Steering wheel

Abstract

To provide a steering wheel capable of absorbing an impact when an occupant strikes an end portion of a rim portion.SOLUTION: A steering wheel comprises a rim portion 5 having an end portion 9, and an absorbing portion 17, which is deformable and absorbs an external impact through deformation, and is provided at the end portion 9 of the rim portion 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, steering wheels equipped with a rim portion having ends are known (see Patent Document 1). This steering wheel uses two arc-shaped rim portions, each having an end. The two rim portions are connected to a main body portion via spokes so that they can rotate together. The main body portion is formed of a deformable energy absorbing material. In such a steering wheel, for example, when a vehicle occupant presses the rim portion in a vehicle collision, the main body portion deforms via the spokes, absorbing the impact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-239156 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the steering wheel disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rim portion has an edge. Therefore, for example, in the event of a vehicle collision, the occupant is likely to come into contact with the edge of the rim first and be pressed against the edge of the rim. However, the steering wheel device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration how to absorb the impact when the occupant comes into contact with the edge of the rim.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel that can absorb the impact when a passenger hits the end of the rim. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The steering wheel according to this embodiment includes a rim portion having an end portion, and the end portion of the rim portion is provided with an absorbing portion that is formed to be deformable and that absorbs external impacts by deformation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steering wheel that can absorb the impact when an occupant hits the end of the rim portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a rim portion of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of a core metal of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of an absorber of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The steering wheel according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, a steering wheel 1 according to this embodiment is used as an operating part with which a driver operates the direction of a vehicle relative to the traveling direction of the vehicle. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the steering wheel 1 includes a main body 3 and a rim 5.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 3 is provided with, for example, a horn and an airbag device. A connecting portion (not shown) is provided on the rear side of the main body 3 so as to be rotatable integrally with a steering shaft (not shown) that changes the direction of the wheels. The main body 3 is electrically connected to a controller (not shown) that controls the operation of each mechanism mounted on the vehicle via wiring (not shown). A pair of connecting portions 7, 7 formed from a single member that is continuous with the main body 3 are provided on both sides of the main body 3. The pair of connecting portions 7, 7 connect the main body 3 and the rim portion 5.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rim portion 5 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the main body portion 3 via a pair of connecting portions 7, 7. The rim portion 5 is formed, for example, in a ring shape with no upper portion of the main body portion 3, so as to have two end portions 9, 9. Note that the rim portion 5 may be formed in an arc shape or a straight shape with two end portions 9, 9, with the two rim portions 5, 5 being disposed on both sides of the main body portion 3. The rim portion 5 serves as an operating portion that the driver grasps and rotates to rotate the main body portion 3 and thereby control the orientation of the vehicle relative to the vehicle's traveling direction. The rim portion 5 includes a core metal 11 and a covering portion 13.

[0013] The core metal 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section, and serves as a framework that maintains the shape of the rim portion 5. An engaged portion 15 consisting of a circular hole is provided at the end of the core metal 11 located at the end 9 of the rim portion 5.

[0014] The covering portion 13 is made of, for example, urethane and is formed in a sheet shape. The covering portion 13 covers the outer periphery of the core metal 11 and is a design part that prevents the core metal 11 from being exposed. In addition, the covering portion 13 is a part that is gripped by the driver and has an anti-slip function. The covering portion 13 covers the outer periphery of the absorbing portion 17 that is assembled to the engaged portion 15 of the core metal 11 and prevents the absorbing portion 17 from being exposed. By covering the absorbing portion 17 with the covering portion 13, the design can be improved.

[0015] 2 to 4, the absorbing portion 17 is made of a deformable material such as synthetic resin or metal material, etc. The absorbing portion 17 includes a deforming portion 19 and an engaging portion .

[0016] The deformable portion 19 is hollow so that it can deform when subjected to an external impact. By forming the deformable portion 19 hollow, it is possible to absorb the impact without a complex structure.

[0017] The engaging portion 21 is formed of a single member that is continuous with the deformation portion 19. The engaging portion 21 is formed in a solid cylindrical shape that can engage with the engaged portion 15 of the core bar 11. The engaging portion 21 is set so that the deformed portion 19 side has a larger diameter than the engaged portion 15 and the tip side has a smaller diameter than the engaged portion 15. The engaging portion 21 is engaged by being press-fitted into the engaged portion 15 of the core bar 11, and maintains the state in which the absorbing portion 17 is assembled to the core bar 11.

[0018] In the absorbing portion 17, for example, when the vehicle collides and an occupant (driver) comes into contact with the end portion 9 of the rim portion 5, the deforming portion 19 deforms. The deformation of the deforming portion 19 makes it possible to absorb the impact.

[0019] Such a steering wheel 1 has a rim portion 5 having an end portion 9. The end portion 9 of the rim portion 5 is provided with an absorbing portion 17 that is formed to be deformable and that absorbs external impacts by deformation.

[0020] The absorbing portion 17 deforms, for example, when the vehicle collides and an occupant comes into contact with the end portion 9 of the rim portion 5. The deformation of the absorbing portion 17 makes it possible to absorb the impact.

[0021] Therefore, such a steering wheel 1 can absorb the impact when the occupant comes into contact with the end 9 of the rim portion 5.

[0022] The rim portion 5 has a core metal 11 and a covering portion 13 that covers the core metal 11. The absorbing portion 17 is assembled to the core metal 11 and is covered with the covering portion 13.

[0023] Therefore, by covering the absorbing portion 17 with the covering portion 13, the design can be improved.

[0024] The absorbing portion 17 is formed to be hollow.

[0025] Therefore, the shock absorbing portion 17 can absorb the shock without having a complicated structure.

[0026] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0027] For example, in the steering wheel according to this embodiment, the rim is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotatable main body, but this is not limiting. For example, the rim may be configured as a single operating lever, and an absorbing portion may be provided at the end of the rim. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 steering wheel 5 Rim 9 End 11 Core 13 Covering part 17 Absorption section

Claims

1. a rim portion having an end portion; The steering wheel has an absorbing portion at the end of the rim portion that is deformable and absorbs external impacts by deformation.

2. The rim portion has a core and a covering portion that covers the core, 2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is attached to the core metal and covered with the covering portion.

3. 3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is hollow.

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