Assembly forming a protective sleeve for a steering column in an automobile

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly forming a cover for a steering column of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising an upper half-sheath for covering an upper portion of the steering column, a lower half-sheath for covering a lower portion of the steering column, a lower trim piece (13) located below and at a distance from the lower half-sheath, such that there is an opening between said lower trim piece (13) and said lower half-sheath, a mask (131) extending projecting from the lower trim piece (13) towards the upper half-sheath, so as to extend across the opening existing between the lower trim piece (13) and the lower half-sheath, the mask (131) having a constriction zone located near the lower trim piece (13) from which the mask (131) extends. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly forming a covering sheath for a steering column for a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of dashboard panels and the trim of a motor vehicle interior. More particularly, the invention relates to an assembly forming a trim sheath for a steering column for a motor vehicle.

[0002] In the state of the art, steering column covers are known, also referred to as "steering column curtains", and arranged in the upper part so as to mask the space located between a steering wheel and a dashboard of the motor vehicle.

[0003] In a known manner, such a covering comprises:

[0004] - an upper half-sheath intended to cover an upper part of the column of direction ;

[0005] - a lower half-sheath intended to cover a lower part of the column of direction ;

[0006] - a dashboard trim located in front of the lower half-sheath, rela tively to a longitudinal axis, the dashboard trim comprising a lower trim located below and at a distance from the lower half-sheath, such that there is an opening between said lower trim and said lower half-sheath.

[0007] In a known manner, the upper part of the steering column often comprises a deformable portion, at the level of the upper half-sheath. This, on the one hand, allows adjustment of the steering wheel to different forward or backward, and high or low positions; and on the other hand, it does not hinder the deformation of the steering column in the event of a frontal impact, that is to say the advancement of the column towards the dashboard.

[0008] A known disadvantage of these trims lies in the fact that certain gaps remain between the different parts of the trim, leading to visibility of the technical parts located in front of said trims, and in particular the steering column. Such visibility of these technical elements is not desired and leads to a feeling of lower quality perceived by the user of the motor vehicle.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a new assembly in order to respond at least to a large extent to the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another aim of the invention is to mask the technical elements of the column of direction located in front of the cladding sheath.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to propose such an economical assembly.

[0012] Another object of the invention is not to hinder the deformation of the column of direction in the event of a frontal impact.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an assembly forming a covering sheath for a steering column for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

[0014] - an upper half-sheath intended to cover an upper part of the column of direction ;

[0015] - a lower half-sheath intended to cover a lower part of the column of direction ;

[0016] - a dashboard trim located in front of the lower half-sheath, rela tively to a longitudinal axis, the dashboard trim comprising a lower trim located below and at a distance from the lower half-sheath, such that there is an opening between said lower trim and said lower half-sheath.

[0017] According to the invention, the assembly further comprises a mask which projects from the lower lining and towards the upper half-sheath, so as to extend across the opening existing between the lower lining and the lower half-sheath, the mask comprising a constriction zone located near the lower lining from which the mask extends.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the assembly according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle to a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, inboard and outboard refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis extends as being taken along a direction which extends from front to rear or from back to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis.Finally, the vertical axis is understood to be taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the upper half-sheath is a plate steering column cover, located at the top of the steering wheel. The upper half-sheath is made of a plastic material. The upper half-sheath thus forms a covering shell for the upper part of the steering column.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the lower half-sheath is a cover plate for the steering column, located in the lower part of the steering wheel. The lower half-sheath is formed from a plastic material. The lower half-sheath thus forms a covering shell for the lower part of the steering column. The lower half-sheath is located opposite the upper half-sheath.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the dashboard trim comprises one or more dashboard trim plates below the steering column, in front of the driver's seat, and towards the driver's footwell. In particular, the dashboard trim comprises the lower trim which extends below the steering column. The lower trim thus forms the extension of the lower half-sheath at the level of the dashboard panel. In the context of the present invention, the lower trim is located at a distance from the lower half-sheath - at least in line with the steering column, so that there is a non-zero clearance between the lower half-sheath and the lower trim. This clearance is referred to as "opening" in the context of the present invention.The opening typically has dimensions of the order of several millimeters along the vertical axis and several centimeters along the transverse axis.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the mask is a wall which extends from a face of the lower trim located on the side of the steering column, that is to say on the side of an engine compartment of the motor vehicle and opposite a passenger compartment of said motor vehicle. The mask extends across the opening, behind the steering column, so as to mask the view of said steering column from the passenger compartment.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the constriction zone forms an initiation of rupture of the mask with respect to the lower trim from which it extends, so that, in the event of a frontal impact, the mechanical stresses caused by the impact on the steering column and the trim sheath lead to a concentration of said mechanical stresses in the constriction zone and, ultimately, to breakage or deformation of the mask along the constriction zone.

[0024] Thus, the assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to solve the technical problem: the mask prevents the steering column from being seen from the passenger compartment, and the constriction zone makes it possible not to hinder the collapsability of the steering column and / or the trim sheath in the event of a frontal impact.

[0025] The assembly according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements can be taken alone or in combination:

[0026] - the mask extends towards a handle for unlocking the column of direction. Relative to the vertical axis, the mask projects from a front face of the lower trim;

[0027] - according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mask is made of material with the lower lining. By material, we understand that the mask and the lower lining are produced by the same manufacturing process, so as to form a single monolith. In other words, the mask and the lower lining cannot be detached from each other without damaging the mask and / or the lower lining;

[0028] - the mask extends from one edge to the other of the opening, relative to an axis transverse. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to completely block the view of the steering column from the passenger compartment;

[0029] - the mask forms a flat wall which extends across the opening. As a by way of non-limiting example, the mask has a rectangular shape. The mask has a width, taken relative to a transverse axis, of between 150 mm and 200 mm, preferably equal to 185 mm. The mask has a height, taken relative to a vertical axis, of between 20 mm and 60 mm, preferably equal to 44 mm. The mask has a thickness, taken relative to a longitudinal axis, of less than 5 mm, preferably equal to 2 mm;

[0030] - advantageously, the mask comprises at least one lateral flap located at the level from a transverse end of the mask. Preferably, the mask has two side flaps located at each transverse end of the mask.

[0031] - each side flap is inclined relative to a central part of the mask, according to a tilt angle between 10° and 30°;

[0032] - the mask extends from the lower lining at an angle of between 80° and 100°. Preferably, the mask forms a draft angle at least equal to 3.5° relative to a direction perpendicular to the lower lining. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows the mask to be grained and avoids making it shiny;

[0033] - the constriction zone extends to the base of the mask, on the side of the lower lining. This configuration allows the mask to pivot from its base, thus facilitating the deformation of the steering column in the event of a front impact;

[0034] - the constriction zone comprises a rib which extends from one side of the mask to the other, the rib forming a zone of reduced thickness on the mask. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to form a flexible hinge which will be activated in the event of a frontal impact and during compression of the steering column and / or the trim sheath;

[0035] - the constriction zone extends over the central part of the mask and possibly over the at least one side flap. In the case where the constriction zone does not extend over the at least one side flap, then the at least one side flap does not extend to the lower trim from which the mask extends, and there is a non-zero vertical clearance between a lower edge of said side flap and the lower trim.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a steering column fitted with an assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0037] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0038] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0039] [Fig-1] illustrates a view of an assembly forming a covering sheath for a column of direction, as known in the prior art;

[0040] [Fig.2] illustrates an example of embodiment of an assembly conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0041] [Fig.3] illustrates a detail view of a lower trim of the assembly illustrated in [Fig.2], view from the passenger compartment;

[0042] [Fig.4] illustrates a detailed view of the packing visible in [Fig.3], seen from the steering column.

[0043] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0044] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0045] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0046] [Fig.l] illustrates an assembly 1 forming a covering sheath for a steering column 10, as known in the prior art. Such a covering sheath assembly 1 comprises:

[0047] - an upper half-sheath 11 intended to cover an upper part of the column of direction 10;

[0048] - a lower half-sheath 12 intended to cover a lower part of the column of direction 10;

[0049] - a dashboard trim located in front of the lower half-sheath 12, rela tively to a longitudinal axis, the dashboard trim comprising a lower trim 13 located below and at a distance from the lower half-sheath 12, so that there is an opening 2 between said lower trim 13 and said lower half-sheath 12.

[0050] Indeed, due to the different adjustments of the steering column 10, in particular the height and depth adjustment of said steering column 10, the opening 2 located under the lower half-sheath 12 is important. Such an opening 2 thus leaves visible technical elements that the invention aims to hide from the view of the driver or rear passengers of the motor vehicle carrying the invention. Such technical elements include in particular a tube of the steering column 10, electrical harnesses, fixing clips, soundproofing elements, an air conditioning unit, dashboard inserts.

[0051] To this end, the invention provides a modification of the front face 132 of the lower trim 13 of the assembly 1, in order to put in place a mask 131 which extends across the opening 2 so as to mask the technical elements located in front of the lower trim 13, beyond the dashboard and / or at the level of the steering column 10.

[0052] To this end, the assembly 1 further comprises such a mask 131 which projects from the lower lining 13 and in the direction of the upper half-sheath 11, so as to extend across the opening 2 existing between the lower lining 13 and the lower half-sheath 12, the mask 131 comprising a constriction zone 1313 located close to the lower lining 13 from which the mask 131 extends.

[0053] The mask 131 takes the form of a plate of constant thickness which projects from the front face 132 of the lower trim 13. The front face 132 of the lower trim 13 is the face located on the side of the steering column 10, while a rear face 130 of the lower trim 13 forms a visible face of said lower trim 13 by a driver or a rear passenger of the motor vehicle.

[0054] The mask 131 extends from the front face 132 of the lower trim 13 and in the direction of an unlocking handle of the steering column 10. In particular, the mask 131 extends from the front face 132 of the lower trim 13 at an angle of between 80° and 100° relative to said front face 132. Preferably, the mask 131 forms a clearance angle at least equal to 3.5° relative to a direction perpendicular to the lower trim 13. This configuration is particularly particularly advantageous because it allows the mask 131 to be grained and prevents it from becoming shiny, which improves the visible rendering for the driver or a rear passenger of the motor vehicle.

[0055] In order to completely mask the technical elements located in front of the lower trim 13, the mask 131 extends from one edge to the other of the opening 2, relative to a transverse axis.

[0056] As visible in the FIGURES, the mask 131 thus forms a flat and rectangular wall which extends across the opening 2. The mask 131 has a width, taken relative to a transverse axis, of between 150 mm and 200 mm, preferably equal to 185 mm. The mask 131 has a height, taken relative to a vertical axis, of between 20 mm and 60 mm, preferably equal to 44 mm. The mask 131 has a thickness, taken relative to a longitudinal axis, of less than 5 mm, preferably equal to 2 mm.

[0057] Advantageously, the mask 131 is made from the same material as the lower lining 13, and obtained for example by molding.

[0058] So that the mask 131 does not hinder the sinking of the steering column 10 in the event of a frontal impact, the mask 131 comprises the constriction zone 1313 which makes it possible to bend or break the mask 131 along said constriction zone 1313. In particular, in the event of a frontal impact, the steering column 10, the lower trim 13, the upper half-sheath 11 and the lower half-sheath 12 move forward and downward. During this compression movement, the mask 131 would risk hindering such a movement. Also, the constriction zone 1313 makes it possible to break or bend the mask 131 in contact with these elements when they compress forward, following a frontal impact.

[0059] The constriction zone 1313 thus forms an incipient rupture of the mask 131 with respect to the lower trim 13 from which it extends, so that, in the event of a frontal impact, the mechanical stresses caused by the impact on the steering column 10 and the trim sheath lead to a concentration of said mechanical stresses in the constriction zone 1313 and, finally, to breakage or deformation of the mask 131 along the constriction zone 1313.

[0060] The constriction zone 1313 extends to the base 1311 of the mask 131, on the side of the lower trim 13. The constriction zone 1313 extends at a distance from a free edge 1312 of the mask 131. More particularly, the constriction zone 1313 comprises a rib which extends from one side of the mask 131 to the other, the rib forming a zone of reduced thickness on the mask 131. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to form a flexible hinge which will be activated in the event of a frontal impact and during compression of the steering column 10 and / or the trim sheath.

[0061] In summary, the invention relates to an assembly 1 forming a covering sheath of a steering column 10 for a motor vehicle, the assembly 1 comprising an upper half-sheath 11 intended to cover an upper part of the steering column 10, a lower half-sheath 12 intended to cover a lower part of the steering column 10, a lower trim 13 located below and at a distance from the lower half-sheath 12, so that there is an opening 2 between said lower trim 13 and said lower half-sheath 12, a mask 131 which projects from the lower trim 13 and in the direction of the upper half-sheath 11, so as to extend across the opening 2 existing between the lower trim 13 and the lower half-sheath 12, the mask 131 comprising a constriction zone 1313 located near the lower trim 13 from which the mask 131 extends.

[0062] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (1) forming a covering sheath for a steering column (10) for a motor vehicle, the assembly (1) comprising: - an upper half-sheath (11) intended to cover an upper part of the steering column (10); - a lower half-sheath (12) intended to cover a lower part of the steering column (10); - a dashboard trim located in front of the lower half-sheath (12), relative to a longitudinal axis, the dashboard trim comprising a lower trim (13) located below and at a distance from the lower half-sheath (12), so that there is an opening (2) between said lower trim (13) and said lower half-sheath (12);characterized in that the assembly (1) further comprises a mask (131) which projects from the lower lining (13) and towards the upper half-sheath (11), so as to extend across the opening (2) existing between the lower lining (13) and the lower half-sheath (12), the mask (131) comprising a constriction zone (1313) located near the lower lining (13) from which the mask (131) extends.;

2. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the mask (131) is made of a material with the lower lining (13).

3. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mask (131) extends from one edge to the other of the opening (2), relative to a transverse axis.

4. An assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the mask (131) forms a planar wall which extends across the opening (2).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mask (131) comprises at least one side flap located at a transverse end of the mask (131).

6. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, in which each side flap is inclined relative to a central part of the mask (131), at an angle of inclination of between 10° and 30°.

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mask (131) extends from the lower lining (13) at an angle of between 80° and 100°. Preferably, the mask (131) forms a clearance angle at least equal to 3.5° relative to a direction perpendicular to the lower lining (13).

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the constriction zone (1313) extends to the base (1311) of the mask (131), on the side of the lower lining (13).

9. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the constriction zone (1313) comprises a rib which extends right through the mask (131), the rib forming a zone of reduced thickness on the mask (131).

10. Motor vehicle comprising a steering column (10) fitted with an assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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