JPS6181273A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the time required for heating the grip section by providing an insulative member on the outercircumferential face of coating section at the grip section while providing a heating member on the outercircumferential face of the insulation member thereafter covering the outermost circumferential section of coating section, insulation member and heating member with skin. CONSTITUTION:The steering wheel is constructed with boss section 1 to be coupled with steering shaft, pad section 23 to be fixed in front of boss section 1, two spoke sections 2 extending downward from the boss section 1 and a ring section 3 supported at the tip of the spoke section 2. Insulation member 6 is wound over the outercircumferential face of coating section 5 at the grip section 3a of ring section 3 while a heater 7 is arranged on the outer circumferential face of insulation member 6. Then a skin 21 is applied onto the outermost circumference of coating section 5, insulation member 6 and heater 7 from the ring section 3 to the way of spoke section 2. Consequently, heating time at the ring section 3 by means of the heater 7 can be shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) This invention relates to a steering wheel having a heating member in its ring portion.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, the ring portion of a steering wheel of an automobile, a motor boat, etc. has been improved by giving it elasticity or covering it with leather to improve the contact sensation of the driver's hand. However, there is no steering wheel that adjusts the temperature of the gripping part of the ring part to improve the feeling of warmth in the driver's hands. For this reason, conventional steering wheels have the disadvantage that when assembled for a long time in winter when the outside temperature is low, they reach a considerable temperature, and the ring portion feels cold at the beginning of driving.

Therefore, some steering wheels have been proposed in which a heating element such as a heating wire is incorporated in the ring portion. However, in these steering wheels, the heat of the heating element is not effectively transmitted only to the surface of the ring part, but is conducted to the center of the ring part and the spokes, so that the surface part of the ring part does not reach the desired temperature j:. There were problems such as a long time required for heating and poor heat utilization efficiency.

(Problems to be solved by the invention 1) This invention solves the problems described in 1.
We tried to solve the problems with conventional steering wheels, such as the ring part of the steering wheel feeling cold, or even when a heating member is installed, it takes a long time to heat up to the desired temperature, resulting in poor heat utilization efficiency. It is something to do.

Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a heat insulating material on the outer peripheral surface of the covering part that extends at least to the gripping part of the ring part. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the second invention also solves the above problems by providing a heating member on the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating material and covering the outermost periphery of the covering part, the heat insulating material, and the heating member with a skin. A heat insulating material is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the covering part that covers at least the gripping part, a heat reflective layer is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the heat insulating material, and a heating member is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the iQ 4, heat throw I)j layer. And 6, a method was adopted in which the outermost periphery of the covering part, the heat insulating material, and the heating member was covered with a skin.

(Function) In the steering wheel of the first invention, since the heat generated by the heating member is blocked by the heat insulating material, it is efficiently transmitted to the surface of the ring portion, while hardly escaping to the covering portion.

In the steering wheel of the second invention, the heat generated by the heating member is reflected by the heat reflecting layer and blocked by the heat insulating material, so the heat is transmitted to the ring portion surface more efficiently than the first invention, while The amount escaping into the covering portion is further reduced.

(Example) Next, a first example embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

The steering wheel includes a boss part 1 connected to a steering shirt 1 (not shown), a pad part 23 attached to the front of the boss part 1, and a pad part 2 extending obliquely downward from the boss part 1.
It is composed of a spoke part 2 and a ring part 3 supported at the tip of the spoke part 2.

A core metal 4 is arranged in the center of the ring part 3, and the core metal 4
passes through the inside of the spoke part 2 (extends to the boss part 1.A coating part 5 made of synthetic resin such as polyurethane is provided around the core bar 4 by injection molding, and the third,
As shown in FIG. 4, the outer shape of the covering portion 5 is substantially circular or oval in the ring portion 3, and square in shape with rounded corners in the spoke portions 2 and the boss portion 1.

A gripping portion 3 in the ring portion 3 that is normally gripped by the driver when the steering wheel is in the neutral position.
a is a part centered almost right beside the ring part 3;
From 10:10 to 8:20 expressed in the direction of the nail in time span 1
Any part within minutes. On the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion 5, a heat insulating material 6 made of a sheet of neoprene rubber foam is wrapped ("I I") around the entire cross section of the gripping portion 3a'E J5 on both the left and right sides.The same heat insulating material 6 is flexible and has a high coefficient of friction, so it adheres closely to the covering portion 5 without slipping and blocks heat conduction.

The outer peripheral surface of each heat insulating material 6 has a part (
A heater 7 as a heating member is disposed only on the outer circumferential side of the ring portion 3 (approximately half the circumference).

The main parts of the heater 7 are a rectangular heating section 8 and an extension section 9 protruding from the lower end of the heating section 8, as shown in FIGS.
, and two sheets 1-11.12 glued together with a drawer 10 extending laterally from the extension 9, and both sheets I
It is composed of a heater wire 13 which is sandwiched and fixed between the wires 11 and 12.

The heating section 8 of the seat 11, 12 is disposed approximately at the center of the gripping section 3a, extending from the inside of the front part of the ring part 3 to the outside thereof and reaching the rear thereof.

The extension part 9 extends downward to the spoke part 2, and the pull-out part 10 wraps around the back side of the spoke part 2.

In addition, for the seams I to 11 on the back side (insulating material 6 side), 100% polyester fibers are woven in a twill weave or leek 1 to 11, and flame-retardant treated fabric with high elasticity is used. 1-12 on the front side is made of 100% polyester.
A non-woven fabric with less elasticity and flame-retardant treatment is used.

A synthetic resin-coated heating wire is used as the heater wire 13, and the heater wire 13 is twisted in a meandering manner in the heating section 8, and is pulled out from the extension section 9 to the end of the draw-out section 10. There is.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
11 is the thickness of the heater wire 13. Since the seams 1 to 12 on the front side are kept in a substantially flat state without any unevenness, unevenness appears on the surface of the ring part 3, and there are four. In addition,
The unevenness of seams 1 to 11 on the back side is made of flexible heat insulating material 6.
Absorbed.

In the lead-out section 10, a lead wire '1/I is connected to the end of the heater wire 13. The mouth connection part is quite thick and therefore protrudes from other parts of the heater 7. However, in this embodiment, the pull-out part 10 is arranged on the back side of the spoke part 2 as described above, so that it can be easily removed at the same time during normal steering operation. Never touch the connections. The other end of the lead wire 14 is connected to the boss portion 1
The two turfs are connected in series to the switch 15 or the control unit 16 installed on the downstream side of the turf.

The lead wire 14 is shown in FIG. ')a
Incorporated into; broken.

In addition, in the heater 7 on the left side when facing the front, a thermistor 17 as a temperature sensing element is sandwiched in the vicinity of the heater wire 13 that is passed between the sheets 11 and 12 of the heating section 8.
A lead wire 18 of the thermistor 17 is also connected to the control section 16. The control unit 16 controls the ON/OFF energization of the heater wire 13 based on the output of the thermistor 17.
The temperature of the heater wire 13 is controlled so as not to rise too much.

In addition, in the heater 7 on the right side when facing the front, a temperature fuse 19 is connected in series to one end of the heater wire 13. fuses and the current is cut off.

Covering portion 5 extends from the ring portion 3 to the middle of the spoke portions 2.
A skin 21 made of wood bark, synthetic leather, etc. is attached to the outermost periphery of the heat insulating material 6 and the heater 7.The skin 21 improves the appearance and feel, and also tightens the heater 7 so that it does not move inside. I'm yelling.

When operating the steering boiler of the first embodiment configured as described above in an air atmosphere of about 0°C, the switch 15
When turned on, a large current flows through the heater wire 13, approximately 2
The surface of the ring part 3 reaches Qo℃ in 0 to 30 seconds, and the rear part reaches 110℃C'? The temperature of fnt I is maintained (heater wire 13 itself has a temperature of about 55° C. at a high point). This shortening of the heating time is due to the insulation effect of the insulation material 6 between the heater 7 and the covering part 5, which allows the heat from the heater 7 to be efficiently transferred to the surface of the ring part 3 through the skin 21. This is because, while the energy is transmitted, almost no energy escapes to the covering portion 5. Therefore, heat utilization efficiency is high.

In addition, in this embodiment, the gripping portions 3 on both the left and right sides of the ring portion 3 are
The heat insulating material 6 and the heater 7 are provided only on the outer circumferential surface of the heat insulating material 6, and the heater 7 is provided only on a part of the entire cross-sectional circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating material 6 (the half-circumferential portion on the outer circumferential side of the ring part 3). , Sude)) Only the parts normally touched by the driver's hands are heated when the ring wheel is in the neutral position. Therefore, battery power is not wasted and the time required for heating is reduced.

110- Also, by changing the material of each sheet 11 and 12 of the heater 7, the sheet 11 on the back side is the same thickness as the heater wire 13. Since the ring portion 3 is maintained in this condition, no unevenness appears on the surface of the ring portion 3, and there is no fear that the feel to the touch will deteriorate. Note that the heat insulating material 6 not only has the above-mentioned heat insulating effect, but also has the effect of absorbing the unevenness of the back sheet 11 due to its flexibility,
It also contributes to the soft feel of the ring portion 3.

Furthermore, since the heat insulating material 6 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the coating MI5, no step is created due to the heat insulating material 6, and the feel to the touch is not inhibited.

In addition, since both heaters 7 are connected in series, if either heater 7 burns out, both will stop working, preventing only one heater 7 from being abnormally heated. 17 and the temperature fuse 19 can be incorporated into either one of the heaters 7, respectively.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained in accordance with FIG.
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that a thin heat reflective layer 22 made of aluminum is provided on the outer surface of the heat insulating material 6 by sputtering. radiant heat from the heater 7 to the heat insulating material 6 is reflected.

Therefore, in addition to producing the same effects as the first embodiment, this embodiment also effectively prevents the heat of the heater 7 from escaping to the covering portion 5, and efficiently transfers the heat to the surface of the ring portion 3. The heat can be transmitted well, and the time required for heating can be further shortened. Furthermore, power consumption of the battery can also be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, but can be embodied as follows, for example.

(1) The material of the heat insulating material 6 is not limited to neoprene rubber foam, but also various polymeric materials such as chloroprene rubber, chloroprene rubber foam, polyethylene foam, polyurethane, polyurethane foam, etc., asbestos, glass wool, etc. Any other material with good thermal insulation properties can be used. In particular, when a flexible material such as a polymer foam is used, the unevenness of the back sheet 11 is well absorbed, and this greatly contributes to the soft feel of the ring portion 3.

(2) The heat insulating material 6 does not have to be provided all around the cross section of the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion 5, and may be provided at least only on the inside of the heater 7. However, as mentioned above, in terms of feel to the touch, it is better to provide the heat insulating material 6 all around the cross section of the covering portion 5.

(3) The heat insulating material 6 and the heater 7 may be provided around the entire circumference of the ring portion 3 instead of around the grip portion 3a. In this case, a secondary sensation can be obtained no matter where the ring part 3 is gripped, but a considerable amount of electric power is required.

(4) As the heating member, members of various configurations other than the heater 7 can be used. For example, instead of the sheets 11 and 12, a metal with good thermal conductivity <A I
, Fe, Ml film, poly]nytylene,
A resin film such as polyester, polyimide, or fluorinated resin may be used, or a cloth woven from glass II fiber or carbon fiber may be used. It may be changed as appropriate depending on the angle.

(5) The heat reflective layer 22 is also not limited to the structure of the second embodiment, and may be formed by various methods such as sputtering, vacuum deposition, pasting of metal foil on the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating material 6, or mere wrapping. The metal used is not limited to aluminum either.

Effects As detailed above, the steering wheel of the present invention has the following excellent effects.

While the heat of the heating member is efficiently transmitted to the surface of the ring part due to the heat insulating effect of the heat insulating material, the heat hardly escapes to the covering part, so that the time required for heating the ring part by the heating member can be shortened. Therefore, the driver can feel the warmth from the ring portion immediately after heating starts. In addition, the heat utilization range is high, and electric power from batteries and the like can be used effectively.

Further, according to the steering wheel of the second invention, the heat insulating material has a heat insulating effect and the heat reflecting layer has a radiant heat reflecting effect. Since the amount that escapes is also reduced, the time required for heating the ring portion by the heating member can be further shortened. Therefore, the driver can feel the warmth from the ring portion immediately after heating starts. In addition, heat utilization efficiency is extremely high, and electric power from batteries and the like can be used effectively.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a steering wheel embodying the present invention, Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the ring section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the spoke section taken along the line B-B in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a front view of the heater of the first embodiment, and Figure 6 is a main part of the heater. Enlarged cross-sectional view,
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a ring portion of a second embodiment of the present invention. 3... Ring part, 3a... Grip part, 5... Coating part, 6... Heat insulating material, 7... Heater, 21... Skin, 22... Heat reflective layer. Patent applicant: Kuruda Gosei Co., Ltd. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Toyota Motor Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A heat insulating material (6) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the covering part (5) at least at the gripping part (3a) of the ring part (3), and a heating member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating material (6). (7), and the outermost periphery of the covering portion (5), the heat insulating material (6), and the heating member (7) is covered with a skin (21). 2. A heat insulating material (6) is provided around the entire cross-sectional circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the covering part (5), and a heating member (7) is provided on only a part of the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating material (6). A steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating material (6) is formed of a foam made of a polymeric material such as neoprene rubber foam, chloroprene rubber foam, polyethylene foam, or polyurethane foam. . 4. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the heating member (7) is constructed by clamping the heater wire (13) between two sheets (11, 12). 5. A heat insulating material (6) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the covering portion (5) at least at the grip portion (3a) of the ring portion (3), and a heat reflective layer (22) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the heat insulating material (6). , the heating member (7) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the heat reflective layer (22), and the outermost periphery of the covering portion (5), the heat insulating material (6), and the heating member (7) is covered with the skin (21). Features a steering wheel. 6. The steering wheel according to claim 5, wherein the heat reflective layer (22) is a thin metal layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating material (6) by sputtering.