handle

Abstract

To provide a handlebar making it possible to stably connect a coat-like sensor layer for grip detection to a terminal.SOLUTION: A handlebar W has a sensor layer 13 on the side of a surface 10a of a coating layer 10, which is made of a soft resin and laid about a core metal, so that the sensor layer can detect grip at a time of steering, wherein the sensor layer is connected to a terminal 30 of a lead wire 23 which is electrically connected to a grip detection circuit. The sensor layer is laid as a mould coat layer 16, which is applied to a mold surface of a molding tool of the coating layer, and placed on the surface of the coating layer. A nut 46 exhibiting conductivity is disposed as an insert nut at a terminal attachment region 11 of the coating layer at a time of insert molding of the coating layer. The nut is not electrically connected to the core metal. The coating layer is not disposed about a screw hole 46a. The nut is disposed on the side of the surface of the coating layer. The terminal is attached to the attachment region by engaging an attachment bolt 40, which exhibits conductivity, with a screw hole of the nut via an attachment hole 32. The sensor layer coats the surface 47 of the nut.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a sensor layer that can detect a driver's grip at a location where the driver grips the steering wheel when steering the steering wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of steering wheel, a sensor layer made of a sheet-like conductive material capable of detecting gripping by an increase in electrostatic capacitance has been provided in the gripping portion that is gripped when steering (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sensor layer is provided on the surface side of the gripping portion of the steering wheel, and terminals of lead wires extending from a grip detection circuit that detects gripping are riveted in place. The sensor layer is provided by, for example, adhering to the surface side of the coating layer around the core metal of the gripping portion of the steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-63761 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the sensor layer for detecting the grip is arranged on the surface of the coating layer around the core metal like a thin coating, even if a terminal is arranged on the surface side of the sensor layer, there is no space on the back side of the sensor layer to expand the diameter of the tip side of the rivet that has been penetrated and riveted the terminal to the sensor layer, so that the coating-like sensor layer and the terminal cannot be smoothly connected. In this case, it is possible to fasten the terminal by penetrating a fastening means such as a rivet or a screw so as to penetrate the coating layer and the core metal with the terminal placed on the front side of the sensor layer. However, even in this case, if the sensor layer is arranged on the front side of the coating layer and the head of the rivet or screw presses the sensor layer against the coating layer during fastening, there is a risk that the part of the sensor layer that contacts the terminal will cause a crack such as a break due to the elastic deformation of the coating layer on the back side of the sensor layer, and the terminal cannot be stably connected to the sensor layer, making it difficult to ensure a stable conductive state between the sensor layer and the terminal. In particular, the coating layer that covers the core wire is usually formed from a soft resin such as urethane foam, and since the elastic deformation of the coating layer is large, the portion of the sensor layer that comes into contact with the terminal can be broken or otherwise damaged due to the elastic deformation of the coating layer, making it impossible to stably connect the terminal to the sensor layer.

[0005] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a handle that can stably connect a coating-like sensor layer for grip detection to a terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the steering wheel according to the present invention, a sensor layer made of a coating film containing a conductive material is disposed on the surface side of a coating layer made of soft synthetic resin disposed around a core metal so that the steering wheel can detect the gripping of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is being steered. The sensor layer is a handle for connecting a terminal of a lead wire that is connected to a grip detection circuit for detecting a grip, The coating layer is formed by molding, and the sensor layer is applied as a mold coating agent to a mold surface of a mold for forming the coating layer, and is disposed as a mold coating layer disposed on the surface of the coating layer when the coating layer is molded; and A nut (insert nut) having conductivity is provided at a mounting portion of the terminal in the covering layer by insert molding during molding of the covering layer, the nut is in a non-conductive state with the core metal, and the coating layer is not provided on a periphery of a screw hole in a terminal side end face of the nut, but is provided on a surface side of the coating layer, the terminal has a mounting hole through which a conductive mounting bolt is inserted to be fastened to the nut, and the terminal is attached to the mounting portion by threading the mounting bolt through the mounting hole and into the screw hole of the nut; The sensor layer is disposed so as to cover the surface of the nut.

[0007] In the handle according to the present invention, the terminal can be attached to the attachment portion of the cover layer where the nut is embedded by inserting the attachment bolt through the attachment hole of the terminal and screwing it into the screw hole of the nut. After attachment, the terminal is electrically connected to the sensor layer covering the surface of the nut through the conductive nut and the attachment bolt or through direct contact, so that the gripping detection of the portion where the sensor layer is disposed is possible. Furthermore, when the attachment bolt is fastened, the soft cover layer itself is not interposed around the periphery of the screw hole on the terminal side end face of the nut, so that the portion of the sensor layer that is electrically connected to the terminal side does not break due to deformation of the cover layer, and the electrical connection with the terminal can be stably ensured.

[0008] Therefore, the handle according to the present invention can stably connect the coating-like sensor layer for grip detection to the terminal.

[0009] In the handle of the present invention, if the sensor layer covering the surface of the nut is configured to cover the outer surface of the nut excluding the terminal side end face of the nut that is arranged on the terminal side, then after the terminal is attached to the attachment site with a mounting bolt, the terminal will be conductive to the sensor layer that covers the surface of the nut, i.e., the outer peripheral surface of the nut and the bottom side end face opposite the terminal side end face, via the conductive nut and mounting bolt.

[0010] Furthermore, in the handle of the present invention, in a configuration in which the sensor layer covering the surface of the nut covers the terminal side end face of the nut arranged on the terminal side, when the terminal is attached to the attachment portion with a mounting bolt, the terminal becomes conductive through direct contact with the sensor layer covering the surface of the nut, i.e., the terminal side end face of the nut. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a handle of one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gripping portion of the handle of the embodiment, which corresponds to the portion II-II in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the handle according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing process of the handle according to the embodiment, showing the state after FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle in the embodiment where a terminal is provided, the portion corresponding to the portion VV in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a terminal arrangement portion of the handle of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating insert molding in which the nut of the embodiment is embedded in a coating layer. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram for explaining insert molding in which the nut of the embodiment is embedded in a coating layer, and shows the state after FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a terminal arrangement portion of a handle according to a modified example of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating insert molding for embedding a nut in a covering layer in the handle of the modified example shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram for explaining insert molding in which the nut in the handle of the modified example shown in FIG. 9 is embedded in the covering layer, and shows the state after FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a handle W of the embodiment is configured to include a substantially annular grip portion R to be gripped when steering a vehicle (not shown), a boss portion B at the center of the grip portion R, and spoke portions S (L, R, B) connecting the grip portion R and the boss portion B. The spoke portion S includes spoke portions SL, SR extending from the boss portion B to both the left and right sides, and a spoke portion SB extending from the boss portion B to the rear. The handle W is also configured to include an airbag device 70, indicated by a two-dot chain line, disposed on the upper side of the boss portion B, a handle body 1, and a lower cover 20 covering the lower side of the boss portion B.

[0013] The airbag device 70 and the lower cover 20 have substantially the same external shape when viewed from above, with the steering wheel main body 1 between them, with the airbag device 70 disposed above and the lower cover 20 disposed below. The airbag device 70 is attached to the steering wheel main body 1 by engaging a plurality of mounting legs (not shown) with corresponding engaging holes 9 of the steering wheel main body 1. The lower cover 20 is made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and is attached to the back side of the steering wheel main body 1 with screws (not shown).

[0014] The handle body 1 is configured with a grip portion R, a boss portion B, and a core metal 3 made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy that connects the spoke portions S. The core metal 3 is configured with a grip core metal portion 4 disposed in the grip portion R, a boss core metal portion 5 disposed in the boss portion B, and spoke core metal portions 6 (L, R), 7 disposed in the spoke portions S (L, R, B) so as to connect the grip core metal portion 4 and the boss core metal portion 5. The boss core metal portion 5 has a steel boss 5a disposed thereon that is connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle. The spoke core metal portion 6 is configured with spoke core metal portions 6L, 6R disposed in the left and right spoke portions SL, SR, and two spoke core metal portions 7, 7 disposed in the rear spoke portion SB, branching to the left and right at the boss core metal portion 5 side and connected to the grip core metal portion 4 side.

[0015] A grip detection circuit 22 is provided in the boss portion B at a portion of the steering wheel main body 1 covered by the airbag device 70. Lead wires 23 extending from a sensor layer 13 described below are connected to the grip detection circuit 22, and when the driver's hand approaches the sensor layer 13 of the grip portion R as if gripping the grip portion R, the capacitance increases, and the grip detection circuit 22 detects the increase and detects the driver's grip.

[0016] 2, the gripping portion R is composed of a gripping core metal portion 4 of the core metal 3, a covering layer 10 made of soft synthetic resin consisting of urethane foam formed by molding so as to cover the periphery of the gripping core metal portion 4, a sensor layer 13 disposed on the surface of the covering layer 10, and a protective layer 18 disposed on the surface side of the sensor layer 13. In the areas of the left and right spoke portions SL, SR covered by the airbag device 70, the protective layer 18 does not cover the sensor layer 13 in areas away from the gripping core metal portion 4, exposing the sensor layer 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 5).

[0017] The sensor layer 13 is formed from a mold coating agent 63 made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material (a urethane-based paint mixed with conductive carbon, metal oxide powder, etc. as a conductive filler) (see Figure 3), and is configured as a coating film that is applied to the mold surfaces 51a, 52a of the coating layer 10 during molding, and is disposed on the surface 10a side of the coating layer 10 when the coating layer 10 is molded.

[0018] In this embodiment, the sensor layer 13 is formed from a urethane paint containing conductive carbon.

[0019] In this embodiment, the protective layer 18 is provided as a skin layer made of urethane foam that is provided by molding.

[0020] Incidentally, in the embodiment, the urethane foam is composed of a urethane layer as a covering layer 10 on the gripping core portion 4 side on the back side of the sensor layer 13, and a urethane layer as a protective layer 18 on the front side of the sensor layer 13.

[0021] In this embodiment, the sensor layer 13 is made of a urethane-based paint containing conductive carbon, and the surface 10a of the coating layer 10 is covered in a dark black color, while the protective layer 18 is not black, but is formed using urethane foam containing a light beige pigment to enhance the design.

[0022] In this embodiment, the thickness dimension St1 of the sensor layer 13 is set to 20 μm within a range of approximately 5 to 50 μm, preferably 10 to 30 μm, taking into consideration the conductivity, durability, and feel, and the thickness dimension Ut1 of the urethane layer of the protective layer 18 is set to 2 mm within a range of approximately 1 to 3 mm, taking into consideration the durability, feel, and sensitivity of the sensor layer 13.

[0023] 5 and 6, the lead wire 23 is connected to the sensor layer 13 by fastening a mounting bolt 40 to a nut 46 disposed at the mounting portion 11 of the coating layer 10 and a terminal 30 coupled to the tip of the lead wire 23. The terminal 30 has a circular annular portion 31 made of a conductive metal, and a mounting hole 32 in the center through which a threaded rod portion 42 having a male thread 43 of the mounting bolt 40 is inserted. A connecting seat 33 to which the lead wire 23 is connected is disposed on the outer periphery of the annular portion 31.

[0024] The mounting portion 11 of the covering layer 10 to which the terminal 30 is attached on the handlebar W is disposed away from the area gripped by the driver, in a position that is not visible to the driver, and is covered by the airbag device 70 or other switches. In the embodiment, the mounting portion 11 of the terminal 30 is disposed in a portion of the covering layer 10 that covers the spoke core portion 6R, which is the portion covered by the airbag device 70 (see Figs. 1 and 5).

[0025] The mounting bolt 40 is formed from conductive steel or the like, and is configured with a roughly circular plate-shaped head 41 with a cross recess, and a threaded rod portion 42 having a male thread 43 extending from the head 41.

[0026] The nut 46 into which the mounting bolt 40 is screwed is an insert nut that is placed in the mold 50 as an insert when the coating layer 10 is molded, and is disposed so as to be embedded in the molded coating layer 10.

[0027] The nut 46 is made of conductive steel or the like and has a generally cylindrical shape, a screw hole 46a for fastening the screw rod portion 42 of the mounting bolt 40, and a terminal side end face 47a on the surface 47 is exposed from the surface 10a side of the coating layer 10. A bottom side end face 47b on the opposite side of the terminal side end face 47a on the surface 47 of the nut 46 and an outer peripheral surface 47c in the circumferential direction of the screw hole 46a are covered with the sensor layer 13. A plurality of protrusions 48 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 47c to prevent positional deviation such as rotation within the coating layer 10 when the mounting bolt 40 is fastened to the nut 46.

[0028] In order to prevent the mounting bolt 40 from loosening when the mounting bolt 40 is fastened to the nut 46, a corrugated washer 35 and a flat washer 36 are disposed between the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46 and the annular portion 31 of the terminal 30. The corrugated washer 35 and the flat washer 36 are formed from conductive steel or the like. In the embodiment, when the mounting bolt 40 is fastened, the head 41 presses the annular portion 31 of the terminal 30, and the annular portion 31 is pressed against the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46 with the corrugated washer 35 and the flat washer 36 interposed therebetween.

[0029] In the embodiment, when the mounting bolt 40 is fastened to the nut 46, the sensor layer 13 has a side portion 15a and a bottom portion 15b of the nut covering portion 15 which covers the bottom end face 47b and the outer peripheral surface 47c of the surface 47 of the nut 46, so that the nut 46 and the sensor layer 13 are in a conductive state. Also, the terminal 30 comes into contact with the head 41 of the mounting bolt 40 and is in a conductive state with the mounting bolt 40. The mounting bolt 40 then screws the threaded rod portion 43 into the screw hole 46a and is in a conductive state with the nut 46. As a result, the terminal 30 is in a conductive state with the sensor layer 13 covering the surface 47 of the nut 46, via the mounting bolt 40 and the nut 46.

[0030] The handle body 1 of the embodiment is manufactured through a nut setting step, a mold coating agent application step, a first urethane layer molding step as the covering layer 10, and a second urethane layer molding step as the protective layer 18.

[0031] First, in the nut setting process, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, at the attachment portion 11 of the coating layer 10, a set pin 53 arranged on one of the split dies 52 of the molding die 50 (see Figure 3) for molding the first urethane layer is fitted into the screw hole 46a, and the nut 46 is set in the molding die 50 in the open state.

[0032] Next, in the mold coating agent application step, as shown in A and B of Fig. 3, a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material for forming the sensor layer 13 is applied as a mold coating agent 63 by a spray gun 61 as an application device to the mold surfaces 51a and 52a of the split molds 51 and 52 of the mold 50 for forming the first urethane layer as the coating layer 10. In the molding portion of the mounting portion 11, as shown in C of Fig. 7, the mold coating agent 63 is applied to the mold surface 52a as well as to the bottom end surface 47b and the outer peripheral surface 47c of the surface 47 of the nut 46. Note that a release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 51a and 52a before the nut 46 is set or before the mold coating agent 63 is applied.

[0033] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 3C and D and Fig. 8A as a step of forming the first urethane layer as the coating layer 10, a mold 50 consisting of split molds 51 and 52 is clamped, and a urethane material for forming the coating layer 10 as the first urethane layer is injected into the cavity 50a and hardened to produce an intermediate molded product 55 forming the coating layer 10. Next, the mold 50 is opened while being inverted, and the intermediate molded product 55 is removed. At the attachment site 11 of the coating layer 10, as shown in Fig. 8B and C, when the intermediate molded product 55 is removed, the set pin 53 is pulled out of the screw hole 46a of the nut 46.

[0034] Next, as a molding process of the second urethane layer as the protective layer 18, as shown in Fig. 4A and 4B, a mold 57 consisting of split molds 58 and 59 for molding the second urethane layer is opened, the intermediate molded product 55 is set, and the mold 57 is closed. As shown in Fig. 4B and 4C, a urethane material for molding the second urethane layer as the protective layer 18 is injected into the cavity 57a and hardened to mold the second urethane layer 18. Before molding, a mold release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 58a and 59a of the split molds 58 and 59. After molding the second urethane layer as the protective layer 18, the mold is opened and removed, and a molded product having the protective layer 18 on the grip portion R, i.e., the handle body 1, can be obtained.

[0035] In the steering wheel main body 1 manufactured in this manner, a grip detection circuit 22 having a lead wire 23 connected thereto is disposed in the boss portion B, and a lower cover 20 is attached to the lower side of the boss portion B. The boss 5a of the boss portion B is then fastened to the steering shaft of the vehicle, and an airbag device 70 is attached to the upper side of the boss portion B. Then, the steering wheel W can be assembled and mounted on the vehicle.

[0036] At the mounting portion 11 of the covering layer 10, the wave washer 35 and the flat washer 36 are placed on the terminal side end surface 47a of the nut 46, and the terminal 30 to which the lead wire 23 extending from the grip detection circuit 22 is connected is placed. Then, the threaded rod portion 42 of the mounting bolt 40 is passed through the mounting hole 32 of the terminal 30, the wave washer 35, and the flat washer 36, and fastened to the threaded hole 46a of the nut 46. This fastening ensures electrical continuity between the sensor layer 13 and the grip detection circuit 22 capable of detecting the driver's grip, using the lead wire 23, the terminal 30, the mounting bolt 40, and the nut 46.

[0037] In a steering wheel W mounted on a vehicle, when the driver's hand approaches the sensor layer 13 of the grip portion R as if to grip the grip portion R, a specified grip detection circuit 22 detects an increase in capacitance, thereby detecting the driver's grip.

[0038] In the handle W of the embodiment, the mounting bolt 40 is inserted through the mounting hole 32 of the terminal 30 and screwed into the screw hole 46a of the nut 46, so that the terminal 30 can be mounted to the mounting portion 11 in which the nut 46 is embedded in the covering layer 10. After mounting, the terminal 30 is electrically connected to the sensor layer 13 covering the surface 47 of the nut 46 through the conductive nut 46 and the mounting bolt 40, so that the gripping detection of the portion where the sensor layer 13 is disposed is possible. Furthermore, when the mounting bolt 40 is fastened, the soft covering layer 10 itself is not interposed around the periphery of the screw hole 46a on the terminal side end surface 47a of the nut 46 (see FIG. 6), so that the portion (nut covering portion) 15 of the sensor layer 13 that is electrically connected to the terminal 30 side is not broken or the like due to deformation of the covering layer 10, and the conductive state with the terminal 30 can be stably ensured.

[0039] Therefore, the handle W of the embodiment can stably connect the coating-like sensor layer 13 for grip detection and the terminal 30.

[0040] In the handle W of the embodiment, the sensor layer 13 covering the surface 47 of the nut 46 covers the bottom end face 47b and the outer circumferential face 47c, which are the outer surfaces of the nut 46, except for the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46 disposed on the terminal 30 side. That is, the nut covering portion 15 covering the nut 46 in the sensor layer 13 includes a side portion 15a covering the outer circumferential face 47c of the nut 46 and a bottom portion 15b covering the bottom end face 47b, and after the terminal 30 is attached to the nut 46 at the attachment portion 11 by the attachment bolt 40, the terminal 30 is electrically connected to the sensor layer 13 covering the surface 47 of the nut 46, i.e., the outer circumferential face 47c of the nut 46 and the bottom end face 47b opposite the terminal side end face 47a, via the conductive nut 46 and the attachment bolt 40.

[0041] In other words, the general portion 14 of the sensor layer 13 covered with the covering layer 10 is connected to the side portion 15a and the bottom portion 15b of the nut covering portion 15 of the sensor layer 13, and the nut 46 itself contacts the threaded rod portion 42 of the mounting bolt 40, and the head 41 of the mounting bolt 40 contacts the terminal 30, resulting in electrical continuity with the terminal 30.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiment, even if the fastening force of the mounting bolt 40 is increased, the terminal 30 is simply pressed against the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46 through the washers 35, 36, and the sensor layer 13 itself is not pressed, so that a stable conductive state with the sensor layer 13 can be ensured.

[0043] When covering the surface 47 of the nut 46 with the sensor layer 13, only the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46 may be covered by the nut covering portion 15A extending from the general portion 14 of the sensor layer 13, as in the handle WA having the gripping portion RA shown in Figure 9.

[0044] 10A and 10B, before setting the nut 46 on the set pin 53 of the molding die 50A, a mold coating agent 63A for forming the sensor layer 13 is applied to the mold surfaces 51a and 52a of the opened split dies 51 and 52 (see FIG. 3), and then the nut 46 is set on the set pin 53. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10C and FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, similar to the embodiment, the covering layer 10 is molded to produce an intermediate molded product 55A, and further, a protective layer 18 (not shown) is molded, thereby making it possible to manufacture a handle WA having a grip portion RA.

[0045] In this handle WA, the sensor layer 13 covering the surface 47 of the nut 46 has an end surface portion 15c covering the terminal side end surface 47a of the nut 46 disposed on the terminal 30 side. Therefore, when the terminal 30 is attached to the attachment portion 11 by the attachment bolt 40, that is, when the corrugated washer 35 and the flat washer 36 are placed on the end face portion 15c of the nut covering portion 15A covering the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46 at the attachment portion 11 of the covering layer 10, and the terminal 30 to which the lead wire 23 extending from the grip detection circuit 22 is connected is placed, and then the threaded rod portion 42 of the attachment bolt 40 is passed through the attachment hole 32 of the terminal 30, the corrugated washer 35, and the flat washer 36 and fastened to the threaded hole 46a of the nut 46, the terminal 30 is brought into direct contact with the end face portion 15c of the nut covering portion 15A of the sensor layer 13 covering the surface 47 of the nut 46, i.e., the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46, via the conductive corrugated washer 35 and flat washer 36.

[0046] Even with this configuration, the soft coating layer 10 itself is not interposed around the edge of the screw hole 46a in the terminal side end face 47a of the nut 46, so that the portion 15c of the sensor layer 13 (the end face portion of the nut coating portion 15A) that is conductive to the terminal 30 side does not break due to deformation of the coating layer 10, and a stable conductive state with the terminal 30 can be ensured.

[0047] Therefore, even in this handle WA, the coating-like sensor layer 13 for grip detection and the terminal 30 can be stably connected.

[0048] In the embodiment, urethane foam is exemplified as the protective layer 18 covering the sensor layer 13, but the protective layer 18 may also be leather. In that case, a leather-wrapped handle is formed by wrapping leather around the gripping portion.

[0049] In addition, in the embodiment, the conductive washers 35, 36 are used when fastening the mounting bolt 40, but if sufficient anti-loosening can be ensured, the washers 35, 36 are not necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 ... handle body, 3 ... core metal, 4 ... grip core metal portion, 10 ... coating layer, 10a ... surface, 11 ... mounting portion, 13 ... sensor layer, 15, 15A ... nut coating portion, 15a ... side portion, 15b ... bottom surface portion, 15c ... end surface portion, 16 ... mold coating layer, 22 ... grip detection circuit, 23 ... lead wire, 30 ... terminal, 40 ... mounting bolt, 46 ... (insert nut) nut, 46a ... screw hole, 47 ... surface, 47a ... terminal side end surface, 47b ... bottom side end surface, 47c ... outer periphery, 50, 50A ... molding die, 50a ... cavity, 51 ... split die, 51a ... mold surface, 52 ... split die, 52a ... mold surface, 53 ... set pin, 63, 63A ... mold coating agent, R, RA...grip part, W, WA...handle.

Claims

1. A sensor layer made of a coating film containing a conductive material is disposed on a surface side of a coating layer made of a soft synthetic resin disposed around a core metal so that the grip during steering can be detected. The sensor layer is a handle for connecting a terminal of a lead wire that is connected to a grip detection circuit for detecting a grip, The coating layer is formed by molding, and the sensor layer is applied as a mold coating agent to a mold surface of a mold for forming the coating layer, and is disposed as a mold coating layer disposed on the surface of the coating layer when the coating layer is molded; and A nut having conductivity is provided at a mounting portion of the covering layer at which the terminal is attached by insert molding at the time of molding the covering layer, the nut is in a non-conductive state with the core metal, and the coating layer is not provided on a periphery of a screw hole in a terminal side end face of the nut, but is provided on a surface side of the coating layer, the terminal has a mounting hole through which a conductive mounting bolt is inserted to be fastened to the nut, and the terminal is attached to the mounting portion by threading the mounting bolt through the mounting hole and into the screw hole of the nut; A handle, characterized in that the sensor layer is disposed so as to cover a surface of the nut.

2. 2. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the sensor layer covering the surface of the nut covers the surface of the nut except for the terminal side end face of the nut.

3. 2. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the sensor layer covering the surface of the nut covers the terminal side end face of the nut.

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