A steering column handle and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a steering column handle and a car, and relates to the technical field of steering column handles. The steering column handle comprises a shell assembly, a light guide strip and a control panel. The shell assembly is provided with a mounting groove, the light guide strip is mounted in the mounting groove, and the light guide strip is used for guiding light to the outside of the shell assembly. The control panel is mounted on the shell assembly, and the control panel is provided with a light source which is arranged towards the light guide strip to illuminate the light guide strip. The steering column handle solves the problems of no atmosphere lamp and poor visual effect of the steering column handle at night.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of steering column handle technology, and particularly to a steering column handle and an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of automobile manufacturing technology, the exterior and interior of automobiles have undergone significant innovation and iteration. In this process, consumers are paying more and more attention to the visual presentation of automobile interiors, and their standards are rising accordingly.

[0003] In the existing system, the steering column handle, as a key component of automotive interiors, is increasingly becoming a focus of user attention due to its visual appeal. Currently, while steering column handles on the market feature illuminated characters, they generally lack ambient lighting, resulting in insufficient nighttime visual effects and failing to fully meet consumers' demands for a good nighttime user experience in automotive interiors. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a steering column handle and a car that solves the problem of poor visibility and lack of ambient lighting at night.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a steering column handle, comprising:

[0006] The housing assembly is provided with a mounting slot;

[0007] A light guide strip, installed in the mounting slot, is used to direct light to the outside of the housing assembly;

[0008] The control board is mounted on the housing assembly. The control board is equipped with a light source that is positioned towards the light guide strip to illuminate it.

[0009] In some embodiments, the steering column handle further includes a light-blocking and light-transmitting structure that covers the outside of the light guide strip, for covering the light guide strip and for transmitting light emitted by the light guide strip.

[0010] In some embodiments, the housing assembly includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a decorative cover, wherein the upper housing is connected to the lower housing, a mounting groove is provided in the upper housing, and the decorative cover is connected to the upper housing.

[0011] In some embodiments, a preset gap is provided between the lower housing and the decorative cover, and the light-transmitting structure is specifically a light-diffusing strip. The light-diffusing strip covers the outside of the light guide strip, so that the light guided by the light guide strip passes through the light-diffusing strip and is emitted from the preset gap.

[0012] In some embodiments, the diffuser strip is installed in the mounting groove, and the diffuser strip and the upper housing enclose the light guide strip.

[0013] In some embodiments, the decorative cover is a light-transmitting structure with a painted surface, and the surface of the decorative cover covering the light guide strip is laser-engraved to form a light-transmitting structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, mounting slots are provided on both sides of the housing assembly, and two light guides are respectively installed in the two mounting slots. Light sources are provided on both the front and back of the control board, and the two light sources are respectively facing the two light guides.

[0015] In some embodiments, the steering column handle also includes a master control board, which is electrically connected to a control board and is electrically connected to an external power supply device via a connector harness.

[0016] In some embodiments, a positioning protrusion is provided at one end of the light guide strip near the control board, and the mounting groove is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove that mates with the positioning protrusion; and / or

[0017] The light guide strip has a serrated structure.

[0018] This application also provides an automobile that includes the steering column handle of any of the above.

[0019] Compared to the aforementioned background technology, the steering column handle provided in this application embodiment includes a housing assembly, a light guide strip, and a control plate. The housing assembly has a mounting groove, in which the light guide strip is installed to direct light to the outside of the housing assembly. The control plate is installed on the housing assembly and has a light source positioned towards the light guide strip to illuminate it.

[0020] The main benefits of this steering column handle design include:

[0021] Firstly, the light source on the control panel is positioned towards the light guide strip, which allows the light to be effectively directed to the outside of the housing assembly. This provides the driver with clear and bright visual feedback at night or in low-light environments, improving visibility and aesthetics, and enhancing the driver's experience of operating the steering column handle.

[0022] Secondly, the housing assembly has a mounting slot for installing the light guide strip. This integrated design makes the connection between the light guide strip and the housing assembly tighter and more secure, effectively utilizes space, reduces the overall size and weight of the handle, and also helps to optimize the layout of the car's interior space. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the steering column handle in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the control plate of the steering column handle and the two light guides in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the control plate of the steering column handle, the two light guides, and the two light diffusers in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the decorative cover of the steering column handle and the two light guides and two light diffusers in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the upper housing of the steering column handle with two diffuser strips, two light guide strips and the control board in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the hidden decorative cover for the steering column handle in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the PRND lettering on the decorative cover for a direct view.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the lower side of the steering column handle in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the upper side of the steering column handle in an embodiment of this application.

[0034] in:

[0035] 1-Control board; 2-First light guide strip; 3-First diffuser strip; 4-Second light guide strip; 5-Second diffuser strip; 6-Upper housing; 61-Mounting slot; 7-Decorative cover; 8-Lower housing; 9-Connector harness; 10-Switch pad; 11-Main control board; 12-Button; 13-Slider; 14-Character light guide strip; 15-Character light reflector; 16-Preset gap. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The steering column handle provided in this application embodiment includes a housing assembly, a light guide strip, and a control board 1.

[0039] The housing assembly is provided with a mounting groove 61, in which a light guide strip is installed. The light guide strip is used to guide light to the outside of the housing assembly. The control board 1 is installed on the housing assembly and is provided with a light source. The light source is positioned towards the light guide strip to illuminate the light guide strip.

[0040] Of course, depending on actual needs, control board 1 can be a PCB, and the light source can be an LED. The PCB is used to control the LED to emit light so that the light can be directed through the light guide strip. With this setup, the LED and the light guide strip can be combined to form an ambient light to enhance the nighttime visual effect.

[0041] On the one hand, the light source on the control panel 1 is set towards the light guide strip, and the light can be effectively guided to the outside of the housing assembly through the light guide strip, thereby providing the driver with clear and bright visual feedback at night or in low light conditions, improving visibility and aesthetics, and enhancing the driver's operating experience of the steering column handle.

[0042] On the other hand, the housing assembly is provided with a mounting slot 61 for mounting the light guide strip. This integrated design makes the connection between the light guide strip and the housing assembly tighter and more secure, effectively utilizes space, reduces the overall size and weight of the handle, and also helps to optimize the layout of the car's interior space.

[0043] Of course, to increase the reliability of the connection between the light guide strip and the housing assembly, a positioning protrusion is provided at the end of the light guide strip near the control board 1. Correspondingly, the mounting groove 61 is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove that mates with the positioning protrusion. In this way, the light guide strip can be stably and reliably installed in the mounting groove 61 through the snap-fit ​​engagement of the positioning protrusion and the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0044] In addition, a serrated structure can be provided on the light guide strip to enhance the light guiding effect.

[0045] Based on the above, the steering column handle also includes a light-blocking and light-transmitting structure, which covers the outside of the light guide strip. The light-blocking and light-transmitting structure is used to cover the light guide strip and also to allow the light emitted by the light guide strip to pass through.

[0046] As can be seen, by setting up a light-blocking and light-transmitting structure, not only can the light guide strip be covered, preventing the driver's eyes from directly seeing the structure of the light guide strip from the outside of the product, but it also does not affect the light emitted by the light source being guided out through the light guide strip, thereby improving the visual experience.

[0047] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The housing assembly includes a lower housing 8, an upper housing 6, and a decorative cover 7. The upper housing 6 can be connected to the lower housing 8 via a snap-fit ​​structure. A mounting groove 61 is provided in the upper housing 6. The decorative cover 7 can also be connected to the upper housing 6 via a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0048] In some embodiments, a preset gap 16 is provided between the lower housing 8 and the decorative cover 7, and the light-transmitting structure is specifically a light-diffusing strip, which covers the outside of the light guide strip and is located inside the preset gap 16.

[0049] In this way, when the light guide strip is lit, the light guided by the light guide strip can be emitted from the preset gap 16 between the decorative cover 7 and the lower housing 8 through the diffuser strip, thus achieving the effect of ambient lighting.

[0050] In this embodiment, the diffuser strip is installed in the mounting groove 61, and the diffuser strip and the light guide strip are located inside the preset gap 16, with the diffuser strip and the upper housing 6 enclosing the light guide strip.

[0051] In this way, the light guide strip can be wrapped by the diffuser strip and the upper shell 6. The light guide strip is wrapped to prevent light leakage. Moreover, if you want to increase the brightness of the ambient light, you can use white opaque material to make the upper shell 6. This way, you can take advantage of the reflective properties of the upper shell 6 to increase the brightness of the ambient light and improve the nighttime visual effect.

[0052] It is important to emphasize that the light guide strip is completely enclosed by the light diffuser strip and the upper housing 6, which prevents light leakage. Otherwise, light might escape directly from the edge or surface of the light guide strip, leading to the following problems:

[0053] Firstly, uneven light distribution: Light guides that are not fully covered may produce excessively strong light in some areas, while insufficient light in other areas, thus ruining the overall visual effect.

[0054] Secondly, the light emitted from outside the designated area for illumination caused light to be emitted from areas that were not originally required to emit light, thus affecting the visual effect.

[0055] By using the above setup, the light guide strip is covered on the outside by a diffuser strip, preventing the light guide strip from being directly visible to the eye. This can significantly improve aesthetics and optimize visual effects, as detailed below:

[0056] In terms of aesthetic enhancement, the complex structure of the light guide strip itself, when directly exposed, can negatively impact the overall aesthetics of the interior, making the layout appear less clean and refined. By wrapping it with a diffuser strip, the complex structure of the light guide strip is concealed, achieving a visually neat and unified look. This makes the interior space appear more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing, meeting the high demands of today's consumers for refined and beautiful car interiors.

[0057] In terms of visual effect optimization, when the eye sees the light guide strip directly, its lines and structure appear too abrupt, disrupting the overall soft and uniform lighting effect created by the ambient light. By wrapping it with a diffuser strip, the light can be softened, making the light presented by the entire ambient light more delicate and uniform, enhancing visual comfort and a sense of sophistication.

[0058] In addition to the ambient light being emitted through the gap between the decorative cover 7 and the lower housing 8, there may also be no gap between the decorative cover 7 and the lower housing 8.

[0059] In some embodiments, the decorative cover 7 is a light-transmitting structure with a painted surface. For example, the decorative cover 7 is made of white light-transmitting plastic, painted on the surface, and the surface of the decorative cover 7 covering the light guide strip is laser-engraved to form a light-transmitting structure.

[0060] In this way, by laser engraving the surface of the light guide strip on the decorative cover 7, the light can be emitted from the decorative cover 7, achieving the same ambient lighting effect. With this setup, the structure of the light guide strip cannot be directly seen from the outside because the decorative cover 7 is blocking it from the outside. This eliminates the need for a diffuser strip, thereby reducing assembly steps and production costs to a certain extent.

[0061] In some embodiments, mounting grooves 61 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the housing assembly. Specifically, mounting grooves 61 are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the upper housing 6. Two light guides are respectively installed in the two mounting grooves 61. Light sources are provided on both the front and back of the control board 1, and the two light sources are respectively facing the two light guides.

[0062] The following describes in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the two light guide strips and two light diffusion strips.

[0063] Please refer to the following: Figure 9 and Figure 10 Two long, pre-set gaps 16 are provided between the decorative cover 7 of the steering column handle and the lower housing 8. These two pre-set gaps 16 are located on the upper and lower sides of the steering column handle. Please refer to the attached document. Figure 4 and Figure 7 The first light guide strip 2 and the second light guide strip 4 are respectively arranged along the inner side of these two long slits. Please refer to both. Figure 2The control panel 1 has one LED on the front and one on the back, with the two LEDs facing the first light guide strip 2 and the second light guide strip 4 respectively. The LEDs are used to illuminate the light guide strips. When the light guide strips are lit, light is emitted from the two gaps between the decorative cover 7 and the lower housing 8, achieving the effect of ambient lighting. Please refer to the following: Figure 3 The first diffuser strip 3 is fixedly mounted on the outside of the first light guide strip 2, and the second diffuser strip 5 is fixedly mounted on the outside of the second light guide strip 4. Please refer to both. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diffuser strip is wrapped around the outside of the corresponding light guide strip to prevent the structure of the light guide strip from being directly seen through the gap between the decorative cover and the lower housing. The control board, the two light guide strips, and the two diffuser strips are all fixedly assembled on the upper housing 6.

[0064] It is important to note that, in Figure 5 In the middle, because the light guide strip is wrapped between the corresponding light diffuser strip and the upper housing 6, the light guide strip is not visible in this figure.

[0065] In some embodiments, the steering column handle further includes a main control board 11, which is electrically connected to the control board 1, and the main control board 11 is electrically connected to an external power supply device via a connector harness 9. Of course, both the main control board 11 and the control board 1 can be PCBs.

[0066] The control board 1 is connected to the main control board 11 via a flying wire. Alternatively, the control board 1 and the main control board 11 can be connected via a connector using an FPC (flexible printed circuit board). The purpose is to power the control board 1 by connecting it to the main control board 11. The main control board 11 is connected to the outside via a connector harness 9 and is powered by an external power supply device.

[0067] Another function of the main control board 11 is that the LEDs on it can illuminate the character light guide strip 14, thereby illuminating the characters on the decorative cover 7. At the same time, a character light reflector block 15 can be set up. The character light reflector block 15 can reflect the light guided by the character light guide strip 14 onto the characters, thereby enhancing the brightness of the characters. This makes the characters more clearly visible at night or in low light conditions, improving the recognizability of the characters.

[0068] In addition, the button 12 on the head of the steering column handle can be pressed normally. The button 12 is fixedly assembled with the slider 13. When pressed, the switch pad 10 connects to the contacts on the main control board 11 to output a signal. The main control board 11, the button 12, the slider 13, and the switch pad 10 are all fixedly assembled on the lower housing 8.

[0069] The automobile provided in this application includes the steering column handle described in the above specific embodiments; other parts of the automobile can be referred to in related technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0070] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0071] The steering column handle and automobile provided in this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the solution and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A steering column handle, characterized in that, include: The housing assembly is provided with a mounting slot; A light guide strip, installed in the mounting groove, is used to guide light out of the housing assembly; A control board is mounted on the housing assembly. The control board is equipped with a light source, which is positioned toward the light guide strip to illuminate the light guide strip.

2. The steering column handle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steering column handle also includes a light-blocking and light-transmitting structure, which covers the outside of the light guide strip and is used to block the light guide strip while also allowing the light emitted by the light guide strip to pass through.

3. The steering column handle as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing assembly includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a decorative cover. The upper housing is connected to the lower housing, the mounting groove is located in the upper housing, and the decorative cover is connected to the upper housing.

4. The steering column handle as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A preset gap is provided between the lower housing and the decorative cover. The light-transmitting structure is specifically a light-diffusing strip, which covers the outside of the light guide strip, so that the light emitted by the light guide strip passes through the light-diffusing strip and is emitted from the preset gap.

5. The steering column handle as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The diffuser strip is installed in the mounting groove, and the diffuser strip and the upper housing enclose the light guide strip.

6. The steering column handle as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The decorative cover is a light-transmitting structure with a painted surface. The surface of the decorative cover covering the light guide strip is laser-engraved to form the light-transmitting structure.

7. The steering column handle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing assembly has mounting slots on both sides, and the two light guides are respectively installed in the two mounting slots. The control board has light sources on both the front and back, and the two light sources are respectively facing the two light guides.

8. The steering column handle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steering column handle also includes a master control board, which is electrically connected to the control board and is electrically connected to an external power supply device via a connector harness.

9. The steering column handle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide strip has a positioning protrusion at one end near the control board, and the mounting groove has a snap-fit ​​groove that mates with the positioning protrusion; and / or The light guide strip has a serrated structure.

10. A car, characterized in that, Includes the steering column handle as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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