steering wheel in which a decorative portion having a wood grain is provided on a part of the wheel portion has been known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the case of this structure, even if the wheel portion main body is covered with the covering member, the mounting portion for mounting the decorative portion needs to be exposed on the surface. At this time, the covering member is covered in a state in which the part corresponding to the mounting portion is previously cut into a shape that surrounds the mounting portion or the like and is cut away, whereby the covering operation in the procedure described above can be performed.

[0004] On the other hand, the design of the decorative portion has been diversifying in recent years. For example, a pair of semicircular decorative portions along the outer peripheral diameter in the width direction of the wheel portion are fitted to a part of the wheel portion, and are provided as decorative portions that also serve as center marks across the entire circumference in the width direction of the wheel portion. At this time, in order for the mounting portion for mounting the decorative portion to be exposed on the surface of the wheel portion, it is necessary to completely divide a part of the covering member.

[0005] The covering member that is divided in this way is not continuous in a ring shape, and therefore it is necessary to perform the operation while drawing the covering member toward the divided end portion side when being wound around the wheel portion main body, and thus the operation is difficult, and in the case where the drawing is not sufficient, wrinkles or the like as appearance defects are sometimes generated, and the manufacturing and quality are affected.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-225951 (pages 3-4, Figures 1-3 )

[0007] As described above, a structure in which the operability of mounting the covering member can be ensured while preventing appearance defects is desired. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application was completed in view of such a point, and aims to provide a steering wheel in which the operability of mounting a covering member to a grip portion main body is good and the appearance is excellent, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0009] The steering wheel described in Technical Solution 1 includes a grip portion having a grip main body portion and a covering member covering at least a portion of the grip main body portion, and a decorative portion attached to the grip portion, the grip main body portion has an attachment portion in a direction intersecting a direction in which the grip main body portion extends, the decorative portion is attached to the attachment portion, the covering member has one divided body and another divided body covering one side and the other side of the grip main body portion divided with the attachment portion as a reference, and at least a portion of opposite end portions of the one divided body and the another divided body are in complementary shapes to each other.

[0010] In the steering wheel described in Technical Solution 2, in the steering wheel described in Technical Solution 1, the complementary shapes of the opposite end portions of the one divided body and the another divided body are formed in a manner having discontinuities.

[0011] The manufacturing method of the steering wheel described in Technical Solution 3 manufactures a steering wheel including a grip portion having a grip main body portion and a covering member covering at least a portion of the grip main body portion, and a decorative portion attached to the grip portion, the grip main body portion has an attachment portion in a direction intersecting a direction in which the grip main body portion extends, the decorative portion is attached to the attachment portion, and the manufacturing method of the steering wheel includes the steps of: forming a division predetermined portion in advance on the covering member; covering at least a portion of the grip main body portion with the covering member in a manner in which the division predetermined portion is aligned with the attachment portion; cutting the covering member from the division predetermined portion; and attaching the decorative portion to the attachment portion.

[0012] In the manufacturing method of the steering wheel described in Technical Solution 4, in the manufacturing method of the steering wheel described in Technical Solution 3, the division predetermined portion is formed in advance on the covering member in a manner in which the division predetermined portion discontinuously has a hole portion.

[0013] Inventive Effects

[0014] According to the steering wheel described in Technical Solution 1, the covering member can be cut at the position of the attachment portion after the covering member that is not divided in advance is attached to the grip main body portion, and thus a steering wheel in which an operation of attaching the covering member to the grip main body portion is excellent, and in which appearance defects such as wrinkles are less likely to occur in the covering member, and the appearance is excellent, can be provided.

[0015] According to the steering wheel described in technical solution 2, in addition to the effects of the steering wheel described in technical solution 1, since the holes are pre-formed on the covering member in an intermittent manner and the covering member can be cut from the holes, the mounting part can be observed by the naked eye through the holes when at least a part of the main body of the grip part is covered by the covering member. Therefore, the covering member and the mounting part can be easily aligned, and the covering member can be easily cut from the holes, thereby improving operability.

[0016] According to the steering wheel manufacturing method described in technical solution 3, it is possible to manufacture a steering wheel that has good operability when the covering part is installed on the main body of the grip, and is not prone to appearance defects such as wrinkles in the covering part, and has an excellent appearance.

[0017] According to the steering wheel manufacturing method described in technical solution 4, in addition to the effects of the steering wheel manufacturing method described in technical solution 3, since the mounting part can be observed by the naked eye through the hole when at least a part of the main body of the grip part is covered by the covering part, the covering part and the mounting part can be easily aligned, and the covering part can be easily cut off from the hole, thereby improving operability. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front view enlarged to show a portion of the steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 middle, Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view showing the process of wrapping the gripping body of the steering wheel with a covering component. Figure 2 (b) indicates that it is followed by Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view of the process of cutting the covering component from the pre-defined section. Figure 2 (c) indicates through Figure 2 (b) Front view of the position of the cut-off covering component in the mounting section. Figure 2 (d) indicates following Figure 2 (b) is a perspective view of the process of installing the decorative part in the installation section.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a plan view showing a portion of an example of the covering component of the aforementioned steering wheel.

[0021] Figure 4 middle, Figure 4 (a) is with Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of position II. Figure 4 (b) is with Figure 5 A sectional view at the position corresponding to II-II.

[0022] Figure 5 is a front view of the steering wheel described above.

[0023] Figure 6 is a plan view showing a part of another example of the cover member of the second embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 7 is a front view showing the position of the cut cover member in the mounting portion of the steering wheel of the third embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 8 is a plan view showing a part of still another example of the cover member of the steering wheel described above.

[0026] Figure 9 is a front view showing the position of the cut cover member in the mounting portion of the steering wheel of the fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 10 is a plan view showing a part of still another example of the cover member of the steering wheel described above.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] 1 - steering wheel as a steering wheel, 5 - rim portion as a grip portion, 12 - cover member, 19 - rim portion main body as a grip portion main body, 20 - mounting portion, 21 - decorative portion, 30 - one divided body, 31 - another divided body, 32 - division predetermined portion, 33 - hole portion, 36, 37 - end portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] In Figure 5 , 1 is, for example, a steering wheel as a steering wheel (steering wheel) in an automobile as a vehicle. The steering wheel 1 is provided with a steering wheel main body 2 as a steering wheel main body and a module 3 or the like mounted on the occupant side of the steering wheel main body 2. In addition, the steering wheel 1 is usually mounted on a steering shaft provided in the vehicle in an inclined state, but hereinafter, when the steering wheel 1 is observed from the driver (occupant) side, the arrow U direction is taken as the upper side, the arrow D direction is taken as the lower side, the front side of the vehicle, that is, the front side upper side of the front windshield side is taken as the front side or the back side, and the rear side of the vehicle, that is, the rear side lower side is taken as the rear side, the front side or the front side. Furthermore, the arrangement of the upper and lower, the left and right, and the like of each portion of the steering wheel main body 2 is based on the neutral (neutral) position of the steering wheel 1.

[0032] The steering wheel main body 2 has a rim portion (grip portion) 5 as a grip portion, a hub portion 6 located on the inner side of the rim portion 5, and a plurality of spoke portions 7 connecting the rim portion 5 and the hub portion 6.

[0033] The wheel rim portion 5 is the part operated by the driver (passenger). At least a portion of the wheel rim portion 5 is formed in an arc shape. That is, in this embodiment, the wheel rim portion 5 extends in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the wheel rim portion 5 is formed in a ring shape. In this embodiment, the wheel rim portion 5 is formed in a ring shape.

[0034] The wheel hub 6 is the part connected to the steering shaft. Furthermore, a module 3 is installed on the passenger side of the wheel hub 6. The rear side of the wheel hub 6 is covered by a cover. This cover, also called a rear cover, lower cover, or body cover, is made of synthetic resin or the like.

[0035] In this embodiment, two spoke portions 7 are formed on the left and right sides. However, it is not limited to this; three, four, or more spoke portions 7 may also be formed.

[0036] Module 3 can include, for example, a pad that houses an airbag device or an impact absorber. Additionally, a horn switch mechanism, which serves as a switching device, can be integrally assembled into Module 3.

[0037] Next, the structure of the steering wheel body 2 will be explained.

[0038] like Figure 4 of (a), Figure 4 (b) and Figure 5 As shown, the steering wheel body 2 has a core 10, a resin layer 11 serving as a substrate layer covering the core 10, and a covering component 12 covering the resin layer 11.

[0039] The core 10 is made of metals such as aluminum or magnesium. The core 10 has at least a rim core 15 that forms part of the rim portion 5 and serves as the core 15 of the handle portion, and a hub core 15 that forms part of the hub portion 6. Furthermore, the core 10 may have a spoke core 15 that forms part of the spoke portion 7.

[0040] The rim core portion 15 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the rim portion 5. That is, the rim core portion 15 is, for example, an annular shape formed along an arc, depending on the shape of the rim portion 5. In this embodiment, the rim core portion 15 is formed in an annular shape.

[0041] Regarding the hub core, it is constructed by integrally fixing a hub plate, which forms the core, onto a hub having a serrated structure that meshes with the steering shaft.

[0042] The spoke core extends radially from the hub plate of the hub core. The spoke core does not necessarily correspond to all spoke portions 7; at least some spoke portions 7 may not have a spoke core and may be constituted by a finisher, cover, etc.

[0043] The resin layer 11 is formed so as to cover at least the wheel core 15. Therefore, at least a portion of the resin layer 11 is formed in a circular arc shape, and in the present embodiment, is formed in a ring shape or a circular ring shape. The resin layer 11 is formed, for example, in a cross-sectional circular shape (also including a substantially circular cross-sectional shape). As the resin layer 11, for example, a resin layer in which a soft, foamed polyurethane resin is foamed in a small amount is used. The wheel portion main body 19, which is a grip portion main body, is formed of the wheel core 15 and the resin layer 11 that covers the wheel core 15. The wheel portion main body 19 is formed in a circular shape or a substantially circular shape as a whole. That is, at least a portion of the wheel portion main body 19 is in a circular arc shape. The wheel portion main body 19 is located at a position extending in the direction of rotation of the steering wheel 1, that is, in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft.

[0044] In the wheel portion main body 19, the mounting portion 20 is formed in the resin layer 11, that is, on the surface. The mounting portion 20 is formed in a groove shape, and is a portion in which a portion of the cover member 12 is accommodated and a portion of the cover member 12 is covered, and in which the decorative portion 21 is mounted. The mounting portion 20 is formed in the resin layer 11 in the direction in which the wheel portion main body 19 extends, that is, in the length direction of the wheel portion main body 19, and in the present embodiment, in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the wheel portion main body 19. The mounting portion 20 is formed in the resin layer 11 in the meridian direction of the wheel portion main body 19. That is, the mounting portion 20 is formed in the small diameter direction of the wheel portion main body 19. In the present embodiment, when the steering wheel main body 2 is viewed from the front, the mounting portion 20 is located in the lower portion in the wheel portion main body 19 in the 6 o'clock direction of the analog clock. The mounting portion 20 can be continuous over the entire circumference in the meridian direction of the wheel portion main body 19, or can be intermittent. The mounting portion 20 can be formed at the same time as the resin layer 11 is formed, or can be formed by processing after the resin layer 11 is formed. The mounting portion 20 is formed by standing up the side wall 20b from both sides of the bottom portion 20a. The bottom portion 20a is formed at a position at a prescribed depth from the surface of the resin layer 11 of the wheel portion main body 19. In the present embodiment, the bottom portion 20a is formed so as to be parallel (also including substantially parallel) to the surface of the resin layer 11 of the wheel portion main body 19. In the illustrated example, the bottom portion 20a is formed so as to be continuous in the meridian direction of the resin layer 11 of the wheel portion main body 19.

[0045] The decorative portion 21 is an added decoration on the surface of the steering wheel 1. When viewed from the front of the steering wheel body 2, the decorative portion 21 in this embodiment is configured to extend radially in the 6 o'clock direction of the analog clock within the wheel rim body 19, and serves as a center marker for the wheel rim 5. The decorative portion 21 is formed as a strip with a constant or slightly constant width. Furthermore, the decorative portion 21 is formed as a ring that fits into the mounting portion 20. That is, the decorative portion 21 is ring-shaped in the meridian direction of the wheel rim body 19. Regarding the decorative portion 21, for example, it is divided into multiple, for example, a pair of decorative bodies 21a, 21b, in the meridian direction of the wheel rim body 19. These decorative bodies 21a, 21b are arranged to hold the resin layer 11 in the mounting portion 20 and are engaged with each other by means of claws. The decorative portion 21 is formed of any material such as synthetic resin, metal, or wood.

[0046] The trim section 21 covers a portion of the covering member 12 within the mounting section 20. The covering member 12 is the part directly held by the driver (passenger) and is an added trim section exposed on the surface of the steering wheel 1. The covering member 12 is formed into a sheet, for example, from leather such as natural leather or synthetic leather, or synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the covering member 12 is configured to continuously cover the entire surface of the resin layer 11 of the wheel rim body 19. In this embodiment, the covering member 12 is composed of a plurality of covering member sheets 25, the end edges of which are connected to each other by stitching or the like to form a single unit.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the covering piece 25 is formed in the shape of a strip, and in the side edges 25a, 25a along the width direction, the central portion in the width direction protrudes in the length direction compared to the end edges 25b, 25b along the length direction. The central portion of the covering piece 25 in the width direction is positioned in the wheel rim body 19 when viewed from the front. Figure 5 Wheel rim body 19 in the state of ) Figure 5 On the outer periphery of the rim portion 19, along the length direction, the end edges 25b, 25b are located at the end edges 25b, 25b of the rim portion body. Figure 5 The inner circumference sides of the joints are connected by stitching or other means. 26 Figure 2 (a)) engagement, thereby covering the wheel rim body 19 and mounting the component 12.

[0048] Moreover, in this embodiment, such as Figure 5As shown, in the cover member 12, the linking portions of the prescribed portions, such as the cover member pieces 25, to each other fall into the positions of the groove portions formed in the wheel rim portion main body portion 19, and a design portion 28 that forms a so-called wood grain design is constituted on the driver (occupant) side of the wheel rim portion 5. For example, with respect to the design portion 28 (groove portion), when the steering wheel main body 2 is viewed from the front, in the wheel rim portion main body portion 19, straight lines that are inclined with respect to the radial direction are arranged in the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock directions of an analog clock, respectively.

[0049] Also, the cover member 12 (cover member pieces 25) is formed in a ring shape or an elongated shape in advance, and is divided at the positions of the decorative portion 21 or the mounting portion 20 at the time of manufacture. That is, the cover member 12 has one divided body 30 and another divided body 31 on one side and the other side, with the decorative portion 21 or the mounting portion 20 as a reference. In the present embodiment, the cover member pieces 25 located in the lower portion are divided into one divided body 30 and another divided body 31.

[0050] One divided body 30 and another divided body 31 are formed by being divided from Figure 3 the division predetermined portion 32 shown. The division predetermined portion 32 is formed in a straight line shape or the like in advance in a direction that intersects the length direction of the cover member 12 (cover member pieces 25). Therefore, the division predetermined portion 32 is arranged in a manner that follows the meridian direction of the wheel rim portion main body portion 19 ( Figure 5 ) in a state in which the wheel rim portion main body portion 19 ( Figure 5 ) is covered by the cover member 12.

[0051] The division predetermined portion 32 can be formed arbitrarily, but as an example, can be formed of hole portions 33 that are formed intermittently in the cover member 12 and continuous portions 34 between the hole portions 33, 33.

[0052] The hole portions 33 are preferably set to have a width of 2 mm and a length of 10 mm ± 5 mm, and further preferably set to have a length of 11 mm or the like. The pitch of the continuous portions 34 between the hole portions 33, 33 is preferably set to be longer than the length of the hole portions 33. If the size of the hole portions 33 is too small, it is difficult to see the wheel rim portion main body portion 19 ( Figure 5 ) from the hole portions 33, and if the size of the hole portions 33 is too large, the hole portions 33 open, that is, so-called openings are generated when at least a portion of the wheel rim portion main body portion 19 ( Figure 5 ) is covered by the cover member 12, and thus it is difficult to align the cover member 12 with the wheel rim portion main body portion 19 ( Figure 5 ).

[0053] With respect to each of one divided body 30 and another divided body 31 of the cover member 12 that is divided from the division predetermined portion 32, Figure 1The end portions 36, 37 shown are inserted into the mounting portion 20 and are located opposite each other in the direction in which the wheel rim portion main body portion 19 extends, that is, the weft (warp) direction, and are covered by the decorative portion 21 mounted to the mounting portion 20. The end portion 36 is one edge portion of the division predetermined portion 32 Figure 3 ), and the end portion 37 is the other edge portion of the division predetermined portion 32 Figure 3 ). Therefore, the cut portions 38, 39 in which the continuous portion 34 Figure 3 ) is cut are located at least a part of the end portions 36, 37. In the present embodiment, the cut portions 38, 39 are located between the non-cut portions 40, 40 and between the non-cut portions 41, 41 that are the side edge portions of the hole portions 33 Figure 3 ) and are formed in a manner having discontinuities. The cut portions 38, 39 are in complementary shapes to each other. That is, the cut portions 38, 39 are in straight lines parallel or substantially parallel to each other, or are in curves in which the magnitude of the curvature (radius of curvature) is equal to each other and the sign is opposite to each other. In the present embodiment, the cut portions 38, 39 are uniform in a manner connected to each other in a state in which the end portions 36, 37 are side by side. Also, in the present embodiment, the end portion 36 is in a rectangular wave shape in which the cut portions 38 and the non-cut portions 40 are alternately arranged in the weft direction. Similarly, the end portion 37 is in a rectangular wave shape in which the cut portions 39 and the non-cut portions 41 are alternately arranged in the weft direction.

[0054] Then, in the manufacture of the steering wheel 1, first, the previously molded core 10 is mounted to a molding mold, and then a synthetic resin raw material is mixed and injected into a cavity. As a result, the synthetic resin raw material is simultaneously flowed to the flow end while reacting with foaming to become polyurethane.

[0055] Next, an intermediate formed by covering the wheel rim core portion 15 with the resin layer 11 in the cavity is demolded from the molding mold, and burrs and the like are cut off.

[0056] Then, the surface of the resin layer 11 of the intermediate is covered with the cover member 12. The cover member 12 is, for example, previously made into a long strip shape by joining the side edge portions 25a of a plurality of cover member pieces 25 to each other by sewing or the like, and the cover member 12 is mounted to the resin layer 11 in a manner wound from the outer circumferential side to the inner circumferential side. At this time, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, the positions of the division predetermined portions 32 and the mounting portions 20 formed in the resin layer 11 are aligned, and at the positions of the inner circumferential side of the resin layer 11, the end edge portions 25b, 25b of the cover member pieces 25 are joined to each other (except for the division predetermined portions 32) by the joining portions 26 by sewing or the like, whereby the cover member 12 is fixed to the wheel rim portion main body portion 19. In this operation, in the case in which the hole portions 33 are formed in the division predetermined portions 32, the operator is able to visually observe the mounting portions 20 via the hole portions 33, whereby the division predetermined portions 32 and the mounting portions 20 can be easily aligned. Figure 2 In the operation, in the case in which the hole portions 33 are formed in the division predetermined portions 32, the operator is able to visually observe the mounting portions 20 via the hole portions 33, whereby the division predetermined portions 32 and the mounting portions 20 can be easily aligned.

[0057] Furthermore, the connecting portions of the covering component pieces 25 are respectively placed into the grooves formed in the resin layer 11, and the two ends of the covering component 12 are joined together at positions corresponding to a groove by sewing or the like, and placed into the groove to form the design portion 28. Figure 5 )fixed.

[0058] If the coating of the resin layer 11 by the coating component 12 is completed, then as Figure 2 As shown in (b), the covering component 12 is divided from the pre-division portion 32. For example, for the pre-division portion 32, a tool T such as scissors or a cutter is used to cut the continuous portion 34 along the entire circumference of the wheel rim body 19 in the warp direction. At this time, the tool T can be used to cut the pre-division portion 32 in one direction, or it can be used to cut half a circumference of the wheel rim body 19 in the warp direction in one direction, and cut the remaining half circumference in the opposite direction, etc. By dividing the covering component 12 from the pre-division portion 32, such as Figure 2 As shown in (c), the end 36 of one segment 30 and the end 37 of another segment 31 are located on one side and the other side with reference to the mounting part 20, and are opposite to each other in the weft direction.

[0059] In this state, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in (d), the decorative part 21 is installed on the mounting part 20 while covering the end 36 of one segment 30 and the end 37 of another segment 31.

[0060] Then, in the completed steering wheel body 2, module 3, cover, etc. are installed in the steering wheel body 2, thereby completing the steering wheel 1.

[0061] As described above, in the first embodiment, a pre-formed dividing portion 32 is pre-formed in the covering member 12, and the covering member 12 covers at least a portion of the wheel rim body 19 in such a way that the pre-formed dividing portion 32 is aligned with the mounting portion 20. After the covering member 12 is cut from the pre-formed dividing portion 32, the decorative portion 21 is installed on the mounting portion 20. Therefore, the covering member 12 is divided into a dividing body 30 and another dividing body 31 covering one side and the other side of the wheel rim body 19 based on the mounting portion 20. At least a portion of the ends 36 and 37 of the two dividing bodies 30 and 31 that are opposite each other in the mounting portion 20 are complementary in shape. That is, the covering member 12 can be cut at the position of the mounting portion 20 after the undivided covering member 12 is installed on the wheel rim body 19. Therefore, a steering wheel 1 with good operability when the covering member 12 is installed on the wheel rim body 19 and with excellent appearance, is provided, and is less prone to wrinkles or other appearance defects on the covering member 12.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pre-formed segmentation portion 32 is pre-formed on the covering member 12 with intermittently perforated portions 33, and the covering member 12 is cut off from the perforated portions 33. Therefore, after the covering member 12 is cut off from the pre-formed segmentation portion 32, the opposing ends 36 and 37 of one segment 30 and the other segment 31 are formed with complementary shapes, namely cut portions 38 and 39, in an intermittent manner. At this time, when the covering member 12 covers at least a portion of the wheel rim body 19, the mounting portion 20 can be observed visually through the perforated portions 33. Therefore, the pre-formed segmentation portion 32 of the covering member 12 and the mounting portion 20 can be easily aligned, and the covering member 12 can be easily cut off from the perforated portions 33 at the pre-formed segmentation portion 32, thereby improving operability.

[0063] In addition, in the first embodiment, the hole 33 may be configured as a slit or the like that does not produce gaps.

[0064] And, as Figure 6 As shown in the second embodiment, a dividing auxiliary portion 43 for assisting in cutting the pre-divided portion 32 can be formed in at least one of the continuous portions 34 at a position separate from the holes 33. In particular, the dividing auxiliary portion 43 is preferably formed at a location where the distance between the holes 33 is larger than a predetermined value. The dividing auxiliary portion 43 can be formed, for example, as a slit or a thin-walled portion. In this case, the covering member 12 can be easily cut from the pre-divided portion 32, and the cutting distance in the pre-divided portion 32 is shortened, thereby improving the cutting accuracy.

[0065] Additionally, the tool used to cut the covering member 12 from the pre-cut section 32 can partially remove the pre-cut section 32. For example, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in the third embodiment, the predetermined portion 32 can be removed in a strip shape using a tool. In this case, the cut portions 38 and 39 at the ends 36 and 37, although not connected to each other, have complementary shapes. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the uncut portions 40 and 41 slightly remain at the ends 36 and 37, which are rectangular and wavy; however, this is not a limitation, and the cut portion 38 and the uncut portion 40, and the cut portion 39 and the uncut portion 41, can each be connected to the same surface. In this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0066] And, as Figure 9 and Figure 10As in the fourth embodiment shown, the division intended portion 32 can exert the same effect even if it is formed as a marker line. As for the marker line, it can be printed or the like on the surface of the cover member 12 (cover member sheet 25), or it can be formed thinner than other portions of the cover member 12 (cover member sheet 25). At this time, the end portion 36 of one of the divided bodies 30 and the end portion 37 of the other divided body 31 divided from the division intended portion 32 become cut portions that are integrally connected, and take complementary shapes to each other.

[0067] Also, in each of the above embodiments, as for the mounting portion 20, as long as the cover member 12 is formed and cut in a direction that intersects the direction in which the wheel portion main body portion 19 extends, its position and number can be arbitrarily set according to the design of the steering wheel 1 or the like.

[0068] Also, the wheel portion 5 can be a circular ring as a whole, or a portion of a circular ring, or at least a portion thereof can be linear or the like.

[0069] Then, the steering wheel 1 can be used as a steering wheel for any vehicle other than an automobile or the like.

[0070] Industrial Applicability

[0071] The present application can be preferably used as a steering wheel for an automobile such as an electric automobile, for example.

Claims

1. A steering wheel, characterized in that, have: The gripping part includes a main body and a covering member that covers at least a portion of the main body; and The decorative part is installed on the handle part. The main body of the gripping part has a mounting part in a direction intersecting the direction in which the main body of the gripping part extends, and the decorative part is mounted on the mounting part. The covering component includes a partition and another partition that cover one side and the other side of the main body of the gripping portion, which are separated from the mounting portion. In the one segment and the other segment, the complementary shapes of the ends of the covering members opposite each other in the mounting portion are formed in a discontinuous manner.

2. A method for manufacturing a steering wheel, characterized in that, A steering wheel is manufactured comprising: a grip portion having a main body portion and a covering member covering at least a portion thereof; and a decorative portion mounted on the grip portion, wherein the main body portion of the grip portion has a mounting portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the main body portion of the grip portion extends, and the decorative portion is mounted on the mounting portion. The method for manufacturing the steering wheel includes the following steps: Pre-formed segmentation portions are formed on the covering component; At least a portion of the main body of the gripping part is covered by the covering component in such a way that the pre-defined segment is aligned with the mounting part. Cut the covering component from the predetermined segment; The decorative part is installed on the mounting part; and The predetermined segment is pre-formed on the covering component in such a way that the predetermined segment has holes intermittently.

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