Steering wheel for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, with a steering wheel hub (2), with a steering wheel rim (3) which is held on the steering wheel hub (2) via at least one force-transmitting first steering wheel spoke, and with at least one second steering wheel spoke (4), characterized in that the second steering wheel spoke (4) is designed as a flexible band.

Description

The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of the independent claim. With regard to the prior art, reference is made to DE 10 2008 023 889 A1, DE 36 33 558 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,204,070 A.From the generic DE 10 2008 023 889 A1, a steering wheel for a motor vehicle is known, having a steering wheel hub and having a steering wheel rim arranged at least partially around this steering wheel hub for carrying the steering wheel and for applying forces. The steering wheel further comprises a plurality of steering wheel spokes respectively connecting the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel hub, wherein the plurality of steering wheel spokes comprises at least one force-transmitting steering wheel spoke. The plurality of steering wheel spokes also includes at least one steering wheel spoke, which is substantially decoupled from the point of view of force. The at least one force-transmitting steering wheel spoke is designed to be more rigid and / or stronger than the at least one force-decoupled steering wheel spoke. The at least one force-decoupled steering wheel spoke can be designed to be flexurally elastic.It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel for a motor vehicle which comprises a steering wheel spoke which is particularly easily individualizable without force transmission.This object is achieved according to the invention by a steering wheel for a motor vehicle having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, having a steering wheel hub and having a steering wheel rim. The steering wheel rim is held on the steering wheel hub via at least one force-transmitting first steering wheel spoke. In particular, the steering wheel rim is held on the steering wheel hub via at least two force-transmitting first steering wheel spokes. The steering wheel furthermore comprises at least one second steering wheel spoke, which is irrelevant for holding the steering wheel rim on the steering wheel hub. The second steering wheel spoke can thus serve for decorating the steering wheel. In order to be able to provide the second steering wheel spoke on the steering wheel in a particularly simple manner and in addition to make possible a particularly simple individualization of the second steering wheel spoke, it is provided according to the invention that the second steering wheel spoke is designed as a flexible band. This means that the flexible band is fastened at one end to the steering wheel hub and at the other end to the steering wheel rim in order to provide the second steering wheel spoke. The band makes it possible to individualize the second steering wheel spoke in a particularly simple manner. By means of the band, a particularly simple individualization of the steering wheel is thus possible.It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the band is tensioned from the steering wheel hub to the steering wheel rim. In other words, the band is fastened to the steering wheel hub and to the steering wheel rim and subsequently tensioned. In its tensioned state, the second steering wheel spoke extends tautly from the steering wheel hub as far as the steering wheel rim, whereby a risk of a catch for a vehicle occupant can be kept particularly low. As a result, a risk of injury to the vehicle occupant and a risk of damage to the second steering wheel spoke can be kept particularly low.In a further embodiment of the invention, it has been found to be advantageous if the tape is a woven tape. The fabric tape is to be understood as meaning that the tape is produced by weaving or knitting fibers. This can be in particular a fabric tape, provided that the fabric tape is woven from textile fibers. The textile fibers can consist of a natural material or of a plastic. Alternatively to forming the band from the fabric band, the band can be formed as a synthetic material band, wherein the synthetic material band is produced and provided in the form of a band. The provision of the band as a woven band enables an element to be introduced into the band in a particularly simple manner, in particular by weaving the element into the band. In addition, the provision of the band as a woven band makes it possible to produce the band as a piece of meter material in a particularly simple manner. As a result, the band can be adapted particularly easily in its length to a distance to be bridged between the steering wheel hub and the steering wheel rim.In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the tape is laterally tapped. Lateral tapping is to be understood as meaning that respective side edges of the band are sewn laterally along the direction of longitudinal extent of the band, as a result of which a ripping out of the band can be at least substantially prevented. In this way, a particularly advantageous durability and, as a result, a particularly long service life of the belt and thus of the second steering wheel spoke can be achieved.In a further embodiment of the invention, it has been found to be advantageous if the steering wheel comprises an illumination device, by means of which the band can be illuminated. In particular, light can be provided by means of the illumination device, which light radiates and / or reflects from the belt into eyes of a vehicle occupant. By means of the illumination device, a light signal can be provided, the contour of which can advantageously be adjusted. The contour of the light signal can thus be adjusted in particular as a function of a user input of the vehicle occupant, as a result of which the light signal can be personalised particularly advantageously. In addition, the illumination device enables the band to be visible particularly well with low ambient illumination.In this context, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the lighting device comprises at least one light-emitting fiber which penetrates the band, in particular is woven into the band. The light-emitting fiber can inherently provide light which radiates into the surroundings of the band and can thereby optically produce a luminous impression of the band in the case of an observer. The light-emitting fiber can be, in particular, a light guide by means of which light can be guided and at least in regions light can be output. This at least one luminescent fiber can be woven into the band during production of the band and / or subsequently be woven into the band. The light-emitting fiber enables a particularly precise illumination of the band that can be individualized via a respective configuration of the arrangement of the at least one light-emitting fiber on the band.In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the steering wheel comprises a heating device, by means of which the belt can be heated. The heating device enables a particularly simple provision of a steering wheel heating by heating the belt and thus the second steering wheel spoke by means of the heating device. Particularly high comfort can be provided by the vehicle occupant, in particular in winter, since the vehicle occupant can heat his hands on the second steering wheel spoke.In this context, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the heating device comprises at least one heating wire which penetrates the band, in particular is woven into the band. The heating wire enables the band and thus the second steering wheel spoke itself to be heated, whereby particularly little energy is lost when the band is heated and the band can be heated in a particularly energy-efficient manner.In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one touch-sensitive detection element is provided as a component of the steering wheel, wherein the detection element is arranged on the belt and is configured to receive a user input. The touch-sensitive detection element can be, in particular, a touch sensor, by means of which the user input can be received. The detection element can provide a touch signal characterizing the user input to an electronic computing device, by means of which a motor vehicle action can be triggered as a function of the characterized user input. The provision of the at least one touch-sensitive detection element enables an integration of operating elements into the second steering wheel spoke. The operating elements are the detection elements, by means of which the motor vehicles can be controlled via the electronic computing device. The at least one touch-sensitive detection element thus enables particularly extensive control of the motor vehicle by means of the steering wheel.In this context, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the detection element is designed as a film which abuts the band and / or is arranged in the band and / or penetrates the band. The film can be woven into the tape. Configuring the sensing element as a film allows a particularly space-saving configuration of the at least one touch-sensitive sensing element, as a result of which an influence on a stiffness and / or an optical system of the belt by the touch-sensitive sensing element can be kept particularly low. The film can furthermore also be designed to be flexurally slack, as a result of which the film can be adjusted in its shape particularly easily, as a result of which the film can in turn be introduced into the strip in a particularly simple manner or can be arranged on the strip.The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings. The following shows: FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a band as a second steering wheel spoke of a steering wheel, wherein the band is provided with individual sewing and printing; and FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the belt providing the second steering wheel spoke, on which belt a film is inserted as a touch-sensitive detection element, by means of which a user input can be received, wherein the film provides a functional mat for the belt.Identical elements are assigned the same reference numerals in the figures.FIGS. 1 and 2 show a detail of a steering wheel 1 for a motor vehicle. The steering wheel 1 comprises a steering wheel hub 2 and a steering wheel rim 3 held on the steering wheel hub 2. the steering wheel hub 2 provides a rotational axis for the steering wheel rim 3, wherein the motor vehicle can be controlled transversely by rotating the steering wheel rim 3 about the steering wheel hub 2. The steering wheel rim 3 is held on the steering wheel hub 2 in a force-transmitting and rotationally fixed manner by means of at least one first steering wheel spoke, which is not shown in the figures. The steering wheel 1 further comprises at least one second steering wheel spoke 4, which is a steering wheel spoke that is at least substantially decoupled from the forces. This is to be understood as meaning that the steering wheel rim 3 is held at least substantially via the at least one first steering wheel spoke on the steering wheel hub 2 in a force-transmitting manner, wherein a force transmission via the at least one second steering wheel spoke 4 is at least substantially omitted. The at least one second steering wheel spoke 4 thus serves for decorating the steering wheel 1.In the present case, the steering wheel 1 comprises exactly one second steering wheel spoke 4. the second steering wheel spoke 4 is formed from a flexible band. In the present case, the band is a fabric band 5. the fabric band 5 is woven in the present case from textile fibers. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fabric band 5 can be individually embroidered and / or printed and / or woven in color, whereby an optic of the second steering wheel spoke 4 can be individually adaptable to customer requirements. In particular, a customer of the motor vehicle can create the second steering wheel spoke 4 in a personally flexible manner.In order to prevent the fabric strip 5 from fraying, the fabric strip 5 has a lateral tapping seam 6 or piping. Consequently, the fabric band 5 is laterally tapped, whereby a lateral detachment of the fabric band 5 can be at least substantially avoided, in particular slowed down.For manufacturing the steering wheel 1, the second steering wheel spoke 4 can be arranged at one end on the steering wheel hub 2 and fastened thereto and at the other end on the steering wheel rim 3 and fastened thereto. In order to be able to keep a risk of damage to the second steering wheel spoke 4 and a risk of injury to a vehicle occupant particularly low, it is provided that the second steering wheel spoke 4 is tensioned between the steering wheel hub 2 and the steering wheel rim 3. For this purpose, the steering wheel 1 can comprise a clamping device, by means of which the fabric band 5 can be clamped between the steering wheel hub 2 and the steering wheel rim 3. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fabric band 5 can have an individualizable fabric pattern. Alternatively or additionally, the fabric tape 5 can be provided with a print 7 which can be individualized in particular.In FIG. 2, the steering wheel 1 comprises a touch-sensitive detection element 8, which is embodied in the present case as a film and bears against the fabric strip 5. A user input of a vehicle occupant can be received by means of the touch-sensitive detection element 8. In this case, the user input can be characterized by a contact of the detection element 8 by the vehicle occupant. The detection element 8 can thus be a functional mat adhesively bonded to the fabric strip 5, by means of which at least one user input can be received, depending on which of the motor vehicles having the steering wheel 1 can be controlled.The steering wheel 1 can have an illumination device, not shown in the figures, by means of which the tissue band 5 can be illuminated. For this purpose, the woven fabric strip 5 can be penetrated by a light-emitting fiber of the lighting device, whereby the woven fabric strip 5 can be illuminated from the inside. Alternatively or additionally, the steering wheel 1 can comprise a heating device, by means of which the fabric belt 5 can be heated. For this purpose, the fabric strip 5 can be penetrated by a heating wire, by means of which the fabric strip 5 can be heated from the inside.The described steering wheel 1 enables a customer to provide a freely configurable and variable second steering wheel spoke 4. The second steering wheel spoke 4 is inserted or tensioned from the steering wheel rim 3 to the steering wheel hub 2. Via the fabric tape 5, which is individually embroidered and / or printed and / or woven in color, the customer can create his personal flexible second steering wheel spoke 4. As an alternative to the embodiment of the second steering wheel spoke 4 as a fabric strip 5, the second steering wheel spoke 4 can be configured as a synthetic material strip, which is in particular solid and thus free of perforations or cavities.The fabric strip 5 is protected against damage in the present case by a lateral tapping. This tap can be incorporated as a design feature. The fabric belt 5 can be illuminated, is heatable, can be stored by film technology with functions for controlling the motor vehicle and enables the setting of optically personalized accents. The fabric tape 5 can be individualized by tapping or fabric embroidering or by colored printing or inserting materials relevant to design engineering. The woven-in heating wires can be used to heat the woven-in strip 5. The fabric strip 5 can be illuminated by light-emitting diodes and / or color wires. By means of film technology, in particular the application of the film to the fabric belt 5, operating units for the function control of the motor vehicle can be applied in and on the fabric belt 5. By tapping or pressing, an individual note can be produced via a selected thread color. A personal note for a customer can be given to the fabric band 5 by inserting hard and / or optically suitable materials.List of reference characters1 Steering wheel 2 Steering wheel hub 3 Steering wheel rim 4 Second steering wheel spoke 5 Fabric band 6 Stitch seam 7 Print 8 Detection element

Claims

Steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, having a steering wheel hub (2), having a steering wheel rim (3) which is held on the steering wheel hub (2) via at least one force-transmitting first steering wheel spoke, and having at least one second steering wheel spoke (4), characterized in that the second steering wheel spoke (4) is designed as a flexible strip.Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the band is tensioned from the steering wheel hub (2) as far as the steering wheel rim (3).Steering wheel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the band is a fabric band (5).Steering wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the band is laterally tapped.Steering wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya lighting device by means of which the band can be illuminated.Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the lighting device comprises at least one light fibre which penetrates the strip.Steering wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya heating device, by means of which the band can be heated.Steering wheel (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the heating device comprises at least one heating wire which penetrates the band.Steering wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one touch-sensitive detection element (8) which is arranged on the belt and by means of which a user input can be received.Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the detection element (8) is designed as a film which bears against the strip and / or is arranged in the strip and / or penetrates the strip.

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