Vehicle having a steering column coupled to an anti-theft device and covered by an integrally protected lower housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a steering column partially covered by complementary lower (3) and upper housings, and to which an anti-theft device is laterally coupled. The lower housing (3) comprises a lower wall (4) having an inner surface on which a first impact-absorbing component (10) is mounted, and lateral walls (5) defining lateral projections (8) housing a portion of the anti-theft device and in which a second impact-absorbing component (11) is mounted below the anti-theft device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority from French application No. 1915306, filed on December 20, 2019, the content (text, drawings and claims) of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a steering wheel integrated into a steering column and more precisely to the protection of the driver ensured by complementary lower and upper shells partially covering the steering column. Background Art

[0003] Many vehicles, especially land vehicles, include a steering wheel that is integral to a steering column that passes under the dashboard. The technical part of the steering column, between the steering wheel and the dashboard, is generally covered by complementary lower and upper shells, which are usually made by molding (by injection molding of plastic material).

[0004] Since the steering column comprises some partially protruding rigid elements, usually made of metal, many lower housings comprise a lower wall having an inner surface on which impact-absorbing components are mounted so as to define a protective screen for protecting the driver's knees when the driver translates towards the front during at least a partially frontal collision or during sudden braking.

[0005] The impact-absorbing component typically comprises a polystyrene component and a metal plate, the component and the metal plate having substantially identical forms, placed one on top of the other, and fixedly integrated with one another by overmolding during the injection molding process. To ensure protection at any point along the lower wall of the lower housing, the impact-absorbing component extends over substantially the entirety of the lower wall and is typically fixedly integrated thereto by means of elastic washers.

[0006] Certain vehicles can be sold according to a first version, in which an anti-theft device of the mechanical type and associated with the start key is laterally connected to the steering column, and according to a second version, which includes an anti-theft device of the electrical type and associated with the so-called hands-free access and starting (or ADML) function (and therefore without a start key).

[0007] In the first version, the presence of the anti-theft device requires the use of a specific lower shell in which the two lateral walls define lateral projections that house a portion of the anti-theft device. If it is desired to ensure lateral protection of the knees beneath the anti-theft device, the inclusion of lateral extensions below the anti-theft device necessitates the use of a different impact-absorbing component than that used for the second version. This means that two different impact-absorbing components must be designed and manufactured for the first and second versions, which requires the design, manufacture, and use of two (metal) sheet stamping tools, two injection molding tools for injecting the polystyrene component to overmold the (metal) sheet, and two geometry control tools. This solution is therefore particularly expensive and time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore, inter alia, to improve this situation.

[0009] For this purpose, the present invention provides, in particular, a vehicle comprising a steering column partially covered by complementary lower and upper housings and to which an anti-theft device is laterally coupled, the lower housing comprising a lower wall having an inner surface on which a first impact-absorbing component is mounted, and lateral walls defining lateral protrusions housing a portion of the anti-theft device.

[0010] This vehicle is characterized in that the steering column additionally comprises a second impact absorbing component which is mounted in the lateral protrusion below the anti-theft device.

[0011] Due to the combination of the first and second impact-absorbing components, the integrity of the element(s) that is rigid and partially protrudes from the steering column is advantageously safeguarded.

[0012] The vehicle according to the invention may comprise other features which may be employed individually or in combination, and in particular:

[0013] - the second impact-absorbing component may be made of a plastic material capable of absorbing energy in the event of a collision;

[0014] - the second impact absorbing member may have a structure with a hollow chamber;

[0015] the second impact-absorbing part can be maintained in a final position in the lateral projection by a lateral portion of the peripheral edge of the first impact-absorbing part;

[0016] - the lateral wall of the lower shell may include at least one inner protrusion on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion, the at least one inner protrusion passing through an associated hole defined in the second impact absorbing member so as to maintain the second impact absorbing member in a predetermined position predetermined along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;

[0017] - the lateral wall of the lower housing may include two inner protrusions on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion, the two inner protrusions being parallel to each other and respectively passing through two associated holes defined in the second impact absorbing member;

[0018] - the lateral wall of the lower housing may comprise an inner lateral rib on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion, the inner lateral rib being used to delimit an inner housing portion between the inner lateral rib and the lower wall, the inner housing portion housing the second impact-absorbing member and defining a stopper preventing translation of the second impact-absorbing member towards the anti-theft device;

[0019] - each inner protrusion may be defined in the inner receptacle and extend along an axis parallel to the lower section of the lower wall;

[0020] - The vehicle may be of motorised type. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non-limiting description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a portion of an example of a steering column of a vehicle according to the invention is shown in a perspective view from the front side, to which an anti-theft device is laterally coupled and which is partially covered by a lower housing.

[0023] - Figure 2 The top view schematically shows Figure 1 a lower shell body provided with the first impact absorbing member but before the lower shell body is provided with the second impact absorbing member,

[0024] - Figure 3 The diagram is schematically shown in a perspective view viewed from the side. Figure 2 a lower shell equipped with its own first and second impact absorbing components, and

[0025] - Figure 4 The perspective view schematically shows Figure 2The lateral portion of the lower shell is a lateral protrusion, and is equipped with a second impact absorbing component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The object of the present invention is in particular to provide a vehicle comprising a steering column 1 to which an anti-theft device 2 is laterally connected and which is partially covered by a complementary lower part 3 and an upper shell, the lower shell providing protection for the driver with regard to the integrity of the part of its lower wall 4 that may be struck by the driver.

[0027] In the following, by way of non-limiting example, it will be assumed that the vehicle is of a motorized type. For example, the vehicle is a car. However, the present invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. In fact, the present invention relates to any vehicle that includes at least one steering column that enables the driver to control the direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the present invention relates at least to land vehicles other than motorcycles.

[0028] exist Figure 1 The above shows schematically a part of an example of a steering column 1, which is intended to equip a vehicle according to the invention and is intended to be connected to a steering wheel (or the like), and to which an anti-theft device 2 is laterally connected, which is intended to lock the steering column 1 in its locked state (in the absence of an ignition key).

[0029] This anti-theft device 2 is of mechanical type and is associated with a starter key (not shown).

[0030] As shown, a portion of the steering column 1 is covered by a lower housing 3 and by a complementary upper housing (not shown and not relevant to the present invention).

[0031] The lower shell 3 comprises a lower wall 4 prolonged by first 5 and second 6 lateral (or longitudinal) walls on two opposite sides and by a front wall 7 oriented towards the front seat.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in part, the first lateral wall 5 (here on the right) of the lower housing 3 defines a lateral projection 8, which houses a portion of the anti-theft device 2 (the remaining portion (of the anti-theft device) is accommodated in the area above the lower wall 4 and extends up to the steering column 1). This lateral projection 8 distinguishes the lower housing 3 used here in the presence of an anti-theft device 2 (a first version - a mechanical type) from the lower housing used in the presence of an electrical anti-theft device associated with the hands-free access and start function (a second version).

[0033] In contrast to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment the lower wall 4 of the lower housing 3 extends up to the lateral projection 8. Furthermore, the lower wall 4 has an inner surface 9 on which a first impact-absorbing component 10 is mounted.

[0034] This first impact-absorbing component 10 comprises, for example, a polystyrene component and a (metal) plate, which have substantially identical forms and are placed one above the other and fixedly joined together by overmolding during the injection molding of the plastic material. It should be understood that this first impact-absorbing component 10 is identical to the impact-absorbing component used to equip the lower shell of the second version and therefore does not extend into the lateral protrusion 8 (since this is not present in this second version). This use of the same first impact-absorbing component 10 for the different lower shells 3 of the first and second versions is intended to achieve significant savings.

[0035] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, to ensure integrity protection at any point on the lower wall 4 of the lower housing 3 and therefore in the lateral projection 8 , a second impact-absorbing component 11 is installed in this lateral projection 8 below the anti-theft device 2 .

[0036] It will be appreciated that the placement of the second impact-absorbing component 11 below the anti-theft device 2 makes it possible to define, locally below the anti-theft device 2, a further protective screen for protecting the driver's knees during at least a partial frontal collision or during sudden braking, this further protective screen being implemented to supplement the protective screen defined by the first impact-absorbing component 10. Thus, the integrity of the rigid element partially protruding from the steering column is advantageously safeguarded, and thus the lower housing 3 ensures integrity protection.

[0037] For example, the second impact-absorbing component 11 may be made of a plastic material that is capable of absorbing energy in the event of an impact. For example, an absorbent plastic material such as polystyrene or polypropylene may be used.

[0038] Note that, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 In a non-limiting manner, the second impact absorbing member 11 may have a structure with a hollow chamber. This can increase the resistance (strength) and / or rigidity of the second impact absorbing member.

[0039] Also note that Figure 3In a non-limiting manner, the second impact-absorbing part 11 can advantageously be maintained in its final position in the lateral projection 8 by the (here right) lateral portion 12 of the peripheral edge of the first impact-absorbing part 10. This advantageously allows the second impact-absorbing part 11 to be wedged automatically, without having to define fixing parts fixed to the inner surface 9 of the lower wall 4 by screwing or clamping, which could also hinder the installation of the second impact-absorbing part 11 in the lateral projection 8 and could also create some aggressive areas for the driver's knees.

[0040] Also note that Figure 2 and Figure 4 As a non-limiting example, the first lateral wall 5 of the lower shell 3 may include at least one inner protrusion 13 on the inner surface of the lateral projection 8, which extends through an associated hole defined in the second impact-absorbing component 11. This advantageously allows the second impact-absorbing component 11 to be maintained in a predetermined position along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This makes it possible, in particular, to position the second impact-absorbing component without the risk of it falling out before the first impact-absorbing component 10 (the lateral portion 12 of the peripheral edge of the first impact-absorbing component (here, the right side) is placed to laterally lock the second impact-absorbing component), as described above.

[0041] exist Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the non-limiting example shown, the first lateral wall 5 of the lower housing 3 includes two inner protrusions 13 on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion 8. The two inner protrusions are parallel to each other and respectively pass through two holes that are associated and defined in the second impact absorbing member 11. However, the first lateral wall may include only the inner protrusions 13 or more than two inner protrusions 13 (for example, three).

[0042] Each inner protrusion 13 may for example have a cylindrical form, as shown in the figures in a non-limiting manner.

[0043] Also note that Figure 2 and Figure 4 As a non-limiting example, the first lateral wall 5 of the lower housing 3 may comprise, on the inner surface of its lateral projection 8, an inner lateral rib 14 which delimits, between itself 14 and the lower wall 4, an inner housing 15 housing the second impact-absorbing part 11 and defining a stop for preventing translation of this second impact-absorbing part 11 towards the anti-theft device 2. Thus, the second impact-absorbing part 11 is immobilized and does not risk displacement in the event of a collision, which could prevent it from ensuring its protective function.

[0044] Also note that Figure 2 and Figure 4 In a non-limiting manner, each inner protrusion 13 may be defined in an inner housing 15 and may extend along an axis parallel to the lower section of the lower wall 4 .

[0045] Also note that Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown without limitation, the first lateral wall 5 of the lower housing 3 may comprise a through hole 15 in its lateral projection 8 in which the free end of the anti-theft device 2 is positioned and which enables the ignition key to be introduced into the anti-theft device 2 in order to unlock it and start the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a steering column (1) partially covered by a complementary lower shell (3) and an upper shell, and to which an anti-theft device (2) is laterally coupled, the lower shell (3) comprising a lower wall (4) with an inner surface (9) on which a first impact-absorbing component (10) is mounted and lateral walls (5) defining lateral projections (8) housing a portion of the anti-theft device (2), characterized in that The steering column further comprises a second impact absorbing component (11) which is mounted in the lateral projection (8) below the anti-theft device (2).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The second impact absorbing component (11) is made of a plastic material capable of absorbing energy in the event of a collision.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second impact absorbing member (11) has a structure with a hollow chamber.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second impact absorbing member (11) is maintained in a final position in the lateral projection (8) by lateral portions of the peripheral edge of the first impact absorbing member (10).

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The lateral wall (5) of the lower shell (3) includes at least one inner protrusion (13) on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion (8), and the at least one inner protrusion passes through an associated hole, which is defined in the second impact absorbing part (11) so as to maintain the second impact absorbing part (11) in a predetermined position predetermined along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that The lateral wall (5) of the lower shell (3) includes two inner protrusions (13) on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion (8), the two inner protrusions are parallel to each other and respectively pass through two associated holes, and the two associated holes are defined in the second impact absorbing part (11).

7. The vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The lateral wall (5) of the lower shell (3) includes an inner lateral rib (14) on the inner surface of the lateral protrusion (8), and the inner lateral rib defines an inner storage portion (15) between the inner lateral rib (14) and the lower wall (4), wherein the inner storage portion accommodates the second impact absorbing component (11) and defines a stopper, which prevents the second impact absorbing component (11) from translating toward the anti-theft device (2).

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that Each inner protrusion (13) is defined in the inner receptacle (15) and extends along an axis that is parallel to the lower section of the lower wall (4).

9. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8, characterized in that: The vehicle is of motorized type.

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