JP2011088590A - Steering wheel for automobile - Google Patents

Steering wheel for automobile Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2011088590A
JP2011088590A JP2009245222A JP2009245222A JP2011088590A JP 2011088590 A JP2011088590 A JP 2011088590A JP 2009245222 A JP2009245222 A JP 2009245222A JP 2009245222 A JP2009245222 A JP 2009245222A JP 2011088590 A JP2011088590 A JP 2011088590A
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Prior art keywords
airbag module
occupant
steering wheel
module cover
airbag
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JP2009245222A
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Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Yohei Kiuchi
陽平 木内
Minoru Oda
実 尾田
Kazuhiro Tono
和弘 遠野
Chiri Ishikawa
智理 石川
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Nihon Plast Co Ltd
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Nihon Plast Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2009245222A priority Critical patent/JP2011088590A/en
Publication of JP2011088590A publication Critical patent/JP2011088590A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering wheel for an automobile without the fear of catching an airbag by an airbag module cover even if the airbag module cover is deformed. <P>SOLUTION: The steering wheel for an automobile includes a rim 4 arranged in a boss 2 through spokes 3 and the airbag module cover 5 including the airbag foldedly arranged in the boss 2 and protecting an occupant by inflating by gas generated by an inflator 12. The airbag module cover 5 is formed by integrating a cover body 5c formed of a material elastically deformable by a load of the occupant and a retaining member 6 formed of a material plastically deformable by the load of the occupant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、自動車用ステアリングホイール、特に、乗員頭部及び腰部を保護するエアバッグ装置を備えた自動車用ステアリングホイールに関するものである。   The present invention relates to an automobile steering wheel, and more particularly to an automobile steering wheel provided with an airbag device for protecting an occupant's head and waist.

従来の自動車用ステアリングホイール、特に、乗員を保護するエアバッグ装置を備えた自動車用ステアリングホイールとしては、中央部に位置したボス部と、該ボス部に支持されたインフレータから発生するガスにより乗員へ向けて膨張可能なるエアバッグ装置を収納するエアバッグモジュールカバーと、運転者が把持するリムと、該リム及び前記ボス部を連結するスポーク部とを備えてなる（先行技術文献１）ものが、従来技術として知られている。   Conventional steering wheels for automobiles, particularly automobile steering wheels equipped with an airbag device for protecting an occupant, are provided to the occupant by a gas generated from a boss portion located at the center and an inflator supported by the boss portion. An airbag module cover that houses an airbag device that can be inflated toward the vehicle, a rim that is gripped by the driver, and a spoke portion that connects the rim and the boss portion (prior art document 1), Known as prior art.

特開２００３−１４６１６８号公報JP 2003-146168 A

しかしながら、かかる従来技術は、エアバッグモジュールカバーが弾性変形し得る材料により形成されていると共にリムに近接するまで延在して形成されてなるため、前面衝突時に乗員の手などがエアバッグモジュールカバーにぶつかった際に、エアバッグモジュールカバーが変形すると共に膨張してくるエアバッグが、変形したエアバッグモジュールカバーのエッジに引っ掛かるおそれがある。   However, in this conventional technique, the airbag module cover is formed of a material that can be elastically deformed, and is formed to extend to the vicinity of the rim. When the air bag module hits the air bag, the air bag module cover may be deformed and the inflated air bag may be caught on the edge of the deformed air bag module cover.

上記の課題を解決するために、本発明は、エアバッグモジュールカバーが変形しても、該エアバッグモジュールカバーにエアバッグが引っ掛かるおそれのない自動車用ステアリングホイールを提供するものである。   In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a steering wheel for an automobile in which even if the airbag module cover is deformed, the airbag does not get caught on the airbag module cover.

上記の課題を解決するために、本発明の請求項１記載の自動車用ステアリングホイールは、ステアリングシャフトの上端部に回転自在に連結するボス部と、該ボス部にスポークを介して配置されてなるリムと、前記ボス部に折り畳まれて配置され且つインフレータから発生するガスにより膨張することで乗員を保護可能なるエアバッグを備えてなるエアバッグモジュールカバーとを少なくとも備えてなる自動車用ステアリングホイールであって、前記エアバッグモジュールカバーは、乗員による荷重で弾性変形し得る材料で形成されてなるカバー本体と、乗員による荷重で塑性変形し得る材料で形成されてなる保持部材とより一体化されてなることを特徴とする。   In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the automobile steering wheel according to claim 1 of the present invention is configured to be disposed with a boss portion rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the steering shaft, and the boss portion via a spoke. A steering wheel for an automobile comprising at least a rim and an airbag module cover provided with an airbag that is folded on the boss portion and is inflated by gas generated from an inflator so as to protect an occupant. The airbag module cover is integrated with a cover body formed of a material that can be elastically deformed by a load from the occupant and a holding member formed of a material that can be plastically deformed by the load of the occupant. It is characterized by that.

また、本発明の請求項２記載の自動車用ステアリングホイールは、請求項１記載の前記保持部材は、断面が略Ｌ字状をなし、前記カバー本体に支持されてなることを特徴とする。   According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel for an automobile, wherein the holding member according to the first aspect has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is supported by the cover body.

請求項１記載の発明によれば、前面衝突等により乗員により前記エアバッグモジュールカバーのカバー本体に荷重が加えられて、該カバー本体が変形した場合、該カバー本体と一体化されてなる保持部材が塑性変形することで、前記エアバッグモジュールカバーが変形した位置に保持されるため、膨張してなるエアバッグが、前記エアバッグモジュールカバーに引っ掛かるおそれがないことになる、という効果を奏する。   According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a load is applied to the cover body of the airbag module cover by an occupant due to a frontal collision or the like, and the cover body is deformed, the holding member integrated with the cover body Due to the plastic deformation, the airbag module cover is held at the deformed position, so that the inflated airbag is not likely to be caught on the airbag module cover.

また、請求項２記載の発明によれば、前記保持部材は、断面が略Ｌ字状をなし、前記カバー本体に支持されてなるため、前記保持部材の製造原価が安価で済む、という効果を奏する。   According to the invention of claim 2, since the holding member has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is supported by the cover body, the manufacturing cost of the holding member can be reduced. Play.

本発明の実施例１に係るエアバッグモジュールを搭載した自動車用ステアリングホイールの正面図。BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of an automobile steering wheel equipped with an airbag module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 図１のＳＡ−ＳＡ線に沿った拡大断面図。The expanded sectional view along the SA-SA line of FIG. 図２のエアバッグモジュールに荷重が加えられて変形した状態を示す図２相当断面図。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a state in which the airbag module of FIG. 2 is deformed by applying a load. 図１乃至図３に開示されたエアバッグモジュールの単品を裏側から見て、補強エリアを示した斜視図。The perspective view which showed the reinforcement area seeing the single item of the airbag module disclosed by FIG. 1 thru | or 3 from the back side. 図４に示す補強エリア内に保持部材を設けたエアバッグモジュールの単品を示す図４相当斜視図。The perspective view equivalent to FIG. 4 which shows the single item of the airbag module which provided the holding member in the reinforcement area shown in FIG. 図５に示すエアバッグモジュールの単品を裏側から見た正面図。The front view which looked at the single item of the airbag module shown in FIG. 5 from the back side. 図６の側面図。The side view of FIG. 図７のＳＢ−ＳＢ線に沿った断面図。Sectional drawing along the SB-SB line | wire of FIG. 本発明の実施例２に係るエアバッグモジュールの単品を裏側から見た正面図。The front view which looked at the single item of the airbag module which concerns on Example 2 of this invention from the back side.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、詳細に説明する。本発明において、エアバッグモジュールカバーが変形しても、該エアバッグモジュールカバーにエアバッグが引っ掛かるおそれのない自動車用ステアリングホイールを提供するという目的を、ステアリングシャフトの上端部に回転自在に連結するボス部と、該ボス部にスポークを介して配置されてなるリムと、前記ボス部に折り畳まれて配置され且つインフレータから発生するガスにより膨張することで乗員を保護可能なるエアバッグを備えてなるエアバッグモジュールカバーとを少なくとも備えてなる自動車用ステアリングホイールであって、前記エアバッグモジュールカバーは、乗員による荷重で弾性変形し得る材料で形成されてなるカバー本体と、乗員による荷重で塑性変形し得る材料で形成されてなる保持部材とより一体化されてなることで、実現した。以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて説明する。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present invention, a boss that is rotatably connected to an upper end portion of a steering shaft for the purpose of providing an automobile steering wheel that does not cause the airbag to be caught on the airbag module cover even if the airbag module cover is deformed. Part, a rim arranged on the boss part via spokes, and an air bag which is arranged to be folded on the boss part and which can protect an occupant by being inflated by gas generated from the inflator A steering wheel for an automobile comprising at least a bag module cover, wherein the airbag module cover can be plastically deformed by a cover body formed of a material that can be elastically deformed by a load by an occupant and a load by the occupant. It is more integrated with the holding member made of material. That is, it was realized. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

本発明の実施例１に係る構造を、図１〜図８を用いて説明する。この実施例１の自動車用ステアリングホイール１は、図示しないステアリングシャフトの上端部に回転自在に連結するボス部２と、該ボス部２にスポーク３を介して配置されてなる円環状のリム４とよりなる。前記ボス部２には、エアバッグモジュールカバー５が配置されている。符号９は、エアバッグモジュールである。   A structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A vehicle steering wheel 1 according to the first embodiment includes a boss portion 2 that is rotatably connected to an upper end portion of a steering shaft (not shown), and an annular rim 4 that is disposed on the boss portion 2 via spokes 3. It becomes more. An airbag module cover 5 is disposed on the boss portion 2. Reference numeral 9 denotes an airbag module.

前記エアバッグモジュールカバー５は、常時折り畳まれて配置され且つインフレータ１２から発生するガスにより膨張することで乗員を保護可能なる図示しないエアバッグを収納してなる収納部５ｂと、該収納部５ｂを有する無端的な囲繞部５ａよりリム４に向けて張り出してなるカバー本体５ｃとよりなる。符号５ｄは、前記カバー本体５ｃより裏側に突設されてなるリブである。前記カバー本体５ｃは、前面衝突による二次衝突荷重により図示しない乗員が前側に移動する際、上半身、特に手で押す荷重（図３の白抜き矢印）で弾性変形し得る材料（例えばＴＰＯ又はＴＰＥ）で形成されてなる。符号６は、乗員による荷重で塑性変形し得る材料（例えば、鉄板）で形成されてなる保持部材であり、エアバッグモジュールカバー５に一体化されてなる。かかる保持部材６は、温度の相違によっては、性能の影響が出にくい軟鋼材である。かかる軟鋼材が、例えばＳＰＣＣの場合、板厚０．６〜０．８mm、幅寸法１０mm程度である。   The airbag module cover 5 is always folded and disposed, and a storage portion 5b for storing an airbag (not shown) capable of protecting an occupant by being inflated by gas generated from the inflator 12, and the storage portion 5b. The cover body 5c is formed by projecting toward the rim 4 from the endless surrounding portion 5a. Reference numeral 5d is a rib projecting from the cover body 5c on the back side. The cover body 5c is a material (for example, TPO or TPE) that can be elastically deformed by an upper body, particularly a load pushed by a hand (a white arrow in FIG. 3) when a passenger (not shown) moves forward due to a secondary collision load caused by a frontal collision. ). Reference numeral 6 denotes a holding member formed of a material (for example, an iron plate) that can be plastically deformed by a load applied by an occupant, and is integrated with the airbag module cover 5. The holding member 6 is a mild steel material that is less likely to be affected by performance depending on the temperature difference. When such a mild steel material is, for example, SPCC, it has a plate thickness of 0.6 to 0.8 mm and a width dimension of about 10 mm.

前記保持部材６は、図４のエリア１０内に配設することで、効果の出るエリアであり、前記囲繞部５ａにインサート成型されてなる第１固定部６ａと、前記リブ５ｄに熱カシメされてなる第２固定部６ｂとより、断面が略Ｌ字状をなし、前記カバー本体５ｃに支持されてなる。前記第２固定部６ｂには、図５に示すような両幅を削り込んだノッチ８，８が形成されてなることで、前記第２固定部６ｂが折り曲がり易くしてある。   The holding member 6 is an area where an effect is obtained by being disposed in the area 10 of FIG. 4, and is heat caulked to the first fixing portion 6 a formed by insert molding on the surrounding portion 5 a and the rib 5 d. The second fixing portion 6b is substantially L-shaped in cross section and is supported by the cover body 5c. The second fixing portion 6b is formed with notches 8 and 8 cut into both widths as shown in FIG. 5, so that the second fixing portion 6b is easily bent.

次に、この実施例１の作用を説明する。   Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

前面衝突等により、乗員により前記エアバッグモジュールカバー５のカバー本体５ｃに図３の白抜き矢印のように、荷重が加えられて、該カバー本体５ｃが変形した場合、該カバー本体５ｃと一体化されてなる保持部材６が塑性変形することで、前記エアバッグモジュールカバー５が変形した位置に保持されるため、膨張してなるエアバッグが、前記エアバッグモジュールカバー５に引っ掛かるおそれがないことになる、という効果を奏する。   When a load is applied to the cover body 5c of the airbag module cover 5 by the occupant as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 3 due to a frontal collision or the like, and the cover body 5c is deformed, it is integrated with the cover body 5c. Since the air bag module cover 5 is held at the deformed position by the plastic deformation of the holding member 6 thus formed, there is no possibility that the inflated air bag is caught on the air bag module cover 5. The effect of becoming.

また、前記保持部材６は、断面が略Ｌ字状をなし、前記カバー本体５ｃに支持されてなるため、前記保持部材６の製造原価が安価で済む、という効果を奏する。   Further, since the holding member 6 has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is supported by the cover body 5c, the manufacturing cost of the holding member 6 can be reduced.

更に、前記保持部材６は、囲繞部５ａに支持されてなるので、前記エアバッグモジュールカバー５の囲繞部５ａの強度向上に寄与しているばかりか、前記保持部材６が金属材よりなるので、ホーンの接点として利用できることになる。   Furthermore, since the holding member 6 is supported by the surrounding portion 5a, it not only contributes to improving the strength of the surrounding portion 5a of the airbag module cover 5, but the holding member 6 is made of a metal material. It can be used as a horn contact point.

本発明の実施例２に係る構造を、図９を用いて説明する。この実施例２のエアバッグモジュールカバー５には、保持部材６の代わりに、保持部材１１が配置されている。   A structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the airbag module cover 5 of the second embodiment, a holding member 11 is disposed instead of the holding member 6.

前記保持部材１１は、図４のエリア１０内に配設するもので、前記囲繞部５ａに埋設されてなる第１固定部１１ａと、前記カバー本体５ｃに熱カシメ５ｅ，５ｅされてなる第２固定部１１ｂとより、断面が略Ｌ字状をなしてなる。符号１１ｅは、前記第２固定部１１ｂに形成された抜き孔である。   The holding member 11 is disposed in the area 10 of FIG. 4 and includes a first fixing portion 11a embedded in the surrounding portion 5a and a second caulking 5e, 5e formed on the cover body 5c. The cross section is substantially L-shaped by the fixing portion 11b. Reference numeral 11e denotes a hole formed in the second fixing portion 11b.

前記実施例１，２で、保持部材６，１１とエアバッグモジュールカバー５とは、インサート成型として説明しているが、これに限定せず、熱溶着によるカシメ、爪を利用しての固定などでも良い。   In the first and second embodiments, the holding members 6 and 11 and the airbag module cover 5 are described as insert molding. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and crimping by thermal welding, fixing by using claws, and the like. But it ’s okay.

１ 自動車用ステアリングホイール
２ ボス部
３ スポーク
４ リム
５ エアバッグモジュールカバー
５ｃ カバー本体
６、１１ 保持部材
１２ インフレータ DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel for motor vehicles 2 Boss part 3 Spoke 4 Rim 5 Airbag module cover 5c Cover main body 6, 11 Holding member 12 Inflator

Claims (2)

ステアリングシャフトの上端部に回転自在に連結するボス部と、該ボス部にスポークを介して配置されてなるリムと、前記ボス部に折り畳まれて配置され且つインフレータから発生するガスにより膨張することで乗員を保護可能なるエアバッグを備えてなるエアバッグモジュールカバーとを少なくとも備えてなる自動車用ステアリングホイールであって、
前記エアバッグモジュールカバーは、乗員による荷重で弾性変形し得る材料で形成されてなるカバー本体と、乗員による荷重で塑性変形し得る材料で形成されてなる保持部材とより一体化されてなることを特徴とする自動車用ステアリングホイール。 A boss portion that is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the steering shaft, a rim that is disposed on the boss portion via a spoke, and a fold portion that is folded on the boss portion and is expanded by gas generated from the inflator. An automotive steering wheel including at least an airbag module cover including an airbag capable of protecting an occupant,
The airbag module cover is integrated with a cover body formed of a material that can be elastically deformed by a load by an occupant and a holding member formed of a material that can be plastically deformed by a load by the occupant. A featured vehicle steering wheel. 請求項１記載の自動車用ステアリングホイールであって、
前記保持部材は、断面が略Ｌ字状をなし、前記カバー本体に支持されてなることを特徴とする自動車用ステアリングホイール。 The automobile steering wheel according to claim 1,
The holding member has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is supported by the cover body.
JP2009245222A 2009-10-26 2009-10-26 Steering wheel for automobile Pending JP2011088590A (en)

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Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0516516A (en) * 1991-07-16 1993-01-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Decorative sheet
JPH0510120U (en) * 1991-07-25 1993-02-09 豊田合成株式会社 Air bag device pad
JPH061196A (en) * 1992-04-24 1994-01-11 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Steering wheel provided with air bag device
JPH092183A (en) * 1995-06-14 1997-01-07 Toyo Tire & Rubber Co Ltd Air bag device for vehicle
JPH10119789A (en) * 1996-10-16 1998-05-12 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Steering wheel
JPH10166983A (en) * 1996-12-13 1998-06-23 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Wheel pad structure
JP2001233159A (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-08-28 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Air bag device assembling structure
JP2001278066A (en) * 2000-03-31 2001-10-10 Nippon Plast Co Ltd Steering wheel
JP2003146168A (en) * 2001-11-14 2003-05-21 T S Tec Kk Steering wheel with airbag module

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0516516A (en) * 1991-07-16 1993-01-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Decorative sheet
JPH0510120U (en) * 1991-07-25 1993-02-09 豊田合成株式会社 Air bag device pad
JPH061196A (en) * 1992-04-24 1994-01-11 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Steering wheel provided with air bag device
JPH092183A (en) * 1995-06-14 1997-01-07 Toyo Tire & Rubber Co Ltd Air bag device for vehicle
JPH10119789A (en) * 1996-10-16 1998-05-12 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Steering wheel
JPH10166983A (en) * 1996-12-13 1998-06-23 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Wheel pad structure
JP2001233159A (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-08-28 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Air bag device assembling structure
JP2001278066A (en) * 2000-03-31 2001-10-10 Nippon Plast Co Ltd Steering wheel
JP2003146168A (en) * 2001-11-14 2003-05-21 T S Tec Kk Steering wheel with airbag module

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