Steering Wheel Rim Cavity Sealing for Vibration Motor Overmolding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering wheel designs with integrated vibrating motors face efficiency issues due to the motor being located far from the rim, and overmolding processes risk blocking the motor with liquid polymer, leading to quality problems.
Innovation Solution
A steering wheel design with a cavity in the rim containing a motor, a cover to seal the cavity, and sealing means to prevent polymer ingress, ensuring a watertight connection to the vehicle's power supply without additional gaskets, and allowing for controlled device positioning and simplified manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor is integrated into a cavity in the rim, then the vibration efficiency is improved, but liquid polymer can enter the cavity and block the motor during overmolding
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is divided into separate functional zones: a sealed cavity for the motor and an overmolded polymer section for the handrest. The cover creates a physical segmentation that prevents polymer from reaching the motor cavity while allowing the handrest to be overmolded separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the polymer injection process and the motor cavity. It provides a controlled interface that allows structural integration while blocking harmful polymer ingress to the sensitive motor components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cavity is sealed with a cover, then polymer ingress is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the motor cavity, provides mounting positions for handrests, and creates sealing surfaces for polymer barrier. By merging these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is reduced despite adding the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed as a multi-functional element that combines structural support, sealing, and device mounting capabilities. This universal component approach reduces the need for separate parts and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the motor is placed far from the rim, then the overmolding process is simpler, but the vibration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel structure is segmented into a sealed motor cavity integrated into the rim and a separate overmolded handrest section. This segmentation allows the motor to be positioned optimally for vibration efficiency while the handrest can be independently overmolded without exposing the motor to polymer.
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 design ensures efficient vibration transmission directly at the rim, reduces manufacturing complexity, and prevents polymer ingress, thereby maintaining motor functionality and improving production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
sealing means arranged to prevent the polymer from entering the cavity during its injection
Implementation Method 2
a motor driving an unbalanced weight to make the flywheel vibrate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising: a rim (10) having a cavity (11); an appliance arranged in the cavity (11) of the rim (10); a cap (40) arranged so as to close the cavity (11); and a polymer injected around the rim (10) and the cap (40); characterised in that the steering wheel comprises sealing means (50) arranged so as to prevent the polymer from entering the cavity (11) during the injection thereof.