STEERING DEVICE

Abstract

A steering device (10) mounted on a vehicle (30), with a hub area (2) which is coupled to a steering shaft (35) of the vehicle (30), a pad (5) covering the hub area (2) from the rear, wherein the pad (5) has a first lighting unit (5x2), a second lighting unit (5x3) arranged in a position different from the position of the first lighting unit (5x2), and a projection (5a2b) located between the first lighting unit (5x2) and the second lighting unit (5x3) when viewed in a front-back direction, and the projection (5a2b) extends forward from a front surface (5az2) of the pad (5), a first light source (53b) which is arranged on a front side of the cushion (5) and emits light to illuminate the first lighting unit (5x2), a second light source (53c) which is located at a position on the front of the cushion (5) that is different from a position of the first light source (53b) and emits light to illuminate the second lighting unit (5x3), a circuit board (52) on which the first light source (53b) and the second light source (53c) are mounted, and a retaining component (55) that is coupled to the projection (5a2b) and holds the circuit board (52).

Description

BACKGROUND TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device mounted on a vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A configuration is well known in the prior art in which a steering pad is provided with a lighting unit used for attracting the driver's attention, decoration, or similar purposes. For example, WO 2023 / 163 325 A1 discloses a configuration in which a pad is provided with a plurality of lighting units arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and an optical unit for illuminating the plurality of lighting units. The optical unit is attached to a front surface (rear) of the pad and comprises a cover component coupled to the front surface of the pad, a circuit board on which a plurality of light sources are mounted, and a retaining component that holds the circuit board.

[0003] In the configuration disclosed in WO 2023 / 163 325 A1, the cover component has a projection designed to suppress positional displacement of a circuit board relative to the holder component. This projection extends forward and contacts the circuit board to press it against the holder component. The projection is located between two adjacent light units when viewed from the front to the back and is not directly coupled to the holder component.

[0004] Considering the optical unit's role in illuminating the lighting unit, there is a high probability that the position of the projection among the majority of lighting units is close to the center of the optical unit. Therefore, if the projection and the mounting component are not coupled, there is a high probability that the cover component attached to the pad and the mounting component are not coupled near the center of the optical unit. In this case, the coupling strength (connection strength) between the entire optical unit and the pad is weak, and the optical unit can be removed (detach) from the pad if an external force is applied. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] One objective of the present teachings is to provide a steering device that can firmly couple (connect) a cushion and a holder component that holds a circuit board.

[0006] The above-mentioned problem is solved by a steering device according to claim 1.

[0007] A typical configuration of a steering device according to the present teachings is as follows: A steering device mounted on a vehicle includes a hub area that is coupled to a steering shaft of the vehicle, a pad covering the hub area from the rear, the pad comprising a first lighting unit, a second lighting unit arranged in a position different from a position of the first lighting unit, and a projection arranged between the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit when viewed in a front-back direction, and the projection extending forward from a front surface of the pad, a first light source located at the front of the cushion, emitting light to illuminate the first lighting unit, a second light source, positioned at the front of the cushion in a location different from the position of the first light source, emitting light to illuminate the second lighting unit, a circuit board on which the first light source and the second light source are mounted, and a retaining component that is coupled to the projection and holds the circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a left-side view of the area around a driver's seat in a vehicle equipped with a steering wheel; Fig. 2 is a front view of the steering wheel; Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of the steering wheel in a state where an airbag is inflated; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel along line AA, which is in Fig. 2 is shown; Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of an optical unit; Fig. Figure 6 is a front view of the optical unit and a cushion; Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective exploded view of the optical unit and the cushion; Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of the optical unit and the cushion; Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective exploded view of a cushion of the optical unit; and Fig. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area surrounding a steering wheel lighting unit and optical unit. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0008] A configuration of a steering wheel 10 as a steering device according to an embodiment of the present teachings is described below with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of components described below are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present teachings to these alone, unless otherwise stated.

[0009] Fig. Figure 1 is a view of the surroundings of a driver's seat 39 of a vehicle 30 equipped with a steering wheel 10, when viewed from the left side, and represents a driver M sitting in the driver's seat 39 by means of a colon-dash line. Fig. 2 is a front view of the steering wheel 10. Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of the steering wheel 10 in a state in which an airbag 41 is inflated. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel 10 along line AA, which is in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0010] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each direction described for the steering wheel 10 refers to a direction in a state in which the steering wheel 10 is mounted on the vehicle 30, which is in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates this. That is, the front-back direction essentially coincides with a direction of travel and an opposite direction when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead, or a forward direction and a backward direction when viewed from the driver's perspective. The left-right direction means a left direction and a right direction when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead, specifically a left direction and a right direction when viewed from the driver's perspective. The up-down direction essentially coincides with an upward direction and a downward direction in the vertical direction.

[0011] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the steering wheel 10 (steering device) is mounted on the vehicle 30 by being coupled to a steering shaft 35 of the vehicle 30. The vehicle 30 has a steering column 36, which includes a column tube 36a that partially surrounds the outer circumference of the steering shaft 35 for bearing the steering shaft 35, and a column cover 36b that covers a portion of the steering shaft 35 that projects rearward from an instrument panel 37. The steering wheel 10 is attached to a rear end 35a of the steering shaft 35 that projects rearward from the instrument panel 37.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the steering wheel 10 has a grip area 1, which is gripped by the driver M when the vehicle 30 is steered, a hub area 2, which is coupled to the steering shaft 35, and a spoke area 3, which is coupled to the grip area 1 and the hub area 2. Furthermore, the steering wheel 10 has a pad 5, which covers the hub area 2 and, in its folded state, covers the airbag 41 from a rearward angle and forms part of the rear outer surface (outer back) of the steering wheel 10, and an optical unit 50, which is attached to the front surface (back) of the pad 5 and illuminates lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 of the pad 5. Furthermore, the steering wheel 10 has a lower cover 6 forming a front outer surface (outer front) and an airbag unit 40 located between the hub area 2 and the padding 5, which includes the airbag 41.

[0013] The grip area 1 comprises a core material 1a made of metal, an intermediate material 1b made of a synthetic resin, such as polyurethane, which covers the core material 1a, and a surface material 1c, such as leather, which is wrapped around an outer circumferential area of ​​the intermediate material 1b. The driver M grips the grip area 1 and rotates it to turn the steering shaft 35 and change the direction of travel of the vehicle 30.

[0014] The hub section 2 is a metal component that is coupled to the steering shaft 35 and has a shaft hole 2a through which the steering shaft 35 is inserted. The hub section 2 and the steering shaft 35 are fixed together by means of a nut 38 in a state in which the steering shaft 35 is inserted into and fitted into the shaft hole 2a.

[0015] Spoke section 3 comprises a left spoke section 3a and a right spoke section 3b, extending from hub section 2 to the left and right sides, respectively, and a lower spoke section 3c, extending downwards. Spoke section 3 includes a metal core material 3x1, which couples the core material 1a of grip section 1 and hub section 2, and a resin spoke cover 3x2, which covers the core material 3x1. The core material 1a of grip section 1, hub section 2, and the core material 3x1 of spoke section 3 are integrally formed by die casting.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the padding 5 is made of a synthetic resin. The padding 5 has a cover area 5a, which covers the rear of the airbag 41 in the folded state and forms part of the outer surface of the steering wheel 10, and a coupling area 5b, which extends forward from the cover area 5a and is coupled (connected) to a housing 43 of the airbag unit 40.

[0017] The cover area 5a of the cushion 5 is ruptured by the pressure absorbed by the airbag 41 when the airbag 41 inflates to form an opening 5h, and the airbag 41 is ejected from the opening 5h. The cover area 5a has a substantially rectangular flap area 5ad that rotates upwards at the time of rupture (see Fig. 3) The airbag 41 inflates and comes into contact with the flap area 5ad, and the flap area 5ad rotates as described above, forming the opening 5h in the cover area 5a. It is noted that the edge of the flap area 5ad of the cover area 5a is a fragile area (not shown) in which the cover area 5a is cut out from a back surface 5az2 such that it is thin enough to be easily ruptured by the pressure absorbed by the airbag 41.

[0018] Furthermore, the cover area 5a has five lighting units 5×1 to 5×5, arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and illuminated as decoration (ornaments) of the cushion 5. The lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 are examples of a first lighting unit, a second lighting unit arranged in a position different from that of the first lighting unit, and a third lighting unit arranged in a position different from those of these lighting units. In the present embodiment, all of the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 are illuminated such that the letter "S" is displayed. However, the present teachings are not limited to this, and, for example,The lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 can be configured to light up to display other types of letters, such as katakana and Arabic letters, or can be configured to light up in other shapes, such as a dot shape.

[0019] Furthermore, the optical unit 50, which has a light source for illuminating the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 and the like, is attached to the rear 5az2 of the cover area 5a (the front surface of the cushion 5). A detailed configuration of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 and the optical unit 50 will be described later. Since the optical unit 50 is attached to the rear of the flap area 5ad of the cover area 5a, the optical unit 50 rotates upwards together with the flap area 5ad when the airbag 41 inflates and does not adversely affect the inflation of the airbag 41.

[0020] The airbag unit 40 comprises the airbag 41, a gas generator 42 which supplies a filling gas to the airbag 41, the housing 43 which holds the airbag 41 and the gas generator 42, and a bracket 44 which is received inside the airbag 41.

[0021] The gas generator 42 is a substantially cylindrical component that generates and discharges a filling gas and has a discharge opening 42a that expels the filling gas towards the rear. The portion of the gas generator 42 containing the discharge opening 42a is located inside the airbag 41. The gas generator 42 has a flanged portion 42b that is coupled to the housing 43 and extends radially from the cylindrical surface on which the discharge opening 42a is formed. Furthermore, the gas generator 42 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) and is operated by receiving a signal from the control device to generate a filling gas.

[0022] The airbag 41 is a bag-shaped component made of a synthetic fiber or the like and is housed inside the steering wheel 10 in a folded state. The front portion of the airbag 41 in its folded state has a gas inlet 41h, which is an opening through which a portion containing the discharge opening 42a of the gas generator 42 is inserted. At the time of complete inflation, the airbag 41 is configured to inflate the entire grip area 1 of the steering wheel 10 from the rear (see Fig. 3) to cover.

[0023] The housing 43 is a component made of sheet metal and holds the airbag 41, the gas generator 42, and the cushion 5. The housing 43 is fixed to the core material 3x1 of the spoke area 3 via a pin of a horn switch unit (not shown). The housing 43 has a rectangular cuboid bottom wall area 43a and a side wall area 43b extending rearward from an outer edge of the bottom wall area 43a. The bottom wall area 43a has an insertion hole 43a1 through which the gas generator 42 is inserted and an insertion hole 43a2 through which the coupling area 5b of the cushion 5 is inserted. The coupling area 5b of the pad 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 43a2 of the housing 43, and the coupling area 5b is retained by the side wall area 43b, thus holding the pad 5 by the housing 43.

[0024] The bracket 44 is an essentially rectangular, ring-shaped component made of a metal used for fixing the airbag 41 and the like, and is located inside the airbag 41. The bracket 44 has an insertion hole 44a through which the gas generator 42 is inserted. When the airbag 41 and the gas generator 42 are fixed to the housing 43, the gas generator 42 is inserted into the insertion hole 43a1 of the housing 43, the gas inlet 41h of the airbag 41, and the insertion hole 44a of the bracket 44. Bolts 45 are inserted into screw holes formed in the circumferential edge of the gas inlet 41h of the airbag 41, the bottom wall region 43a of the housing 43, and the flange region 42b of the gas generator 42, and are secured with nuts 46.Accordingly, the circumferential edge of the gas inlet 41h of the airbag 41 is sandwiched between the front surface of the bracket 44 and the rear surface of the bottom wall area 43a of the housing 43, and the flange area 42b of the gas generator 42 is sandwiched between the front surface of the bottom wall area 43a and the nut 46. In this way, the airbag 41 and the gas generator 42 are fixed to the bottom wall area 43a of the housing 43.

[0025] The following describes a detailed configuration of the lighting units 5×1 to 5x5 of the cushion 5 and the optical unit 50. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of optical unit 50. Fig. Figure 6 is a front view of the optical unit 50 and the cushion 5. Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows perspective exploded views of the optical unit 50 and the cushion 5 when viewed from the top, and Fig. Figure 8 represents a state in which a circuit board 52 and a light guide 54 are mounted to a holder component 55. Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective exploded view of the optical unit 50 and the cushion 5 when viewed from the rear. Fig. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area surrounding the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 and the optical unit 50 of the steering wheel 10.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 5 to 10, the optical unit 50 comprises an emblem 51, the circuit board 52, five LEDs 53a to 53e mounted on the circuit board 52, the light guide 54, which guides the light emitted by the five LEDs 53a to 53e, and the mounting component 55. These components are arranged in the following order from the back towards the front: emblem 51, light guide 54, circuit board 52 on which the LEDs 53a to 53e are mounted, and mounting component 55.

[0027] The cover area 5a of the cushion 5 has five through holes 5ala to 5ale, which are hollowed out in the shape of the capital letter "S" and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the front-back direction. On the rear side 5az2 (front surface) of the cover area 5a of the cushion 5, four projections 5a2a to 5a2d, which project forward, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. All projections 5a2a to 5a2d have the same shape and are integrally formed with the cover area 5a of the cushion 5. In the present embodiment, the projections 5a2a to 5a2d are formed in a cylindrical shape having a width dimension of L2 in the top-bottom direction (see Fig.6) All through holes 5ala to 5ale have the same width dimension of L1 in the top-bottom direction, and the width L2 of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d is determined such that it is equal to or greater than the width L1 of the through holes 5a1a to 5ale.

[0028] Viewed from the front to the back, the projection 5a2a of the pad 5 is located between the through-hole 5ala and the through-hole 5a1b. In the present embodiment, since the through-holes 5ala and 5a1b are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the projection 5a2a is located between the through-holes 5a1a and 5a1b in the left-right direction. Similarly, in the left-right direction, the projection 5a2b is located between the through-hole 5alb and the through-hole 5alc, the projection 5a2c is located between the through-hole 5alc and the through-hole 5ale, and the projection 5a2d is located between the through-hole 5ald and the through-hole 5ale.

[0029] Here, as will be described later, since the lighting unit 5×1 of the cushion 5 is illuminated by the light emitted from the rear of the cushion 5 through the through-hole 5ala, the lighting unit 5×1 can also be considered the through-hole 5ala. Similarly, the lighting unit 5×2 can be considered the through-hole 5a1b, the lighting unit 5×3 can be considered the through-hole 5alc, the lighting unit 5×4 can be considered the through-hole 5a1d, and the lighting unit 5×5 can be considered the through-hole 5ale.Therefore, it can be said that the projection 5a2a is positioned between the lighting units 5×1 and 5×2, the projection 5a2b is positioned between the lighting units 5×2 and 5×3, the projection 5a2c is positioned between the lighting units 5×3 and 5×4, and the projection 5a2d is positioned between the lighting units 5×4 and 5x5 when viewed in the front-back direction.

[0030] The emblem 51 (translucent component) is a component that exhibits high overall light transmittance and is attached to the rear 5az2 of the cover area 5a of the pad 5. The emblem 51 has a base area 51a, which is substantially rectangular in shape, and a side wall area 51b that extends forward from each side of the base area 51a.

[0031] The base area 51a of the emblem 51 has five projections 51a1a to 51a1e (passing areas) that project backwards in a shape corresponding to the display letter of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 of the pad 5. That is, each of the projections 51a1a, 51a1b, 51a1c, 51a1d, and 51a1e projects in the shape of the letter "S". The projections 51a1a to 51a1e are arranged parallel in the left-right direction.

[0032] The projections 51a1a to 51a1e are fitted into the through-holes 5ala to 5ale from the front such that the through-holes 5ala to 5ale of the pad 5 are filled by the projections. In the present embodiment, the rear ends of the projections 51a1a to 51a1e are positioned at the front of the top surface 5az1 (the rear surface of the pad 5). That is, the projections 51a1a to 51a1e are located in positions that are set back somewhat from the through-holes 5ala to 5ale when viewed from the driver's perspective. However, the projections 51ala to 51ale can be configured to be flush with the top surface 5az1 of the cover area 5a, or they can be configured to project rearward with respect to the top surface 5az1.

[0033] In the base area 51a of the emblem 51, an insertion hole 51a2a, penetrating in the front-back direction and through which the projection 5a2a of the pad 5 is inserted, is provided between the projections 51a1a and 51a1b, which are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Similarly, in the base area 51a, insertion holes 51a2b to 51a2d, through which the projections 5a2b to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted, are provided between the projections 51a1b to 51a1c, between the projections 51a1c to 51a1d, and between the projections 51a1d and 51a1e, respectively.

[0034] The side wall region 51b of the emblem 51 has four claw regions 51b1 projecting forward and two positioning projections 51b2 projecting in a V-shape in the left-right direction. Each claw region 51b1 has an insertion region 51b1a extending in the front-back direction and a retention region 51b1b curved in the top-bottom direction from the distal end of the insertion region 51b1a, which retains the insertion region 51b1a. In the present embodiment, two claw regions 51b1 are arranged on each of the side wall regions 51b, extending forward from two longitudinal sides of the rectangular base region 51a, and one positioning projection 51b2 is arranged on each of the side wall regions 51b, extending forward from the two short sides of the base region 51a.However, the teachings presented here are not limited to this and the claw area 51b1 and the positioning projection 51b2 can be provided on the base area 51a and another side wall area 51b.

[0035] The circuit board 52 is a rectangular cuboid component with a wide width in the left-right direction. The rear surface of the circuit board 52 is a mounting surface 52a, and five LEDs 53a to 53e and a control component 57, such as a CPU that controls the illumination of the LEDs 53a to 53e, are mounted on the mounting surface 52a. The LEDs 53a to 53e are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the mounting surface 52a, and each emits visible light according to the control of the control component 57. Here, LED 53a is a light source that emits light to illuminate the lighting unit 5×1 of the pad 5. LED 53b is a light source that emits light to illuminate the lighting unit 5x2 of the pad 5. Similarly, the LEDs 53a to 53e are light sources that each emit light to illuminate the lighting units 5x3 to 5x5 of the cushion 5.LEDs 53a to 53e are examples of a first light source and a second light source arranged in a position different from that of the first light source. In the present embodiment, LEDs 53a to 53e are used as the light source, but another light source can be used as long as it is a component that emits visible light.

[0036] A positioning groove 52b, cut in a V-shape, is provided at each of the right and left end regions of the circuit board 52. By fitting the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 52b, the emblem 51 and the circuit board 52 are positioned. The circuit board 52 has insertion holes 52c1 to 52c4 through which the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted.

[0037] The light guide 54 is a component made of a synthetic resin, located on the front of the emblem 51. It guides the light emitted by the LEDs 53a to 53e while diffusing the light internally. The light emitted from below by the LEDs 53a to 53e enters the upper surface of the light guide 54, is deflected by a deflection unit (not shown), and is emitted forward from the front surface of the light guide 54.

[0038] Specifically, the light emitted by LED 53a strikes an incidence surface 54a1 of the light guide 54 and is emitted by an emission surface 54b1, which is positioned corresponding to the projection 51a1a of the emblem 51. Furthermore, the light emitted by LED 53b strikes an incidence surface 54a2 of the light guide 54 and is emitted by an emission surface 54b2, which is positioned corresponding to the projection 51a1b of the emblem 51. Similarly, the light emitted by the LEDs 53c to 53e each falls on the incidence surfaces 54a3 to 54a5 of the light guide 54 and is emitted by the emission surfaces 54b3 to 54b5, which are arranged at positions corresponding to the projections 51a1c to 51a1e of the emblem 51.It is noted that the deflection unit of the present embodiment is a structured area formed in the light guide 54, and deflects light by reflecting the light off the inner wall of the structured area.

[0039] The light guide 54 has a positioning groove 54c, which is cut out in a V-shape at a right end region and a left end region. By fitting a positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 54c, the emblem 51 and the light guide 54 are positioned. The light guide 54 has insertion holes 54d1 to 54d4 that penetrate in the front-to-back direction and through which the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted.

[0040] The holder component 55 (retaining component) is a synthetic resin component located on the front of the circuit board 52 and has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape with a wide outer form in the left-right direction. The holder component 55 has a base 55a, which projects rearward from the rear surface and has a placement surface 55a1 on which the circuit board 52 is placed; four engagement holes 55b, which are located in the vicinity of the edge of the holder component 55 and penetrate in the front-back direction, and with which the four claw areas 51b1 of the emblem 51 engage; and a projection 55c, which projects forward from the front surface of the holder component 55.

[0041] When the claw area 51b1 of the emblem 51 engages with the engagement hole 55b of the holder component 55, the holder component 55 and the emblem 51 are coupled. Accordingly, a box-shaped housing, which accommodates the light guide 54 and the circuit board 52 on which the LEDs 53a to 53e are mounted, is formed by the holder component 55 and the emblem 51. Specifically, the front surface of the housing is the holder component 55, the rear surface is the base area 51a of the emblem 51, and the four side surfaces are the side wall areas 51b of the emblem 51.

[0042] The base 55a has a positioning groove 55a2, which is cut out in a V-shape at each end with a right and a left end. By fitting the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 55a2, the emblem 51 and the holder component 55 are positioned. Furthermore, the base 55a has insertion holes 55a3a to 55a3d, which penetrate in the front-to-back direction and through which the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted.

[0043] The following describes an assembly procedure for the optical unit 50 on the pad 5. A worker performing the assembly first places the emblem 51 on a floor or table and places the light guide 54 on the emblem 51. At this point, the worker fits the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 54c of the light guide 54. Then, while the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 fits into the positioning groove 52b of the circuit board 52, the worker places the circuit board 52, on which the LEDs 53a to 53e and the control component 57 are mounted, onto the light guide 54.

[0044] Then, while fitting the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 55a2 of the holder component 55, the worker places the placement surface 55a1 of the holder component 55 onto the circuit board 52. Consequently, the emblem 51, the circuit board 52, the light guide 54, and the insertion holes 51a2a to 51a2d, 52c1 to 52c4, 54d1 to 54d4, and 55a3a to 55a3d of the holder component 55 are aligned and communicate with each other.

[0045] The worker then engages the claw area 51b1 of the emblem 51 with the engagement hole 55b of the holder component 55. Specifically, the insertion area 51b1a and the retention area 51b1b are inserted into the engagement hole 55b from the rear, so that the retention area 51b1b penetrates to the front of the engagement hole 55b, while elastically deforming the retention area 51b1b of the claw area 51b1 so that it is parallel to the direction in which the insertion area 51b1a extends. Accordingly, the retention area 51b1b, which projects forward in relation to the engagement hole 55b, is retracted, the retention area 51b1b is held (captured) by an area around the engagement hole 55b of the holder component 55 at the front of the engagement hole 55b, and the insertion area 51b1a, which is positioned inside the insertion hole 55b, is retained.In this way, the claw area 51b1 engages with the intervention hole 55b, and the optical unit 50 is modularized.

[0046] Then the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted into the insertion holes 51a2a to 51a2d, 52c1 to 52c4, 54d1 to 54d4, and 55a3a to 55a3d of the emblem 51 of the optical unit 50, the circuit board 52, the light guide 54, and the mounting component 55. Afterward, the portions of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 that extend forward from the mounting component 55 are fused together by heat, vibration, or the like, and the projections 5a2a to 5a2d are welded (joined) to the mounting component 55. Simultaneously, the melting areas 5a2bx and 5a2cx of the projections 5a2b and 5a2c sandwich-like around the projection 55c of the holder component 55 in the left-right direction. That is, the projections 5a2b and 5a2c (first projection and second projection) of the pad 5 sandwich-like around the projection 55c of the holder component 55 in the left-right direction. In this way, the optical unit 50 is mounted to the pad 5.

[0047] In the optical unit 50, which is assembled as described above, the LEDs 53a to 53e emit light according to the control of the control component 57. The light emitted by the LEDs 53a strikes the incidence surface 54a1 of the light guide 54 and is emitted by the emission surface 54b1. This light then passes through the projection 51a1a of the emblem 51 and is emitted to the outside of the cushion 5, specifically towards the rear, where the driver M is located, via the through-hole 5ala of the cushion 5. In this way, the lighting unit 5×1 of the cushion 5 is illuminated.

[0048] Furthermore, the light emitted by the LED 53b enters the light guide 54 at the incidence surface 54a2 and is emitted by the emission surface 54b2. The light then passes through the projection 51alb of the emblem 51 and is directed to the outside of the pad 5 via the through-hole 5a1b of the pad 5. In this way, the lighting unit 5×2 of the pad 5 is illuminated.

[0049] Similarly, the light emitted by the LEDs 53c to 53e strikes the light guide 54 at its incidence surfaces 54a3 to 54a4 and is emitted by its emission surfaces 54b3 to 54b5. The light then passes through the projections 51a1c to 51a1e of the emblem 51 and is directed to the outside of the pad 5 via the through holes 5alc to 5ale of the pad 5. In this way, the illumination units 5×3 to 5×5 of the pad 5 are illuminated. Consequently, the illumination units 5×1 to 5×5 of the pad 5 are illuminated, so that the letters "SSSSS" are displayed in their entirety.

[0050] In the configuration of the present embodiment, the projection 5a2a, which is arranged between the lighting units 5x1 and 5x2 of the pad 5, is welded and coupled to the holder component 55, which holds the circuit board 52. Similarly, the projection 5a2b, which is arranged between the lighting units 5x2 and 5x3, the projection 5a2c, which is arranged between the lighting units 5x3 and 5x4, and the projection 5a2d, which is arranged between the lighting units 5x4 and 5x5, are coupled to the holder component 55. Accordingly, the following effects are achieved.

[0051] This means that the central position of the optical unit 50 is located in the vicinity of the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5, taking into account the role of the optical unit 50 in illuminating the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5. Therefore, the positions of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d are also located near the center of the optical unit 50. Consequently, if the projections 5a2a to 5a2d and the mounting component 55 are not coupled, the pad 5 and the mounting component 55 are not coupled near the center of the optical unit 50. In this case, even if the pad 5 and the mounting component 55 are coupled at a different position, the coupling strength between the entire optical unit 50 and the pad 5 is weak, and there is a probability that the optical unit 50 will detach from the pad 5 if an external force is applied to the steering wheel 10.

[0052] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are coupled to the mounting component 55. Therefore, according to the steering wheel 10 of the present embodiment, the pad 5 and the mounting component 55 can be firmly coupled. Thus, it is possible to suppress a detrimental effect on the illumination of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 caused by the positional relationship between the pad 5 and the mounting component 55, which are displaced when an external force is applied to the steering wheel 10, and by the optical unit 50 moving away from the pad 5. In the present embodiment, since the projections 5a2b and 5a2c of the pad 5 sandwich-like surround the projection 55c of the mounting component 55, the pad 5 and the mounting component 55 are more firmly coupled.

[0053] Viewed from the front to the back, the projection 5a2a of the pad 5 is positioned between the lighting units 5×1 and 5×2. Therefore, the light emitted by the LED 53a, directed towards the through-hole 5a1b of the pad 5, and not towards the through-hole 5a1a provided in the design, can be blocked by the projection 5a2a. The same applies to the projections 5a2b to 5a2d of the pad 5. Therefore, the amount of light emitted by the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 of the pad 5 can be uniform.

[0054] In particular, in the present embodiment, the width L2 of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 in the top-bottom direction is set such that it is equal to or greater than the width L1 of the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 in the top-bottom direction. Therefore, it is possible to effectively block the light emitted by the LEDs 53a to 53e, which is directed towards the through-holes 5ala to 5ale of the pad 5, which is not provided for in the design.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 are arranged parallel in the left-right direction, but the present teachings are not limited to this. That is, as long as the projection 5a2a up to the projection 5a2d, which is arranged between the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5, is coupled to the holder component 55, the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 can, for example, be arranged parallel in the top-bottom direction. These coupling methods are not limited to welding, but can include screw fixings or the like. The same effects as described above can also be achieved with such a configuration.

[0056] Even if some of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d are not coupled to the holder component 55, the effects described above can be achieved if some of the other projections are coupled, although there is a slight change in the coupling strength. Furthermore, to further increase the coupling strength between the pad 5 and the holder component 55, the pad 5 and the holder component 55 can be coupled at a position other than a position between the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5, in addition to those of projection 5a2a to projection 5a2d.In the case where the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 are arranged parallel in the top-bottom direction, if the width of each of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the width of each of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 in the left-right direction, in the same way as described above, the light-shielding capabilities of the projections 5a2a to 5a2d can be improved.

[0057] The emblem 51, the circuit board 52, the light guide 54, and the holder component 55 each have insertion holes 51a2a to 51a2d, 52c1 to 52c4, 54d1 to 54d4, and 55a3a to 55a3d, through which the projections 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted. Therefore, the relative positional accuracy of the pad 5, the emblem 51, the circuit board 52, the light guide 54, and the holder component 55 can be improved.

[0058] Furthermore, the emblem 51 has the claw area 51b1, which extends forward, and the holder component 55 has the engagement hole 55b with which the claw area 51b1 engages. The holder component 55 is coupled to the emblem 51 by bringing the claw area 51b1 into engagement with the engagement hole 55b. Accordingly, the following effects can be achieved.

[0059] This means that the relationship between the claw area 51b1 and the engagement hole 55b is assumed to be reversed, the holder component 55 has a claw area extending rearward, the emblem 51 has an engagement hole penetrating in the front-to-back direction, and the emblem 51 and the holder component 55 are coupled by their engagement. In this case, if the claw area of ​​the holder component 55 is inserted into the engagement hole of the emblem 51 from the front, and its distal end projects rearward from the engagement hole, it is necessary to provide a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51 to accommodate the distal end of the claw area projecting rearward.Furthermore, in the case of emblem 51, even if the engaged area with which the claw area of ​​the holder component 55 engages is not the through-hole, it is necessary, in a case where the claw area of ​​the holder component 55 is locally recessed towards the rear for insertion, to provide a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51 in the same manner as described above. In this case, light can flow outwards from the gap, or foreign material, such as dust, can enter through the gap and block light, so that the amount of light emitted to the rear by the lighting units 5×1 to 5×5 of the pad 5 may be reduced.

[0060] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the emblem 51 has the claw area 51b1, which extends forward, and the holder component 55 has the engagement hole 55b (engaged area) with which the claw area 51b1 of the emblem 51 engages. Therefore, since the distal end of the claw area 51b1 is located near the holder component 55 and the claw area 51b1 is engaged with the engagement hole 55b at the time the two are coupled, it is not necessary to provide a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51 to ensure space for the distal end of the claw area 51b1. Therefore, according to the steering wheel 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the formation of a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51.Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of light emitted to the rear by the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 of the pad 5 due to a leakage of light from the gap or by blocking the light due to the ingress of foreign material, such as dust, through the gap.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the engaged area of ​​the holder component 55, with which the claw area 51b1 of the emblem 51 engages, is the engagement hole 55b, which penetrates in the front-back direction, and the distal end of the claw area 51b1, which engages with the engagement hole 55b, is located at the front of the engagement hole 55b. However, the present teachings are not limited to this, and the engaged area of ​​the holder component 55, with which the claw area 51b1 engages, need not necessarily penetrate in the front-back direction.This means that if the emblem 51 has the claw area 51b1, which extends at least forward, and the holder component 55 has the engaged area with which the claw area 51b1 engages, it is not necessary to provide a space for arranging the distal end of the claw area 51b1 between the emblem 51 and the pad 5 at the time of coupling, and thus the effect described above can be achieved. However, as in the embodiment, the retention area 51b1b of the claw area 51b1 is held (captured) by an area around the engagement hole 55b of the holder component 55 at the front of the engagement hole 55b, so that the insertion area 51b1a can be retained for firmly coupling the emblem 51 and the holder component 55 while achieving the effect described above, which is preferred.

[0062] It is explicitly emphasized that all features disclosed in the description and / or the claims are to be considered separate and independent of one another for the purposes of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, irrespective of the combinations of features in the embodiments and / or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all range specifications or specifications of groups of units disclose every possible intermediate value or subgroup of units for the purposes of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, in particular also as a boundary of a range specification. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2023 / 163 325 A1 [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Steering device (10) mounted on a vehicle (30), wherein the steering device (10) a hub area (2) which is coupled to a steering shaft (35) of the vehicle (30), a pad (5) covering the hub area (2) from the rear, wherein the pad (5) has a first lighting unit (5x2), a second lighting unit (5x3) arranged in a position different from the position of the first lighting unit (5x2), and a projection (5a2b) located between the first lighting unit (5x2) and the second lighting unit (5x3) when viewed in a front-back direction, and the projection (5a2b) extending forward from a front surface (5az2) of the pad (5), a first light source (53b) which is arranged on a front side of the cushion (5) and emits light to illuminate the first lighting unit (5x2), a second light source (53c) located at a position on the front of the cushion (5) that is different from the position of the first light source (53b) and emits light to illuminate the second lighting unit (5x3), a circuit board (52) on which the first light source (53b) and the second light source (53c) are mounted, and a retaining component (55) which is coupled to the projection (5a2b) and holds the circuit board (52). [2] Steering device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first lighting unit (5x2) and the second lighting unit (5x3) are arranged adjacent to each other in a left-right direction. [3] Steering device (10) according to claim 2, wherein a width (L2) of the projection (5a2b) in an up-down direction is equal to or greater than the widths (L1) of the first lighting unit (5x2) and the second lighting unit (5x3) in the up-down direction. [4] Steering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the circuit board (52) has an insertion hole (52c2) through which the projection (5a2b) is inserted. [5] Steering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first lighting unit (5x2) and the second lighting unit (5x3) is a letter. [6] Steering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the padding (5) further a third lighting unit (5x4) which is arranged in a position different from the position of each of the first lighting unit (5x2) and the second lighting unit (5x3), and has a second projection (5a2c) that is located between the second lighting unit (5x3) and the third lighting unit (5x4) when viewed in the front-back direction, projecting forward from a front surface (5az2) of the pad (5), and is distinct from a first projection (5a2b) which is the projection (5a2b) where the retaining component (55) has a projection (55c) that extends forward from a front surface of the retaining component (55), and in the the first lead (5a2b) and the second lead (5a2c) sandwich the lead (55c). [7] Steering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the steering device (10) further a translucent component (51) that is attached to a front surface (5az2) of the pad (5), wherein the translucent component (51) has a translucent fitting area (51a1a) that fits from the front into a through hole (5a1a) formed in the pad (5), and a claw area (51b1) that extends forward, and wherein the retaining component (55) has an engaged area (55b) with which the claw area (51b1) engages, is arranged on the front of the translucent component (51), and is coupled to the translucent component (51) by the claw area (51b1) which engages with the engaged area (51b). [8] Steering device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the intervened area (55b) is an intervention hole (55b) that penetrates in a front-back direction, and in the the claw area (51b1) in a state in which it engages with the engagement hole (55b), has an insertion area (51b1a) positioned inside the engagement hole (55b), and has a retention area (51b1b) arranged on the front of the insertion area (51b1a) and the engagement hole (55b), and is held by an area around the engagement hole (55b) of the retaining component (55) for holding the insertion area (51b1a).

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