Vehicle steering wheel lighting device having a light guide supporting a diffuser - Patents.com

Abstract

A lighting device for a vehicle steering wheel rim (10), comprising: a holder (11) having at least one inner wall (11p) with at least one opening (11o); at least one light source (15) arranged to emit light; a diffuser (12) arranged to diffuse light coming from at least one light source (15) towards a vehicle occupant; a light guide (14) arranged to guide light emitted from at least one light source (15) towards a diffuser (12), the light guide (14) having a light collecting surface (14c) disposed on a first side of the opening (11o) and a light emitting surface (14e) disposed on a second side of the opening (11o); The lighting device is characterized in that the light guide (14) is also engaged with the diffuser (12) to shape the diffuser (12) to a predetermined size.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device to be mounted on the steering wheel rim of a motor vehicle. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] Illumination devices mounted on steering wheel rims are known in the prior art. WO 2019 / 048538 discloses a method for manufacturing a car steering wheel. Nevertheless, this document is silent about deformations of the light diffuser during assembly or use. These deformations may damage other parts of the steering wheel or reduce the uniformity of the light.

[0003] One object of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, and in particular, firstly, to propose a lighting device for a steering wheel rim that limits or eliminates the risk of causing defects in the appearance of light diffusion while limiting damage to other parts of the steering wheel.

[0004] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention is an illumination device for a vehicle steering wheel rim, comprising: a holder comprising at least one inner wall having at least one opening; at least one light source arranged to emit light; a diffuser arranged to diffuse light coming from at least one light source towards a vehicle occupant; a light guide arranged to guide light emitted from the at least one light source towards a diffuser; the light guide comprising a light collecting surface disposed on a first side of the opening and a light emitting surface disposed on a second side of the opening; The light guide also relates to a lighting device, characterized in that the light guide is engaged with a diffuser to shape the diffuser to a predetermined size.

[0005] Thus, as the diffuser is arranged to be assembled on the steering wheel rim, it preferably has a thin shape and a circular arc, which makes it flexible. This flexibility may result in deformation of the diffuser, especially during its assembly, which may collide with and damage the rim or other parts of the lighting device, but also in it being deformed so that it no longer maintains its optimal shape, e.g. a circular arc shape (e.g. the diffuser may twist or flip), and therefore the scattering of scattered light may have appearance defects.

[0006] In other words, the light guide provides support for the diffuser, such as a support or contact that allows the diffuser to be shaped into its optimum form.

[0007] This makes it possible to propose a lighting device for a vehicle steering wheel rim, which ensures good positioning and good resistance of the diffuser, limits deformation of the diffuser whilst avoiding damage to other components, and ensures good uniformity of the light scattered by the diffuser, without hot spots (bright light) or cold spots (weak light) due to the geometry of the diffuser, especially when the diffuser is installed after the leather covering on the steering wheel rim.

[0008] This also allows for better support of the diffuser and ensures its centering so there is no parasitic movement or loss of light, which is especially important for diffusers with large arcs.

[0009] The light guide may also pass through the diffuser.

[0010] Advantageously, the diffuser may not contact the inner wall of the holder, in particular on the side of the inner wall oriented towards the user of the steering wheel.

[0011] Thus, a first objective is to make the lighting device compact due to a rim with reduced bulk, and another objective is to propose a device that allows precise positioning and correct guidance of the light, as well as good performance of the components relative to the other components, which makes it possible to reduce eccentricity and thus to reduce poor scattering of the light, i.e. the device has constant dimensions even after assembly and has no position drift.

[0012] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention is an illumination device for a vehicle steering wheel rim, comprising: a holder arranged between an inner part of the housing and an outer part of the housing, the holder comprising at least one opening; at least one light source disposed in the inner portion; a diffuser positioned to diffuse light from the at least one light source towards a vehicle occupant; - a light guide disposed on either side of the at least one opening and in at least partial contact with the diffuser to support the diffuser.

[0013] Thus, the housing may have an interior wall with an opening that allows the light guides to pass through, with the light guides disposed on each side of the opening passing through the opening.

[0014] Advantageously, the light guide may include a transmissive portion disposed between the collection surface and the emission surface and disposed in the at least one aperture.

[0015] Advantageously, the inner wall may be located between the light source and the diffuser.

[0016] Advantageously, the light guide and diffuser may each comprise a mating portion arranged so that one fits inside the other.

[0017] This makes it possible to ensure compactness of the lighting device in the limited space of the steering wheel rim, while ensuring accurate positioning of the diffuser both during assembly and during its service life, which makes it possible to eliminate the need for additional intermediate parts for positioning, thereby reducing the complexity of the device.

[0018] Advantageously, the light guide may have a width that is smaller than the width of the at least one opening in the inner wall.

[0019] This ensures accurate positioning of the diffuser relative to the light guide without any redundancies.

[0020] Advantageously, the light guide may be at least partially in contact with the diffuser on the second side of the opening.

[0021] This makes it possible to ensure support of the diffuser on the outside of the steering wheel and as close as possible to the user's field of vision.

[0022] Advantageously, the light guide may have at least one dimension which is larger than the dimension of the opening on the side of the inner part of the holder, so as to require assembly of the light guide in the holder before positioning of the lighting device on the steering wheel rim, the larger dimension being preferably considered in a cross section relative to the rim, i.e. through the axis of rotation of the steering wheel, e.g. the steering column axis.

[0023] This ensures good positioning of the diffuser, especially when the light guide is assembled into the lighting device (or light bar) before it is attached to the steering wheel, and therefore well before the diffuser which is attached to the light guide after leathering, which allows easier control of the positioning of the light guide relative to the light source, such as an LED.

[0024] Advantageously, the diffuser is provided with a clip so that it can be clipped onto the holder.

[0025] Advantageously, the clip is arranged so as to be on an inner part of the holder when the diffuser is assembled with the holder.

[0026] This allows the diffuser to be attached to the carrier, while the engagement between the diffuser and the light guide ensures its correct positioning, especially from an optical point of view.

[0027] Advantageously, the sides of the light guide or diffuser are provided with ribs or guides.

[0028] This ensures better guidance of the light guide during assembly and use.

[0029] Advantageously, the light guide is laterally supported by the opening.

[0030] This ensures that the light guide is held in place.

[0031] Advantageously, the holder comprises a single opening arranged to allow passage of light from all of the multiple light sources to the diffuser.

[0032] Advantageously, the holding body is arranged to be covered by a steering wheel covering.

[0033] This ensures the aesthetic appearance of the steering wheel, which is a decorative part.

[0034] Advantageously, one end of the light guide engages (or is engaged by) one end of a diffuser arranged on the second side of the opening. Typically, the engagement is less than 4mm, less than 3mm, preferably less than 2mm.

[0035] Advantageously, the engagement between the light guide and the diffuser is located on the second side of the opening.

[0036] Advantageously, the light guide forms a groove (or channel) wall together with the carrier, and the steering wheel cover (e.g. made of leather) is located in the groove (on the side of the groove wall) by less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, or preferably less than 1 mm. Indeed, it is important to have a small overhang or insertion of the cover on the side of the light guide to facilitate the action of folding the cover (e.g. made of leather) while limiting the risk of damage to the light guide. Alternatively, the light guide exceeds the cover by less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm from the second side of the inner wall.

[0037] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel comprising a lighting device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0038] This makes it possible to propose a steering wheel rim that has a defect-free luminous appearance (when the lighting device is powered), for which the diffuser does not damage other components during assembly and use.

[0039] A third aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a steering wheel according to the second aspect.

[0040] This makes it possible to propose a vehicle with a steering wheel that has a flawless luminous appearance (when the lighting device is powered) and in which the diffuser does not damage other components during assembly and use.

[0041] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for mounting a lighting device on a steering wheel rim.

[0042] A method for mounting a lighting device on a steering wheel rim, comprising: providing a steering wheel rim; - mounting the light guide on a carrier; - attaching the retainer to the steering wheel rim.

[0043] The method is: The method may further include mounting the diffuser on the steering wheel rim equipped with the holder and the light guide.

[0044] The method is: It may further comprise the step of installing a finish coating on the steering wheel rim, preferably performed before the installation of the diffuser.

[0045] This makes it possible to propose an efficient and fast assembly method that ensures good tolerances of the diffuser mounted on the steering wheel rim. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but in no way limiting, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

[0047] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel equipped with an illumination device on the rim. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the rim with the lighting device along section II. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows another cross-sectional view of the rim with the luminaire in a clip of the diffuser of the luminaire along the section II-II. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a holder for the lighting device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the diffuser. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the light guide of the lighting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a steering wheel 1 with a lighting device 40 in its rim 10 .

[0049] Thus, Fig. 1 shows a vehicle steering wheel 1 typically comprising a rim 10 connected to a hub 20 by several arms 30. The rim 10 is equipped with an illumination device 40 at an upper position, also known as the "12 o'clock" position. This illumination device 40 has an outer display wall 12a of a diffuser 12 that extends along the rim 10 over an angular sector of approximately 60° to 80°, although it is possible to provide a larger or smaller angular range, for example up to 180° or even more, or even less than 60°.

[0050] Section II of the rim 10 is provided to show a cross-sectional view of the rim along II in FIG.

[0051] Section II-II of the rim 10 is provided to show a cross-sectional view of the rim along II-II in FIG.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the rim 10 with a lighting device 40 along section II.

[0053] The lighting device 40 comprises a holder 11 having an inner wall 11p and at least one opening 11o.

[0054] The lighting device 40 further comprises at least one light source 15 arranged to emit light, such as an LED. The lighting device 40 also comprises a diffuser 12 (or light diffuser 12) arranged to diffuse the light coming from the light source 15 towards the vehicle occupants. In other words, the diffuser 12 diffuses the light towards the user, i.e. its outer surface or external display wall 12a is the surface directly viewed by the user.

[0055] The lighting device 40 further comprises a light guide 14 arranged to guide light emitted from the light source 15 towards the diffuser 12. The light guide 14 is arranged between the light source 15 and the diffuser 12.

[0056] The light guide 14 comprises a light collecting surface 14c arranged on the side of the light source 15 and a light emitting surface 14e on the side of the diffuser 12. The light guide 14 passes right through an opening 11o in the inner wall 11p of the holder 11. That is to say, the collecting surface 14c of the light guide 14 is arranged on a first side of the opening 11o and the emitting surface 14e is arranged on a second side (typically the user side) of the opening 11o.

[0057] In other words, the light guide 14 is disposed between the collection surface 14c and the emission surface 14e, and includes a transmissive portion disposed within the opening 11o. The inner wall 11p is thus disposed between the light source 15 and the diffuser 12.

[0058] The light guide 14 is engaged with the diffuser 12 to shape the diffuser 12 to a predetermined size. Indeed, the diffuser 12 is a thin piece, and in the presented embodiment is arc-shaped, and therefore may twist or tip over both during assembly and use, potentially damaging other parts of the rim 10 or creating defective points in the light scattering, which is not only unsightly but also ineffective in accurately conveying information to the user.

[0059] The light guide 14 and the diffuser each include a coupling portion configured to fit together, i.e., the light guide 14 and the diffuser 12 may be in contact, the light guide 14 may support the diffuser 12, but the light guide 14 may also engage the diffuser 12 to lock its movement. We refer to the light guide 14 acting as a centering pin in the light guide 12, which includes a receiving surface 12s and a lateral guide wall 12g.

[0060] The lighting device 40 further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 16 connected to the light source 15 for supporting and controlling the light source 15 .

[0061] The steering wheel rim 10 further comprises a cover 18 , such as leather (or artificial leather or other), and foam 17 .

[0062] The rim 10 may further comprise an electronic device 19, covered under the cover 18, such as a presence sensor (capacitive, resistive, or other) and / or a heating element, although the latter is not essential to the invention.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows another cross-sectional view of the rim 10 including the lighting device 40 at the clip of the diffuser 12 of the lighting device 40, ie along the section II-II.

[0064] Reference numbers are included wherever possible with respect to other figures.

[0065] The cover 18 thus covers an electronic device 19 which is partially supported by the carrier 11. The printed electronic circuitry 16 controls a light source 15 which illuminates the light guide 14.

[0066] The diffuser 12 is provided with clips 12c which are arranged to engage with protrusions 11h on the retainer 11, thereby enabling the diffuser 12 to be attached to the retainer 11 by pushing the diffuser 12 into the retainer 11 and thereby moving the diffuser 12 through the top of the steering wheel.

[0067] In one embodiment, the diffuser 12 is generally U-shaped, with the arms of the U varying in length along the rim 10. In one embodiment, at least two arms of the U of the diffuser 12 may be open from a first side of the opening 11o, as shown in Figure 3. Additionally, at least two arms of the U of the diffuser 12 may be open on a second side of the opening 11o, as shown in Figure 2.

[0068] In one embodiment, the light guide 14 and the diffuser 12 may engage at several engagement points.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the holder 11 of the lighting device 40. As shown in FIG.

[0070] The holder 11 is provided with a mounting portion 11a at the bottom (or its inner surface) to guide one or more connection cables of the PCB and thus facilitate mounting of the lighting device to the steering wheel.

[0071] The holder 11 is also equipped with holes 11b to leave passages for the clips 12c of the diffuser 12 in order to attach them together when the clips 12c of the diffuser 12 are inserted from above into the holder 11. The diffuser 12 provided with the clips 12c can then be engaged with the projections 11h of the holder 11.

[0072] The holder 11 further comprises a blank 11 c which serves as a support for a cover 18 which guides the diffuser 12 during installation on the holder 11 .

[0073] 5 shows a perspective view of the diffuser 12. As mentioned above, the diffuser 12 preferably includes clips 12c located along the entire arc of the diffuser 12, for example eight clips (i.e., four on the radially inner surface of the diffuser 12 and four on the radially outer surface of the diffuser 12).

[0074] The diffuser 12 comprises lateral guide walls 12g for guiding the diffuser 12 during insertion into the holder 11. The diffuser 12 further comprises a diffusing surface or outer display wall 12a for diffusing light on the opposite side of the light guide 12.

[0075] 6 shows a top view of the light guide 14. The cover 18 is shown, and the diffuser 12 is not shown as it is not yet attached to the rim 10. The retainer 11 may further comprise retention protrusions 21 for retaining and / or centering the light guide 14 within the opening 11o. This facilitates, among other things, subsequent assembly of the diffuser.

[0076] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

[0077] In particular, reference is made to adaptations regarding the number of fixed points, such as clips 12c, that expand or contract the arc of the diffuser 12.

Claims

1. A lighting device (40) for a rim (10) of a vehicle steering wheel (1), comprising: - a holder (11) comprising at least one inner wall (11p) having at least one opening (11o); at least one light source (15) arranged to emit light, a diffuser (12) arranged to diffuse the light coming from said at least one light source (15) towards the vehicle occupants; a light guide (14) arranged to guide the light emitted from said at least one light source (15) towards said diffuser (12), the light guide (14) comprises a light collecting surface (14c) arranged on a first side of the opening (11o) and a light emitting surface (14e) arranged on a second side of the opening (11o); The diffuser (12) is formed in a substantially U-shape and has two arms extending toward the light guide (14), The inner wall (11p) is disposed between the light source (15) and the two arms; A lighting device (40), characterized in that a portion of the light guide (14) that passes through the opening (11o) and comes out to the second side is arranged to fit into ends of the two arms of the diffuser (12) on the light guide (14) side.

2. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide (14) has at least one dimension that is greater than a dimension of the opening (11o) on the side of the inner part of the holding body (11) so as to require attachment of the light guide (14) to the holding body (11) prior to positioning the lighting device (40) on the steering wheel rim (10).

3. 3. The lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diffuser (12) is provided with a clip (12c) for clipping to the holder (11).

4. 4. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the clip (12c) is arranged to be at an inner part of the holding body (11) when the diffuser (12) is assembled with the holding body (11).

5. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a side surface of the light guide (14) or the diffuser (12) is provided with a rib or guide portion.

6. The lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (11) comprises a single opening (11o).

7. 7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the holding body (11) is arranged to be covered by a steering wheel covering.

8. A vehicle steering wheel rim (10) comprising a lighting device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A vehicle comprising a steering wheel having a steering wheel rim (10) according to claim 8.

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