Description:IMPACT ENERGY ABSORBING NON-AIRBAG STEERING WHEEL

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a steering wheel of a vehicle. The present invention is particularly related to an impact absorbing bracket structure for a non-air bag type steering wheel of the vehicle that absorbs the energy of passenger impact during a crash and which is also cost-effective.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter.
[0003] As in addition to a seat belt, an airbag system is typically fitted in cars. The airbag is also an indispensable safety system for preventing hazards as it is made necessary for regulation purposes as provided by AIS096. The airbag system consists of an airbag module with an airbag, a gas generator, a pat cover, a front impact sensor, a rotary contact switch, and a calculator.
[0004] The AIS096 is a regulation that is required for a steering wheel system that the steering wheel should absorb the energy of passenger impact to the steering wheel at vehicle crash timing. Therefore it is required that the steering wheel should have stiffness.
[0005] In most cases, the airbag module of the airbag system is mounted in the steering wheel, inside a cavity that is created in the hub of the wheel for the airbag module to be mounted in. In case of an impact, the cushion is deployed out of the airbag module.
[0006] The project is to add non-air bag and the air bag design is changed to introduce the Software as a service (SAAS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) compliance. The ESP compliance is to be adhered by all the vehicles.
[0007] In the existing vehicle design, there is no SAAS. Therefore it is required to change the airbag to to comply with the SAAS and in order to provide SAAS, the layout of the airbag has to be changed. To provide SAAS there are two options. The first one is to continue with the existing design. The existing design amounts to excessive development time further added with the cost.
[0008] The other is to platform the five steering wheel that is available in the market, but the platform five steering wheel is costly.
[0009] It is therefore desirable to provide a non-airbag type steering wheel with SAAS compliance for a cargo type vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0011] It is a primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a non-airbag type steering wheel with SAAS compliance for a cargo type vehicle.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an impact absorbing bracket structure to be affixed on an airbag receiving bracket of a steering wheel to absorb head impact force during collision.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective solution to achieve the above objectives.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0015] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0016] The present disclosure provides a solution in the form of an impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel having an impact absorbing bracket structure to be affixed on an airbag receiving bracket of a steering wheel to absorb head impact force during collision. The impact absorbing bracket structure includes a U-shaped base member having a base horizontal portion and two longitudinal portions extending perpendicularly away from left hand transverse side and right hand transverse side of the base horizontal portion respectively. A horizontal portion extend perpendicularly outward away from each of the longitudinal portions. A longitudinal portion extend perpendicularly in downward direction from each of the horizontal portion toward the base horizontal portion and a horizontal portion extend perpendicularly outward away from each of the longitudinal portion to define mounting flanges.
[0017] In an aspect, the longitudinal portion, the horizontal portion and the longitudinal portion combinedly define a U-shaped profile.
[0018] In an aspect, each of the horizontal portion has a plurality of fastening holes to mount the impact absorbing bracket structure by means of studs on the air bag receiving bracket of the steering wheel.
[0019] In an aspect, the longitudinal portions has a plurality of tuning holes for variable stiffness of the impact absorbing bracket structure.
[0020] In an aspect, the air bag receiving bracket define a circular cavity configured to receive an air bag.
[0021] In an aspect, the air bag receiving bracket receives the impact absorbing bracket structure in place of air bag In an aspect, the first side and the third side have a slanted surface.
[0022] In an aspect, the base horizontal portion of the U-shaped base member, when mounted on the steering wheel, faces the rear surface of base portion of the steering wheel to receive the impact force.
[0023] In an aspect, a plurality of ribs are provided on the backside of the base portion to increase stiffness and rigidity of the base portion.
[0024] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0025] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0026] Fig. 1a illustrates an exploded view of an impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel of a vehicle according to the present disclosure;
[0027] Fig. 1b illustrates a back view of the base portion of the steering wheel according to the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 1c illustrates an impact absorbing bracket structure fixed on an air bag receiving bracket base portion of the impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel according to the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 2a illustrates an impact absorbing bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0030] Fig. 2b illustrates a prespective view of the impact absorbing bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0031] Fig. 2c illustrates a top view of the impact absorbing bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0032] Fig. 2d illustrates a prespective view of the impact absorbing bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0033] Fig. 2e illustrates a side view of the impact absorbing bracket structure according to the present disclosure;
[0034] Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the impact absorbing bracket structure touching the rib of the base portion according to the present disclosure.
[0035] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0036] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0037] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0038] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0040] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0041] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0042] The present invention discloses a non-airbag type steering wheel. Inside the steering wheel, an impact absorbing bracket structure is provided. The impact absorbing bracket structure is designed to absorb head impact force during the case of a collision.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 1a to FIG. 1c, shows a base portion (101) on an impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel (100) with an embossed member (106) on a backside of the base portion (101). A ring plate (102) is coaxially disposed with the embossed member (106). Further, the ring plate (102) has a front plane and a back plane. The front plane of the ring plate (102) face towards the base portion (101) and the back plane faces an airbag receiving bracket (103).
[0044] The airbag receiving bracket (103) is also connected coaxially parallel to the back plane of the ring plate (102). The airbag receiving bracket (103) covers the ring plate (102) and is radially disposed over the embossed member (106). The airbag receiving bracket (103) also has a front plane and a back plane.
[0045] Further, both the ring plate (102) and the airbag receiving bracket (103) has a circular cavity (104, 105).
[0046] An impact absorbing bracket structure (200) is further inserted through the circular cavity (104, 105) of the ring plate (102) and the airbag receiving bracket (103) and the impact absorbing bracket structure (200) is affixed on the airbag receiving bracket (103) of the impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel (100) to absorb head impact force during collision.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2a to FIG. 2e, impact absorbing bracket structure (200) is shown. The impact absorbing bracket structure (200) has a U-shaped base member (201). The U-shaped base member (201) has a base horizontal portion (204) and two longitudinal portions (205a, 205b). The two longitudinal portions (205a, 205b) extend perpendicularly away from the left hand transverse side and right hand transverse side of the base horizontal portion (204) respectively.
[0048] Further, the longitudinal portions (205a, 205b) on the U-shaped base member (201) has a plurality of tuning holes (203). The tuning holes (203) are given to provide variable stiffness to the impact absorbing bracket structure (200).
[0049] The longitudinal portions (205a, 205b) are further extended and create a horizontal portion (202a, 202b) that extends perpendicularly outward away in a left direction and a right direction from each of the longitudinal portions (205a, 205b).
[0050] A longitudinal portion (207a, 207b) is continuous from the horizontal portion (202a, 202b) and extend perpendicularly in a downward direction from each of the horizontal portion (202a, 202b) toward the base horizontal portion (204).
[0051] Further connecting the longitudinal portion (207a, 207b), a horizontal portion (206a, 206b) is provided. The horizontal portion (206a, 206b) extend perpendicularly outward away from each of the longitudinal portion (207a, 207b) to define mounting flanges.
[0052] Moreover, the longitudinal portion (205a, 205b), the horizontal portion (202a, 202b), and the longitudinal portion (207a, 207b) combinedly define a U-shaped profile.
[0053] Each of the horizontal portion (206a, 206b) has a plurality of fastening holes (208a, 208b, 210a, 210b) to mount the impact absorbing bracket structure (200) by means of studs (108) on the air bag receiving bracket (103) of the impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel (100).
[0054] The fastening holes (208a, 208b, 210a, 210b) are given on the edges of each of the horizontal portion (206a, 206b). Further, a positioning portion (209) is provided in between the fastening holes (208a, 208b) of the first horizontal portion (206a) to position in the air bag receiving bracket (103).
[0055] The studs (108) are configured to be inserted inside the plurality of fastening holes (208a, 208b, 210a, 210b) to affix the impact absorbing structure (200) with the air bag receiving bracket (103).
[0056] Further, a plurality of ribs (107) are provided on the backside of the base portion (101) to increase stiffness and rigidity of the base portion (106).
[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, the base horizontal portion (204) of the U-shaped base member (201), when mounted on the impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel (100), faces the backside of the base portion (106) of the impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel (100) to receive the impact force.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0058] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the impact force during the case of a collision is absorbed by the impact absorbing bracket structure.
[0059] The non-airbag type steering wheel is provided with SAAS compliance.
[0060] The cost is subsequently improved.
[0061] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0062] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature. , Claims:We claim:
1. An impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel having an impact absorbing bracket structure (200) to be affixed on an air bag receiving bracket (103) of the impact energy absorbing non-airbag steering wheel steering wheel (100) to absorb head impact force during collision, the impact absorbing bracket structure (200) comprising:
a U-shaped base member (201) having a base horizontal portion (204) and two longitudinal portions (205a, 205b) extending perpendicularly away from left hand transverse side and right hand transverse side of the base horizontal portion (204) respectively;
a horizontal portion (202a, 202b) extend perpendicularly outward away from each of the longitudinal portions (205a, 205b);
a longitudinal portion (207a, 207b) extend perpendicularly in downward direction from each of the horizontal portion (202a, 202b) toward the base horizontal portion (204); and
a horizontal portion (206a, 206b) extend perpendicularly outward away from each of the longitudinal portion (207a, 207b) to define mounting flanges.

2. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal portion (205a, 205b), the horizontal portion (202a, 202b), and the longitudinal portion (207a, 207b) combinedly define a U-shaped profile.

3. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the horizontal portion (206a, 206b) has a plurality of fastening holes (208a, 208b) to mount the impact absorbing bracket structure (200) by means of studs (108) on the air bag receiving bracket (103) of the steering wheel (100).

4. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal portions (205a, 205b) has a least one tuning hole (203) for variable stiffness of the impact absorbing bracket structure (200).

5. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air bag receiving bracket (103) define a circular cavity (105) configured to receive an air bag.

6. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the air bag receiving bracket (103) receives the impact absorbing bracket structure (200) in place of the air bag.

7. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base horizontal portion (204) of the U-shaped base member (201), when mounted on the steering wheel (100), faces the rear surface of a base portion (101) of the steering wheel (100) to receive the impact force.

8. The impact absorbing non-airbag steering wheel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of ribs (107) are provided on the backside of the base portion (101) to increase stiffness and rigidity of the base portion (101).