초록 ▼

An impact energy steering wheel comprising a ring portion, at least one plastically deformable spoke core member, a boss portion, and a plastically deformable support member supporting an impact energy absorber and a pad. The support member is fixed to each of the spoke core members such that the su

An impact energy steering wheel comprising a ring portion, at least one plastically deformable spoke core member, a boss portion, and a plastically deformable support member supporting an impact energy absorber and a pad. The support member is fixed to each of the spoke core members such that the support member, the energy absorber, and the pad are positioned so as to be spaced apart from and between the ring and the boss portions. When a generally horizontally acting impact force acts on the ring portion, the spoke core members are subjected to plastic deformation and the ring portion reorients so as to have an imaginary frontal plane extending in the vertical direction. The support member, being attached to each of the spoke core members, is affected by the deformation of these spoke core members and reorients so as to cause the impact energy absorber and the pad to have upper surfaces which extend in the vertical direction parallel to the ring portion imaginary frontal plane.

대표청구항 ▼

An impact energy absorbing steering wheel comprising: a boss portion; a ring portion disposed generally coaxially of said boss portion, but axially and radially spaced apart, said ring portion having an imaginary frontal plane disposed to be presented towards an automobile driver; at least two gener

An impact energy absorbing steering wheel comprising: a boss portion; a ring portion disposed generally coaxially of said boss portion, but axially and radially spaced apart, said ring portion having an imaginary frontal plane disposed to be presented towards an automobile driver; at least two generally radially extending spoke core members, each having a radially inner end secured to said boss portion and a radially outer end secured to said ring portion; each of said spoke core members having a slanting portion extending from said ring portion toward said boss portion at an acute angle to a point intermediate the two radial ends thereof, and a second portion connecting said intermediate point to said boss portion; a support member disposed between said boss and ring portions substantially parallel to said ring portion imaginary frontal plane and securely fixed to slanting portions of said spoke core members; an impact energy absorber having an upper surface and being affixed to said support member; and a pad disposed between said support member and said ring portion and having an upper surface extending substantially in parallel with said ring portion imaginary frontal plane; each of said spoke core and support members being constructed of materials capable of plastic deformation and said support member and impact energy absorber being spaced from said boss portion whereby when an impact force acts on said ring portion at a non-perpendicular angle relative to said frontal plane, said ring portion, said impact energy absorber upper surface and pad upper surface all re-orient so as to extend substantially perpendicular to said impact force without interference from said boss portion.