JP3856390B2 - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering wheel used for steering a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a steering wheel is configured by a boss mounting portion attached to a steering shaft extending to a gear box, a rim that is a grip portion of a driver, and a spoke that fixes the boss mounting portion and the rim (for example, Patent Document 1).
As is well known, this steering wheel transmits a rotational force to the steering shaft for steering the vehicle.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-T-2001-511093 (refer to page 7, line 6 to page 8, line 19 and FIG. 1)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the steering wheel is used for steering a vehicle, rigidity is required. In addition, the steering wheel must have a structure that absorbs vibrations caused by engine vibration and road surface reaction force transmitted through the steering shaft during driving of the vehicle.
[0005]
On the other hand, with the increasing number of vehicle designs, many attempts have been made to create steering wheel designs. However, with conventional steering wheels, the design is maintained while maintaining sufficient rigidity and vibration control. It was not possible to improve sex.
[0006]
Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the steering wheel which is excellent in rigidity and vibration suppression property, and can improve the designability.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problem is that a boss mounting portion, a rim, and one end are fixed to the boss mounting portion, and a predetermined angle is formed with respect to a virtual plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rim. A steering wheel comprising a plurality of spokes, and further comprising reinforcing members whose ends extending between the spokes are fixed to the spokes, wherein the spoke has a thickness or width reduced on the one end side. A portion is formed, and the reinforcing member is provided between the spokes so as to be inclined at an angle smaller than the predetermined angle with respect to the virtual plane .
[0008]
In this steering wheel, both ends of a reinforcing member extending between the spokes are fixed to both spokes. That is, since the reinforcing member functions as a beam for connecting the spokes, the fixing structure of the boss mounting portion and the rim is reinforced, so that the steering wheel has increased rigidity.
[0009]
Further, in this steering wheel, for example, when vibration caused by engine vibration or road surface reaction force is transmitted to the boss mounting portion, the vibration is absorbed by the spring portion formed on the spoke boss mounting portion side. Therefore, according to this steering wheel, vibration transmitted to the rim fixed to the other end of the spoke is reduced. As a result, the driver can steer without causing discomfort.
[0010]
Moreover, in this steering wheel, since the rigidity of the steering wheel is enhanced by the reinforcing member, the spoke can be made thinner than the conventional steering wheel. As a result, the design variations of the steering wheel are increased and the design properties are improved.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering wheel according to the first aspect, the boss mounting portion, the rim, the spoke, and the reinforcing member are formed integrally with each other.
[0012]
According to this steering wheel, since the boss mounting portion, the rim, the spoke and the reinforcing member are integrally formed, it is possible to easily and inexpensively form a structure having rigidity and vibration damping properties.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering wheel according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2A is a top view of the steering wheel in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a view in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the XX line.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel A according to the present embodiment mainly includes a boss mounting portion 11, a rim 12, a first reinforcement 13a, and a pair of second reinforcements 13b and 13b (hereinafter referred to as “a”). If the reinforcement is not specified, it is simply referred to as “reinforcement 13”) and first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth spokes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f ( Hereinafter, when the spoke is not specified, it is simply referred to as “spoke 14”. The first and second reinforcements 13a, 13b, and 13b correspond to “reinforcing members” in the claims.
[0015]
The boss mounting portion 11 is attached to the tip of a steering shaft 16 extending upward from a gear box (not shown). The boss mounting portion 11 is engaged with the tip of the steering shaft 16 so that the rotational force of the steering wheel A is transmitted to the steering shaft 16. The outer shape of the boss attachment portion 11 has a quadrangular prism shape, and one end of the spoke 14 is fixed to the three side walls 11a. In addition, as long as this boss | hub attachment part 11 is a shape which can fix these spokes 14, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the external shape.
[0016]
The rim 12 is a ring-shaped member and constitutes a driver's grip. The rim 12 is disposed above the boss mounting portion 11 so that the rotation axis when the driver rotates the rim 12 coincides with the rotation axis of the steering shaft 16. The rim 12 and the boss mounting portion 11 are fixed via spokes 14 described below.
[0017]
The first to sixth spokes 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f are arranged in this order clockwise around the boss mounting portion 11, as is apparent when referring to FIG. 2 (a). Yes. Each of the first to sixth spokes 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e, 14 f is fixed to the side wall 11 a of the boss mounting portion 11 and extends from the boss mounting portion 11. The end is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the rim 12. That is, each of the first to sixth spokes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, and 14f extends obliquely upward from one end side fixed to the boss mounting portion 11 as shown in FIG. The other end is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the rim 12. The cross-sectional shape of the spokes 14 is not particularly limited.
[0018]
Each of the spokes 14 has a spring portion 15 formed on one end thereof, that is, on the boss attachment portion 11 side, as shown in FIG. This spring part 15 is comprised by the area which increased / decreased the thickness, width | variety, outer diameter, etc. of the spoke 14, and makes the said area function as a leaf | plate spring or a wire spring.
[0019]
The first and second reinforcements 13 a, 13 b, and 13 b are long members having a rectangular cross section C, and reinforce the fixing structure between the boss mounting portion 11 and the rim 12. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first reinforcement 13a extends in an arc shape between the first and sixth spokes 14a, 14f, and both ends thereof are fixed to the first and sixth spokes 14a, 14f. Has been. Of the pair of second reinforcements 13b and 13b, one second reinforcement 13b is spanned between the second spoke 14b and the third spoke 14c, and these second and third spokes are provided. 14b and 14c are fixed. The other second reinforcement 13b is spanned between the fourth spoke 14d and the fifth spoke 14e and is fixed to the fourth and fifth spokes 14d and 14e. These first and second reinforcements 13a, 13b, 13b are arranged so as to extend in a virtual plane P orthogonal to the rotation axis Ax of the rim 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). Has been. Note that the position of the virtual plane P is between the fixing portion between the spoke 14 and the boss mounting portion 11 and the fixing portion between the spoke 14 and the rim 12 as long as the rigidity and vibration damping performance of the steering wheel A are not impaired. It can be set appropriately.
[0020]
The boss attachment portion 11, the rim 12, the spoke 14, and the reinforcement 13 are integrally formed with each other. The boss attachment portion 11, the rim 12, the spoke 14, and the reinforcement 13 can be made of, for example, a metal material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or a magnesium alloy, or a composite material including carbon fiber. In particular, considering the function of the spring portion 15, the material of the reinforcing member is preferably an elastic material.
[0021]
In the steering wheel A according to this embodiment, the vibration generated by the engine vibration and the road surface reaction force is transmitted to the boss mounting portion 11 via the steering shaft 16. The vibration transmitted to the boss attachment part 11 is absorbed by the spring part 15 formed on the boss attachment part 11 side of the spoke 14. As a result, according to the steering wheel A, the vibration transmitted to the rim 12 fixed to the other end of the spoke 14 is reduced, so that the driver can steer without causing discomfort.
[0022]
Further, in the steering wheel A according to the present embodiment, the spokes 14 that fix the boss attachment portion 11 and the rim 12 are fixed by the reinforcement 13. In other words, since the reinforcement 13 functions as a beam for fixing the spokes 14 to each other, the fixing structure of the boss mounting portion 11 and the rim 12 is reinforced, so that the steering wheel A is improved in rigidity. The rigidity in the radial direction is further increased.
[0023]
And in this steering wheel A, since the spokes 14 are fixed to each other by the reinforcement 13, the stress applied to each of the spokes 14 is reduced, so that the spokes 14 can be made thinner. As a result, compared with the conventional steering wheel, the amount (volume, area, etc.) occupied by one spoke 14 in the entire steering wheel A is reduced. Therefore, according to this steering wheel A, it is possible to reduce the weight while maintaining the rigidity equal to or higher than the rigidity of the conventional steering wheel.
[0024]
Moreover, according to this steering wheel A, since the spoke 14 can be made thin and the reinforcement 13 is further provided, the design variations of the steering wheel A are increased and the design is improved.
[0025]
Further, in this steering wheel A, since the boss mounting portion 11, the rim 12, the spoke 14 and the reinforcement 13 are integrally formed, the structure having the rigidity and vibration damping properties described above can be easily and inexpensively formed. Can do.
[0026]
Although the steering wheel of the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
[0027]
For example, in the present embodiment, the first and second reinforcements 13a, 13b, and 13b are arranged so as to extend in a virtual plane P orthogonal to the rotation axis Ax of the rim 12 (FIG. 2A). The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the second reinforcement 13b and the second reinforcement 13b form an angle θ with respect to the virtual plane P described above. The spoke 14 may be connected. Further, at this time, the arrangement position of the first reinforcement 13a can be set irrespective of the arrangement position of the second reinforcement 13b as long as the rigidity and vibration damping performance of the steering wheel are not hindered.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the first reinforcement 13a is disposed between the first and sixth spokes 14a, 14f, and the second reinforcements 13b, 13b are respectively the second and third spokes 14b, 14c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position where the reinforcement 13 is arranged is at least two of the reinforcements 13. Any position that can be fixed to the spoke 14 is acceptable. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the steering wheel is provided between the first and second spokes 14a and 14b, between the third and fourth spokes 14c and 14d, and between the fifth and sixth spokes 14e and 14f. Reinforcement 13 may be arranged in each of them.
[0029]
Further, in the present embodiment, six spokes 14 are disposed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of spokes 14 can be appropriately set within a range of two or more. . For example, the steering wheel may be provided with four spokes 14 as shown in FIG. 4 (b), or three spokes 14 as shown in FIG. 4 (c). It may be arranged. Note that the reinforcement 13 of such a steering wheel may be arranged at a position where it is fixed to at least two spokes 14.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the first reinforcement 13a for fixing the first spoke 14a and the sixth spoke 14f is exemplified as an arc shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5A, the first reinforcement 13a may be linear. Further, the first reinforcement 13a may be bent, and as a bending mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, one place of the first reinforcement 13a is predetermined. The first rain 13b is bent at a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. 5C, and the first rain as shown in FIG. 5D. For example, the forceps 13a may be bent at a predetermined angle at three or more locations. Although not shown, the steering wheel of the present invention may be formed such that a plurality of portions of the first reinforcement 13a are curved in a corrugated shape, or these waves are applied to the first reinforcement 13a. What combined the type | mold and bending may be given. In addition, you may change the shape of the 2nd reinforcement 13b similarly to the shape of such a 1st reinforcement 13a.
[0031]
Further, the steering wheel A according to the present embodiment includes the reinforcement 13 (see FIG. 2B) having a rectangular cross section C, but the present invention is not limited to this. The reinforcement 13 used in the present invention is not limited in its cross-sectional shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the cross-sectional shape is trapezoidal or as shown in FIG. 6 (b). The cross-sectional shape is circular, or the cross-sectional shape is triangular as shown in FIG. Further, the reinforcement 13 may have a cross-sectional shape that gradually changes as it proceeds in the extending direction. For example, as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional area may gradually become smaller toward both ends, or the central portion may be constricted as shown in FIG. In addition, the reinforcement 13 may be composed of a composite member in which a plurality of members are connected. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first reinforcement member 13c having a triangular prism and the first prism member having a quadrangular prism are used. The two reinforcement members 13d and the cylindrical third reinforcement member 13e may be fixed to each other and integrated. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the reinforcement 13 may have a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases as it extends from the spoke 14, or as shown in FIG. 8B. In addition, the cross-sectional area may gradually increase as it extends from the spoke 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, the reinforcement 13 includes a base end portion 13f fixed to the spoke 14 and a reinforcement main body 13g extending from the base end portion 13f. Also good. In the steering wheel of the present invention, the energy absorption characteristic when an impact load is applied to the steering wheel can be adjusted by changing the shape of the reinforcement 13 in this way.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, the spring portion 15 is formed by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the spoke 14 as described above, but the leaf spring or the like is formed, but the present invention is not limited to this, For example, the section in which the thickness or the like is increased or decreased may be further processed into a corrugated shape. In the steering wheel of the present invention, by changing the thickness, shape, etc. of the spring portion 15 in this way, the spring constant can be changed and the vibration damping characteristics of the steering wheel can be optimized.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the boss mounting portion 11, the rim 12, the spoke 14 and the reinforcement 13 are integrally formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is a separate member. The boss mounting portion 11, the rim 12, the spoke 14, and the reinforcement 13 may be connected to each other.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the steering wheel of the first aspect, it is possible to exhibit excellent rigidity and vibration damping properties, and it is possible to improve design properties.
Further, according to the steering wheel of the second aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and a structure having rigidity and vibration damping can be easily and inexpensively formed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering wheel according to an embodiment.
2A is a top view of the steering wheel of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a steering wheel according to another embodiment.
4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c) are schematic views of a steering wheel according to another embodiment. FIG.
FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b), 5 (c) and 5 (d) are views of a reinforcement (reinforcing member) used in a steering wheel according to another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram.
6 (a), 6 (b), 6 (c), 6 (d), and 6 (e) are diagrams showing a reinforcement used in a steering wheel according to another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of a ment (reinforcing member).
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a reinforcement (reinforcing member) used in a steering wheel according to another embodiment.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are partial perspective views of a reinforcement (reinforcing member) used in a steering wheel according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Boss mounting part 12 Rim 13 Reinforcement (reinforcing member)
13a First reinforcement (reinforcing member)
13b Second reinforcement (reinforcing member)
14 Spoke 14a 1st spoke 14b 2nd spoke 14c 3rd spoke 14d 4th spoke 14e 5th spoke 14f 6th spoke 15 Spring part

Claims (3)

In a steering wheel comprising: a boss mounting portion; a rim; and a plurality of spokes having one end fixed to the boss mounting portion and forming a predetermined angle with respect to a virtual plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rim .
While further comprising a reinforcing member whose both ends extending between the spokes are fixed to the spoke, the spoke is formed with a spring portion with reduced thickness or width on the one end side ,
The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is provided between the spokes with an inclination smaller than the predetermined angle with respect to the virtual plane .   The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the boss mounting portion, the rim, the spoke, and the reinforcing member are integrally formed with each other. The steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing member has a cross-sectional shape that changes in a direction in which the reinforcing member extends.

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