MULTI-ZONE AMBIENT LIGHTING ON A MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL

Abstract

MULTI-ZONE AMBIENT LIGHTING ON A MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (4), comprising: - a steering wheel (2); - an ambient lighting system for the passenger compartment (6) of the motor vehicle; notable in that the steering wheel includes at least one ambient lighting zone (10), separate from a functional indicator and backlighting of a control element, controlled by the ambient lighting system. (Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: MULTI-ZONE AMBIENT LIGHTING ON A MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to the field of ambient lighting in motor vehicles. Prior art

[0002] One of the most popular innovations in recent years has been the introduction of ambient lighting in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles. Indeed, more and more modern motor vehicles are equipped with this type of lighting, which generally takes the form of illuminated light guides extending along the interior trim elements of the passenger compartment. These lights, often customizable in terms of color and intensity, offer occupants a comfortable and soothing driving experience.

[0003] However, despite this notable advance, there is still room for improvement for conventional ambient lighting solutions, namely to offer an even more satisfying user experience and increased comfort to motor vehicle passengers. Description of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More particularly, the invention aims to provide a simple, efficient, and economical solution for improving the comfort provided by ambient lighting in a motor vehicle's interior.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising: - a steering wheel; - an ambient lighting system for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle; notable in that the steering wheel includes at least one ambient lighting zone, separate from a functional indicator and backlighting of a control element, controlled by the ambient lighting system.

[0006] According to one embodiment, at least one ambient lighting zone comprises at least one light guide with a light output face on a front face of the steering wheel, and at least one light source supplying light to said at least one light guide.

[0007] According to one embodiment, at least one light guide forms a ring.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the ring internally delimits a hollow part that passes completely through the steering wheel in a direction perpendicular to the front face of said steering wheel.

[0009] According to one embodiment, at least one ring-shaped light guide is arranged near an outer contour of the steering wheel so that at least one finger of a driver's hand gripping said outer contour can penetrate at least partially into the corresponding hollow part.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the steering wheel has a generally non-circular, substantially rectangular shape with four corners, at least one light guide forming a ring comprising four light guides arranged at the four corners of the steering wheel, respectively.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the ambient lighting system is activated in particular as soon as a door of the motor vehicle is opened.

[0012] According to one embodiment, at least one ambient lighting zone is electrically powered by an on-board computer in the passenger compartment by means of a LIN-type multiplexed communication network, the ambient lighting system and at least one ambient lighting zone being commonly managed by said on-board computer.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the steering wheel controls the steering wheels by means of an electrically controlled steering system.

[0014] The invention also relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle according to the invention, notable in that said steering wheel includes at least one ambient lighting zone configured to be controlled by a motor vehicle ambient lighting system, the at least one ambient lighting zone including at least one light guide forming a ring with a light output face on a front face of the steering wheel, and at least one light source supplying light to said at least one light guide.

[0015] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the ambient lighting area having a ring-shaped light guide encircling each of the hollow parts of the steering wheel makes it possible to offer remarkable visual comfort within the passenger compartment, thus offering an overall improved and more ergonomic user experience.

[0016] Indeed, each ambient lighting zone makes it possible to considerably improve the visibility of the hollow parts of the steering wheel grip by the driver, thus facilitating their location, particularly during night driving. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle according to the invention. Detailed description

[0018] Fig. 1 represents a steering wheel 2 of a motor vehicle 4 comprising a passenger compartment 6 equipped with an ambient lighting system preferably having several light guides 8 extending into interior trim elements of the passenger compartment 6.

[0019] Advantageously, the steering wheel 2 includes at least one ambient lighting zone 10 controlled by the ambient lighting system of the motor vehicle.

[0020] In this configuration, the ambient lighting zone 10 is distinct from a functional indicator and from the backlighting of a control element. Indeed, the ambient lighting zone 10 is, for example, distinct from a backlit key or a backlit push button that may be located on a front face 2.1 of the steering wheel 2.

[0021] Preferably, the ambient lighting area 10 includes a light guide 12 having a light output face 12.1 disposed on the front face 2.1 of the steering wheel 2, and includes one or more light sources (not shown) supplying light to the light guide 12.

[0022] The light sources illuminating the light guide 12 can be fixed and / or polychromatic.

[0023] Alternatively, the ambient lighting area 10 can be directly integrated into decorative parts of the steering wheel 2, including in particular translucent parts that can diffuse light at the front face 2.1.

[0024] Advantageously, an intelligence of an on-board computer of the motor vehicle 4 makes it possible to link the ambient lighting system of the passenger compartment 6 to that of the steering wheel 2, it ensures centralized control and management of the lighting of the light guides 8 with that of the ambient lighting area 10 on the steering wheel 2.

[0025] In this regard, the ambient lighting zone 10 is electrically powered by the on-board computer of the passenger compartment, preferably by means of a LIN-type multiplexed communication network.

[0026] The ambient lighting system can be activated as soon as a door of the motor vehicle 4 is opened, thus jointly illuminating the light guides 8 on the trims and the lighting area 10.

[0027] Preferably, the steering wheel 2 controls the steering wheels of the motor vehicle 4 by means of electrically controlled steering. This is an electrically driven function, also referred to as a "drive-by-wire" driving function, specifically comprising a steer-by- wire » ensured by electrically assisted steering components without a steering column, i.e. having no mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels.

[0028] For this purpose, the steering wheel 2 preferably comprises a shape which is no longer necessarily circular, and more preferably comprises a substantially rectangular shape with four corners 2.2.

[0029] The steering wheel 2 includes several ambient lighting zones 10 with preferably four light guides 12, each forming a ring 12 arranged at the four corners 2.2 of the steering wheel 2.

[0030] The invention is not limited to a specific number and / or shape of the ambient lighting area 10 of the steering wheel 2. Indeed, the light guides 12 may include a free and open and / or linear shape, or may be oblong and / or complex and non-circular and / or rectangular and / or triangular and / or a combination of these.

[0031] It can be seen that the ring 12 internally delimits a hollow part 14 which passes completely through the steering wheel 2 in a direction perpendicular to its front face 2.1.

[0032] The flywheel 2 comprises four hollow parts 14 arranged at the four corners 2.2 of the flywheel 2, and in a manner close to an outer contour 2.3 of the flywheel 2.

[0033] Preferably, the hollow parts 14 are distributed homogeneously on the front face 2.1, each being positioned at most 40 mm from the outer contour 2.3.

[0034] In this configuration, at least one finger of a driver's hand, in contact with said outer contour 2.3, can penetrate at least partially one of the hollow parts 14 of the steering wheel 2. This provides the driver with a better grip and increased control of the steering wheel 2.

[0035] Advantageously, the ambient lighting area 10 having a ring-shaped light guide 12 encircling each of the hollow parts 14 also improves the visibility of the steering wheel grip areas 2 by the driver, particularly during night driving.

[0036] The evolution of the shapes of the steering wheels of motor vehicles towards complex and / or non-circular shapes, such as that of the steering wheel 2 of the invention, could possibly present a difficulty in visually locating the hollow parts allowing the grip of said steering wheel, in particular when the passenger compartment is dark.

[0037] Thus, the steering wheel of the invention makes it easier to locate its hollow parts 14 and makes driving the motor vehicle 4 more comfortable, more ergonomic and more secure.

[0038] Preferably, the steering wheel 2 further comprises a second ring-shaped light guide 16 disposed within each of the hollow parts 14, supplied by corresponding light sources or by the same as those illuminating the light guides 12.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle (4), comprising: - a steering wheel (2); - an ambient lighting system for a passenger compartment (6) of the motor vehicle (4); the steering wheel (2) comprising at least one ambient lighting zone (10), separate from a functional indicator and a backlight of a control element, controlled by the ambient lighting system, at least the ambient lighting zone (10) comprising at least one light guide (12) with a light output face (12.1) on a front face (2.1) of the steering wheel (2), and at least one light source supplying light to said at least one light guide (12) which forms a ring (12), the ring (12) internally delimiting a hollow part (14) passing entirely through the steering wheel (2) in a direction perpendicular to the front face (2.1) of said steering wheel (2), characterized in that at least one light guide (12) forming a ring (12) is disposed near an outer contour (2.3) of the steering wheel (2) so that at least one finger of the hand of a driver gripping said outer contour (2.3) can penetrate at least partially the corresponding hollow part (14).

2. Motor vehicle (4) according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel (2) has a generally non-circular, substantially rectangular shape with four corners (2.2), at least one light guide (12) forming a ring (12) comprising four light guides (12) arranged at the four corners of the steering wheel (2), respectively.

3. Motor vehicle (4) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the ambient lighting system is activated in particular upon opening a door of the motor vehicle (4).

4. Motor vehicle (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one ambient lighting zone (10) is electrically powered by an on-board computer in the passenger compartment (6) by means of a LIN-type multiplexed communication network, the ambient lighting system and at least one ambient lighting zone (10) being commonly managed by said on-board computer.

5. Motor vehicle (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the steering wheel (2) controls the steering wheels by means of electrically controlled steering.

6. Steering wheel (2) for a motor vehicle (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said steering wheel (2) comprises at least one ambient lighting zone (10) configured to be controlled by an ambient lighting system of a motor vehicle (4), the at least one ambient lighting zone (10) comprising at least one light guide (12) forming a ring (12) with a light output face (12.1) on a front face (2.1) of the steering wheel (2), and at least one light source supplying light to said at least one light guide (12).

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