JPH02171381A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Steering wheel

Info

Publication number
JPH02171381A
JPH02171381A JP63329583A JP32958388A JPH02171381A JP H02171381 A JPH02171381 A JP H02171381A JP 63329583 A JP63329583 A JP 63329583A JP 32958388 A JP32958388 A JP 32958388A JP H02171381 A JPH02171381 A JP H02171381A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
pad
section
bracket
steering wheel
pad section
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP63329583A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPH0785990B2 (en
Inventor
Kazuo Fukazawa
深澤 和男
Kazunari Isaka
井坂 一成
Hidenori Kurata
倉田 秀則
Yasutaka Koga
古賀 泰孝
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissan Motor Co Ltd filed Critical Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority to JP63329583A priority Critical patent/JPH0785990B2/en
Publication of JPH02171381A publication Critical patent/JPH02171381A/en
Publication of JPH0785990B2 publication Critical patent/JPH0785990B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To install switches at a position easy to be actuated by fitting a bracket which has a switch installation section on the front surface side of a pad section, onto a portion other than the pad section of a main body, and thereby making it possible that the bracket is deformed by the pad section which is opened when an air bag is expanded. CONSTITUTION:The fixing section 18 of a bracket 16 is fitted on the lower side surface 10 of a steering wheel main body 8, a switch installation section 17 is located on the front surface side of a pad section 9 so that various switches 19 are installed thereon. The bracket 16 is made of resin which is flexible but is strong enough to the extent that it does not interfere with actuating switches 19. In case of a vehicle collision, a great amount of gas evolves from a gas producer 15 so that an air bag E starts expanding while the pad section 9 is pushed up so as to be broken at its nicks 12 and 13, which permits the pad section to be opened. The bracket 16 is pushed up by the pad section 9 at the lower side which is opened, while being easily deformed, the switch installation section 17 thereby does not interfere with opening of the pad section 9 though the installation section is located on the front side of the pad section 9.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 〈産業上の利用分野〉 この発明はステアリングホイール、特に車両衝突時の安
全対策として乗員保護用のエアバッグ機構を備えている
ステアリングホイールに関する。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a steering wheel, and particularly to a steering wheel equipped with an airbag mechanism for protecting occupants as a safety measure in the event of a vehicle collision.

〈従来の技術〉 従来のステアリングホイールとしては、例えば第4図に
示すようなものがある〔自動車工学全書第16巻(株式
会社山海堂・昭和55年3月発行)第157〜161真
参照〕。
<Prior art> For example, there is a conventional steering wheel as shown in Fig. 4 [Refer to Automotive Engineering Zensho Vol. 16 (Sankaido Co., Ltd., published March 1980) Nos. 157-161] .

1がステアリングホイールで、中央のステアリングホイ
ール本体2(以下本体2と称す)とその周りのホイール
部3とから構成されている。このステアリングホイール
1の本体2内にはエアバッグ(図示せぬ)が折りたたみ
状態で格納されている。このエアバッグは車両衝突時に
本体2のパッド部4を押し破って膨張・展開し、乗員と
ステアリングホイールlとの直接衝突を防いで乗員保護
を図らんとするためのものである。エアバッグを格納し
た本体2のパッド部4は、エアバッグにて容易に押し破
れるように分割線5でもって上下に2分割自在となって
おり、押し破られて分割された各々のパッド部4が上下
に開成できるようになっている(図中の想像線部分)。
Reference numeral 1 denotes a steering wheel, which is composed of a central steering wheel body 2 (hereinafter referred to as body 2) and a wheel portion 3 surrounding the steering wheel body 2. An airbag (not shown) is stored in the main body 2 of the steering wheel 1 in a folded state. This airbag is intended to protect the occupant by pushing through the pad portion 4 of the main body 2 and inflating and deploying in the event of a vehicle collision, thereby preventing a direct collision between the occupant and the steering wheel l. The pad portion 4 of the main body 2 in which the airbag is stored can be divided into two vertically along a dividing line 5 so that it can be easily torn by the airbag. can be opened up and down (imaginary lines in the diagram).

従ってこのようなステアリングホイール1に各種車載装
備用のスイッチ6を設置しようとするには、パッド部4
の開成の邪魔にならない部位、例えば図示の如く本体2
の側方部位等に設置せざるを得なかった。
Therefore, in order to install switches 6 for various in-vehicle equipment on such a steering wheel 1, it is necessary to
A part that does not interfere with the opening of the main body 2, for example, as shown in the figure.
It had no choice but to be installed on the side of the body.

〈発明が解決しようとする課題〉 しかしながら、ステアリングホイール1の場合、パッド
部4の開成の邪魔にならない部位といっても限られてい
るので、おのずから設置できるスイッチ6の数に制限が
あった。また、パッド部4の開成の邪魔にならない部位
というのは、一般に乗員から見えづらい部位でもあるの
で、そこにスイッチ6を設置することはスイッチ6の操
作上好ましいとはいえない。スイッチ6の操作性の点か
ら言えば、パッド部4に設置するのが一番であるが、パ
ッド部4にスイッチ6を設置してしまうと、エアバッグ
使用時におけるパッド部4の開成と共にスイッチ6が破
壊されてしまうこととなるので、設置したくてもできな
い。
<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the case of the steering wheel 1, the number of switches 6 that can be installed is naturally limited because there are only a limited number of parts that do not interfere with the opening of the pad part 4. Further, since a portion that does not interfere with the opening of the pad portion 4 is generally a portion that is difficult for the occupant to see, installing the switch 6 there is not preferable for the operation of the switch 6. From the point of view of the operability of the switch 6, it is best to install it on the pad section 4, but if the switch 6 is installed on the pad section 4, the switch 6 will open when the pad section 4 is opened when the airbag is used. 6 would be destroyed, so even if I wanted to install it, I couldn't.

この発明はこのような従来の課題に着目して為されたも
のであり、複数のスイッチを操作し易い部位に設置する
ことができるステアリングホイールを提供せんとするも
のである。
The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel in which a plurality of switches can be installed at positions where they can be easily operated.

〈課題を解決するための手段〉 この発明に係るステアリングホイールは、上記の目的を
達成するため、ステアリングホイール本体のうちのパッ
ド部以外の部分に、スイッチ設置部がパッド部の表面側
に位置するブラケットを取付け、且つ該ブラケットが、
開成するパッド部にて変形可能な可撓性を具備している
ものである。
<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the steering wheel according to the present invention has a switch installation part located on the surface side of the pad part in a part of the steering wheel body other than the pad part. Attach the bracket, and the bracket
It has flexibility so that it can be deformed at the opening of the pad.

く作  用〉 スイッチ設置部がパッド部の表面側に位置するブラケッ
トを取付けたので、このブラケットのスイッチ設置部に
複数のスイッチを自由に設置することができるし、設置
されたスイッチが全てパッド部の表面側に位置するので
操作性も良い。またこのブラケット自体が開成するパッ
ド部にて変形可能な可撓性を具備しているので、スイッ
チ設置部がパッド部の表面側に位置していながらも、パ
ッド部の開成の邪魔になることはなく、ステアリングホ
イール本体内部のエアバッグを確実に膨張・展開せしめ
ることができる。
Function: Since the bracket is installed so that the switch installation part is located on the surface side of the pad part, multiple switches can be freely installed in the switch installation part of this bracket, and all the installed switches can be placed on the pad part. Since it is located on the surface side, it is easy to operate. In addition, this bracket itself has the flexibility to be deformable at the pad section that opens, so even if the switch installation section is located on the surface side of the pad section, it will not interfere with the opening of the pad section. The airbag inside the steering wheel body can be reliably inflated and deployed.

〈実 施 例〉 以下、この発明の好適な一実施例を第1図〜第3図に基
づいて説明する。尚、重複する説明は省略する。。
<Embodiment> Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3. Note that duplicate explanations will be omitted. .

ステアリングホイール7のステアリングホイール本体8
(以下本体8と称す)は、パッド部9と側面部10とか
ら構成されており、パッド部9と側面部10との境界部
分にはパッド部9の開成を容易ならしめるためにヒンジ
となる切込み11がそれぞれ形成されている。またパッ
ド部9には、横方向に沿う分割線としての切断容易な切
込み12がその中央部に、そしてこの切込み12の両端
に縦方向に沿う別の切込み13がそれぞれ形成されてい
る。従ってパッド部9はこれら切込み12.13により
上下に2分割するようになっている。
Steering wheel body 8 of steering wheel 7
(hereinafter referred to as the main body 8) is composed of a pad part 9 and a side part 10, and a hinge is provided at the boundary between the pad part 9 and the side part 10 to facilitate opening of the pad part 9. Cuts 11 are formed respectively. Further, in the pad portion 9, a notch 12 that is easy to cut as a dividing line along the horizontal direction is formed in the center thereof, and other notches 13 are formed along the vertical direction at both ends of this notch 12. Therefore, the pad portion 9 is divided into upper and lower halves by these notches 12 and 13.

Eがエアバッグで、ベース部14に固定されたガス発生
器15に接続されており、通常時は折りたたんだ状態で
本体8内に格納されている。
An airbag E is connected to a gas generator 15 fixed to the base part 14, and is normally stored in the main body 8 in a folded state.

16がブラケットで、スイッチ設置部17と取付部18
とからなる曲折形状をしている。そして、このブラケッ
ト16の取付部18は本体8の下側の側面部10に取付
けられていると共に、スイッチ設置部17はパッド部9
の表面側に位置しており、このスイッチ設置部17には
各種車載装備用のスイッチ19が合計4個設置されてい
る。このブラケット16は、全体が撓わみ易い可撓性を
備えた樹脂にて形成されているが、スイッチ19の操作
には支障ない程度の強度は具備している。そして、特に
この実施例の場合は、ブラケット16のスイッチ設置部
17がパッド部9の表面側に位置(接触)しているので
、スイッチ設置部17がパッド部9にて支えられた状態
となっており、スイッチ19を勢いよく押してもスイッ
チ設置17が撓わまずに済むのでスイッチ19の操作性
が良い。更に、スイッチ設置部17がパッド部9の表面
側に位置していることは、スイッチ19が乗員の目の前
に設置されることにもなるので、乗員は間違うことなく
希望するスイッチ19のみを確実に操作できる。
16 is a bracket, which includes a switch installation part 17 and a mounting part 18.
It has a curved shape consisting of. The mounting portion 18 of this bracket 16 is attached to the lower side surface portion 10 of the main body 8, and the switch installation portion 17 is attached to the pad portion 9.
A total of four switches 19 for various in-vehicle equipment are installed in this switch installation section 17. This bracket 16 is entirely made of a flexible resin that is easily bent, but has enough strength to not interfere with the operation of the switch 19. Particularly in the case of this embodiment, since the switch installation part 17 of the bracket 16 is located on (contacts with) the surface side of the pad part 9, the switch installation part 17 is supported by the pad part 9. Since the switch installation 17 does not bend even if the switch 19 is pressed forcefully, the switch 19 is easy to operate. Furthermore, since the switch installation part 17 is located on the surface side of the pad part 9, the switch 19 is installed in front of the passenger, so the passenger can select only the desired switch 19 without making a mistake. Can be operated reliably.

次に作用を説明する。仮に車両が衝突したとすると、そ
の衝突を図示せぬセンサーが感知してガス発生器15か
ら大量のガスを発生ずる。すると本体8内部のエアバッ
グEが膨張しはじめるので、パッド部9は分割線として
の切込み12.13から押し破られ、ヒンジとしての別
の切込み11を中心にして上下に開成する。パッド部9
が開成すると、エアバッグEは乗員側へ向けて更に膨張
し、最後にはステアリングホィール7全体を覆うべく大
きく展開する。従って、乗員は衝突時にステアリングホ
イール7に直接光たって怪我をすることがない。
Next, the action will be explained. If the vehicle collides, a sensor (not shown) senses the collision and the gas generator 15 generates a large amount of gas. Then, the airbag E inside the main body 8 begins to inflate, so that the pad portion 9 is pushed through the notches 12 and 13 as a parting line and opens vertically around another notch 11 as a hinge. Pad part 9
When the airbag E is inflated, the airbag E further inflates toward the passenger side, and finally expands to cover the entire steering wheel 7. Therefore, the occupants will not be injured by direct glare on the steering wheel 7 in the event of a collision.

また、複数のスイッチェ9を設置したブラケット16に
あっては、全体が撓ねみ易い可撓性を備えた樹脂にて形
成されていることから、開成した下側のパッド部9に押
されて容易に変形するので(第3図参照)、スイッチ設
置部17がパッド部90表面側に位置していながら、パ
ッド部9の開成の邪魔になることはない。従って、前述
の如きエアバッグEの動作を円滑且つ確実に行うことが
でき、信頼性の高い安全性を確保できることとなる。
In addition, since the bracket 16 on which a plurality of switches 9 are installed is entirely made of a flexible resin, it is not pushed by the opened lower pad portion 9. Since it is easily deformed (see FIG. 3), even though the switch installation part 17 is located on the surface side of the pad part 90, it does not get in the way of opening the pad part 9. Therefore, the operation of the airbag E as described above can be performed smoothly and reliably, and highly reliable safety can be ensured.

〈発明の効果〉 この発明に係るステアリングホイールは、以上説明して
きた如き内容のものであって、スイッチ設置部がパッド
部の表面側に位置するブラケットを取付けたので、この
ブラケットのスイッチ設置部に複数のスイッチを自由に
設置することができるという効果がある。
<Effects of the Invention> The steering wheel according to the present invention has the content as described above, and since a bracket is attached in which the switch installation part is located on the surface side of the pad part, the switch installation part of this bracket is This has the advantage that multiple switches can be freely installed.

また、このブラケット自体が、開成するパッド部にて変
形可能な可撓性を具備しているので、スイッチ設置部が
パッド部の表面側に位置していながらも、パッド部の開
成の邪魔になることはなく、エアバッグの動作を円滑且
つ確実に行うことができ、エアバッグによる信頼性の高
い安全性を確保できることとなる。
In addition, this bracket itself is flexible enough to be deformed at the pad section that is opened, so even though the switch installation section is located on the surface side of the pad section, it does not get in the way of opening the pad section. Therefore, the airbag can operate smoothly and reliably, and highly reliable safety can be ensured by the airbag.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第1図はこの発明の一実施例に係るステアリングホイー
ルを示す斜視図、 第2図は第1図中矢示■−■線に沿う断面図、第3図は
エアバッグが膨張・展開した状態を示す前記第2図相当
の断面図、そして 第4図はこの発明の従来例を示すステアリングホイール
の斜視である。 1.7 ・−ステアリングホイール 2.8− 本体 4.9 ・−パッド部 6.19−  スイッチ 10 ・−・ 側面部(パッド部以外の部分)16 ・
・−ブラケット 17 ・−スイッチ設置部 E ・・・ エアバッグ 第2図 ヨ゛ 纏
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 shows the state in which the airbag is inflated and deployed. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a steering wheel showing a conventional example of the present invention. 1.7 - Steering wheel 2.8 - Main body 4.9 - Pad part 6.19 - Switch 10 - Side part (portion other than pad part) 16 -
・-Bracket 17 ・-Switch installation part E...Airbag fig. 2 yoke

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】 ステアリングホィール本体内部に乗員側へ向けて膨張・
展開自在なエアバッグが格納されていると共に、前記ス
テアリングホィール本体のパッド部が膨張・展開するエ
アバッグにより押し破られて開成するステアリングホィ
ールにおいて、上記ステアリングホィール本体のうちの
パッド部以外の部分に、スイッチ設置部がパッド部の表
面側に位置するブラケットを取付け、 且つ該ブラケットが、開成するパッド部にて変形可能な
可撓性を具備していることを特徴とするステアリングホ
ィール。
[Claims] The interior of the steering wheel body expands toward the passenger side.
In a steering wheel in which a deployable airbag is stored and the pad portion of the steering wheel body is opened by being pushed through by the inflated and deployed airbag, the portion of the steering wheel body other than the pad portion A steering wheel, characterized in that a bracket is attached to which the switch installation part is located on the surface side of the pad part, and the bracket has flexibility so that it can be deformed at the pad part that opens.
JP63329583A 1988-12-23 1988-12-23 Steering wheel Expired - Fee Related JPH0785990B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP63329583A JPH0785990B2 (en) 1988-12-23 1988-12-23 Steering wheel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP63329583A JPH0785990B2 (en) 1988-12-23 1988-12-23 Steering wheel

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH02171381A true JPH02171381A (en) 1990-07-03
JPH0785990B2 JPH0785990B2 (en) 1995-09-20

Family

ID=18222973

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP63329583A Expired - Fee Related JPH0785990B2 (en) 1988-12-23 1988-12-23 Steering wheel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH0785990B2 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04271943A (en) * 1990-10-04 1992-09-28 Trw Inc Air bag module cover assembly for vehicular use
JPH05201338A (en) * 1991-09-23 1993-08-10 Morton Internatl Inc Alarming horn switch
JPH072119A (en) * 1993-03-23 1995-01-06 Trw Vehicle Safety Syst Inc Housing assembly and device
US5487557A (en) * 1993-10-20 1996-01-30 Larry J. Winget Air bag cover having an applique fastened thereto and method of manufacturing same
US6047984A (en) * 1998-04-06 2000-04-11 Larry J. Winget Air bag cover and method of making same
US6349616B1 (en) * 1998-11-12 2002-02-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Steering system
US6592142B2 (en) * 2000-07-14 2003-07-15 Volvo Personvagnor Ab Assembly module and method for assembly thereof
JP2006027562A (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-02-02 Mazda Motor Corp Steering wheel having airbag device

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04271943A (en) * 1990-10-04 1992-09-28 Trw Inc Air bag module cover assembly for vehicular use
JPH05201338A (en) * 1991-09-23 1993-08-10 Morton Internatl Inc Alarming horn switch
JPH072119A (en) * 1993-03-23 1995-01-06 Trw Vehicle Safety Syst Inc Housing assembly and device
US5487557A (en) * 1993-10-20 1996-01-30 Larry J. Winget Air bag cover having an applique fastened thereto and method of manufacturing same
US5529336A (en) * 1993-10-20 1996-06-25 Larry J. Winget Air bag cover having an applique fastened thereto
US6047984A (en) * 1998-04-06 2000-04-11 Larry J. Winget Air bag cover and method of making same
US6158764A (en) * 1998-04-06 2000-12-12 Larry J. Winget Air bag cover and method of making same
US6349616B1 (en) * 1998-11-12 2002-02-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Steering system
US6592142B2 (en) * 2000-07-14 2003-07-15 Volvo Personvagnor Ab Assembly module and method for assembly thereof
JP2006027562A (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-02-02 Mazda Motor Corp Steering wheel having airbag device
JP4543807B2 (en) * 2004-07-21 2010-09-15 マツダ株式会社 Steering wheel with airbag device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0785990B2 (en) 1995-09-20

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