Lower housing for a motor vehicle steering column and associated manufacturing process

Abstract

Lower trim shell of a trim shell (9) for a steering column (8) of a motor vehicle, intended to be positioned opposite the knees of a driver seated in the driving position, comprising a means of protecting the driver's knees in the event of a collision between the driver's knees and the trim shell (9), characterized in that said means of protecting the driver's knees and the lower trim shell (10) are configured so that they form a single piece (10). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Lower trim shell for steering column of a motor vehicle and associated manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to the front part of a motor vehicle in which the steering column extends and relates more particularly to a trim shell for steering column.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a lower shroud for a steering column of a motor vehicle and an associated manufacturing method.

[0003] The steering column, present on all motor vehicles, is a mechanical element connecting the steering wheel to the rack and allows the driver to transmit the rotational movement to the latter for the actuation of a steering rod for turning the drive wheels.

[0004] As a result, when the driver is seated in the driving position, the lower part of his body and in particular his knees are positioned under the steering wheel, in relation to the steering column.

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates the structure under the steering wheel (not shown) of a front part of a motor vehicle, according to the prior art.

[0006] As shown, the steering column 1 is integrated into the front part of the vehicle and a trim shell 2 extends on either side of the steering column. The trim shell 2 comprises a lower trim shell 3 extending along the steering column, under the steering wheel, opposite the driver's seat, and an upper trim shell 4 diametrically opposite the steering column.

[0007] In a collision between the vehicle and an external object, the driver's knees are the first part of the body likely to strike the body shell or, depending on the intensity of the impact, the steering column. Given the rigidity of the column and its elongated shape, the injuries to the driver can be considerable.

[0008] For this reason, it is essential that protection limiting the risk of injury to the driver be provided in the front structure of the vehicle.

[0009] Classically, as can be seen in Figure 1, a protective padding element or block 5 is inserted between the lower cladding shell 3 and structural elements 6 and 7.

[0010] However, manufacturing the protective padding block 5 in addition to the lower casing shell 3 lengthens and makes the manufacturing step more expensive the 2. covering shell.

[0011] The installation of the protective padding block also complicates the installation of the trim shell around the steering column 1 and requires the production of several tools involving a higher cost.

[0012] The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks and to offer a simple and inexpensive protection to manufacture, intended to prevent damage related to impacts between the knees of a driver and the housing of a steering column.

[0013] A lower trim shell for a steering column trim shell of a motor vehicle is therefore proposed, intended to be positioned opposite the knees of a driver installed in the driving position, comprising a means of protecting the driver's knees in the event of a collision of the driver's knees with the trim shell.

[0014] Furthermore, said driver's knee protection means and lower body shell are configured so that they form a single piece.

[0015] Preferably, the driver's knee protection means and the lower bodywork shell are formed of the same material so that they form a single monobloc structure.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the lower casing shell is formed at least in part from expanded polypropylene EPP.

[0017] According to one feature, the lower casing shell can be entirely formed from expanded polypropylene EPP.

[0018] Advantageously, the lower cladding shell can be configured to receive one or more inserts intended to structure the cladding shell.

[0019] The invention also relates to a steering column cover for a motor vehicle, comprising a lower cover as described above. A covering selected from leather, textile, or polyvinyl chloride is disposed on the outer surface of the lower cover intended to be positioned opposite the driver's knees.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a steering column and a steering column cover. The cover includes a lower cover as described above.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a lower housing shell for a steering column of a motor vehicle.

[0022] In addition, the manufacturing process includes a one-piece forming step for the lower body shell and a means for protecting the driver's knees.

[0023] Advantageously, the step of forming the part forming the lower bodywork shell and the driver's knee protection means can be obtained by molding.

[0024] Preferably, the step of forming the part forming the lower body shell and the driver's knee protection means is obtained by molding expanded polypropylene.

[0025] Other purposes, advantages and features will become apparent from the following description, given for illustrative purposes only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings on which:

[0026] [fig. 1] represents the structure of a front part of a motor vehicle comprising a steering column and a body shell according to the prior art.

[0027] [fig.2] illustrates the structure of a front part of a motor vehicle comprising a steering column and a housing shell according to the invention.

[0028] In the following description, the terms "low" and "high" are understood to refer to the usual orthogonal coordinate system for motor vehicles, shown in Figures 1 and 2, and comprising:

[0029] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and directed from the front to the rear of the vehicle;

[0030] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the X axis and directed from the line to the left of the vehicle moving forward;

[0031] - a Z axis, orthogonal to the X and Y axes and vertical, directed from bottom to top.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates the structure of a front part of a motor vehicle comprising a steering column 8 and a covering shell 9 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] The covering shell 9 comprises a lower covering shell 10 and an upper covering shell 11. Considering the Z axis, the lower covering shell 10 is disposed at the bottom and the upper covering shell 11 is disposed at the top of the axis.

[0034] On the one hand, the lower trim shell 10 extends along the steering column 8 and is intended to be positioned opposite the knees of a driver seated in the driving position. It is located in an area under the steering wheel, opposite the driver's seat (not shown).

[0035] On the other hand, the upper trim shell 11 is arranged so as to be diametrically opposite to the upper trim shell 11 with respect to the steering column 8.

[0036] The lower bodywork shell 10 includes a means of protecting the driver's knees in the event of a collision of the driver's knees with the bodywork shell.

[0037] Furthermore, the driver's knee protection means and the lower body shell are configured so that they form a single piece 10. The means of knee protection is therefore an integral part of the lower shell 10.

[0038] Preferably, the lower trim shell 10 is formed at least in part of expanded polymer material forming an effective means of protecting the driver's knees in the event of a knee impact with the trim shell or even with the steering column in the event of a particularly violent impact.

[0039] Preferably, expanded polypropylene (EPP) will be chosen, which is particularly suitable for shock absorption.

[0040] In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the driver's knee protection means and the lower protective shell are made of the same material, forming a single, one-piece structure 10. In other words, the protective means and the lower protective shell are integrated. The structure of the lower protective shell 10 itself thus plays a role in protecting the driver's knees.

[0041] According to this example, the lower casing shell 10 is entirely formed of expanded polypropylene EPP.

[0042] The expanded polypropylene material makes it possible to obtain a lower cladding shell 10 sufficiently rigid to form a part having both significant impact resistance and a structuring function of the cladding shell 9.

[0043] Of course, it can be provided that the lower cladding shell 10 is configured to receive one or more inserts 12, 13 intended to structure the cladding shell 9.

[0044] A coating can be disposed on the outer surface 15 of the lower trim shell 10 intended to be disposed opposite the driver's knees in order to contribute to the external appearance of the lower trim shell 10 and its integrity.

[0045] For example, the coating can be chosen from the following materials: leather, textile or polyvinyl chloride.

[0046] The lower casing shell 10 is advantageously formed by molding, and in particular in the illustrated example, by molding expanded polypropylene.

Claims

Demands

1. Lower trim shell of a trim shell (9) for a steering column (8) of a motor vehicle, intended to be positioned opposite the knees of a driver seated in the driving position, comprising a means of protecting the driver's knees in the event of a collision of the driver's knees with the trim shell (9), characterized in that said means of protecting the driver's knees and the lower trim shell (10) are configured so that they form a single piece (10) and in that the means of protecting the driver's knees and the lower trim shell (10) are formed of the same material so that they form a single monobloc structure (10).

2. Lower casing according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed at least in part of expanded polypropylene EPP.

3. Lower casing according to claim 1, characterized in that it is entirely formed of expanded polypropylene EPP.

4. Lower dressing shell according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to receive one or more inserts (12, 13) intended to structure the dressing shell (9).

5. Steering column cover (8) of a motor vehicle, comprising a lower cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a covering (14) selected from leather, textile or polyvinyl chloride is disposed on the outer surface (15) of the lower cover (10) intended to be disposed opposite the driver's knees.

6. Motor vehicle comprising a steering column (8) and a steering column cover (9), characterized in that the cover (9) comprises a lower cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. Method of manufacturing a lower shroud (10) of shroud (9) for a steering column (8) of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a one-piece forming step (10) forming the lower shroud and a means of protecting the driver's knees.

8. A manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that

9. The forming step of the part (10) forming the lower protective shell and the driver's knee protection means is obtained by molding. A manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that the forming step of the part (10) forming the lower protective shell and the driver's knee protection means is obtained by molding expanded polypropylene.