Trim elements for vehicle steering wheel

Abstract

A trim element (20) attached to the vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising at least, -When the trim element (20) is attached to the vehicle steering wheel (10), a flexible base material (21) designed to cover a portion of the vehicle steering wheel (10) is provided. -The flexible base material (21) is separate from the mounting portion (22, 23) which has a mounting shape such as a male mounting shape or a female mounting shape, - The mounting portions (22, 23) are designed to be attached to the fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel (10) at least during and / or after part of the operation of mounting the trim element (20) to the vehicle steering wheel (10), wherein the fastening interface has a fastening shape such as a female fastening shape or a male fastening shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a trim element for a vehicle steering wheel. In particular, the present invention relates to a trim element comprising one or more flexible portions intended to cover a part of a vehicle steering wheel.

Background Art

[0002] From the prior art of vehicle steering wheels, it is known to provide trim elements mounted on vehicle steering wheels. For example, a flexible sheath can be joined to all or part of a vehicle rim. On the other hand, these flexible sheaths can be difficult to mount so that they are well positioned, wrinkle-free and seamless with other components of the vehicle steering wheel.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the above-mentioned background art, and in particular, first, to propose a trim element that can simplify the mounting to a vehicle steering wheel.

[0004] For this purpose, a first aspect of this invention relates to a trim element mounted on a vehicle steering wheel, at least - a flexible base material designed to cover a part of the vehicle steering wheel when the trim element is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel; - a mounting portion, separate from the flexible base material and having a mounting shape such as a male mounting shape or a female mounting shape; - the mounting portion is designed to be mounted on a fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel during at least part of and / or after the operation of mounting the trim element on the vehicle steering wheel, and the fastening interface has a fastening shape such as a female fastening shape or a male fastening shape.

[0005] According to the above embodiment, the mounting portion (separate from the flexible substrate) can be attached to the fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel at least during and / or after part of the operation of mounting the trim element to the vehicle steering wheel. Such mounting allows the user to precisely mount / position the trim element and later position the trim element on the vehicle steering wheel, for example, to apply tension to the trim element. In other words, the above embodiment proposes an element or component intended to be fixed to the steering wheel, which is dedicated to and / or mounted on the flexible substrate, and / or separate from the flexible substrate, and then allows the operator to pull, position, and move the trim element before completing the mounting of the trim element to the steering wheel, and the operator to perform these actions with both hands free. Typically, the trim element is mounted on the rim of the vehicle steering wheel or on the vehicle steering wheel perimeter zone used to steer the vehicle. Typically, the trim element is mounted on all or most of the rim or perimeter zone of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0006] Trim elements can be defined by the following features, which are interpreted individually or in combination:

[0007] In one embodiment, the fastening shape can be complementary to the mounting shape. In other words, the fastening shape can be designed to mechanically connect with the mounting shape.

[0008] In one embodiment, the flexible substrate can be positioned to cover at least a portion of the mounting area when the trim element is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel. Thus, the trim element can cover itself and conceal at least a portion of the mounting area. The perceived quality is improved.

[0009] In one embodiment, the trim element may comprise at least two mounting portions, at least one of which may be arranged to attach to a dedicated fastening portion of the fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel, at least during part of the operation of mounting the trim element to the vehicle steering wheel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least two mounting portions can each be arranged at one end of the flexible substrate. In one embodiment, the flexible substrate can have an elongated shape in the axial direction, and the at least two mounting portions can each be arranged at one end of the flexible substrate in the axial direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, one of the at least two mounting portions may be arranged to attach to or snap onto the other of the at least two mounting portions. In other words, the trim element is attached to itself, but at least one of the mounting portions is attached to the vehicle steering wheel (at the fastening interface). Forces are absorbed more effectively.

[0012] In one embodiment, the trim element may have multiple mounting points distributed along the trim element to absorb forces applied to the vehicle steering wheel during assembly. Perceived quality is improved and the risk of wrinkles or cosmetic defects is reduced.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mounting portion is - A first interface surface that comes into contact with a flexible substrate, - May have a second interface surface disposed to contact the fastening interface, The first interface surface can be larger than the second interface surface, preferably larger than 120% of the second interface surface, preferably larger than 160% of the second interface surface, and preferably larger than twice the size of the second interface surface. This type of embodiment ensures good force distribution between the mounting portion and the flexible substrate. The risk of wrinkles, tears, or defects is reduced.

[0014] In one embodiment, the mounting portion can be made more rigid than the flexible base material. In one embodiment, the mounting portion can be a polymer part (plastic, polyamide, polyethylene, etc.) attached to the flexible base material.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first interface surface may extend over 5 mm, 7 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the mounting force is applied to the flexible substrate, or in the axial or longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate when it is laid flat before mounting. This type of embodiment ensures a good distribution of force between the mounting portion and the flexible substrate, reducing the risk of wrinkles, tears, or defects.

[0016] In one embodiment, the mounting portion may be positioned to support or resist mounting forces, such as tensile or tension forces, for stretching the trim element. In other words, the mounting portion is designed to allow tension to be applied to (unfold) the trim element during assembly. Such a feature eliminates the risk of tearing during assembly.

[0017] In one embodiment, the mounting portion can be attached to the flexible substrate by adhesive and / or tack and / or welding and / or overmolding.

[0018] In one embodiment, the mounting portion can be at least partially disposed on the folded portion or the reverse folded portion of the flexible substrate. The connection between the two portions is solid.

[0019] In one embodiment, the trim element may include an adhesive film disposed on a flexible substrate and at least partially disposed between the flexible substrate and the attachment portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the adhesive film can be arranged to attach a flexible substrate to the vehicle's steering wheel. The same adhesive film can be used to attach the flexible substrate to the vehicle's steering wheel, and the attachment portion can be attached to the flexible substrate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the mounting portion can be arranged to fit into the fastening interface by elastic engagement or sliding engagement.

[0022] In one embodiment, the sliding engagement may occur in a direction parallel to the direction in which the force for mounting the trim element to the vehicle steering wheel is applied, or in a direction parallel to the axial or longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate or the trim element.

[0023] In one embodiment, the mounting portion can be arranged to receive a fastening element such as a pin having an elastic base.

[0024] In one embodiment, the trim element can form a sheath positioned on a portion of the vehicle steering wheel, particularly on the vehicle steering wheel rim, or on the vehicle steering wheel perimeter zone used for steering the vehicle. In one embodiment, the trim element can form an inner (non-visible) layer of the vehicle steering wheel. In one embodiment, the trim element can form an outer (visible) layer of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0025] In one embodiment, the flexible substrate may have or may have conductive elements.

[0026] In one embodiment, the trim element can form a heating element.

[0027] In one embodiment, the flexible substrate can comprise or can form an element that forms part of a heating element or a capacitance detection sensor.

[0028] In one embodiment, the trim element can form a detection sensor, such as a sensor for detecting contact or proximity between the vehicle steering wheel and the user's limb.

[0029] In one embodiment, the flexible substrate can comprise or can form a decorative element arranged to be visible, such as an outer casing of a vehicle steering wheel. The flexible substrate can be natural leather or artificial leather.

[0030] The second aspect of the present invention is - at least one trim element according to the first aspect, - a fastening interface formed in a foam of a vehicle steering wheel or an insert of a steering wheel separate from the foam, relating to a safety module in which the fastening interface receives two attachment parts or interfaces at least partially with two attachment parts.

[0031] In one embodiment, the fastening interface can be formed within a frame of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0032] The third aspect of the present invention is - at least one trim element according to the first aspect, - a fastening interface, - the fastening interface can be formed in a foam of a vehicle steering wheel or an insert of a steering wheel separate from the foam, and / or -The safety module relates to a mounting portion and / or fastening interface which may form a finishing groove, the finishing groove which may receive an outer sheath seam and / or decorative portion. In this way, the at least one mounting portion and / or fastening interface is advantageously concealed from the user of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0033] In one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may include a gripping portion (e.g., a rim or steering wheel) that is gripped for steering the vehicle, and trim elements may be mounted at least partially around or on the gripping portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are provided as examples but are not limited thereto, and are illustrated by the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a vehicle steering wheel comprising a rim covered by an outer sheath, spokes, a hub, and trim elements that are not visible to the end user of the vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a detail of Zone II in Figure 1, revealing a portion of the rim covered by trim elements without an outer sheath, which is therefore visible in Figure 2. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the rim section of Figure 2 without trim elements, illustrating a recess formed in the foam of the steering wheel in Zone II, which can accommodate the mounting portion of the trim elements covering the rim. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view from below showing the two mounting portions connected to the flexible base material of the trim element, i.e., the surfaces of the two mounting portions that face the rim and are located within the recess in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the two mounting parts of Figure 4 without the flexible base material. [Figure 6]Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the vehicle steering wheel along axis II in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the vehicle steering wheel along axis III-III in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a first modified vehicle steering wheel along axis II of Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a second modified version of the vehicle steering wheel from Figure 1, where the trim elements are visible to the vehicle's end user. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Figure 1 shows a vehicle steering wheel 10 comprising a rim 11, a hub 12, spokes 13 connecting the hub to the rim 11, and trim elements 20 according to the present invention, which are not visible because they are disposed under an outer sheath typically made of leather. In the example shown in Figure 1, the trim elements 20 cover the entire circumference of the rim, but any other type of distribution or arrangement is possible. In particular, multiple trim elements may be distributed along the perimeter. In this case, one or more keying features (or poka-yoke) can be provided at each mounting portion.

[0036] Figure 2 shows details of Zone II of Figure 1, and shows a portion of the rim 11 of Figure 1 without the outer sheath, with the two ends of the trim element 20 separated by a groove 111 of the rim 11 extending around it. The groove 111 is designed to receive the seam of the outer sheath. In another embodiment, the groove 11 can accommodate a decorative element such as a ring.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a portion of the rim 11 from Figure 2 without the trim element 20, and shows a recess 115 formed in the foam 112 of the steering wheel (typically made of polyurethane, for example) in Zone II. In this disclosure, the recess 115 can receive the mounting portion of the trim element 20 covering the rim. For this purpose, the recess 115 includes fastening ridges 113 that form a male fastening shape for hooking onto the mounting portion of the trim element 20. In the illustrated example, the fastening ridges 113 form a dovetail-shaped male to provide the possibility of sliding on the mounting portion of the trim element 20.

[0038] It should be noted that the groove 111 opens into the recess 115, which forms a recessed cradle in the foam 112 of the rim 11 to accommodate the mounting portion of the trim element 20. In an alternative embodiment, the recess 115, the mounting projection 113, and / or the groove 111 may be formed in a steering wheel insert separate from the foam 112 (visible, such as in the wood-grain or carbon-coated section, or concealed, such as in the exterior reinforcement). The mounting projection 113 and / or the groove 111 may also be formed in the frame 114 of the vehicle steering wheel (visible in Figure 6).

[0039] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing two mounting portions 22 and 23 connected to the flexible base material 21 of adjacent trim elements 20 of the rim 11. The two mounting portions 22 and 23 are viewed from below, i.e., the surfaces of the two mounting portions 22 and 23 facing the rim and housed in the recess 115 in Figure 3.

[0040] The flexible substrate 21 is, for example, a conductive element or comprises a conductive element. In fact, the trim element 20 may form part of a vehicle electrical circuit, i.e., a heating device (the trim element 20 forms or comprises a heating mat), or a device for detecting contact or proximity to a user (the trim element 20 forms or comprises, or forms part of, a detection sensor, typically a capacitive sensor). The flexible substrate 21 may be, for example, an elastic element or comprises an elastic element (the operator may significantly deform the flexible substrate 21 by applying tensile force to it when it is mounted on the steering wheel). The flexible substrate 21 may be a sheet-like component or a surface component of a constant or substantially constant thickness. The flexible substrate 21 may have a thickness of less than 1.5 mm or less than 1 mm. The flexible substrate 21 may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, an injection-molded material, or a printed material, or a combination thereof.

[0041] The mounting portions 22 and 23 may be provided with specific attachments, such as polymer parts (plastic, polyamide, polyethylene, etc.) to be attached to the flexible substrate 21. In any case, it may be assumed that the mounting portions 22 and 23 include at least a portion that is significantly more rigid than the flexible substrate 21. In particular, it may be assumed that the mounting portions 22 and 23 include at least one portion that is significantly thicker than the flexible substrate 21 (for example, a portion that is at least twice or three times thicker than the flexible substrate 21).

[0042] The trim element 20 comprises a mounting portion 22 and a mounting portion 23. The mounting portions 22 and 23 are each bonded to a flexible substrate 21, and folds in the flexible substrate 21 may be provided on the mounting portions 22 and 23 to secure the mounting portions 22, 23 and the flexible substrate 21 together. Figure 4 shows a flap of the flexible substrate 21, so that the lateral portions of the mounting portions 22 and 23 are sandwiched or interposed between the flexible substrate 21 and its foldable flap. The flap can also be seen in Figures 6 and 7.

[0043] In particular, the mounting portion 22 includes a tongue portion 222 having a receiving hole, and the mounting portion 23 includes a hook 231 whose end engages with the receiving hole of the tongue portion 222.

[0044] It can also be noted that the mounting portion 22 is provided with a groove 221 which is the inverse shape of the fastening ridge 113 formed in the recess 115. As a result, the mounting portion 22 can be attached to the foam 112 (i.e., the rim 11) by a sliding movement which ends when the mounting portion 22 abuts against the wall of the recess 115, and the operator can then pull the rest of the trim element 20 to mount / set / position the trim element 20 on the rim 11. Since the trim element 20 is attached to the rim 11 by the mounting portion 22, this mounting operation is facilitated as the operator's hands are free once the mounting portion 22 engages with the fastening ridge 113. In addition, optimal positioning of the trim element 20 relative to the steering wheel is ensured.

[0045] Figure 5 shows the two mounting portions 22 and 23 of Figure 4 without the flexible substrate 21. This figure clearly shows the groove 221 of the mounting portion 22 and the hook 231, the end of which engages with a hole for receiving the tongue portion 222. Also from Figure 5, it can be noted that the mounting portion 22 has two stop surfaces 221a and 221b designed to abut against the foam 112 of the rim 11 when the operator pulls and stretches the flexible substrate 21 or wraps it around the rim 11. In the example shown in Figure 5, the two stop surfaces 221a and 221b are perpendicular to the sliding direction defined by the groove 221, but other embodiments are possible.

[0046] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the vehicle steering wheel along axis II in Figure 1. From Figure 6, it can be seen that the rim 11 comprises a frame 114 (typically made of magnesium, for example) that forms the core of the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0047] It can also be noted that the lateral portion of the mounting portion 22 is positioned between the outer portion of the flexible base material 21 and the inner flap of the flexible base material 21. With or without the flap, the mounting portion 22 or 23 has a large contact surface with the flexible base material 21, so that the force applied to the flexible base material 21 is well distributed and transmitted to the mounting portion 22 or 23, thereby limiting the risk of creases, wrinkles, ripples, and tears in the flexible base material 21. Note that the mounting portion 22 is positioned between the outer surface of the flexible base material 21 and the foam 112. In this way, the flexible base material 21 can help to conceal the user's grip portion 22 from the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0048] These parts can be attached together using an adhesive film or adhesive. The adhesive film or adhesive can also cover all or part of the inner surface of the outer part of the flexible substrate 21, thereby joining this flexible substrate to the rest of the foam 112 of the rim 11.

[0049] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the steering wheel of vehicle 10 along axis III-III of Figure 6. Figure 7 shows the connection between the two ends of the trim element 20. The left side of the trim element 20 has a mounting portion 22, and the right side of the trim element 20 has a mounting portion 23. It can be noted that the hook 231 of the mounting portion 23 engages with the receiving hole of the tongue portion 222 of the mounting portion 22.

[0050] In the upper part of Figure 7, it can also be seen that the left and right edges of the flexible base material 21 of the trim element 20 face the groove 111. When the trim element 20 is covered by the outer sheath, the seam or decorative piece fills the groove 111, giving the vehicle steering wheel 10 an attractive appearance.

[0051] Finally, the mounting portion 23 may also be considered to be attached to the fastening interface (fastening protrusion 113) at least indirectly via the mounting portion 22. In either case, once the mounting portion 22 is attached to the rim 11 (fastening protrusion 113) during the assembly of the trim element 20, any tensile or tension applied by the operator is directly transmitted to the internal structure of the vehicle steering wheel 10. Finally, the force is picked up as the mounting portion 23 picks up the mounting portion 22.

[0052] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a first modified vehicle steering wheel along axis II of Figure 1. In this modified version, the fastening protrusion 113 visible in Figures 2, 6, or 7 is replaced by a fastening element formed by a Christmas tree-shaped pin 31 in this example of Figure 8.

[0053] More specifically, the foam 112 is provided with a blind hole located at the bottom of a recess 115, and during assembly, the operator can position the mounting portion 22 (integrated with the flexible base material 21) within the recess 115 and screw the Christmas tree-shaped pin 31 into the blind hole through the through hole in the tongue portion 222 of the mounting portion 22. In this way, fastening or mounting of the mounting portion to the rim 11 is performed at the very beginning of mounting the trim element (with respect to the modified example having the fastening protrusion 113 in Figure 2), which allows the rest of the trim element 20 to be pulled or repositioned on the rim 11. The same fasteners can be used to secure a mounting portion 23, which may or may not be connected to the mounting portion 22.

[0054] Figure 9 shows a second modification of the vehicle steering wheel 10 of Figure 1. In the second modification shown in Figure 9, the trim element 20 is visible. In particular, the trim element 20 forms an outer sheath covering the rim 11 (leather or any other material may be used). In this example, the trim element 20 comprises a flexible base material having an elongated flat shape and two ends, each having mounting portions similar to those described with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0055] A recess similar to the recess 115 in Figure 3 can be provided, for example, in the foam of the rim 11 at the 6 o'clock position on the bottom of Figure 9, and the two mounting portions of the trim element 20 can be attached to and / or to the rim 11 in this 6 o'clock recess. A decorative portion (e.g., a ring 41) can be added to cover the joint zone and provide an attractive appearance to the user. The ring 41 can be clipped, glued, or welded to the trim element 20. The ring 41 can be formed of two parts that fit together around the rim 11.

[0056] To mount the trim element 20 around the rim 11, the mounting operator attaches the mounting portion to the rim 11, then pulls the free end of the trim element 20 to apply tension to the flexible base material, laying / positioning / joining it around the rim 11 without creases, folds, wrinkles, or tears, and finally the mounting portion of the free end can be attached to the rim 11 directly and / or via the mounting portion initially attached to the rim 11. [Industrial applicability]

[0057] The trim element and vehicle steering wheel according to the present invention, as well as the method for manufacturing the same, are industrially applicable.

[0058] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0059] In particular, as shown in the illustration, one trim element 20 covers the entire circumference of the steering wheel, but a different number of trim elements 20 (for example, multiple trim elements 20) can be provided. It is also possible to cover non-adjacent parts, parts other than the rim, the rear or front surface of the rim, etc. It is also possible to have mounting portions 23 that overlap the mounting portions 22 of adjacent trim elements.

[0060] In the illustrated diagram, it should be noted that the trim element 20 forms a heating device, and therefore this trim element is covered by the outer sheath of the vehicle steering wheel. However, the trim element 20 is considered to be a component that covers a portion of the rim 11 and at least partially covers the vehicle steering wheel at some point during its manufacture. As shown in the diagram, the trim element 20 may be invisible to the vehicle's end user, but the trim element 20 can also be visible to the end user. In this case, the mounting portions 22, 23 can be concealed by decorative pieces.

[0061] In the given example, the flexible substrate is attached to the mounting portions 22 and 23 by an adhesive (film, glue), but welding (ultrasonic, heat), overmolding, or even mechanical assembly (staples, sewing, etc.) can also be used.

[0062] Finally, mounting portion 22 can be considered to form a first mounting portion 22, and mounting portion 23 can be considered to form a second mounting portion 23. Alternatively, mounting portion 22 can be considered to form one mounting portion 22, and mounting portion 23 can be considered to form another mounting portion 23. In other words, mounting portions 22 and 23 can be connected to the steering wheel without being connected to each other.

Claims

1. A trim element (20) for mounting on a vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising at least, - When the trim element (20) is attached to the vehicle steering wheel (10), a flexible base material (21) designed to cover a portion of the vehicle steering wheel (10) is provided. - The flexible base material (21) is separate from the mounting portion (22, 23) and has a mounting shape such as a male mounting shape or a female mounting shape, - The mounting portions (22, 23) are designed to be attached to the fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel (10) at least during and / or after part of the operation of attaching the trim element (20) to the vehicle steering wheel (10), wherein the fastening interface includes a fastening shape such as a female fastening shape or a male fastening shape.

2. The trim element (20) according to claim 1, wherein when the trim element (20) is attached to the vehicle steering wheel (10), the flexible base material (21) is arranged to cover at least a portion of the mounting portion (22, 23).

3. The trim element (20) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least two mounting portions (22, 23), wherein at least one of the at least two mounting portions (22, 23) is arranged to be attached to a dedicated fastening portion of the fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel (10) at least during part of the operation to attach the trim element (20) to the vehicle steering wheel (10).

4. The trim element (20) according to claim 3, wherein the flexible base material (21) has an elongated shape in the axial direction, and the at least two mounting portions are each disposed at one end of the flexible base material in the axial direction.

5. The aforementioned mounting portions (22, 23) - The first interface surface that contacts the flexible substrate (21), - Having a second interface surface disposed to contact the fastening interface, The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first interface surface is larger than the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is larger than 120% of the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is larger than 160% of the second interface surface, and preferably the first interface surface is larger than twice the size of the second interface surface.

6. The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mounting portions (22, 23) are attached to the flexible substrate (21) by adhesive and / or tack and / or welding and / or overmolding.

7. The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mounting portions (22, 23) are at least partially disposed on the folded portion of the flexible base material (21) or the reverse folded portion of the flexible base material (21).

8. The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an adhesive film disposed on the flexible substrate (21) and at least partially disposed between the flexible substrate (21) and the mounting portions (22, 23).

9. The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mounting portion (22, 23) is arranged to engage with the fastening interface by elastic engagement or sliding engagement.

10. The trim element (20) according to claim 9, wherein the sliding engagement is arranged in a direction parallel to the direction in which force is applied to mount the trim element (20) to the vehicle steering wheel (10), or in a direction parallel to the axial or longitudinal direction of the flexible base material (21) or the trim element (20).

11. The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible substrate (21) comprises or forms a conductive element.

12. The trim element (20) according to claim 11, wherein the flexible substrate (21) comprises or forms a heating element, or comprises or forms an element that forms part of a capacitance detection sensor.

13. The trim element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible base material (21) comprises or forms a decorative element that is visibly disposed, such as the outer casing of the vehicle steering wheel (10).

14. - At least one trim element (20) according to claim 3 or 4, - A fastening interface formed within the foam body of the vehicle steering wheel (10), or within a separate insert of the steering wheel, A vehicle steering wheel (10) in which the fastening interface at least partially receives or interfaces with the two mounting portions (22, 23).

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