Vehicle steering wheel with an electric device

Abstract

A vehicle steering wheel (100) comprising: - a hub (10), - a rim (20), - at least one electrical device (40) fixed to the steering wheel and preferably to the rim (20), - a mounting interface (50) for the electrical device (40), characterized in that the mounting interface (50) comprises: - a first mounting portion (51) comprising at least one onboard reference portion (51D1) and a base reference portion (51D2), designed to cooperate during the mounting of the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel to define a predefined mounting movement (M) of the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel, - a second mounting portion (52) comprising a mounting form and a mounting counter-form, designed to engage at the end of the predefined mounting movement (M) to position and / or hold the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 6

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle steering wheel with an electrical device Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle steering wheel. State of the art

[0002] It is known in the prior art of vehicle steering wheels to fix electrical devices to the steering wheel and its rim. However, the space between the rim and the spokes can sometimes limit the possibilities for arranging the electrical device on the rim of the vehicle steering wheel. Description of the invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to address the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to offer a vehicle steering wheel with a great deal of freedom in positioning electrical devices, in particular on the rim of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: - a hub, - a rim, - at least one arm connecting the rim to the hub, - at least one electrical device fixed to the steering wheel and preferably to the rim, - an interface for attaching the electrical device to the steering wheel, characterized in that the attachment interface comprises: - a first fixing portion comprising at least one on-board reference portion, arranged on the electrical device, and a basic reference portion, arranged on the steering wheel, intended to cooperate together during the mounting of the electrical device on the steering wheel so as to define a predefined mounting movement of the electrical device on the steering wheel, - a second fixing portion comprising a fixing form, arranged on the electrical device, and a counter fixing form, arranged on the steering wheel, intended to engage together at the end of the predefined mounting movement of the electrical device on the steering wheel, to position and / or hold the electrical device on the steering wheel.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the first portion of the fixing can form a joint which imposes a rotational movement on the electrical device.

[0006] According to one embodiment: - the embedded reference portion can be formed by or at a first end of the electrical device, and / or - the basic reference portion can be formed by or at a junction between an external surface of the steering wheel and a mounting cavity for the electrical device provided on the steering wheel.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the first portion of the fixing may further comprise: - at least one primary protrusion, such as a fixing hook, arranged on one of the steering wheel and the electrical device, - at least one primary receiving cavity, arranged on the other of the flywheel and the electrical device to receive the primary protrusion during the mounting movement.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the second fastening portion may comprise: - at least one secondary protrusion, such as a mounting tab, arranged on one side of the steering wheel and the electrical device and forming the mounting shape, - at least one secondary receiving cavity, such as a mounting slot, arranged on the other side of the steering wheel and electrical device to receive the secondary protrusion and forming the mounting counter-form, - preferably, a locking device, such as a clip, intended to lock the secondary protrusion into the secondary receiving cavity.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the secondary protrusion and / or secondary receiving cavity may comprise an inclined face: - designed to exert a clamping force directed in a first mounting direction, and / or - contained within a defined radius of curvature to avoid interference between the secondary protrusion and the secondary receiving cavity during the mounting movement.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the second fastening portion may include at least one screw, attaching the electrical device to the steering wheel.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the electrical device can be attached to the rim.

[0012] According to one embodiment: - the first fixing portion can be provided in an area of ​​the rim having a first cross-section, - the second fixing portion can be provided in an area of ​​the rim having a second cross-section, in which the first cross-section may be smaller than the second cross-section.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may comprise a frame and a trim material overmolded onto the frame and defining a parting line, and: - the electrical device can be arranged straddling the joint plane, and / or - the electrical device extends on both sides of the joint plane, and / or - the mounting movement can be contained within the joint plane or parallel to the joint plane.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the electrical device: - may include a switch or a light device and / or - can form a standalone module.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first fixing portion and / or the second fixing portion can be provided to impose a sequential assembly order, with first an engagement of the electrical device on the steering wheel at the level of the first fixing portion, and then an engagement of the electrical device on the steering wheel at the level of the second fixing portion.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel can be arranged to be rotated around a column axis, and the mounting movement can be normal or substantially normal to the column axis.

[0017] A second aspect of the invention may relate to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle steering wheel according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0018] A third aspect of the invention may relate to a method for assembling a vehicle steering wheel according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the sequential steps of: - Engage the electrical device on the steering wheel at the first mounting point, - impose a mounting movement on the electrical device by keeping the electrical device engaged on the steering wheel at the level of the first fixing portion. - engage the electrical device on the steering wheel at the second fixing portion to position and / or hold the electrical device on the steering wheel.

[0019] A fourth aspect of the invention may relate to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: - a hub, - a rim, - at least one arm connecting the rim to the hub, - at least one electrical device fixed to the steering wheel and preferably to the rim, - an interface for fixing the electrical device to the steering wheel, characterized in that the fixing interface comprises: - a first mounting section designed to impose a first direction for mounting the electrical device on the steering wheel, - a second mounting portion designed to impose a second mounting direction for the electrical device on the steering wheel, different from the first direction of assembly.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first portion of the fixing can form a joint which imposes a rotational movement for the second mounting direction.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first portion of the fixing can be provided to impose a first linear mounting direction or along an axial direction.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first portion of the fastening may comprise: - at least one primary protrusion, such as a fixing hook, arranged on one of the steering wheel and the electrical device, - at least one primary receiving cavity, arranged on the other of the flywheel and the electrical device to receive the primary protrusion.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the second fastening portion may comprise: - at least one secondary protrusion, such as a mounting tab, arranged on one of the steering wheel and the electrical device, - at least one secondary receiving cavity, such as a mounting slot, arranged on the other side of the steering wheel and electrical device to receive the secondary protrusion, - preferably, a locking device, such as a clip, intended to lock the secondary protrusion into the secondary receiving cavity.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the secondary protrusion and / or secondary receiving cavity may include an inclined face intended to exert a clamping force oriented in the first mounting direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the second fastening portion may comprise: at least one screw, attaching the electrical device to the steering wheel.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the electrical device can be attached to the rim.

[0027] According to one embodiment: - the first fixing portion can be provided in an area of ​​the rim having a first cross-section, - the second fixing portion can be provided in an area of ​​the rim having a second cross-section, in which the first cross-section may be smaller than the second cross-section.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may comprise a frame and a trim material overmolded onto the frame and defining a parting line, and: - the electrical device can be arranged straddling the joint plane, and / or - the electrical device extends on both sides of the joint plane, and / or - the first mounting direction and / or the second mounting direction may be contained within the joint plane or parallel to the joint plane.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the electrical device: - may include a switch or a light device and / or - may form a self-contained module.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the first fixing portion and / or the second fixing portion can be provided to impose a sequential assembly order, with first an engagement of the electrical device on the steering wheel at the level of the first fixing portion, and then an engagement of the electrical device on the steering wheel at the level of the second fixing portion.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel can be arranged to be rotated around a column axis, and the first mounting direction and / or the second mounting direction can be normal or substantially normal to the column axis.

[0032] In other words, the fourth aspect of the invention may relate to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: - a hub, - a rim, - at least one arm connecting the rim to the hub, - an electrical device fixed to the steering wheel and preferably to the rim, - an interface for attaching the electrical device to the steering wheel, characterized in that the attachment interface comprises: - a first fastening section with a fastening hook and a primary receiving cavity for the fastening hook, - a second fixing portion with a fixing tab and a secondary receiving cavity receiving the fixing tab.

[0033] In other words, the fourth aspect of the invention may relate to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: - a hub, - a rim, - at least one arm connecting the rim to the hub, - an electrical device fixed to the steering wheel and preferably to the rim, - an interface for attaching the electrical device to the steering wheel, characterized in that the attachment interface comprises: - a first section of the fixing designed to impose a first step in mounting the electrical device onto the steering wheel, - a second fixing portion intended to impose a second mounting step of the electrical device on the steering wheel, after the first mounting step.

[0034] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle steering wheel according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0035] A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a steering wheel of a vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the sequential steps of: - Engage the electrical device on the steering wheel at the first mounting point using an assembly movement performed in the first direction of assembly. - engage the electrical device on the steering wheel at the second fixing portion according to an assembly movement carried out in the second assembly direction. Description of the figures

[0036] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] [Fig-1] represents a general view of a steering wheel with a rim and two electrical devices attached to the rim;

[0038] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of one of the electrical devices of the [Fig.1]

[0039] [Fig.3] represents a simplified view of an electrical device and the rim of the [Fig.l];

[0040] [Fig.4] represents a first implementation for an assembly sequence of a electrical device on the steering wheel of the [Fig.l];

[0041] [Fig.5] represents a cross-section of the steering wheel rim of [Fig.1];

[0042] [Fig.6] represents a second implementation for an assembly sequence of a electrical device on the steering wheel of the [Fig.l].

[0043] Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0044] Fig. 1 represents a general view of a vehicle steering wheel 100 with a hub 10, a rim 20, spokes 30 connecting the hub 10 to the rim 20 and two electrical devices 40 attached to the rim 20.

[0045] Each electrical device 40 may be or include a control switch, a lighting device...

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a rear perspective view of an electrical device 40, comprising a fixing hook 51A and a fixing tab 52A, both located on a rear face of the electrical device 40 intended to be hidden from a user and opposite a face of the rim 20.

[0047] To attach the electrical device 40 to the rim 20, and as shown in [Fig.3], it is planned to equip the steering wheel with a fixing interface 50 with a first fixing portion 51 and a second fixing portion 52.

[0048] The first portion of the fastener 51 comprises: - a fixing hook 51A forming a primary protrusion and arranged on the electrical device 40, - a primary receiving cavity 51B, arranged on the rim 20, to receive the fixing hook 51 A.

[0049] The second portion of the fastener 52 comprises: - a 52A mounting bracket forming a secondary protrusion, and arranged on the electrical device 40, - a fixing slot 52B forming a secondary receiving cavity, arranged on the rim 20 to receive the fixing tab 52A.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a first implementation of an assembly sequence of a electrical device 40 on rim 20. - the left view shows a first assembly stage during which the electrical device 40 is approached to the rim 20 following a first assembly direction IM, to first introduce the fixing hook 51A into the primary receiving cavity 51B. - the middle view shows a second assembly stage during which the electrical device 40, having the fixing hook 51A engaged in the primary receiving cavity 51B, finishes being approached to the rim 20 following a second mounting direction 2M, to first introduce the fixing tab 52A into the secondary receiving cavity 52B. - the view on the right shows the electrical device 40 attached to the rim 20, with the fixing hook 51A engaged in the primary receiving cavity 51 B, the fixing tab 52A engaged in the secondary receiving cavity 52B.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the steering wheel rim of Figure 1, at the level of the second mounting portion 52. The rim 20 comprises in this example: - an external flexible sheath (for example, leather), - an electrical or electronic cable 22, forming part, for example, of a heating device or a device for detecting contact or proximity of a limb of the steering wheel user, - a filling or overmolding material 23, for example a polymer, for example polyurethane, - a frame 24 forming a metallic casing for the steering wheel, for example made of magnesium, - a separate housing 25, for example made of plastic, for example polyamide.

[0052] Figure 5 shows that the fixing tab 52A is inserted into the fixing slot 52B. An elastic clip 52C is also provided to prevent the fixing tab 52A from retracting. In other words, the fixing tab 52A is attached / clipped / held in the fixing slot 52B by an elastic element, the elastic clip 52C. A groove may be provided on or in the fixing tab 52A to improve the retention by the elastic clip 52C.

[0053] Alternatively, a screw can be provided to form the second portion of the fixing 52 of the fixing interface 50 of the electrical device 40 on the rim 20. A mounting can be provided with a Christmas tree stand, or any other elastic and / or irreversible retaining device.

[0054] It can be noted that the filling or overmolding material 23 is formed by injection molding and therefore has a parting line PJ, the electrical device 40 extending on either side of the parting line PJ.

[0055] The following points can be noted: - The first mounting direction (IM) is different from the second mounting direction (2M). - the first mounting direction IM and / or the second mounting direction 2M are contained in a plane formed by the rim 20 and / or in the joint plane PJ, or at the very least are parallel to the plane formed by the rim 20 and / or the joint plane PJ, - the first mounting direction IM is essentially linear or axial, - the second mounting direction 2M is a rotation or a substantially linear movement, - The electrical device is assembled sequentially, to allow assembly in a small space (between the rim 20 and the spokes 30) - the fixing hook 51A can be provided to cooperate with the primary receiving cavity 51B so as to position the electrical device 40 in Z (direction normal to the plane of [Fig.4]) at least during the first and / or second mounting stage.

[0056] Figure 6 shows a second implementation of a mounting sequence for an electrical device 40 on the rim 20. Unlike the first mounting implementation described in Figures 3 and 4: - the first fixing portion 51 is used to form at least one on-board reference portion 51D1, arranged on the electrical device 40 (for example its end as shown [Fig.6]), and a basic reference portion 51D2, arranged on the rim (for example a junction between the external surface of the rim 20 and the recess provided to receive the electrical device 40), and intended to cooperate together (by being positioned against each other, and / or held in contact) during the mounting of the electrical device 40 on the steering wheel so as to define a predefined mounting movement M (here a rotational movement) of the electrical device 40 on the rim 20, - the second fixing portion 52 comprising in the same way as for [Fig.4] the fixing tab 52A and the secondary receiving cavity 52B, intended to engage together at the end of the predefined mounting movement M of the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel, to position and / or hold the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel.

[0057] On [Fig.6]: - the view on the left shows a first assembly step during which the electrical device 40 is brought close to the rim 20 to make the on-board reference portion 51D1 cooperate and come into contact with the basic reference portion 51D2 to position the electrical device 40 relative to the rim 20 and form a pivot point or axis of the electrical device 40 relative to the rim 20 (or at the very least an aid for the assembly operator to find or maintain this pivot point or axis), - the middle view shows a second assembly stage during which the electrical device 40, held in contact with the rim 20 (via the on-board reference portion 51D1 in contact with the basic reference portion 51D2), is brought close to the rim 20 with a rotational assembly movement M, which allows the fixing hook 51A to be progressively inserted into the primary receiving cavity 51B, and at the very end of the assembly movement M, the fixing tab 52A to be inserted into the fixing slot - secondary receiving cavity 52B, - the view on the right shows the electrical device 40 attached to the rim 20, with the fixing hook 51A engaged in the primary receiving cavity 51 B, the fixing tab 52A engaged in the secondary receiving cavity - secondary receiving cavity 52B.

[0058] The following points can be noted: - the onboard reference portion 51D1 in contact with the base reference portion 51D2 helps the assembly operator to maintain the relative positioning between the electrical device 40 and the rim 20, - thus, the onboard reference portion 51D1 in contact with the base reference portion 51D2 allows a rotational movement of the electrical device 40 relative to the rim 20; however, other types of movements or distinct, combined or sequential movement combinations can be envisaged. - the fixing hook 51A could be provided to cooperate with the primary receiving cavity 51B in the same way as the on-board reference portion 51D1 in contact with the basic reference portion 51D2 (or in a complementary manner), - the rotational movement is planar, or substantially planar, and in any case normal or substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the vehicle's steering wheel 100, - the mounting bracket 52A has an end opposite the mounting hook 51A which is angled to avoid interference with the rim 20, - the fixing hook 51A can be provided to cooperate with the primary receiving cavity 51B so as to position the electrical device in Z (direction normal to the plane of [Fig.6]) at least during the mounting movement M. Industrial application

[0059] A vehicle steering wheel according to the present invention, and its manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0060] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in this description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0061] In particular, the fixing hook 51A and / or the fixing tab 52A can be provided on the rim 20, and the primary receiving cavity 5 IB and / or the secondary receiving cavity 52B on the electrical device 40.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle steering wheel (100), comprising: - a hub (10), - a rim (20), - at least one spoke (30) connecting the rim (20) to the hub (10), - at least one electrical device (40) fixed to the rim (20) of the steering wheel, - a mounting interface (50) for the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel, characterized in that the mounting interface (50) comprises: - a first mounting portion (51) comprising at least one onboard reference portion (51D1), arranged on the electrical device, and a base reference portion (51D2), arranged on the steering wheel, intended to cooperate together during the mounting of the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel so as to define a predefined mounting movement (M) of the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel, - a second mounting portion (52) comprising a mounting form, arranged on the electrical device, and a counter-mounting form, arranged on the steering wheel,designed to engage together at the end of the predefined mounting movement (M) of the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel, to position and / or hold the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel, and in that the first fastening portion (51) further comprises: - at least one primary protrusion, forming a fastening hook (51A), arranged on one of the steering wheel and the electrical device (40), - at least one primary receiving cavity (51B), arranged on the other of the steering wheel and the electrical device (40) to receive the primary protrusion during the mounting movement (M).

2. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening portion (51) forms a joint which imposes a rotational movement on the electrical device (40).

3. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: - the on-board reference portion (51D1) is formed by or at a first end of the electrical device (40), and / or - the basic reference portion (51D2) is formed by or at a junction between an external surface of the steering wheel and a mounting cavity for the electrical device (40) provided on the steering wheel.

4. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in wherein the second fastening portion (52) comprises: - at least one secondary protrusion, such as a fastening tab (52A), arranged on one of the steering wheel and the electrical device (40) and forming the fastening form, - at least one secondary receiving cavity (52B), such as a fastening slot, arranged on the other of the steering wheel and the electrical device (40) to receive the secondary protrusion and forming the counter-fastening form, - preferably, a locking member, such as a clip, provided to lock the secondary protrusion in the secondary receiving cavity (52B).

5. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to claim 4, wherein the secondary protrusion and / or secondary receiving cavity (52B) comprises an inclined face: - intended to exert a clamping force oriented in a first mounting direction (IM), and / or - contained within a defined radius of curvature to avoid interference between the secondary protrusion and the secondary receiving cavity (52B) during the mounting movement.

6. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second fastening portion (52) comprises: at least one screw, attaching the electrical device (40) to the steering wheel.

7. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical device (40) is attached to the rim (20).

8. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to claim 7, wherein: - the first fixing portion (51) is provided in an area of ​​the rim (20) having a first cross-section, - the second fixing portion (52) is provided in an area of ​​the rim (20) having a second cross-section, wherein the first cross-section is smaller than the second cross-section.

9. A vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a frame and a trim material overmolded onto the frame and defining a parting line, wherein: - the electrical device (40) is arranged straddling the parting line, and / or - the electrical device (40) extends on both sides of the parting line, and / or - the mounting movement (M) is contained in the joint plane or parallel to the joint plane.

10. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical device (40): - comprises a switch or a light device and / or - forms a self-contained module.

11. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first fixing portion (51) and / or the second fixing portion (52) are provided to impose a sequential assembly order, with first an engagement of the electrical device on the steering wheel at the level of the first fixing portion (51), and then an engagement of the electrical device on the steering wheel at the level of the second fixing portion (52).

12. Vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, arranged to be rotated about a column axis, wherein the mounting movement is normal or substantially normal to the column axis.

13. Motor vehicle comprising a vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method of assembling a vehicle steering wheel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the sequential steps of: - engaging the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel at the first fixing portion (51), - imposing an assembly movement on the electrical device (40) while maintaining the electrical device (40) engaged on the steering wheel at the first fixing portion (51), - engaging the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel at the second fixing portion (52) to position and / or maintain the electrical device (40) on the steering wheel.

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