Planar unit equipped with linear body, steering wheel, and planar unit manufacturing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in arranging multiple heater and sensor wires on a single base material surface without increasing thickness, leading to user discomfort and potential disconnection due to space limitations and complex bonding processes.
Innovation Solution
A planar unit is created by arranging a first linear body (heater or sensor wire) on one surface of a base material and a second linear body on the other surface, using thermal fusion bonding and sewing threads to secure both bodies, ensuring a flat shape through heat and pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heater wires and sensor wires are arranged on one surface of the base material, then space utilization is improved, but the thickness increases causing user discomfort and potential disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging all linear bodies on a single surface to distributing them across both surfaces of the base material. This dimensional change allows multiple heater wires and sensor wires to be arranged without increasing local thickness, as each surface can accommodate fewer wires while the overall structure remains flat against the steering wheel.
2Device complexity
If heater wire and sensor wire are arranged to overlap each other on the base material, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the thickness increases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of overlapping wires on the same surface which increases thickness, the patent uses the third dimension (depth/thickness of base material) to separate wire arrangements. Wires are distributed on opposite surfaces, allowing overlap in projection without actual physical overlap, thus maintaining flatness.
3Shape
If heater wire is arranged on one surface and sensor wire on the other surface, then thickness uniformity is improved, but the arrangement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the arrangement of linear bodies by separating heater wires and sensor wires onto different surfaces of the base material. This segmentation allows each type of wire to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall thickness uniformity, and the process can be applied to various wire configurations and patterns.
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
The solution results in a flat planar unit that prevents user discomfort during steering operations and integrates multiple functions, with enhanced mechanical strength and reduced thickness irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
the base material and the first linear body are coupled to each other by a sewing thread
Implementation Method 2
a thermal fusion bonding part is formed on an outermost layer of the second linear body and the base material and the second linear body are thermally fused together
Data Source
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AI summary
A planar unit that can prevent a user from feeling a sense of discomfort during an operation and the like and that can include a plurality of functions is provided. A planar unit (1) includes a base material (31), a first linear body (11) to be arranged on one surface of the base material (31), and a second linear body (21) to be arranged on another surface of the base material (31), the first linear body (11) being one of a heater wire, a sensor wire, or a shield wire, and the second linear body (21) being one of a heater wire, a sensor wire, or a shield wire, in which the base material (31) and the first linear body (11) are coupled to each other by a sewing thread, and a thermal fusion bonding part (29) is formed on an outermost layer of the second linear body (21) and the base material (31) and the second linear body (21) are thermally fused together. A steering wheel includes the above planar unit (1), a wheel core material, and a covering material, in which the planar unit (1) is installed between the wheel core material and the covering material.