Multilayered Steering Wheel Trim Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing multilayered decorative trims for steering wheels are labor-intensive and time-consuming, as they require individual application of wooden elements to match the shape of the steering wheel, which is not efficient for mass production and maintains a high-class appearance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a multilayered body composed of flat layers joined with an adhesive, bent to match the steering wheel geometry, with decorative layers cut off and adapted for direct application, allowing for faster and cost-effective production while ensuring the grain pattern follows the curve of the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual wooden elements are applied by hand to match the steering wheel shape, then the decorative trim achieves high-class appearance and proper grain orientation, but the production process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative layers are pre-shaped and pre-cut to the required arcuate form before application. The multilayered body is bent into the steering wheel geometry in advance, and decorative layers are cut off while the adhesive is still soft, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site shaping and hand-application of individual elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple decorative layers are combined into a single multilayered body that is bent and shaped as one unit. This merged structure allows simultaneous production of multiple decorative layers with consistent grain orientation, replacing the traditional method of individually crafting and applying separate wooden elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple decorative layers are produced individually and applied separately, then each layer can be precisely adapted, but the production time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The grain orientation is predetermined and aligned during the layer assembly stage. All decorative layers are cut and shaped in advance from the bent multilayered body while the adhesive is soft, ensuring consistent grain orientation across all layers without requiring time-consuming individual adjustment during application.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent multilayered body serves as a universal template from which multiple decorative layers can be cut simultaneously. This single prepared body structure enables the production of multiple steering wheel decorative trims with consistent quality, replacing the need for individually crafting each layer.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the multilayered body is bent after adhesive hardening, then the structure maintains stability, but the body cannot be easily adapted to the steering wheel shape
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive state is dynamically utilized: the body is bent and shaped while the adhesive is still soft and pliable, allowing easy adaptation to the steering wheel geometry. After shaping is complete, the adhesive hardens to provide structural stability and maintain the bent configuration permanently.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending and shaping operations are performed in advance while the adhesive is soft, before final hardening occurs. This timing ensures the body can be easily adapted to the required shape while maintaining layer integrity, as the adhesive will subsequently lock the configuration in place.
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 method significantly reduces production time and costs by enabling the direct application of pre-shaped decorative layers, maintaining a high-class appearance with uniform grain orientation and adaptable material combinations, suitable for mass production.
Implementation Method 1
The multilayered body is preferably produced by joining individual flat layers by means of an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a steering wheel (10) including a multilayered decorative trim (16) comprises the following steps:providing a multilayered body composed of flat layers joined to each other, the body being bent transversely or perpendicular to the plane of the layers into a shape adapted to the geometry of a steering wheel body part (14),cutting off a thin arcuate decorative layer (26) from a lateral surface of the body, in particular essentially perpendicular to the bending axis, andadapting said decorative layer (26) to and applying it onto said steering wheel body part (14).