IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,319,334
Granted Patent B2
US 12,319,334 · App. 17/787,476 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Steering wheel

Inventors: Fabián Conde Bouza (Nigrán, ES); Jorge Ollero Ollero (Vigo, ES); Xabier Lema Martínez (A Coruña, ES)
Assignee: Dalphi Metal Espana S.A.
B62D1/08B62D1/06B62D1/11
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,319,334
App. No.
17/787,476
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to an improvement of a structure of a steering wheel. For this, the disclosure suggests a steering wheel comprising a monolithic steering wheel base body which includes a central area for mounting the steering wheel to a steering mechanism, a steering wheel rim and at least one spoke whose first spoke end abuts on the central area and whose second spoke end abuts on the steering wheel rim. Accordingly, a projection which restricts tilting of the spoke toward a central area to a predetermined extent is formed in an area of a first spoke end.

Claims (19)

1. A steering wheel comprising a monolithic steering wheel base body which includes a central area for mounting the steering wheel to a steering mechanism, a steering wheel rim and at least one spoke whose first spoke end abuts on the central area and whose second spoke end abuts on the steering wheel rim, wherein in an area of the first spoke end, a projection is formed which restricts tilting of the spoke toward the central area to a predetermined extent; wherein the projection extends transversely to a main construction direction of a first spoke section only over less than one third of a width of the first spoke section.

2. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the projection is formed at the spoke on its side facing the central area.

3. The steering wheel according to claim 2 , wherein in the area of the first spoke end at the central area, a stop is configured such that there exists a gap between the projection and the stop.

4. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein in the area of the first spoke end at the central area, a stop is configured such that there exists a gap between the projection and the stop.

5. The steering wheel according to claim 4 wherein the stop is configured in the form of a coupling unit for an airbag module.

6. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the spoke includes a first spoke section, wherein a main construction direction of the first spoke section and a main construction plane of the central area enclose an angle that ranges from 40° to 80°.

7. The steering wheel according to claim 6 , wherein the spoke has a first spoke section and a second spoke section, wherein a main construction direction of the first spoke section and a main construction direction of the second spoke section enclose an angle that ranges from 40° to 60°.

8. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the spoke has a first spoke section and a second spoke section, wherein a main construction direction of the first spoke section and a main construction direction of the second spoke section enclose an angle that ranges from 30° to 70°.

9. The steering wheel according to claim 8 , wherein the angle ranges from 40° to 60°.

10. The steering wheel according to claim 8 , wherein a transition area from the first spoke section to the second spoke section, at least one reinforcing structure is formed which extends along the main construction directions of the spoke on its side facing the central area.

11. The steering wheel according to claim 10 , wherein at the second spoke section at least one recess is provided.

12. The steering wheel according to claim 10 , wherein a coupling unit for operating elements is configured.

13. The steering wheel according to claim 10 , wherein at the second spoke section at least one receiving point is configured.

14. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein at least two spokes are provided, wherein these spokes are connected, in the mounting state of the steering wheel at a steering angle of 0°, to the steering wheel rim at 90° and at 270°.

15. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the steering wheel base body includes a foam wrapping and/or wherein operating elements.

16. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the projection is centrally arranged.

17. The steering wheel according to claim 1 , wherein the spoke includes a first spoke section, wherein the main construction direction of the first spoke section and the main construction plane of the central area enclose an angle that ranges from 50° to 75°.

18. A steering wheel comprising a monolithic steering wheel base body which includes a central area for mounting the steering wheel to a steering mechanism, a steering wheel rim and at least one spoke whose first spoke end abuts on the central area and whose second spoke end abuts on the steering wheel rim, wherein in an area of the first spoke end, a projection is formed which restricts tilting of the spoke toward the central area to a predetermined extent; wherein the steering wheel base body includes a foam wrapping and/or operating elements.

19. The steering wheel according to claim 18 , wherein a coating is included of at least the steering wheel rim and/or the spoke.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2022
From: CONDE BOUZA, FABIÁN; OLLERO OLLERO, JORGE; LEMA MARTÍNEZ, XABIER
To: DALPHI METAL ESPANA, S.A.
Reel/Frame 060252/0046 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102019135456.0 · Dec 20, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230039647A1 · Feb 9, 2023
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