Steering Wheel Decorative Component Reinforcement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheels with decorative components made of different materials, such as natural wood and synthetic resin, experience significant deformation due to thermal expansion differences, leading to design property reduction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a metal reinforcement member into the decorative component of the steering wheel, which is fixed to the core via a mount seat or engagement portion, enhances the rigidity and stability of the decorative component, suppressing deformation and maintaining design integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a decorative component is made of different materials (e.g., natural wood and synthetic resin), then the design property is enhanced, but the deformation becomes remarkable due to thermal expansion differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a decorative element (natural wood or other material) with a base portion made of synthetic resin. This allows the decorative component to achieve enhanced design properties while the synthetic resin base provides structural stability. The engagement portion is made of the same synthetic resin material as the base portion, ensuring consistent thermal expansion characteristics and preventing deformation at the junction between different materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If a decorative component is made of different materials, then the design property is enhanced, but the rigidity of the decorative component is insufficient leading to floating or separation at end portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials structure where the decorative element is mounted on a synthetic resin base portion. The synthetic resin material provides the necessary rigidity and structural support, while the decorative element contributes to design properties. This composite structure prevents the decorative component from deforming or separating under thermal stress.
3Adaptability or versatility
If natural wood is used for decorative element and synthetic resin for base portion, then design variety is improved, but the physical properties such as expansion coefficients differ causing remarkable deformation at high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the engagement portion of the same material as the base portion (both synthetic resin). This ensures that the engagement portion has matching thermal expansion characteristics with the base portion, preventing differential expansion and maintaining dimensional stability at high temperatures, while still allowing design variety through different decorative elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material structure where the decorative element (natural wood or other material) is mounted on a synthetic resin base portion. The synthetic resin base provides consistent physical properties and thermal expansion characteristics, ensuring reliability and dimensional stability while allowing design variety through different decorative elements.
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 reinforcement member increases the rigidity of the decorative component, preventing deformation and maintaining the steering wheel's design properties even under varying temperature conditions, allowing for a more stable and aesthetically consistent appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the physical properties such as expansion coefficients thereof differ. For example, in the event that a natural wood is used for part or the whole of the decorative element, whereas a synthetic resin is used for the base portion, in an atmosphere where the temperature is higher than the room temperature (80 to 100° C.), the wood tends to contract largely
Data Source
AI summary
A steering wheel has a rim part, and the rim part includes a rim core portion which is made through die casting and a rim cover portion which covers an outer surface of the rim core portion. The rim cover portion is provided with a rim cover body and a garnish made of a synthetic resin. A reinforcement member is provided on the garnish.