Heatable Steering Wheel Coupling Element for Sheathing Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heatable steering wheels with abutting sheathings, such as wood and leather, face challenges in protecting heating mats from damage during refinishing and require separate power supplies due to spaced heating mats.
Innovation Solution
A coupling element with a depression extends from the first sheathing to the second, allowing refinishing of the hard sheathing while protecting the heating mat, enabling a continuous heating mat around the steering wheel rim with a single power supply and precise gap definition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If heating mats are placed near the surface for rapid heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but the heating mats are vulnerable to damage during refinishing
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary protective structure between the heating mat and the refinishing process. It provides a recess that shields the heating mat from direct exposure to refinishing tools while still allowing thermal contact, thus resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and protection.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple heating mats are used in the abutting area, then coverage is improved, but device complexity and power supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element merges the abutting area of multiple sheathings into a single continuous structure. By providing a recess that accommodates the heating mat across the entire abutting area, it allows one heating mat to serve multiple sheathings, thereby reducing the number of heating mats and power supplies needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the coupling element is formed as a separate annular part, then manufacturing flexibility and fastening capability are improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separate annular coupling element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates the protective recess, enables fastening of sheathings, and facilitates the continuous heating mat installation. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component by consolidating several requirements into a single element.
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 protects heating mats from damage during refinishing, allows for a single power supply, and ensures a visually flawless abutting area with precise gap control, enhancing the heat distribution and fastening of sheathings.
Implementation Method 1
a heating mat (24) wrapped around a steering wheel blank (12a)
Data Source
AI summary
A heatable steering wheel includes a steering wheel blank, a heating mat wrapped around the steering wheel blank, a first, visible hard sheathing whose surface is refinished after having been installed, a second, visible softer sheathing, both of the sheathings abutting each other in an abutting area, and a coupling element in the abutting area. The coupling element, as seen from the outside, has a depression and that, starting from the first sheathing, extends under the abutting area all the way to an abutting edge of the second sheathing. The heating mat extends continuously under the first sheathing and under the coupling element all the way to under the second sheathing.