WO2003013939A1 - Process for the production of a steering wheel for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Process for the production of a steering wheel for motor vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003013939A1
WO2003013939A1 PCT/IT2002/000527 IT0200527W WO03013939A1 WO 2003013939 A1 WO2003013939 A1 WO 2003013939A1 IT 0200527 W IT0200527 W IT 0200527W WO 03013939 A1 WO03013939 A1 WO 03013939A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shells
edges
steering wheel
covering
shell
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IT2002/000527
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003013939A8 (en
Inventor
Paolo Liuti
Daniele Antolini
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.)
Dalpa SNC
Original Assignee
Dalpa SNC
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 Dalpa SNC filed Critical Dalpa SNC
Priority to EP02765338A priority Critical patent/EP1417120B1/en
Priority to JP2003518902A priority patent/JP4311546B2/en
Priority to DE60216473T priority patent/DE60216473D1/en
Priority to US10/486,550 priority patent/US7111396B2/en
Priority to KR1020047002024A priority patent/KR100925069B1/en
Publication of WO2003013939A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003013939A1/en
Publication of WO2003013939A8 publication Critical patent/WO2003013939A8/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C63/00—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C63/0073—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor of non-flat surfaces, e.g. curved, profiled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
    • B29C66/543—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles joining more than two hollow-preforms to form said hollow articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
    • B29C66/547—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles, e.g. endless tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/61—Joining from or joining on the inside
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/63—Internally supporting the article during joining
    • B29C66/636—Internally supporting the article during joining using a support which remains in the joined object
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72321—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B62D1/06—Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3047—Steering wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/709—Articles shaped in a closed loop, e.g. conveyor belts
    • B29L2031/7096—Rings or ring-like articles
    • B29L2031/7102—Toroidal articles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49481—Wheel making
    • Y10T29/49488—Steering wheel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20834—Hand wheels

Definitions

  • This invention refers to a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles consisting of an external covering in composite material. More in particular, this invention refers to a procedure which comprises the preparation of composite elements with a laminar structure, hot forming of the elements to obtain a pair of shells, each having a shape corresponding to half of the steering wheel to be produced, and assembly of the shells on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, the body of the steering wheel consisting of a metal core buried inside synthetic resin.
  • steering wheels for motor vehicles can consist of a structure that comprises a metal core buried inside synthetic resin, and an outer covering consisting, for example, of a bivalve shell which forms the part designed to be gripped and the external appearance of the steering wheel.
  • One of the various procedures employed in the manufacture of steering wheels for motor vehicles uses two shells to form the outer covering, obtained by hot forming of suitable laminar material. After the edges have been finished by means of mechanical machining, the shells are respectively applied to the opposite sides of the steering wheel consisting of the metal core and the synthetic resin covering.
  • the two shells making up the covering are then fixed to each other on the steering wheel by means of gluing along their contact line.
  • a further typical example in which the gluing problem becomes evident is when carbon fibre shells are used.
  • the fixing phase of the two shells on the body of the steering wheel comprises a previous stage in which the support sections are applied and fixed on the synthetic resin body of the steering wheel.
  • sections are shaped to form a base for the support and fixing of the two shells.
  • the sections are normally made of metal, typically aluminum which permits easy clinching to the body of the steering wheel and a particular aesthetic appearance when the section is left on view as described in the patent application EP-Al-1029771.
  • metal material is particularly disadvantageous in consideration of the great difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of these materials compared with the materials used to manufacture the coverings.
  • the great difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of these materials inevitably leads to the two shells forming the outer covering becoming detached.
  • the procedure described in the patent EP-Al-1029771 presents a further disadvantage in consideration of the particular machining that the body of the steering wheel must undergo.
  • the gluing or clinching of the sections must in fact be carried out with particular precision so as to avoid problems when fitting the shells on the body of the steering wheel and the unsightly appearance of the end product.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks comprised in the background art by means of a procedure that comprises the preparation of composite elements with a laminar structure, hot forming of the elements to obtain a pair of shells, each having a shape corresponding to half of the steering wheel to be produced, and assembly of the shells on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, the body of the steering wheel consisting of a metal core buried inside synthetic resin.
  • the procedure according to the present invention comprises a phase, carried out before assembly on the body of the steering wheel, in which the shells are fitted on internal elements designed to ensure effective and long-lasting gluing both to the steering wheel and between the two shells comprising the covering.
  • an element with the structure of a particularly thin shell, and a wider cross-section than the shell to which it is applied and which will form the outer covering of the steering wheel is glued inside a first shell comprising the covering and obtained by hot forming.
  • the second shell comprising the covering is fitted over the projections of the inner shell applied to the first shell, being fixed by gluing.
  • an element with the structure of a particularly thin second shell, and a smaller cross-section than the shell to which it is applied is fixed inside both shells forming the covering of the steering wheel.
  • the elements are applied displaced with respect to the edges of the shells so that one of the edges of the applied element projects slightly with respect to the edge of one of the shells.
  • Two shells are thus obtained and used to form the covering of a steering wheel for motor vehicles, having a structure at their respective edges which is very similar to a male female joint structure obtained without any specific machining of the edges, a process which would be particularly delicate in view of the minimal thickness of the shells.
  • This particular form of embodiment according to the invention also makes it possible to guarantee support and reinforcement of the shells making up the covering of the steering wheel and in the assembly stage to distribute any elastic stress on both parts of the structure and not solely on one of the two as in the previous form of embodiment.
  • the elements applied to the shells forming the covering of the steering wheel consist of flat plates with an elongated structure.
  • figure 1 represents, in largely schematic form, a first embodiment of a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles according to the present invention
  • figure 2 represents, in largely schematic form, a second embodiment of a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles according to the present invention
  • figure 3 represents, in largely schematic form, a third embodiment of a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles according to the present invention
  • figures 4 and 5 represent two respective cross- sections of a steering wheel for motor vehicles manufactured by means of two forms of embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention.
  • a classic steering wheel for motor vehicles normally comprises a central part or hub, a plurality of radial spokes and an outer edge.
  • the outer edge 10 consists of a metal core 11 buried inside synthetic resin 12.
  • This covering 13 generally consists of two shells 13a, 13b superimposed one on the other and joined together.
  • These shells 13a, 13b may be produced for example by means of the forming of glass fibre or carbon fibre materials with a laminar structure according to known procedures and additionally treated and machined in order to provide the structure with features of rigidity and gripping stability.
  • the shells obtained by means of these machining processes as shown in figures 1 to 3 , comprise a convex external side, a concave internal side and edges.
  • elements 14a, 14b which may be made from composite material are applied to the inner side of the shells 13a, 13b and constitute the system which connects and fixes the two shells 13a, 13b forming the covering 13.
  • a similar element 14 is applied to the inner side of the shell 13a in such a way that the edges of this element 14 project with respect to the edges of the shell 13a and can couple and be joined for example by means of gluing to the edges of the second shell 13b forming the covering of the steering wheel.
  • an element 14a, 14b is applied to the inner side of both shells 13a and 13b near a respective edge in such a way that the edges of this element 14 project with respect to the edges of the shell 13a and can couple and be joined for example by means of gluing to the edges of the second shell 13b forming the covering of the steering wheel.
  • the elements 14a and 14b applied to the shells 13a and 13b forming the covering of the steering wheel consist in this case of flat plates to be applied, for example by means of gluing, to the edges of the inner sides of the shells.
  • the plates 14a and 14b can be glued either to just one of the shells or to both of them, and either to one edge of the shell or to both edges.
  • each plate 14a, 14b projects from the edge of one of the shells in such a way that it can couple with the edge of the other shell forming the covering and be glued to it.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)

Abstract

A procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles consisting of an outer covering in composite material, comprising the preparation of the covering by means of composite elements with a laminar structure, the hot forming of these elements in order to obtain a pair of complementary shells (13a, 13b), the assembly of the shells on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, in which the body of the steering wheel consists of a metal core (11) buried inside synthetic resin, and in that at least one of the shells forming the opposite sides of the covering is equipped with a support element (14a, 14b) which allows it to be coupled to the other shell complementary to it.

Description

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A STEERING WHEEL
FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
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TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention refers to a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles consisting of an external covering in composite material. More in particular, this invention refers to a procedure which comprises the preparation of composite elements with a laminar structure, hot forming of the elements to obtain a pair of shells, each having a shape corresponding to half of the steering wheel to be produced, and assembly of the shells on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, the body of the steering wheel consisting of a metal core buried inside synthetic resin.
BACKGROUND ART It is known that steering wheels for motor vehicles can consist of a structure that comprises a metal core buried inside synthetic resin, and an outer covering consisting, for example, of a bivalve shell which forms the part designed to be gripped and the external appearance of the steering wheel.
One of the various procedures employed in the manufacture of steering wheels for motor vehicles uses two shells to form the outer covering, obtained by hot forming of suitable laminar material. After the edges have been finished by means of mechanical machining, the shells are respectively applied to the opposite sides of the steering wheel consisting of the metal core and the synthetic resin covering.
The two shells making up the covering are then fixed to each other on the steering wheel by means of gluing along their contact line.
The gluing of these shells often proves to be a key step in the production process as a whole, particularly because the thickness of the shells is minimal, generally a few tenths of a millimeter. Some solutions are known to the background art that would tend to make the gluing of the shells more resistant; one example is described in the patent application EP-Al-1029770 where the edges of the shells forming the covering are mechanically machined in such a way to obtain a male female type complementary joint that couples together when the two shells are applied to the body of the steering wheel.
The solution proposed by the previous patent clearly tends to increase the contact surface along the edge of the shells so as to improve the fixing and the gluing.
The solution presented by the patent application EP- Al-1029770 is inevitably insufficient and difficult to apply when the thickness of the shells is minimal and not easy to machine; in fact the shells often tend to break and to develop cracks during the mechanical machining of the edges to form the coupling surfaces.
A further typical example in which the gluing problem becomes evident is when carbon fibre shells are used.
In the patent application EP-A1-1029771 the fixing phase of the two shells on the body of the steering wheel comprises a previous stage in which the support sections are applied and fixed on the synthetic resin body of the steering wheel.
These sections are shaped to form a base for the support and fixing of the two shells. In practice the sections are normally made of metal, typically aluminum which permits easy clinching to the body of the steering wheel and a particular aesthetic appearance when the section is left on view as described in the patent application EP-Al-1029771. On the other hand, however, the use of metal material is particularly disadvantageous in consideration of the great difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of these materials compared with the materials used to manufacture the coverings. In fact, as the steering wheels of motor vehicles are subject to high temperature ranges the great difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of these materials inevitably leads to the two shells forming the outer covering becoming detached. In addition to the aforesaid drawback, the procedure described in the patent EP-Al-1029771 presents a further disadvantage in consideration of the particular machining that the body of the steering wheel must undergo.
The gluing or clinching of the sections must in fact be carried out with particular precision so as to avoid problems when fitting the shells on the body of the steering wheel and the unsightly appearance of the end product.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks comprised in the background art by means of a procedure that comprises the preparation of composite elements with a laminar structure, hot forming of the elements to obtain a pair of shells, each having a shape corresponding to half of the steering wheel to be produced, and assembly of the shells on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, the body of the steering wheel consisting of a metal core buried inside synthetic resin.
This is achieved by means of a procedure with the features described in the main claim.
The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.
The procedure according to the present invention comprises a phase, carried out before assembly on the body of the steering wheel, in which the shells are fitted on internal elements designed to ensure effective and long-lasting gluing both to the steering wheel and between the two shells comprising the covering.
According to a particularly advantageous form of embodiment of the invention, after mechanical finishing of the relative edges an element with the structure of a particularly thin shell, and a wider cross-section than the shell to which it is applied and which will form the outer covering of the steering wheel, is glued inside a first shell comprising the covering and obtained by hot forming.
The second shell comprising the covering is fitted over the projections of the inner shell applied to the first shell, being fixed by gluing. According to a particularly advantageous form of embodiment of the invention, an element with the structure of a particularly thin second shell, and a smaller cross-section than the shell to which it is applied, is fixed inside both shells forming the covering of the steering wheel. In this case, the elements are applied displaced with respect to the edges of the shells so that one of the edges of the applied element projects slightly with respect to the edge of one of the shells.
Two shells are thus obtained and used to form the covering of a steering wheel for motor vehicles, having a structure at their respective edges which is very similar to a male female joint structure obtained without any specific machining of the edges, a process which would be particularly delicate in view of the minimal thickness of the shells.
This particular form of embodiment according to the invention also makes it possible to guarantee support and reinforcement of the shells making up the covering of the steering wheel and in the assembly stage to distribute any elastic stress on both parts of the structure and not solely on one of the two as in the previous form of embodiment.
According to another form of embodiment of the invention, the elements applied to the shells forming the covering of the steering wheel consist of flat plates with an elongated structure.
These elements are applied to the edges of the shells to create the coupling system as for the previously described form of embodiment. ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the invention will become evident on reading the following description of some forms of embodiment of the invention, given as non- binding examples, with the help of the enclosed drawings, in which: - figure 1 represents, in largely schematic form, a first embodiment of a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles according to the present invention; figure 2 represents, in largely schematic form, a second embodiment of a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles according to the present invention; figure 3 represents, in largely schematic form, a third embodiment of a procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles according to the present invention; figures 4 and 5 represent two respective cross- sections of a steering wheel for motor vehicles manufactured by means of two forms of embodiment of the procedure according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SOME FORMS OF EMBODIMENT A classic steering wheel for motor vehicles normally comprises a central part or hub, a plurality of radial spokes and an outer edge. As is known from forms of embodiment comprised in the background art, the outer edge 10 consists of a metal core 11 buried inside synthetic resin 12.
This is all enclosed in an outer casing consisting for example of a covering 13. This covering 13 generally consists of two shells 13a, 13b superimposed one on the other and joined together.
These shells 13a, 13b may be produced for example by means of the forming of glass fibre or carbon fibre materials with a laminar structure according to known procedures and additionally treated and machined in order to provide the structure with features of rigidity and gripping stability.
The shells obtained by means of these machining processes, as shown in figures 1 to 3 , comprise a convex external side, a concave internal side and edges.
According to a first form of embodiment of the present invention, shown in figure 1, elements 14a, 14b which may be made from composite material are applied to the inner side of the shells 13a, 13b and constitute the system which connects and fixes the two shells 13a, 13b forming the covering 13.
According to a second form of embodiment of teh present invention, shown in figures 2 and 4, a similar element 14 is applied to the inner side of the shell 13a in such a way that the edges of this element 14 project with respect to the edges of the shell 13a and can couple and be joined for example by means of gluing to the edges of the second shell 13b forming the covering of the steering wheel. According to a third form of embodiment of the present invention, shown in figures 3 and 5, an element 14a, 14b is applied to the inner side of both shells 13a and 13b near a respective edge in such a way that the edges of this element 14 project with respect to the edges of the shell 13a and can couple and be joined for example by means of gluing to the edges of the second shell 13b forming the covering of the steering wheel.
The elements 14a and 14b applied to the shells 13a and 13b forming the covering of the steering wheel consist in this case of flat plates to be applied, for example by means of gluing, to the edges of the inner sides of the shells.
In detail, the plates 14a and 14b can be glued either to just one of the shells or to both of them, and either to one edge of the shell or to both edges.
The edge of each plate 14a, 14b projects from the edge of one of the shells in such a way that it can couple with the edge of the other shell forming the covering and be glued to it.
The invention was previously described with reference to some preferred forms of embodiment of the same.
However it is clear that the present is susceptible to several variations within the scope of the present invention, in the field of the technical equivalences.

Claims

1. A procedure for the manufacture of a steering wheel for motor vehicles consisting of an outer covering in composite material, comprising the preparation of the covering by means of composite elements with a laminar structure, the hot forming of these elements in order to obtain a pair of complementary shells, the assembly of the shells on the opposite sides of the steering wheel, in which the body of the steering wheel consists of a metal core buried inside synthetic resin, a procedure characterised in that at least one of the shells forming the opposite sides of the covering is equipped with a support element (14a, 14b) which allows it to be coupled to the other shell complementary to it.
2. A procedure according to claim 1 characterised in that at least one support element (14a, 14b) is applied to at least one of the shells (13a, 13b) so that at least one edge of the element projects beyond at least one edge of the shell and constitutes a means of coupling and fixing to the complementary shell forming the covering.
3. A procedure according to anyone of the previous claims characterised in that the element (14a, 14b) presents a convex outer surface, a concave inner surface and edges, the edges of the element projecting with respect to the edges of at least one of the shells and acting as a means of coupling and fixing to the second complementary shell forming the covering.
4. A procedure according to anyone of the claims 1 and 2 characterised in that the element (14a, 14b) comprises a convex outer surface, a concave inner surface and edges, the element being applied by means of the convex surface to the concave surface of each shell (13a, 13b) so that only one of the edges of the element projects beyond one of the edges of one shell and acts as a means of coupling and fixing to the second complementary shell forming the covering.
5. A procedure according to anyone of the claims 1 and 2 characterised in that the element (14a, 14b) comprises at least one substantially flat plate with an outer surface, an inner surface and edges, the plate being applied to at least one of the edges of at least one of the shells (13a, 13b).
6. A procedure according to anyone of the previous claims characterised in that, when applied, the elements (14a, 14b) constitute cavities that make it possible to prevent connection problems deriving from gluing inaccuracies or irregularities or from imperfections in the edges of these elements, or caused by the thermal expansion of the material from which the elements are made or from which the steering wheel is made.
PCT/IT2002/000527 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 Process for the production of a steering wheel for motor vehicles Ceased WO2003013939A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02765338A EP1417120B1 (en) 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 Process for the production of a steering wheel for motor vehicles
JP2003518902A JP4311546B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 Manufacturing method of automotive handle
DE60216473T DE60216473D1 (en) 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MOTORCYCLE WHEEL
US10/486,550 US7111396B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 Process for the production of a steering wheel for a motor vehicle
KR1020047002024A KR100925069B1 (en) 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 Manufacturing method of vehicle steering wheel

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITVR2001A000088 2001-08-09
IT2001VR000088A ITVR20010088A1 (en) 2001-08-09 2001-08-09 PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL, AND STEERING WHEEL MANUFACTURED THROUGH SUCH PROCEDURE.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003013939A1 true WO2003013939A1 (en) 2003-02-20
WO2003013939A8 WO2003013939A8 (en) 2003-04-03

Family

ID=11462066

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2002/000527 Ceased WO2003013939A1 (en) 2001-08-09 2002-08-07 Process for the production of a steering wheel for motor vehicles

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US7111396B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1417120B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4311546B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100925069B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE346784T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60216473D1 (en)
IT (1) ITVR20010088A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003013939A1 (en)

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JP5601301B2 (en) * 2011-09-14 2014-10-08 豊田合成株式会社 Steering wheel and manufacturing method thereof
DE102011114533A1 (en) 2011-09-29 2013-04-04 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh Method for manufacturing steering wheel of motor car, involves attaching reinforcement elements at one half shell, prefixing portion of reinforcement elements at base body, and joining another half shell with base body using adhesive
US9610967B2 (en) 2015-01-30 2017-04-04 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Steering wheel assembly for a vehicle
JP6741534B2 (en) * 2016-09-27 2020-08-19 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 Decorative member for steering wheel

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EP1029770A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2000-08-23 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Process for manufacturing motor car steering wheels with an external shell made of composite materials and steering wheel thus obtained
EP1029771A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2000-08-23 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Process for manufacturing motor car steering wheels with an external shell made of carbon fibres and steering wheel thus obtained
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DE4418960A1 (en) * 1994-05-31 1995-12-07 Lorinser Sport Service Covering part, e.g. for vehicle steering wheel
JPH0840283A (en) * 1994-07-27 1996-02-13 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Steering wheel cover
WO2000005123A2 (en) * 1998-07-23 2000-02-03 Petri Ag Steering wheel comprising a decorative covering
EP1029770A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2000-08-23 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Process for manufacturing motor car steering wheels with an external shell made of composite materials and steering wheel thus obtained
EP1029771A1 (en) * 1999-02-19 2000-08-23 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Process for manufacturing motor car steering wheels with an external shell made of carbon fibres and steering wheel thus obtained
DE10027046A1 (en) * 2000-06-02 2001-12-06 Grosmann Gmbh Timber steering wheel for motor vehicles has metal core enclosed by ring of two semi-shells connected via tongue-and-groove connection with internal electrical heaters

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE346784T1 (en) 2006-12-15
EP1417120A1 (en) 2004-05-12
EP1417120B1 (en) 2006-11-29
KR100925069B1 (en) 2009-11-04
US7111396B2 (en) 2006-09-26
JP4311546B2 (en) 2009-08-12
US20040237703A1 (en) 2004-12-02
KR20040035731A (en) 2004-04-29
DE60216473D1 (en) 2007-01-11
WO2003013939A8 (en) 2003-04-03
JP2004537470A (en) 2004-12-16
ITVR20010088A1 (en) 2003-02-09

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