Steering Wheel Cover Stitched Seam Insert Incision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering wheel cover designs fail to provide a robust and efficient method for incorporating inserts that span across multiple adjacent parts, as they lack a reliable stitching solution that allows for incision without compromising the structural integrity of the seams.

Innovation Solution

A composite steering wheel cover design featuring stitched seam connections with strategically placed finishing stitches, creating a stitch-free portion between them, enabling incision without affecting the seam strength, allowing inserts to pass through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cover is made as a single piece, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be incised to allow insert passage through multiple adjacent parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate insert spanning multiple partsVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple adjacent parts that can be independently positioned and connected. This segmentation allows the cover to be incised between parts to accommodate inserts that span across multiple sections, while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If stitching continues across the entire connection area, then the seam strength is maximized, but the cover cannot be incised to allow insert passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to incise cover for insert installationVSAvoidseam strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stitching pattern is strategically designed with finished stitches at specific locations and intentional gaps in between. This local variation in stitching density provides both structural strength at the seam locations and accessible gaps for incision, enabling insert passage without compromising overall seam integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the connection area is fully stitched, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the insert cannot pass through the cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrity of cover connectionVSAvoidability to accommodate insert

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover connection is pre-configured with finished stitches at predetermined locations and gaps in between during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the cover is assembled, the structural integrity is maintained at the stitched sections while the gap areas are ready for incision to accommodate inserts, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11912332B2Steering wheel cover and vehicle steering wheel

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 AUTOLIV DEV AB

AI summary

A composite cover for a vehicle steering wheel, comprising at least two adjacent parts connected to one another by at least one stitched seam connection, wherein the seam between the two parts comprises at least two seam finishing stitches, and the connection being free of stitching between the two finishing stitches, so as to allow the cover to be incised between the two finishing stitches.