Vehicle steering wheel including decorative parts

Abstract

A vehicle steering wheel comprising a first decorative part (10) and a second decorative part (20), wherein the first decorative part (10) includes a first clipping interface, characterized in that the first decorative part (10) includes a first docking interface (13), in that the second decorative part (20) includes a second docking interface (23), and in that the first docking interface (13) is arranged to contact the second docking interface (23) so as to press the second decorative part (20) against the steering wheel. Figure 2 for the abbreviated version.

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle steering wheel comprising decorative parts

[0001] 1. Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a motor vehicle steering wheel comprising decorative parts otherwise called decorative parts. Prior art

[0003] It is known in the prior art to use decorative parts and to assemble them on a steering wheel. For example, document US20090250908 describes the assembly of 2 decorative parts on either side of a steering wheel frame, with numerous tabs of one of the parts engaging one of a multitude of slots of the other part. On the other hand, this system has the disadvantage of requiring complex manual operations and precise parts, without however being able to guarantee that the adjustments relative to the rest of the steering wheel will be precise and without play or gap which would harm the perceived quality.

[0004] An aim of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a steering wheel with decorative parts which are simple to manufacture, to assemble on the steering wheel, while guaranteeing adjustments relative to the rest of the steering wheel which are precise and without play or gap.

[0005] For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising a first decorative part and a second decorative part each fixed to the vehicle steering wheel, in which the first decorative part comprises a first clipping interface for fixing the first decorative part to the steering wheel by elastic fitting, characterized: in that the first decorative part comprises a first docking interface, in that the second decorative part comprises a second docking interface, and in that the first docking interface is arranged to come into contact with the second docking interface so as to press the second decorative part onto the steering wheel, when the first clipping interface is engaged with the steering wheel.

[0006] According to the above implementation, the first decorative part has a first docking interface (i.e. a contact surface) which comes to bear on a second docking interface (i.e. another contact surface) of the second decorative part, to press the latter onto the steering wheel. In other words, the first decorative part, fixed by elastic interlocking (clipped onto the steering wheel), comes directly into contact with the second decorative part to position it correctly. on the steering wheel. The rib chains are therefore reduced (no intermediate parts because of direct contact between the parts, and therefore fewer links in the calculation of the rib chain), which offers the possibility of having a precise adjustment without requiring tight tolerances.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the second decorative part may comprise a second clipping interface for fixing the second decorative part to the steering wheel by elastic fitting. The second decorative part is also fixed by elastic fitting (clipped onto the steering wheel). The assembly process is therefore easy and quick.

[0008] According to one embodiment: the first docking interface can be arranged on the first clipping interface, and the second docking interface can be arranged on the second clipping interface.

[0009] In other words: : the first docking interface may be formed by a first projection or a first hook and may be arranged on the first clipping interface formed by a first clipping tab, and the second docking interface may be formed by a second projection or a second hook and may be arranged on the second clipping interface formed by a second clipping tab.

[0010] According to one embodiment: - the first clipping interface and / or the second clipping interface may comprise a protrusion extending in a first direction, - the first docking interface and / or the second docking interface may comprise a protrusion extending in a second direction, different from the first direction, and preferably, the first direction may be normal to a first plane, the second direction may be normal to a second plane, and the first plane may be perpendicular to the second plane. In other words, the first / second clipping direction is substantially perpendicular to the first / second docking surface, thereby ensuring effective plating.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first clipping interface and the second clipping interface may be arranged to engage with each other, and / or in the same receiving portion of the steering wheel. This makes it possible to limit the dispersions and the anchoring portions on the steering wheel.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first clipping interface may have an elongated shape with a proximal part on the side of the first decorative part and a distal portion at the free end of the elongated shape, and the first docking interface may be arranged on the proximal portion. In other words, the first docking interface may be arranged at the foot of a tab forming the first clipping interface, which provides good compactness and low tolerances, due to the proximity of the interfaces.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the distal part can be arranged to fit elastically into a receiving portion of the steering wheel.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first clipping interface can pass through a first wall of the second decorative part, and the second docking interface can be arranged on the first wall.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first clipping interface can pass through a second wall of the second decorative part, and the first clipping interface can be arranged to bear on the second wall.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may comprise an overmolding material such as foaming, and the first clipping interface may be arranged to bear on the overmolding material.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first clipping interface can be arranged on a rod or a tab which can pass through a wall of the overmolding material.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may comprise a frame, and the first clipping interface may be arranged to bear on the frame.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first clipping interface can be arranged on a rod or a tab which can pass through a wall of the frame.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may comprise at least one branch, and the first decorative piece and / or the second decorative piece may be fixed to the branch and / or may at least partially cover the branch.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first docking interface may be arranged to exert a pressing force on a surface of the steering wheel oriented in a range from 70° to 110° relative to a clipping direction of the first clipping interface.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may comprise a plating surface arranged to receive the second decorative part plated by the first docking interface, the plating surface may be oriented in a range from 70° to 110° relative to a clipping direction of the first clipping interface.

[0023] A second aspect of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle steering wheel according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the drawings. annexed, in which:

[0025] [fig.l] represents a general view of a vehicle steering wheel comprising in particular two decorative pieces at the level of a branch;

[0026] [fig.2] represents a first section of the branch with the two decorative pieces;

[0027] [fig.3] represents a second section of the branch with the two decorative pieces;

[0028] [fig.4] represents the two decorative pieces in perspective, without the rest of the steering wheel

[0029] l[fig.5] represents a first decorative piece, seen from below;

[0030] [fig.6] represents a section of a first alternative embodiment;

[0031] [fig.7] represents a section of a second alternative embodiment.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a vehicle steering wheel comprising a rim 110 connected to a hub 120 by spokes 130. These different parts of the steering wheel typically receive decorative pieces to mask the internal structure and improve the perceived quality. These decorative pieces often have edges which must fit relative to each other as regularly as possible, so as not to have any gaps or play which would harm the perceived quality. In particular, a spoke can receive two decorative pieces on either side of the spoke, to completely mask the internal structure (a frame covered or overmolded with a covering material).

[0033] Figure 2 shows a section of a branch of the steering wheel along direction ILII of Figure 1. A frame 40 is overmolded with an overmolding material 30, a sheath 50 covers a rim portion 110, and a first decorative piece 10 covers an upper portion of the branch 130, and a second decorative piece 20 covers a lower portion of the branch 130.

[0034] As seen in Figure 5, the first decorative part 10 comprises a first tab 11 which carries a first clipping interface 12 (in the shape of a fir tree base) and a first docking interface 13, which is a shoulder arranged on a side of the first tab 11. It can be noted that the first docking interface 13 is arranged on the first clipping interface 12 and has a bearing surface generally normal to the direction of the first tab 11 defining a clipping direction.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the same general structure is provided on the second decorative part 20: a second tab 21 carries a second clipping interface 22 and a second docking interface 23 (hidden by the second tab 21, but opposite the first docking interface 13).

[0036] Figure 2 shows the first tab 11 which engages in an orifice 31 of the overmolding material 30 with the second tab 21 of the second decorative part 20. The two clipping interfaces therefore cooperate with the same fixing interface provided in the steering wheel.

[0037] Figure 3 shows the parts of the section of Figure 2 according to a section along the direction III-III of Figure 1. The orifice 31 comprises a constriction forming two shoulders on which the first clipping interface 12 of the first decorative part 10 and the second clipping interface 22 of the second decorative part 20 have just pressed, so that these two decorative parts are each fixed to the steering wheel.

[0038] However, returning to Figure 2 and Figure 4, it can be noted that the first docking interface 13 and the second docking interface 23 are opposite each other and bear against each other, so that the first docking interface 13 presses the second decorative part 20 onto the steering wheel.

[0039] It can be noted that this plating carried out by the first docking interface 13 on the second docking interface 23 does not pass through the intermediary of the clipping interfaces 12 and 22, so that the chain of dimensions to guarantee for example a clearance J visible in figure 3 between the edges of the two decorative pieces 10 and 20 does not involve the clipping interfaces 12 and 22, nor the shoulders of the orifice 31. The positioning is therefore more precise.

[0040] The presence of the docking interfaces 13 and 23 makes it possible to better guarantee the adjustment between the two decorative parts, but it also makes it possible to secure the fixing of these parts by ensuring a “locking” of the decorative parts 10 and 20 between them, and the adjustment between the decorative parts 10 and 20 and the rest of the steering wheel (with the rim 110 for example) is also improved because the docking interfaces 13 and 23 ensure direct positioning between the two decorative parts 10 and 20.

[0041] Figure 6 represents a first alternative embodiment, with on the left part an assembled section where we see a frame 40A overmolded with an overmolding material 30A, a first decorative part 10A is clipped into a cavity 31A forming a receiving portion, to press and retain a second decorative part 20A on the steering wheel.

[0042] In detail, and as shown in the exploded view on the right of Figure 6, the overmolding material 31A has a cavity 31A. The first decorative part 10A comprises a first tab 11A which forms a first clipping interface 12A and a first docking interface 13A. The second decorative part 20A comprises a wall with an orifice 24A and in the upper part, a second docking interface 23A.

[0043] Thus, during assembly, an operator can present the second decorative part 20A on the overmolding material 30A, with the orifice 24A aligned with the cavity 31A, and then fix the first decorative part on the steering wheel, by passing the first tab 11A in the orifice 24A and the cavity 31A. At the end of the stroke, the first clipping interface 12A will fully engage and relax in the cavity 31A, which will cause the first docking interface 13A to come into contact with the second docking interface 23A, to press the second decorative part 20A onto the steering wheel. Consequently, a clearance J shown on the left part of FIG. 6 will be minimal or zero.

[0044] Figure 7 represents a second alternative embodiment, close to the first alternative of Figure 6.

[0045] Indeed, Figure 7 represents an alternative embodiment, with on the left part an assembled section where we see a frame 40B overmolded with an overmolding material 30B, a first decorative part 10B is clipped into a cavity 31B, and forming a receiving portion, to press and retain a second decorative part 20B on the steering wheel. In the embodiment, the cavity 31B is a through hole.

[0046] In detail, and as shown in the exploded view on the right of figure 7, the cavity 31B is a through hole, and the second decorative part 20B comprises two walls with two orifices 24B and in the upper part, a second docking interface 23B. As for the first alternative, the first decorative part 10B comprises a first tab 11B which forms a first clipping interface 12B and a first docking interface 13B.

[0047] Thus, during assembly, an operator can present the second decorative part 20B on the overmolding material 30b, with the orifices 24B aligned with the cavity 31B and the two walls sandwiching the overmolding material. The operator can then fix the first decorative part 10B on the steering wheel, by passing the first tab 11B into the orifices 24B and the cavity 31B. At the end of the stroke, the first clipping interface 12B will fully engage and relax by bearing on the lower wall of the second decorative part 20B, which will cause the first docking interface 13B to come into contact with the second docking interface 23B, to press the second decorative part 20B onto the steering wheel. Consequently, a clearance J shown on the left part of FIG. 6 will be minimal or zero.

[0048] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, reference is made to a clipping interface, by which is meant an interface comprising a portion which fits elastically into another part (typically by making a “clip” noise). To achieve this function, it is possible to provide a flexible tab, a flexible part return, a shoulder with a flexible bore portion, etc.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle steering wheel, comprising a first decorative part (10; 10A; 10B) and a second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B) each fixed to the vehicle steering wheel, wherein the first decorative part (10; 10A; 10B) comprises a first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) for fixing the first decorative part (10; 10A; 10B) to the steering wheel by elastic interlocking, characterized: in that the first decorative part (10; 10A; 10B) comprises a first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B), in that the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B) comprises a second docking interface (23; 23A; 23B), and in that the first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B) is arranged to come into contact with the second docking interface (23; 23A; 23B) so as to press the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B) onto the steering wheel, when the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) is engaged with the steering wheel.

2. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, in which the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B) comprises a second clipping interface (22) for fixing the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B) on the steering wheel by elastic fitting.

3. A vehicle steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B) is arranged on the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) and the second docking interface (23; 23A; 23B) is arranged on the second clipping interface (22).

4. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein: - the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) and / or the second clipping interface (22) comprises a protrusion extending in a first direction, - the first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B) and / or the second docking interface (23; 23A; 23B) comprises a protrusion extending in a second direction, different from the first direction, and wherein, preferably, the first direction is normal to a first plane, the second direction is normal to a second plane, and the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane.

5. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 2 to 4, in which the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) and the second clipping interface (22) are arranged to engage one another, and / or in the same receiving portion of the steering wheel.

6. Vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) has an elongated shape with a proximal portion on the side of the first decorative part (10; 10A; 10B) and a distal portion at the free end of the elongated shape, and wherein the first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B) is arranged on the proximal portion.

7. A vehicle steering wheel according to claim 6, wherein the distal portion is arranged to fit elastically into a receiving portion of the steering wheel.

8. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 6 to 7, in which the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) passes through a first wall of the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B), and in which the second docking interface (23; 23A; 23B) is arranged on the first wall.

9. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 6 to 8, in which the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) passes through a second wall of the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B), and in which the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) is arranged to bear on the second wall.

10. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an overmolding material (30; 30A; 30B) such as a foam, and in which the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) is arranged to bear on the overmolding material (30; 30A; 30B).

11. A vehicle steering wheel according to claim 10, wherein the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) is arranged on a rod or tab (11; 11A; 11B) which passes through a wall of the overmolding material (30; 30A; 30B).

12. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a frame (40; 40A; 40B), and in which the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B) is arranged to bear on the frame (40; 40A; 40B).

13. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B) is arranged to exert a pressing force on a surface of the steering wheel oriented in a range ranging from 70° to 110° relative to a clipping direction of the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B).

14. Vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a plating surface arranged to receive the second decorative part (20; 20A; 20B) plated by the first docking interface (13; 13A; 13B), in which the plating surface is oriented in a range from 70° to 110° relative to a clipping direction of the first clipping interface (12; 12A; 12B).

15. Motor vehicle, comprising a vehicle steering wheel according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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