Vehicle steering wheel device

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle steering wheel device that can sufficiently ensure an engagement maintaining effect of an object with respect to a steering wheel.　This vehicle steering wheel device is configured to lock a locking part 6 of an accessory member with a locking member 8 attached to a central core metal part 3 of a steering wheel, and to connect the accessory member 8 to the central core metal part 3. The locking member 8 has a foldback part 8a that is made of a wire 9 and changes an extension direction of the wire at an intermediate section of the wire 9 in the extension direction, and a first shaft part 8b and a second shaft part 8c formed on both sides of the foldback part 8a, and the first shaft part 8b and the second shaft part 8c of the locking member 8 are attached to the central core metal part 3 such that the first shaft part 8b and the second shaft part 8c are in twisted positions in a state in which the locking member has locked the locking part 6 of the accessory member.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel device for a vehicle that can sufficiently ensure the engagement and retention of objects such as accessory members with respect to the steering wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose known techniques for attaching an accessory member such as an airbag unit to a steering wheel of a vehicle using a fastening structure such as a snap fit.

[0003] The "steering wheel" of Patent Document 1 aims to provide a steering wheel that allows an accessory to be stably attached to the wheel body, and the steering wheel includes a wheel body and an accessory. The accessory has an attachment member. The attachment member has a plate-shaped base extending in the rotational axis direction (front-rear direction) of the wheel body, and a pair of plate-shaped arms that are at both ends of the base in the width direction and bend from a front portion of the base in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The arms are shaped to protrude in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction while maintaining a distance from each other. A clip made of an elastic wire is fastened to the wheel body. The rear ends of the pair of arms engage with engagement portions of the clip in a manner that restricts the separation between the wheel body and the accessory in the front-rear direction.

[0004] The "mounting structure for a driver's seat airbag device" of Patent Document 2 aims to prevent the shape of the base plate from becoming complicated while properly holding the snap pin. The steering wheel body includes a core and a base plate attached to the core. The airbag device includes a snap pin protruding toward the base plate. A separate retaining member is engaged with an engaging hole in the base plate. A clip is engaged with the retaining member, and the snap pin is received and held in a receiving portion of the retaining member and engaged with the clip, thereby mounting the airbag device to the body.

[0005] In the "steering wheel" of Patent Document 3, a core metal that forms the framework of the steering wheel is attached to the rear end of a steering shaft that extends in the fore-and-aft direction. An airbag device and a control device that controls the operation of on-board equipment are assembled to the steering wheel. The control device has an outer shell formed from a mounting member. The control device is fastened to the core metal in the mounting member with screws. The main part of the airbag device is located rearward of the mounting member. Through holes are provided in multiple locations on the mounting member to mount the airbag device to the mounting member. Snap pins attached to the airbag device are inserted into the through holes, and the airbag device is attached at its front end to the mounting member using a snap-fit ​​structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-128309 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-222281 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-034596 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In all of the background art, the engagement with the object to be locked or engaged relies solely on the bending elastic force of a wire such as a clip or snap spring provided on the steering wheel side (see

[0011] ,

[0024] , etc. in Patent Document 1, see

[0052] , etc. in Patent Document 2, see

[0048] , etc. in Patent Document 3).

[0008] As a result, relative movement such as vibration that occurs between the steering wheel and an object such as an accessory (for example, a module damper or snap-fit ​​pin that secures the airbag module to the core wire) can easily cause elastic bending deformation in the wire.

[0009] Thus, there has been a problem in that the elastic force generated by the elastic bending deformation of the wire alone is not sufficient to ensure the engagement and retention of the object with the steering wheel.

[0010] Furthermore, vibrations from the vehicle may cause the wire to move, which may result in abnormal noise.

[0011] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a vehicle steering wheel device that can sufficiently ensure engagement and retention with the object while suppressing the movement of the wire that holds the object on the steering wheel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A vehicle steering wheel device according to one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle steering wheel device in which a locking member attached to a core wire of a steering wheel locks a locking portion of an accessory member to connect the accessory member to the core wire, and the locking member is made of wire and has a folded portion that changes the extension direction of the wire member at a middle portion in the extension direction of the wire member, and a pair of first and second shaft portions formed on both sides of the folded portion, and the first and second shaft portions are attached to the core wire so that when the locking member locks the locking portion of the accessory member, the first and second shaft portions are in a twisted position.

[0013] In the above-mentioned one aspect, the locking member may be attached to the core wire so that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are in a twisted position even in the initial setting before the locking portion of the accessory member is locked.

[0014] In one aspect, the locking member may be configured so that movement of the locking portion of the accessory member in a first direction causes the locking portion to be locked by the first shaft portion, and the locking member may be configured so that movement of the locking portion of the accessory member in the first direction causes the first shaft portion to be displaced in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby generating or increasing a torsional elastic moment with respect to the folded portion.

[0015] In the above-mentioned aspect, the core bar may have a guide surface extending in the second direction, and the guide surface may be configured to restrict deformation of the first shaft portion in the first direction and to encourage displacement of the first shaft portion in the second direction when the locking portion of the accessory member is locked to the locking member.

[0016] In the above-mentioned one aspect, it is preferable that the first shaft portion of the locking member is attached to the surface of the core bar, and the second shaft portion is attached to the core bar at a position three-dimensionally offset in the insertion direction of the steering shaft inserted into the boss portion of the core bar relative to the surface of the core bar to which the first shaft portion is attached.

[0017] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is desirable that the core bar has an installation portion where the engaging portion of the accessory member is installed, a holding portion provided on one of the two surfaces of the core bar near the installation portion, which holds the first shaft portion of the wire passing through the installation portion so that it can rotate freely around the axis of the wire and slide freely relative to the installation portion, and a support portion provided on the other surface of the two surfaces of the core bar near the installation portion, which supports the second shaft portion.

[0018] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that the wire is configured to be freely elastically deformable in bending in the extension direction and torsionally deformable around its axis, the folded portion of the wire is configured to generate a torsional elastic moment around the axis of the wire, and the support portion of the core wire supports the second shaft portion so that the first shaft portion is held in a twisted state.

[0019] In the above-mentioned one aspect, it is desirable that the locking member is configured so that, by locking the first shaft portion to the locking portion of the accessory member, the first shaft portion slides while supported by the holding portion, and the second shaft portion receives a support reaction force from the support portion at the folded portion between the moved first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, generating a torsional elastic moment that presses the first shaft portion against the locking portion.

[0020] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the support portion has a vertical surface, and the holding portion has a horizontal surface that intersects with the vertical surface.

[0021] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is desirable that the first shaft portion is formed in a straight line and connected to the folded portion, the second shaft portion has a convexly curved portion connected to the folded portion, the support portion has a support surface oriented to face the folded portion, and the convexly curved portion is abutted against and supported by the support surface so that a torsional elastic moment is generated in the folded portion.

[0022] In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is preferable that an additional support part is provided at a distance from the support part to support the second shaft part that passes through the support part, and that the additional support part receives the support reaction force of the second shaft part, and a resilient force is generated between the support part and the additional support part to press the second shaft part against the support part.

[0023] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is desirable that the second shaft portion has a concave bending portion connected to the convex bending portion, the additional support portion has an additional support surface spaced apart from the support portion and blocking the first shaft portion from the support surface, and the concave bending portion is supported in abutment against the additional support surface so that a resilient force is generated between the support surface and the additional support surface to press the convex bending portion against the support surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] In a vehicle steering wheel device according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the engagement and holding action with the object while suppressing the movement of the wire that holds the object on the steering wheel. Also, by arranging the wire in such a way that it rises in the direction in which the object is connected to the steering wheel, it is possible to suppress vibration of the wire and make the shape of the core portion that expands in a plane more compact than before. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing one form of a steering wheel to which a preferred embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel device according to the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part X in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory view of a locking member attached to the central core metal portion shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the central core metal portion, as viewed from the front side of the steering wheel, showing the state in which the locking member shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the central core metal portion. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a perspective view of the central core metal portion shown in FIG. 3 before the attachment of the locking member, as viewed from the front side of the steering wheel. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a side view of the central core part shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is a view of the central core metal portion shown in FIG. 4 as seen from the front side of the steering wheel. [Figure 8] 5 is a view of the central core metal portion shown in FIG. 4 as seen from the back side of the steering wheel. [Figure 9] 8 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 8 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] 4 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for attaching the locking member shown in FIG. 3 to a central core metal portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the steering wheel 1 is roughly formed to include a central core portion 3 on which a boss portion 2 for connecting a steering shaft is formed, a rim portion 4 which is circular or the like and which is gripped by the driver, and a plurality of spoke portions 5 which connect the rim portion 4 and the central core portion 3.

[0028] The central core metal portion 3 of the steering wheel 1 is provided with an installation portion around the boss portion 2 where a locking portion 6 (see Figure 4) provided on an accessory member is installed in order to attach and fix the accessory member, such as an airbag module.

[0029] In the following description, the side of the central core metal portion 3 that faces the driver is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the back side.

[0030] In this embodiment, the installation portion is formed by a through-hole 7 that penetrates the central core metal portion 3 from the front side to the back side.

[0031] The locking portion 6 of the accessory member is inserted into this through hole 7, whereby the accessory member is attached to the central core metal portion 3.

[0032] At least one through hole 7 is formed, and in the illustrated example, three through holes 7 are formed. The installation portion is not limited to a hole form and may be in any form as long as it is possible to install the locking portion 6.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, a locking member 8 is attached to the central core metal portion 3, disposed in each of the through holes 7.

[0034] The accessory member is connected to the central core metal portion 3 by locking each locking portion 6 with each locking member 8. In detail, when the locking portion 6 of the accessory member moves in the first direction, the locking portion 6 is inserted into the through hole 7, and at that time, the locking portion 6 is locked with the locking member 8, thereby attaching the accessory member to the central core metal portion 3. Here, the "first direction" is the direction opposite to the insertion direction Z of the steering shaft (see Figure 4).

[0035] The locking member 8 is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of the locking member 8, Fig. 3(B) is a diagram showing the wire rod 9 in its raw state before being bent into the locking member 8, and Figs. 3(C) to 3(F) are a front view, a plan view, a right side view, and a left side view of the locking member 8, respectively.

[0036] The locking member 8 is composed of a wire 9. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the wire 9 is made of, for example, a metal material, and is configured to be torsionally elastically deformable around the axis of the wire 9 (indicated by t in the figure) and to bendably elastically deformable in the extension direction of the wire 9, which is the length direction of the wire 9 (indicated by b in the figure).

[0037] The wire 9 being "flexibly and elastically deformable in its extending direction" means that the wire 9 can be deformed to bend elastically and recoverably in a direction intersecting the axial direction on the plane on which it is placed.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3(C) to 3(F), the locking member 8 is elongated and formed so that the entire length from one end to the other end in the extension direction is on a substantially flat plane and is in contact with the plane.

[0039] The wire 9 may be formed by bending, press molding using a mold, or by other known methods.

[0040] The wire 9 has the other end folded back toward the one end at a middle portion in the extending direction thereof, to form a folded back portion 8a that changes the extending direction of the wire 9.

[0041] A first shaft portion 8b is formed linearly between the folded portion 8a and one end and is connected to the folded portion 8a. A second shaft portion 8c is formed between the folded portion 8a and the other end.

[0042] That is, the wire 9 of the locking member 8 is formed so as to have a first shaft portion 8b and a second shaft portion 8c on both sides of the folded portion 8a.

[0043] The folded portion 8a is a portion that generates at least a torsional elastic moment around the axis of the wire 9.

[0044] The first shaft portion 8b and the second shaft portion 8c are at least the portions that are subjected to a torsional action from the folded-back portion 8a, and are also capable of bending elastically deforming in the direction in which the wire 9 extends.

[0045] The second shaft portion 8c includes a convexly curved portion 8d that is connected to the folded-back portion 8a. The second shaft portion 8c includes a concavely bent portion 8e that is connected to the convexly curved portion 8d so as to reach the other end of the wire 9 from the convexly curved portion 8d.

[0046] The convex curved portion 8d and the concave curved portion 8e of the second shaft portion 8c are capable of elastic bending deformation along the extension direction of the wire 9 and elastic twisting deformation around the axis of the wire 9, generating a resilient force in the second shaft portion 8c.

[0047] 4 and 5 are perspective views of the central core metal portion 3 in which the through-hole 7 is formed, as viewed from the front side.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows the state in which the locking member 8 has been attached to the central core metal portion 3, and FIG. 5 shows the state before the locking member 8 is attached.

[0049] 6 to 11 are views of the central core metal part 3 to which the locking member 8 shown in FIG. 4 is attached, viewed from various directions.

[0050] Figure 6 is a view of the central core portion 3 from the side, Figure 7 is a view of the central core portion 3 from the front side, Figure 8 is a view of the central core portion 3 from the back side, Figure 9 is a view from the direction of arrow A in Figure 7, Figure 10 is a view from the direction of arrow B in Figure 7, and Figure 11 is a view from the direction of arrow C in Figure 7.

[0051] As described above, the central core metal portion 3 is formed with a through hole 7 as an installation portion into which the locking portion 6 of the accessory member is inserted.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3 is formed as a substantially flat surface around the through hole 7 so that the locking member 8 can be installed.

[0053] As described below, the locking member 8 is attached to the back surface 3a, one of the two surfaces 3a, 3c of the central core metal portion 3, with the first shaft portion 8b attached, and to the other surface 3c, the front surface 3c, of the central core metal portion 3, at a position three-dimensionally offset in the insertion direction of the steering shaft inserted into the boss portion 2 of the central core metal portion 3 (indicated by the arrow Z direction in Figure 4) from the back surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3 to which the first shaft portion 8b is attached.

[0054] In this specification, the term "position displaced three-dimensionally" refers to the positional relationship between a first plane perpendicular to the insertion direction Z of the steering shaft and a second plane at a different displaced position from the first plane and perpendicular to the insertion direction Z. In the illustrated example, if the back surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3 to which the steering shaft is connected, on which the first shaft portion 8b is arranged, is the first plane, and the front surface 3c of the central core metal portion 3 on which the second shaft portion 8c is arranged is the second plane, the positional relationship between these front and back surfaces 3a, 3c is a position displaced three-dimensionally.

[0055] A holding portion 10 is formed on the back surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3. The holding portion 10 is provided on the back surface 3a, which is one of the two surfaces 3a, 3b of the central core metal portion 3, near the through hole 7, and holds the first shaft portion 8b of the wire 9 passing through the through hole 7 so that the first shaft portion 8b can rotate freely around the axis of the wire 9 and can slide freely relative to the through hole 7.

[0056] The holding portion 10 is formed on one of the two sides of the through hole 7 on the back surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3, and holds the first shaft portion 8b. The holding portion 10 only needs to include at least a part of the flat back surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3.

[0057] In this embodiment, a rear-side protrusion 11 is formed adjacent to the through-hole 7 by protruding from the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3.

[0058] The rear-side protrusion 11 is provided with a holding through-hole 12 that is formed flush with the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3 and serves to hold the first shaft portion 8b. A part of the first shaft portion 8b is disposed in the holding through-hole 12 on the rear surface 3a side of the central core metal portion 3.

[0059] As described below, the first shaft portion 8b passes across the through hole 7 on the back surface 3a side of the central core portion 3, is inserted into the holding through hole 12, and is held by the back surface 3a of the central core portion 3 itself.

[0060] In the illustrated example, the holding through-hole 12 is provided in the central core metal portion 3 by a recessed portion 13 formed toward the rear side at the position of the rear side protrusion 11.

[0061] The first shaft portion 8b is inserted across the recessed portion 13 and is held by the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3 on both sides of the recessed portion 13.

[0062] Since the back surface 3a of the central core portion 3 around the through hole 7 is an almost flat surface, the first shaft portion 8b is provided on the central core portion 3 so as to be freely rotatable around its axis relative to the back surface 3a and to be freely slidable along the back surface 3a of the central core portion 3 relative to the through hole 7.

[0063] The retaining through-holes 12 form corners 12a on the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3, as shown in FIG.

[0064] By forming the corner portion 12a, excessive or unnecessary movement of the first shaft portion 8b, which is movable along the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3, can be restricted.

[0065] As long as the corner portion 12a that restricts the movement of the first shaft portion 8b can be obtained, the retaining through-hole 12 need not be in the form of a hole, but may be in the form of a retaining groove.

[0066] However, in this embodiment, the formation of the retaining through-hole 12 allows the first shaft portion 8b to be surrounded and held securely.

[0067] The rear-side protrusion 11 has a guide surface 11a at a position facing the retaining through-hole 12 (see FIG. 7). The guide surface 11a extends in a direction parallel to the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3, and one end of the guide surface 11a is connected to the corner portion 12a. The direction in which the guide surface 11a extends (the second direction) is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction (the first direction described above) of the locking portion 6 of the accessory member when the locking portion 6 of the accessory member is locked to the locking member 8. The guide surface 11a restricts deformation of the first shaft portion 8b in the first direction (the downward direction in FIG. 4) when the locking portion 6 of the accessory member is locked to the locking member 8, and also encourages displacement of the first shaft portion 8b in the second direction (the direction indicated by arrow P in FIG. 7).

[0068] A support portion 14 is formed on the front side of the central core metal portion 3, wrapping around the edge 3b (see Figures 2, 4, etc.) of the central core metal portion 3, which extends from the back surface 3a to the front surface 3c, to abut and support the second shaft portion 8c.

[0069] That is, the support portion 14 is provided on the surface 3c, which is the other of the front and back surfaces 3a, 3b of the central core portion 3, near the through hole 7, and supports the second shaft portion 8c so that the first shaft portion 8b is held in a twisted state by the holding portion 10.

[0070] The support portion 14 is configured in the form of a vertical wall that rises toward the front side of the central core metal portion 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the support portion 14 is provided with a support surface 14a that faces the folded portion 8a.

[0071] The support portion 14 is provided on one of both sides of the through hole 7, opposite the rear protrusion 11.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, the support portion 14 is formed on the opposite side of the through-hole 7 from the position of the retaining through-hole 12 and away from the retaining through-hole 12.

[0073] That is, the support portion 14 that supports the second shaft portion 8c is provided on the opposite side of the through hole 7 from the support portion 10 that holds the first shaft portion 8b.

[0074] Of course, the support portion 14 and the holding portion 10 may be arranged in the opposite manner to that described above, with the support portion 14 supporting the second shaft portion 8c being provided on the back surface 3a of the central core portion 3 and the holding portion 10 holding the first shaft portion 8b being provided on the front surface 3c.

[0075] As a result, the locking member 8, which is formed by bending the wire 9 so that the entire member is in contact with an almost flat plane, has the first shaft portion 8b held by the holding portion 10, with the folded portion 8a sandwiched between them, and the second shaft portion 8c abutting and supported by the support portion 14, allowing the second shaft portion 8c to occupy a twisted position relative to the straight first shaft portion 8b.

[0076] The position of twist is a well-known geometric concept, and in this embodiment, it means that the first axis portion 8b and the second axis portion 8c (convex curved portion 8d) are not parallel, nor do the first axis portion 8b and the second axis portion 8c (convex curved portion 8d) intersect, and the first axis portion 8b and the second axis portion 8c (convex curved portion 8d) are not on the same plane.

[0077] In order to hold the first shaft portion 8b and the second shaft portion 8c, which are connected by the folded portion 8a, in a twisted position, the support portion 14, on which the second shaft portion 8c receives a support reaction force, is formed to have a vertical surface (vertical wall) as the support surface 14a, and the holding portion 10, which holds the first shaft portion 8b, is formed to have a horizontal surface (rear surface 3a of the central core portion 3) on which the first shaft portion 8b can move.

[0078] The first shaft portion 8b and the second shaft portion 8c are in a twisted position, and the folded portion 8a is twisted by the action and reaction that occurs between the convex curved portion 8d, which is supported in contact with the support surface 14a of the support portion 14 and generates a support reaction force, and the first shaft portion 8b, which is held by the holding portion 10, thereby generating a torsional elastic moment.

[0079] Then, by obtaining a support reaction force on the second shaft portion 8c side, a torsional elastic moment generated by the folded portion 8a applies an elastic biasing force to the first shaft portion 8b to lock the locking portion 6 of the accessory member.

[0080] This torsional elastic moment acts to urge and move the first shaft portion 8b in the direction toward the corner portion 12a, as shown by the arrow f1 in FIGS.

[0081] In this embodiment, a seat portion 15 is formed on the back surface 3a side of the central core portion 3, away from the support surface 14a of the support portion 14, to support the connection portion between the folded portion 8a and the first shaft portion 8b.

[0082] Specifically, the seat portion 15 is formed to protrude from the support portion 14 toward the position where the first shaft portion 8b is disposed.

[0083] The seat portion 15 can appropriately hold the first shaft portion 8b in a twisted position relative to the second shaft portion 8c.

[0084] An additional support portion 16 is further provided on the front side of the central core portion 3, spaced apart from the support portion 14 toward the through hole 7, to support the second shaft portion 8c that passes through the support portion 14, specifically the concave bending portion 8e that connects to the convex curved portion 8d.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 11, the additional support portion 16 has a vertical wall-like additional support surface 16b that rises up against a groove 16a formed by recessing the front side of the central core metal portion 3.

[0086] The additional support surface 16b of the additional support portion 16 is formed to block the first shaft portion 8b from the support surface 14a of the support portion 14 in order to maintain the torsional position.

[0087] In other words, the additional support surface 16b prevents the locking member 8 from returning to a flat state from its twisted state, and the second shaft portion 8c from being in a parallel relationship (positioned in the same plane) with the first shaft portion 8b.

[0088] The concave bent portion 8e of the second shaft portion 8c receives a support reaction force from the additional support surface 16b, and generates bending elastic deformation and twisting elastic deformation between the support portion 14 and the additional support portion 16.

[0089] As a result, a resilient force is generated between the support portion 14 and the additional support portion 16, which presses and biases the convex curved portion 8d, which is supported in contact with the support surface 14a of the support portion 14, toward the support surface 14a.

[0090] The locking portion 6 of the accessory member may have any shape, such as a groove shape or a hook shape, as long as it is a shape that allows the locking member 8 formed of the wire rod 9 to be locked.

[0091] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the locking portion 6 is formed by a constricted portion 6c at the middle of a rod 6b having a conical portion 6a at the tip, where the outer diameter of the rod 6b is reduced.

[0092] When the rod 6b is inserted from the front side to the back side of the central core metal portion 3 with the conical portion 6a facing the through-hole 7, the first shaft portion 8b of the locking member 8 is moved between the conical portion 6a and the narrowed portion 6c, as shown by arrow f2 in Figures 4, 7 and 9, in a direction away from the position of the through-hole 7 (shown by arrow P in Figure 7). This movement is urged by the guide surface 11a.

[0093] Thereafter, the first shaft portion 8b elastically returns to its original state so as to enter the constricted portion 6c, thereby locking the locking portion 6.

[0094] Next, the operation of the vehicle steering wheel device according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 12 shows the procedure for attaching the locking member 8 to the central core metal portion 3.

[0095] 12(A) to 12(D) are diagrams of the central core part 3 as viewed from the back side, and FIG. 12(E) is a diagram of the central core part 3 as viewed from the front side.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 12(A), first, the first shaft portion 8b of the locking member 8 is inserted along the rear surface 3a of the central core metal portion 3 from near the through-hole 7 toward the holding through-hole 12.

[0097] Next, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the first shaft portion 8b is passed through the holding through-hole 12 toward the holding portion 10.

[0098] Next, as shown in FIG. 12(C), the first shaft portion 8b is inserted into the retaining through-hole 12, and the first shaft portion 8b is oriented so that the folded portion 8a of the locking member 8 faces the seat portion 15.

[0099] Next, as shown in Figure 12 (D), the folded portion 8a is abutted against the seat portion 15, and the first shaft portion 8b is moved so that it passes through the position of the through hole 7 and is positioned at the corner portion 12a of the retaining through hole 12.

[0100] Thereafter, with the folded portion 8a in contact with the seat portion 15, the entire locking member 8 is rotated around the axis of the first shaft portion 8b.

[0101] As a result, as shown in FIG. 12(E), the convex curved portion 8d of the second shaft portion 8c is supported by the support surface 14a of the support portion 14, and the concave curved portion 8e is supported by the support surface 16b of the additional support portion 16.

[0102] By the above procedure, the locking member 8 is simply attached to the central core metal portion 3 in preparation for locking the locking member 8 to the locking portion 6 of the accessory member.

[0103] By attaching the locking member 8 to the central core metal portion 3 as described above, the second shaft portion 8c is positioned in a twisted position relative to the first shaft portion 8b, so that a torsional elastic moment (indicated by tm in each figure) can be generated in advance in the folded portion 8a as an initial setting.

[0104] Specifically, while the first shaft portion 8b is held by the holding portion 10, the convex curved portion 8d of the second shaft portion 8c, which is in a twisted position, abuts against the support surface 14a of the support portion 14, generating a support reaction force, thereby generating a torsional elastic moment tm in the folded portion 8a.

[0105] The movement of the first shaft portion 8b is restricted by the corner portion 12a, so that the torsional elastic moment tm can be reliably generated.

[0106] As shown in Figures 4, 6 and 12(E), when the locking member 8 is locked to the locking portion 6 of the accessory member, the first shaft portion 8b is first pushed and moved (f2) by the conical portion 6a of the locking portion 6 from the position at the time of installation at or near the corner portion 12a described above along the back surface 3a of the central core portion 3 in a direction P away from the through hole 7 while rolling.

[0107] Specifically, first, the first shaft portion 8b is moved in a direction P perpendicular to the movement direction of the locking portion 6 by the conical portion 6a of the locking portion 6, which has moved downward in FIG. 4. If the guide surface 11a were not present, the first shaft portion 8b would be deformed downward by the movement of the locking portion 6. However, the presence of the guide surface 11a restricts the downward deformation of the first shaft portion 8b. At this time, the first shaft portion 8b is displaced, i.e., moved (f2), in the extension direction of the guide surface 11a (direction P). This displacement increases the torsional elastic moment tm with respect to the folded portion 8a.

[0108] If the design is changed so that the torsional elastic moment tm is not generated in the folded portion 8a in the above initial setting, the above displacement of the first shaft portion 8b will generate a torsional elastic moment tm in the folded portion 8a.

[0109] Since the first shaft portion 8b and the second shaft portion 8c are in a twisted position, the area around the through hole 7 of the central core metal portion 3 is left wide open and unobstructed, allowing the locking portion 6 to be inserted properly and smoothly into the through hole 7.

[0110] When the first shaft portion 8b moves, the support reaction force of the support portion 14 on the second shaft portion 8c increases, and a large torsional elastic moment tm can be generated by the folded portion 8a.

[0111] The locking portion 6 is inserted into the through hole 7 against the first shaft portion 8b, which is strongly pressed and urged in a direction (f1) that causes the locking portion 6 to return to the attached position by the torsional elastic moment tm.

[0112] Thereafter, the first shaft portion 8b enters the narrowed portion 6c of the locking portion 6, and the locking member 8 locks the locking portion 6.

[0113] At this time, the position of the first shaft portion 8b is different from the position at the time of attachment and is spaced apart from the corner portion 12a in order to lock the constricted portion 6c.

[0114] This allows a torsional elastic moment tm larger than the initial setting described above to be generated in the folded portion 8a, and this torsional elastic moment tm strongly elastically urges the first shaft portion 8b toward the constricted portion 6c, allowing the locking portion 6 to be firmly locked.

[0115] In addition, at this time, the first shaft portion 8b is in a twisted position relative to the second shaft portion 8c and tends to bend elastically with the folded portion 8a as the starting point. Therefore, in addition to the torsional elastic moment tm, the restoring force of this bending elastic deformation is also added as a secondary force, thereby enabling the locking portion 6 to be securely locked.

[0116] When the locking member 8 locks the locking portion 6, the concave bent portion 8e of the second shaft portion 8c remains in contact with the additional support surface 16a of the additional support portion 16, and a support reaction force is applied to the additional support surface 16a, generating a resilient force due to bending elastic deformation and torsional elastic deformation between the additional support portion 16 and the support portion 14 against which the convex curved portion 8d abuts and is supported.

[0117] This resilience can provide a biasing force that presses the convex curved portion 8d against the support surface 14a.

[0118] In the vehicle steering wheel device according to this embodiment, when the locking member 8 locks the locking portion 6 of the accessory, the first shaft portion 8b and the second shaft portion 8c are in a twisted position. That is, in the vehicle steering wheel device, the accessory is attached to the steering wheel 1 by locking the locking portion 6 with the locking member 8, which is provided on the central core metal portion 3 so as to generate a torsional elastic moment.

[0119] This means that, unlike mounting structures that easily undergo elastic bending deformation due to relative movement such as vibration, the engagement and retention of the accessory member with the steering wheel 1 can be sufficiently ensured by twisting, which has a stronger resistance than bending.

[0120] That is, the action of engaging and holding the object (accessory member, etc.) on the steering wheel 1 can be sufficiently ensured while suppressing movement of the locking member 8 (wire 9) that holds the object.

[0121] In addition, by arranging the locking member 8 (wire 9) on the steering wheel 1 so that it is raised in the direction in which the object (accessory part, etc.) is connected, vibration of the locking member 8 is suppressed, and the shape of the central core metal portion 3, which expands in a plane due to the installation of the locking member 8, can be made smaller than before.

[0122] The locking member 8 is made up of a wire 9 that is elastically deformable in bending in the extension direction and elastically deformable in twisting around its axis, a folded portion 8a that generates a torsional elastic moment around its axis, and a first shaft portion 8b and a second shaft portion 8c on either side of the folded portion 8a, so that it can be constructed extremely simply.

[0123] A retaining portion 10 is provided on one side of the through hole 7 for inserting the locking portion 6, which holds the first shaft portion 8b so that it can rotate freely around its axis and slide freely relative to the through hole 7, and on the opposite side of the retaining portion 10, a support portion 14 is provided on the folded portion 8a, which supports the second shaft portion 8c so that it can occupy a twisted position relative to the first shaft portion 8a, and which generates a torsional elastic moment that locks the first shaft portion 8b to the locking portion 6, so that the locking portion 6 can be locked and held by the torsional elastic moment generated in the locking member 8.

[0124] The twist position occupied by the locking member 8 is obtained by the support part 14 having a vertical surface and the holding part 10 having a horizontal surface intersecting the vertical surface, and the structure can be extremely simple.

[0125] The first shaft portion 8b is formed in a straight line and connected to the folded portion 8a, the second shaft portion 8c has a convex curved portion 8d connected to the folded portion 8a, and the support portion 14 has a support surface 14a facing the folded portion 8a, and the convex curved portion 8d is supported in contact with the support surface 14a, with this simple configuration ensuring that a torsional elastic moment is generated in the folded portion 8a.

[0126] An additional support part 16 is provided at a distance from the support part 14 to support the second shaft part 8c that passes through the support part 14, and the support reaction force of the second shaft part 8c is taken up by the additional support part 16, so that a resilient force that presses the second shaft part 8c against the support part 14 is generated between the support part 14 and the additional support part 16. This ensures that the second shaft part 8c is reliably supported in contact with the support part 14, and a torsional elastic moment can be reliably generated in the folded part 8a.

[0127] The additional support portion 16 is provided with an additional support surface 16b that is spaced apart from the support portion 14 and blocks the first shaft portion 8b from the support surface 14a, so that the torsional position of the second shaft portion 8c relative to the first shaft portion 8b can be reliably maintained.

[0128] The concave bent portion 8e is supported in contact with the additional support surface 16b so that a resilient force is generated between the support surface 14a and the additional support surface 16b, pressing the convex curved portion 8d against the support surface 14a. This ensures that the convex curved portion 8d is supported in contact with the support surface 14a of the support portion 14, and a torsional elastic moment is reliably generated in the folded portion 8a.

[0129] The vehicle steering wheel device described above is a preferred example of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented or performed in various ways. Unless otherwise specified in the present specification, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, and configurations of the detailed parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the expressions and terms used in the present specification are for explanatory purposes only, and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

[0130] Additional Considerations Regarding Various Implementations [Embodiment 1] A steering wheel device for a vehicle in which a locking member attached to a core metal of a steering wheel is engaged with a locking portion of an accessory member to connect the accessory member to the core metal, the locking member is made of a wire rod and has a folded portion that changes the extension direction of the wire rod at an intermediate portion in the extension direction of the wire rod, and a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion formed on both sides of the folded portion; The vehicle steering wheel device is characterized in that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are attached to the core metal so that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are in a twisted position when the locking portion of the accessory member is locked.

[0131] [Embodiment 2] A vehicle steering wheel device according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are attached to the core metal so that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are in a twisted position even in the initial setting before the locking portion of the accessory member is locked.

[0132] [Embodiment 3] the locking member is configured to lock the locking portion of the accessory member with the first shaft portion by movement of the locking portion of the accessory member in a first direction, A vehicle steering wheel device according to embodiment 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking member displaces the first axis portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction due to movement of the locking portion of the accessory member in the first direction, thereby generating or increasing a torsional elastic moment with respect to the folded portion.

[0133] [Embodiment 4] the core metal has a guide surface extending in the second direction, A vehicle steering wheel device according to embodiment 3, characterized in that when the locking portion of the accessory member is locked to the locking member, the guide surface restricts deformation of the first shaft portion in the first direction and encourages displacement of the first shaft portion in the second direction.

[0134] [Embodiment 5] A vehicle steering wheel device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, characterized in that the first shaft portion of the locking member is attached to the surface of the core bar, and the second shaft portion is attached to the core bar at a position three-dimensionally offset in the insertion direction of the steering shaft inserted into the boss portion of the core bar relative to the surface of the core bar to which the first shaft portion is attached.

[0135] [Embodiment 6] The core metal is an installation portion on which the locking portion of the accessory member is installed; a holding portion provided on one of the two surfaces of the core bar near the installation portion, the holding portion holding the first shaft portion of the wire passing through the installation portion so as to be rotatable around the axis of the wire and slidable relative to the installation portion; A vehicle steering wheel device according to embodiment 5, characterized in that it comprises a support portion provided on the other of the two surfaces of the core metal, which are the front and back surfaces, near the installation portion, and which supports the second axis portion.

[0136] [Embodiment 7] The wire is configured to be bend elastically deformable in the extending direction and twist elastically deformable around an axis, The folded portion of the wire rod is configured to generate a torsional elastic moment around an axis of the wire rod, 7. A vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 6, wherein the support portion of the core metal supports the second shaft portion so that the first shaft portion is held in a twisted state.

[0137] [Embodiment 8] A vehicle steering wheel device according to embodiment 6 or 7, characterized in that the locking member is configured such that, by locking the first shaft portion to the locking portion of the accessory member, the first shaft portion is slidably moved while supported by the retaining portion, and at the folded portion between the moved first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the second shaft portion receives a support reaction force from the support portion, generating a torsional elastic moment that presses the first shaft portion against the locking portion.

[0138] [Embodiment 9] A vehicle steering wheel device according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the support portion has a vertical surface, and the holding portion has a horizontal surface intersecting the vertical surface.

[0139] [Embodiment 10] The first shaft portion is formed in a straight line and connected to the folded portion, and the second shaft portion has a convex curved portion connected to the folded portion, The support portion has a support surface facing the folded portion, A vehicle steering wheel device according to any one of embodiments 6 to 9, wherein the convexly curved portion is supported in contact with the support surface so that a torsional elastic moment is generated at the folded portion.

[0140] [Embodiment 11] A vehicle steering wheel device according to any one of embodiments 6 to 10, characterized in that an additional support part is provided at a distance from the support part to support the second axle part that passes through the support part, and the additional support part receives the support reaction force of the second axle, and a resilient force is generated between the support part and the additional support part to press the second axle part against the support part.

[0141] [Embodiment 12] the second shaft portion includes a concave bent portion connected to the convex curved portion, The additional support portion is provided with an additional support surface that is spaced apart from the support portion and blocks the first shaft portion from the support surface, A vehicle steering wheel device according to embodiment 11, characterized in that the concave bending portion is supported in contact with the additional support surface so that a resilient force is generated between the support surface and the additional support surface, pressing the convex curved portion against the support surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1 steering wheel 2 Boss section 3 Central core metal part 3a Back side of central core 3c Surface of central core 6 Locking part 7 through holes 8 Locking member 8a Folded part 8b First shaft 8c 2nd shaft part 8d Convex curve 8e concave bend 9 wire rod 10 Holding part 14 Support part 14a Support surface 16 Additional Supports 16b Additional Support Surface Z Steering shaft insertion direction

Claims

1. A steering wheel device for a vehicle in which a locking member attached to a core metal of a steering wheel is engaged with a locking portion of an accessory member to connect the accessory member to the core metal, the locking member is made of a wire rod and has a folded portion that changes the extending direction of the wire rod at an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the wire rod, and a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion formed on both sides of the folded portion, the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion of the locking member are attached to the core metal so that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are in a twisted position when the locking member is locked to the locking portion of the accessory member, the locking member is configured to lock the locking portion of the accessory member with the first shaft portion by movement of the locking portion of the accessory member in a first direction, The above-mentioned locking member is characterized in that the movement of the locking portion of the accessory member in the first direction causes the first axis portion to be displaced in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby generating or increasing a torsional elastic moment with respect to the folded-back portion.

2. 2. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion of the locking member are attached to the core metal so that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are in a twisted position even in the initial setting before the locking portion of the accessory member is locked.

3. the core metal has a guide surface extending in the second direction, 3. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface restricts deformation of the first shaft portion in the first direction when the locking portion of the accessory member is locked to the locking member, and encourages displacement of the first shaft portion in the second direction.

4. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first shaft portion of the engaging member is attached to the surface of the core bar, and the second shaft portion is attached to the core bar at a position three-dimensionally offset in the insertion direction of the steering shaft inserted into the boss portion of the core bar relative to the surface of the core bar to which the first shaft portion is attached.

5. The core metal is an installation portion on which the locking portion of the accessory member is installed; a holding portion provided on one of both surfaces of the core bar near the installation portion, the holding portion holding the first shaft portion of the wire passing through the installation portion so as to be rotatable around the axis of the wire and slidable relative to the installation portion; 5. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 4, further comprising a support portion provided on the other of the two surfaces of the core metal, which are the front and back surfaces, near the installation portion, and supporting the second shaft portion.

6. The wire is configured to be bend elastically deformable in the extending direction and twist elastically deformable around an axis, The folded portion of the wire rod is configured to generate a torsional elastic moment around an axis of the wire rod, 6. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 5, wherein the support portion of the core metal supports the second shaft portion so that the first shaft portion is held in a twisted state.

7. 6. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 5, wherein the locking member is configured such that, when the first shaft portion is locked to the locking portion of the accessory member, the first shaft portion is slidably moved while supported by the holding portion, and the second shaft portion receives a support reaction force from the support portion at the folded portion between the moved first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, thereby generating a torsional elastic moment that presses the first shaft portion against the locking portion.

8. 6. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 5, wherein the support portion has a vertical surface, and the holding portion has a horizontal surface that intersects with the vertical surface.

9. the first shaft portion is formed in a straight line and connected to the folded portion, and the second shaft portion has a convex curved portion connected to the folded portion, The support portion has a support surface facing the folded portion, 6. The steering wheel device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the convexly curved portion is supported in contact with the support surface so that a torsional elastic moment is generated at the folded portion.

10. 10. A vehicle steering wheel device as described in claim 9, characterized in that an additional support portion is provided at a distance from the support portion to support the second shaft portion that passes through the support portion, and the additional support portion receives the support reaction force of the second shaft portion, and a resilient force is generated between the support portion and the additional support portion to press the second shaft portion against the support portion.

11. the second shaft portion includes a concave bent portion connected to the convex curved portion, the additional support portion is provided with an additional support surface spaced apart from the support portion and blocking the first shaft portion from the support surface; 11. The vehicle steering wheel device according to claim 10, wherein the concave bent portion is abutted against and supported by the additional support surface so that a resilient force is generated between the support surface and the additional support surface, pressing the convex curved portion against the support surface.

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