Steering assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Steering assembly for a motor vehicle The invention relates to an assembly. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Steering assembly for a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the automotive field, and more particularly to the field of steering systems for a motor vehicle. Prior art and disadvantages of prior art

[0002] The driving of motor vehicles is carried out by means of a steering assembly which comprises a control part and an operative part integrated in the axle of the wheel set in question and ensuring the pivoting movement of the wheels of said set. The control part comprises a steering column, itself comprising a column body, a first end of which is connected to a steering wheel in the passenger compartment and the opposite end of which is connected to a folded yoke via a cardan-type connection. This folded yoke is itself connected to a pinion which cooperates with a rack of the operative part: the rotation of the steering column, caused by the driver rotating the steering wheel, induces the translation of the rack which causes the rotation of the wheels of the set by means of connecting rods, the opposite ends of which are connected to the rack and to the wheel in question.

[0003] Furthermore, the steering assembly also comprises a protective cover, generally made of non-deformable plastic, surrounding at least a portion of the column body, and which prevents the mechanical parts from being exposed in the passenger compartment. This prevents the mechanical parts from coming into contact with any object which could damage the elements of the column body. This also prevents the driver or any other passenger of the vehicle from directly touching the column body, which could also cause injuries.

[0004] For the safety and comfort of the driver, the column body is movable in translation along a longitudinal axis of said column body: it is therefore retractable and extendable. Furthermore, the steering assembly comprises means for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the passenger compartment, which allow the driver to modify the configuration of the column body on the one hand by pivoting at the cardan joint around an axis parallel to the axle of the wheel set, and on the other hand by translation along the longitudinal axis of the column body. The seated driver can therefore move the steering wheel closer to or away from his torso by acting on the length of the column body, and move the steering wheel closer to or away from his thighs by pivoting the column body.

[0005] A disadvantage is that the travel remains limited. Indeed, the mechanical parts of the steering column body must always be protected by the hood regardless of the position of the steering wheel. However, the space available between the steering wheel and the dashboard is limited and the length of the protective hood cannot exceed a threshold.

[0006] There are solutions that replace all or part of the protective cover with a flexible material such as a bellows, which allows the steering wheel to be moved more freely without revealing the mechanical elements of the column body. However, this solution, in addition to being unattractive, is fragile and difficult to maintain. Objective of the invention

[0007] The invention therefore aims to propose a steering assembly allowing a wide travel of the steering wheel and overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. Statement of the invention

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a steering assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering column whose respective ends are designed to be connected to a steering wheel and to a steering rack, which steering column comprises a telescopic column body extending along a longitudinal axis, means for actuating the column body to slide along the longitudinal axis between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a protective cover surrounding at least one longitudinal portion of the column body while extending along the longitudinal axis and capable of sliding opposite a dashboard of the vehicle concomitantly with the sliding of the column body between its deployed position and its retracted position, which cover comprises an upper face and a lower face connected to each other by two opposite lateral zones,which protective cover is made of an upper part intended to be opposite the dashboard and comprising the upper face and two opposite side faces extending transversely to two opposite first edges, and of an opposite lower part comprising the lower face and two opposite side faces extending transversely to two opposite second edges which are in contact against the opposite first edges by forming two opposite junction lines arranged at the level of the respective lateral zones of the cover, and in that the upper part comprises an elastically deformable covering device connected to the dashboard and extending transversely between the two opposite junction lines.

[0009] Thus, by the presence of this elastically deformable part which extends not only over the upper face of the hood but also over a part of its lateral zones, the invention proposes a solution which is simple to maintain and safe in addition to being aesthetic, the elastically deformable part not forming any visible pluses.

[0010] The steering assembly may also include the following optional features considered in isolation or in all possible technical combinations: • The covering device comprises an elastic covering piece comprising a first transverse edge for connection to the dashboard, an upper wall and two opposite side walls. The elastic part is thus invisible under the dashboard when the steering column is in the retracted position. • The elastic covering device comprises a non-deformable covering piece having a transverse edge for connection to a second transverse edge of said elastic covering piece which extends transversely between the two opposite joining lines, an upper wall and two opposite fingers which project longitudinally from the transverse connecting edge, at least partially covering the opposite lateral faces of the elastic covering piece up to the respective joining lines. The two longitudinal fingers allow the elastic cover piece to be folded back when the steering column moves from its deployed position to its retracted position. • The dashboard includes a deflector secured to the first transverse edge of the elastic cover part, which deflector has a hyperbolic shape in longitudinal section. The deflector facilitates the connection between the dashboard and the elastic cover piece. • The upper and lower parts of the hood have a U-shape in cross-section. • The elastic cover piece comprises a main body extending between its two connecting transverse edges and made of elastic fabric. The use of such fabric facilitates the manufacture of the elastic cover piece. • The elastic cover piece can be extended from 150% to 200% of its initial length without constraint before reaching its elastic limit. The elastic cover piece is adaptable to steering columns with wide travel without suffering any degradation of its elastic capacities. Presentation of figures

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

[0012] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view from one side of a steering assembly of the invention in its nominal position.

[0013] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view from another side of the steering assembly of [Fig.l].

[0014] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a sectional view along arrow A of the steering assembly of [Fig.l].

[0015] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a sectional view along arrow A of the steering assembly in its deployed and raised position.

[0016] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a sectional view along arrow A of the steering assembly in its deployed and lowered position.

[0017] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a sectional view along arrow A of the steering assembly in its retracted and lowered position. Detailed description of the invention

[0018] It is first of all specified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements regardless of the figure in which they appear and regardless of the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can be easily found by referring to another figure.

[0019] It is also specified that the figures essentially represent an embodiment of the subject of the invention but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of the invention.

[0020] The invention relates to a steering assembly 1 for a motor vehicle, and in particular for a self-driving motor vehicle.

[0021] The vehicle conventionally comprises a dashboard 9 and a floor on which the vehicle seats are fixed, in particular the driver's seat. It is understood that the driver's seat is the one from which a user can use the vehicle's controls and steering wheel, even if the vehicle is autonomously driven.

[0022] The invention relates more particularly to a steering assembly 1 of the vehicle which comprises a control part and an operative part integrated in the axle of the wheel set considered of the vehicle, and ensuring the pivoting movement of the wheels of said set.

[0023] The control part comprises a steering column 2, itself comprising a column body 3, a first end of which is connected to a steering wheel in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the opposite end of which is connected to a folded yoke via a cardan-type connection (not shown). This folded yoke is itself connected to a pinion which cooperates with a rack of the operative part: the rotation of the steering column induces the translation of the rack which causes the rotation of the train wheels by means of connecting rods whose opposite ends are connected to the rack and to the wheel in question.

[0024] The steering column 2 is therefore pivotable about an axis parallel to the translation direction of the rack, between a so-called low position and a so-called high position: when pivoting towards the low position of the steering column 2, the steering wheel moves closer to the driver's seat while when pivoting the steering column 2 towards the low position, the steering wheel moves away from the driver's seat and moves closer to the dashboard 9.

[0025] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the steering column comprises a telescopic column body 3 extending along a longitudinal axis X and one end of which is connected to the steering wheel (not shown). The steering column 2 further comprises means for actuating the column body 3 to slide along the longitudinal axis X between a deployed position and a retracted position. When sliding the column body 3 towards the deployed position, the steering wheel moves closer to the back of the driver's seat, while when sliding the column body 3 towards the retracted position, the steering wheel moves away from the back of the driver's seat.

[0026] In order to increase the comfort of the passenger seated on the driver's seat when the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, the travel of the steering column 2 is increased, both in pivoting around the transverse axis of the rack and in sliding along the longitudinal axis X. Advantageously, the travel height of the steering wheel is of the order of 60 mm while the travel depth - along the longitudinal axis X - is of the order of 80 mm.

[0027] The steering assembly 1 also comprises a protective cover 4, surrounding at least a longitudinal portion of the column body 3 from the steering wheel. This cover extends along the longitudinal axis X and is capable of sliding opposite the dashboard 9 of the vehicle concomitantly with the sliding of the column body 3 between its deployed position and its retracted position. The cover 4 is generally parallelepipedal in shape and comprises a lower face 11 opposite the base of the driver's seat, an opposite upper face 10 opposite the dashboard 9, two opposite lateral zones 12a, 12b and a front transverse face 28 opposite the steering wheel.

[0028] According to the invention and to allow a large pivoting and translational movement of the steering column 2 without exposing the column body 3, the cover 4 comprises a lower part 6 - typically made of non-deformable plastic - facing the base of the driver's seat and an upper part 5 facing the dashboard 9.

[0029] The lower part 6 has a U-shape in cross section, and comprises the lower face 11 of the cover 4 as well as two opposite lateral faces 15a, 15b which extend transversely to two first opposite edges 16a, 16b. first opposite edges 16a, 16b may be in the form of a broken curve as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or else be rectilinear.

[0030] Finally, the lower part 11 comprises a front transverse face 33 connected to the lower face 11 of the cover 4 and to the opposite lateral faces 15a, 15b of the lower part 6, which front transverse face 33 comprises a lower front transverse edge, a part of which is in contact with the column body 3.

[0031] The lower part 6 of the cover 4 is made from a single non-deformable piece, but it could very well be made from several pieces assembled together.

[0032] The upper part 5 of the cover 4 also has a U-shape in cross-section, and comprises the upper face 10 of the cover 4, two opposite lateral faces 13a, 13b which extend transversely to two second opposite edges 14a, 14b, and which are in contact against the first opposite edges 16a, 16b, forming two opposite joining lines 8a, 8b arranged at the respective lateral zones 12a, 12b of the cover 4. The first and second opposite edges 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b thus have complementary shapes to form the transverse joining lines 8a, 8b.

[0033] The upper part 5 comprises a front transverse face 31 connected to the upper face 10 of the cover 4 and to the opposite lateral faces 13a, 13b of the upper part 5, which front transverse face 31 comprises an upper front transverse edge, a part of which is in contact with the column body 3.

[0034] Thus, the two lower and upper front transverse edges located at the level of the front face 28 of the cover 4 surround the column body 3 and join on either side of the column body 3 to form a third junction line 8c.

[0035] The upper part 5 of the cover 4 is made of several pieces.

[0036] The upper part 5 comprises a first non-deformable cover piece 29 with L-shaped longitudinal section, comprising the front face 31 of the upper part 5, an upper face 30 and two lateral faces 32a, 32b. This first part 29 extends transversely between the two opposite lateral junction lines 8a, 8b.

[0037] The upper part 5 comprises a second non-deformable covering piece 17 integral with the first non-deformable covering piece 29 and which extends transversely between the two opposite junction lines 8a, 8b, which second non-deformable covering piece 17 comprises a transverse edge 18 facing the dashboard 9 and which extends transversely between the two opposite junction lines 8a, 8b. This second piece 17 also comprises an upper wall 27 which extends longitudinally to the transverse edge 18 and two opposite fingers 19a, 19b which project longitudinally from the transverse edge 18 and which extend transversely to the respective function lines 8a, 8b.

[0038] Alternatively, these two non-deformable cover pieces 29, 17 can be made in a single piece.

[0039] The upper part 5 finally comprises an elastic covering piece 7 comprising a first transverse connecting edge 22a to the dashboard 9, an upper wall 25, two opposite side walls 24a, 24b and a second connecting edge 22b to the transverse edge 18 of the second non-deformable covering piece 17.

[0040] The elastic cover piece 7 further comprises a main body 21 which extends between the two transverse edges 22a, 22b, which body 21 is made of elastic fabric. This elastic cover piece 7 is furthermore extendable from 150% to 200% of its initial length without constraint before reaching its elastic limit, and is therefore perfectly suited to a cover 4 for a steering column 2 with large travel.

[0041] Furthermore, the elastic cover piece 7 comprises plastic tabs (not shown) secured to the respective first 22a and second 22b transverse edges, so as to improve the connection between the elastic cover piece 7 and the dashboard 9 on the one hand and the second non-deformable cover piece 17 on the other hand.

[0042] To further improve the connection between the elastic cover piece 7 and the dashboard 9, the latter comprises a deflector 20 having a hyperbolic shape in longitudinal section and which is secured to the first transverse edge 22a of the elastic cover piece 7.

[0043] Finally, in order to protect the longitudinal edges of the elastic cover piece 7, the longitudinal fingers 19a, 19b of the second non-deformable cover piece 17 at least partially cover the opposite side walls 24a, 24b of said elastic cover piece 7 up to the respective junction lines 8a, 8b. The elastic cover piece further comprises an upper wall 25 which extends between its side walls 24a, 24b.

[0044] The second non-deformable cover piece 17 and the elastic cover piece 6 thus form an elastically deformable cover device 26.

[0045] With reference to Figures 3 to 6, the state and position of the elastic cover piece 7 will now be described as a function of the position of the steering column 2.

[0046] With reference to [Fig. 3], the steering column 2 is in a so-called nominal position, that is to say a default position which suits the majority of drivers and which is located both between the deployed and retracted positions of the column body 3 and the high and low positions of the steering column 2.

[0047] In this nominal position, the elastic cover piece 7 is visible and is slightly stretched, without forming folds, having a length of the order of 103 to 105% of its unstressed length.

[0048] With reference to [Fig. 4], the steering column 2 is in its high position while the column body 3 is in its deployed position. The elastic cover piece 7 is visible and taut, without forming folds, and has a length of the order of 130 to 140% of its unstressed length.

[0049] With reference to [Fig. 5], the steering column 2 is in its lowered position while the column body 3 is in its deployed position. The elastic cover piece 7 is visible and taut, without forming folds, and has a length of the order of 120 to 140% of its unstressed length.

[0050] While the steering column is in its low position while the column body 3 is between its deployed position and its retracted position (position not shown), the elastic cover piece 7 is still visible and relaxed, and during the movement of the column body 3 towards its retracted position, the fingers 19a, 19b of the second non-deformable cover piece 17 accompany the progressive storage of the main body 21 of the elastic cover piece 7 without the latter forming folds in the visible part of said elastic cover piece 7.

[0051] Finally, with reference to [Fig.6], the steering column 2 is in its low position while the column body 3 is in its retracted position.

[0052] The elastic cover piece 7 is invisible and stored under the dashboard 9 without forming longitudinal folds in its main body 21. This protects the elastic cover piece 7 from any premature mechanical wear.

[0053] The fingers 19a, 19b of the second non-deformable covering piece 17 therefore have a dual function of protecting the longitudinal edges of the elastic covering piece 7 on the one hand, and of supporting the crease-free storage under the dashboard 9 of the elastic covering piece 7 on the other hand.

Claims

Claims

1. Steering assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering column (2) the respective ends of which are designed to be connected to a steering wheel and to a steering rack, which steering column (2) comprises a telescopic column body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), means for actuating the column body (3) to slide along the longitudinal axis (X) between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a protective cover (4) surrounding at least a longitudinal portion of the column body (3) while extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and capable of sliding opposite a dashboard (9) of the vehicle concomitantly with the sliding of the column body (3) between its deployed position and its retracted position, which cover (4) comprises an upper face (10) and a lower face (11) connected to each other by two opposite lateral zones (12a, 12b),characterized in that the protective cover (4) is made of an opposite lower part (6) comprising the lower face (11) and two opposite side faces (15a, 15b) extending transversely to two first opposite edges (16a, 16b), and of an upper part (5) intended to be opposite the dashboard (9) and comprising the upper face (10) and two opposite side faces (13a, 13b) extending transversely to two second opposite edges (14a, 14b), and which are in contact against the first opposite edges (16a, 16b) forming two opposite joining lines (8a, 8b) arranged at the respective side zones (12a, 12b) of the cover (4), and in that the upper part (5) comprises an elastically deformable covering device (26) connected to the dashboard (9) and extending transversely between the two opposite joining lines (8a, 8b).,

2. Steering assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the covering device (26) comprises an elastic covering piece (7) comprising a first transverse connecting edge (22a) to the dashboard (9), an upper wall (25) and two opposite side walls (24a, 24b).

3. Steering assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastic covering device (26) comprises a non-deformable covering piece (17) comprising a transverse connecting edge (18) to a second transverse edge (22b) of said elastic covering piece (7) which extends transversely between the two opposite joining lines (8a, 8b), an upper wall (27) and two opposite fingers (19a, 19b) which project longitudinally from the transverse connecting edge (18) at least partly covering the opposite lateral faces (24a, 24b) of the elastic covering piece (7) up to the respective joining lines (8a, 8b).

4. Steering assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dashboard (9) comprises a deflector (20) secured to the first transverse edge (22a) of the elastic cover piece (7), which deflector (20) has a hyperbolic shape in longitudinal section.

5. Steering assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper (5) and lower (6) parts of the cover (4) have a U-shape in cross section.

6. Steering assembly (1) according to claim 3 or 4 or according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the elastic cover piece (7) comprises a main body (21) extending between its two transverse connecting edges (22a, 22b) and made of elastic fabric.

7. Steering assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the elastic cover piece (7) is extendable from 150% to 200% of its initial length without constraint before reaching its elastic limit.

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