Electrically heated steering wheel

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of electric heating steering wheel, including steering wheel framework;Primary foaming layer, cladding in the outer side of the steering wheel framework;Heating pad, is located in the outer surface of the primary foaming layer;Secondary foaming layer, cladding in the heating pad and primary foaming layer, and the heating pad is completely cladded in its inside;Wherein, the heating pad is clamped and sealed between the primary foaming layer and secondary foaming layer, forms integrated composite structure.The utility model is cladded in foaming layer inside by secondary foaming structure design, heating pad, fundamentally solves the problem such as the hard grip feeling caused by heating pad, appearance mark etc., simultaneously optimizes manufacturing process, improves product quality and reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, specifically to an electrically heated steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] With the upgrading of automobile consumption, electrically heated steering wheels have become an important feature for improving driving comfort. They provide a warm grip for drivers in cold environments and are widely popular. The core component of existing electrically heated steering wheels is the heating pad, and its installation process directly affects the final product quality and user experience.

[0003] Currently, a mainstream process involves attaching the heating pad between the steering wheel's foam and the outermost layer of leather or covering material. While this method is low-cost and easy to assemble, it has significant drawbacks. First, the heating pad (usually composed of resistance wires and a substrate) is relatively hard. When placed between the soft foam and leather, it forms a "hard layer," causing the steering wheel to lose its original softness and elasticity when pressed, resulting in a decreased grip. Second, if the heating pad is not completely and smoothly bonded to the curved surface of the foam, its outline, edges, and even the traces of the internal resistance wires may be visible through the leather, affecting the steering wheel's aesthetics. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrically heated steering wheel to address the shortcomings of existing technologies.

[0005] The specific technical solution is as follows: An electrically heated steering wheel, including Steering wheel frame; A single foam layer is applied to the outside of the steering wheel frame; A heating pad is disposed on the outer surface of the primary foaming layer; and A secondary foaming layer covers the heating pad and the primary foaming layer, and completely encloses the heating pad inside it; The heating pad is sandwiched and sealed between the primary foaming layer and the secondary foaming layer to form an integrated composite structure.

[0006] Optionally, both the primary foaming layer and the secondary foaming layer are polyurethane foam material layers.

[0007] Optionally, it may also include an outer leather cover, which covers the outermost part of the secondary foam layer.

[0008] Optionally, the heating pad includes a substrate and resistance wires disposed on the substrate.

[0009] Optionally, the primary foaming layer is provided with a wire harness groove for accommodating and leading out the heating pad wire harness.

[0010] Optionally, the primary foam layer has one or more protrusions at the bottom surface of the wire harness groove, and the protrusions form a reserved gap space between the primary foam layer and the outer leather sleeve.

[0011] Optionally, the reserved gap space is filled with the foaming material of the secondary foaming layer to form a flow channel for the secondary foaming material and enhance the bonding strength between the primary foaming layer and the secondary foaming layer.

[0012] Optionally, the primary foaming layer is further provided with a wiring groove for guiding the wiring harness, and the wiring harness is connected to the power supply interface inside the steering wheel through the wiring groove.

[0013] Optionally, the resistance wire of the heating pad is arranged in a spiral on the substrate, and the spiral spacing is 5-15mm.

[0014] Optionally, it also includes a temperature sensor and a control circuit. The temperature sensor is located inside the heating pad and is used to detect the temperature of the heating pad and transmit the temperature signal to the control circuit. The control circuit is connected to the power supply circuit of the heating pad and is used to adjust the heating power of the heating pad according to the temperature signal.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Superior feel and appearance: Because the heating pad is completely covered by a secondary foaming layer, its hardness is buffered and isolated by the soft secondary foaming layer. The driver directly contacts the leather cover wrapped in uniform foam, which is soft and elastic to grip. The steering wheel surface is flat and smooth, without showing any outline or marks of the heating pad. The product's aesthetic value and comfort are significantly improved.

[0016] Optimized manufacturing process and yield rate: By designing a raised part at the bottom of the wire harness groove, an additional flow channel is provided for the secondary foaming material, which effectively solves the problem of insufficient filling of foaming material in complex areas such as wheel spokes, eliminates surface peeling, greatly improves the production qualification rate, and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0017] Enhanced structural strength and durability: The raised design not only improves the flowability of the foam, but also increases the contact area and mechanical interlocking effect between the two foam layers, making the two more firmly bonded, eliminating the risk of delamination after long-term use, and ensuring the overall structural stability and durability of the steering wheel. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a utility model Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure parallel to the plane of the steering wheel in the embodiment shown; Figure 3 This is a utility model Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the plane of the steering wheel in the embodiment shown.

[0019] In the picture: 1. Steering wheel frame; 2. Primary foam layer; 3. Heating pad; 4. Secondary foam layer; 5. Exterior leather cover; 6. Wiring harness groove; 7. Wiring harness; 8. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0021] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] Reference Figures 1-2 This utility model discloses an electrically heated steering wheel, the structure of which, from the inside out, includes: a metal steering wheel frame 1, a primary foam layer 2 covering the frame, a heating pad 3 fixed to the outer surface of the primary foam layer 2, a secondary foam layer 4 completely covering the heating pad 3, and an outer leather cover 5 sewn onto the outermost layer. The primary foam layer 2 and the secondary foam layer 4 are preferably made of foam materials such as polyurethane.

[0024] The heating pad 3 consists of a substrate and resistance wires laid on the surface of the substrate. The resistance wires are spirally laid on the substrate with a spiral spacing of 5-15mm. In addition, the device includes a temperature sensor and a control circuit. The temperature sensor is located inside the heating pad 3 to detect its temperature and transmit the temperature signal to the control circuit. The control circuit is connected to the power supply circuit of the heating pad 3 and adjusts the heating power of the heating pad 3 according to the temperature signal. Furthermore, to ensure the safety of the heating pad 3, an overheat protection module is included in the control circuit. When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the heating pad 3 exceeds a preset safety value, the overheat protection module automatically cuts off the power supply circuit to prevent safety hazards caused by overheating. The substrate is made of a flexible material that is high-temperature resistant and has good thermal conductivity to ensure that the heat generated by the resistance wires is evenly transferred to the steering wheel surface, while preventing aging or deformation of the substrate due to long-term use. The optimized arrangement of the resistance wires not only improves heating efficiency but also effectively reduces energy loss, allowing the steering wheel to reach a suitable operating temperature in a short time.

[0025] In the actual manufacturing process, firstly, the steering wheel frame 1 is placed in a mold for the first foaming, forming a primary foam layer 2 with a predetermined shape. This layer provides the basic contact surface for the subsequent installation of the heating pad 3. Subsequently, the heating pad 3 is firmly fixed to the designated position of the primary foam layer 2 by means of adhesive bonding. Next, the semi-finished product with the heating pad 3 is placed back into the mold for the second foaming, forming a secondary foam layer 4. This foaming completely covers the heating pad 3, ultimately forming a smooth and uniform surface for covering the leather cover. Finally, after trimming, polishing, and other processes, the outer leather cover 5 is covered to produce the final steering wheel product. Through the above-mentioned secondary foaming process, the relatively hard heating pad 3 is completely "embedded" inside the soft foam body. It is separated from the outermost outer leather cover 5 by a layer of uniformly thick secondary foam. This foam layer plays a crucial role in buffering and isolating, making the steering wheel surface soft to the touch and with uniform elasticity when pressed, solving the problem of "hard layer" and visible marks caused by the heating pad 3 in traditional processes.

[0026] Furthermore, to ensure the success rate and quality of the secondary foaming process, this invention optimizes the design of the wiring harness 7 lead-out area of ​​the heating pad 3. (Refer to...) Figure 3 At the locations where the wire harness 7 needs to be led out, such as the spokes of the primary foam layer 2, a wire harness 7 groove 6 is pre-set. In order to prevent the structure here from hindering the flow of foam material during secondary foaming, the innovation of this utility model is that one or more protrusions 8 are set at the center of the bottom surface of the wire harness 7 groove 6. The protrusions 8 (e.g., square structure) create a gap space between the bottom surface of the primary foam layer 2 and the final outer leather sleeve 5.

[0027] During the secondary foaming process, the foaming material flows from the injection point to this location, allowing it to flow smoothly through the gap space (i.e., both sides and below the protrusion 8). This significantly increases the fluidity of the foaming material, effectively resolving issues such as peeling and material shortages caused by insufficient foaming in the upper area of ​​the wheel spokes due to poor fluidity, thus improving the product qualification rate. Simultaneously, after the secondary foaming material fills this gap, it forms a more complex interlocking structure with the primary foaming layer 2, increasing the connection strength between the two and ensuring that the steering wheel will not experience delamination during long-term use, thereby improving the overall performance and durability of the product.

[0028] Furthermore, in order to safely and reliably introduce the wiring harness 7 of the heating pad 3 into the steering wheel and connect it to the vehicle's electrical system, a dedicated wiring groove can be provided on the primary foam layer 2. For example, a back groove can be provided at a corresponding position on the back of the steering wheel, and a front groove can be provided on the front, and the two can be connected by a through groove. The wiring harness 7 can pass through these grooves in sequence, be neatly arranged, and enter the interior of the steering wheel, achieving a perfect integration of function and structure.

[0029] In summary, this utility model, through its innovative secondary foaming layered structure and ingenious design of the 7-channel wiring harness, not only fundamentally improves the comfort and appearance of the electrically heated steering wheel, but also optimizes the manufacturing process.

[0030] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the implementation methods and protection scope of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should realize that any equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made based on the description and illustrations of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electrically heated steering wheel, characterized in that, include: Steering wheel frame; A single foam layer is applied to the outside of the steering wheel frame; A heating pad is disposed on the outer surface of the primary foaming layer. The heating pad includes a substrate and resistance wires arranged on the substrate. The substrate is made of a flexible material that is resistant to high temperature and has good thermal conductivity. A secondary foaming layer covers the heating pad and the primary foaming layer, and completely encapsulates the heating pad within it; A temperature sensor is located inside the heating pad to detect the temperature of the heating pad; as well as The control circuit is connected to the power supply circuit of the heating pad and is used to adjust the heating power of the heating pad according to the temperature signal transmitted by the temperature sensor. The control circuit is equipped with an overheat protection module. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds the preset safety value, the overheat protection module automatically cuts off the power supply circuit. The heating pad is sandwiched and sealed between the primary foaming layer and the secondary foaming layer to form an integrated composite structure.

2. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the primary foaming layer and the secondary foaming layer are polyurethane foam material layers.

3. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes an outer leather cover, which covers the outermost part of the secondary foam layer.

4. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The primary foaming layer is provided with a wire harness groove for accommodating and leading out the heating pad wire harness.

5. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The primary foam layer has one or more protrusions at the bottom surface of the wire harness groove, and the protrusions form a reserved gap space between the primary foam layer and the outer leather cover.

6. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reserved gap space is filled with the foaming material of the secondary foaming layer to form a flow channel for the secondary foaming material and enhance the bonding strength between the primary foaming layer and the secondary foaming layer.

7. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The primary foam layer is also provided with a wiring groove for guiding the wiring harness, which is connected to the power supply interface inside the steering wheel through the wiring groove.

8. The electrically heated steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating pad has resistance wires arranged in a spiral on the substrate, with a spiral spacing of 5-15mm.

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