A folding steering wheel

Abstract

This invention discloses a folding steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel cover; an airbag module installed within the steering wheel cover; left and right steering wheel spokes symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover, the left and right steering wheel spokes being rotatably connected to the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover via left and right connecting rods; and a steering wheel rim, the steering wheel rim being composed of four circumferentially spaced arc-shaped steering wheel handles, wherein two arc-shaped steering wheel handles are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the left steering wheel spoke, with their ends near the left steering wheel spoke forming a rotatable connection with the front and rear ends of the left steering wheel spoke; the other two arc-shaped steering wheel handles are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the right steering wheel spoke, with their ends near the right steering wheel spoke forming a rotatable connection with the front and rear ends of the right steering wheel spoke. This invention significantly reduces the space occupied by the steering wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive steering wheel technology, and more particularly to a folding steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] As the automotive industry develops, cars are becoming increasingly intelligent, moving towards intelligent and lightweight designs, with autonomous driving becoming a key research focus for major automakers. Traditional car steering wheels are still retained in autonomous vehicles, typically featuring a fixed design that cannot be folded.

[0003] To adapt to autonomous vehicles, reduce the space occupied by the steering wheel, and retain its steering function, steering wheels are typically designed to be foldable. However, existing steering wheel folding methods and structures are relatively complex, and the folded steering wheel still occupies a large amount of space.

[0004] Therefore, through beneficial exploration and research, the applicant has found a solution to the above problems, and the technical solution to be introduced below is the result of this research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a folding steering wheel that is easy to fold and occupies little space after folding, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this invention can be achieved by the following technical solution:

[0007] A folding steering wheel includes a steering wheel cover and an airbag module installed within the steering wheel cover; characterized in that it further includes:

[0008] The left and right steering wheel spokes are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover, and the left and right steering wheel spokes are rotatably connected to the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover via left and right linkages; and

[0009] The steering wheel rim is composed of four circumferentially spaced arc-shaped steering wheel handles. Two of the arc-shaped steering wheel handles are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the left steering wheel spoke, and their ends near the left steering wheel spoke are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the left steering wheel spoke. The other two arc-shaped steering wheel handles are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the right steering wheel spoke, and their ends near the right steering wheel spoke are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the right steering wheel spoke.

[0010] When the steering wheel is folded, each arc-shaped steering wheel handle flips downward along its axis of rotation to a position perpendicular to the left or right steering wheel spoke, and the left and right steering wheel spokes flip along their axes of rotation toward the steering wheel cover to a position close to the steering wheel cover.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each arc-shaped steering wheel handle is rotatably connected to the left or right steering wheel spoke via a first rotating assembly.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating component includes:

[0013] A spherical protrusion formed at the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke; and

[0014] A spherical groove is formed on the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle and engages with the spherical protrusion.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a limiting slope is formed at the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle. When the arc-shaped steering wheel handle is flipped to a position perpendicular to the left or right steering wheel spoke, the limiting slope on the arc-shaped steering wheel handle fits against the outer side of the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke, preventing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle from continuing to flip.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating component includes:

[0017] A rotating groove is formed at the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke;

[0018] Rotating protrusions formed on the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle and inserted into the rotating groove; and

[0019] A rotating shaft passes through the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke and through the rotating groove and rotating protrusion.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a limiting groove surface is formed at the lower edge of the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke. When the arc-shaped steering wheel handle is flipped to a position perpendicular to the left or right steering wheel spoke, the limiting groove surface on the left or right steering wheel spoke fits against the outer surface of the connecting end of the flipped arc-shaped steering wheel handle, preventing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle from continuing to flip.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a steering wheel locking assembly for locking the arc-shaped steering wheel handle in a normal use state is provided between each arc-shaped steering wheel handle and the left or right steering wheel spoke.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left and right connecting rods of the left and right steering wheel spokes are rotatably connected to the steering wheel cover via a second rotating assembly.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second rotating component includes:

[0024] A spherical protrusion formed on the left or right side of the steering wheel cover; and

[0025] A spherical groove is formed on the connecting end of the left link of the left steering wheel spoke or on the connecting end of the right link of the right steering wheel spoke and is connected to the spherical protrusion.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second rotating component includes:

[0027] A rotating groove is formed on the left or right side of the steering wheel cover;

[0028] A rotating protrusion formed on the connecting end of the left link of the left steering wheel spoke or on the connecting end of the right link of the right steering wheel spoke and inserted into the rotating groove; and

[0029] A rotating shaft passes through the left or right side of the steering wheel cover and through the rotating groove and rotating protrusion.

[0030] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention symmetrically arranges the left and right steering wheel spokes on the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover, and divides the steering wheel rim into four circumferentially spaced arc-shaped steering wheel handles. Not only can each arc-shaped steering wheel handle be flipped and folded relative to the left or right steering wheel spokes, but the left and right steering wheel spokes can also be flipped and folded relative to the steering wheel cover. The folding method is simple, the folding structure is simple and practical, the steering wheel rotation function is retained, the traditional fixed steering wheel structure is eliminated, and the space occupied by the steering wheel is greatly reduced, which is especially suitable for autonomous vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a top view of the steering wheel rim in Embodiment 1 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a side view of the steering wheel rim in Embodiment 1 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a top view of the left and right steering wheel spokes in Embodiment 1 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steering wheel cover in Embodiment 1 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the first step of folding the folding steering wheel of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the second step of folding in Embodiment 1 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of an angle at which the left or right steering wheel spokes are connected to the arc-shaped steering wheel handle in Embodiment 2 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 10 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of another angle from which the left or right steering wheel spokes are connected to the arc-shaped steering wheel handle in Embodiment 2 of the folding steering wheel of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below with reference to specific illustrations.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] See Figure 1 The figure shows a folding steering wheel, including a steering wheel cover 100, an airbag module 200, left and right steering wheel spokes 300a and 300b, and a steering wheel rim 400.

[0045] The airbag module 200 is installed inside the steering wheel cover 100. The left and right steering wheel spokes 300a and 300b are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover 100, and the left and right steering wheel spokes 300a and 300b are rotatably connected to the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover 100 through left and right connecting rods 310a and 310b.

[0046] The steering wheel rim 400 is composed of four circumferentially spaced arc-shaped steering wheel handles 410, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown. Two arc-shaped directional wheel handles 410 are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the left steering wheel spoke 300a, and their ends near the left steering wheel spoke 300a form a rotatable connection with the front and rear ends of the left steering wheel spoke 300a. The other two arc-shaped directional wheel handles 410 are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the right steering wheel spoke 300b, and their ends near the right steering wheel spoke 300b form a rotatable connection with the front and rear ends of the right steering wheel spoke 300b.

[0047] When the steering wheel is folded, each arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 flips downwards along its axis of rotation to a position perpendicular to the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the left and right steering wheel spokes 300a and 300b then rotate along their axis of rotation toward the steering wheel cover 100 until they are close to the steering wheel cover 100, as shown. Figure 7 As shown, the folding is complete. This invention not only retains the steering wheel's rotation function, breaking away from the traditional fixed steering wheel design, but also greatly reduces the space occupied by the steering wheel, making it especially suitable for autonomous vehicles.

[0048] Each arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 is rotatably connected to either the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b via a first rotating assembly 500. In this embodiment, see... Figure 3 and Figure 4 and combined Figure 1The first rotating assembly 500 includes a spherical protrusion 510 and a spherical groove 520. The spherical protrusion 510 is formed at the end of the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b, and the spherical groove 520 is formed on the connecting end of the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 and engages with the spherical protrusion 510. The spherical groove 520 can cover the spherical protrusion 510 to prevent it from falling off, so that the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 can rotate relative to the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b.

[0049] See Figure 3 A limiting slope 411 is formed at the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410. When the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 is flipped to a position perpendicular to the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b, the limiting slope 411 on the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 fits against the outer side of the end of the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b, preventing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 from continuing to flip.

[0050] In addition, a steering wheel locking assembly (not shown in the figure) is provided between each arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 and the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the right steering wheel spoke 300b. This steering wheel locking assembly is used to lock the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 in the normal use state to prevent the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 from folding during normal use of the steering wheel. The steering wheel locking assembly can adopt a pawl-slot locking method. When the steering wheel is in normal use, the pawl engages in the slot, thereby locking the steering wheel and allowing normal use. When the steering wheel needs to be folded, the pawl disengages from the slot, and the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410 folds. Of course, the steering wheel locking assembly can also adopt other locking methods.

[0051] The left and right connecting rods 310a and 310b of the left and right steering wheel spokes 300a and 300b are rotatably connected to the steering wheel cover 100 via the second rotating assembly 600. In this embodiment, see... Figure 4 and Figure 5 and combined Figure 1 The second rotating assembly 600 includes a spherical protrusion 610 and a spherical groove 620.

[0052] A spherical protrusion 610 is formed on the left or right side of the steering wheel cover. A spherical groove 620 is formed on the connecting end of the left link 310a of the left steering wheel spoke 300a or the connecting end of the right link 310b of the right steering wheel spoke 300b and is connected to the spherical protrusion 610. The spherical groove 620 can cover the spherical protrusion 610 to prevent it from falling off, so that the left and right steering wheel spokes 300a and 300b can rotate relative to the steering wheel cover 100 through the left and right links 310a and 310b.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] The folding steering wheel in this embodiment is largely the same as the folding steering wheel in Embodiment 1, except that the first rotating component 500' and the second rotating component 600' adopt different structures.

[0055] See Figure 8 and Figure 9 The first rotating assembly 500' includes a rotating groove 510', a rotating protrusion 520', and a rotating shaft 530'. The rotating groove 510' is formed at the end of the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b', the rotating protrusion 520' is formed on the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410' and inserted into the rotating groove 510', and the rotating shaft 530' passes through the end of the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b' and through the rotating groove 510' and the rotating protrusion 520', thereby causing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410' to rotate relative to the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b'.

[0056] See Figure 10 A limiting groove surface 320' is formed at the lower edge of the end of the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b'. When the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410' is flipped to a position perpendicular to the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b', the limiting groove surface 320' on the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b' fits against the outer surface of the connecting end of the flipped arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410', preventing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle 410' from continuing to flip.

[0057] See Figure 8The second rotating assembly 600' includes a rotating groove (not shown in the figure), a rotating protrusion (not shown in the figure), and a rotating shaft 630'. The rotating groove is formed on the left or right side of the steering wheel cover 100', and the rotating protrusion is formed on the connecting end of the left link 310a' of the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the connecting end of the right link 310b' of the right steering wheel spoke 300b' and inserted into the rotating groove. The rotating shaft 630' passes through the left or right side of the steering wheel cover 100' and through the rotating groove and the rotating protrusion, thereby causing the left steering wheel spoke 300a' or the right steering wheel spoke 300b' to rotate relative to the steering wheel cover 100'.

[0058] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A folding steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel cover and an airbag module installed within the steering wheel cover; characterized in that, Also includes: The left and right steering wheel spokes are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover, and the left and right steering wheel spokes are rotatably connected to the left and right sides of the steering wheel cover through left and right connecting rods; as well as The steering wheel rim is composed of four circumferentially spaced arc-shaped steering wheel handles. Two of the arc-shaped steering wheel handles are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the left steering wheel spoke, and their ends near the left steering wheel spoke are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the left steering wheel spoke. The other two arc-shaped steering wheel handles are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the right steering wheel spoke, and their ends near the right steering wheel spoke are rotatably connected to the front and rear ends of the right steering wheel spoke. When the steering wheel is folded, each arc-shaped steering wheel handle flips downward along its axis of rotation to a position perpendicular to the left or right steering wheel spoke, and the left and right steering wheel spokes flip along their axes of rotation toward the steering wheel cover to a position close to the steering wheel cover.

2. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each arc-shaped steering wheel handle is rotatably connected to the left or right steering wheel spoke via a first rotating assembly.

3. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first rotating assembly includes: A spherical protrusion formed at the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke; and A spherical groove is formed on the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle and engages with the spherical protrusion.

4. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A limiting slope is formed at the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle. When the arc-shaped steering wheel handle is flipped to a position perpendicular to the left or right steering wheel spoke, the limiting slope on the arc-shaped steering wheel handle fits against the outer side of the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke, preventing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle from continuing to flip.

5. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first rotating assembly includes: A rotating groove is formed at the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke; Rotating protrusions formed on the connecting end of each arc-shaped steering wheel handle and inserted into the rotating groove; and A rotating shaft passes through the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke and through the rotating groove and rotating protrusion.

6. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 5, characterized in that, A limiting groove is formed at the lower edge of the end of the left or right steering wheel spoke. When the arc-shaped steering wheel handle is flipped to a position perpendicular to the left or right steering wheel spoke, the limiting groove on the left or right steering wheel spoke fits against the outer surface of the connecting end of the flipped arc-shaped steering wheel handle, preventing the arc-shaped steering wheel handle from continuing to flip.

7. The folding steering wheel as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, A steering wheel locking assembly for locking the arc-shaped steering wheel handle in the normal use state is provided between each arc-shaped steering wheel handle and the left or right steering wheel spoke.

8. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The left and right connecting rods of the left and right steering wheel spokes are rotatably connected to the steering wheel cover via a second rotating assembly.

9. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second rotating assembly includes: A spherical protrusion formed on the left or right side of the steering wheel cover; and A spherical groove is formed on the connecting end of the left link of the left steering wheel spoke or on the connecting end of the right link of the right steering wheel spoke and is connected to the spherical protrusion.

10. The folding steering wheel as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second rotating assembly includes: A rotating groove is formed on the left or right side of the steering wheel cover; A rotating protrusion formed on the connecting end of the left link of the left steering wheel spoke or on the connecting end of the right link of the right steering wheel spoke and inserted into the rotating groove; and A rotating shaft passes through the left or right side of the steering wheel cover and through the rotating groove and rotating protrusion.

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