Selector knob for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a selector knob for a motor vehicle, comprising: a support adapted to be attached to a component of the motor vehicle; a lever carried by the support so as to be rotatable about a linear axis between a plurality of different angular positions; a transduction device configured to detect information about an actual angular position of the lever in said different angular positions and to generate a control signal corresponding to the detected information to select a control setting of the motor vehicle associated with the actual angular position, characterized in that: the transduction device is coupled to the lever; the selector knob further includes at least one cam element movably coupled to the support in a radial direction relative to the axis, the radial direction being fixed relative to the support, the cam element further being in stable contact fit with a radially inner surface of the lever extending about the axis and defining a plurality of grooves, each of the plurality of grooves receives a cam element when the lever reaches a corresponding one of the different angular positions.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000025962 filed on December 5, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a selector knob for a motor vehicle, in particular being part of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, more particularly serving as a selector of settings or control settings of the motor vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Some of Applicant's vehicles have at least one knob mounted on the steering wheel and used as a selector for a setting or control setting.

[0005] In more detail, the control settings may relate to, for example, suspension configuration, stability control, traction control, etc.

[0006] In trade parlance, a knob is also better known as a "handle" because it evokes the look of some manual controls used on motor vehicles.

[0007] Figure 1 , Figure 2 An example of a rotary knob 100 that is already used in some cars available on the market is shown.

[0008] The knob 100 comprises a plastic support 101 , a rotor 102 and a lever 103 defining the portion of the knob 100 operable by the driver.

[0009] The lever 103 is attached to a rotor 102 which extends axially along a linear direction 104 and is rotatable relative to the support 101 .

[0010] The support 101 also extends axially along a direction 104 and is hollow inside so as to accommodate the rotor 102 .

[0011] The rotor 102 has two openings which face each other along a radial direction 107 relative to the direction 104 and which define the ends of a through hole through the rotor 102 .

[0012] A pair of cams 105 coupled to each other by a spring 106 extending along a radial direction 107 are arranged to pass through the through hole so that they can approach each other along the radial direction 107 against the action of the spring 106 , and on the other hand, the spring 106 is used to move the cams 105 away from each other along the radial direction 107 .

[0013] The cam 105 is preferably made of a metal material.

[0014] The cam 105 radially protrudes from the opening to stably contact and fit with a radial inner surface (not shown) of the support 101 .

[0015] The radially inner surface is formed by a circumferential series of grooves in which the cam 105 is centrally located in a corresponding stable equilibrium position of the knob 100 due to the preload of the spring 106 .

[0016] A driver applying rotation to lever 103 from one of the stable equilibrium positions causes rotation of rotor 102 ; since cam 105 is arranged to pass through a radial hole of rotor 102 , cam 105 follows the rotation of rotor 102 , engaging with the radial inner surface of support 101 .

[0017] The cooperation between the cams 105 and the support 101 causes compression of the spring 106 and thus moves the cams 105 closer to each other along the radial direction 107 until each cam 105 leaves the corresponding groove to enter the next groove in the circumferential direction.

[0018] Here, the spring 106 is radially expanded again, so that even if the driver stops after the lever 103 is rotated, each cam 105 can fall into the next groove in the circumferential direction.

[0019] In this position change of the knob 100, when the knob 100 leaves its current stable equilibrium position, the driver will feel the resistance caused by the cooperation between the cam 105 and the support 101 and the compression of the spring 106, and when the cam 105 expands due to the reaction of the spring 106 and enters the next circumferential groove, the driver will feel a release feeling.

[0020] In addition, the driver also perceives the sound generated by the cooperation between the cam 105 and the support member 101 .

[0021] The knob 100 also has an unstable position. Figure 2 To achieve this unstable position, the knob 100 comprises a torsion spring 109 inserted in a seat obtained axially on one axial end of the rotor 102 , opposite to the other axial end coupled to the lever 103 .

[0022] The axis of the spring 109 coincides with the direction 104 ; the spring 109 has at least one end attached to the rotor 102 and a free end 110 protruding radially from the rotor 102 .

[0023] Correspondingly, the support 101 includes a striker portion 111 , with which the free end 110 of the spring 109 cooperates when the knob 100 reaches the unstable position.

[0024] The radial inner surface of the support member 101 defines a groove corresponding to the unstable position, which groove itself is similar to the other grooves, allowing a corresponding cam in the cams 105 to enter the latter groove, but resisting the reaction of the spring 109, the overall rotation of the spring 109 together with the rotor 102 is hindered by the striker part 111, so that the spring 109 is subjected to a torsional moment, which torsional loads the spring 109.

[0025] Therefore, a driver who brings the knob 100 to an unstable position will experience a sense of obstruction caused by the torsional reaction of the spring 109.

[0026] The stable equilibrium position and the unstable position of the knob 100 correspond to respective control settings of the vehicle. In particular, the unstable position corresponds to an extreme setting of the vehicle, in which substantially all automatic controls are deactivated to enable substantially manual driving of the vehicle. Thus, the obstacle feeling ensured by the spring 109 facilitates warning the driver that the unstable position has been reached.

[0027] The knob 100 includes a permanent magnet 112 attached to an axial end of the rotor 102 in an eccentric position relative to the direction 104 , the axial end being opposite to the axial end of the rotor 102 coupled to the lever 103 .

[0028] Magnet 112 faces printed circuit board 113 , and magnetic field sensor 114 is coupled to printed circuit board 113 in direction 104 , ie, at the center of rotor 102 .

[0029] In this way, the magnetic field sensor 114 detects the direction of the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 112 and provides relevant information to the control unit 115 of the knob 100 .

[0030] From this information, the control unit 115 determines the position of the rotor 102 , and therefore the position of the knob 100 , since the position of the rotor 102 will be directly related to the direction of the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 112 .

[0031] By doing so, the control unit 115 applies control settings corresponding to the current position of the knob 100 in the stable equilibrium position and the unstable position.

[0032] While the knob 100 itself is generally satisfactory, improvements are still needed.

[0033] More specifically, there is a need to reduce the axial dimension of the knob 100 without sacrificing the above-mentioned functions of the knob 100, including the presence of an unstable position.

[0034] Furthermore, there is a need to improve the feeling felt by the driver or user.

[0035] It is an object of the present invention to meet at least one of the above needs, preferably in a simple and reliable manner. Summary of the invention

[0036] The above object is achieved by a selector knob for a motor vehicle as defined in claim 1 .

[0037] The dependent claims define special embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to allow a better understanding of the invention, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a selector knob according to the prior art,

[0040] Figure 2 is from Figure 1 A bottom view of the selector knob with parts removed for clarity.

[0041] Figure 3 is a front view of a steering wheel comprising a selector knob according to the invention,

[0042] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of the selector knob,

[0043] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of the selector knob in the assembled state,

[0044] Figure 6 Based on different perspectives Figure 5 A perspective view of the selector knob with parts removed for clarity.

[0045] Figure 7 Similar to Figure 6 , showing that Figure 6 Different configurations of selector knobs,

[0046] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the lower area of ​​the lever of the selector knob,

[0047] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A perspective view of the support member of the lever, and

[0048] Fig.10 yes Figure 5 A cross-section of the assembled knob according to a radial plane relative to the rotation axis of the lever. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] exist Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 is used to indicate the entire motor vehicle.

[0050] The motor vehicle 1 is provided with a steering wheel 3 , in particular in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0051] The motor vehicle 1 has a seat for the driver in the passenger compartment.

[0052] Depending on the direction of travel or the rolling axis or the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle 1 , the driver's seat is located in front of the steering wheel 3 .

[0053] The steering wheel 3 is part of a steering wheel assembly which also comprises a steering column, not shown, of a known type, relative to which the steering wheel 3 rotates.

[0054] In practice, the steering wheel 3 has an axis of rotation A having at least one component along the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal direction. The steering wheel 3 can thus be rotated about the axis of rotation A, in particular relative to the steering column.

[0055] The axis of rotation A is perpendicular to the associated plane of rotation of the steering wheel 3 .

[0056] The steering wheel 3 comprises a selector knob 4 for selecting control settings of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0057] In particular, the selector knob 4 is used to set or select a dynamic configuration or setting of the motor vehicle 1 among various pre-established available options (eg a configuration designed for wet roads, a sports configuration, etc.).

[0058] Furthermore, preferably, each pre-established option may also correspond to a specific configuration or adjustment of the suspension of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0059] The control settings are therefore consistent with the dynamic configuration or settings of the motor vehicle 1 among the pre-established available options.

[0060] More precisely, the control settings relate to at least one or more of suspension settings, stability control and traction control of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0061] The knob 4 comprises a support 5 attached to the steering wheel 3 and a lever or grippable portion 6 carried in rotation by the support so that it can rotate about a rectilinear axis, which in particular coincides with the axis A, between a plurality of specific different angular positions.

[0062] Reference Figure 3, the different angular positions are respectively marked by the reference symbols ICE (corresponding to a configuration designed for icy roads), WET (corresponding to a configuration designed for wet roads), SPORT (corresponding to a sports configuration), RACE (corresponding to a racing configuration), ESCOFF (corresponding to an extreme configuration in which the controls of the motor vehicle 1 are deactivated). As explained in more detail below, the ESC OFF position is preferably an unstable position of the knob 4.

[0063] In particular, the knob 4 further includes the following components which are independent of each other: a torsion spring 7 , two cam elements 8 , an elastic element 9 coupling the cam elements 8 to each other, a stop ring 10 and a printed circuit board 11 .

[0064] Furthermore, the knob 4 comprises a transducer assembly, potentially in turn comprising a printed circuit board 11 , configured to detect information about the actual angular position of the lever 6 in certain different angular positions.

[0065] The transducing assembly is also configured to generate or transmit a control signal corresponding to the detected information.

[0066] The motor vehicle 1 comprises a control unit 13 coupled to the transducer assembly for receiving the control signal. By means of the control signal, the control unit 13 is configured to apply or control a control setting of the motor vehicle 1 corresponding to the actual angular position of the lever 6 .

[0067] In practice, the control signal carries information about the actual angular position of the lever 6 which is extracted by the control unit 13 , so that the control unit 13 applies the relevant control settings based on the extracted information.

[0068] The lever 6 comprises an indicator or handle element 6a extending in a radial manner relative to the axis A and a portion 6b which is in particular axially symmetric or defines a solid of revolution about the axis A and from which the handle 6a projects axially.

[0069] The portion 6 b has an axial end 6 c from which the element 6 a projects and an axial end 6 d opposite along the axis A to the axial end 6 c .

[0070] The end portion 6d is preferably substantially cylindrical about the axis A.

[0071] The end 6 d axially delimits the cavity 14 , so that the lever 6 , or more specifically the end 6 d , has a radially inner surface 15 which delimits the cavity 14 in particular radially.

[0072] The lever 6 or more precisely the end 6 d also has a radial outer surface 16 .

[0073] Basically, the lever 6 or more precisely the end 6d is shaped like a cup defining internally a cavity 14. The handle 6a represents a cup-shaped handle.

[0074] In particular, the radially outer surface 16 has a groove 17 which extends around the axis A like a ring or in a helical manner and which defines a seat for the torsion spring 7 .

[0075] The torsion spring 7 is at least partially accommodated in this seat.

[0076] The torsion spring 7 is wound around the axis A on the radially outer surface 16 , in particular at least partially inside a dedicated seat.

[0077] The torsion spring 7 extends around the axis A in a helical manner.

[0078] The torsion spring 7 has an end 7a attached to the lever 6 and a free end 7b which preferably projects towards the outside of the lever relative to the radially outer surface 16. However, this is not necessary, since the free end 7b could have passed through a hole in the lever 6, entering the cavity 14, i.e. projecting towards the inside of the lever 6 relative to the radially inner surface 15.

[0079] The free end 7b preferably extends in a plane orthogonal to the axis A. The free end 7b may extend radially relative to the axis A or according to different directions belonging to the plane orthogonal to the axis A.

[0080] Support 5 comprises a radially innermost or central portion 5a extending axially along axis A and arranged inside cavity 14 , ie inside lever 6 , in particular centrally. Portion 5a is therefore an inner portion relative to lever 6 .

[0081] The portion 5a has a through hole 21 ( Fig. 9 The through hole 21 has two opposite ends according to direction B defined by respective seats 26 for the cam element 8. The cam element 8 has respective portions engaging the seats 26 such that the cam element 8 partially protrudes from the seats 26 along direction B towards the radial inner surface 15.

[0082] The elastic element 9 extends along or through the hole 21 between the cam elements 8 according to the axis B. In particular, the elastic element 9 comprises a helical spring, the opposite ends of which are respectively attached to the cam elements 8;

[0083] Basically, the cam element 8 is coupled to the support 5 or more precisely to the portion 5a by means of an elastic element 9 in such a way that it is movable along the direction B, in particular in such a way that it oscillates along the direction B. In practice, the cam element 8 is partially housed in a relative seat 26 defined by a wall of the support 5 or more precisely by a wall of the portion 5a, with which the cam element 8 is in sliding contact along the direction B, such that the seat 26 prevents any movement of the cam element 8 except that along the direction B, the cam element 8 being, among other things, fixed relative to the support 5 independently of all other aspects.

[0084] Here, the sliding contact between the cam element 8 and the wall defining the relative seat 26 defines the coupling between the cam element 8 and the support 5 or portion 5a. Alternatively, the coupling between the cam element 8 and the wall defining the relative seat 26 may be playful, i.e. not implying actual contact between the cam element 8 and the wall of the seat 26, so that the latter still has the function of limiting the permissible movement of the cam element 8 substantially to that along the direction B.

[0085] Therefore, the cam elements 8 can approach each other along the direction B against the elastic reaction of the elastic element 9 along the direction B.

[0086] Furthermore, the support 5 comprises a radially outermost or peripheral portion 5 b which extends like a ring around the axis A and in particular forms a collar around the lever 6 , which is therefore surrounded by this collar.

[0087] The lever 6 or more precisely the end 6 d is arranged radially (relative to the axis A) between the portion 5 a and the portion 5 b of the support.

[0088] Basically, the lever 6 is inserted axially through the portion 5 b with the cavity 14 facing the portion 5 a , so that the portion 5 a is covered or accommodated by the lever 6 in the cavity 14 .

[0089] The portions 5a, 5b are connected to each other by means of connecting portions or ribs 5c of the support 5. Preferably, the support 5 is made in one single piece, whereby the portions 5a, 5b, 5c form one single body without interruptions.

[0090] In more detail, portion 5 c has an element 18 which extends axially from portion 5 a so as to come out of cavity 14 , ie is arranged on the outside of lever 6 .

[0091] Furthermore, portion 5c has an element 19 extending from element 18 in a radial manner relative to axis A. Element 19 has an angular extension around axis A according to an acute angle, so that most of the space around element 19 around axis A is substantially free.

[0092] Furthermore, portion 5c has an element 25 which extends axially from the radially outermost end of element 19 until it ends on portion 5b, thereby forming a connection between portion 5a and portion 5b.

[0093] Preferably, the element 25 has a portion situated axially (ie according to the axis A) at the free end 7 b of the torsion spring 7 (ie at the plane in which the free end 7 b lies).

[0094] Thus, the support 5 or more precisely the portion 5c or even more precisely the element 25 defines a striker portion arranged to cooperate with the free end 7b in one of the angular positions of the lever 6 ( Figure 7 ). As explained in more detail below, this angular position of the lever 6 defines in particular an unstable position ESC OFF of the lever 6 .

[0095] By moving the lever 6 about the axis A, for example in the clockwise direction, from an angular position other than the unstable position ESC OFF (for example, Figure 6 The free end 7b rotates with the striker portion ( Figure 7 ) and begins to meet the striker part ( Figure 7 ) according to the circumferential direction around the axis A. The cooperation between the free end 7b and the striker portion does not inhibit further rotation or rotational advancement of the lever 6 (in this example, in the clockwise direction), but this further rotation causes the torsion spring 7 to twist. By doing so, the torsion spring 7 reacts with an elastic reaction torque opposing the further rotation of the lever 6.

[0096] The elastic reaction torque is thus directed such that the lever 6 moves out of the unstable position ESC OFF.

[0097] Unstable position ESC OFF ( Figure 3 ) is an extreme position in the angular position of the lever 6, ie it is located at one of the two ends of the path that can be covered around the axis A by the lever 6 or by the handle 6a.

[0098] A stop ring 10 , more specifically defined as a Seeger ring, is arranged to cooperate radially with the radially outer surface 16 and axially with the portion 5 b of the support 5 so as to prevent the lever 6 from accidentally sliding out of the support 5 along the axis A.

[0099] More generally, the printed circuit board 11 is a support or attachment body extending transversely to the axis A.

[0100] In particular, the attachment body or printed circuit board 11 is plate-shaped and extends in a plane transverse to or more specifically orthogonal to the axis A.

[0101] The attachment body or the printed circuit board 11 has an axial hole 27 around the axis A, in particular a through hole 27 .

[0102] The lever 6 and in particular also the support 5 are axially inserted in the hole 27 , ie they engage the hole 27 in an axial manner.

[0103] Preferably, one of the cam elements 8 is in stable contact engagement with the radial inner surface 15 of the lever 6 .

[0104] In more detail, Fig. 9 As shown, the cam element 8 partially protrudes from a relative seat 26 on the support 5 along direction B to cooperate with the radial inner surface 15. As mentioned above, the seat 26 of the cam element 8 extends along direction B, in particular towards the axis A.

[0105] In particular, the two cam elements 8 are in stable contact engagement with the radial inner surface 15 of the lever 6. This, although advantageous, is not strictly necessary, firstly because even a single cam element 8 may be sufficient for stable engagement with the radial inner surface 15. For example, the single cam element 8 can be coupled to the support 5 or more precisely to the portion 5a by means of an elastic element, not shown herein, the ends of which are respectively fixed to the support 5 and to the single cam element 8, so that the cam element 8 can still be arranged in an oscillating or movable manner along the direction B, this time relative to the single support 5 and not relative to another cam element 8.

[0106] The radially inner surface 15 extends around the axis A and defines a plurality of grooves 22 , wherein each groove 22 accommodates one cam element 8 when the lever 6 reaches or is in a corresponding position in one of the different specific angular positions of the lever 6 .

[0107] In particular, for each specific angular position of the lever, the other cam element 8 is also received by the other groove 22 or by the other groove of the radial inner surface 15 .

[0108] The groove 22 is concave, with the concave surface facing the axis A. Furthermore, in a plane orthogonal to the axis A, the groove 22 has a corresponding profile, each profile being shaped like an arc of a circle or an ellipse. These profiles may not all be identical. For example, the profile of the groove 22 that accommodates the cam element 8 in the unstable position ESC OFF of the lever 6 may be longer and elliptical than the other grooves.

[0109] Specifically, still on the plane orthogonal to the axis A, the contours of two adjacent grooves 22 form a tip or corner (ie, discontinuity). Alternatively, the tip may be replaced by a rounded corner to ease the discontinuity between the two adjacent grooves 22 .

[0110] In particular, since the cam elements 8 are coupled to each other by means of the elastic element 9 arranged through the hole 20, the elastic element 9 is configured to space the cam elements 8 from each other and make the cam elements 8 contact the radial inner surface 15 at diametrically opposite points relative to the axis A.

[0111] For example, the elastic element 9 may be preloaded in order to ensure a stable contact of the cam elements 8 with the radial inner surface 15 while allowing the cam elements 8 to move closer to each other along the direction B against their elastic reaction.

[0112] Preferably, the transducer assembly of the knob 4 comprises a number of sensors 23 equal to the number of specific different angular positions of the lever 9 .

[0113] The sensors 23 are distributed angularly around the axis A and face the lever 6 according to a respective radial direction C relative to the axis A.

[0114] In particular, the sensors 23 are arranged on the outside of the lever 6 such that they face the radially outer surface 16 .

[0115] Each sensor 23 is configured to detect the presence of a device 24 attached to the lever 6 when the lever 6 reaches a corresponding position among certain different angular positions, thereby detecting the actual angular position of the lever 6 .

[0116] Each sensor 23 faces the lever 6 according to a corresponding radial direction C, which means that it is configured to detect the presence of the device 24 along the radial direction C, i.e. when the radial direction C is aligned with the device 24. In other words, each sensor 23 has the ability to detect the presence of the device 24 in the radial direction C concerned.

[0117] For example, the sensors 23 may be magnetic sensors, i.e. sensors each configured to detect a magnetic field emitted by the device 24 along a relevant radial direction C. In this case, the device comprises in particular a permanent magnet. Each sensor 23 detects the presence of the device 24, and therefore the actual angular position of the lever, by detecting the magnetic field emitted by the permanent magnet when the lever reaches the corresponding position. More specifically, the sensors 23 are Hall effect sensors.

[0118] There can be multiple alternative examples of sensor 23 and device 24; for example, when device 24 includes an emitter of light radially relative to axis A, sensor 23 can be an optical sensor, or more generally, when device 24 includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation radially relative to axis A, sensor 23 can be an electromagnetic radiation detector.

[0119] In particular, at each specific different angular position of the lever 6 , the device 24 is aligned along a radial direction C with a corresponding one of the sensors 23 .

[0120] Preferably, the device 24 is housed on a seat obtained on the radially external surface 16 , so that the device 24 is radially exposed to the outside of the lever 6 .

[0121] In the embodiment shown here, the seat for the torsion spring 10 is arranged axially between the handle 6 a or portion 6 c and the seat for the device 24 .

[0122] Furthermore, the sensor 23 is in particular directly attached to the printed circuit board 11 .

[0123] Preferably, the parts of the cam element 8 and the lever 6 which are in stable contact with each other are made of metal.

[0124] During operation of the knob 4, the driver can move the lever 6 from one of its specific different angular positions to another of these angular positions. Here, the cam elements 8 leave the associated grooves 22 that house them. To leave the grooves 22, the cam elements 8 move closer to each other along the direction B, which is compressed, due to the stable fit between the cam elements 8 and the radially inner surface 15 against the elastic reaction of the elastic element 9.

[0125] At this stage, the driver feels a resistance corresponding to the compression of the elastic element 9 .

[0126] When the cam element enters the groove 22 corresponding to the new angular position of the lever 6, the elastic reaction of the elastic element 9 facilitates the sinking of the cam element 8 in the groove 22. Here, the driver perceives a feeling of release and easy access to the new angular position of the lever 6.

[0127] At the same time, the metal parts in contact generate sounds associated with the mutual movement.

[0128] In view of the above, the advantages of the knob 4 according to the present invention are obvious.

[0129] In particular, the fact that the groove 22 is obtained on the lever 16 and the cam element 8 is carried by the portion 5 a in the cavity 14 allows the knob 4 to be significantly more compact in the axial direction.

[0130] Similarly, the radial arrangement of the sensors 23 about the axis A also has the same effect of increasing the axial compactness of the knob 4 .

[0131] Furthermore, the fact that the cam element 8 has a metal portion which is in stable contact engagement with a metal surface ensures an improved driver's feeling compared to a solution in which a metal portion is in contact with a plastic element.

[0132] Furthermore, the number of necessary components is reduced compared to the prior art, together with the complexity of the entire knob 4 , which nevertheless retains all the functionalities of the known solutions.

[0133] Finally, the knob 4 according to the invention is obviously susceptible of changes and modifications without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0134] In particular, the numbers of various components described and shown herein are merely examples, but their numbers may vary.

[0135] Similarly, the shapes of the components described and illustrated herein may vary.

[0136] Furthermore, the description comprises two independent and combinable aspects, both of which have the effect of enabling the axial dimensions of the knob 4 to be reduced.

[0137] In particular, according to the first aspect, the knob 4 includes at least one cam element 8, which is coupled to the support 5 in a manner that it can be moved along a radial direction B relative to the axis A, and the radial direction B is fixed relative to the support 5. The cam element 8 is also in stable contact with the radial inner surface 15 of the lever 6, which extends around the axis A and defines a plurality of grooves 22. When the lever 6 reaches a corresponding one of the different angular positions, each of the plurality of grooves 22 accommodates the cam element 8.

[0138] According to the second aspect, as an alternative or supplement to the first aspect, the transducer assembly or device includes a plurality of sensors 23 equal to the number of different angular positions, the sensors 23 are angularly distributed around the axis A and face the lever 6 according to a corresponding radial direction C relative to the axis A, wherein each sensor 23 is configured to detect the presence of a device 24 fixed to the lever 6 when the lever 6 reaches a corresponding one of the different angular positions, thereby detecting the actual angular position of the lever 6.

Claims

1. A selector knob (4) for a motor vehicle (1), the knob comprising: - a support (5) suitable for being attached to a component of said motor vehicle, - a lever (6) carried by said support (5) in such a way as to be rotatable about a linear axis (A) between a plurality of different angular positions, - transducer means (23, 24) configured to detect information about the actual angular position of the lever (6) in the different angular positions and to generate a control signal corresponding to the detected information in order to select a control setting of the motor vehicle (1) associated with the actual angular position, It is characterized by further comprising: - at least one cam member (8) coupled to the support (5) in a manner movable along a radial direction (B) relative to the axis (A) and fixed relative to the support (5), the cam member (8) also being in stable contact with a radial inner surface (15) of the lever (6), the radial inner surface (15) extending around the axis (A) and defining a plurality of grooves (22), each of the plurality of grooves (22) accommodating the cam member (8) when the lever (6) reaches a corresponding one of the different angular positions.

2. The selector knob according to claim 1, characterized in that The support member (5) comprises an inner portion (5a) relative to the lever, the inner portion (5a) extending axially along the axis (A) and having a seat (26) extending along the radial direction (B), the seat (26) being engaged by a portion of the cam member (8) so that the cam member (8) partially protrudes from the seat (26) along the radial direction (B) to cooperate with the radial inner surface (15).

3. The selector knob according to claim 2, characterized in that The seat (26) defines one end of the through hole (21) of the inner part (5a) along the radial direction (B), and the through hole (21) includes another seat (26), which defines the other opposite end of the through hole (21) and is engaged by a part of another cam member (8), and the other cam member (8) is stably matched with the radial inner surface (15), and the cam members (8) are coupled together by elastic means (9), and the elastic means (9) is arranged to pass through the through hole (21) and is configured to space the cam members (8) from each other, so that the cam members (8) contact the radial inner surface (15) at points diametrically opposite to the axis (A) and allow the cam members (8) to reciprocate along the radial direction (B) against their elastic reaction.

4. The selector knob according to claim 1 further comprises a torsion spring (7), the torsion spring (7) extending around the axis (A) and having an end (7a) attached to the lever (6) and a free end (7b), the support member (5) comprising a striker portion (5c), the striker portion (5c) being arranged to cooperate with the free end (7b) at an unstable position in the different angular positions, so that the torsion spring (7) applies an elastic reaction torque on the lever (6), the direction of the elastic reaction torque causing the lever (6) to leave the unstable position.

5. The selector knob according to claim 1, characterized in that The transducer device comprises a plurality of sensors (23) equal in number to the different angular positions, the sensors (23) being arranged to be angularly distributed around the axis (A) and facing the lever (6) according to a corresponding radial direction (C) relative to the axis (A), wherein each of the sensors (23) is configured to detect the presence of a device (24) fixed to the lever (6) when the lever (6) reaches a corresponding one of the different angular positions, thereby detecting the actual angular position of the lever (6).

6. The selector knob according to claim 5, characterized in that The device (24) fixed to the lever (6) includes a permanent magnet, and the sensor (23) includes corresponding magnetic field sensors, each of which is configured to detect the magnetic field emitted by the permanent magnet when the lever (6) reaches a corresponding one of the different angular positions, thereby detecting the presence of the device (24) and thus detecting the actual angular position of the lever (6).

7. The selector knob according to claim 5, characterized in that The device (24) fixed to the lever (6) at each of the different angular positions of the lever (6) is aligned with a corresponding one of the sensors (23) along one of the radial directions (C).

8. The selector knob according to claim 5, characterized in that The device (24) fixed to the lever (6) is accommodated in a device seat formed on a radially outer surface (16) of the lever (6) so that the device (24) is radially exposed to the outside of the lever (6).

9. The selector knob according to claim 5, characterized in that The sensor (23) is attached to an attachment body, which is in particular defined by a printed circuit board (11), extends transversely to the axis (A) and has an axial hole (27) around the axis (A), which is axially engaged by the lever (6).

10. The selector knob according to claim 1, characterized in that The cam member (8) and the corresponding stable contact parts of the lever (6) are metal.

11. A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising a steering column and a steering wheel (3), the steering wheel (3) being rotatable relative to the steering column about a steering wheel axis (A) and comprising a selector knob (4) according to claim 1.

12. A motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel assembly according to claim 11 and a control unit (13) configured to receive a control signal and to control the control setting in dependence on the received control signal.

13. The motor vehicle (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The control arrangement relates to at least one of a motor vehicle suspension arrangement (1), a motor vehicle stability control (1) and a motor vehicle traction control (1).

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