Steering wheel base for game application

Abstract

To provide a steering wheel base with improved versatility of use.SOLUTION: A steering wheel base for gaming application comprises: an attachment component, which is fixed to a steering wheel shaft to rotate with the steering wheel shaft and which is configured such that the steering wheel base is directly electrically connectable to electronic devices of a steering wheel via an electric plug-in contact of the attachment component; and a system comprising a first mechanical quick coupling element and a second mechanical quick coupling element which are interchangeably fixable to the attachment component at a fixed position and are adapted for different steering wheel side coupling elements of the steering wheel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a steering wheel base for gaming applications according to claim 1, a complete system comprising a steering wheel and a steering wheel base according to the invention according to claim 13 and a method for connecting a steering wheel to a steering wheel base according to the invention according to claim 14. [Background technology]

[0002] The steering wheel base is used to simulate steering behavior for gaming applications, such as car racing simulations or similar applications. To that end, it comprises a steering wheel shaft connectable to a steering wheel, the steering wheel base being configured to direct simulated forces to the steering wheel shaft and thus to the steering wheel, while at the same time reading the steering movement of the steering wheel and thus of the steering wheel shaft and transmitting this to the gaming application. Furthermore, the wheel base is connected to the electronics of the steering wheel. To attach the steering wheel to the wheel base, a quick coupling system is used together with the elements of the wheel base and the steering wheel side.

[0003] A steering wheel base with such a quick coupling system is known from EP 4041615. It ensures that the steering wheel can only be attached to the steering wheel base when it is in the correct orientation. This improves the ease and suitability of the connection between the steering wheel base and the steering wheel. However, the versatility of using such a steering wheel base is limited. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel base with improved versatility of use.

[0005] The objective solution according to the invention resides in a steering wheel base according to claim 1. A steering wheel base according to the invention for gaming applications comprises a steering wheel shaft, a mounting component fixed to the steering wheel shaft for rotation therewith, configured such that the steering wheel base is directly electrically connectable to the electronics of the steering wheel via electrical plug-in contacts of the mounting component, and a system with a first mechanical quick coupling element and a second mechanical quick coupling element, which are interchangeably fixable to the mounting component in fixed positions and adapted to different steering wheel side coupling elements of the steering wheel to provide a mechanical quick coupling between the steering wheel base and the steering wheel.

[0006] The steering wheel base according to the invention allows steering wheels with different wheel-side coupling elements to be coupled to the steering wheel base in an advantageous and simple manner, which increases the versatility of the steering wheel base.

[0007] Furthermore, the ports to the steering wheel electronics are similar for several steering wheels. Therefore, it is advantageous for the electrical plug-in contacts of the steering wheel base to be part of the mounting components that are not replaceable, since the user does not need to disconnect the internal electronic connections when adapting the steering wheel base to a different steering wheel. The first mechanical quick coupling element and the second mechanical quick coupling element are purely mechanical components that an amateur user may replace in a quick and efficient manner.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the mounting component comprises a first engagement element, the first mechanical quick coupling element and the second mechanical quick coupling element each comprise a second engagement element, and the first mechanical quick coupling element and the second mechanical quick coupling element can only be fixed to the mounting component in a fixed position when the first engagement element engages with the second engagement element. This ensures an orientation of the first mechanical quick coupling element and the second mechanical quick coupling element relative to the steering wheel base in a fixed position. Preferably, the first engagement element is formed as a protrusion and the second engagement element as a groove or vice versa. In this way, the engagement elements can be designed in a simple manner.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the mounting component comprises a protrusion extending in line with the axial direction of the steering wheel shaft, the electrical plug-in contacts are arranged at the end of the protrusion remote from the steering wheel shaft, and the contact closing direction of the electrical plug-in contacts coincides with the axial direction of the steering wheel shaft, which means that the electrical plug-in contacts protrude towards the steering wheel and can thus be easily connected to the steering wheel electronics.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first mechanical quick coupling element and the second mechanical quick coupling element each comprise a sleeve portion forming a cavity with two opposing openings, a first opening and a second opening, the protrusion of the mounting component is configured such that the protrusion is insertable into the cavity through the first opening and the electrical plug-in contacts are accessible from the second opening for electrically connecting the steering wheel electronics to the electrical plug-in contacts, preferably the cavities of the respective mechanical quick coupling elements are of different shapes, which allows for a very compact design of the steering wheel base.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the sleeve portion of the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element is formed with a chamfer at its second opening, which facilitates coupling between the steering wheel and the steering wheel base.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the sleeve portion of the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element is contoured to diverge axially from the first opening, which further facilitates coupling of the steering wheel to the steering wheel base.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the plane of the second opening is perpendicular to the closing direction of the electrical plug-in contacts and the electrical plug-in contacts are a maximum of 5 cm from the plane of the second opening, which makes the electrical plug-in contacts particularly accessible from the second opening.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, the sleeve parts of the respective first and second mechanical quick coupling elements are configured in such a way that when a steering wheel with the respective steering wheel side coupling element is moved onto the first or second mechanical quick coupling element for coupling the steering wheel to a steering wheel base, the steering wheel electronics are aligned with the electrical plug-in contacts of the mounting component by the geometric shape of the sleeve parts of the first and second mechanical quick coupling elements, thereby facilitating the connection of the electrical plug-in contacts with the steering wheel electronics.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the protrusion, preferably the outer periphery of a part of the electrical plug-in contact, is shaped in such a way that the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element can only be inserted into the protrusion in a specific orientation, thereby ensuring that the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element are fixed to the mounting component in the correct orientation.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the protrusion comprises at least one snap-fitting element on its sheath surface, preferably two at opposite positions, which is configured to engage with a counterpart on the sleeve part of the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element. This allows the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element to be fixed to the mounting component in a simple and hassle-free manner. Preferably, the counterpart on the sleeve part is configured as an opening accessible from outside the sleeve part. This facilitates the release of the snap-fit ​​connection between the at least one snap-fitting element and the counterpart.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment, the protrusion comprises a threaded hole in its seat on its sheath surface, which is configured such that a fastener can be screwed into the threaded hole through an opening leading to a cavity in the outer wall of the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element in order to fix the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element in a fixed position in a specific orientation. This also makes it possible to fix the first mechanical quick coupling element and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element to the mounting component in a simple and hassle-free manner.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first mechanical quick coupling element and the second mechanical quick coupling element each comprise a coupling engagement element on the outside of the sleeve portion which serves to mechanically quick-couple the steering-wheel-side coupling element of the steering wheel to the steering wheel base. Preferably, the coupling engagement element is formed as a recess or a slot into which a steering-wheel-side counterpart of the steering-wheel-side coupling element can engage in order to mechanically, in particular rotationally, fix the steering wheel to the steering wheel shaft of the steering wheel base.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the sleeve part of each of the first and second mechanical quick coupling elements is configured such that the steering wheel side coupling element of the steering wheel can only be coupled to the steering wheel base in a defined direction. This simplifies the precise fastening of the steering wheel to the steering wheel base. Preferably, the outer contour of the sleeve part of each of the first and / or second mechanical quick coupling elements is formed such that the steering wheel side coupling element of the steering wheel can only be coupled to the steering wheel base in a defined direction, the outer contour preferably being axially symmetrical with respect to the defined direction and not point symmetrical. In another preferred embodiment, the sleeve part of each of the first and / or second mechanical quick coupling elements comprises on its outer surface a groove extending parallel to the axial direction of the steering wheel shaft, and the interior of the steering wheel side coupling element of the steering wheel comprises a tongue element which engages with the groove such that the steering wheel can only be coupled to the steering wheel in a defined direction.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment, the mounting component preferably comprises a first flange disc arranged symmetrically at and around the end of the projection remote from the electrical plug-in contacts, and the first and second mechanical quick coupling elements each preferably comprise a second flange disc arranged symmetrically at and around the end of the sleeve parts of the first and second mechanical quick coupling elements, preferably at the first opening, and the first and second flange discs are configured such that the two flange discs are connectable by means of screws, preferably the first flange disc comprising threaded holes and the second flange disc comprising corresponding holes which are fixable to the first flange disc by screws which are inserted through the corresponding holes and screwed into the threaded holes.

[0022] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the system comprises at least one other mechanical quick coupling element, which can further increase the variability with respect to the coupleable steering wheels.

[0023] The invention further relates to a mechanical quick coupling element for a steering wheel base according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0024] The present invention further relates to a complete system comprising a steering wheel base for gaming applications according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments and a steering wheel with a steering wheel side coupling element, wherein a suitable mechanical quick coupling element of the system for the steering wheel side coupling element is fixed to a mounting component and the steering wheel is mechanically quick coupled to the steering wheel base.

[0025] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for connecting a steering wheel having a steering wheel side coupling element to a steering wheel base according to one of the above embodiments, comprising the steps of: - fastening a suitable mechanical quick coupling element of the system to a mounting component for a steering-wheel-side coupling element of the steering wheel; - moving the steering wheel side coupling element onto a suitable mechanical quick coupling element such that an electrical connection is formed between the steering wheel electronics and the electrical plug-in contacts of the mounting component and a mechanical quick coupling connection is formed between the suitable mechanical quick coupling element and the steering wheel side coupling element.

[0026] By this method, the steering wheel can be easily and conveniently fixed to the steering wheel base and, by the possibility of selecting a suitable mechanical quick-coupling element, the range of coupleable steering wheels is improved, thereby increasing the versatility of use of the steering wheel base.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the method further comprises, prior to the above steps, the steps being: - removing the other steering wheel with the other steering wheel side coupling element from the other suitable mechanical quick coupling element of the system with respect to the other steering wheel side coupling element, whereby the electrical connection between the electronics of the other steering wheel and the mechanical quick coupling connection between the other suitable mechanical quick coupling element and the other steering wheel side coupling element are broken; - Detaching and removing a suitable mechanical quick coupling element on the other of the mounting components.

[0028] Thereby, the steering wheel base can be easily adapted to other steering wheels having other steering wheel side coupling elements.

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a steering wheel base according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2A to 2C are different perspective views of the embodiment of the steering wheel base according to FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the steering wheel base according to FIG. 1, in which the first mechanical quick coupling element is coupled to a mounting element. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the steering wheel base according to FIG. 1, in which a second mechanical quick coupling element is coupled to the mounting element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. If a figure includes a reference numeral that is not dealt with in detail in the description of the associated figure, reference is made to the description of the preceding or succeeding figure.

[0032] The figure shows an embodiment of a steering wheel base 1 for a gaming application according to the invention. The steering wheel base 1 comprises a steering wheel shaft mounted as part of an electric motor inside a steering wheel base casing 3. The electric motor is configured to direct a simulated force to the steering wheel shaft and thus to the steering wheel, while at the same time reading the steering movement of the steering wheel and thus of the steering wheel shaft and transmitting this to the gaming application. As an alternative embodiment, the steering wheel shaft can also be mounted inside a belt device inside the steering wheel base casing 3.

[0033] Furthermore, the steering wheel base 1 comprises a mounting component 2 which is fixed to the steering wheel shaft for rotation therewith. The mounting component 2 comprises a protrusion 9 which extends in the axial direction 10 of the steering wheel shaft. At the end of the protrusion 9 an electrical plug-in contact 6 is arranged which is configured to connect the steering wheel base 1 to the electronics of the steering wheel.

[0034] Furthermore, the steering wheel base 1 comprises a system of a first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and a second mechanical quick coupling element 5 which are interchangeably fixable to the mounting component 2 and can be used to mechanically fix a steering wheel side quick coupling element of the steering wheel to the steering wheel base 1.

[0035] To fasten the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 or the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 to the mounting component 2, the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 each comprise a sleeve portion 11 forming a cavity 12 having a first opening 13 and a second opening 14 facing each other, whereby the projection 9 is insertable into this cavity through the first opening 13 and the electrical plug-in contacts 6 are accessible from the second opening 14.

[0036] To define the orientation of the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 with respect to the mounting component 2, the mounting component 2 comprises a first engagement element 7, the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 each comprise a second engagement element 8, and the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 can only be fixed to the mounting component 2 when the second engagement element 8 engages with the first engagement element 7. Furthermore, the outer contour of the electrical plug-in contacts 6 and the cavity 12 of the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 are formed in such a way that the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 can only move on the protrusions 9 in a specific direction.

[0037] To securely fasten the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 to the mounting component 2, the protrusion 9 comprises two snap-fit ​​elements 15 on either side of a sheath surface of the protrusion 9 which engage with corresponding parts of a sleeve part 11 of the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 when the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 is brought into a fixed position relative to the mounting component 2. To securely fasten the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 to the mounting component 2, the protrusion 9 comprises a threaded hole 16 on a sheath surface of the protrusion 9. When the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 is brought into a fixed position relative to the mounting component 2, an internal hole of the sleeve part 11 of the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 overlaps with the threaded hole 16 so that a screw or a similar fastening element can be screwed through the sleeve part 11 into the threaded hole 16, thereby fastening the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 to the mounting component 2.

[0038] Furthermore, the mounting component 2 comprises a first flange disc 19 at the end of the projection 9 facing the end of the projection 9 carrying the electrical plug-in contact 6, and the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 each comprise a second flange disc 20 at the first opening 13 of the respective sleeve part 11. The first flange disc 19 comprises a threaded hole 21 and the second flange disc 20 of each of the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 comprises a corresponding hole such that the first flange disc 19 and the second flange disc 20 can be fixed to one another by means of screws.

[0039] For mechanically quick-coupling a steering wheel (not shown) to the steering wheel base 1, the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 and the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 each comprise a coupling engagement element 17. The coupling engagement element 17 of the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 is formed as a recess on the sheath surface of the sleeve part 11 of the first mechanical quick coupling element 4. The coupling engagement element 17 of the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 is formed as two slots facing each other on the sheath surface of the sleeve part 11 of the second mechanical quick coupling element 5. These slots are configured as openings into the cavity 12 of the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 and are also used as counterparts of the snap-fit ​​element 15. To ensure the correct orientation of the steering wheel relative to the steering wheel shaft, the sleeve part 11 of the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 is provided with a groove 18 on its sheath surface extending in the axial direction 10, and the steering-wheel-side quick coupling element corresponding to the first mechanical quick coupling element 4 is provided with a tongue which engages with the groove 18 when the steering wheel is coupled to the steering wheel base 1. On the other hand, the outer contour of the sleeve part 11 of the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 is formed in such a way that the corresponding steering-wheel-side coupling element can only be coupled to the second mechanical quick coupling element 5 in a specified orientation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Steering Wheel Base 2 Mounting Components 3 Steering wheel base casing 4 First mechanical quick coupling element 5 Second mechanical quick coupling element 6 Electrical plug-in contacts 7 First engagement element 8 Second engagement element 9 Protrusion 10 Axial Direction 11 Sleeve section 12 Cavity 13 First opening 14 Second Opening 15 Snap-fit ​​elements 16 screw holes 17 Coupling engagement element 18 Groove 19 First flange disc 20 Second flange disc 21 Screw hole 22 Corresponding holes

Claims

1. A steering wheel base (1) for gaming applications, comprising: A steering wheel shaft; a mounting component (2) fixed to the steering wheel shaft for rotation therewith, the mounting component (2) being configured such that the steering wheel base (1) is directly electrically connectable to steering wheel electronics via electrical plug-in contacts (6) of the mounting component (2); a system comprising a first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and a second mechanical quick coupling element (5), said first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and said second mechanical quick coupling element (5) being interchangeably fixable to said mounting component (2) in fixed positions and adapted to different steering wheel side coupling elements of said steering wheel so as to provide a mechanical quick coupling between said steering wheel base (1) and said steering wheel; A steering wheel base (1).

2. 2. The steering wheel base (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting component (2) comprises a first engagement element (7), the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) each comprise a second engagement element (8), and the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) are only fixable to the mounting component (2) in the fixed position when the first engagement element (7) engages with the second engagement element (8).

3. 3. A steering wheel base (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting component (2) comprises a protrusion (9) extending in line with the axial direction (10) of the steering wheel shaft, the electrical plug-in contacts (6) being arranged at an end of the protrusion (9) remote from the steering wheel shaft, and a contact closing direction of the electrical plug-in contacts (6) coinciding with the axial direction (10) of the steering wheel shaft.

4. 4. A steering wheel base (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) each comprise a sleeve portion (11) forming a cavity (12) having two opposing openings, i.e. a first opening (13) and a second opening (14), the protrusion (9) of the mounting component (2) is configured such that the protrusion (9) is insertable into the cavity (12) through the first opening (13) and the electrical plug-in contacts (6) are accessible from the second opening (14) for electrically connecting the electronics of the steering wheel to the electrical plug-in contacts (6), preferably the cavities of each mechanical quick coupling element are of different shape.

5. 5. Steering wheel base (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the sleeve parts (11) of the first and second mechanical quick coupling elements (4) and (5) are configured such that, when the steering wheel with the respective steering-wheel-side coupling element is moved onto the first or second mechanical quick coupling element (4) or (5) for coupling the steering wheel to the steering wheel base (1), the electronics of the steering wheel are aligned relative to the electrical plug-in contacts (6) of the mounting component (2) by virtue of the geometric shape of the sleeve parts (11) of the first and second mechanical quick coupling elements (4) and (5).

6. 6. A steering wheel base (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the outer periphery of the protrusion (9), preferably of a part of the electrical plug-in contact (6), is shaped in such a way that the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) can be inserted into the protrusion (9) only in a specific direction.

7. 7. A steering wheel base (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the protrusion (9) comprises at least one snap-fitting element (15) on its sheath surface, preferably two at opposite positions, which is configured to engage with a corresponding portion on the sleeve portion (11) of the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element (5).

8. 8. The steering wheel base (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the protrusion (9) comprises a threaded hole (16) in its seat on its sheath surface, configured such that a fastener can be screwed into the threaded hole (16) through an opening leading to the cavity (12) in the outer wall of the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) in order to fix the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and / or the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) in the fixed position in a specific orientation.

9. 9. The steering wheel base (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) each have a coupling engagement element (17) on the outside of the sleeve portion (11) which serves to mechanically quick-couple the steering-wheel side coupling element of the steering wheel to the steering wheel base (1).

10. 10. A steering wheel base (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the sleeve portion (11) of each of the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) is configured such that the steering wheel side coupling element of the steering wheel can only be coupled to the steering wheel base (1) in a specified direction.

11. The mounting component (2) preferably comprises a first flange disc (19) symmetrically arranged at and around an end of the projection (9), the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) each preferably comprises a second flange disc (20) symmetrically arranged at and around an end of the sleeve portion (11) of the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5), the first flange disc (19) and the second flange disc (20) each preferably comprising a second flange disc (20) symmetrically arranged at and around an end of the sleeve portion (11) of the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5).

9. A steering wheel base (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two flange discs (20) are configured such that the two flange discs can be connected by screws, preferably the first flange disc (19) being provided with threaded holes (21) and the second flange disc (20) being provided with corresponding holes (22) whereby the second flange disc (20) can be fixed to the first flange disc (19) by means of screws that are inserted through the corresponding holes (22) and screwed into the threaded holes (21).

12. A mechanical quick coupling element (4, 5) for a steering wheel base (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A full system comprising a steering wheel base (1) for gaming applications according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a steering wheel with a steering wheel side coupling element, wherein appropriate mechanical quick coupling elements of the system of the first mechanical quick coupling element (4) and the second mechanical quick coupling element (5) for the steering wheel side coupling element are fixed to the mounting component (2) and the steering wheel is mechanically quick coupled to the steering wheel base (1).

14. A method for connecting a steering wheel having a steering wheel side coupling element to a steering wheel base (1) according to claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: - fastening a suitable mechanical quick coupling element of the system for the steering wheel side coupling element to the mounting component (2); moving the steering wheel side coupling element onto the suitable mechanical quick coupling element such that an electrical connection is made between the steering wheel electronics and the electrical plug-in contacts (6) of the mounting component (2) and a mechanical quick coupling connection is made between the suitable mechanical quick coupling element and the steering wheel side coupling element; A method comprising:

15. The method further comprises, prior to the step of claim 14, performing the following steps in the order listed: removing the other steering wheel having the other steering wheel side coupling element from the other suitable mechanical quick coupling element of the system with respect to the other steering wheel side coupling element, whereby the electrical connections between the electronics of the other steering wheel and the mechanical quick coupling connection between the other suitable mechanical quick coupling element and the other steering wheel side coupling element are opened; Detaching and removing the other suitable mechanical quick coupling element of said mounting component (2); 15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

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