Clock spring steering wheel
By using the clock spring and the steering wheel's locking female and male connectors with an interference fit, and by utilizing the deformation arm and inclined surface design, the problem of abnormal noise at low temperatures was solved, achieving stable power transmission and cost reduction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGZHOU AUTOMIBILE GRP MOTOR
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the connection structure between the steering wheel and the clock spring is prone to producing abnormal noise at low temperatures, and the assembly cost is high and the efficiency is low.
The clock spring body and the steering wheel body are connected by an interference fit between the female and male engagement heads. The plastic deformation arm and the aluminum alloy engagement head are used to compress the engagement head by the deformation of the deformation arm, ensuring a stable connection at low temperatures and avoiding sliding noise. The gap is reduced by optimizing the bevel design and interference fit.
It achieves stable power transmission at low temperatures, reduces assembly costs, improves assembly efficiency, and avoids abnormal noise problems.
Smart Images
Figure CN224191341U_ABST
Abstract
Description
A clock spring steering wheel Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive steering wheel technology, and more specifically, to a clock spring steering wheel. Background Technology
[0002] In automotive steering systems, the connection structure between the steering wheel and the clock spring is a key component for ensuring stable transmission of electrical function signals. In existing technology, the steering wheel and clock spring typically employ a snap-fit rigid connection structure. The female steering wheel connector is cast to form a groove, while the male clock spring connector is injection molded to form an arrow-shaped protrusion. This structure achieves an interference fit between the elastic deformation of the two wings of the male connector and the groove of the female connector, maintaining effective preload at room temperature.
[0003] However, at lower temperatures (-20℃), the injection-molded male steering wheel shrinks due to temperature drop, creating a gap between the male and female steering wheels. During steering wheel rotation, the male steering wheel can easily slide relative to the female steering wheel. Simultaneously, the cast female steering wheel, limited by the molding process, has a lower surface quality, resulting in a rough contact surface between the female and male steering wheels. When the male steering wheel slides on this rough surface, it produces abnormal noise. This abnormal noise caused by the failure of the fit due to differences in low-temperature material performance, deterioration of the contact morphology, and insufficient machining precision, leading to relative slippage during steering, severely impacts the user's driving experience.
[0004] Existing technologies on the market typically involve placing a rubber cap over the locking male connector. This design, with the rubber cap acting as a buffer, provides good low-temperature adaptability to the male connector. While it avoids noise issues, ensures stable power transmission, and is durable and not easily damaged, the added rubber cap increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the pressure between the rubber cap and the locking male connector creates a certain degree of compressive stress, making installation more difficult and increasing assembly time. Therefore, it is still necessary to develop a new connection structure to solve the problem of low-temperature noise in the connection structure between the clock spring and the steering wheel, while simultaneously reducing costs and improving assembly efficiency. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the existing technology and provide a clock spring steering wheel that solves the problem of low-temperature abnormal noise in the connection structure between the clock spring and the steering wheel, while also reducing costs and improving assembly efficiency.
[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:
[0007] A clock spring steering wheel is provided, comprising a clock spring body and a steering wheel body. The clock spring body has female engagement heads at both ends, and the steering wheel body has male engagement heads at both ends at the bottom. The female engagement head includes two opposing deformation arms. After the female engagement head and the male engagement head are connected by an interference fit, the deformation arms deform and press against the male engagement head.
[0008] In the above-mentioned solution, the clock spring body and the locking female head are both made of plastic, while the steering wheel body and the locking male head are both made of aluminum alloy. During assembly, the operator presses the locking male head on the steering wheel body directly between the two deformation arms of the locking female head. The assembly is simple and quick. The deformation arms and the locking head are interference-fitted. The deformation arms deform to press the locking male head. During use, when the ambient temperature is low, the plastic locking female head shrinks. The deformation arms can release some of the interference fit deformation to keep pressing the locking male head. During use, the effect of low-temperature shrinkage of the locking female head is negligible, resulting in more stable power transmission and less likelihood of displacement and slippage of the steering wheel and clock spring, which could cause abnormal noise. There is no need to add a rubber pad to the locking male head, which can effectively reduce costs.
[0009] Furthermore, the engaging female head also includes a pressing protrusion, which is located at the top of the deformation arm and fixedly connected to the deformation arm. When the deformation arm deforms, the pressing protrusion presses against the engaging male head. During the mating process, the deformation arm is mainly responsible for bearing most of the pressure in the interference fit and undergoing deformation. The setting of the pressing protrusion can ensure that the contact surfaces of the engaging male head and the engaging female head can form a complete surface contact. The ineffective contact area is reduced by improving the surface quality of the pressing protrusion during processing.
[0010] Furthermore, the engaging female head also includes a connecting arm, with the deformable arm and the crimping protrusion respectively connected to its two ends; when the crimping protrusion contacts the engaging male head, it will also deform due to interference compression, and the connecting arm provides deformation space for the deformation of the crimping protrusion, thereby improving the stability of the docking.
[0011] Furthermore, the end of the male engagement connector near the clock spring body is a pointed tip and the two sides form a first inclined surface. The pressing protrusion is provided with a second inclined surface that fits against the first inclined surface when the female engagement connector and the male engagement connector are connected. The inclined surface facilitates demolding during casting or injection molding, and also facilitates smooth engagement and installation between the male engagement connector and the deformation arm.
[0012] Furthermore, in the separated state of the female and male locking heads, the included angle between the tips of the two first inclined surfaces of the male locking head is smaller than the included angle between the second inclined surfaces of the two opposing crimping protrusions. Since the surface of the crimping protrusions must fully abut against the male locking head after the interference fit, the initial included angle between the two crimping protrusions' inclined surfaces needs to be greater than the included angle of the male locking head's inclined surface. During the installation process, the two crimping protrusions deform, and the included angle between the two second inclined surfaces decreases until the entire inclined surface is fully fitted with the first inclined surface of the male locking head, avoiding gaps that could lead to uneven force distribution and unstable power transmission.
[0013] Furthermore, the included angle of the tip formed by the first inclined surface is 2° to 5° smaller than the included angle formed by the second inclined surface; the angle difference range of 2° to 5° is the optimal range obtained by combining the deformation characteristics of the material through multiple tests. Within this range, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface can stably fit together to form surface contact after installation.
[0014] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the deformation arm gradually decreases from one end connected to the clock spring body to the other end; the deformation arm is set as a trapezoidal column, and its outer diameter refers to the width of the trapezoidal platform. The deformation arm will bear a large stress during assembly and use. Therefore, in order to avoid the deformation arm from breaking after long-term use, it should be set with a thicker root and a slightly thinner top, which can also facilitate demolding during casting.
[0015] Furthermore, the clock spring body includes an upper housing and a lower housing, which are engaged with each other. The deformation arm is disposed in the cavity of the upper housing. The upper housing and the lower housing are the basic configuration of the clock spring, and the clock spring is composed of components such as spring pieces installed in the two housings.
[0016] Furthermore, the top surface of the upper housing is also provided with several markings, which are arranged around the upper housing. Many markings are required, and the specific content of each marking is different. Arranging the markings around the upper housing can accommodate as many markings as possible in a limited space.
[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a connecting harness. The steering wheel has a wire groove, through which the connecting harness passes. The connecting harness passes through the wire groove to provide electrical connection to the various buttons on the steering wheel, so as to ensure the normal operation of the basic functions of the control buttons on the steering wheel.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0019] 1. The clock spring body has female engagement heads at both ends, and the steering wheel body has male engagement heads at both ends. The female engagement head includes two opposing deformation arms. After the female engagement head and the male engagement head are connected by an interference fit, the deformation arms deform and press against the male engagement head. When the ambient temperature is low, the injection-molded male engagement head shrinks, and the deformation of the deformation arm can be reduced accordingly so that it always maintains a stable fit with the male engagement head, making it less likely for the steering wheel and clock spring to shift and slide, thus preventing abnormal noise.
[0020] 2. The included angle of the tip formed by the first inclined surface is 2° to 5° smaller than the included angle formed by the second inclined surface. During the installation process, the two pressing protrusions deform, and the included angle of the two second inclined surfaces decreases until the entire inclined surface is completely in contact with the first inclined surface of the male connector, forming a surface contact. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the structure of a clock spring steering wheel;
[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clock spring body of a clock spring steering wheel;
[0023] Figure 3 is a magnified view of part A in Figure 2;
[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the steering wheel body of a clock spring steering wheel;
[0025] Figure 5 is a magnified view of part B in Figure 4.
[0026] In the attached diagram: 100, clock spring body; 110, upper housing; 120, lower housing; 200, engaging female head; 210, deformation arm; 220, crimping protrusion; 221, second inclined surface; 230, connecting arm; 300, steering wheel body; 310, engaging male head; 311, first inclined surface; 320, wire groove; 400, marking; 500, connecting wire harness. Detailed Implementation
[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, representing schematic diagrams rather than actual physical objects, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.
[0028] In the accompanying drawings of this utility model, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0029] Example 1
[0030] This embodiment is a first embodiment of a clock spring steering wheel, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It includes a clock spring body 100 and a steering wheel body 300. The clock spring body 100 has a female engagement head 200 at both ends, and the steering wheel body 300 has a male engagement head 310 at both ends at the bottom. The female engagement head 200 includes two opposing deformation arms 210. After the female engagement head 200 and the male engagement head 310 are connected by an interference fit, the deformation arms 210 deform and press against the male engagement head 310.
[0031] Specifically, the female engagement head 200 also includes a pressing protrusion 220, which is located at the top of the deformation arm 210 and fixedly connected to the deformation arm 210. When the deformation arm 210 deforms, the pressing protrusion 220 presses the male engagement head 310. During the mating process, the deformation arm 210 is mainly responsible for bearing most of the pressure in the interference fit and undergoing deformation. The setting of the pressing protrusion 220 can ensure that the contact surfaces of the male engagement head 310 and the female engagement head 200 can form a complete surface contact. The ineffective contact area is reduced by improving the surface quality of the pressing protrusion 220 during processing.
[0032] Specifically, the female engagement head 200 also includes a connecting arm 230, with the two ends of the connecting arm 230 connected to the deformation arm 210 and the crimping protrusion 220 respectively. When the crimping protrusion 220 contacts the male engagement head 310, it will also deform due to interference compression. The connecting arm 230 is configured to provide deformation space for the deformation of the crimping protrusion 220, thereby improving the stability of the docking.
[0033] The working principle of a clock spring steering wheel in this embodiment is as follows:
[0034] During assembly, the male engagement head 310 on the steering wheel body 300 is directly pressed between the two deformation arms 210 of the female engagement head 200, so that the surface of the pressing protrusion 220 abuts against the surface of the male engagement head 310. The deformation arm 210 and the engagement head adopt an interference fit. The deformation arm 210 expands outward to generate a clamping force. The clamping force is transmitted to the pressing protrusion 220 through the connecting arm 230 and finally clamps the male engagement head 310. During use, when the ambient temperature is low, the injection-molded female engagement head 200 shrinks, and the deformation arm 210 releases some of the interference fit deformation to keep itself pressing the male engagement head 310, so that the surface of the pressing protrusion 220 always maintains a stable fit with the male engagement head 310.
[0035] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are: more stable power transmission, less likely to cause displacement and slippage of the steering wheel and clock spring, thus reducing abnormal noise, and no need to add a rubber pad to the male connector 310, which can effectively reduce costs.
[0036] Example 2
[0037] This embodiment is a second embodiment of a clock spring steering wheel, as shown in Figures 2 to 5. The difference from the first embodiment is:
[0038] Specifically, the end of the male engagement connector 310 near the clock spring body 100 is a pointed tip and the two sides form a first inclined surface 311. The pressing protrusion 220 is provided with a second inclined surface 221 that fits against the first inclined surface 311 when the female engagement connector 200 and the male engagement connector 310 are connected. The inclined surface is provided to facilitate demolding during casting or injection molding, and to facilitate smooth engagement and installation between the male engagement connector 310 and the deformation arm 210.
[0039] Specifically, in the separated state of the female engagement head 200 and the male engagement head 310, the included angle formed by the tips of the two first inclined surfaces 311 of the male engagement head 310 is smaller than the included angle formed by the second inclined surfaces 221 of the two opposing crimping protrusions 220. The surface of the crimping protrusions 220 must be fully abutted against the male engagement head 310 after the interference fit. Therefore, the initial included angle of the two inclined surfaces of the crimping protrusions 220 needs to be greater than the included angle of the inclined surfaces of the male engagement head 310. During the mating and installation process, the two crimping protrusions 220 deform, and the included angle of the two second inclined surfaces 221 decreases until the entire inclined surface is fully fitted with the first inclined surface 311 of the male engagement head 310 to avoid gaps, which would lead to uneven force and unstable power transmission.
[0040] Specifically, the included angle of the tip formed by the first inclined surface 311 is 2° to 5° smaller than the included angle formed by the second inclined surface 221; the angle difference range of 2° to 5° is the optimal range obtained by combining the deformation characteristics of the material through multiple tests. Within this range, the first inclined surface 311 and the second inclined surface 221 can stably fit together to form surface contact after installation.
[0041] Specifically, the outer diameter of the deformable arm 210 gradually decreases from one end to the other when it is connected to the clock spring body 100. The deformable arm 210 is set as a trapezoidal column, and its outer diameter refers to the width of the trapezoidal platform. The deformable arm 210 will bear a large stress during assembly and use. Therefore, in order to avoid the deformable arm 210 from breaking after long-term use, it should be set with a thicker root and a slightly thinner top. At the same time, it can also facilitate demolding during casting.
[0042] The working principle of a clock spring steering wheel in this embodiment is as follows:
[0043] The angle of the tip of the male connector 310 is different from the angle formed by the two second inclined surfaces 221 in the initial state. During the process of pressing the male connector 310 into the female connector 200, the male connector 310 presses the pressing protrusion 220. The plastic pressing protrusion 220 undergoes slight deformation along the connecting arm 230 towards the deformation arm 210. The angle formed by the second inclined surfaces 221 of the pressing protrusions 220 on both sides gradually decreases until the second inclined surface 221 and the first inclined surface 311 are completely in contact. During the entire installation process, the pressing protrusion 220 can dynamically press the male connector 310.
[0044] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are: the pressing protrusion 220 dynamically clamps and engages the male head 310, ensuring stable power transmission for steering wheel operation throughout the entire product lifecycle, provided that the plastic engaging female head 200 does not break.
[0045] Example 3
[0046] This embodiment is a third embodiment of a clock spring steering wheel, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The difference from the first embodiment is:
[0047] Specifically, the clock spring body 100 includes an upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120, which are engaged and connected. A deformation arm 210 is provided inside the cavity of the upper housing 110. The upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120 are the basic configuration of the clock spring. The clock spring is composed of spring pieces and other components installed in the two housings.
[0048] Specifically, the top surface of the upper housing 110 is also provided with several markings 400, which are arranged around the upper housing 110. Many markings 400 need to be set, and the specific content of each marking 400 is different. Arranging the markings 400 around the upper housing 110 can attach as many markings 400 as possible in a limited space.
[0049] Specifically, it also includes a connecting harness 500. The steering wheel has a wire groove 320, through which the connecting harness 500 passes to provide electrical connection to the various buttons on the steering wheel, so as to ensure the normal operation of the basic functions of the control buttons on the steering wheel.
[0050] The working principle of a clock spring steering wheel in this embodiment is as follows:
[0051] Workers install the various components of the clock spring according to the marking 400 on the upper housing 110, and finally install the connecting harness 500 on the wire groove 320, connect the corresponding plug of the connecting harness 500, and complete the installation.
[0052] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are that the basic configuration of the connecting wire harness 500 with the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120 effectively ensures the basic function of the clock spring.
[0053] In the specific implementation of the above embodiments, the technical features can be combined in any non-contradictory way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the above technical features are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features is not contradictory, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0054] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating this utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A clock spring steering wheel, comprising a clock spring body (100) and a steering wheel body (300), wherein the clock spring body (100) has female engaging heads (200) at both ends, and the steering wheel body (300) has male engaging heads (310) at both ends of its bottom, characterized in that, The locking female head (200) includes two opposing deformation arms (210). After the locking female head (200) and the locking male head (310) are connected by an interference fit, the deformation arms (210) deform and press against the locking male head (310).
2. A clock spring steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The female engagement head (200) also includes a pressing protrusion (220), which is located at the top of the deformable arm (210) and is fixedly connected to the deformable arm (210). When the deformable arm (210) deforms, the pressing protrusion (220) presses the male engagement head (310) together.
3. A clock spring steering wheel as in claim 2 wherein, The locking female head (200) also includes a connecting arm (230), the two ends of which are respectively connected to the deformation arm (210) and the crimping protrusion (220).
4. A clock spring steering wheel as in claim 2 wherein, The male engagement connector (310) has a pointed end near the clock spring body (100) and first inclined surfaces (311) on both sides. The pressing protrusion (220) is provided with a second inclined surface (221) that fits against the first inclined surface (311) when the female engagement connector (200) and the male engagement connector (310) are connected.
5. A clock spring steering wheel as defined in claim 4 wherein, In the separated state of the female engagement head (200) and the male engagement head (310), the included angle between the tips of the two first inclined surfaces (311) of the male engagement head (310) is smaller than the included angle between the second inclined surfaces (221) of the two opposing crimping protrusions (220).
6. A clock spring steering wheel as defined in claim 5 wherein, The included angle of the tip formed by the first inclined plane (311) is 2° to 5° smaller than the included angle formed by the second inclined plane (221).
7. A clock spring steering wheel as in claim 2 wherein, The outer diameter of the deformable arm (210) gradually decreases from one end to the other when it is connected to the clock spring body (100).
8. A clock spring steering wheel according to claim 1 wherein, The clock spring body (100) includes an upper housing (110) and a lower housing (120), the upper housing (110) and the lower housing (120) are engaged and connected, and the deformation arm (210) is provided in the cavity of the upper housing (110).
9. A clock spring steering wheel as in claim 8 wherein, The surface of the top of the upper housing (110) is also provided with a number of markings (400), which are arranged around the upper housing (110).
10. A clock spring steering wheel as in claim 8 wherein, It also includes a connecting harness (500), on which a wire groove (320) is provided, through which the connecting harness (500) passes.