JP7626082B2 - handle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steering wheel that is configured by disposing a sensor layer capable of detecting the driver's grip at the part that the driver grips when steering.

Conventionally, in this type of steering wheel, a sensor layer made of a sheet-like conductive material that can detect gripping due to an increase in capacitance has been arranged in the gripping portion that is gripped when steering (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sensor layer is arranged on the surface side of the gripping portion of the steering wheel, and the terminals of the lead wires extending from the grip detection circuit that detects gripping are riveted in place. The sensor layer is arranged by adhering, etc., on the surface side of the coating layer around the core metal of the gripping portion of the steering wheel.

JP 2018-63761 A

However, when the sensor layer that detects the grip is arranged like a thin coating on the surface of the coating layer around the core, even if a terminal is arranged on the surface side of the sensor layer, there is no space on the back side of the sensor layer to expand the tip side of the rivet that has penetrated the sensor layer and rivet the terminal to the sensor layer, and the coating-like sensor layer and the terminal cannot be smoothly connected. In this case, it is possible to fasten the sensor layer by passing a fastening means such as a rivet or screw through the coating layer and the core while placing the terminal on the front side of the sensor layer. However, even in this case, if the sensor layer is arranged on the front side of the coating layer and the head of the rivet or screw presses the sensor layer against the coating layer during fastening, there is a risk that the part of the sensor layer that contacts the terminal will cause a crack such as a break due to the elastic deformation of the coating layer on the back side of the sensor layer, and the terminal cannot be stably connected to the sensor layer, making it difficult to ensure a stable electrical connection between the sensor layer and the terminal. In particular, the coating layer that covers the core is usually made of a soft material such as urethane foam, and because the coating layer is subject to large elastic deformation, the portion of the sensor layer that comes into contact with the terminal can break due to the elastic deformation of the coating layer, making it impossible to stably connect the terminal to the sensor layer.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a handle that can stably connect a coating-like sensor layer for grip detection to a terminal.

In the steering wheel according to the present invention, a sensor layer made of a coating film containing a conductive material is disposed on the surface side of a soft coating layer disposed around a core metal so as to be capable of detecting gripping of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is steered.
The sensor layer is a handle for connecting a terminal of a lead wire that is connected to a grip detection circuit for detecting a grip,
the sensor layer disposed on the surface side of the coating layer covering the core metal has a flat conductive surface at a conductive portion with the terminal,
The terminal is formed in a plate shape having a connection surface along the conductive surface,
an elastically deformable conductor is disposed between the conductive surface and the connection surface;
a screw means for fastening a support member for supporting a rear side of the connection surface of the terminal and a portion of the sensor layer on the side of the core metal, the portion having the conductive portion disposed thereon, so as to bring them closer to each other;
The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to include the following.

In the handle of the present invention, when the conductive portion of the sensor layer, the conductor, the connection surface of the terminal, and the support are overlapped and the screw means is fastened to bring the core metal side and the support side closer together, the conductive surface of the conductive portion of the sensor layer and the connection surface of the terminal are electrically connected through the conductor compressed to generate a wide contact surface. That is, in this fastened state, the conductor is interposed between the sensor layer and the terminal while acting as a buffer and contacting the sensor layer and the terminal so as to be in close contact with each other over a wide contact area. Therefore, the sensor layer follows the deformation of the soft coating layer and does not break, and the terminal is crimped through the conductor with a wide contact surface, so that a good and stable electrical connection with the terminal can be ensured.

Therefore, the handle of the present invention allows for a stable connection between the coating sensor layer for grip detection and the terminal, enabling good grip detection.

In the handle of the present invention, it is desirable that the screw means be disposed on both sides of the conductor.

In this configuration, screw means are provided on both sides of the conductor, so that when the conductor is compressed, the conductive surface of the sensor layer and the connection surface of the terminal can be brought closer together while maintaining a parallel state, so that the terminal can be pressed evenly toward the sensor layer, maintaining a stable conductive state between the terminal and the sensor layer.

In addition, in the handle of the present invention, it is preferable that the support material is composed of a lower cover arranged on the underside of the handle.

In this configuration, the lower cover that is attached to the handle itself can be used to form a support material that supports the terminals, so there is no need to prepare a support material separate from the lower cover. In addition, this screw means also serves the function of attaching the lower cover to the core metal of the handle, so it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts required for the screws used to attach the lower cover.

In the handle according to the present invention, the sensor layer is
The mold coating agent may be formed from a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material, and may be disposed on the surface side of the coating layer when the coating layer is molded.

In this configuration, the sensor layer formed as a coating film is a mold coat layer (in-mold coat layer), and the mold coating agent consisting of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material is applied in advance to the mold surface of the mold used to mold the coating layer. After that, the coating layer can be easily formed by simply molding the coating layer. Furthermore, as a comparative example, for example, in a case where the sensor layer is not made into a mold coat layer, but a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material that forms the sensor layer is applied to the outer surface side of the coating layer after molding and then cured to form the sensor layer, a primer is applied to the outer surface of the coating layer after molding, or a drying process after applying the urethane-based paint is required. Compared to this case, the handle provided with the sensor layer consisting of the mold coat layer of the present invention can be easily manufactured because the primer application process and drying process described above are not required.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a handle of one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gripping portion of the handle of the embodiment, which corresponds to the portion II-II in FIG. 1. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the handle according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing process of the handle according to the embodiment, showing the state after FIG. 3 . 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle in which a terminal is disposed according to the embodiment, the portion corresponding to the VV portion in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a terminal arrangement portion of the handle according to the embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which a terminal and a support material are joined together. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating another state of connection between the terminal and the support member. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating still another state of connection between the terminal and the support member. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating other examples of conductors. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gripping portion of a modified example of the embodiment. 12A to 12C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the handle shown in FIG. 11 . 12 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing process of the handle shown in FIG. 11 . FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a terminal installation site in the handle shown in FIG. 11 . 12 is a schematic perspective view of a terminal arrangement portion of the handle shown in FIG. 11.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the handle W1 of the embodiment is configured to include a substantially annular grip portion R1 that is gripped when steering a vehicle (not shown), a boss portion B in the center of the grip portion R1, and spoke portions S (L, R, B) that connect the grip portion R1 and the boss portion B. The spoke portion S includes spoke portions SL, SR that extend to the left and right sides from the boss portion B, and spoke portion SB that extends rearward from the boss portion B. The handle W1 is also configured to include an airbag device 100, indicated by a two-dot chain line, disposed on the upper side of the boss portion B, a handle body H1, and a lower cover 20 that covers the lower side of the boss portion B.

The airbag device 100 and the lower cover 20 have substantially the same external shape when viewed from above, with the handle body H1 between them, the airbag device 100 is disposed above and the lower cover 20 is disposed below. The airbag device 100 is attached to the handle body H1 by engaging a plurality of mounting legs (not shown) with corresponding locking holes 9 of the handle body H1. The lower cover 20 is made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and is provided with fastening seats 21 provided with nuts 22 (see FIG. 5) made of metal such as steel for fastening the screws 38, 42. The screws 38, 42 that penetrate the handle body H1 are fastened to the fastening seats 21, and the handle body H1 is attached to the lower cover 20. The screws 38, as described later, constitute the screw means 37, and also have the function of connecting the terminal 30 to the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13 so as to be conductive. The fastening seat 21 of the lower cover 20 is arranged by insert molding using the nut 22 as an insert when the lower cover 20 is molded. The nut 22 at the location where the terminal 30 is arranged becomes the female threaded portion 39 into which the screw 38 of the screw means 37 is screwed.

The handle body H1 is composed of a grip portion R1, a boss portion B, and a core 3 made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy that connects the spoke portions S. The core 3 is composed of a grip core portion 4 arranged in the grip portion R1, a boss core portion 5 arranged in the boss portion B, and spoke core portions 6 (L, R), 7 arranged in the spoke portions S (L, R, B) to connect the grip core portion 4 and the boss core portion 5. The boss core portion 5 has a steel boss 5a arranged thereon that is connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle. The spoke core portion 6 is composed of spoke core portions 6L, 6R arranged in the left and right spoke portions SL, SR, and two spoke core portions 7, 7 arranged in the rear spoke portion SB, which branch off to the left and right at the boss core portion 5 side and are connected to the grip core portion 4 side.

In addition, a grip detection circuit 25 is provided in the boss portion B in the portion of the steering wheel main body H1 that is covered by the airbag device 100. The grip detection circuit 25 is connected to a lead wire 26 extending from the sensor layer 13 described below. When the driver's hand approaches the sensor layer 13 of the grip portion R1 as if gripping the grip portion R1, the capacitance increases, and the circuit detects this increase to detect the driver's grip.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gripping portion R1 is composed of the gripping core metal portion 4 of the core metal 3, a covering layer 10 made of urethane foam formed by molding so as to cover the periphery of the gripping core metal portion 4, a sensor layer 13 disposed on the surface of the covering layer 10, and a protective layer 18 disposed on the surface side of the sensor layer 13. In the areas of the left and right spoke portions SL and SR that are covered by the airbag device 100, the protective layer 18 does not cover the sensor layer 13 in areas away from the gripping core metal portion 4, leaving the sensor layer 13 exposed.

The sensor layer 13 is formed from a mold coating agent 58 made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material (a urethane-based paint mixed with conductive carbon, metal oxide powder, etc. as a conductive filler) (see FIG. 3), and is applied to the mold surfaces 51a, 52a of the coating layer 10 during molding, and is configured as a coating film that is disposed on the surface side of the coating layer 10 when the coating layer 10 is molded.

In this embodiment, the sensor layer 13 is formed from a urethane-based paint containing conductive carbon.

In this embodiment, the protective layer 18 is provided as a skin layer made of urethane foam that is applied by molding.

That is, in this embodiment, the urethane foam is configured to include a urethane layer as a covering layer 10 on the gripping core metal portion 4 side on the back side of the sensor layer 13, and a urethane layer as a protective layer 18 on the front side of the sensor layer 13.

In this embodiment, the sensor layer 13 is made of a urethane paint containing conductive carbon, and the surface of the coating layer 10 is covered in a dark black color, while the protective layer 187 is not black, but is formed using urethane foam containing a light beige pigment to enhance the design.

In this embodiment, the thickness dimension St1 of the sensor layer 13 is set to 20 μm within a range of about 5 to 50 μm, preferably 10 to 30 μm, taking into consideration the conductivity, durability, and feel, and the thickness dimension Ut1 of the urethane layer of the protective layer 18 is set to 2 mm within a range of about 1 to 3 mm, taking into consideration the durability, feel, and sensitivity of the sensor layer 13.

The lead wire 26 is connected to the sensor layer 13 by using a screw means 37 that crimps the terminal 30 connected to the tip of the lead wire 26 to the sensor layer 13 (D) side, as shown in FIG. 5. The terminal 30 is a substantially rectangular plate made of conductive metal, and is configured with a connecting part 32 at the center of the handle W1 to which the lead wire 26 is crimped and fixed.

The portion of the handle W1 where the terminal 30 is connected is located away from the area that the driver grips, and is covered by the airbag device 100, other switches, or the lower cover 20, etc., and is therefore not visible to the driver.

In this embodiment, the connection portion of the terminal 30 is disposed in a portion of the coating layer 10 that covers the lower surface side of the spoke core portion 6R, which is the portion that is covered by the lower cover 20. In this connection portion, the portion of the lower sensor layer 13D in the sensor layer 13 (U, D) that covers the outer surface 10a side of the coating layer 10 is configured as a conductive portion 14 that provides electrical continuity with the terminal 30, and the surface side of the conductive portion 14 is configured as a planar conductive surface 14a.

The terminal 30 is a generally rectangular plate extending in the longitudinal direction of the spoke core metal portion 6R, with the connection surface 31 aligned along the conductive surface 14a of the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13D disposed on the upper surface 30a, and the lower surface 30b supported by the support surface 23a on the upper surface side of the support surface portion 23 provided on the bottom wall portion 20a of the lower cover 20.

In this embodiment, the lower cover 20 serves as a support for the terminals 30. The support surface portion 23 is provided with locking claws 23b that assemble and hold the terminals 30. The locking claws 23b are arranged to lock the front and rear edges of the terminals 30 so that the lower surface 30b of the terminals 30 comes into contact with the support surface 23a.

An elastically deformable conductor 35 is disposed between the conductive surface 14a of the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13D and the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30. In this embodiment, the conductor 35 is made of conductive rubber. In this embodiment, the conductor 35 has a width dimension CW of about 10 mm, a thickness dimension CT of about 5 mm, and a length dimension CL of about 10 mm (see Figures 1 and 5).

The support surface portion 23 of the lower cover 20, which supports the back side of the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30 (i.e., the lower surface 30b side of the terminal 30), and the portion of the core metal (spoke core metal portion 6R) on which the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13D is disposed, are fastened by a screw means 37 so as to approach each other.

The screw means 37 is composed of a screw 38 and a female threaded portion 39 consisting of a nut 22 provided on the fastening seat 21 of the lower cover 20. The screw 38 is composed of a head 38a and a threaded rod portion 38b having a male threaded portion 38c extending from the head 38a and fastened to the female threaded portion 39 of the fastening seat 21. The screw 38 is fastened so that the support surface portion 23 of the lower cover 20 and the portion of the spoke core portion 6R on which the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13 is disposed approach each other. At this time, the conductor 35 is compressed, and the conductive state between the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13 and the terminal 30 can be stabilized.

In this embodiment, when the screw means 37 is tightened, the conductor 35 is compressed and the upper surface 21a of the fastening seat 21 comes into contact with the sensor layer 13D on the lower surface side.

In the embodiment, the screw means 37, which is equipped with a screw 38 and a female threaded portion 39, is disposed on both sides (front and rear) of the conductor 35.

The handle body H1 of this embodiment is manufactured through a mold coating agent application process, a first urethane layer molding process as the coating layer 10, and a second urethane layer molding process as the protective layer 18.

First, in the mold coating agent application process, as shown in Fig. 3A and 3B, a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material for forming the sensor layer 13 is applied as mold coating agent 58 to the mold surfaces 51a and 52a of the split molds 51 and 52 of the mold 50 for forming the first urethane layer as the coating layer 10, using a spray gun 57 as an application device. Note that before applying the mold coating agent 58, a release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 51a and 52a.

Next, as shown in Fig. 3C and 3D, in the process of forming the first urethane layer as the coating layer 10, the mold 50 consisting of split molds 51 and 52 is clamped, and the urethane material for forming the coating layer 10 as the first urethane layer is injected into the cavity 50a and hardened, producing an intermediate molded product 53 in which the coating layer 10 is molded, and the mold 50 is opened to remove the intermediate molded product 53.

Next, as a process for forming the second urethane layer as the protective layer 18, as shown in Fig. 4A and 4B, the mold 54 consisting of split molds 55 and 56 for forming the second urethane layer is opened, the intermediate molded product 53 is set, and the mold 54 is closed. As shown in Fig. 4B and 4C, the urethane material for forming the second urethane layer as the protective layer 18 is injected into the cavity 54a and hardened to form the second urethane layer 18. Before molding, a release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 55a and 56a of the split molds 55 and 56. After the second urethane layer as the protective layer 18 is molded, the mold is opened and removed to obtain a molded product provided with a grip portion R1, i.e., the handle body H1.

During the manufacture (molding) of the handlebar body H1, insertion holes 11, 16 for inserting the threaded rod portion 38b are formed in the coating layer 10 and the sensor layer 13 at the insertion hole 8 of the spoke core portion 6R. An insertion hole for inserting the threaded rod portion of the screw 42 is also formed in the left spoke core portion 6L.

With the steering wheel body H1 manufactured in this manner, the screws 38, 42 are fastened to the fastening seats 21, the lower cover 20 is attached to the lower side of the boss portion B, the boss 5a of the boss portion B is fastened to the steering shaft of the vehicle, and the airbag device 100 is attached to the upper side of the boss portion B. This allows the steering wheel W1 to be assembled and mounted on the vehicle.

When the screw 38 is fastened to the fastening seat 21, the conductor 35 is placed between the conductive surface 14a of the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13D and the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30, which has been placed in advance on the support surface 23a of the support surface portion 23 of the lower cover 20, using the locking claws 23b. The threaded rod portion 38b of the screw 38 is inserted through the insertion hole 16 of the sensor layer 13 (U, D), the insertion hole 11 of the coating layer 10, and the insertion hole 8 of the spoke core metal portion 6R, and the male threaded portion 38c of the threaded rod portion 38b is fastened to the female threaded portion 39 of the fastening seat 21. After the lower cover 20 is attached to the underside of the handle body H1, the lead wire 26, which has been connected to the connection portion 32, is connected to the grip detection circuit 25 attached to the handle body H1. This connection connects the sensor layer 13 and the grip detection circuit 25, which can detect the driver's grip, with the lead wire 26. After the boss 5a of the boss portion B is fastened to the steering shaft of the vehicle, when the airbag device 100 is attached to the upper side of the boss portion B, the lead wires for inputting the activation signal of the airbag device 100 extending from the vehicle side, the lead wires for the power supply of the grip detection circuit 25 and the lead wires for outputting the detection signal, etc. are connected to the airbag device 100 and the grip detection circuit 25.

When the driver's hand approaches the sensor layer 13 of the grip portion R1 of the steering wheel W1 mounted on the vehicle as if gripping the grip portion R1, a specified grip detection circuit 25 detects an increase in capacitance, and thus the driver's grip can be detected.

In the handle W1 of the embodiment, the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13D, the conductor 35, the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30, and the support surface portion 23 of the lower cover 20 as a support material are overlapped, and the screw means 37 is tightened so as to bring the core wire 6R side and the lower cover 20 side closer together, so that the conductive surface 14a of the conductive portion 14 of the sensor layer 13D and the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30 are electrically connected through the conductor 35 compressed to create wide contact surfaces 35a, 35b. That is, in this fastened state, the conductor 35 acts as a buffer and is in intimate contact with the sensor layer 13D and the terminal 30 over a wide contact area, and is interposed between the sensor layer 13D and the terminal 30. This allows the sensor layer 13D to follow the deformation of the soft coating layer 10 without breaking, and the conductor 35 is interposed with the wide contact surfaces 35a, 35b to press the terminal 30, ensuring good and stable electrical continuity with the terminal 30.

Therefore, in the handle W1 of the embodiment, the coating-like sensor layer 13 for grip detection can be stably connected to the terminal 30, enabling good grip detection.

In addition, in the handle W1 of the embodiment, the sensor layer 13 is formed from a mold coating agent 58 made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material, and is arranged on the surface (outer surface) 10a side of the coating layer 10 when the coating layer 10 is molded (see Figures 2 and 3).

Therefore, in the embodiment, the sensor layer 13 formed as a coating film is the mold coat layer (in-mold coat layer) 15, and the mold coat agent 58 made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material is applied in advance to the mold surfaces 51a, 52a of the mold 50 when the coating layer 10 is molded, and then the coating layer 10 with the sensor layer 13 can be formed by simply molding the coating layer 10. Furthermore, as a comparative example, for example, in a case where the sensor layer is not made into a mold coat layer, but a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material for forming the sensor layer is applied to the outer surface 10a side of the coating layer 10 after molding and then cured to form the sensor layer, a primer is applied to the outer surface of the coating layer after molding, or a labor for drying after applying the urethane-based paint is required. Compared to this case, the handle W1 provided with the sensor layer 13 made of the mold coat layer of the embodiment can be manufactured easily because the primer application process and drying process described above are not required.

Of course, if the above points are not taken into consideration, the sensor layer may not be a mold coat layer, but may instead be formed by applying a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material that forms the sensor layer to the outer surface side of the molded coating layer and then curing it.

Furthermore, in the handle W1 of this embodiment, the screw means 37 are arranged on both sides in the front-rear direction with the conductor 35 in between.

Therefore, in the embodiment, screw means 37 are provided on both sides of the conductor 35, so that when the conductor 35 is compressed, the conductive surface 14a of the sensor layer 13D and the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30 can be brought close to each other while maintaining a parallel state, so that the terminal 30 can be evenly pressed toward the sensor layer 13D, and a stable conductive state between the terminal 30 and the sensor layer 13D can be maintained.

In addition, in the handle W1 of this embodiment, the support material that supports the terminal 30 is composed of a lower cover 20 that is disposed on the underside of the handle W1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the support material for supporting the terminal 30 can be formed using the lower cover 20 that is disposed on the handle W1 itself, so there is no need to prepare a support material separate from the lower cover 20. In addition, this screw means 37 also serves the function of attaching the lower cover 20 to the core 3 (spoke core portion 6R) of the handle W1, so an increase in the number of parts such as the mounting screws 38, 42 for the lower cover 20 can be suppressed.

In addition, the screw means 37 does not have to be composed of the screw 38 that passes through the insertion holes 16, 8, 11 from the sensor layer 13U and the female screw portion 39 that screws into the male screw portion 38c, as in the embodiment, since the conductor 35 arranged between the conductive surface 14a of the sensor layer 13D and the connection surface 31 of the terminal 30 is compressed so as to exert a repulsive force and fastens the core metal 3 (spoke core metal portion 6R) side that holds the sensor layer 13D and the lower cover 20 as a support material that supports the terminal 30. For example, without providing the female screw portion 39 in the lower cover 20, the screw 38 may be passed through and nutted on the underside of the lower cover 20, or a bolt may be insert-molded so as to extend upward on the support material side, and the bolt may be inserted through the insertion holes 16, 8, 11 from the sensor layer 13D side and nutted on the upper sensor layer 13U side. Furthermore, the nut 22 may not be provided and the female thread portion 39 may be threaded into the fastening seat 21 of the lower cover 20.

The lower cover 20 as a support material for supporting the terminal 30 may be provided by gluing the terminal 30 to the lower cover 20, or as shown in Fig. 7, when the lower cover 20A is formed using a molding die 44 having split dies 44a, 44b, the lower cover 20A may be insert-molded with the terminal 30A as an insert, and the terminal 30A may be provided in the lower cover 20A. As shown in Fig. 8, a protrusion 23c for thermal crimping may be provided protruding from the support surface portion 23 of the lower cover 20B, and the protrusion 23c may be inserted into the mounting hole 33 of the terminal 30B, and the tip of the protrusion 23c may be melted to expand the diameter, and the terminal 30B may be engaged with the support surface portion 23 to be provided. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal 30C may be provided with an attachment hole 33C through which a screw 46 can be inserted, and the screw 46 may be inserted through the attachment hole 33C and screwed into the screw hole 23d of the support surface portion 23 to mount the terminal 30C on the support surface portion 23.

Furthermore, as the elastically deformable conductor 35, in addition to conductive rubber as in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a conductor 35D made of a conductive metal spring or a conductive cloth (not shown) that is elastically deformable and conductive can be used as long as it can be compressed to ensure a wide contact surface 35a with the sensor layer 13D.

The conductors 35 and 35D may be attached to the terminal 30 in advance as long as they can be elastically deformed while maintaining a good electrical connection.

In addition, to improve the sensitivity of the sensor layer 13, a shield layer 64 may be disposed around the core bar (grip core bar portion) 4, as in the handle W2 shown in Figures 11 to 15.

As shown in FIG. 11, the handle W2 has a gripping portion R2 including a gripping core bar portion 4 of a core bar 3, a coating layer 60 made of urethane foam that is arranged by molding to cover the periphery of the gripping core bar portion 4, and a sensor layer 67. As in the embodiment, the sensor layer 67 is formed from a mold coating agent 85 made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material (conductive carbon) (see FIG. 13), and is applied to the mold surfaces 78a, 79a of the second urethane layer 62 of the coating layer 60 during molding, and is arranged on the surface side of the second urethane layer 62 when the second urethane layer 62 of the coating layer 60 is molded. Furthermore, the sensor layer 67 is arranged covered by a protective layer 70 arranged on the surface side.

The covering layer 60 made of urethane foam is composed of a first urethane layer 61 on the gripping core bar portion 4 side of the core bar 3, a second urethane layer 62 on the back side of the sensor layer 67, and a shielding layer 64 disposed between the first urethane layer 61 and the second urethane layer 62.

The shield layer 64 is composed of a first mold coating agent 84 (see FIG. 12) made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material (e.g., conductive carbon). The sensor layer 67 is composed of a second mold coating agent 85 (see FIG. 13). That is, the first mold coating agent 84 is applied to the mold surfaces 74a, 75a of the mold 73 of the first urethane layer 61 during molding, and is disposed on the surface side of the first urethane layer 61 during molding of the first urethane layer 61, forming the first mold coating layer 65. The second mold coating agent 85 forming the sensor layer 67 is applied to the mold surfaces 78a, 79a of the mold 77 of the second urethane layer 62 during molding, and the sensor layer 67, which becomes the second mold coating layer 68, is disposed on the surface side of the second urethane layer 62 during molding of the second urethane layer 62.

The handle body H2 of the handle W2 is manufactured through a process of applying a mold coating agent for the shield, a process of forming a first urethane layer, a process of applying a mold coating agent for the sensor, a process of forming a second urethane layer, and a process of forming a protective layer.

First, in the shielding mold coating agent application process, as shown in Fig. 12A and B, a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material that forms the shield layer 64 is applied as the first mold coating agent 84 to the mold surfaces 74a and 75a of the split molds 74 and 75 of the mold 73 that forms the first urethane layer 61 as the coating layer 60, using a spray gun 81 as an application device. Note that before applying the mold coating agent 84, a release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 74a and 75a.

Next, as shown in Fig. 12B and 12C, in the first urethane layer molding process, a mold 73 consisting of split molds 74 and 75 is clamped, and urethane material for forming the first urethane layer 61 is injected into the cavity 73a and hardened, producing an intermediate molded product 66 that forms the first urethane layer 61. The mold 73 is then opened, and the intermediate molded product 66 is removed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, in the sensor mold coating agent application process, a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material for forming the sensor layer 67 is applied as a second mold coating agent 85 to the mold surfaces 78a, 79a of the split molds 78, 79 of the mold 77 for forming the second urethane layer 62 as the coating layer 60, using a spray gun 82 as an application device. Note that a release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 78a, 79a before applying the mold coating agent 85.

Next, as shown in A and B of FIG. 13, in the second urethane layer molding process, the intermediate molded product 66 is set in a mold 77 consisting of split molds 78 and 79 for molding the second urethane layer 62, the mold 77 is closed, and the urethane material for molding the second urethane layer 62 is injected into the cavity 77a and hardened to form the second urethane layer 62, as shown in FIG. 13A and B. Then, after molding the second urethane layer 62, the mold is opened and removed to obtain the intermediate molded product 69 before the protective layer 70 is molded (see C of FIG. 13).

After that, the protective layer 70 is formed on the intermediate molded product 69, and the grip portion R2 of the handle body H2 can be manufactured (see D in Figure 13).

When the handle body H2 is molded, the through-hole of the spoke core metal portion 6L through which the screw 38 of the screw means 37 is inserted is provided with the covering layer 60, the sensor layer 67, and the through-hole of the shield layer 64 (not shown) through which the screw 38 can be inserted, as in the embodiment.

In the steering wheel body H2 manufactured in this manner, similar to the steering wheel body H1, the lower cover 20E is attached to the lower side of the boss portion B, the boss 5a of the boss portion B is fastened to the steering shaft of the vehicle, and the airbag device 100 is attached to the upper side of the boss portion B, whereby the steering wheel W2 can be assembled and mounted on the vehicle.

The lead wire 87 connected to the shield layer 64 is connected to a predetermined shield circuit that is connected to the grip detection circuit, and is also connected to the connecting portion 92 of the terminal 90, and the terminal 90 presses its connection surface 91 against the conductor 35E made of conductive rubber. The sensor layer 67 is also connected to the terminal 30E via the conductor 35E, as in the embodiment.

3...Core metal, 6 (L, R)...Spoke core metal portion, 10 (U, D), 60...Covering layer, 13 (U, D), 67...Sensor layer, 14...Conductive portion, 14a...Conductive surface, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20E...(Support material) Lower cover, 25...Grip detection circuit, 26...Lead wire, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30E...Terminal, 31...Connection surface, 35, 35A, 35D, 35E...Conductor, 37...Screw means, 38...Screw, 39...Female thread portion,
H1, H2...handle body, R1, R2...grip portion, W1, W2...handle.

Claims (3)

A sensor layer made of a coating film containing a conductive material is disposed on a surface side of a soft coating layer disposed around a core metal so that the gripping of the steering wheel during steering can be detected.
The sensor layer is a handle for connecting a terminal of a lead wire that is connected to a grip detection circuit for detecting a grip,
the sensor layer disposed on the surface side of the coating layer covering the core metal has a flat conductive surface at a conductive portion with the terminal,
The terminal is formed in a plate shape having a connection surface along the conductive surface,
an elastically deformable conductor is disposed between the conductive surface and the connection surface;
a screw means for fastening a support member for supporting a rear side of the connection surface of the terminal and a portion of the sensor layer on the side of the core metal, the portion having the conductive portion disposed thereon, so as to bring them closer to each other;
The present invention is configured with
A handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said screw means is disposed on either side of said conductor . A sensor layer made of a coating film containing a conductive material is disposed on a surface side of a soft coating layer disposed around a core metal so that the gripping of the steering wheel during steering can be detected.
The sensor layer is a handle for connecting a terminal of a lead wire that is connected to a grip detection circuit for detecting a grip,
the sensor layer disposed on the surface side of the coating layer covering the core metal has a flat conductive surface at a conductive portion with the terminal,
The terminal is formed in a plate shape having a connection surface along the conductive surface,
an elastically deformable conductor is disposed between the conductive surface and the connection surface;
a screw means for fastening a support member for supporting a rear side of the connection surface of the terminal and a portion of the sensor layer on the side of the core metal, the portion having the conductive portion disposed thereon, so as to bring them closer to each other;
The present invention is configured with
A handle characterized in that the support member is constituted by a lower cover disposed on the underside of the handle . A sensor layer made of a coating film containing a conductive material is disposed on a surface side of a soft coating layer disposed around a core metal so that the gripping of the steering wheel during steering can be detected.
The sensor layer is a handle for connecting a terminal of a lead wire that is connected to a grip detection circuit for detecting a grip,
the sensor layer disposed on the surface side of the coating layer covering the core metal has a flat conductive surface at a conductive portion with the terminal,
The terminal is formed in a plate shape having a connection surface along the conductive surface,
an elastically deformable conductor is disposed between the conductive surface and the connection surface;
a screw means for fastening a support member for supporting a rear side of the connection surface of the terminal and a portion of the sensor layer on the side of the core metal, the portion having the conductive portion disposed thereon, so as to bring them closer to each other;
The present invention is configured with
A handle characterized in that the sensor layer is formed from a mold coating agent made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material, and is disposed on the surface side of the coating layer when the coating layer is molded .

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