Device mounted on a steering wheel rim for selecting functions of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a selection device (DS) fitted to a steering wheel (W) that is provided in a vehicle and comprises a rim (JV) that can be gripped and rotated by at least one hand of a driver. This device (DS) comprises a selector (SF) mounted in a zone (ZP) of the rim (JV) provided with at least two pictograms (PF1-PF4) respectively representing functions carried out by equipment in the vehicle, which selector can be at least partly displaced manually within this zone (ZP) in order to allow the driver to select one of the pictograms (PF2), and which selector is arranged so as to trigger the function represented by this selected pictogram (PF2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: VEHICLE FUNCTION SELECTION DEVICE MOUNTED ON A STEERING WHEEL RIM

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention claims priority from French application 2205546 filed on June 9, 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] The invention relates to vehicles which include a steering wheel, and more specifically to the function selection devices which equip such vehicles.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Many vehicles, generally land vehicles, include a steering column at least partially installed in their passenger compartment and to which is attached a steering wheel comprising a rim suitable for being grasped and rotated by at least one hand of their driver.

[0008] These vehicles generally include equipment providing functions, some of which can be manually selected by their driver by means of selection members, which can take many forms. For example, such a selection member can be at least part of a control lever (or commodo®) secured to a central part of the steering wheel, a push or rotary button secured to the dashboard or to the central part of the steering wheel, a thumbwheel secured to the dashboard or to the central part of the steering wheel, a push-button selector secured to the dashboard or to the central part of the steering wheel, a rocker control, possibly allowing substantially continuous adjustment, and secured to the dashboard or to the central part of the steering wheel.

[0009] These selector switches are certainly satisfactory, but they clutter the dashboard and / or the steering wheel rim area, and therefore can make them difficult to detect in the passenger compartment and / or to operate. In addition, they may only be operable by the driver in one way, which does not offer diversity. In addition, they can harm the styling effects present in the vehicle.

[0010] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

[0011] Presentation of the invention

[0012] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a selection device intended to equip a steering wheel, suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a rim suitable for being grasped and rotated by at least one hand of a driver.

[0013] This selection device is characterized by the fact that it comprises a selector suitable for being mounted in an area of ​​the rim which is provided with at least two pictograms respectively representing functions performed by equipment of the vehicle, and for being at least partly moved manually in this area in order to allow the driver to select one of the pictograms, and arranged so as to trigger the performance of the function represented by this selected pictogram.

[0014] Thanks to the invention, the steering wheel rim can now accommodate one or more selection devices which do not obstruct its surroundings or the dashboard, thus facilitating the detection by the driver of the associated pictograms and therefore actuation for the purpose of selecting a function.

[0015] The selection device according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0016] - its selector may include a light source capable of selectively illuminating the selected pictogram;

[0017] - its selector may comprise, on the one hand, a part suitable for being mounted in a movable manner on the rim and to which is fixedly secured a selection element suitable for being grasped by the driver in order to be selectively positioned opposite the pictogram to be selected, and, on the other hand, a detector suitable for detecting a position taken by the part relative to the rim when this selection element is opposite a selected pictogram and for generating a first signal intended to cause the performance of the function represented by this selected pictogram; - in the presence of the last option, the part may comprise a first sub-part suitable for being mounted in a movable manner on the rim, to which the selection element is fixedly secured, and comprising teeth separated by spaces respectively defining the positions of the part.In this case, the detector may comprise a rod mounted in translation under a return force and comprising an end suitable for being housed in one of these spaces in order to maintain the part in the corresponding position and allow the detection of this position;

[0018] - the selection element may comprise the light source;

[0019] - the part may comprise a second sub-part fixedly secured to the first sub-part and defining a body of the selection element which comprises the light source;

[0020] - the detector may be capable of generating a second signal representative of the selected pictogram. In this case, the light source may be arranged so as to deliver light having a color which is a function of the second signal generated;

[0021] - the detector can be fixedly attached to a rear face of the rim, opposite a front face of the latter which includes the pictograms.

[0022] The invention also proposes a steering wheel suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a rim suitable for being grasped and rotated by at least one hand of a driver, and at least one selection device of the type presented above and coupled to the rim.

[0023] The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly terrestrial, and comprising a steering column having one end to which a steering wheel of the type presented above is secured.

[0024] Brief description of the figures

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front face side, a portion of the lower part of a rim forming part of a motor vehicle steering wheel and comprising an exemplary embodiment of a selection device according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear face side, the lower part of the rim of Figure 1 with its selection device, and

[0028] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane at the level of the selection element, the lower part of the rim of figure 1.

[0029] Detailed description of the invention

[0030] The invention aims in particular to propose a selection device DS intended to equip a rim JV with a steering wheel W of a vehicle and allowing the driver of the latter to easily select a function from at least two functions provided by equipment of this vehicle.

[0031] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the steering wheel W is intended to be part of a land vehicle, and more precisely a motor vehicle, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It in fact concerns any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising equipment ensuring functions selectable by their driver and a steering column having one end to which is secured a steering wheel controllable by this driver.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a lower part of a rim JV forming part of a steering wheel W of a vehicle (here a car) and comprising a selection device DS according to the invention.

[0033] This JV rim is suitable for being grasped and rotated by at least one hand of a driver of the vehicle. In addition, it comprises a zone ZP which is provided on a front face FV (facing the driver (and therefore towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle)) with at least two pictograms PFj which are respectively representative of functions performed by equipment of the vehicle.

[0034] It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figure 1, the pictograms PFj are representative of certain lighting functions provided by the vehicle's optical units. The first pictogram PF1 (j = 1) "0" is representative of the voluntary non-use of the lighting functions. The second pictogram PF2 (j = 2) "AUTO" is representative of the automatic operation of the lighting functions (without driver intervention). The third pictogram PF3 0 = 3) is the representation of a lit bulb and is therefore representative of the operation of the position lights. The fourth pictogram PF4 0 = 4) is the representation of the main beam and dipped beam headlights.

[0035] The number of PFj pictograms present in the ZP zone, on the front face of the JV rim, is here equal to four. But it can take any value greater than or equal to two. Furthermore, the PFj pictograms are representative of certain lighting functions (the fog lights are not in fact represented). But the PFj pictograms could also represent the fog lights, or they could represent other functions provided by other equipment of the vehicle (for example other than lighting and signaling, and in particular driver assistance functions (or ADAS ("Advanced Driver Assistance System"))■

[0036] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, a selection device DS, according to the invention, comprises a selector SF which is suitable for being mounted in the zone ZP of the rim JV, and for being at least partly moved manually in this zone ZP in order to allow the driver to select one of the pictograms PFj. In addition, this selector SF is arranged so as to trigger the performance of the function which is represented by the selected pictogram PFj. In the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figure 1, it is the second pictogram PF2 (AUTO) which has been manually selected by the driver of the vehicle.

[0037] Thus, the JV rim of the W steering wheel can accommodate one or more DS selection devices which do not clutter the dashboard and / or its surroundings, which makes it easier for the driver to detect the associated pictograms and therefore to activate them in order to select a function. In addition, this avoids harming the style effects present in the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0038] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3, the selector SF can also advantageously comprise a light source SL which is capable of selectively illuminating the selected pictogram PFj. This makes it possible to highlight by selective illumination the function which has been selected (via the associated pictogram PFj). In addition, this makes it possible to avoid having to backlight the pictograms PFj through the front face FV of the rim JV. For example, this light source SL can comprise at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). But as a variant it could comprise at least one lamp (or bulb) or at least one laser diode.

[0039] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, the selector SF can comprise a part PS, a selection element ES and a detector DP.

[0040] The part PS is suitable for being mounted in a movably manner on the rim JV, as illustrated in Figure 2. For this purpose, it comprises at least a first sub-part SP1 which slides on the rim JV, preferably on the side of its rear face FR, in order to make it invisible to the driver, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figure 2. This sliding can be done by means of at least one slide (or slide) or guide rails defined on the rear face FR of the rim JV and in which slides at least one rib defined on the first sub-part SP1 of the part PS, or conversely by means of at least one slide (or slide) or guide rails defined on the first sub-part SP1 of the part PS and in which slides at least one rib defined on the rear face FR of the rim JV.

[0041] It will be noted that in the illustrated example the zone ZP of the rim JV is curved, and therefore the first sub-part SP1 slides following the local curvature of the rim JV. But, when the zone ZP of the rim JV is rectilinear, the first sub-part SP1 slides by translating itself following the direction of extension of the zone ZP in the transverse plane of the vehicle.

[0042] The selection element ES is fixedly secured to the part PS and is suitable for being grasped by the driver in order to be selectively positioned opposite the pictogram PFj to be selected. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the driver to move the part PS by moving the selection element ES after grasping it on the side of the front face FV of the rim JV or on the side of the rear face FR of the rim JV according to his preference. In other words, this allows the driver to be offered diversity with regard to the way in which he can act on the selection device DS.

[0043] The detector DP is capable of detecting the position taken by the part PS relative to the rim JV when the selection element ES is opposite a selected pictogram PFj. In addition, this detector DP is arranged to generate a first signal which is intended to cause the performance of the function represented by this selected pictogram PFj. It will be understood that once the selection element ES has been correctly positioned opposite a pictogram PFj, and therefore the part PS is placed in a position selected from among several predefined positions, the detector DP is arranged to know what this selected position is and therefore generates a first signal which represents it for a computer of the vehicle which controls the operation of the function corresponding to this selected position.

[0044] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, the selection element ES can be fixedly secured to the first sub-part SP1 of the part PS which is suitable for being mounted in a movably manner on the rim JV. In addition, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figure 2, this first sub-part SP1 can comprise teeth Dk which are separated by spaces Ej respectively defining the positions of the part PS. In the presence of such an arrangement of the part PS, the detector DP can comprise a rod T mounted in translation under a return force and comprising an end ET which is suitable for being housed in one of the spaces Ej in order, at least, to maintain the part PS in the corresponding position.It will be understood that the detector DP is at least partly fixedly secured to the rim JV, and that the movement of the part PS relative to the rim JV causes the translation (or separation) of the rod T and the passage of its end ET from a space Ej to the neighboring space Ej-1 or Ej+1 with a replacement of the rod T in its initial position by an inverse translation imposed by the return force to which it is subjected.

[0045] It will be noted that in the example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figure 2, the first sub-part SP1 comprises five teeth D1 to D5 (k = 1 to 5), due to the fact that there are four spaces E1 to E4 associated respectively with four predefined positions of the part PS (themselves associated respectively with the four pictograms PF1 to PF4). But the number of teeth Dk depends on the number of predefined positions that the part PS can take (and therefore on the number of pictograms PFj present in the zone ZP on the front face FV of the rim FV).

[0046] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figure 2, the DP detector can be fixedly attached to the rear face FR of the rim JV, opposite the front face FV which includes the pictograms PFj. This in fact makes it invisible to the driver.

[0047] The detection of the position of the PS part can be done in different ways, including electrically or by counting or even by angular position detection.

[0048] The electrical method can, for example, consist of associating different electrical potentials with the portions of wall which respectively delimit the bottoms of the different spaces Ej. In this case, depending on the specific voltage in progress at the terminals of an electronic circuit of the detector DP, we deduce the current position of the part PS.

[0049] The counting can for example consist of incrementing by one unit a counter of an electronic circuit of the detector DP each time the rod T passes from a space Ej to the next neighboring space Ej+1 (starting from the very first space E1 (here associated with the first pictogram “0”)), and decrementing by one unit this counter each time the rod T passes from a space Ej to the previous neighboring space Ej-1.

[0050] The angular position detection can be done by means of an angle sensor which is linked, for example, to the part PS (preferably to its first sub-part SP1). This angle sensor can, for example, be Hall effect. It can, for example, detect the angular rotation of a wheel which meshes with the teeth of a dedicated toothed sector fixedly attached to the rear face FR of the rim JV.

[0051] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3, that the selection element ES can, for example, comprise the light source SL. This makes it possible to simplify the arrangement of the selector SF. But one could imagine that the selection element ES is only used for the selection of a pictogram PFj, and that the part PS comprises a sub-part dedicated to the support of the light source SL and therefore to the illumination of the selected pictogram P Fj.

[0052] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 3, that the part PS may also comprise a second sub-part SP2 which is fixedly secured to its first sub-part SP1 and which defines a body of the selection element ES. In this case, this body SP2 comprises the light source SL. In other words, a single-piece part PS is defined, for example by molding a rigid plastic material (possibly with overmolding of a material on the second sub-part SP2), and the light source SL (with its electronic power supply and control components) is added to this part PS in a dedicated housing of the second sub-part SP2.

[0053] The SL light source is powered and controlled by means of electrical wires which are housed in a hollow part of the JV rim, then pass into the central part of the W steering wheel, then pass into the steering column in order to be coupled to the vehicle's on-board network.

[0054] Likewise, the DP detector is powered and controlled by means of electrical wires and provides its first signals (representative of the selected positions (or functions)) by means of other electrical wires, all these electrical wires being housed in a hollow part of the rim JV, then passing into the central part of the steering wheel W, then passing into the steering column in order to be coupled to the vehicle's on-board network or to a multiplexed communication network of the vehicle according to their function.

[0055] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, the detector DP may be capable of generating a second signal which is representative of the selected pictogram PFj. In this case, the light source SL may advantageously be arranged so as to deliver a light which has a color depending on this second generated signal. In other words, each pictogram PFj corresponds to a specific color of the light which illuminates it when it has been selected by the driver, which allows the latter to determine even more easily the function which is being selected.

[0056] For this purpose, the light source SL may, for example, comprise three light-emitting diodes (or LEDs) having three different colors (red, green and blue). These three basic colors may be combined in pairs or threes in order to have more than three different colors. For purely illustrative purposes, a white light could be used for conventional functions, a green light for a direction-changing function (or turn signals) or a dipped beam function (or "codes"), a blue light for a high beam function, and an orange light for a driver assistance function (or ADAS). It should be noted that each second signal may possibly be identical to the corresponding first signal.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Selection device (DS) for a steering wheel (W) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a rim (JV) suitable for being grasped and rotated by at least one hand of a driver, characterized in that it comprises a selector (SF) suitable for being mounted in an area (ZP) of said rim (JV) equipped with at least two pictograms (PFj) respectively representing functions performed by equipment of said vehicle, and for being at least partially moved manually in said area (ZP) in order to allow said driver to select one of said pictograms (PFj), and arranged so as to trigger the performance of the function represented by this selected pictogram (PFj).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said selector (SF) comprises a light source (SL) suitable for selectively illuminating said selected pictogram (PFj).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said selector (SF) comprises i) a part (PS) adapted to be movably mounted on said rim (JV) and to which is fixedly attached a selection element (ES) adapted to be grasped by said driver in order to be selectively positioned opposite said pictogram (PFj) to be selected, and ii) a detector (DP) adapted to detect a position taken by said part (PS) relative to said rim (JV) when said selection element (ES) is opposite a selected pictogram (PFj) and to generate a first signal intended to cause the execution of the function represented by this selected pictogram (PFj).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said part (PS) comprises a first sub-part (SP1) adapted to be mounted in a movable manner on said rim (JV), to which said selection element (ES) is fixedly attached, and comprising teeth (Dk) separated by spaces (Ej) defining respectively said positions of said part (PS), and in that said detector (DP) comprises a rod (T) mounted in translation under a return force and having an end (ET) adapted to be housed in one of said spaces (Ej) in order to maintain said part (PS) in the corresponding position and allow the detection of this position.

5. Device according to claim 2 taken in combination with claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said selection element (ES) comprises said light source (SL).

6. Device according to the combination of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said part (PS) comprises a second sub-part (SP2) fixedly attached to said first sub-part (SP1) and defining a body of said selection element (ES) which comprises said light source (SL).

7. Device according to claim 2 taken in combination with any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said detector (DP) is capable of generating a second signal representative of said selected pictogram (PFj), and in that said light source (SL) is arranged to deliver a light having a colour as a function of said second generated signal.

8. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said detector (DP) is fixedly attached to a rear face (FR) of said rim (JV), opposite a front face (FV) of the latter (JV) comprising said pictograms (PFj).

9. Steering wheel (W) suitable for equipping a vehicle and comprising a rim (JV) suitable for being gripped and driven in rotation by at least one hand of a driver, characterized in that it further comprises at least one selection device (DS) according to one of the preceding claims, coupled to said rim (JV).

10. Vehicle comprising a steering column, characterized in that it further comprises a steering wheel (W) according to claim 9, attached to one end of said steering column.

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