Vehicle steering wheel equipped with safety module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising: a frame (10), a safety module (20), and an interface (30) for securing the safety module (20) to the frame (10), the interface comprising an elastic member (31) and at least one retaining hook (32), wherein the elastic member (31) is movable between a retaining position (Pr) and a disengaged position (Pd), the vehicle steering wheel being characterized in that the steering wheel includes at least one guide rail (41) for the elastic member (31), the at least one guide rail providing engagement between the elastic member (31) and the safety module (20) during at least a portion of the movement of the elastic member (31) between the retaining position (Pr) and the disengaged position (Pd) to force the safety module (20) to move.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle steering wheel equipped with a safety module or airbag installed on a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle steering wheels equipped with safety modules or airbags and mounted on motor vehicles are known in the prior art, and the fastening interface typically includes a resilient member. For example, document US20200001816 describes a fastening interface between a steering wheel and an airbag safety module, which is arranged such that a single movement on the resilient member releases the airbag from the steering wheel. However, disassembly remains cumbersome and difficult, particularly due to the forces to be applied to the safety module to act on the resilient member. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above and, in particular, to propose a vehicle steering wheel equipped with an easily removable safety module or airbag.

[0004] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, the vehicle steering wheel comprising:

[0005] ● Wheel hub,

[0006] ● Safety module, which is embedded in the wheel hub.

[0007] ● An interface for securing the safety module to the hub; the interface includes a resilient member and at least one retaining member, such as a retaining hook.

[0008] The elastic member is capable of moving between the following positions:

[0009] ■ Retention position, wherein the elastic member is arranged to engage with the retaining member to hold the safety module on the hub.

[0010] ■ Removal position, wherein the elastic member is arranged to disengage from the retaining member to allow the safety module to be removed from the hub.

[0011] The vehicle steering wheel is characterized in that it includes at least one guide rail for the elastic member, the at least one guide rail being arranged to provide engagement between the elastic member and the safety module during at least a partial movement of the elastic member between the held position and the disassembled position, so as to impose the safety module.

[0012] The steering wheel according to the above embodiment includes a guide rail (which may also be referred to as a cam rail) that forces the resilient member (which is therefore a driven element or guided by the guide rail or cam rail) to make a specific movement so as to induce engagement with the safety module during the movement of the resilient member between the holding position and the disengaged position; the guide rail is arranged such that during at least a partial movement of the resilient member between the holding position and the disengaged position, engagement, support, or contact between the resilient member and the safety module generates a thrust acting on the module. The resilient member (typically a locking member) then also becomes a control member that acts on the safety module by engaging with it to move the safety module, particularly according to the disengagement direction of the safety module.

[0013] In other words, according to one embodiment, the guide rail of the elastic member can be arranged to force a disassembly movement in the opposite direction to the installation direction, that is, the forced disassembly movement tends to remove the safety module from the steering wheel to help the operator subsequently grip the safety module.

[0014] This engagement typically involves contact (directly or indirectly) between the elastic member and the safety module to force the safety module to move. In other words, when the elastic member, which normally holds the safety module on the steering wheel, is removed, the elastic member causes the safety module to move, which helps the operator to, for example, better grip the safety module. In other words, by acting on the elastic member to remove it, the user causes the safety module to move via the guide rail.

[0015] It can be noted that in this holding position, the resilient member is arranged to engage with the retaining member, meaning that the two parts are in continuous contact or only in contact in specific use cases. In particular, a gap can be provided between the resilient member and the retaining member as long as the steering wheel is in normal use, and holding contact is provided only during airbag deployment, during an accident, or during an emergency.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the guide rail of the resilient member may be arranged to provide engagement between the resilient member and the safety module during at least a partial movement of the resilient member between the holding position and the disengaged position, so as to force the safety module to move when the resilient member disengages from the holding member. Therefore, no removal effort is made on the safety module as long as it remains held by the holding member.

[0017] According to one embodiment, during at least partial movement of the resilient member from the holding position to the disassembly position, the guide track of the resilient member can provide engagement between the resilient member and the safety module, thereby enabling the safety module to be disassembled or removed.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the guide rail of the elastic member can provide a direct engagement between the elastic member and the safety module, i.e., without the need for other intermediate parts.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the guide rail of the elastic member may be arranged to block any relative translation between the elastic member and the safety module in the installation or disassembly direction during at least a portion of the travel of the elastic member between the held position and the disassembled position. In other words, during at least a portion of the travel of the elastic member between the held position and the disassembled position, the elastic member does not have any degree of freedom of movement (within the clearance) in the installation-disassembly direction, which ensures that a particular position of the elastic member will force a particular position of the safety module in the installation-disassembly direction.

[0020] According to one embodiment, during at least a portion of the travel of the resilient member between the held position and the disassembled position, the resilient member may contact the following:

[0021] - Maintain the surface during the first part of the journey.

[0022] - During the second portion of the travel, a removal surface is taken out, which is substantially opposite the holding surface. In the holding position, the resilient member is in contact with the holding surface, which prevents the safety module from disengaging from the steering wheel, and during disassembly, once the resilient member has been released from the holding surface, the removal surface is conceivably configured to prevent the resilient member from moving toward the steering wheel, while ensuring that the guide rail completes the removal of the safety module.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the safety module may include a pushing member arranged to apply a thrust to the safety module to at least partially push it out of its mounting position. The pushing member facilitates the removal of the safety module by the guide rail during disassembly.

[0024] According to one implementation, the safety module can be arranged to be installed by translational movement in the installation direction.

[0025] The partial movement of the elastic member between the held position and the disassembled position may include at least one component in a plane perpendicular to the installation direction.

[0026] Furthermore, the guide rail includes at least one inclined plane having a component according to the installation direction, so as to force the safety module to move according to the installation direction when the elastic member moves between the holding position and the disassembly position.

[0027] The partial movement of the elastic member between the held position and the disassembled position may include at least one component in a plane perpendicular to the installation direction. That is, the direction of movement of the elastic member is contained in the plane perpendicular to the installation direction, and the guide rail, which may have at least one inclined plane according to (or parallel to) the component of the installation direction, "transforms" the movement of the elastic member contained in the plane perpendicular to the installation direction into movement according to the installation (or disassembled) direction.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the guide rail may be arranged on the safety module or the hub, and the steering wheel may include a secondary guide rail arranged on the other of the safety module or the hub. The secondary guide rail is arranged to provide a secondary engagement (or support or contact) between the elastic member and the safety module in order to provide counter-support to the elastic member.

[0029] According to one implementation, the secondary guide rail can be secured during the movement of the safety module.

[0030] According to one implementation, the secondary guide rail can be rigidly connected to the hub.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the guide rail may be arranged on the safety module or the hub, and the steering wheel may include a secondary guide rail arranged on the other of the safety module or the hub. The secondary guide rail is arranged to provide secondary engagement (or support or contact) between the resilient member and the safety module, so as to force the safety module to make secondary or additional movement when the resilient member moves between the held position and the disengaged position. The secondary guide rail allows for the multiplication or amplification of the movement of the resilient member, and therefore, the multiplication or amplification of the movement of the safety module. Typically, the resilient member is arranged between two guide rails (the main guide rail and the secondary guide rail), each guide rail forcing a certain component of movement to engage with the safety module.

[0032] According to one implementation, the guide rail and the secondary guide rail may have opposite or opposite guide ramps.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the secondary guide rail may be formed by a groove or slot. Therefore, the guide is effective, and the precise position of the resilient member is better ensured within the groove or slot (which typically comprises two facing walls).

[0034] According to one implementation, the elastic member can be a spring ring. Such a ring is typically made of spring steel wire.

[0035] According to one implementation, the elastic member can be a single elastic ring.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the elastic member can be arranged to move from the holding position to the dismantling position when a dismantling force is applied at a single point of force application.

[0037] According to one implementation, the vehicle steering wheel may include at least one reference portion.

[0038] And the elastic member may include:

[0039] - At least one cantilevered or lever-shaped component, and

[0040] - At least one deflection portion, which is arranged between the point of force application and the cantilever or lever arm component, and is arranged to be supported on the reference portion when the dismantling force is applied.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may include a cavity in which the safety module is received, and the safety module is in contact with at least one sidewall of the cavity. This embodiment provides good guidance for the safety module and / or the final mass, while having small external clearance, but not much space for the user to grip the safety module. The movement of the safety module forced by the resilient member facilitates disassembly and / or provides better disassembly.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the safety module can be clipped onto the wheel hub. The retaining member grips the elastic member by deformation of one of the two components.

[0043] According to one implementation, the mating gap is visible between the safety module and the trim wall of the steering wheel, which is integrated with the wheel hub, preferably less than 4 mm, and more preferably less than 2 mm.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the guide rail may be formed by a groove or slot. Therefore, the guide is effective, and the precise position of the resilient member is better ensured within the groove or slot (which typically comprises two facing walls).

[0045] According to one embodiment, the resilient member may be integrated with or mounted on the safety module, and the retaining member may be integrated with or anchored to the wheel hub.

[0046] According to an alternative embodiment, the retaining member may be integrated with or mounted on the safety module, and the resilient member may be integrated with or anchored to the wheel hub.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the guide rail may include a terminal locking portion arranged to lock the resilient member in the disassembled position. In other words, the guide rail includes a control portion along which the resilient member is guided to engage the safety module, and then the guide rail includes a terminal locking portion arranged to receive and hold or lock the resilient member in the disassembled position. It is conceivable that the resilient member is tensioned along the control portion during a movement from the held position to the disassembled position, the terminal locking portion allows the resilient member to expand, and the terminal locking portion locks the resilient member.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the guide rail may include an initial portion arranged to extend the resilient member to the holding position without causing movement of the safety module. Typically, movement of the resilient member along the initial portion does not cause any tension in the resilient member and / or any movement of the safety module. Furthermore, this movement of the resilient member along the initial portion may be provided to allow the resilient member of the holding member to disengage. In other words, the initial portion allows the resilient member to travel a distance sufficient to disengage the holding member without any force acting on the safety module.

[0049] According to one embodiment, when the partial movement of the elastic member between the holding position and the disassembly position forces the safety module to move, the elastic member contacts both the safety module and the wheel hub.

[0050] A second aspect of the invention relates to an automobile that includes a vehicle steering wheel according to a first aspect of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, which are provided by way of completely non-limiting example and illustrated by means of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0052] [ Figure 1 This shows a perspective view of the steering wheel hub;

[0053] [ Figure 2 This shows a perspective view of the steering wheel safety module;

[0054] [ Figure 3 [This shows] including Figure 1 wheel hubs and Figure 2 First detailed view of the steering wheel with the safety module;

[0055] [ Figure 4[This shows] including Figure 1 wheel hubs and Figure 2 A second detailed view of the steering wheel of the safety module;

[0056] [ Figure 5 [This shows] including Figure 1 wheel hubs and Figure 2 The third detailed view of the steering wheel of the safety module;

[0057] [ Figure 6 [This shows] including Figure 1 and Figure 2 The fourth detailed view of the steering wheel of the safety module;

[0058] [ Figure 7 The steps for disassembling the safety module are illustrated schematically.

[0059] [ Figure 8 This schematically illustrates another step in disassembling the safety module;

[0060] [ Figure 9 The illustration schematically shows the final steps in removing the safety module. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Figure 1 A vehicle steering wheel hub 10 is shown, which is a skeleton or frame designed to support other components of the vehicle steering wheel (typically overmolded parts, cladding parts, control components such as horn controls, buttons, safety modules, etc.). According to the non-limiting example shown, the hub 10 includes a center 11, several branches 12 (two in this case), and a rim 13 connected to the center 11 via the branches 12.

[0062] At center 11, the flat part is provided with two retaining hooks 32 (retaining members) and two protrusions 15. The retaining hooks 32 and protrusions 15 are integrally formed with the rest of the hub 10 from the same material (e.g., magnesium). However, attached, screw-on, welded, or overmolded parts may be provided.

[0063] Then, the hub 10 is typically partially overmolded to conceal the metal parts, particularly the branch 12 and the rim 13, from the driver, or flush with them.

[0064] Figure 2 A safety module 20 is shown mounted on the steering wheel and carried by the wheel hub 10. A cavity is typically arranged at the overmolded portion applied to the wheel hub 10 to receive the safety module 20. Typically, the safety module 20 includes a cover 21 forming an external part visible to the driver of the vehicle, sidewalls 22 concealed within the cavity of the overmolded portion, a visible gas generator with its connector 23, and an invisible airbag.

[0065] In order to secure the safety module 20 to the wheel hub 10, a fastening interface 30 is provided, and the fastening interface specifically includes an elastic member 31 embedded in the safety module 20 and a retaining hook 32 provided on the wheel hub 10.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the elastic member 31 is formed of an elastic ring having a circular section made of spring steel, but spring sheets or elastic tabs made of metal or another material may also be provided.

[0067] Figure 3 Details of mounting the safety module 20 onto the wheel hub 10 are shown. According to the example described, the safety module 20 is mounted onto the wheel hub 10 by translation along a vertical axis. One or more resilient pushers 51 may be provided to contact the sidewalls 22 of the safety module to properly center it, minimizing the visible gap at the adjustment section Aj between the cover 21 and the trim piece 19 integrated with the wheel hub. Such an adjustment section Aj with small or no gap complicates the removal operation, as the operator has only a small handle or no handle to grip and remove the safety module 20.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, the fastening interface 30 therefore includes a resilient member 31 and a retaining hook 32. In Figure 4 In this configuration, the elastic member 31, housed in the slot forming the guide rail 41, occupies the holding position Pr, wherein the elastic member 31 engages with the holding hook 32 to hold the safety module 20 on the hub 10. In fact, from... Figure 4 The upward-pushing safety module 20 and the push spring (not shown) of the elastic member are typically configured to engage the elastic member 31 with the retaining hook 32. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the retaining hook 32 is partially covered by the side wall 22 of the safety module 20.

[0069] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the elastic member 31 is mounted on the safety module 20, and the retaining hook 32 is formed on the hub 10. However, the opposite can also be provided: the elastic member 31 is integral with the hub 10, and the retaining hook 32 is formed on the safety module 20. In the case shown, a single elastic member 31 made of one piece is provided, but several elastic members can also be provided.

[0070] Figure 5 The elastic member 31 is shown to be movable so as to occupy the following positions:

[0071] - Retaining position Pr (right), wherein the elastic member 31 is arranged to engage with the retaining hook 32 to retain the safety module 20 on the hub 10.

[0072] - Removal position Pd (left), wherein the elastic member 31 is arranged to disengage from the retaining member 32 to allow the safety module 20 to be removed from the hub 10.

[0073] exist Figure 5 It can also be noted that the guide rail 41 includes an initial horizontal portion that ensures that the elastic member 31 does not apply any force to the safety module 20 when it leaves the holding position Pr.

[0074] To allow the elastic member 31 to move from the holding position Pr to the disengagement position Pd, the steering wheel may include at least one reference portion.

[0075] And the elastic member includes:

[0076] - Application point 31c (at Figure 2 (as shown in the image)

[0077] - At least one cantilevered or lever-shaped component (the part of the elastic member 31 engaging in the slot forming the guide rail 41), and

[0078] - At least one deflection portion is disposed between the point of force application and the cantilever or lever arm component, and is arranged to be supported on the reference portion when a dismantling force is applied, so as to pivot the cantilever component.

[0079] Figure 6 Details of the steering wheel when the resilient member 31 and safety module 20 are removed are shown. The resilient member 31 is received in a slot forming a guide rail 41 in the module, and as indicated above, the hub 10 includes a protrusion 15, the top portion of which forms a secondary guide rail 42. Therefore, the protrusion 15 is secured during movement of the safety module 20. Thus, the protrusion 15 provides counter-support to the resilient member during removal or disassembly of the safety module 20.

[0080] Upon arrival Figure 6 When the contact position Pc is shown, the elastic member 31 contacts the protrusion 15, and due to the slope of the guide rail 41, engagement is provided between the elastic member 31 and the safety module 20. This forces the safety module 20 to move upward, so that the elastic member 31 is oriented towards... Figure 6 Any subsequent movement to the left.

[0081] In other words, when the guide rail 41 is tilted, the safety module 20, which is translated onto the hub 10 with respect to the vertical axis, is forced to move vertically upward due to the horizontal component of the movement of the elastic member 31.

[0082] In addition, it can be seen that the secondary guide rail 42 has a reverse slope relative to the guide rail 41, such that the elastic member 31 in contact with the safety module 20 (via the guide rail 41) and the hub 10 (via the secondary guide rail 42) will force the safety module 20 to make amplified movements.

[0083] Figure 7 schematically shown Figure 6 In the case where the elastic member 31 is in the contact position Pc, during the transition from the holding position Pr to the disengagement position Pd, the elastic member is beginning to engage with the hub 10 and the safety module 20 in order to push the safety module upward. The distance between the hub 10 and the safety module 20 is nominal (see DN). Figure 7 )

[0084] Figure 8 This illustration schematically shows the disassembly process when the safety module 20 has been moved upwards to the top, after the elastic member 31 has covered most of the inclined surface of the guide rail 41 and the safety module 20 has been moved from the holding position Pr to the disassembly position Pd. The distance between the hub 10 and the safety module 20 is at its maximum (see DM). Figure 8 )

[0085] Figure 9 The diagram schematically illustrates the situation at the end of disassembly when the elastic member 31 has traveled the entire inclined surface of the guide rail 41. A terminal locking portion (the vertical part of the guide rail 41) is provided for the guide rail 41, which is arranged to lock the elastic member 31 in the disassembly position. In practice, the elastic member 31 is already tensioned along the path of the inclined portion of the guide rail 41, such that the terminal locking portion (vertical) allows the elastic member 31 to automatically extend upwards, thus locking it in the disassembly position Pd.

[0086] In summary, the disassembly action applied only to the elastic member 31 allows the elastic member to move from the holding position Pr to the disassembly position Pd, and allows the safety module 20 to rise automatically. Therefore, the operator can easily grasp the safety module 20, which is no longer held by the elastic member 31.

[0087] It should be understood that various modifications and / or improvements that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in this specification without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering wheel, the vehicle steering wheel comprising: Wheel hub (10), A safety module (20) embedded in the wheel hub (10), and an interface (30) for securing the safety module (20) to the wheel hub (10), the interface including an elastic member (31) and at least one retaining member, wherein the elastic member (31) is movable between the following positions: The vehicle steering wheel is characterized by a holding position (Pr), wherein the elastic member (31) is arranged to engage with the holding member to hold the safety module (20) on the wheel hub (10), and a disengagement position (Pd), wherein the elastic member (31) is arranged to disengage from the holding member to allow the safety module (20) to be disengaged from the wheel hub (10). The steering wheel includes at least one guide rail (41) for the elastic member (31), the at least one guide rail being arranged to provide engagement between the elastic member (31) and the safety module (20) during at least a portion of movement of the elastic member (31) between the holding position (Pr) and the disengagement position (Pd), so as to force the safety module (20) to move according to the disengagement direction of the safety module (20), wherein the safety module (20) is arranged to be mounted according to translational movement along the mounting direction. The portion of the elastic member (31) that moves between the holding position (Pr) and the disassembly position (Pd) includes at least one component in a plane perpendicular to the installation direction. And wherein the guide rail (41) includes at least one inclined plane having a component according to the installation direction, so as to force the safety module (20) to move according to the installation direction when the elastic member (31) moves between the holding position (Pr) and the disassembly position (Pd), and The guide rail (41) is disposed on the safety module (20) or the hub (10), and the steering wheel includes a secondary guide rail (42) disposed on the other of the safety module (20) or the hub (10), and the secondary guide rail (42) is arranged to provide a secondary engagement between the elastic member (31) and the safety module (20) in order to provide counter-support for the elastic member (31).

2. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the secondary guide rail is arranged to provide secondary engagement between the elastic member (31) and the safety module (20) when the elastic member (31) moves between the holding position (Pr) and the disengagement position (Pd), so as to force the safety module (20) to make secondary or additional movements.

3. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the secondary guide rail (42) has a reverse slope relative to the guide rail (41).

4. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein the secondary guide rail (42) is formed by a groove.

5. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member (31) is a single elastic ring.

6. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member (31) is arranged to move from the holding position (Pr) to the dismantling position (Pd) when a dismantling force is applied at a single point of force.

7. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 6, wherein the vehicle steering wheel includes at least one reference portion. And the elastic member (31) mentioned therein includes: - At least one cantilevered or lever-shaped component, and - At least one deflection portion, said at least one deflection portion being arranged between the point of force application and the cantilever or lever arm forming part, and being arranged to be supported on the reference portion when the removal force is applied.

8. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the vehicle steering wheel comprising a cavity in which the safety module (20) is received, and wherein the safety module (20) contacts at least one sidewall of the cavity.

9. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the safety module (20) is clamped onto the wheel hub (10).

10. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mating gap is visible between the safety module (20) and the trim wall of the steering wheel integral with the wheel hub (10).

11. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide rail (41) is formed by a groove.

12. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member (31) is integral with or embedded in the safety module (20), and wherein the retaining member is integral with or anchored to the wheel hub (10).

13. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic member is integral with or embedded in the safety module (20), and wherein the elastic member (31) is integral with or anchored to the wheel hub (10).

14. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide rail (41) includes a locking end portion arranged to lock the resilient member (31) in a disassembled position (Pd).

15. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide rail (41) includes an initial portion arranged to guide the resilient member (31) out of the holding position (Pr) without causing movement of the safety module (20).

16. The vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the partial movement of the elastic member (31) between the holding position (Pr) and the disassembly position (Pd) forces the safety module (20) to move, the elastic member (31) contacts both the safety module (20) and the wheel hub (10).

17. The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 10, wherein, The docking gap is less than 4mm.

18. An automobile comprising a vehicle steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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