Steering Wheel Decorative Member Integrated Electrical Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering wheel decorative member designs face challenges in ease of assembly and wiring due to labor-intensive wiring work, particularly when connecting heaters to the rim core member, as routing wires between wood members is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel decorative member with an electrical connector attachment part that connects the heater's terminal to a power supply terminal, using an engaging fixing piece made from an electrically conductive material, which simplifies the assembly and wiring process by forming an electrical connection without the need for routing wires through gaps between the wood and leather members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are routed through gaps between wood members and outer leather member to connect heater terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but wiring work becomes labor intensive and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment part integrates both mechanical attachment function and electrical connection function into a single component. The attachment part includes a body that attaches to the rim core member and heater terminals that electrically connect to the heater, eliminating the need for separate wire routing through gaps between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection function is extracted from the gap between components and integrated into the attachment part itself. Instead of routing wires through the gap between the outer leather member and wood members, the attachment part provides dedicated heater terminals that directly connect to the heater, simplifying the overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional wire routing through gaps is used to connect heater, then assembly is possible, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to labor intensive wiring work
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment part combines mechanical attachment and electrical connection functions into one integrated component. This allows the heater to be connected to the rim core member through a single attachment operation rather than requiring separate wire routing steps, significantly reducing assembly time and labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment part provides self-contained electrical connection capabilities through integrated heater terminals. The attachment part automatically establishes both mechanical attachment and electrical connection when installed, eliminating the need for additional wiring operations by workers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances ease of assembly and wiring work, improves heater durability by eliminating the need for routing wires, and ensures a secure and efficient electrical connection, thereby improving the overall quality and efficiency of the decorative member installation.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (22) that is adhered to a back surface of the base member (21)
Implementation Method 2
the attachment part is configured as an electrical connector that electrically connects a terminal of the heater (22) to a power supply side terminal (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel decorative member that is configured to be attached corresponding to a resin member covering a periphery of a ring core of a steering wheel. The decorative member includes a base member constituting a design part, a heater provided on a back surface of the base member and an attachment part that is configured to attach the base member to the resin member. The attachment part is configured so as to electrically connect a terminal of the heater to a power supply side terminal provided in the resin member.