U.S. patent application number 09/729076 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for accessory panel mounting structure for a steering wheel.
Invention is credited to Sakurai, Koji.
Application Number | 20010003251 09/729076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18421652 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sakurai, Koji |
June 14, 2001 |
Accessory panel mounting structure for a steering wheel
Abstract
A steering wheel includes a ring, a plurality of spokes
extending from the ring toward the middle of the steering wheel,
and a pad encompassed by the ring. An accessory panel having a
switch is secured to the spokes. A support member supports the
accessory panel with respect to the spokes. A fastening member
fastens the accessory panel to the spokes. The support member is
located separately from the fastening member.
Inventors: |
Sakurai, Koji; (Aichi- ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLp
Intellectual Property Group
East Tower, Ninth Floor
1100 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3918
US
|
Family ID: |
18421652 |
Appl. No.: |
09/729076 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/552 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/2037 20130101;
B60Q 1/0082 20130101; B62D 1/04 20130101; Y10T 74/20834
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/552 |
International
Class: |
B62D 001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 1999 |
JP |
11-352080 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An accessory panel mounting structure for a steering wheel
having a ring, a plurality of spokes extending from the ring toward
the middle of the steering wheel, and a pad encompassed by the
ring, wherein an accessory panel having a switch is secured to the
spokes, the structure comprising: a support member for supporting
the accessory panel with respect to the spokes; and a fastening
member for fastening the accessory panel to the spokes, the support
member being located separately from the fastening member.
2. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member includes: an
engaging projection projecting from the associated spoke or the
accessory panel; and an engaging recess formed in the other of the
spoke and the accessory panel and engaging with the engaging
projection.
3. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member includes: a pair
of engaging projections each projecting from the associated spoke
or the accessory panel, the projections being located at positions
near opposite sides of the fastening member; and a pair of engaging
recesses each formed in the other of the spoke and the accessory
panel and engaging with the associated engaging projection.
4. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 1, wherein the support member includes: a
support formed in the associated spoke; an engaging projection
projecting from an upper end of the support; a first extended
portion extending laterally from the accessory panel; an engaging
recess formed in the first extended portion and engaging with the
engaging projection; a support seat provided in the associated
spoke; a second extended portion extending laterally from the
accessory panel; and an engaging recess formed in the second
extended portion and engaging with the support seat.
5. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 4, wherein: the pad includes a mounting plate;
and the mounting plate includes a first pressing portion and a
second pressing portion, the first pressing portion pressing the
first extended portion toward the support, the second pressing
portion pressing the second extended portion toward the support
seat.
6. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 5, wherein: a recess is formed in an upper side
of the first extended portion for restricting a position of the
first pressing portion; and a recess is formed in an upper side of
the second extended portion for restricting a position of the
second pressing portion.
7. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 1, wherein the accessory panel includes a frame,
and each spoke has a metal core.
8. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 7, wherein the fastening member includes: a pair
of extensions projecting from the frame of the accessory panel, the
extensions being located separately from each other; a seat formed
in the associated spoke at a position corresponding to each
extension; and a bolt securing each extension to the associated
seat.
9. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel as
set forth in claim 8, wherein the fastening member further includes
a positioning member for positioning each extension with respect to
the associated seat.
10. The accessory panel mounting structure for the steering wheel
as set forth in claim 9, wherein the positioning member includes: a
projection projecting from the extension or the seat; and a hole
formed in the other of the extension or the seat for engaging with
the projection.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to steering wheels for
vehicles, and, more particularly, to structures for mounting
accessory panels having various switches or push buttons on metal
spoke cores.
[0002] A typical steering wheel includes a ring, a pad encompassed
by the ring, and a plurality of spokes extending from the ring
toward the middle of the steering wheel.
[0003] The spoke may include an accessory panel on which various
switches are provided. The switches are manipulated to turn on and
off, for example, an air conditioner, radio, or CD player.
[0004] The structure for mounting the accessory panel on the
steering wheel includes a pair of mounting seats formed integrally
with the associated metal spoke cores. The accessory panel has a
resin frame, and a pair of extensions that extend integrally from a
side wall of the frame. A mounting portion extends from a distal
end of each extension in a bent manner. The mounting portions are
each fastened to the associated mounting seat with a bolt. This
secures the accessory panel to the spoke core.
[0005] However, since the accessory panel is secured to the spoke
cores simply with the two bolts, manipulation of the switches on
the accessory panel elastically deforms the mounting portions, thus
eventually deforming the extensions. This displaces the accessory
panel downward. Accordingly, to improve the rigidity of the frame,
a metal reinforcing plate is inserted in the accessory panel frame
when the frame is molded with resin. This increases the number of
accessory panel parts while complicating the procedure for mounting
the accessory panel, thus increasing the manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, to solve these problems, it is an objective of
the present invention to provide an accessory panel mounting
structure for a steering wheel that improves the rigidity of an
accessory panel in a mounted state without inserting a metal
reinforcing plate.
[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention
provides an accessory panel mounting structure for a steering wheel
having a ring, a plurality of spokes extending from the ring toward
the middle of the steering wheel, and a pad encompassed by the
ring. An accessory panel including a switch is secured to the
spokes. The mounting structure comprises a support member for
supporting the accessory panel with respect to the spokes and a
fastening member for fastening the accessory panel to the spokes.
The support member is located separately from the fastening
member.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The features of the present invention that are believed to
be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may
best be understood by reference to the following description of the
presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an accessory panel mounted on
spokes;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the spokes and a ring;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an accessory panel;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the accessory panel;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded perspective view showing the
spokes, the accessory panel, and a mounting plate forming part of a
pad;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate
portion of the steering wheel;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the
steering wheel;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the pad; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the steering wheel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the attached drawings.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 9, a steering wheel W includes a ring 11, a
pad 12 encompassed by the ring 11, and four spokes 13. The spokes
13 extend from the ring 11 toward the middle of the steering wheel
W to connect the ring 11 to the pad 12. The steering wheel W also
has a pair of accessory panels 14 provided near opposite sides of
the pad 12. Each accessory panel 14 includes a switch 15 for
turning on and off, for example, an air conditioner or a radio.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ring 11 includes a ring core
16 and a cover 17a encompassing the core 16. The ring core 16 is
formed of a light die-cast metal such as aluminum alloy. Each spoke
13 includes a spoke core 18 and a cover 17b encompassing the core
18. The spoke core 18 is formed of a light die-cast metal such as
aluminum alloy. The four spokes 18 are connected to one another by
a boss 19. The covers 17a, 17b are formed as one body of a soft
synthetic resin (for example, foamed polyurethane). The boss 19 is
engaged with a serration 21 formed on an upper end of a steering
shaft 20, as viewed in FIG. 6. The boss 19 rotates integrally with
the steering shaft 20 and is secured to the serration 21 by a nut
22.
[0022] A structure for mounting each accessory panel 14 on the
spoke cores 18 will hereafter be described with reference to FIGS.
1, 2, and 5 to 7. FIG. 2 shows the spokes 13 located to the right
as viewed from the driver and the associated portion of the ring
11. A metal connecting core 23 connects the spoke cores 18 of the
spokes 13 with each other. The connecting core 23 is formed
integrally with the spoke cores 18. A mounting seat 24 is formed
integrally with the spoke core 18 located upward as viewed in FIG.
2. A positioning pin 25 projects from a side of the mounting seat
24. Further, a mounting seat 26 is formed integrally with the
connecting core 23. A positioning pin 27 projects from a side of
the mounting seat 26.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the accessory panel 14, and
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the accessory panel 14, as viewed
from the right in FIG. 3. The accessory panel 14 has a body frame
31 formed as one body of a hard synthetic resin (for example, epoxy
resin) As shown in FIG. 5, which is an exploded perspective view, a
pair of extensions 33, 34 extend integrally from a side wall 32 of
the frame 31. The extensions 33, 34 correspond to the mounting
seats 24, 26, respectively. A pair of mounting portions 35, 36 each
project laterally from a distal end of the associated extension 33,
34. Each mounting portion 35, 36 is formed integrally with the
associated extension 33, 34. The mounting portion 35 has a hole
35a, and the mounting portion 36 has a hole 36a. A projection 37,
38 projects integrally from the associated mounting portion 35, 36.
The projection 37 has a hole 37a corresponding to the positioning
pin 25, and the projection 38 has a hole 38a corresponding to the
positioning pin 27.
[0024] To mount the accessory panel 14 on the associated spoke
cores 18 and its connecting core 23, the frame 31 is first lowered
toward the spoke cores 18, as shown in FIG. 5. The mounting
portions 35, 36 are then positioned on the associated mounting
seats 24, 26 such that the positioning pins 25, 27 are fitted in
the associated holes 37a, 38a. In this state, a bolt 43 is passed
through the hole 35a of the mounting portion 35 and is fastened to
a threaded hole 24a formed in the mounting seat 24. Further, a bolt
44 is passed through the hole 36a of the mounting portion 36 and is
fastened to a threaded hole 26a formed in the mounting seat 26. The
accessory panel 14 is thus secured to the spoke cores 18 and the
connecting core 23.
[0025] In this embodiment, the mounting seats 24, 26, the
extensions 33, 34, the mounting portions 35, 36, and the bolts 43,
44 form a fastening member for each accessory panel 14 with respect
to the associated spoke cores 18.
[0026] A first extended portion 45 projects laterally from a distal
end of the side wall 32 of the frame 31. The first extended portion
45 is formed integrally with the side wall 32. A square engaging
hole 46 extends through the first extended portion 45. The engaging
hole 46 may be replaced by a recess. The engaging hole 46 has a
tapered cross-sectional shape to increase the opening area toward a
lower end of the hole 46, as viewed in FIG. 5. A support 47 is
formed on the spoke core 18 at a position corresponding to the
engaging hole 46. A pillar-like restricting pin 48, which is an
engaging projection, projects integrally from a distal end of the
support 47. The restricting pin 48 is fitted in the engaging hole
46 and restricts movement of the frame 31 when force acts on the
frame 31.
[0027] A pair of restricting ribs 49 project upward integrally from
opposite sides of the first extended portion 45. A restricting
recess 50 is formed between the restricting ribs 49. The recess 50
receives a first pressing portion 66 formed integrally with a
mounting plate 63 of the pad 12, which will be later described.
When the first extended portion 45 is clamped between the support
47 and the first pressing portion 66, the frame 31 is prevented
from being displaced by the force acting on the frame 31.
[0028] A second extended portion 51 projects integrally from the
end of the frame 31 opposing the first extended portion 45. A pair
of restricting ribs 52, 53 project downward from opposite ends of a
lower side of the second extended portion 51. An engaging recess 54
is formed between the restricting ribs 52, 53. A cover 55 extends
from an end of the spoke core 18 near the ring 11. The cover 55 is
formed of synthetic resin through molding. A support seat 56 having
a support surface 56a is formed integrally with the cover 55. When
the frame 31 is mounted on the spoke core 18, a lower side of the
second extended portion 51 contacts the support surface 56a of the
support seat 56. Further, the restricting ribs 52, 53 clamp the
support seat 56 from its opposite sides. This prevents the frame 31
from being deformed by the force acting on the frame 31.
[0029] A restricting recess 58 is formed on an upper side of the
second extended portion 51, as shown in FIG. 5. A second pressing
portion 67, which is formed integrally with the mounting plate 63
of the pad 12 as will be described later, is fitted in the recess
58. The second extended portion 51 is clamped between the support
seat 56 and the second pressing portion 67. This prevents the frame
31 from being deformed by the force acting on the frame 31.
[0030] A structure for mounting the pad 12 on the spoke cores 18
and the connecting cores 23, together with the structure of the pad
12, will hereafter be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a
mounting bracket 61 is formed integrally with each connecting core
23. A bolt 62 is rotationally supported at a side of each bracket
61 by means of a holder (not shown). A hole 61a extends through the
bracket 61. The bolt 62 projects diagonally upward from the hole
61a.
[0031] FIG. 8 shows a bottom of the pad 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the
pad 12 has a pair of mounting plates 63. Each mounting plate 63 is
supported by the associated bracket 61. As shown in FIG. 6, a
slanted plate 64 extends integrally from the mounting plate 63 in a
bent manner and contacts a slanted surface of the associated
bracket 61. A nut 65 is welded to the slanted plate 64 of each
mounting plate 63 and is engaged with the associated bolt 62. As
described above, the mounting plate 63 includes the first and
second pressing portions 66, 67, which are formed integrally with
the mounting plate 63. The first pressing portion 66 and the second
pressing portion 67 of each mounting plate 63 are engaged with the
restricting recess 50 and the restricting recess 58 of the
associated accessory panel 14, respectively.
[0032] An air-bag mounting plate 72 is provided between the
mounting plates 63 and is connected to each mounting plate 63
through a floating mechanism 71, as shown in FIG. 7. An inflator 73
is secured to the air-bag mounting plate 72, and an air bag 74 is
mounted on the air-bag mounting plate 72. Each floating mechanism
71 includes a plurality of support pins 75 (in this embodiment,
two). A cover 76 is provided above the support pins 75, as viewed
in FIG. 7. A horn is provided between each mounting plate 63 and
the air-bag mounting plate 72.
[0033] A procedure for mounting the accessory panels 14 on the
steering wheel W will now be described. FIGS. 2 and 5 each show the
spokes 13 located to the right as viewed from the driver and the
associated portion of the ring 11. In FIGS. 2 and 5, the accessory
panel 14 is illustrated without being mounted on the associated
spokes 13 and the pad 12.
[0034] Each accessory panel 14 is first moved toward the associated
spokes 13 until the holes 37a, 38a of the accessory panel 14 are
engaged with the associated positioning pins 25, 27. In this state,
the restricting pin 48 is fitted in the engaging hole 46, and the
support seat 56 is engaged with the engaging recess 54. The
mounting portions 35, 36 are then fastened to the associated
mounting seats 24, 26 with the associated bolts 43, 44.
[0035] Next, the pad 12 is moved toward the middle of the steering
wheel W until the slanted plate 64 of each mounting plate 63 is
abutted by the slanted surface of the associated bracket 61 and the
nuts 65 correspond to the associated bolts 62. In this state, the
first pressing portion 66 of each mounting plate 63 is engaged with
the restricting recess 50. In the same manner, the second pressing
portion 67 of the mounting plate 63 is engaged with the restricting
recess 58. The bolts 62 are then fastened by the associated nuts 65
to secure the mounting plates 63 to the associated mounting
brackets 61. In this state, the first extended portion 45 of each
frame 31 is clamped between the associated support 47 and the first
pressing portion 66 of the associated mounting plate 63. Further,
the second extended portion 51 of the frame 31 is clamped between
the associated support seat 56 and the second pressing portion 67
of the mounting plate 63.
[0036] The steering wheel W constructed as above has the following
advantages.
[0037] (1) In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 31 of each
accessory panel 14 is securely fastened to the associated spoke
cores 18 at two positions, or the associated mounting seats 24, 26,
by means of the two bolts 43, 44. The frame 31 is further secured
to the associated spoke cores 18 by the first extended portion 45,
the support 47, the support seat 56, and the second extended
portion 51, which form a support member. This structure prevents
the extensions 33, 34 of the frame 31 from being elastically
deformed by the force acting in a horizontal direction (as
indicated by the arrows of FIGS. 1 and 5) due to manipulation of
the switch 15 of the accessory panel 14. The frame 31 is thus
maintained at a predetermined position, thus improving the rigidity
of the frame 13 when the accessory panel 14 is mounted on the spoke
cores 18. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to reinforce the frame 13
by means of, for example, a separate metal plate. The number of
parts is thus reduced and the manufacturing and mounting procedures
are simplified.
[0038] (2) In the illustrated embodiment, the first extended
portion 45 of each frame 31 is clamped between the first pressing
portion 66 of the associated mounting plate 63 and the support 47.
Further, the second extended portion 51 of the frame 31 is clamped
between the second pressing portion 67 of the mounting plate 63 and
the support seat 56. This structure prevents the first and second
extended portions 45, 51 from becoming unstable, thus supporting
the frame 31 in a stable manner. In addition, the first and second
extended portions 45, 51 are pressed by the first and second
pressing portions 66, 67, which project integrally from the
associated sides of the mounting plate 63. This structure
simplifies the manufacturing and mounting procedures, while
reducing the number of the parts.
[0039] (3) In the illustrated embodiment, the restricting recesses
50, 58 are provided on the associated extended portions 45, 51 of
each frame 31. Each restricting recess 50, 58 restricts the
position of the associated pressing portion 66, 67. This structure
further reliably prevents the accessory panel 14 from being
displaced by the force acting on the accessory panel 14.
[0040] (4) In the illustrated embodiment, each engaging hole 46 has
a tapered cross-sectional shape to increase its opening area toward
the lower end of the hole 46. The restricting pin 48 is thus
readily fitted in the engaging hole 46.
[0041] The present invention may be embodied with the following
modifications.
[0042] Although the steering wheel W of the illustrated embodiment
has four spokes 13, the steering wheels W may have two or three
spokes 13 or five or more spokes 13.
[0043] The pad 12 of the illustrated embodiment includes the
floating mechanisms 71. However, the floating mechanisms 71 do not
necessarily have to be provided. The frame 31 of each accessory
panel 14 may be pressed downward by an outer periphery of the cover
76 of the pad 12.
[0044] The present invention may be embodied as a steering wheel
that does not include an air bag device.
[0045] Although each spoke core 18 is formed of aluminum alloy
(aluminum die-cast material), other metal materials may be used.
For example, the spoke core 18 may be formed of iron, magnesium, or
their alloys.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second extended
portions 45, 51 of each frame 31 are pressed by the first and
second pressing portions 66, 67 of the mounting plate 63,
respectively. However, the first and second pressing portions 66,
67 do not necessarily have to be provided.
[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the support seat 56 is formed
on the cover 55 extending from the associated spoke core 18.
However, the support seat 56 may be formed directly on the spoke
core 18.
[0048] Although not illustrated, an engaging recess may be formed
in the distal end of the support 47. In this case, a matching
projection projects from a distal end of the side wall 32 of the
frame 31 and engages with the engaging recess. Further, an engaging
recess may be formed in the support seat 56 of the cover 55, while
a matching projection projects from the frame 31 and engages with
the engaging recess.
[0049] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is
not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified
within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
* * * * *