Steering wheel
AssigneeM. J. Grootes Investments CC
InventorCornelius J. T. Ferreira
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A one-piece steering wheel is formed as a unitary casting from an alloy that includes 11.5% to 14% by weight silicon, and 350 to 450 parts per million strontium. Preferably the steering wheel mold is rotated during casting at relatively high rotational speeds exerting 100 g to 250 g force on the wheel. An optimum rotational speed is disclosed. A one-piece steering wheel formed according to the invention exhibits minimal length ferro-silicon hair-like strands, and thus exhibits reduced brittleness.
Claims11
A one-piece steering wheel that is deformable under load and comprises a hub, spokes, and rim, integrally formed as a unitary aluminum alloy casting, said alloy including 11.5% to 14% by weight of silicon and 350 to 450 parts per million of strontium;
- wherein said alloy exhibits bead-like particles composed of ferro-silicon that promote resiliency in said steering wheel.
A process for the manufacture of a one-piece steering wheel that is deformable under load and comprises a hub, spokes, and rim, integrally formed as a unitary alloy casting, said alloy casting exhibiting bead-like particles composed of ferro-silicon that promote resiliency in said steering wheel, said process comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a rotatable mold in which said steering wheel is to be cast;
- b) introducing into said mold a molten alloy having constituents including 11.5% to 14% by weight of silicon and 350 to 450 parts per million of strontium;
- c) rotating said mold;
- and
- d) after allowing said alloy to cool;
- removing the manufactured said steering wheel from said mold.
An alloy having bead like particles composed of ferro-silicon such that when cast said alloy exhibits resiliency, comprising:
- ______________________________________ % by weight ______________________________________ Cu 0.04 Mg 0.04 Si 12.56 Fe 0.38 Mn 0.34 Ni 0.01 Zn 0.01 Ti 0.06 Pb 0.01 Sn 0.01 Sr 420 ppm, and pure aluminum Remainder. ______________________________________
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.