Trim element for a vehicle steering wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a trim element (20) to be mounted on a vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising at least: - a flexible substrate (21), arranged to cover a portion of the vehicle steering wheel (10) once the trim element (20) has been mounted on the vehicle steering wheel (10); - an attachment portion (22, 23), separate from the flexible substrate (21) and comprising an attachment shape such as a male attachment shape or a female attachment shape, wherein: - the attachment portion (22, 23) is designed to be fastened to a fastening interface of the vehicle steering wheel (10) at least during part of, and / or after, an operation in which the trim element (20) is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel (10), said fastening interface comprising a fastening shape such as a female fastening shape or a male fastening shape.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: TRIM PIECE FOR A VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL Technical field of the invention

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

[0002] It is known in the prior art of vehicle steering wheels to provide trim pieces to be mounted on the vehicle steering wheel. For example, flexible sheaths are known which can be glued to all or part of a vehicle rim. On the other hand, these flexible sheaths can be difficult to mount in order to be well positioned, without folds and joined with the other components of the vehicle steering wheel. Statement of the invention

[0003] An aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a trim piece making it possible to simplify mounting on the vehicle steering wheel.

[0004] For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention relates to a trim piece to be mounted on a vehicle steering wheel, comprising at least: - a flexible substrate, arranged to cover a portion of the vehicle steering wheel once the trim piece is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel, - a hook portion, distinct from the flexible substrate and comprising a hook shape such as a male hook shape or a female hook shape, in which: - the attachment portion is arranged to be attached, at least during part of, and / or after, an operation of mounting the cladding part on the vehicle steering wheel, on a vehicle steering wheel attachment interface, comprising a attachment shape such as a female attachment shape or a male attachment shape.

[0005] According to the above implementation, the attachment portion (distinct from the flexible substrate) can be attached, at least during part of, and / or after, an operation of mounting the trim piece on the vehicle steering wheel, to the attachment interface of the vehicle steering wheel. Such an attachment allows a user to then position the trim piece on the vehicle steering wheel to precisely mount / position the trim piece and, for example, to tension it. In other words, the above implementation provides a dedicated and / or added and / or separate part or portion of the flexible substrate and intended to be attached to the steering wheel to then allow an operator to pull, position, move the trim piece before finishing mounting it on the steering wheel, the operator having both hands free to perform these operations.Typically, the trim piece is sheathed over a vehicle steering wheel rim or a peripheral area of ​​the vehicle steering wheel used to steer the vehicle. Typically, the trim piece is sheathed over all or a majority of the vehicle steering wheel rim or peripheral area.

[0006] The trim piece can be defined by the following characteristics, taken individually or in combination.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the trim piece, comprising at least the flexible substrate and at least one attachment portion, may be a single piece. According to a particular embodiment, the trim piece may be a single piece before being mounted on the steering wheel. In particular, the trim piece may be a single piece even before the attachment portion is fixed or attached to the steering wheel.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the attachment shape may be complementary to the hook shape. In other words, the attachment shape may be provided to mechanically couple to the hook shape. According to In one embodiment, the attachment form may be provided to provide a self-contained attachment to the gripping form. According to one embodiment, the attachment form may be provided to provide a permanent attachment to the gripping form. According to this implementation, the attachment form and the gripping form, once coupled, can only be uncoupled with human intervention. According to one implementation, the attachment form and the gripping form may be coupled or uncoupled with human intervention, without tools. A reversible male / female coupling may be provided. In any event, the attachment form and the gripping form (the wheel and the gripping portion), once coupled, form a fastener to which mounting forces may be applied (typically tensile forces exerted on the flexible substrate to position it without wrinkles).

[0009] According to one embodiment, the flexible substrate may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the grip portion once the trim piece is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel. The trim piece may therefore cover itself, hiding at least a portion of the grip portion. The perceived quality is improved.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the trim piece may comprise at least two attachment portions, at least one of said at least two attachment portions may be arranged to be attached, at least during part of an operation of mounting the trim piece on the vehicle steering wheel, to a dedicated attachment portion of the attachment interface of the vehicle steering wheel. In any event, according to this implementation, a single attachment portion is sufficient to permanently and / or independently fix or attach the trim piece to the steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the trim piece may comprise only two attachment portions. Indeed, it may be sufficient to provide two attachment portions to have a first attachment portion which allows an initial attachment to the steering wheel (at the start of mounting the trim piece) and a second attachment portion which allows final attachment to the steering wheel (at the end of assembly of the trim piece).

[0011] According to one embodiment, said at least two attachment portions may each be arranged at one end of the flexible substrate. According to one embodiment, the flexible substrate may have an elongated shape in an axial direction, and said at least two attachment portions may each be arranged at one end of the flexible substrate in the axial direction.

[0012] According to one embodiment, said at least two attachment portions may be structurally or physically different from one another. In particular, a first attachment portion of said at least two attachment portions may comprise a first docking interface provided to allow docking of the other (called a second attachment portion) of said at least two attachment portions. The second attachment portion of said at least two attachment portions may comprise a second docking interface, different from the docking interface, for docking on the first attachment portion of said at least two attachment portions. In particular, it is possible to provide, for example, a hook on one of said at least two attachment portions, the end of which can engage in a hole on the other of said at least two attachment portions.

[0013] According to one embodiment, one of said at least two attachment portions may be arranged to be fixed or taken up on the other of said at least two attachment portions. In other words, the trim piece is fixed to itself, but at least one of the attachment portions is attached to the vehicle steering wheel (at the attachment interface). The forces are better absorbed. According to this implementation, a first attachment portion may be fixed to the steering wheel, the assembly may continue by placing the flexible substrate on the steering wheel (typically by pulling on the first attachment portion fixed to the steering wheel), and the assembly may be completed by hanging or fixing the second hanging portion on the first hanging portion.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the trim piece may comprise several gripping portions distributed along the trim piece, to provide force absorption on the vehicle steering wheel during assembly. The perceived quality is improved, the risk of creases or appearance defects is reduced.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion may have: - a first interface surface in contact with the flexible substrate, - a second interface surface arranged to be in contact with the attachment interface, the first interface surface may be greater than the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is greater than 120% of the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is greater than 160% of the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is greater than twice the second interface surface. Such an implementation makes it possible to distribute the forces well between the attachment portion and the flexible substrate. The risks of folds, tears, or defects are reduced.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion may be more rigid than the flexible substrate. According to one embodiment, the attachment portion may be a polymer part (plastic, polyamide, polyethylene, etc.) attached to the flexible substrate.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first interface surface may extend over more than 5 mm, more than 7 mm, more than 10 mm, more than 15 mm, in a direction normal to a direction of application of a mounting force exerted on the flexible substrate, or in an axial or longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate, flat before mounting. Such an implementation makes it possible to distribute the forces well between the attachment portion and the flexible substrate. Risks of creases, tears, or defects are reduced.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion may be arranged to support or resist an assembly force such as a tensile or tension force to stretch the cladding part. In other words, the attachment portion is provided to allow tensioning (unfolding) of the cladding part during its assembly. Such a function makes it possible to ensure elimination of the risk of tearing during assembly.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion can be attached to the flexible substrate by gluing and / or by an adhesive and / or by welding and / or by overmolding.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion may be at least partially arranged in a fold of the flexible substrate or in a fold of the flexible substrate. The connection between the two parts is solid. In other words, according to this implementation, the flexible substrate may be folded over the attachment portion. Typically, the flexible substrate may cover a first face of the attachment portion and be folded over a second face of the attachment portion. The attachment portion may be sandwiched by the flexible substrate, which may improve the anchoring of the flexible substrate on the attachment portion, in particular if the flexible substrate is fragile.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the covering part may comprise an adhesive film arranged on the flexible substrate and arranged at least in part between the flexible substrate and the attachment portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the adhesive film may be arranged to attach the flexible substrate to the vehicle steering wheel. The same adhesive film may be used to attach the flexible substrate to the vehicle steering wheel and to attach the gripping portion to the flexible substrate.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion can be arranged to fit onto the attachment interface, by elastic fitting or by sliding.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the sliding fitting can be done in a direction parallel to a direction of application of a mounting force of the covering part on the vehicle steering wheel or in a direction parallel to an axial or longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate or of the covering part.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the attachment portion can be arranged to receive a fixing element, such as a pin with an elastic base.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the trim piece may form a sheath to be placed on a portion of the vehicle steering wheel and in particular on a vehicle steering wheel rim or on a peripheral area of ​​the vehicle steering wheel used to steer the vehicle. According to one embodiment, the trim piece may form an inner (invisible) layer of the vehicle steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the trim piece may form an outer (visible) layer of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0027] According to one embodiment, in a front view of the steering wheel or from a driver of the vehicle, the trim piece can cover a rim of the steering wheel over at least 180°, preferably over at least 200°, preferably over at least 270°, for example over 360°. According to this implementation, the trim piece can cover at least 180° of the rim of the steering wheel (at least half of the rim of the steering wheel), along an axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the flexible substrate may comprise or may form an electrically conductive element. Such a flexible substrate may be fragile, typically more fragile than a decorative outer sheath (a leather sheath for example).

[0029] According to one embodiment, the covering part can form a heating element.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the flexible substrate may comprise or may form a heating element or an element forming part of a capacitive detection sensor. Such a flexible substrate may be fragile, typically more fragile than a decorative outer sheath (a leather sheath for example).

[0031] According to one embodiment, the covering part can form a detection sensor, such as for example a sensor for detecting contact or proximity of the vehicle steering wheel with a limb of a user.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the flexible substrate may comprise or may form a decorative element, arranged to be visible, such as an external sheath of the vehicle steering wheel. The flexible substrate may be natural or artificial leather.

[0033] A second aspect of the invention may relate to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: - at least one piece of cladding according to the first aspect, - an attachment interface, formed in a foam of the vehicle steering wheel or in an added part of the steering wheel and distinct from the foam, in which the attachment interface receives or interfaces at least partially with the two attachment portions.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the attachment interface may be formed in a frame of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0035] A third aspect of the invention may relate to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: - at least one piece of cladding according to the first aspect, - an attachment interface, in which: - the attachment interface may be formed in a foam of the vehicle steering wheel or in an added part of the steering wheel and separate from the foam, and / or - said at least one attachment portion and / or the attachment interface may form a finishing groove; the finishing groove may receive an external sheath seam and / or a decorative piece. Thus said at least one attachment portion and / or the attachment interface are advantageously hidden from a user of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel may include a gripping portion (e.g., a rim or a handle) to be grasped to steer the vehicle, and the trim piece may be mounted at least partially around or over the gripping portion.

[0037] A fourth aspect may relate to a method of manufacturing or assembling a vehicle steering wheel, comprising the steps of: - obtain a blank vehicle steering wheel including an attachment interface, - provide a piece of covering according to the first aspect, preferably independent and in one piece, - fix or attach the hook portion to the attachment interface of the steering wheel blank, - apply the flexible substrate to the steering wheel blank.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the step of affixing the flexible substrate may comprise a step of manipulating the flexible substrate with two hands, the trim piece being connected to the steering wheel blank only by the grip portion. According to one embodiment, the step of affixing the flexible substrate may comprise a step of pulling on the flexible substrate, for example with two hands, the trim piece being connected to the steering wheel blank only by the grip portion.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the step of affixing the flexible substrate may comprise a step of covering a rim of the steering wheel with the flexible substrate. According to one embodiment, the step of affixing the flexible substrate may comprise a step of covering a rim of the steering wheel with the flexible substrate in a direction tangential to an axis of rotation of the steering wheel, typically in a direction tangential to an axis of rotation of the steering wheel defined by a steering column. Description of figures

[0040] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiment(s) of the invention given as non-limiting example(s) and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0041] [fig. 1] represents a vehicle steering wheel comprising a rim covered with an external sheath, spokes, a hub and a trim piece not visible to an end user of the vehicle according to the invention;

[0042] [fig. 2] represents a detail of a zone II of the figure 1 representing a part of the rim without the external sheath and covered with the covering piece which is therefore visible in figure 2;

[0043] [fig. 3] represents the part of the rim of figure 2 without the covering piece to show an imprint formed in a foaming of the steering wheel in zone II, the imprint being able to receive gripping portions of the covering piece covering the rim;

[0044] [fig. 4] represents two attachment portions in perspective and connected to a flexible substrate of the covering part, seen from below, that is to say to show one face of the two attachment portions facing the rim and in the imprint of figure 3;

[0045] [fig. 5] represents the two attachment portions of figure 4, without the flexible substrate;

[0046] [fig. 6] represents a section of the vehicle steering wheel along an axis ll of figure 1;

[0047] [fig. 7] represents a section of the vehicle steering wheel along an axis lll-lll of figure 6;

[0048] [fig. 8] represents a section of a first variant embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel along an axis ll of figure 1;

[0049] [fig. 9] represents a view of a second variant embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel of figure 1, in which the trim piece is visible to an end user of the vehicle.

[0050] Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0051] Figure 1 shows a vehicle steering wheel 10 comprising a rim 11, a hub 12, branches 13 connecting the hub to the rim 11, and a covering piece 20 according to the invention which is not visible because it is arranged under an external sheath typically made of leather. In the example of Figure 1, the covering piece 20 covers the entire periphery of the rim, but any other type of distribution or arrangement can be provided. In particular, several covering pieces could be distributed along the periphery. In this case, one or more keyings (or poka-yoké) can be provided on the respective gripping portions. In particular, the vehicle steering wheel 10 is designed to be able to pivot around an axis normal to the plane of FIG. 1, and the covering part 20 can cover the entire periphery of the rim in a direction tangential to the axis normal to the plane of FIG. 1 (i.e. in a direction normal to the axis 11 of FIG. 1).In a direction tangential to the axis normal to the plane of FIG. 1, the covering part 20 can cover the rim over at least 60°, preferably at least 120°, at least 180°, at least 200°, and even 360°, i.e. the entire periphery of the rim 11.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a detail of a zone II of Figure 1 to show a part of the rim 11 of Figure 1 without the outer sheath, the two ends of the covering piece 20 being separated by a groove 111 formed in the rim 11 and going around the latter. The groove 111 is arranged to receive a seam of the external sheath. In another embodiment, the groove 11 can receive a decorative piece such as a ring for example.

[0053] Figure 3 represents the part of the rim 11 of Figure 2, without the covering piece 20, to show an imprint 115 formed in a foaming 112 (typically made of polyurethane for example) of the steering wheel in the zone IL In the present disclosure, the imprint 115 can receive attachment portions of the covering piece 20 covering the rim. For this purpose, the imprint 115 comprises an attachment protrusion 113 which forms a male attachment shape for attaching a attachment portion of the covering piece 20. In the example shown, the attachment protrusion 113 forms a male part in the shape of a dovetail, in order to provide the possibility of sliding on a attachment portion of the covering piece 20.

[0054] It can be noted that the groove 111 opens into the imprint 115 and the latter therefore forms a hollow cradle in the foaming 112 of the rim 11 to receive the attachment portions of the trim piece 20. In an alternative embodiment, the imprint 115, the attachment protrusion 113 and / or the groove 111 can be formed in a part added to the steering wheel separate from the foaming 112 (visible such as a part covered with wood or carbon or hidden such as a sheathing reinforcement); the attachment protrusion 113 and / or the groove 111 can also be formed in the frame 114 of the vehicle steering wheel (visible in Figure 6).

[0055] Figure 4 shows two attachment portions 22 and 23 in perspective and connected to a flexible substrate 21 of the adjacent covering part 20 of the rim 11. The two attachment portions 22 and 23 are seen from below, that is to say to show one face of the two attachment portions 22 and 23 coming opposite the rim and housed in the imprint 115 of the figure 3.

[0056] The flexible substrate 21 is or comprises, for example, an electrically conductive element. Indeed, the covering part 20 may be part of an electrical circuit of the vehicle: a heating device (the covering part 20 forms or comprises a heating sheet), or a device for detecting contact or proximity with a user (the covering part 20 forms or comprises or is part of a detection sensor, typically a capacitive sensor). The flexible substrate 21 may be or may comprise, for example, an elastic element (an operator may notably deform it by exerting traction on the flexible substrate 21 when mounting it on the steering wheel). The flexible substrate 21 may be a sheet or a surface component of constant or substantially constant thickness. The flexible substrate 21 may have a thickness of less than 1.5 mm, less than 1 mm.The flexible substrate 21 may be a woven, non-woven, injected or printed material or a combination of these materials.

[0057] With regard to the attachment portions 22 and 23, specific, added parts may be provided, such as polymer parts (plastic, polyamide, polyethylene, etc.) added to the flexible substrate 21. In any event, it may be provided that the attachment portions 22 and 23 comprise at least one part that is notably more rigid than the flexible substrate 21. In particular, it may be provided that the attachment portions 22 and 23 comprise at least one portion significantly thicker than the flexible substrate 21 (for example, a portion at least twice, three times thicker than the flexible substrate 21).

[0058] The covering part 20 comprises a hooking portion 22 and a hooking portion 23. The hooking portion 22 and the hooking portion 23 are each coupled to the flexible substrate 21, and provision may be made to fold a portion of the flexible substrate 21 over the attachment portion 22 and over the attachment portion 23 to properly secure the attachment portion 22, the hooking portion 23 and the flexible substrate 21 together. Figure 4 shows the flap of the flexible substrate 21, so that the side parts of the hooking portion 22 and the hooking portion 23 are sandwiched or interposed between the flexible substrate 21 and its flap. The flaps are also visible in Figures 6 and 7, above and below each hooking portion 22 and 23.

[0059] In particular, the hooking portion 22 comprises a tab 222 having a receiving hole, and the hooking portion 23 comprises a hook 231 whose end is engaged in the receiving hole of the tab 222.

[0060] Furthermore, it can be noted that the attachment portion 22 comprises a groove 221 which is a counterform of the attachment protuberance 113 formed in the impression 115. Consequently, the attachment portion 22 can be attached to the foaming 112 (i.e. to the rim 11) with a sliding movement which ends with the attachment portion 22 coming into abutment on a wall of the impression 115, and an operator can then pull on the remainder of the covering part 20 to mount / place / position the covering part 20 on the rim 11, typically in a direction tangential to an axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel. The covering piece 20 being attached to the rim 11 by the attachment portion 22, this assembly operation is facilitated, the operator having both hands free once the attachment portion 22 is engaged on the attachment protuberance 113. In addition, optimal positioning of the covering piece 20 relative to the steering wheel is guaranteed.

[0061] Figure 5 shows the two attachment portions 22 and 23 of Figure 4, without the flexible substrate 21. This figure clearly shows: the groove 221 of the attachment portion 22 and the hook 231, the end of which is engaged in the receiving hole of the tongue 222. It can also be noted in Figure 5 that the attachment portion 22 comprises two stop surfaces 221a and 221b designed to come into abutment on the foam 112 of the rim 11 when the operator pulls on the flexible substrate 21 to stretch or sheath it around the rim 11 (typically in a direction tangential to an axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel). In the example of Figure 5, the two stop surfaces 221a and 221b are normal to the sliding direction defined by the groove 221, but other implementations can be provided.

[0062] In summary, we can note that to assemble the trim piece on the steering wheel, the operator can: - position the steering wheel to be assembled (a steering wheel blank) on a tool, - provide yourself with a piece of clothing 20, - fix or attach the attachment portion 22 to the attachment protrusion 113 to obtain an independent and permanent attachment (which can nevertheless be undone manually if necessary), - take the gripping portion 23 with one hand and apply, smooth, reposition the flexible substrate 21 on the rim 11 with another hand, typically by exerting on the gripping portion 23 and / or the flexible substrate 21 a force tangential to the axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, - fix the hook portion 23 on the hook portion 22.

[0063] Figure 6 represents a section of the vehicle steering wheel along an axis 111 of Figure 1. It can be noted in Figure 6 that the rim 11 comprises a frame 114 (typically made of magnesium, for example) which forms a carcass of the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0064] It may also be noted that the lateral parts of the attachment portion 22 are arranged between the external part of the flexible substrate 21 and the internal flap of the flexible substrate 21. With or without the flap, the attachment portion 22 or 23 has a large contact surface with the flexible substrate 21, so that the forces exerted on the flexible substrate 21 are well distributed and transmitted to the attachment portion 22 or 23, which limits the risks of folds, wrinkles, ripples, tears of the flexible substrate 21. It may be noted that the attachment portion 22 is arranged between the external face of the substrate flexible 21 and the foaming 112. Thus the flexible substrate 21 can participate in masking the grip portion 22 of the user of the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0065] An adhesive film or glue may be provided to attach these parts together. The adhesive film or glue may also cover all or part of the inner face of the outer part of the flexible substrate 21 to bond it to the rest of the foaming 112 of the rim 11.

[0066] Figure 7 represents a section of the vehicle steering wheel 10 along an axis III-III of Figure 6. This figure 7 shows the connection between the two ends of the covering piece 20. The left of the covering piece 20 comprises the hooking portion 22, and the right of the covering piece 20 comprises the hooking portion 23. It can be noted that the hook 231 of the hooking portion 23 is engaged in the receiving hole of the tab 222 of the hooking portion 22.

[0067] It can also be noted in the upper part of figure 7 that the left and right edges of the flexible substrate 21 of the covering piece 20 are opposite the groove 111. Once the covering piece 20 is covered by an external sheath, a seam or a decorative piece can fill the groove 111 and provide a beautiful external appearance to the vehicle steering wheel 10.

[0068] Finally, it can also be considered that the attachment portion 23 is attached to the attachment interface (the attachment protrusion 113), at least indirectly, via the attachment portion 22. In any event, since the attachment portion 22 is attached to the rim 11 (the attachment protrusion 113) during the assembly of the trim part 20, the traction or tension forces exerted by the operator are directly transmitted to the internal structure of the vehicle steering wheel 10. Finally, since the attachment portion 23 is taken up on the attachment portion 22, the forces are also taken up.

[0069] Figure 8 represents a section of a first variant embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel along an axis 111 of Figure 1. In this variant embodiment, the attachment protrusion 113, visible in Figure 2, 6 or 7, is replaced by a fixing element formed in this example figure 8 by a fir tree pin 31.

[0070] In more detail, the foaming 112 is provided with a blind hole located at the bottom of the imprint 115, and during assembly, an operator can position the attachment portion 22 (attached to the flexible substrate 21) in the imprint 115, and insert the fir-tree pin 31 into the blind hole, through the through hole of the tab 222 of the attachment portion 22. Thus, the attachment or fastening of the attachment portion on the rim 11 is carried out at the very beginning of assembly of the covering part (as for the variant with the attachment protuberance 113 of FIG. 2), and this makes it possible to pull or reposition the rest of the covering part 20 on the rim 11. The same fastening can be used to fix the attachment portion 23 which may or may not be linked to the attachment portion 22.

[0071] Figure 9 shows a second variant embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel 10 of Figure 1. In the second variant shown in Figure 9, the covering piece 20 is visible. In particular, the covering piece 20 forms the external sheath covering the rim 11 (leather or any other material may be provided). In this example, the covering piece 20 comprises a flexible substrate which has an elongated shape when flat and which comprises two ends each equipped with a gripping portion similar to what has been described with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0072] An imprint similar to the imprint 115 of Figure 3 may be provided, for example in the foaming of the rim 11, at the location at the bottom of Figure 9, at 6 o'clock, and the two attachment portions of the trim piece 20 may be attached to the rim 11 and / or to each other in this imprint at 6 o'clock. A decorative piece (for example a ring 41) may then be added and cover the junction area and thus provide a nice aesthetic appearance for the user. The ring 41 may be clipped or glued or welded onto the trim piece 20. The ring 41 may be formed in two parts which couple together, around the rim 11.

[0073] To mount the covering piece 20 around the rim 11, the assembly operator can attach a gripping portion to the rim 11, then pull on the free end of the covering piece 20 to tension the flexible substrate and place / position / glue it around the rim 11 without creases, folds, wrinkles, tears, and finally attach the gripping portion of the free end to the rim 11, directly and / or via the gripping portion initially attached to the rim 11. Industrial application

[0074] A vehicle trim part and steering wheel according to the present invention, and their manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0075] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0076] In particular, in the case shown, a covering piece 20 covers the entire periphery of the steering wheel, but a different number of covering pieces 20 can be provided (for example, several covering pieces 20). It is also possible to cover non-adjacent parts, parts other than the rim, a rear face or a front face of the rim, etc. It is also possible to provide for a gripping portion 23 to be taken up on the gripping portion 22 of an adjacent covering piece.

[0077] It may be noted that in the case shown, the trim pieces 20 form heating devices, which will therefore be covered by an external sheath of the vehicle steering wheel. However, the trim pieces 20 cover a portion of the rim 11 and are considered as pieces which dress or at least partially cover the vehicle steering wheel at a given moment of its manufacture. It may be provided, as in the case shown, that the trim piece 20 is invisible to the end user of the vehicle, but it may be provided that the trim piece 20 is visible to the end user. In this case, the hanging portion(s) 22, 23 may be masked by a decorative piece.

[0078] In the example given, the flexible substrate is attached to the attachment portions 22 and 23 by an adhesive (a film, glue), but welding (ultrasonic, by heat), overmolding, or even mechanical assembly (by staples, sewing, etc.) can be provided.

[0079] Finally, it could be considered that the hooking portion 22 forms a first hooking portion 22 and the hooking portion 23 forms a second hooking portion 23. It could otherwise be considered that the hooking portion 22 forms a hooking portion 22 and the hooking portion 23 forms another hooking portion 23. In other words, the hooking portion 22 and the hooking portion 23 can be connected to the steering wheel without being connected to each other.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Trim piece (20) to be mounted on a vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising at least: - a flexible substrate (21), arranged to cover a portion of the vehicle steering wheel (10) once the trim piece (20) is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel (10), - a hooking portion (22, 23), distinct from the flexible substrate (21) and comprising a hooking shape such as a male hooking shape or a female hooking shape, in which: - the attachment portion (22, 23) is arranged to be attached, at least during part of, and / or after, an operation of mounting the trim piece (20) on the vehicle steering wheel (10), on an attachment interface of the vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising an attachment shape such as a female attachment shape or a male attachment shape.

2. A trim piece (20) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate (21) is arranged to cover at least a portion of the gripping portion (22, 23) once the trim piece (20) is mounted on the vehicle steering wheel (10).

3. Trim part (20) according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising at least two attachment portions (22, 23), at least one of said at least two attachment portions (22, 23) is arranged to be attached, at least during part of an operation of mounting the trim part (20) on the vehicle steering wheel (10), on a dedicated attachment portion of the attachment interface of the vehicle steering wheel (10).

4. A covering part (20) according to claim 3, in which the flexible substrate (21) has an elongated shape in an axial direction, and said at least two attachment portions are each arranged at one end of the flexible substrate in the axial direction.

5. Covering piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the hooking portion (22, 23) has: - a first interface surface in contact with the flexible substrate (21), - a second interface surface arranged to be in contact with the attachment interface, wherein the first interface surface is greater than the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is greater than 120% of the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is greater than 160% of the second interface surface, preferably the first interface surface is greater than twice the second interface surface.

6. Covering piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the attachment portion (22, 23) is attached to the flexible substrate (21) by gluing and / or by an adhesive and / or by welding and / or by overmolding.

7. Covering piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gripping portion (22, 23) is at least partially arranged in a fold of the flexible substrate (21) or in a fold of the flexible substrate (21).

8. Covering piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an adhesive film arranged on the flexible substrate (21) and arranged at least in part between the flexible substrate (21) and the attachment portion (22, 23).

9. Covering piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the attachment portion (22, 23) is arranged to fit onto the attachment interface, by elastic fitting or by sliding.

10. A trim piece (20) according to claim 9, wherein the sliding fitting is arranged to take place in a direction parallel to a direction of application of a mounting force of the trim piece (20) on the vehicle steering wheel (10) or in a direction parallel to an axial or longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate (21) or of the covering part (20).

11. A covering part (20) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the flexible substrate (21) comprises or forms an electrically conductive element.

12. A trim piece (20) according to claim 11, wherein the flexible substrate (21) comprises or forms a heating element or comprises or forms an element forming part of a capacitive detection sensor.

13. A trim piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible substrate (21) comprises or forms a decorative element, arranged to be visible, such as an external sheath of the vehicle steering wheel (10).

14. Vehicle steering wheel (10), comprising: - at least one trim piece (20) according to claim 3 or 4, - an attachment interface, formed in a foam of the vehicle steering wheel (10) or in an added part of the steering wheel and distinct from the foam, in which the attachment interface receives or interfaces at least partially with the two attachment portions (22, 23).

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