EP1423297A1 - Control unit which is disposed under the steering wheel - Google Patents

Control unit which is disposed under the steering wheel

Info

Publication number
EP1423297A1
EP1423297A1 EP02779626A EP02779626A EP1423297A1 EP 1423297 A1 EP1423297 A1 EP 1423297A1 EP 02779626 A EP02779626 A EP 02779626A EP 02779626 A EP02779626 A EP 02779626A EP 1423297 A1 EP1423297 A1 EP 1423297A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
steering wheel
control module
control
housing
lever
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP02779626A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Claude Peytour Chansac
Jean-Jacques Rykaert
Michel Velay
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Renault SAS
Original Assignee
Renault SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Renault SAS filed Critical Renault SAS
Publication of EP1423297A1 publication Critical patent/EP1423297A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1446—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means controlled by mechanically actuated switches
    • B60Q1/1453—Hand actuated switches
    • B60Q1/1461—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights

Definitions

  • the invention provides a control module, under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle.
  • the invention more particularly provides a control module, under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one control device which is controlled by a lever.
  • control levers which are accessible to the user when his hands are placed on the rim of the steering wheel
  • levers and the satellite are integrated into a control module arranged between the steering wheel and the dashboard.
  • a control module is also called a control module under the steering wheel.
  • the levers extend from a lateral part of a housing and are inclined towards the rear.
  • the rear parts located near the rim of the steering wheel are capable of being actuated by the driver.
  • the front parts control devices for controlling the wiping or lighting functions which are located in the lateral parts of the housing,
  • the control module also comprises a satellite which extends from one of the lateral parts of the housing and which comprises at its free end switches for controlling the radio or the multimedia device.
  • Airbags also called "airbags"
  • the airbag intended for the driver is located in the central hub of the steering wheel,
  • the airbag is arranged in a central prominence of the steering wheel which extends axially forward from the transverse plane of the rim,
  • the transverse plane of the steering wheel rim and that of the dashboard are separated by a predetermined distance which cannot be less than a minimum distance which is equal to the sum of l thickness of the housing and depth of the central prominence of the steering wheel.
  • the predetermined distance is greater than the minimum distance so as to leave a space or clearance between the front face of the case and the rear face of the dashboard so that the forward retraction of the steering wheel and of the control module is not hindered by the dashboard.
  • the ergonomics of the driving position of the vehicle is poor when the distance between the rim of the steering wheel and the free ends of the levers is too great, because of the large dimensions of the new steering wheels at the level of the central prominence. , in particular because of the presence of the airbag, it is then necessary to increase the length of the control levers so that their free ends are close to the rim of the steering wheel,
  • the invention proposes a control module, under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one device.
  • control which is controlled by a front end of a lever whose other rear free end is capable of being actuated by the user, and which is arranged at least partially in a lateral part of an overall orientation box transversal the central part of which is interposed axially between the dashboard and a central prominence of the steering wheel, which extends axially forward from the transverse plane of the steering wheel rim, characterized in that said lateral part is oriented in a direction inclined backwards with respect to the generally transverse orientation of the housing.
  • the axial thickness of the central part of the housing is reduced so as to increase the clearance which separates the front face of the housing and the rear face of the dashboard to facilitate retraction towards the front of the steering wheel and of the housing in the event of vehicle impact;
  • the prominence of the steering wheel is frustoconical with its apex oriented towards the front, and the inclined diection of each lateral part of the housing is substantially parallel to the lateral face opposite the frustoconical prominence;
  • each lever is substantially parallel to the orientation of the associated lateral part
  • each lever is of the type with low clearance, so as to improve the ergonomics of the module; each side part comprises an instrument, such as a voice recognition device, a multimedia accessories control system, or a system for controlling a sound diffusion accessory;
  • the multimedia accessories control system comprises: a) a set for adjusting the broadcast sound level comprising a switch for increasing the sound intensity, a switch for decrease the loudness, and a switch to mute the sound; b) a wheel for selecting the frequencies for receiving radio waves, the wheel being movable in translation along its axis of rotation between a stable rest position and an unstable validation position from which it is returned elastically to the stable position; c) a toggle switch for selecting a sound source;
  • the lever comprises an elongated body on which at least one selection ring is pivotally mounted along the longitudinal axis of the body between at least two angular positions each corresponding to the selection of a different function;
  • the control module comprises two control devices which are arranged in two lateral parts located on either side of the central part.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a top view of a control module which is arranged between the steering wheel and the dashboard of a motor vehicle, and which is produced according to the state of the art;
  • - Figure 2 shows a top view similar to that of Figure p above, the command module being produced according to the teachings of the invention;
  • FIG. 3 shows in perspective the command module produced according to the teachings of the invention;
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a large scale in side view a part of the control module produced according to the teachings of the invention.
  • a front-rear orientation will be used in accordance with the direction of advance of the vehicle as well as the orientation from top to bottom with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 1 represents the arrangement of a control module 10, produced according to the state of the art, which is interposed axially between the front dashboard 12 and the steering wheel 14 of the vehicle,
  • the control module 10 here comprises two control devices 16, 18 which are controlled by the front ends 20, 22 of two levers
  • the levers 24, 26 have an elongated body
  • the two control devices 16 and 18 have a minimum thickness which here corresponds substantially to the thickness El of the housing 32 of the control module 10,
  • the command module 10 also includes an instrument or satellite 33 for controlling a media player such as a car radio.
  • the satellite 33 here has the shape of a housing extending substantially parallel to the lever 24 out of the side of OITE 28 of the housing 32, as seen in FIG 1.
  • the steering wheel 14 mainly consists of a rim 36 and a central hub 38 which is extended forward by a protrusion 40 in which, for example, an airbag is arranged.
  • the prominence 40 may also be due to the drive device of the steering column in the case of a steering wheel with a fixed hub.
  • the two levers 24, 26 are inclined rearward relative to the transverse plane of the housing 32, so that their free ends rear 42, 44 are located near the rim 36 of the steering wheel 14,
  • the driver can control the control devices 16, 18 by actuating the levers 24, 26 by their associated rear free ends 42, 44,
  • the actuation of the free ends 42, 44 of the levers 24, 26 may consist of rotational movements of the levers around vertical axes VI, V2 and / or horizontal axes Hl, H2, each position in which the levers 24, 26 make it possible to control functions such as the wiping speed or the lighting mode of the road.
  • the extreme angular positions of the lever 24 which are separated by a angle a,
  • the rear free end 42 of the lever 24 travels the path Tl between its two extreme positions, when the lever 24 pivots about the vertical axis VI,
  • the clearance Jl In order to provide the driver of the vehicle with maximum safety in the event of an impact, ie to allow the steering wheel 14 to be retracted forwards, provision is made for a space or clearance Jl between the front face 45 of the housing. 32 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard 12. In practice, the clearance Jl must be of the order of 60 mm.
  • the distance Dl between the flywheel 14 and the rear face 50 of the board 'edge 12 should not be too large
  • the distance Dl corresponds to the sum of the thickness El of the housing 32 of the control module 10, the axial clearance Jl, and the depth PI which corresponds to the distance between the median plane of the rim 36 of the steering wheel 14 and the face before 48 of prominence 40.
  • the thickness E1 of the housing 32 of the control module 10 is mainly determined by the dimensions of the control devices 16, 18.
  • the depth PI of the prominence 40 is in turn determined by the size of the airbag and its deployment device (not shown). It is advantageous to increase the axial play Jl so as to increase the axial retraction distance of the steering wheel 14 and of the control module 10 in the event of an impact, which improves the safety of the driver. In known systems such as that shown in FIG. 1, the increase in the axial play Jl necessarily results in an increase in the distance Dl, since the thickness El and the depth PI are at their minimum and they are determined by technical constraints on the size of their components.
  • the increase in the distance D1 is undesirable since it results in an increase in the axial size of the driving position.
  • the invention proposes that the lateral parts 28, 30, in which the control devices 16, 18 are arranged, are oriented in directions dl, d2 inclined rearward relative to the orientation generally transverse of the housing 32.
  • the thickness of the central part 34 of the housing 32 no longer depends on the size of the control devices 16, 18,
  • the axial thickness E2 of the central part 34 of the housing is reduced. This increases the axial play J2 which separates the front face 45 of the housing 32 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard 12, without modifying the distance Dl between the steering wheel 14 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard 12 ,
  • the invention allows. thus improving the safety of the vehicle in the event of an impact, by allowing the steering wheel 14 to be retracted in the area released by the clearance J2 which extends between the front face 45 of the housing 32 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard. 12.
  • the prominence 40 of the steering wheel 14 is generally frustoconical in shape with its apex oriented towards the front.
  • the inclined directions dl, d2 of the lateral parts 28, 30 can advantageously be inclined in directions substantially parallel to those of the lateral faces 52 of the prominence 40, this makes it possible to improve the aesthetics of the driving position, in particular by integrating a system control 64 of the media diffuser in an end face of the right lateral part 28, and this makes it possible to optimize the size of the steering wheel 14 and of the control module 10,
  • the general direction of the levers 24, 26 is also advantageously substantially parallel to the orientation of the associated lateral parts 28, 30, that is to say that they extend in the extension of the parts 28, 30.
  • the invention also makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of the control module 10.
  • the levers 24, 26 are of the type with low clearance, that is to say that the paths T2 traversed by the rear free ends 42, 44 levers 24, 26 between the two extreme positions of actuation of the associated control (shown in thin lines for the lever 24 in Figure 2) are reduced. This is mainly due to their short lengths.
  • the lateral parts 28, 30 being inclined towards the rear, they allow the control devices 16, 18 to be brought closer to the rim 36 of the steering wheel 14. Consequently, the levers 24, 26 can be shortened,
  • the lateral parts 28 and 30 may comprise an instrument which can be, by way of nonlimiting example, respectively a voice recognition device 60 and a voice recognition system.
  • piloting 62 of multimedia accessories including in particular a radio or a regulator or speed limiter piloting system
  • This piloting system 62 can be connected to the control device independently of the lever control device 24, This independence makes it possible to manage the diversity services offered to the driver, ordered from box 32, It thus avoids the diversity of the number of boxes on the assembly line, the diversity of functions being obtained by adding, on the housing 32, an additional control device.
  • the voice recognition device 60 is composed of a microphone connected to a processing system which makes it possible to recognize instructions provided by voice by the driver of the vehicle.
  • the device 60 is here located under the control lever 26.
  • the control system 62 also called radio satellite, here comprises a block 64 for controlling the sound of the radio which is composed of two upper 66 and lower 68 buttons and an intermediate button 70.
  • the control system 62 also includes a member for selecting the frequencies of reception of radio waves,
  • the selection member is a thumb wheel 72 shown on a larger scale in FIG. 4,
  • the thumb wheel 72- is rotatably mounted around an axis A sensiblemen orthogonal to the direction dl inclined of the transverse part 28 and of the lever 24 and the wheel 72 extends generally in a substantially vertical plane.
  • it has indexed positions which each correspond to a function such as the selection of the reception frequency of the radio waves.
  • the control module 10 can also include a tilting member 74 which makes it possible to select the accessory controlled by the control system 62.
  • a tilting member 74 which makes it possible to select the accessory controlled by the control system 62.
  • the tilting member 74 is here, by way of example, a button which makes it possible to select the piloted accessory each time it is actuated.
  • the levers 24, 26 include rings selection which are pivotally mounted along the longitudinal axes of the bodies of the corresponding levers 24, 26 which are here aligned with the directions dl and d2 inclined. The rings are movable between at least two angular positions each corresponding to the selection of a different function or to a rest position,
  • the lever 24 can thus include first and second rings 76 and 78,
  • the position of the lever 24 can allow the actuation of the wiper arm, as well as the adjustment of the wiping speed,
  • the first ring 76 which is located at the rear free end of the lever 24 can activate a device for spraying the windshield of the vehicle with a washing liquid or can allow alternating scanning of the wiper arm of the rear window.
  • the second ring 78 of the lever 24 makes it possible, for example, according to its angular position, to adjust the timing of wiping, or the sensitivity of the rain sensors.
  • lever 26 can control the lighting of the road. It also has first and second rings 80 and 82 which allow the type of road lighting to be selected.
  • the first ring 80 which is located at the rear free end of the lever 26 can allow the activation and deactivation of the front and rear fog lights
  • the second ring 80 can in turn allow the selection of the projector which must be activated, that is to say, for example, the low beam or the high beam, it can also allow the activation of the automatic lighting of the headlights in particular as a function of the exterior brightness of the vehicle,

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit (10) which is disposed under the steering wheel and which is used to control different motor vehicle functions such as window wiping and/or lighting. The inventive unit is of the type that comprises at least one control device (16, 18), which is controlled by the front end (20, 22) of a lever (24, 26) while the free rear end (42, 44) thereof can be actuated by the user. Said control device is at least partially disposed in the side part (28, 30) of a case which is essentially oriented in a transverse manner. The central part (34) of said case is inserted axially between the dashboard (12) and a central projecting part (40) of the steering wheel (14) which extends forward axially from the transverse plane of the rim (36) of the steering wheel (14). The inventive unit is characterised in that said side part (28, 30) is oriented along a backward inclined direction (d1, d2) in relation to the essentially transverse orientation of the case (32).

Description

"Module de commandes sous le volant" "Control module under the steering wheel"
L'invention propose un module de commandes, sous le volant, de fonctions telles que l'essuyage et/ou l'éclairage d'un véhicule automobile. L'invention propose plus particulièrement un module de commandes, sous le volant, de fonctions telles que l'essuyage et/ou l'éclairage d'un véhicule automobile, du type comportant au moins un dispositif de commande qui est piloté par un levier .The invention provides a control module, under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle. The invention more particularly provides a control module, under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one control device which is controlled by a lever.
De façon à permettre au conducteur d'un véhicule automobile de commander des fonctions telles que l'essuyage de surfaces vitrées et/ou l'éclairage de la route à partir de son poste de conduite, il est connu d'agencer des leviers de commande qui sont accessibles à l'utilisateur lorsqu'il a les mains posées sur la jante du volant ,In order to allow the driver of a motor vehicle to control functions such as wiping glass surfaces and / or lighting the road from his driving position, it is known to arrange control levers which are accessible to the user when his hands are placed on the rim of the steering wheel,
Il peut ainsi commander par exemple l'activation du balayage de la paroi extérieure du pare-brise ou l'allumage des projecteurs ou phare du véhicule sans lâcher la jante du volant,It can thus control, for example, the activation of the sweeping of the outer wall of the windshield or the switching on of the headlights or headlight of the vehicle without releasing the rim of the steering wheel,
Il est aussi connu d'agencer à proximité du volant un boîtier de commande appelé satellite comportant des commutateurs en vue de permettre au conducteur de piloter une radio ou un di positif multimédia sans lâcher la jante du volant.It is also known to arrange near the steering wheel a control box called satellite comprising switches in order to allow the driver to control a radio or a multimedia device without letting go of the rim of the steering wheel.
En général, les leviers et le satellite sont intégrés à un module de commandes agencé entre le volant et la planche de bord, Un tel module de commandes est aussi appelé module de commandes sous le volant.In general, the levers and the satellite are integrated into a control module arranged between the steering wheel and the dashboard. Such a control module is also called a control module under the steering wheel.
De nombreux modèles de véhicule comportent deux leviers qui sont agencés de part et d'autre de la colonne de direction.Many vehicle models have two levers which are arranged on either side of the steering column.
De façon à faciliter l'utilisation du module de commandes, les leviers s'étendent depuis une partie latérale d'un boîtier et sont inclinés vers l'ar ière. Ainsi, les parties arrière situées à proximité de la jante du volant sont susceptibles d'être actionnées par le conducteur, Les parties avant pilotent des dispositifs de commande des fonctions d'essuyage ou d'éclairage qui sont situées dans les parties latérales du boîtier,In order to facilitate the use of the control module, the levers extend from a lateral part of a housing and are inclined towards the rear. Thus, the rear parts located near the rim of the steering wheel are capable of being actuated by the driver. The front parts control devices for controlling the wiping or lighting functions which are located in the lateral parts of the housing,
Le module de commande comporte aussi un satellite qui s'étend depuis l'une des parties latérales du boîtier et qui comporte à son extrémité libre des commutateurs de commande de la radio ou du dispositif multimédia.The control module also comprises a satellite which extends from one of the lateral parts of the housing and which comprises at its free end switches for controlling the radio or the multimedia device.
Les véhicules automobiles sont de plus en plus fréquemment équipés de coussins gonflables aussi appelés "airbags", Le coussin gonflable destiné au conducteur est situé dans le moyeu central du volant, Le coussin gonflable est agencé dans une proéminence centrale du volant qui s'étend axialement vers l'avant depuis le plan transversal de la jante, Le plan transversal de la jante du volant et celui de la planche du bord sont séparés par une distance prédéterminée qui ne peut être inférieure à une distance minimale qui est égale à la somme de l'épaisseur du boîtier et de la profondeur de la proéminence centrale du volant.Motor vehicles are more and more frequently equipped with airbags also called "airbags", The airbag intended for the driver is located in the central hub of the steering wheel, The airbag is arranged in a central prominence of the steering wheel which extends axially forward from the transverse plane of the rim, The transverse plane of the steering wheel rim and that of the dashboard are separated by a predetermined distance which cannot be less than a minimum distance which is equal to the sum of l thickness of the housing and depth of the central prominence of the steering wheel.
De façon à augmenter la sécurité du véhicule, il est prévu, en cas de choc, que le volant, le module de commande ainsi qu'une partie de la colonne de direction se rétractent vers l'avant, de façon à diminuer le risque de blessures au conducteur.In order to increase vehicle safety, it is planned, in the event of an impact, that the steering wheel, the control module and part of the steering column retract forward, so as to reduce the risk of driver injuries.
Ainsi, il est préférable que la distance prédéterminée soit supérieure à la distance minimale de façon à laisser un espace ou jeu entre la face avant du boîtier et la face arrière de la planche de bord de façon que la rétraction vers l'avant du volant et du module de commande ne soit pas gênée par la planche de bord. Par ailleurs, on constate que l'ergonomie du poste de conduite du véhicule est mauvaise lorsque la distance qui sépare la jante du volant et les extrémités libres des leviers est trop importante, Du fait des dimensions importantes des nouveaux volants au niveau de la proéminence centrale, en raison notamment de la présence du coussin gonflable, il est alors nécessaire d'augmenter la longueur des leviers de commande de manière que leurs extrémités libres soient proches de la jante du volant,Thus, it is preferable that the predetermined distance is greater than the minimum distance so as to leave a space or clearance between the front face of the case and the rear face of the dashboard so that the forward retraction of the steering wheel and of the control module is not hindered by the dashboard. Furthermore, it can be seen that the ergonomics of the driving position of the vehicle is poor when the distance between the rim of the steering wheel and the free ends of the levers is too great, because of the large dimensions of the new steering wheels at the level of the central prominence. , in particular because of the presence of the airbag, it is then necessary to increase the length of the control levers so that their free ends are close to the rim of the steering wheel,
L'augmentation de la longueur des leviers de commande provoque l'augmentation de leurs débattements angulaires nécessaires à 1 ' actionnement des dispositifs de commande associés. Cela augmente alors la durée nécessaire à l'activation d'une fonction, ce qui peut être gênant dans certaines situations d'urgence,The increase in the length of the control levers causes the increase in their angular deflections necessary for actuation of the associated control devices. This then increases the time required to activate a function, which can be inconvenient in certain emergency situations,
L'augmentation du débattement angulaire diminue aussi l'ergonomie des leviers, Cela peut même empêcher certains conducteurs de les actionner sans être obligés d'enlever la main de la jante du volant. Cette situation, qui diminue la sécurité du véhicule, se produit notamment pour des personnes ayant des mains de petite taille.The increase in angular travel also decreases the ergonomics of the levers. This can even prevent some drivers from operating them without having to remove their hand from the rim of the steering wheel. This situation, which reduces the safety of the vehicle, occurs in particular for people with small hands.
Ainsi, pour proposer un véhicule présentant une sécurité maximale, il est nécessaire de bouleverser l'architecture du poste de conduite,Thus, to offer a vehicle with maximum safety, it is necessary to disrupt the architecture of the driving position,
De façon à proposer une solution .à ces problèmes, l'invention propose un module de commandes, sous le volant, de fonctions telles que l'essuyage et/ou l'éclairage d'un véhicule automobile, du type comportant au moins un dispositif de commande qui est piloté par une extrémité avant d'un levier dont l'autre extrémité libre arrière est susceptible d'être actionnée par l'utilisateur, et qui est agencé au moins partiellement dans une partie latérale d'un boîtier d'orientation globalement transversale dont la partie centrale est interposée axialement entre la planche de bord et une proéminence centrale du volant, qui s'étend axialement vers l'avant depuis le plan transversal de la jante du volant, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie latérale est orientée selon une direction inclinée vers l'arrière par rapport à l'orientation globalement transversale du boîtier.In order to propose a solution to these problems, the invention proposes a control module, under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one device. control which is controlled by a front end of a lever whose other rear free end is capable of being actuated by the user, and which is arranged at least partially in a lateral part of an overall orientation box transversal the central part of which is interposed axially between the dashboard and a central prominence of the steering wheel, which extends axially forward from the transverse plane of the steering wheel rim, characterized in that said lateral part is oriented in a direction inclined backwards with respect to the generally transverse orientation of the housing.
Selon d'autres caractéris iques de 1 ' invention ; l'épaisseur axiale de la partie centrale du boîtier est réduite de façon à augmenter le jeu qui sépare la face avant du boîtier et la face arrière de la planche de bord pour faciliter la rétraction vers l'avant du volant et du boîtier en cas de choc du véhicule ; la proéminence du volant est de forme tronconique avec son sommet orienté vers l'avant, et la di ection inclinée de chaque partie latérale du boîtier est sensiblement parallèle à la face latérale en vis-à-vis de la proéminence tronconique ;According to other features of the invention; the axial thickness of the central part of the housing is reduced so as to increase the clearance which separates the front face of the housing and the rear face of the dashboard to facilitate retraction towards the front of the steering wheel and of the housing in the event of vehicle impact; the prominence of the steering wheel is frustoconical with its apex oriented towards the front, and the inclined diection of each lateral part of the housing is substantially parallel to the lateral face opposite the frustoconical prominence;
- la direction générale de chaque levier est sensiblement parallèle à l'orien ation de la partie latérale associée ;- The general direction of each lever is substantially parallel to the orientation of the associated lateral part;
- chaque levier est du type à faible débattement, de façon à améliorer l'ergonomie du module ; chaque partie latérale comporte un instrument, tel qu'un dispositif de reconnaissance vocale, un système de pilotage d'accessoires multimédia, ou un système de pilotage d'un accessoire de diffusion sonore ; le système de pilotage des accessoires multimédia comporte : a) un ensemble de réglage du niveau sonore de diffusion comprenant un commutateur pour augmenter l'intensité sonore, un commutateur pour diminuer l'intensité sonore, et un commutateur pour couper le son ; b) une molette de sélection des fréquences de réception des ondes radio, la mollette étant mobile en translation suivant son axe de rotation entre une position stable de repos et une position instable de validation de laquelle elle est rappelée éla tiquement vers la position stable ; c) un commutateur basculant qui permet de sélectionner une source de diffusion sonore ; le levier comporte un corps allongé sur lequel au moins une bague de sélection est montée pivotante selon l'axe longitudinal du corps entre au moins deux positions angulaires correspondant chacune à la sélection d'une fonction différente ;- Each lever is of the type with low clearance, so as to improve the ergonomics of the module; each side part comprises an instrument, such as a voice recognition device, a multimedia accessories control system, or a system for controlling a sound diffusion accessory; the multimedia accessories control system comprises: a) a set for adjusting the broadcast sound level comprising a switch for increasing the sound intensity, a switch for decrease the loudness, and a switch to mute the sound; b) a wheel for selecting the frequencies for receiving radio waves, the wheel being movable in translation along its axis of rotation between a stable rest position and an unstable validation position from which it is returned elastically to the stable position; c) a toggle switch for selecting a sound source; the lever comprises an elongated body on which at least one selection ring is pivotally mounted along the longitudinal axis of the body between at least two angular positions each corresponding to the selection of a different function;
- le module de commandes comporte deux dispositifs de commande qui sont agencés dans deux parties latérales situées de part et d'autre de la partie centrale. D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés dans lesquels : - la figure 1 représente de façon schématique en vue de dessus un module de commandes qui est agencé entre le volant et la planche de bord d'un véhicule automobile, et qui est réalisé selon l'état de la technique ; - la figure 2 représente une vue de dessus similaire à celle de la figure p écédente, le module de commandes étant réalisé selon les enseignements de l'invention ; la figure 3 représente en perspective le module de commandes réalisé selon les enseignements de l'invention ;- The control module comprises two control devices which are arranged in two lateral parts located on either side of the central part. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of a control module which is arranged between the steering wheel and the dashboard of a motor vehicle, and which is produced according to the state of the art; - Figure 2 shows a top view similar to that of Figure p above, the command module being produced according to the teachings of the invention; FIG. 3 shows in perspective the command module produced according to the teachings of the invention;
- la figure 4 représente à grande échelle en vue de côté une partie du module de commandes réalisée selon les enseignements de l'invention. De façon à faciliter la compréhension de la description et des revendications, une orientation avant arrière sera utilisée conformément au sens d'avancement du véhicule ainsi qu'à l'orientation de haut en bas en référence aux figures 1 et 2.- Figure 4 shows a large scale in side view a part of the control module produced according to the teachings of the invention. In order to facilitate understanding of the description and of the claims, a front-rear orientation will be used in accordance with the direction of advance of the vehicle as well as the orientation from top to bottom with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
La figure 1 représente l'agencement d'un module de commandes 10, réalisé selon l'état de la technique, qui est interposé axialement entre la planche de bord avant 12 et le volant de direction 14 du véhi cule ,FIG. 1 represents the arrangement of a control module 10, produced according to the state of the art, which is interposed axially between the front dashboard 12 and the steering wheel 14 of the vehicle,
Le module de commandes 10 comporte ici deux dispositifs de commande 16, 18 qui sont pilotés par les extrémités avant 20, 22 de deux leviersThe control module 10 here comprises two control devices 16, 18 which are controlled by the front ends 20, 22 of two levers
24, 26 associés et qui sont agencés dans deux parties latérales 28, 30 d'un boîtier 32.24, 26 associated and which are arranged in two lateral parts 28, 30 of a housing 32.
Les leviers 24, 26 comportent un corps allongé ,The levers 24, 26 have an elongated body,
Les deux dispositifs de commande 16 et 18 présentent une épaisseur minimale qui correspond ici sensiblement à l'épaisseur El du boîtier 32 du module de commandes 10,The two control devices 16 and 18 have a minimum thickness which here corresponds substantially to the thickness El of the housing 32 of the control module 10,
Le module de commandes 10 comporte aussi un instrument ou satellite 33 de commande d'un diffuseur de média tel qu'un autoradio. • Le satellite 33 a ici la forme d'un boîtier qui s'étend sensiblement parallèlement au levier 24 à parti de la partie latérale d oite 28 du boîtier 32, en considérant la figure 1.The command module 10 also includes an instrument or satellite 33 for controlling a media player such as a car radio. • The satellite 33 here has the shape of a housing extending substantially parallel to the lever 24 out of the side of OITE 28 of the housing 32, as seen in FIG 1.
Le volant 14 est principalement constitué d'une jante 36 et d'un moyeu central 38 qui se prolonge vers l'avant par une proéminence 40 dans laquelle, par exemple, un coussin gonflable est agencé .The steering wheel 14 mainly consists of a rim 36 and a central hub 38 which is extended forward by a protrusion 40 in which, for example, an airbag is arranged.
La proéminence 40 peut aussi être due au dispositif d'entraînement de la colonne de direction dans le cas d'un volant à moyeu fixe.The prominence 40 may also be due to the drive device of the steering column in the case of a steering wheel with a fixed hub.
Les deux leviers 24, 26 sont inclinés vers l'arrière par rapport au plan transversal du boîtier 32, de façon que leurs extrémités libres arrière 42, 44 soient situées à proximité de la jante 36 du volant 14,The two levers 24, 26 are inclined rearward relative to the transverse plane of the housing 32, so that their free ends rear 42, 44 are located near the rim 36 of the steering wheel 14,
Ainsi, le conducteur peut piloter les dispositifs de commande 16, 18 en actionnant les leviers 24, 26 par leurs extrémités libres arrière 42, 44 associées ,Thus, the driver can control the control devices 16, 18 by actuating the levers 24, 26 by their associated rear free ends 42, 44,
L ' act ionnement des extrémités libres 42, 44 des leviers 24, 26 peut consister en des mouvements de rotation des leviers autour d'axes verticaux VI, V2 et/ou d'axes horizontaux Hl , H2 , Chaque position dans laquelle sont actionnés les leviers 24, 26 permet de commander des fonctions telles que la vitesse d'essuyage ou le mode d'éclairage de la route, Sur la figure 1, on a représenté en trait fin les positions angulaires extrêmes du levier 24 qui sont séparées d'un angle a, Ainsi, l'extrémité libre arrière 42 du levier 24 parcours le trajet Tl entre ses deux positions extrêmes, lorsque le levier 24 pivote autour de l'axe vertical VI,The actuation of the free ends 42, 44 of the levers 24, 26 may consist of rotational movements of the levers around vertical axes VI, V2 and / or horizontal axes Hl, H2, each position in which the levers 24, 26 make it possible to control functions such as the wiping speed or the lighting mode of the road. In FIG. 1, the extreme angular positions of the lever 24 which are separated by a angle a, Thus, the rear free end 42 of the lever 24 travels the path Tl between its two extreme positions, when the lever 24 pivots about the vertical axis VI,
De façon à fournir au conducteur du véhicule une sécurité maximale en cas de choc, c'est à dire à permettre la rétraction du volant 14 vers l'avant, il est prévu de ménager un espace ou jeu Jl entre la face avant 45 du boîtier 32 et la face arrière 50 de la planche de bord 12. En pratique, le jeu Jl doit être de l'ordre de 60 mm.In order to provide the driver of the vehicle with maximum safety in the event of an impact, ie to allow the steering wheel 14 to be retracted forwards, provision is made for a space or clearance Jl between the front face 45 of the housing. 32 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard 12. In practice, the clearance Jl must be of the order of 60 mm.
La distance Dl entre le volant 14 et la face arrière 50 de la planche' de bord 12, ne doit pas être trop importante,The distance Dl between the flywheel 14 and the rear face 50 of the board 'edge 12 should not be too large,
La distance Dl correspond à la somme de l'épaisseur El du boîtier 32 du module de commandes 10, du jeu axial Jl, et de la profondeur PI qui correspond à la distance entre le plan médian de la jante 36 du volant 14 et la face avant 48 de la proéminence 40.The distance Dl corresponds to the sum of the thickness El of the housing 32 of the control module 10, the axial clearance Jl, and the depth PI which corresponds to the distance between the median plane of the rim 36 of the steering wheel 14 and the face before 48 of prominence 40.
L'épaisseur El du boîtier 32 du module de commandes 10 est principalement déterminée par les dimensions des dispositifs de commande 16, 18. La profondeur PI de la proéminence 40 est quant à elle déterminée par l'encombrement du coussin gonflable et de son dispositif de déploiement (non représentés). II est intéressant d'augmenter le jeu axial Jl de manière à augmenter la distance axiale de rétraction du volant 14 et du module de commandes 10 en cas de choc, ce qui améliore la sécurité du conducteur . Dans les systèmes connus tels que celui qui est représenté sur la figure 1, l'augmen ation du jeu axial Jl entraîne obligatoirement une augmentation de la distance Dl, puisque l'épaisseur El et la profondeur PI sont ,à leur minimum et elles sont déterminées par des contraintes techniques d'encombrement de leurs cons i tuants .The thickness E1 of the housing 32 of the control module 10 is mainly determined by the dimensions of the control devices 16, 18. The depth PI of the prominence 40 is in turn determined by the size of the airbag and its deployment device (not shown). It is advantageous to increase the axial play Jl so as to increase the axial retraction distance of the steering wheel 14 and of the control module 10 in the event of an impact, which improves the safety of the driver. In known systems such as that shown in FIG. 1, the increase in the axial play Jl necessarily results in an increase in the distance Dl, since the thickness El and the depth PI are at their minimum and they are determined by technical constraints on the size of their components.
L'augmentation de la distance Dl n'est pas souhaitable car elle entraîne une augmentation de l'encombrement axial du poste de conduite.The increase in the distance D1 is undesirable since it results in an increase in the axial size of the driving position.
De plus, on constate que plus la profondeur PI de la proéminence 40 du volant 14 est importante, plus il est nécessaire d'augmenter la longueur des leviers 24 et 26, Par conséquent, pour un même déplacement angulaire a du levier 24, la longueur du trajet Tl parcouru par son extrémité libre arrière 42 est augmentée, ce qui diminue l'ergonomie du poste de conduite,In addition, it can be seen that the greater the depth PI of the prominence 40 of the steering wheel 14, the more it is necessary to increase the length of the levers 24 and 26. Consequently, for the same angular displacement a of the lever 24, the length of the path Tl traveled by its rear free end 42 is increased, which reduces the ergonomics of the driving position,
De façon à résoudre ces problèmes, l'invention propose que les parties latérales 28, 30, dans lesquelles les dispositifs de commande 16, 18 sont agencés, soient orientées selon des directions dl, d2 inclinées vers l'arrière par rapport à l'orientation globalement transversale du boîtier 32.In order to solve these problems, the invention proposes that the lateral parts 28, 30, in which the control devices 16, 18 are arranged, are oriented in directions dl, d2 inclined rearward relative to the orientation generally transverse of the housing 32.
Ainsi, l'épaisseur de la partie centrale 34 du boîtier 32 ne dépend plus de l'encombrement des dispositifs de commande 16, 18, Avantageusement, l'épaisseur axiale E2 de la partie centrale 34 du boîtier est réduite. Cela permet d'augmenter le jeu axial J2 qui sépare la face avant 45 du boîtier 32 et la face arrière 50 de la planche de bord 12, sans modifier la distance Dl entre le volant 14 et la face arrière 50 de la planche de bord 12,Thus, the thickness of the central part 34 of the housing 32 no longer depends on the size of the control devices 16, 18, Advantageously, the axial thickness E2 of the central part 34 of the housing is reduced. This increases the axial play J2 which separates the front face 45 of the housing 32 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard 12, without modifying the distance Dl between the steering wheel 14 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard 12 ,
L'invention permet. ainsi d'améliorer la sécurité du véhicule en cas de choc, en permettant la rétraction du volant 14 dans la zone libérée par le jeu J2 qui s'étend entre la face avant 45 du boîtier 32 et la face arrière 50 de la planche de bord 12.The invention allows. thus improving the safety of the vehicle in the event of an impact, by allowing the steering wheel 14 to be retracted in the area released by the clearance J2 which extends between the front face 45 of the housing 32 and the rear face 50 of the dashboard. 12.
Ici, la proéminence 40 du volant 14 est de forme globalement tronconique avec son sommet orienté vers l'avant.Here, the prominence 40 of the steering wheel 14 is generally frustoconical in shape with its apex oriented towards the front.
Les directions inclinées dl, d2 des parties latérales 28, 30 peuvent être avantageusement inclinées selon des directions sensiblement parallèles à celles des faces latérales 52 de la proéminence 40, Cela permet d'améliorer l'esthétique du poste de conduite, notamment en intégrant un système de commande 64 du diffuseur de média dans une face d'extrémité de la partie latérale droite 28, et cela permet d'optimiser l'encombrement du volant 14 et du module de commandes 10 ,The inclined directions dl, d2 of the lateral parts 28, 30 can advantageously be inclined in directions substantially parallel to those of the lateral faces 52 of the prominence 40, this makes it possible to improve the aesthetics of the driving position, in particular by integrating a system control 64 of the media diffuser in an end face of the right lateral part 28, and this makes it possible to optimize the size of the steering wheel 14 and of the control module 10,
La direction générale des leviers 24, 26 est aussi avantageusement sensiblement parallèle à l'o ientation des parties latérales 28, 30 associées, c'est-à-dire qu'ils s'étendent dans le prolongement des parties 28, 30.The general direction of the levers 24, 26 is also advantageously substantially parallel to the orientation of the associated lateral parts 28, 30, that is to say that they extend in the extension of the parts 28, 30.
L'invention permet aussi d'améliorer l'ergonomie du module de commandes 10. Les leviers 24, 26 sont du type à faible débattement, c'est-à-dire, que les trajets T2 parcourus par les extrémités libres arrière 42, 44 des leviers 24, 26 entre les deux positions extrêmes d ' act ionnement des dispositifs de commande associés (représentées en trait fin pour le levier 24 sur la figure 2) sont réduits. Cela est principalement dû à leurs faibles longueurs L. En effet, les parties latérales 28, 30 étant inclinées vers l 'arrière, elles permettent de rapprocher les dispositifs de commande 16, 18 de la jante 36 du volant 14. Par conséquent, les leviers 24, 26 peuvent être raccourcis,The invention also makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of the control module 10. The levers 24, 26 are of the type with low clearance, that is to say that the paths T2 traversed by the rear free ends 42, 44 levers 24, 26 between the two extreme positions of actuation of the associated control (shown in thin lines for the lever 24 in Figure 2) are reduced. This is mainly due to their short lengths. In fact, the lateral parts 28, 30 being inclined towards the rear, they allow the control devices 16, 18 to be brought closer to the rim 36 of the steering wheel 14. Consequently, the levers 24, 26 can be shortened,
Les débattements angulaires des leviers 24, 26 étant diminués, cela permet à quasiment tous les conducteurs, quelles que soient les dimensions de leurs mains et de leurs doigts d'accéder aux extrémités libres arrière 42, 44 des leviers 24, 26 et de pouvoir les actionner, Selon d'autres caractéristiques, qui sont notamment illustrées à la figure 3, les parties latérales 28 et 30 peuvent comporter un instrument qui peut être, à titre d'exemple non limitatif , respectivement un dispositif de reconnaissance vocale 60 et un système de pilotage 62 d'accessoires multimédia comportant notamment une radio ou un système de pilotage de régulateur ou limitateur de vitesse, Ce système de pilotage 62 peut être relié au dispositif de commande indépendamment du dispositif de commande du levier 24, Cette indépendance permet de gérer la diversité des prestations offerte au conducteur, commandées depuis le boîtier 32 , Elle évite ainsi la diversité du nombre de boîtiers sur la chaîne de montage, la diversité des fonctions étant obtenue par ajout, sur le boîtier 32, d'un dispositif de commande supplémentaire .The angular deflections of the levers 24, 26 being reduced, this allows almost all the conductors, whatever the dimensions of their hands and fingers, to access the rear free ends 42, 44 of the levers 24, 26 and to be able to actuate, According to other characteristics, which are illustrated in particular in FIG. 3, the lateral parts 28 and 30 may comprise an instrument which can be, by way of nonlimiting example, respectively a voice recognition device 60 and a voice recognition system. piloting 62 of multimedia accessories including in particular a radio or a regulator or speed limiter piloting system, This piloting system 62 can be connected to the control device independently of the lever control device 24, This independence makes it possible to manage the diversity services offered to the driver, ordered from box 32, It thus avoids the diversity of the number of boxes on the assembly line, the diversity of functions being obtained by adding, on the housing 32, an additional control device.
Le dispositif de reconnaissance vocale 60 est composé d'un microphone relié à un système de traitement qui permet de reconnaître des instructions fournies vocalement par le conducteur du véhicule. Le dispositif 60 est ici situé sous le levier 26 de commande. Le système de pilotage 62, aussi appelé satellite radio, comporte ici un pavé 64 de pilotage du son de la radio qui est composé de deux boutons supérieur 66 et inférieur 68 et d'une touche intermédiaire 70.The voice recognition device 60 is composed of a microphone connected to a processing system which makes it possible to recognize instructions provided by voice by the driver of the vehicle. The device 60 is here located under the control lever 26. The control system 62, also called radio satellite, here comprises a block 64 for controlling the sound of the radio which is composed of two upper 66 and lower 68 buttons and an intermediate button 70.
Les boutons supérieur 66 et inférieur 68 permettent, par exemple, d'augmenter et de diminuer le niveau sonore, la touche intermédiaire 70 peut quant à elle permettre de couper le son, Le système de pilotage 62 comporte aussi un organe de sélection des fréquences de réception des ondes radio, Conformément à l'invention, l'organe de sélection est une molette 72 représentée à plus grande échelle à la figure 4, La molette 72- est montée à rotation autour d'un axe À sensiblemen orthogonal à la direction dl inclinée de la partie transversale 28 et du levier 24 et la mollette 72 s'étend globalement dans un plan sensiblement vertical. De façon à faciliter l'utilisation de la molette 72, elle présente des positions indexées qui correspondent chacune à une fonction telle que la sélection de la fréquence de réception des ondes radio.The upper 66 and lower 68 buttons allow, for example, to increase and decrease the sound level, the intermediate button 70 can meanwhile cut the sound. The control system 62 also includes a member for selecting the frequencies of reception of radio waves, In accordance with the invention, the selection member is a thumb wheel 72 shown on a larger scale in FIG. 4, The thumb wheel 72- is rotatably mounted around an axis A sensiblemen orthogonal to the direction dl inclined of the transverse part 28 and of the lever 24 and the wheel 72 extends generally in a substantially vertical plane. In order to facilitate the use of the wheel 72, it has indexed positions which each correspond to a function such as the selection of the reception frequency of the radio waves.
De plus, elle est mobile en translation suivant son axe de rotation entre une position avant stable de repos et une position instable de validation dans laquelle elle est tirée vers l'arrière et depuis laquelle elle est rappelée élast iquement vers la position stable, Ainsi, 1 ' act ionnement de la molette 72 vers sa position instable peut permettre de valider une fonction,In addition, it is movable in translation along its axis of rotation between a stable front position of rest and an unstable validation position in which it is pulled back and from which it is elastically returned to the stable position, Thus, Actuation of the wheel 72 to its unstable position can enable a function to be validated,
Le module de commandes 10 peut aussi comporter un organe de basculement 74 qui permet de sélectionner l'accessoire piloté par le système de pilotage 62. Ainsi, 1 ' act ionnement de l'organe de basculement 74 permet le pilotage de la radio, d'un lecteur CD, d'un appareil multimédia ou d'un logiciel de navigation par le système 62 commun. L'organe de basculement 74 est ici, à titre d'exemple, un bouton qui permet de sélectionner l'accessoire piloté à chaque fois qu'il est ac ionné , De plus, selon l'invention les leviers 24, 26 comportent des bagues de sélection qui sont montées pivotantes selon les axes longitudinaux des corps des leviers 24, 26 correspondant qui sont ici alignés avec les directions dl et d2 inclinées. Les bagues sont mobiles entre au moins deux positions angulaires correspondant chacune à la sélection d'une fonction différente ou à une position de repos,The control module 10 can also include a tilting member 74 which makes it possible to select the accessory controlled by the control system 62. Thus, the actuation of the tilting member 74 allows the radio, a CD player, a multimedia device or software for navigation by the common system 62. The tilting member 74 is here, by way of example, a button which makes it possible to select the piloted accessory each time it is actuated. In addition, according to the invention, the levers 24, 26 include rings selection which are pivotally mounted along the longitudinal axes of the bodies of the corresponding levers 24, 26 which are here aligned with the directions dl and d2 inclined. The rings are movable between at least two angular positions each corresponding to the selection of a different function or to a rest position,
Le levier 24 peut ainsi comporter une première et une seconde bagues 76 et 78,The lever 24 can thus include first and second rings 76 and 78,
La position du levier 24 peut permettre 1 ' ac ionnement du bras d ' essuie-glace , ainsi que le réglage de la vitesse essuyage,The position of the lever 24 can allow the actuation of the wiper arm, as well as the adjustment of the wiping speed,
La première bague 76 qui est située à l'extrémité libre arrière du levier 24 peut activer un dispositif d'aspersion du pare-brise du véhicule par un liquide de lavage ou peut permettre le balayage alternatif du bras d'essuyage de la lunette arrière. La deuxième bague 78 du levier 24 permet par exemple, selon sa position angulaire, le réglage du cadencement d'essuyage, ou de la sensibilité des capteurs de pluie.The first ring 76 which is located at the rear free end of the lever 24 can activate a device for spraying the windshield of the vehicle with a washing liquid or can allow alternating scanning of the wiper arm of the rear window. The second ring 78 of the lever 24 makes it possible, for example, according to its angular position, to adjust the timing of wiping, or the sensitivity of the rain sensors.
De façon similaire, le levier 26 peut commander l'éclairage de la route, Il comporte aussi une première et une seconde bagues 80 et 82 qui permettent de sélectionner le type d'éclairage de la route .Similarly, the lever 26 can control the lighting of the road. It also has first and second rings 80 and 82 which allow the type of road lighting to be selected.
Ainsi, la première bague 80 qui est située à l'extrémité libre arrière du levier 26 peut permettre l'activation et la désact ivat ion des feux de brouillard avant et arrière,Thus, the first ring 80 which is located at the rear free end of the lever 26 can allow the activation and deactivation of the front and rear fog lights,
La seconde bague 80 peut quant à elle permettre la sélection du projecteur qui doit être activé, c'est-à-dire, par exemple, le projecteur de croisement ou le projecteur de route, Elle peut aussi permettre l'activation de l'allumage automatique des projecteurs notamment en fonction de la luminosité extérieure du véhicule,The second ring 80 can in turn allow the selection of the projector which must be activated, that is to say, for example, the low beam or the high beam, it can also allow the activation of the automatic lighting of the headlights in particular as a function of the exterior brightness of the vehicle,
La description qui précède n'est pas limitative, En effet, les fonctions commandées par les dispositifs 16, 18 ainsi que celles pilotées par le système 62 peuvent être très variées. The foregoing description is not limiting. Indeed, the functions controlled by the devices 16, 18 as well as those controlled by the system 62 can be very varied.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1, Module de commandes (10), sous le volant, de fonctions telles que l'essuyage et/ou l'éclairage d'un véhicule automobile, du type comportant au moins un dispositif de commande (16, 18) qui est piloté par une extrémité avant (20, 22) d'un levier (24, 26) dont l'autre extrémité libre arrière (42, 44) est su ceptible d'être actionnée par l'utilisateur, et qui est agencé' au moins partiellement dans une partie latérale (28, 30) d'un boîtier (32) d'orienta ion globalement transversale dont la partie centrale (34) est interposée axialement entre la planche de bord (12) et une proéminence centrale (40) du volant (14), qui s'étend axialement vers l'avant depuis le plan transversal de la jante (36) du volant (14) , caractérisé en ce que ladite partie latérale (28, 30) est orientée selon une direction inclinée (dl, d2) vers l'arrière par rapport à l'orientation globalement transversale du boîtier (32) .1, control module (10), under the steering wheel, for functions such as wiping and / or lighting a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one control device (16, 18) which is controlled by a front end (20, 22) of a lever (24, 26) whose other rear free end (42, 44) is capable of being actuated by the user, and which is arranged 'at least partially in a lateral part (28, 30) of a housing (32) of generally transverse orientation whose central part (34) is interposed axially between the dashboard (12) and a central prominence (40) of the steering wheel (14 ), which extends axially forward from the transverse plane of the rim (36) of the steering wheel (14), characterized in that said lateral part (28, 30) is oriented in an inclined direction (dl, d2) backwards with respect to the generally transverse orientation of the housing (32).
2, Module de commandes (10) selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que l'épaisseur axiale (E2) de la partie centrale (34) du boîtier (32) est réduite de façon à augmenter le jeu (J2) qui sépare la face avant (45) du boîtier (32) et la face avant (50) de la planche de bord (12) en vue de faciliter la rétraction vers l'avant du volant (14) en cas de choc du véhi cule ,2, control module (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axial thickness (E2) of the central part (34) of the housing (32) is reduced so as to increase the clearance (J2) which separates the front face (45) of the housing (32) and the front face (50) of the dashboard (12) in order to facilitate the retraction towards the front of the steering wheel (14) in the event of a vehicle impact,
3, Module de commandes (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la proéminence (40) du volant (14) est de forme tronconique avec son somment orienté vers l'avant, et en ce que la direction inclinée (dl, d2) de ladite partie latérale (28, 30) du boîtier (32) est sensiblement parallèle à la face latérale (52) en vis-à-vis de la proéminen.ce tronconique (40) .3, control module (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the prominence (40) of the steering wheel (14) is frustoconical with its apex oriented forward, and in that the inclined direction (dl, d2) of said side portion (28, 30) of the housing (32) is substantially parallel to the side face (52) opposite the frustoconical protuberance (40).
4, Module de commandes (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendica ions précédentes,4, control module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
5 caractérisé en ce que la direction générale" de chaque levier (24, 26) est sensiblement parallèle à l'orientation de la partie latérale (28, 30) associée ,5 characterized in that the general direction " of each lever (24, 26) is substantially parallel to the orientation of the associated lateral part (28, 30),
5, Module de commandes (10) selon l'une 10 quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le levier (24, 26) est du type à faible débattement, de façon à améliorer l'ergonomie du module (10),5, control module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever (24, 26) is of the type with low clearance, so as to improve the ergonomics of the module (10),
6, Module de commandes (10) selon l'une 15 quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque partie latérale (28, 30) comporte un instrument, tel qu'un dispositif de reconnaissance vocale (60), un système de pilotage (62) d'accessoires multimédia, ou un6, control module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each lateral part (28, 30) comprises an instrument, such as a voice recognition device (60), a control system (62) multimedia accessories, or a
20 système de pilotage d'un accessoire de diffusion sonor .20 control system for a sound diffusion accessory.
— 7_ —Module-- de - commandes, - (10) selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que le système de pilotage (62) des accessoires- 7_ —Module-- of - controls, - (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control system (62) of the accessories
25 multimédia comporte : a) un ensemble (64) de réglage du niveau sonore de diffusion comprenant un commutateur (66) pour augmenter l'intensité sonore, un commutateur (68) pour diminuer l'intensité sonore, et un25 multimedia comprises: a) an assembly (64) for adjusting the broadcast sound level comprising a switch (66) for increasing the sound intensity, a switch (68) for decreasing the sound intensity, and a
30 commutateur (70) pour couper le son ; b) une molette (72) de sélection des fréquences de réception des ondes radio, la mollette (72) étant mobile en translation suivant son axe de rotation entre une position stable de30 switch (70) to mute the sound; b) a wheel (72) for selecting the frequencies for receiving radio waves, the wheel (72) being movable in translation along its axis of rotation between a stable position of
35 repos et une position instable de validation de laquelle elle est rappelée élast iquement vers la position stable ; c) un commutateur basculant (74) qui permet de sélectionner une source de diffusion sonore. 35 rest and an unstable validation position from which it is elastically recalled to the stable position; c) a toggle switch (74) for selecting a sound source.
8. Module de commandes (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le levier (24, 26) comporte un corps allongé sur lequel au moins une bague de sélection (76, 78, 80, 82) est montée pivotante selon l'axe longitudinal du corps entre au moins deux positions angulaires correspondant' chacune à la sélection d'une fonction différente.8. Control module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever (24, 26) comprises an elongated body on which at least one selection ring (76, 78, 80, 82) is pivotally mounted along the longitudinal axis of the body between at least two angular positions corresponding 'to each selecting a different function.
9, Module de commandes (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte deux dispositifs de commande (16, 18) qui sont agencés dans deux parties latérales (28, 30) situées de part et d'autre de la partie centrale (34) , 10. Module de commande (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque partie latérale (28, 30) du boîtier (32) de commande comporte au moins deux dispositifs de commande pouvant être actionnés indépendamment l'un de l'autre. 9, control module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two control devices (16, 18) which are arranged in two lateral parts (28, 30) located on the side and d other of the central part (34), 10. control module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each lateral part (28, 30) of the control box (32) comprises at least two control devices which can be actuated independently of each other.
EP02779626A 2001-09-04 2002-08-09 Control unit which is disposed under the steering wheel Ceased EP1423297A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0111408A FR2829071B1 (en) 2001-09-04 2001-09-04 MODULE OF COMMANDS UNDER THE WHEEL
FR0111408 2001-09-04
PCT/FR2002/002839 WO2003020552A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2002-08-09 Control unit which is disposed under the steering wheel

Publications (1)

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EP1423297A1 true EP1423297A1 (en) 2004-06-02

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02779626A Ceased EP1423297A1 (en) 2001-09-04 2002-08-09 Control unit which is disposed under the steering wheel

Country Status (4)

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EP (1) EP1423297A1 (en)
JP (1) JP4393868B2 (en)
FR (1) FR2829071B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003020552A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2855792B1 (en) 2003-06-06 2005-07-08 Renault Sa DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATED CONTROL OF TRANSMISSION REPORTING CHANGES
JP4335057B2 (en) * 2004-04-13 2009-09-30 矢崎総業株式会社 Vehicle operation switch / handle structure
EP2106973A1 (en) 2008-04-03 2009-10-07 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Control unit under the steering wheel and associated assembly method
WO2013176184A1 (en) * 2012-05-25 2013-11-28 日野自動車 株式会社 Burner for exhaust gas purification device

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EP0820928A2 (en) * 1996-07-23 1998-01-28 Teleflex Incorporated Watercraft steering mounted accessory control assembly

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US4179592A (en) * 1977-12-21 1979-12-18 R. E. Dietz Co. Signal switch assembly
DE2843022A1 (en) * 1978-10-03 1980-04-17 Kirsten Elektrotech Dashboard console switch layout for bus drivers - has command switches manually operated without release of steering wheel
EP0820928A2 (en) * 1996-07-23 1998-01-28 Teleflex Incorporated Watercraft steering mounted accessory control assembly

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See also references of WO03020552A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003020552A1 (en) 2003-03-13
FR2829071A1 (en) 2003-03-07
FR2829071B1 (en) 2005-08-05
JP2005501772A (en) 2005-01-20
JP4393868B2 (en) 2010-01-06

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