Steering Wheel Base Portion Asymmetry for Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel designs for electric vehicles face challenges in accurately positioning divided base portions, leading to potential positional deviations and rattling issues during manufacturing and operation.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel configuration with a grip portion, a metal core, and a base portion divided into multiple segments that are engaged and fixed around the grip core, covered by a resin layer, and incorporating an electronic component for temperature adjustment, where the base portions are specifically designed to be positioned differently in the circumferential direction to prevent deviations and ensure precise assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the base portion is divided into multiple segments for easier assembly and manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the positioning accuracy and stability deteriorate due to potential positional deviations and rattling
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is divided into a first base portion and a second base portion that can be assembled separately around the grip portion metal core. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining positioning accuracy through the engagement structure between the two portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The first base portion and second base portion are positioned at different circumferential positions around the grip portion metal core, creating an asymmetric arrangement. This asymmetric positioning prevents overlapping and ensures accurate positioning when the portions are engaged with each other.
2Device complexity
If the base portion is divided into multiple segments to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential rattling and positional deviations during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is segmented into two separate portions that are engaged with each other around the grip portion metal core. This segmentation reduces device complexity by allowing modular assembly while maintaining reliability through the engagement structure that prevents rattling and positional deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The first base portion and second base portion are nested around the grip portion metal core in a concentric arrangement. This nesting structure ensures that both portions work together to provide stable positioning and prevent rattling during steering wheel operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the base portions are positioned at the same circumferential position for simplicity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to overlapping and misalignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The first base portion and second base portion are deliberately positioned at different circumferential positions around the grip portion metal core. This asymmetric arrangement eliminates overlapping issues and ensures accurate positioning when the portions are engaged, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning base portions at the same location, the invention utilizes the circumferential dimension by arranging the first and second base portions at different angles around the grip portion metal core. This dimensional approach resolves positioning conflicts while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 configuration allows for accurate positioning and fixation of the base portions, suppressing positional deviations and rattling, while enabling efficient temperature control and reduced power consumption through the integrated electronic component, enhancing the operational comfort and efficiency of the steering wheel.
Implementation Method 1
a configuration in which a heater wire is buried in a steering wheel as a heating element
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a steering wheel which includes a spacer (19) having a first base portion (32) and a second base portion (33) which are respectively disposed on a front side and a rear side with a rim metal core portion (28) interposed therebetween and are engaged with each other to cover the rim metal core portion (28), in which the first base portion (32) and the second base portion (33) are each divided into a plurality of portions at positions different from each other in a circumferential direction of the rim metal core portion (28).