Steering wheel with at least one opening in one steering wheel spoke, as well as a modular system with a steering wheel

Abstract

Steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle with at least one steering wheel spoke (2, 2'), wherein the steering wheel (1) further comprises at least one integrally formed opening element (10) which is arranged in the at least one steering wheel spoke (2, 2') and in which at least one opening (11) is formed which extends from a front of the steering wheel (1) to a rear of the steering wheel (1), wherein the opening element (10) has exactly one wall (12) for each opening (11) which surrounds the opening (11) and extends from the front of the steering wheel (1) to the back of the steering wheel (1) such that the opening (11) is completely bounded by the wall (12), wherein the steering wheel (1) further comprises a cutout cover (20) for each cutout element (10), which is arranged on a side of the cutout element (10) facing the front of the steering wheel (1), characterized in that the opening aperture (20) and the opening element (10) each have a transition surface (13, 23) and the transition surfaces (13, 23) are inclined to each other at a transition in the opening (11) between the opening aperture (20) and the opening element (10), so that an edge or a kink is formed at the transition, where the transition lies in a plane orthogonal to the steering axis of the steering wheel.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle with at least one opening in a steering wheel spoke and to a modular system with a steering wheel.

[0002] A wide variety of steering wheels in different designs are already known in the state of the art.

[0003] This also includes steering wheels that have openings or holes in their steering wheel spokes, thus providing a light or seemingly light design that gives the viewer a feeling of openness.

[0004] Due to the increasing number of controls and electronic components integrated into modern steering wheels, particularly in the spokes, the spokes, especially those at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, are becoming increasingly bulky. To soften the appearance of these massive spokes, cutouts are planned.

[0005] The problem, however, is that the cutouts should convey an appealing and sophisticated appearance to the observer. In the prior art, such cutouts are usually formed by a multitude of panels, which exhibit unsightly edges and seams at their transitions, making the cutouts appear cheap and unattractive. If the steering wheels or steering wheel covers are manufactured as a single piece, this leads to complex and therefore expensive production in the solutions known in the prior art, since a completely one-piece steering wheel cover forming the cutouts is difficult to demold from its associated manufacturing tool.

[0006] In addition, different openings or opening shapes and covers are provided for different vehicle or steering wheel variants, which means that even minor changes to the covers or the shape of the opening require new tools to be manufactured for all components.

[0007] Steering wheels with openings and aspects of such steering wheels are known, for example, from documents DE 10 2017 107 762 A1, DE 10 2009 041 714 A1, DE 10 2016 101 109 A1 and DE 10 2019 113 671 A1, wherein a steering wheel according to the preamble of the main claim is known from WO 2016 059 834 A1.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing a steering wheel or a modular system by which a steering wheel with at least one opening in a steering wheel spoke can be manufactured cost-effectively and the opening also has an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0009] This problem is solved by the combinations of features in the independent patent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, a steering wheel for a motor vehicle with at least one steering wheel spoke is proposed. The steering wheel spoke preferably extends radially outwards from a section of the steering wheel located in the region of an axis of rotation, relative to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the steering wheel has at least one integrally formed opening element, which is arranged in the at least one steering wheel spoke and in which at least one, and preferably exactly one, opening is formed. The opening in the opening element, which is thus simultaneously an opening in a spoke, extends from a front side of the steering wheel to, or towards, a rear side of the steering wheel, wherein the front side faces the driver during normal use of the steering wheel and the rear side faces away from the driver of the vehicle.The opening element has exactly one wall for each opening, which surrounds the opening and extends from the front to the back of the steering wheel, so that the opening in the opening element is completely enclosed by the wall. According to the invention, the steering wheel also has a opening cover for each opening element, which is arranged on a side of the opening element facing the front of the steering wheel.

[0011] Depending on the design of the cutout cover, various steering wheel variants can be realized without requiring any changes to the cutout element. This allows for the production of a wide variety of steering wheels and steering wheel designs using a modular system. Consequently, another aspect of the invention relates to such a modular system. For different steering wheel designs, there is a large number of identical parts, meaning that only new manufacturing tools for the differing components need to be produced for each steering wheel design. This reduces manufacturing and storage costs while simultaneously offering customers a high degree of design variety and customization options.

[0012] The fundamental inventive idea is therefore to provide exactly one opening element for forming a cutout in the steering wheel spoke, which has no orthogonal or vertical seams or joints, so that the cutout appears to the observer as if cast or injection-molded from a single piece. If the geometry of the cutout or the geometry of one of the cutout panels changes, only the tooling for the component that has changed needs to be manufactured, whereby the cutout continues to appear seamless and of high quality due to the features of the invention.

[0013] One variant of a cutout cover features an opening positioned above one of the openings in the corresponding cutout element, with the cutout cover forming a frame around the opening on the front of the steering wheel. The opening is visually revealed to the observer, thus presenting the cutout to the driver of the vehicle and / or to the front of the steering wheel.

[0014] A second, alternative variant involves the cutout cover forming a completely closed surface positioned over one of the openings of the corresponding cutout element. This cover completely conceals the opening on the front of the steering wheel. The opening remains in the steering wheel, but is closed off towards the driver by the cutout cover, allowing the driver to choose between two designs if they do not want the opening. Since the opening or cutout element remains in the steering wheel, it creates a cavity. The visually distinct steering wheel designs differ only in one component: the differently shaped covers.

[0015] The first and second variants can also be combined. For example, a perforated element can have several openings, which are partially closed and partially framed by the respective cover, allowing for a wide variety of designs.

[0016] A third variant provides that the opening cover forms an opening for each opening of the associated opening element, arranged above one of the openings, and that the opening cover surrounds the openings on the front of the steering wheel in a frame-like manner.

[0017] In contrast, a fourth variant proposes that the opening cover for each opening of the associated opening element forms a completely closed surface arranged over one of the openings, and that the opening cover completely covers or closes the openings with the respective completely closed surface on the front of the steering wheel.

[0018] Depending on the designs to be provided, a further development not in accordance with the invention provides that the breakthrough aperture is integral and preferably formed in one piece with the breakthrough element, thereby reducing the number of parts, but also the design freedom.

[0019] Furthermore, if a steering wheel trim is subsequently introduced, the opening trim, which is integrally formed with the opening element, is preferably formed separately from the steering wheel trim, so that the demolding directions of the steering wheel trim and the opening trim do not have to coincide during manufacturing, thus providing a multitude of possibilities for the design of the opening.

[0020] Another advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel provides that the steering wheel has a centrally arranged middle element from which at least one steering wheel spoke extends radially outwards. An airbag, for example, can be arranged or housed in the middle element. Furthermore, the middle element is preferably arranged on the steering wheel's axis of rotation. In addition, this embodiment includes a steering wheel trim that at least partially encloses or frames the middle element. The steering wheel trim can also extend at least partially from the front of the steering wheel towards the rear.

[0021] As an alternative to a variant in which the cutout cover is integrally formed with the cutout element, depending on the designs to be provided, it may also be provided that the cutout cover is integral and preferably formed in one piece with the steering wheel cover.

[0022] To conceal the transition between the cutout cover and the cutout element so that it is essentially imperceptible, the invention provides that the cutout cover and the cutout element each have a transition surface, and that the transition surfaces are inclined to each other at a transition point in the cutout between the cutout cover and the cutout element, so that an edge or a kink is formed at the transition. The transition surface of the cutout cover can also extend from the front of the steering wheel towards the back of the steering wheel towards the cutout element. Preferably, the cutout cover and the cutout element, and in particular their transition surfaces, are in direct contact with each other in the transition area.

[0023] The transition is designed to lie in a plane that is orthogonal to the steering axis of the steering wheel.

[0024] A further advantage is a variant of the steering wheel in which the steering wheel has two opposing spokes, preferably located at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. Each of these opposing spokes contains exactly one opening, each forming exactly one opening and positioned symmetrically opposite the other. The openings can be located directly adjacent to the central element of the steering wheel in the radial direction, or alternatively, they can be arranged radially on the outside of the spokes and, for example, adjacent to a steering ring encircling the steering axis, which the driver can use to grip the steering wheel.

[0025] To ensure that the opening appears seamless to the observer, the design of the steering wheel or the opening element provides that the wall of at least one opening element, which defines the opening, or a surface formed by the wall towards the opening, has a flat surface towards the opening, which in this context means that the wall towards the opening has no sharp projections or recessed depressions, but rather a smooth, even surface.

[0026] In one embodiment, to connect the opening element to the other components of the steering wheel, it is further provided that the at least one opening element forms at least one fastening element on an outer side facing away from the opening or on an outer side of the wall facing away from the opening, for fastening the opening element to a base body of the steering wheel.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the opening of at least one opening element transitions into a base body of the steering wheel on a side facing the rear of the steering wheel, or forms a transition. Preferably, an opening defined in the base body widens from the transition to the opening of the opening element towards the rear of the steering wheel, so that the transition is not visible to the observer from the front of the steering wheel.

[0028] Additional components can also be provided in one or more of the steering wheel spokes, and particularly adjacent to the openings. Examples include control elements, which are designed as a single unit and can be arranged in different configurations within the spoke, depending on the steering wheel or steering wheel variant being provided.

[0029] To accommodate the opening element, a receiving space is provided in the steering wheel spoke or in the steering wheel, which also determines the design freedom of the opening, since the opening or the opening element can utilize the volume provided by the receiving space and within this volume the opening can be designed in a wide variety of ways.

[0030] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1a Front view of an initial version of a steering wheel; Fig. 1b Section through the first version of the steering wheel; Fig. 2 components of the first version of the steering wheel; Fig. 3 Front view of components of the first variant of the steering wheel; Fig. 4 components of a second variant of a steering wheel; Fig. 5 Front view of components of the second variant of the steering wheel; Fig. 6. Detailed view of a steering wheel spoke; Fig. 7a Detailed view of a penetration element; Fig. 7b Section through the opening element; Fig. 8 Front view of a third variant of a steering wheel.

[0031] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1a shows a steering wheel 1 according to the invention in a front view, i.e., the view of an observer of the front side VS of the steering wheel 1 facing the driver, wherein in Fig. 1b reveals a sectional view through this steering wheel 1. The view in Fig. 1b corresponds to the cut along the cutting line AA, as shown in Fig. 1a is marked.

[0033] The steering wheel 1 has a central element (not shown) located centrally on the steering wheel 1. From this central element, three steering wheel spokes 2, 2' extend radially outwards in the direction R to a steering ring 3 that surrounds the central element. The driver of the vehicle can grip the steering wheel 1 by means of this ring. In the steering wheel 1's neutral position, the first steering wheel spoke 2 is located at the 3 o'clock position, the second steering wheel spoke 2 is located at the 9 o'clock position, and the third steering wheel spoke 2' is located at an intermediate 6 o'clock position.

[0034] Furthermore, the steering wheel 1 provides a steering wheel cover 30, which at least partially encloses the central element (not shown) with a section 32 and extends with further sections 31 along the three steering wheel spokes 2, 2' from the central area of ​​the steering wheel 1 in radial direction R outwards to the steering ring 3.

[0035] In the two opposing steering wheel spokes 2 at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, free areas are formed by the steering wheel trim 30 or the outwardly extending sections 31, in which a multifunction element or a multifunction assembly 4 and a penetration element 10, concealed in the front view by the penetration trim 20, are arranged.

[0036] In this variant, the third steering wheel spoke 2' has an opening 11', which, however, is not formed by an opening element 10, but directly by the steering wheel trim 30. In an alternative embodiment, however, a further opening element 10 can also be provided in the third steering wheel spoke 2', which defines the opening 11'.

[0037] As particularly evident in the cross-sectional view of the Fig. As shown in Figure 1b, the steering wheel trim 30, the cutout trim 20, and the cutout element 10 are designed as separate components. This allows the elements to be individually replaced in the event of design changes or individualization options. To enable a continuous and visually seamless cutout 11 according to the invention, the cutout element 10 forms a wall 12 that completely defines the cutout 11 in the cutout element 10, wherein the wall 12 has a flat surface facing the cutout 11, which is also a transition surface 13. The cutout trim 20 forms an opening that is arranged above the cutout 11, wherein the surfaces of the cutout trim 20 that face the opening define its shape and simultaneously abut the transition surface 13 of the cutout element 10 are transition surfaces 23 of the cutout trim 20.Preferably, the transition surfaces 13, 23 of the opening panel 20 and the opening element 10 are inclined to each other at their immediate transition, so that the joint of the surfaces is concealed by the kink thus formed.

[0038] The opening element 10, or the opening 11 formed in the opening element 10, extends from the front VS of the steering wheel 1 to the rear RS of the steering wheel 1 and transitions into a base body 40 of the steering wheel 1 towards the rear RS. An opening is provided in the base body 40 for this purpose, the width of which widens from the opening element 10 towards the rear RS, so that a kink is also formed at the transition between the opening element 10 and the base body 40, thereby concealing the joint or transition.

[0039] In order to fix and align the opening element 10 on the base body 40, fastening elements 14 are also formed on the side of the wall 12 of the opening element 10 facing away from the opening 11.

[0040] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows another variant of steering wheel 1 or of components of steering wheel 1. Fig. Figure 3 shows a front view of the steering wheel trim 30, the through-hole trims 20 and the multifunction assemblies 4, as shown in Fig. 2 an exploded view of these components.

[0041] In its appearance, this variant corresponds to the one in the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shown embodiment, wherein the breakthrough aperture 20 in the variant of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is integrally or integrally formed with the breakthrough element 10, which is particularly evident in Fig. 2 is visible. The advantage here is that a wide range of designs is possible for the opening 11 or for the walls and surfaces bordering the opening 11, since a kink does not necessarily have to be formed at the transition of the transition surfaces 13, 23.

[0042] Even in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 variant shown, which in Fig. 5 also in a front view and in Fig. 4, which is also shown in an exploded view, shows that the breakthrough aperture 20 is integral or integral with the breakthrough element 10.

[0043] The steering wheel 1 differs only in that it has only two opposing steering wheel spokes 2 and a third steering wheel spoke 2', which forms a further opening 11', is omitted.

[0044] Both for the variant of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 as well as for the training format of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. It is stated that the component formed in one piece from the opening cover 20 and the opening element 10 can be replaced for the individualization of the steering wheel, whereby both other one-piece components made from the opening cover 20 and the opening element 10 as well as two-piece components are suitable, in which the one-piece opening cover 20 is formed separately from the opening element 10.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged area at one of the openings 11, so that it is clearly visible that the basic body 40 of the steering wheel is not visible to the viewer through the opening 11 and the opening 11 appears to be seamlessly formed.

[0046] The penetration element 10 or the one-piece component formed from penetration element 10 and penetration plate 20, as it appears in the variants of the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 is revealed, is in Fig. 7a in a front view and in Fig. 7b in a section along the section path BB, as shown in Fig. 7a is shown. In particular in Fig. Figure 7b clearly shows the one-piece nature of the component thus formed. Fastening elements 14, 14' are provided on the sides of the wall 12 facing away from the opening 11 to fix and align the one-piece component on the steering wheel trim 30 and the base body 40 of the steering wheel 1.

[0047] Fig.Figure 8 shows a variant of the steering wheel 1, which differs from the variants described above in that the steering wheel trim 30 and the opening covers 20 are integrally formed together, and the opening covers 20 provide closed surfaces that completely cover the opening 11. In this embodiment, with otherwise identical parts, only a modified trim consisting integrally of the steering wheel trim 30 and the opening cover 20 needs to be provided, so that the openings 11 are present but concealed, thus enabling a wide variety of designs to be provided in a simple manner.

Claims

[1] Steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle with at least one steering wheel spoke (2, 2'), wherein the steering wheel (1) further comprises at least one integrally formed opening element (10) which is arranged in the at least one steering wheel spoke (2, 2') and in which at least one opening (11) is formed which extends from a front of the steering wheel (1) to a rear of the steering wheel (1), wherein the opening element (10) has exactly one wall (12) for each opening (11) which surrounds the opening (11) and extends from the front of the steering wheel (1) to the back of the steering wheel (1) such that the opening (11) is completely bounded by the wall (12), wherein the steering wheel (1) further comprises a cutout cover (20) for each cutout element (10), which is arranged on a side of the cutout element (10) facing the front of the steering wheel (1), characterized by, that the opening aperture (20) and the opening element (10) each have a transition surface (13, 23) and the transition surfaces (13, 23) are inclined to each other at a transition in the opening (11) between the opening aperture (20) and the opening element (10), so that an edge or a kink is formed at the transition, where the transition lies in a plane orthogonal to the steering axis of the steering wheel. [2] Steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the opening cover (20) forms an opening arranged above one of the openings (11) of the associated opening element (10) and the opening cover (20) surrounds the opening (11) on the front of the steering wheel (1) in a frame-like manner. [3] Steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the opening cover (20) forms a completely closed surface arranged over one of the openings (11) of the associated opening element (10) and the opening cover (20) completely covers the opening (11) with the completely closed surface on the front of the steering wheel (1). [4] Steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel (1) further comprises at least two one-piece formed opening elements (10), each of which is assigned an opening cover (20), wherein the opening cover (20) associated with a first opening element (10) forms an opening arranged above one of the openings (11) of the associated opening element (10) and the opening cover (20) surrounds the opening (11) on the front of the steering wheel (1) in a frame-like manner and wherein the opening cover (20) associated with a second opening element (10) forms a completely closed surface arranged over one of the openings (11) of the associated opening element (10) and the opening cover (20) completely covers the opening (11) with the completely closed surface on the front of the steering wheel (1). [5] Steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the opening cover (20) forms an opening arranged over each opening (11) of the associated opening element (10) and the opening cover (20) surrounds the openings (10) on the front of the steering wheel (1) in a frame-like manner. [6] Steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the opening cover (20) forms a completely closed surface arranged over each opening (11) of the associated opening element (10) and the opening cover (20) completely covers the openings (11) with the completely closed surface on the front of the steering wheel (1). [7] Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the steering wheel (1) has a centrally arranged central element from which at least one steering wheel spoke (2) extends radially outwards, and a steering wheel cover (30) which at least partially encloses the central element. [8] Steering wheel according to the preceding claim, wherein the opening cover (20) is integrally formed with the steering wheel cover (30). [9] Steering wheel according to the preceding claim, wherein the opening cover (20) is formed integrally with the steering wheel cover (30). [10] Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the steering wheel (1) has two opposing steering wheel spokes (2) and in each of the opposing steering wheel spokes (2) exactly one opening element (10) is arranged, each of which forms exactly one opening (11) and which are symmetrically opposite each other. [11] Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (12) of the at least one opening element (10) which defines the opening (11) has a flat surface towards the opening (11). [12] Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one opening element (10) forms at least one fastening element (14) on an outer side facing away from the opening (11) for fastening the opening element (10) to a base body of the steering wheel (1). [13] Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (11) of the at least one opening element (10) transitions into a base body (40) of the steering wheel on a side facing the rear of the steering wheel (1). [14] Modular system with a steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle with at least one steering wheel spoke (2, 2'), wherein the steering wheel (1) further comprises at least one integrally formed opening element (10) which is arranged in the at least one steering wheel spoke (2, 2') and in which at least one opening (11) is formed which extends from a front of the steering wheel (1) to a rear of the steering wheel (1), wherein the opening element (10) has exactly one wall (12) for each opening (11) which surrounds the opening (11) and extends from the front of the steering wheel (1) to the back of the steering wheel (1) such that the opening (11) is completely bounded by the wall (12), wherein the modular system for each opening element (10) further comprises several differently designed opening panels (20), each of which can be arranged on a side of the opening element (10) facing the front of the steering wheel (1), so that without changing the opening element (10) different variants of the steering wheel, depending on the design of the opening panels (20), can be realized.

Images