FR3120023A1 - CONTROL HANDLE WITH SAFETY LINK, FOR A VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN - Google Patents

Abstract

A control lever (MC) at least partially controls at least one function of a vehicle and comprises a connection part (PL) coupled to a steering column (CD) of the vehicle and a wall (PM) secured to this part of link (PL) and having an internal face (FI) to which is coupled a link (L) having one end (E2) coupled to the steering column (CD) so that the control lever (MC) remains linked to this last (CD) when its connecting part (PL) breaks. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 2

Description

CONTROL HANDLE WITH SAFETY LINK, FOR A VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, and more specifically to the control levers (or stalks®) which equip the steering columns of vehicles.

State of the art

Many vehicles, generally of the automotive type, include a steering column partially installed in their passenger compartment and to which is coupled, directly or indirectly via an element (such as for example a control module called the top of the column), at least one command (or commodo®). The latter is intended, in the event of actuation by the driver, to control at least partially at least one function, such as for example the indication of a change of direction (or direction indicators), the wiping of the windows or the cruise control.

These control levers generally comprise two half-shells made by molding (or injection) and defining an internal housing in which is installed at least one control member. Each half-shell comprises a sub-part of a connecting part coupled, directly or indirectly, to the steering column of the vehicle (which crosses the dashboard) and extended by a wall participating in the housing of each control device. This is particularly the case of the control lever described in the patent document FR-B1 2973558.

In the event of a frontal impact and/or significant braking suffered by a vehicle, the driver is protected by the deployment of an inflatable bag of a protective device (or “airbag”) which is generally installed in the central part of the steering wheel. . When the driver exerts significant pressure on the deployed air bag, this generally causes, by design, the steering column to sink towards the front of the vehicle (typically over a predefined distance of approximately 100 mm). During this depression, the connecting part of a control stalk can hit the dashboard violently when it is initially installed at a distance from the dashboard which is less than this predefined distance, and therefore this connecting part can to break. In this case, the free part of the control stalk which remains in the passenger compartment may constitute a projectile which could strike a passenger seated in the passenger compartment, and therefore which could cause injury.

The object of the invention is therefore in particular to remedy the drawback described above.

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose a control lever, intended to control at least partially at least one function of a vehicle, and comprising a connecting part capable of being coupled, directly or indirectly, to a steering column of the vehicle.

This control lever is characterized in that it comprises a wall secured to the connecting part and having an internal face to which is coupled a (safety) link comprising one end intended to be coupled to the steering column so that the control lever remains linked to the latter when its linking part breaks.

The safety link coupling, indirectly or directly, the wall to the steering column, when its control handle breaks at its connecting part, its broken part (including each control member) remains coupled to the steering column and therefore can no longer turn into a projectile in the cockpit.

The control lever according to the invention may comprise other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- its connecting part can be hollow in order to house part of the link invisibly from the outside when it is intact;

- its link may comprise first and second opposite ends, may be flexible, and may have an extension which is strictly greater than a distance separating the first and second places where its first and second ends are respectively coupled;

- its link can be a metal or plastic cable;

- its link can be elastic;

- its link may comprise a first end coupled to the internal face of its wall by a technique which is chosen from a group comprising clipping, gluing, screwing, and anchoring by a closed loop;

- its wall and one half of its connecting part can constitute a one-piece half-shell produced by molding a plastic material, with part of the link integrated into this plastic material during the molding;

- its link may comprise a second end intended to be coupled to an internal wall of the steering column by a technique chosen from a group comprising clipping, gluing, screwing, and anchoring by a closed loop.

The invention also proposes a steering column capable of being fitted to a vehicle and comprising at least one control lever of the type presented above.

The invention also proposes a vehicle, optionally of the automotive type, and comprising at least one steering column of the type presented above.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings, in which:

schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a vertical and transverse plane, part of a steering column to which is coupled an exemplary embodiment of a control lever according to the invention, intact (or not broken), and

schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a vertical and transverse plane, the part of the steering column of the with its broken joystick.

Detailed description of the invention

The aim of the invention is in particular to propose a control lever (or commodo®) MC intended to equip a CD steering column of a vehicle and which cannot be transformed into a projectile if it breaks.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the steering column CD is intended to equip a vehicle of the automobile type, such as for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle comprising a passenger compartment in which at least part of a steering column comprising at least one control lever must be installed, and in particular land vehicles.

In what follows and what precedes the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is parallel to the lateral sides of the latter, the transverse direction of the vehicle is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the vertical direction of the vehicle is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

There is schematically shown in Figures 1 and 2 (in a sectional view in a vertical and transverse plane) part of a steering column CD comprising an embodiment of a control lever MC according to the invention. It is recalled that the steering wheel (controlled by the driver of the vehicle) is secured to this steering column CD.

As illustrated, a control lever MC, according to the invention, notably comprises a connecting part PL and a wall PM secured to one another.

The connecting part PL is adapted to be coupled to the steering column CD which passes through, for example, a dashboard installed in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. This coupling can be direct (we then speak of a connection), or else indirect via an element which is itself coupled (or connected) to the steering column CD, such as for example a control module called the top of the column ( not shown). For example, it can be considered here that the connecting part PL is secured to the control module called the top of the column.

For example, this connecting part PL can comprise two sub-parts assembled together and forming an integral part respectively of two one-piece half-shells, produced by molding (or injection) of a plastic material, and together defining an internal housing in which is installed at least one control member OCj intended, in the event of actuation by the driver, to control at least partially at least one function of the vehicle, such as for example the indication of a change of direction (or turn signals), the wiping windows or cruise control.

Each one-piece half-shell comprises, in addition to the sub-part of a connecting part PL, a wall PM which participates in the housing of each control device OCj. It will be understood that the sub-part of a connecting part PL and the wall PM mutually extend.

The two one-piece half-shells are assembled together, for example by clipping and/or screwing.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control lever MC comprises three control members OC1 to OC3 (j=1 to 3). But it can include any number of control devices OCj provided that this number is greater than or equal to one.

One of the two walls PM has an inner face FI to which is coupled a (safety) link L (possibly via a first end E1). This (safety) link L comprises a second end E2, opposite its first end E1, and intended to be coupled, indirectly or directly, to the steering column CD so that the control lever MC remains linked, indirectly or directly, to the latter (CD) when its connecting part PL breaks, as illustrated in the . The word “indirectly” means that the coupling to the steering column CD can take place via an element (or equipment) which is secured to the steering column CD.

Thanks to this (safety) link L which couples the wall PM to the steering column CD, indirectly or directly, when the control lever MC breaks at its connecting part PL (for example because it has hit the dashboard violently when the steering column CD was pushed forwards), its broken part, which includes each control member OCj, remains coupled, indirectly or directly, to the steering column CD and therefore can no longer turn into a projectile in the cockpit. Consequently, this broken part no longer risks injuring a passenger seated in the passenger compartment.

For example, it can be considered here that the second end E2 of the link L is secured to the top column control module (not shown, but itself attached and secured to the steering column CD (and therefore constituting an element or equipment secured to the latter (CD)).But in a variant embodiment the second end E2 of the link L could be secured to the steering column CD.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, that the connecting part PL is preferably hollow in order to accommodate part of the link L invisibly from the outside when it (PL) is intact (or not broken ). But in a variant embodiment not shown, the link L could exit outside the control lever MC a little after the first place where its first end E1 is coupled to the wall PM, so that its second end E2 is coupled to an outer face of the steering column CD or of an element which is integral with the steering column CD (such as for example the aforementioned top column control module).

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in the , when the link L comprises first E1 and second E2 opposite ends, it can be flexible and can have an extension which is strictly greater than the distance separating the first and second places where its first E1 and second E2 ends are respectively coupled. In this case, the link L comprises a "slack" portion PM which makes it possible to absorb (at least partially, and preferably entirely) the distance over which the steering column CD sinks into the dashboard, from from the moment when the control lever MC strikes the latter, under the pressure exerted on the central part of the steering wheel by the driver of the vehicle (for example via the deployed airbag of the protection device (or "airbag") installed in this central part steering wheel). This portion of slack PM makes it possible to prevent the link L from breaking when it is pushed in, since it would initially be taut and inelastic.

Also, for example, the link L can be a cable made of metal (possibly steel) or of plastic material (possibly nylon). What is important is that it has great resistance. It could also come in the form of a band.

In a variant embodiment, the link L can be elastic. It can be a wire, a set of wires, or a tape, for example. In this variant, the extension of the link L can be substantially equal to the distance separating the first and second places where its first E1 and second E2 ends are coupled respectively. It will indeed be understood that in this variant, it is the lengthening of the link L due to its elasticity which makes it possible to absorb the distance over which the steering column CD sinks into the dashboard, from the moment where the MC joystick strikes the latter. This elasticity prevents the link L from breaking when driving.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2 the first end E1 of the link L is coupled to the internal face FI of the wall PM by an anchoring by a first closed loop B1. To this end, the wall PM may comprise a first anchoring stud PA1 or a screw surrounded by the first closed loop B1 or even a hook to which the first closed loop B1 is coupled. It will be noted that the first anchoring pad PA1 can optionally be crimped to prevent the decoupling of the first closed loop B1. It is also possible to provide for the placement of a cap or a plate on the first anchoring pad PA1 to prevent the decoupling of the first closed loop B1. This first closed loop B1 can be an eyelet or can be defined by a knot (made during knotting). But any other technique for coupling the first end E1 of the link L to the internal face FI of the wall PM can be envisaged. Thus, one can use a technique of clipping, or gluing or screwing. In the case of clipping, the first end E1 of the link L must include a first clipping means intended to cooperate with a second clipping means that includes the internal face FI of the wall PM. These clipping means may optionally be connectors which correspond to each other. In the case of screwing, the first end E1 of the link L must include a screw intended to be screwed into a threaded hole that includes the internal face FI of the wall PM.

In a variant embodiment, when the wall PM and one half of the connecting part PL constitute a one-piece half-shell produced by molding a plastic material, part of the link L can be integrated (or "embedded") in this plastic material during molding. In this case, the link L is not coupled to the wall PM by its first end E1 only. Its entire portion integrated into the material (and extending over the internal face FI of the wall PM to the beginning of the sub-part of the connecting part PL) can in fact be coupled to the wall PM.

Note that in the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2 the second end E2 of the link L is coupled to an internal wall of the steering column CD by anchoring by a second closed loop B2. For this purpose, the internal wall of the steering column CD may comprise a second anchoring stud PA2 or a screw surrounded by the second closed loop B2, or even a hook to which the second closed loop B2 is coupled. It will be noted that the second anchoring pad PA2 can possibly be crimped to prevent the decoupling of the second closed loop B2. It is also possible to provide for the placement of a cap or a plate on the second anchoring pad PA2 to prevent the decoupling of the second closed loop B2. This second closed loop B2 can be an eyelet or can be defined by a knot (made during knotting). But any other technique for coupling the second end E2 of the link L to an internal wall of the steering column CD can be envisaged. Thus, one can use a technique of clipping, or gluing or screwing. In the case of clipping, the second end E2 of the link L must include a first clipping means intended to cooperate with a second clipping means that includes the internal wall of the steering column CD. These clipping means may optionally be connectors which correspond to each other. In the case of screwing, the second end E2 of the link L must include a screw intended to be screwed into a threaded hole that includes the internal wall of the steering column CD.

It will be noted that the couplings of the first E1 and second E2 ends of the link L are not necessarily of the same type.

Claims (10)

Control lever (MC) for at least partially controlling at least one function of a vehicle, said lever (MC) comprising a connecting part (PL) capable of being coupled to a steering column (CD) of said vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a wall (PM) secured to said connecting part (PL) and having an internal face (FI) to which is coupled a link (L) comprising an end (E2) intended to be coupled to said column of direction (CD) so that said control lever (MC) remains linked to the latter (CD) when its link part (PL) breaks. Control lever according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said connecting part (PL) is hollow in order to house part of the said link (L) invisibly from the outside when it (PL) is intact. Control handle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said link (L) comprises first (E1) and second (E2) opposite ends, is flexible, and has an extension strictly greater than a distance separating first and second places where its first (E1) and second (E2) ends are respectively coupled. Control handle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said link (L) is a metal or plastic cable. Control handle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said link (L) is elastic. Control handle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said link (L) comprises a first end (E1) coupled to the said internal face (FI) of the wall (PM) by a technique chosen from a group including clipping, gluing, screwing, and anchoring by a closed loop. Control lever according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the said wall (PM) and one half of the said connecting part (PL) constitute a one-piece half-shell produced by molding a plastic material, with a part of said link (L) integrated into said plastic material during said molding. Control handle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said link (L) comprises a second end (E2) intended to be coupled to an internal wall of the said steering column (CD) by a technique chosen from a group comprising clipping, gluing, screwing, and anchoring by a closed loop. Steering column (CD) suitable for equipping a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one control lever (MC) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a steering column (CD) according to claim 9.