FR2813247A1 - WINDOW WIPER AND VEHICLE FLASHING WHEEL CONTROL - Google Patents

Abstract

This steering wheel control for wiping the windows and / or indicators of a vehicle is a low current command connected by on-board electronics to a power switch controlling the wiping of the windows and / or the indicators, and it is carried out under form of a member (5) with small clearance preferably arranged at the end of a radial arm (1) coming from the covering (2) of the steering column, behind the steering wheel.

Description

Control under steering wheel for wiping windows and flashing a vehicle.

  The present invention relates to the steering wheel control of

  wiping the windows and / or indicators of a vehicle.

  Traditionally, these two commands are carried out by fairly long levers coming from either side of the trim of the steering column behind the steering wheel, and having large angular strokes io substantially parallel to the plane of the steering wheel. In such a solution, the electrical supply of the organs is carried out via the

  control that acts as a current switch.

  This poses ergonomic problems linked in particular to the situation in the space of the control during its use (large angular travel over a large radius sweeping over a large space, displacement relative to the stopped position). There is a lot of space around the steering column, especially if you take into account

  switches which must be added to the levers.

  Furthermore, document FR 2 782 968 discloses, for example, a command for wiping the windows of a vehicle, produced in the form of a low current command connected by on-board electronics to a power switch controlling the wiping. windows but the ergonomics of conventional controls are not changed. Technologies for low current controls are also already used occasionally for the control of lighting or other vehicle components, but again, the traditional ergonomics of both

  steering wheel levers is not in question.

  The object of the invention is to improve the ergonomics of the controls

under steering wheel.

  This object is achieved according to the invention by a control under the steering wheel for wiping the windows and / or indicators of a vehicle, characterized in that it is a low current control connected by on-board electronics to a power switching controlling the wiping of the windows and / or the turn signals, and in that the low current control is produced in the form of a low deflection member preferably arranged at the end of a radial arm coming from the covering of the steering column, behind the steering wheel By device with low clearance, we mean a device with linear travel (circular or rectilinear) for maneuvering of small amplitude, in particular a cursor, a joystick, a button, etc. Such an operation is generally carried out with one finger of the hand, the hand being able to remain

in place on the steering wheel.

  In a preferred embodiment, the member is an angular cursor positioned at the end of the radial arm, so that the driver substantially regains the automatisms of the joystick controls

  traditional, on an amplitude however reduced.

  Advantageously, the radial arm is mounted pivoting forwards to allow a command pulse to be given to a member of the vehicle, in particular for a headlight call or a windshield washer jet as known.

in current vehicles.

  Advantageously, the radial arm also carries other commands

  for the rest of the electrical equipment.

  The invention will be better understood using the following description, in

  reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings representing an example of control under steering wheel according to the invention. Other advantages and

  characteristics will be highlighted on reading the description.

  Figure 1 shows in perspective the steering wheel control assembly according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a front view of the two radial arms of the control assembly of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show in perspective two variants of

  realization of the end of the radial arms.

  The control assembly according to the invention comprises two substantially radial horizontal arms from a covering 2 of the steering column which leaves a passage 3 for the steering column and the steering wheel not shown. The arms 2 are of substantially rectangular section and terminate in an enlarged rounded part 4 substantially in the form of a disc parallel to the plane of the steering wheel, on the cylindrical circumference of which is arranged at least one angular cursor 5. The cursor 5 on the left can take two high and low positions around its medium neutral position and is used for the flashing. The cursor 5 on the right can take, for example, four positions corresponding to the stop, the intermittent operation, and the two operating speeds of the selected wiper (by default, the front). The front of the discs 4 can receive buttons for controlling other functions of the vehicle such as for example the buttons for controlling the lighting 6 or for selecting the front or rear wiping 7. Furthermore, the accessible sides of the arms 1, like the front face for example, can carry other function commands, such as a knob 8 for controlling the front or rear fog lights and a knob 9 for controlling the washing of the front or rear window. Disc 4

  1o can also carry control lights 10.

  The arms 1 are articulated around a vertical axis 11 near their foot so as to be able to be pulled by the driver over a very small clearance to give a control pulse of the conventional type,

  for a headlight call on the left, and for a windscreen washer jet on the right.

  The invention makes it possible to place all of the controls under the steering wheel with a very small footprint, which makes it possible for example to place other equipment such as the two radio speakers produced

in the form of an arm 12.

  Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which the rounded end portion 4 of the arm carries two parallel sliders 5 and 5 ', the slider 5' can replace the buttons 6 of the previous embodiment. Figure 4 shows a variant in which the number of buttons

  of selections 6 has been increased at the front of terminal 4.

  According to another embodiment, the covering 2 and the arms 1 and 12

  form a pre-assembled module, which is mounted on the steering column.

Claims (7)

  1. Control under the steering wheel for wiping the windows and / or turn signals of a vehicle, characterized in that it is a low current command connected by on-board electronics to a power switch controlling the wiping of the windows and / or indicators, and in that the low current control is produced in the form of a member (5) with small clearance preferably arranged at the end of a radial arm (1) coming from the covering (2 ) from the steering column, behind the wheel.   2. Control according to claim 1, characterized in that the control is carried out by an angular cursor (5) arranged at the end radial arm (1).   3. Control according to claim 2, characterized in that it is   provided several angular cursors (5, 5 ').   4. Order according to any one of claims 2 or 3,   characterized in that the arm ends in a part (4) substantially disc-shaped.   5. Control according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the arm (1) carries controls (6, 7, 8, 9)   for additional functions.   6. Order according to any one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that the radial arm (1) is pivotally mounted towards   the front for a command pulse from a vehicle member.   7. Order according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it is integrated in a covering assembly (2) and arms (1, 12) forming a pre-assembled module, which is mounted on the steering column.