SE1250687A1 - Control module for steering wheel or panel mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (5) (6) in a vehicle, for mounting in a recess, for example intended for mounting in a steering wheel (1) or in an instrument panel, the module (5) comprising at least one actuator / button (2) housing / housing . The invention is achieved in that the module (5) is provided with a flat protruding part (10) intended to be pushed into the recess (6) under a rib / edge (7) at the recess (6). The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with a module (5) fitting in a recess (6) in the vehicle. (Figure 2)

Description

15 20 25 30 35 in the surrounding foam material. To keep the buttons in place safely and stably, it also happens that screws are used, not least to keep the controls in place in the event of an accident that results in an airbag detonation. If a control or button then comes loose and flies away in the cab, it can lead to serious injuries.

Since known constructions often place snap fasteners under the keypad itself, the button housing inevitably becomes deeper, which has a negative effect on ergonomics because the buttons must be placed closer to the steering wheel signal cover, where the steering wheel is thicker, to make room. The driver's accessibility of the button function is thus impaired.

Known technology with quick fasteners means that the buttons must be pressed into the steering wheel, which also limits the size of the circuit board which is usually integrated in the button and which, among other things, contains control electronics. The circuit board cannot be larger than the area occupied by the button itself in the steering wheel.

A robust attachment of the button is difficult to achieve without the help of screws, but even with screws, weakening cracks can easily occur in the plastic material of the button housings at the forces that develop during an airbag detonation, and the buttons can release from their mounts.

If screws are used, they are usually mounted so that they attach to the metal skeleton of the steering wheel. The parts of the metal skeleton have relatively coarse tolerances relative to the foam material of the steering wheel, depending on difficulties in the manufacturing process. Gaps can therefore occur, but the user's experience of it will be less if the keypad is mounted in the steering wheel foam instead of against the skeleton.

Prior art also places restrictions on the mounting order when placing the buttons in the steering wheel. Since cabling must be pulled from the buttons before surrounding components such as decorative strips etc. are mounted, restrictions are set in the mounting order. In addition, this makes the buttons more difficult to disassemble as a number of other items must first be removed. This has a negative effect on both the ergonomics during assembly, and also the aesthetics / appearance when designing the steering wheel and its components.

There is thus a desire for, and need for, a new type of actuator that allows mounting in the vehicle's steering wheel in a quick and easy yet durable and robust manner. It is also a clear advantage if the controls / buttons can be provided with, accommodate, larger circuit boards for desirable and necessary control electronics.

Controls for placement in a vehicle steering wheel have long been known. US2005 / 0077159 describes, for example, a device which makes it possible to fit more actuators / buttons on a limited surface of a steering wheel. Each knob rotates or rotates to a limited extent, during physical activation, around an axis, thereby affecting a switch or microswitch. The buttons are arranged in modules comprising three buttons each. The modules are pushed into the brackets in the steering wheel.

US2003 / 0155219 describes a similar modular arrangement of actuators, a control device, which is pivotally mounted on a steering wheel and which comprises three buttons each which tilt about a joint and actuate switches mounted on, and / or integrated with, a bottom part in the form of a circuit board . The circuit board is attached to the part that holds the buttons with the help of snap fasteners and the entire button module is mounted on a vehicle steering wheel.

WO200447134 discloses a device for mounting in a steering wheel and is placed in a component which allows a rotation of an actuator. However, the module housing itself cannot be rotated. Prior art does not show any modular construction of actuators for mounting in a vehicle steering wheel which enables a quick, simple yet robust and durable assembly and which can withstand an airbag detonation and at the same time expand the possible space for a circuit board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to demonstrate a system with a module for actuators and a specially designed recess which enables a quick, simple, robust and durable mounting in a vehicle steering wheel and which can handle, for example, an airbag detonation.

Another object of the invention is that the module should allow an increased space for a circuit board arranged internally in the button.

Another object of the invention is that the module should be easy to disassemble and which makes it easy to replace the module if desired should this arise.

Another object of the invention is that the module should enable increased freedom of placement of the buttons in the steering wheel.

Another object of the invention is that the module should reduce the tolerance sensitivity of the structure and result in a good finish without risks of visible gaps or play after assembly.

Another important object of the invention is that the module in mounted position should be safely kept in this position on the steering wheel even in the event of an accident that triggers an airbag detonation. A further object of the invention is that the module should be functional and that the components must be cost-effective to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is that the module should make it possible to place the buttons closer to the outer steering wheel to increase the user's accessibility and convenience.

These and further objects and advantages are achieved according to the invention by means of a device defined by the features stated in the characterizing part of the independent patent claim 1.

The invention is thus intended especially for commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and the like, but can of course also be used for other types of vehicles, where there is a need for replaceable modules, also to satisfy, for example, individual wishes and needs of the buyer / user. .

The invention is achieved by a module comprising one or preferably several operating members / buttons and a substantially flat part protruding from the module intended to be slid under a rib / edge in the recess and to support it during the mounting of the module. The module is mounted by partially rotating in place in the recess in, for example, the foam material of the steering wheel.

The foam material normally consists of PUR foam, Polyurethane foam, the elasticity of which facilitates a firm connection between the steering wheel and the module. The rotation takes place with the help of the bar / edge, which gives a very robust and safe assembly. The module is snapped into the recess by means of snap-on brackets placed on the side of the module, which may consist of resilient elements or by the foam material springing away from, and closing around, suitable lugs / hooks arranged in the module. It is thus possible to achieve self-locking with the help of different geometric shapes of fasteners in the module. By rotating the module 10 15 20 25 30 35, a part of the module housing / housing is located inside the foam material of the steering wheel next to the visible part of the module and its buttons and the space for necessary electronics and circuit boards is thereby increased without increase the visible part of the buttons. The flat protruding part of the module is arranged to accommodate at least a part of the circuit board. A circuit board arranged in the module can thus be made larger to the surface than the keypad visible from the outside.

The module can also be guided in position and secured in place by an elongated groove arranged in the bottom of the recess. This groove fits against a correspondingly arranged cam in the bottom part of the module.

The groove guides the module during rotation and up to its final mounting position. The fastening of the module becomes very robust in this way and the groove simplifies that the module is pushed into place in the correct position and does not get stuck during the rotational movement. The simplified assembly also leads to a greater freedom of placement of the buttons.

The fastening of the module means that no screws, glue or separate fastening elements need to be used, which speeds up assembly and disassembly and reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Because the keypad can be mounted late in the production process, different button configurations do not require differently designed knobs. This type of late variant formation is advantageous both in the production of the vehicle and during the life of the vehicle, in that fewer articles have to be stored.

Any adjustments to the appearance of the buttons can also be made in the module. The recesses in the steering wheel for the modules are the same regardless of the actual button solution. This makes it easier and cheaper to implement the new solution for new vehicle production. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following, more detailed description of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings and other claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described in more detail below in some preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a known vehicle steering wheel provided with actuators arranged on some of its spokes.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a part of a vehicle steering wheel with a module according to the invention, and more particularly a section of a steering wheel in which a recess is arranged in which a module provided with four actuators and associated control electronics is rotated / turned and snapped into its final location.

Figure 3 shows a schematic vertical and longitudinal section through the device shown in figure 1, the recess in the steering wheel and the module inserted therein being clearer.

Figure 4 shows an inventive module and unassembled module in which e.g. shows how a wedge-shaped snap-fit bracket is arranged on one short side of the module housing and how a cam is arranged at the bottom of the module for co-operation with a groove arranged in the recess of the steering wheel.

Figure 5 shows a cross section through the steering column, in fact it is a plan view of the device shown in figure 1, showing how the module is placed in the steering column and how the bottom cam of the module is fitted in the groove in the bottom of the recess.

Figure 6 - 7 shows how the assembly of the module in the recess takes place step by step. 10 15 20 25 30 35 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 thus shows a perspective view of a vehicle steering wheel 1 known per se provided with actuators 2 or buttons on some of its spokes 3a, b. The buttons 2 are placed as close to the outer ring 4 of the steering wheel as possible to increase the user's comfort and ability to reach the buttons 2.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a part of a vehicle steering wheel 1 known per se but with a module 5 according to the invention mounted. More specifically, a section of a spoke 3a in the steering wheel 1 of the vehicle is shown in which a recess 6 is arranged in which a module 5, provided with four buttons 2, is rotated in position around a rib or edge 7 arranged in connection with the recess 6 and where the module 5 is then fastened in its final operating position by means of snap fasteners or fastening clips (see fig. 3).

The steering wheel 1 and its steering wheels 3 usually consist of a load-bearing skeleton 8 with an enclosing molded body 9 made of wood or the like. for example a plastic, a foam material, the skeleton 8 is suitably made of a hard, form- and torsionally rigid material, preferably of a metal such as magnesium, a combination of steel and aluminum or other similar and rigid material. The flat protruding part 10 of the module 5 is here directed towards the center of the steering wheel 1 and towards the airbag usually arranged therein (not shown).

Figure 3 schematically shows a vertical and longitudinal section through the device according to the invention shown in figure 1, the recess 6 in the steering column 3a and the module 5 inserted therein being shown in more detail. A circuit board 11 is centrally located inside the module 5 and extends all the way into the flat protruding part 10. The circuit board 11 is provided with necessary components for the control electronics in the module 5 and switch elements 12 which are actuated by the controls / buttons 2. Button the means 2 transmit a mechanical downward movement of the button 2 which is transmitted to the switches 12 via actuating means 13.

The bottom surface of the module 5 is at least partially rotationally symmetrical or convex and arranged to fit against a corresponding bottom surface in the recess 6. Due to this design a very good holding of the module 5 in the steering column 3a is obtained.

Figure 4 shows an unassembled module 5 according to the invention, in which e.g. wedge-shaped snap-fit brackets 14 arranged on one long side and end of the module 5 and cooperate with stops in the inside of the recess (not shown). A cam 15 is arranged in the bottom of the module 5 and extends substantially along the entire bottom surface of the module 5 and in the longitudinal direction of the module 4. A corresponding groove 16 is arranged at the bottom of the recess 6 in the steering column 3a. When mounting the module 5, the cam 15 runs in the groove 16 in the bottom of the recess 6 and guides the module 5 so that the mounting is facilitated and so that the module 5 does not sit crosswise and lock before the final mounting position is reached.

Figure 5 shows a cross section through the steering column 3a (a section near the center of the steering wheel), actually a plan view seen from the end of the device shown in Figure 1, showing how the module 5 is mounted in the recess 6 in the steering column 3a and how the module 5 bottom cam 15 is inserted into the groove 16 in the bottom of the recess. The bar / edge 7 placed over the recess 6 is shown in more detail and the module 5 is in its final functional position inserted with its flat protruding part 10 and fixed under the bar / edge 7.

Figures 6 and 7 show how the assembly of the module 5 takes place step by step.

First, the module 5 with the flat protruding part 10 is pushed down into the recess 6 so that the flat protruding part 10 ends up below the rib / edge 7. The part 10 takes support against the underside of the rib / edge 7, after which the opposite part of the module 5 is pressed down by the module 5 is turned / rotated, here counterclockwise, in place so that the cam 15 fits into the groove 16 and finally the module 5 is fixed by means of, for example, snap fasteners arranged at the sides of the module and / or at its rear end of the module (see Fig. 4). The above description is primarily intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and is of course not limited to the stated embodiments, but also other variants of the invention are possible and conceivable within the scope of the inventive concept and the scope of subsequent claims. Thus, it is of course possible within the scope of the invention to arrange the cam 15 in the bottom of the recess 6 in the steering column 3a and to form the groove 16 in the bottom of the module 5. The effect becomes the same, the module 5 is guided in place and fixed securely. And it is of course possible to mount the module 5 on an instrument panel instead of in a steering wheel. The recess 6 and its rib / edge 7 are thus arranged in a surface at the instrument panel and the mounting is done in the manner described above (not shown).

Claims (8)

10 15 20 25 30 35 11 PATENT REQUIREMENTS Module (5) for mounting in a recess (6) in a vehicle, for example intended for mounting in a steering wheel (1) or in an instrument panel, the module (5) comprising at least one electric actuator or button (2) arranged in housing / housing of the module (5), characterized in that the module (5) is arranged with a substantially flat protruding part (10) intended to be pushed in under a rib / edge (7) during mounting in the recess (6). Module characterized by (5) according to claim 1, (10) (7) during assembly and to maintain that the flat protruding part is arranged to support the bar / edge of the module (5) in its mounted position by means of the bar / edges (7). Module characterized by (5) according to claim 1 or 2, (10) (11). that the flat protruding part is arranged to accommodate at least a part of a circuit board Module characterized in that the surface of the circuit board (11) arranged in the module (5) (5) according to any one of the preceding claims is larger than the visible surface of the actuator / button (2) in the mounted position of the module (5). Module characterized by (5) according to one of the preceding claims, in that the module (5) is arranged in its bottom surface with a cam (15) (5), with a groove (16) arranged in the recess (6) so that the module which is intended that, during the assembly of the module, cooperation is fixed and retained in the recess (6) in a final assembled position. 10 12 Module (5), characterized in that according to claim 1 or 2, that the bottom surface of the module (5) is at least partially rotationally symmetrical or convex and arranged to fit against a corresponding bottom surface in the recess (6). Module characterized by (5) according to one of the preceding claims, in that one or more fastening elements (14) are arranged on the side walls of the module (5). Vehicle comprising a module according to any one of claims 1-7.