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
  • B60Q1/1469—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches
  • B60Q1/1476—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches comprising switch controlling means located near the free end of the lever, e.g. press buttons, rotatable rings

Definitions

• the invention relates to a control module for a lever of a control unit under a steering wheel of a motor vehicle.
• the present invention relates to a control module for electrical functions, for example wiping functions or motor vehicle lighting, for a lever generally disposed near the steering wheel to allow the driver easy access to electrical functions .
• electrical functions for example wiping functions or motor vehicle lighting
• levers have already been proposed.
• levers are known that most often have two gripping members rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of the lever and allowing the driver of the vehicle to select an electrical function by turning a gripping member to transform the different movements of the lever. these gripping members in control signals for actuating the electrical function selected by the driver.
• control module for a lever of a sub-steering control assembly having a high degree of modularity, and allowing a simplified and less expensive assembly for different electrical functions, while allowing to meet the various specifications of the manufacturers.
• the subject of the invention is a control module for a lever of a sub-steering control assembly characterized in that it comprises:
• a base intended to be secured to the lever and carrying a contact pad support having on its two opposite faces respectively first and second electric contact pads
• a first and a second control member rotatable relative to the base and respectively carrying a first and a second contact element capable of cooperating respectively with the first and second contact pads, the first and second control members being arranged symmetrically on both sides of the contact pad carrier.
• control members symmetrically on either side of the contact pad support provides a control module of high modularity whose assembly is simplified.
• the module can easily be adapted according to the customer's options even at the end of the assembly of the control lever, by modifying or replacing the support contact pads, so as to actuate electrical functions desired by the customer.
• the control module may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: the first and second control members have an identical general shape, which makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs and simplify the assembly of the module control,
• the contact pad support is in the form of a printed circuit board, preferably in the form of an overmoulded insert making it possible to easily change the circuit according to the options chosen by the customer,
• the first and second contacting elements respectively comprise a detent means for detachably fixing with the first and second control members respectively, which makes it possible to obtain an easily modulatable control module; at least one contactor element; is a high current contactor element to supply electrical energy, in particular for lighting, heating and motive power functions,
• At least one contactor element is a low-current contactor element intended to diffuse, collect or exchange information in the form of electrical signals;
• the contactor element has a general shape of an arc of circle which comprises at least two branches; hoses whose ends are able to establish two simultaneous electrical contacts to ensure the transmission of an electrical signal, said branches extending from a central base,
• the module comprises first and second indexing means for respectively indexing the positions of first and second gripping members respectively integral with the first and second control members, the first and second indexing means being arranged symmetrically on the one hand and other contact pads support, for a simple assembly of the control module,
• first and second indexing means comprise on the one hand respectively first and second indexing ramps and, on the other hand respectively, first and second plungers intended to be biased radially by means of elastic members, respectively against first and second indexing ramps,
• the first and second plungers are carried by the base and the first and second indexing ramps are formed respectively in the first and second gripping members,
• the first and second plungers are carried respectively by the first and second control members and in that the first and second indexing ramps are formed in the base,
• the first and second indexing means comprise respectively first and second indexing pins and secondly respectively a first and a second indexing ring capable of being axially biased through an organ elastically, respectively against the first and second indexing pins,
• the invention also relates to a lever of a sub-steering control assembly characterized in that it comprises a control module according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a lever of a control assembly under a steering wheel
• FIGS. 2a and 2b show sectional views of a first embodiment of a lever according to the invention
• FIGS. 3a to 3f schematically illustrate the steps of a method of assembling a lever control module of FIGS. 2a and 2b
• FIG. 4 illustrates a contactor element according to the invention
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a lever according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 represents a control member of the lever of FIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of a lever according to the invention.
• FIGS. 8a to 8f schematically illustrate the steps of a method of assembling a control module of the lever of FIG. 7.
• FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively of FIGS. 7 to 8f, corresponding to the elements of FIGS. 1 to 4 bear the same references preceded by the one hundred 1, respectively of the one hundred one. will not be described again.
• a central support connected to the steering column has laterally two levers.
• lever 1 having a longitudinal axis A1, and a first 3 and a second 5 concentric grippers mounted rotatably about the axis Al.
• gripping members 3,5 are able to be rotated by the driver of the vehicle to select electrical functions concerning, for example, the lighting (lighting the lights) or wiping (speed of the wipers).
• electrical functions may vary depending on the manufacturers and options chosen by the customer, there may be mentioned for example electrical functions for the operation of the radio or a multimedia device. Generally, these various functions are identified on the gripping members 3,5 by one or more symbols, so as to allow the driver easy location of these functions.
• the appearance and shape of the gripping members 3,5 are classically specific to each manufacturer and may vary from one lever to another.
• the lever 1 comprises a control module 7 adapted to be actuated when a gripping member 3,5 is rotated to select an electrical function and able to transform the movement of the gripping member 3,5 turned into control signals for actuating the selected function.
• control module 7 comprises a base 9 intended to be integral with the lever 1 and arranged between the two gripping members 3.5.
• This base 9 may have a cylindrical shape for simplifying the arrangement of the base 9 between the gripping members 3 and 5 arranged concentrically.
• the base 9 carries a support 11 of contact pads which has on a first face 11a of the first 12a electrical contact pads, and on a second face 11b opposite the first face 11a seconds 12b electrical contact pads .
• the control module 7 further comprises a first 13a and a second 13b control members intended to be secured respectively to the first 3 and second 5 gripping members and rotatable relative to the base 9.
• the first control member 13a (respectively the second control member 13b) carries a first contactor element 15a (respectively a second contactor element 15b) disposed opposite the first contacting pads 12a.
• the first 15a and second 15b contactor elements then cooperate with contact pads 12a, 12b carried by a support 11 of common contact pads.
• first 13a and second 13b control members are arranged symmetrically on either side of the support 11 of contact pads and preferably have a generally identical shape, which reduces the manufacturing costs since a single mold can suffice for multiple control members, and simplify the assembly of the control module 7, and the lever 1 which contains it.
• control members 13a, 13b can then be mounted integral in rotation with one or the other of the two gripping members 3,5, which allows to define standard control members adapted to several gripping members.
• the assembly of the control module can be automated.
• the support 11 of contact pads is made in the form of a printed circuit board, in English "PCB” for "Printed Circuit Board” preferably in the form of an overmoulded insert, which makes it possible to easily change the circuit according to the options chosen by the customer, without having to change the entire control module 7, which provides a greater modularity of the control module 7.
• This support also comprises unrepresented connectors for the electrical connection of the circuits with the electrical harness of the vehicle.
• a contactor element 15a, 15b comprises a latching means 16 for being removably attached to a control member 13a, 13b, further adding flexibility to the embodiment at the control module 7.
• the latching means 16 of the contactor element 15a, 15b is able to cooperate with a corresponding latching means of a control member.
• the snap-fastening means 16 is formed by an elastic hook adapted to cooperate with a hooking protrusion of a control member 13a, 13b.
• the contactor element 15a, 15b is easily interchangeable, and depending on the options chosen by the customer, one can advantageously provide both a high current contactor element a low current contactor element.
• High current designates a current capable of supplying electrical energy, in particular for lighting, heating and motive power functions (lamps, resistors, motors). The currents involved are of the order of a few mA to several A.
• a weak current designates a current intended to diffuse, collect or exchange information in the form of electrical signals.
• the currents involved are sometimes very weak (a few mA to a few ⁇ A).
• the required performance are not the same for a contactor element with high current or low current.
• the contacting elements 15a, 15b have a general shape of an arc of a circle, adapted to the cylindrical shape of the base 9.
• the contactor element 15a, 15b preferably has at least two flexible branches 17 whose ends are able to establish two simultaneous electrical contacts.
• the simultaneous contacts allow for example in case of dust or obstacle on a branch 17 to ensure the transmission of an electrical signal, thus increasing the reliability of the control module.
• the contactor element 15a, 15b comprises four flexible branches 17 whose ends are able to establish four simultaneous contacts.
• each branch 17 comprises two contact arms 19a, 19b adapted to establish the electrical contacts with the associated contact pads 12a, 12b.
• each branch 17 has at least two contact arms
• each branch 17 or contactor arm 19a, 19b has a curved end, adapted to establish electrical contact with contact pads 12a, 12b corresponding.
• the legs 17 extend from a central base 21 which suitably carries the latching means 16 to removably attach the contact member 15a, 15b and the control member 13a, 13b.
• the control module 7 also comprises first and second indexing means for respectively indexing the positions of the first 3 and second 5 gripping members.
• first 23a and second 23b indexing means are arranged symmetrically respectively on either side of the support 11 of contact pads, and are preferably of identical structure, which allows a simple assembly and little expensive control module 7 and lever 1 which contains it.
• the first and second indexing means respectively allow radial indexing of the positions of the first 3 and second 5 gripping members. More specifically, the first indexing means comprises:
• the first indexing ramps defined by an evolutive profile on the inner surface of the first gripping member 3, and
• the second indexing means comprises:
• second indexing ramps defined by an evolutive profile on the inner surface of the second gripping member 5
• second plungers 23b carried by the base 9 and intended to be radially stressed by means of associated elastic members, against the second indexing ramps.
• the elastic members are made in the form of springs 25 arranged in the base 9.
• the base 9 is made in the form of two distinct parts 9a, 9b respectively equipped with housings 29a, 29b intended to respectively receive the plungers 23a, 23b and the associated springs 25.
• control module 7 whose assembly method comprises the following steps:
• the contacting elements 15a, 15b are fixed to the control members 13a, 13b (FIG. 3a),
• the first 23a and second 23b indexing means and the associated springs 25 are respectively mounted in the housings 29a, 29b (FIG. 3b),
• the first control member 13a and the second base portion 9b are assembled so that the first contact areas 12a are opposite the contactor element 15a and the two control members 13a and 13b are arranged in such a way that symmetrical on either side of the support 11 ( Figure 3e), and
• the first base portion 9a and the second base portion 9b are assembled, so that the indexing means 23a, 23b are symmetrically disposed on either side of the support 11 (FIG. 3f).
• the gripping members 3,5 are then attached indifferently to the control members 13a, 13b, and the assembly thus formed is mounted on the lever 1 (see FIGS.
• a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, differs from the first embodiment in that than :
• the first 123a and second 123b divers are carried respectively by the first 113a and second 113b control members and
• the first and second indexing ramps are defined by an evolutive profile on the inner surface of the base 109.
• the first 123a and second 123b plungers are intended to be biased radially by means of associated elastic members, for example springs, respectively against the first and second indexing ramps of the baseplate.
• control member 113a, 113b has housings 129a, 129b able respectively to receive the plungers 123a, 123b and the associated springs.
• control member 113a, 113b This produces a standard contact and indexing member formed by the control member 113a, 113b, adapted to be arranged in any lever control module of a sub-steering control assembly.
• indexing ramps being defined on the base 109, it is no longer necessary to change all the gripping members to change the haptic feedback when an electrical function is selected but it changes only one only part: the base.
• a control module 107 is thus obtained whose assembly method comprises the following steps:
• the gripping member 105 is mounted to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the lever 101,
• the base 109 is fixed opposite the gripping member 105
• a third embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 8f differs from the first embodiment in that the indexing of the position of the grippers 203,205 is axial.
• the first indexing means comprises on the one hand a first pawn indexing device defined on the inner surface of the first gripping member 203, and secondly a first indexing ring 223 is adapted to be biased axially by means of an elastic member, against the first indexing pin.
• the second indexing means comprises firstly a second indexing pin defined on the inner surface of the second gripping member 205, and secondly a second indexing ring 223b that can be axially biased by the bias of an elastic member against the second indexing pin.
• the elastic member is common for the two indexing rings 223a, 223b and can be made in the form of a metal coil spring 225 whose diameter is adapted to be disposed on the outer surface 227 of the base 209.
• the indexing rings 223a, 223b may comprise, for example, clipping means capable of cooperating with corresponding complementary clipping means of the base 9, for fixing the indexing rings 223a, 223b and the base 209.
• a control module 207 is obtained whose assembly method comprises the following steps:
• the base 209 is assembled with, on the one hand, the support 211 and, on the other hand, the spring 225 (FIG. 8a),
• control members 213a, 213b are respectively fixed with the contacting elements 215a, 215b and the indexing means 223a, 223b (FIG.
• control members 213a, 213b and the gripping members 203,205 are fixed indifferently,
• the gripping member 205 is mounted to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the lever 201 (FIG. 8d), the base 209 is fixed opposite the gripping member 205 (FIG. 8e), and
• the gripping member 203 is mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the lever 201, so that the control members 213a, 213b and the indexing means 223a, 223b are symmetrically arranged on both sides other of the support 211 ( Figure 8f).
• control module 7, 107, 207 having a single control member as shown above.
• control module 7,107,207 can be modified in a simple and inexpensive way to adapt for example to the options chosen by the customer, even though its assembly and that of the lever 1 has already been realized.
• control module 7, 107, 207 preferably of identical general shapes, makes it possible to reduce the costs of development and production of control module, and lever.

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Cites Families (7)

• 2008
  • 2008-07-03 FR FR0803771A patent/FR2933343B1/fr active Active
• 2009
  • 2009-07-03 WO PCT/EP2009/058461 patent/WO2010000860A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2009-07-03 EP EP09772560A patent/EP2307238A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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