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EP-4735324-A2 - COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR

EP4735324A2EP 4735324 A2EP4735324 A2EP 4735324A2EP-4735324-A2

Abstract

A component/steering wheel for a vehicle may comprise a composite structure assembled to a frame comprising a cover, a functional insert and an interface for each functional insert. The interface may comprise an electrical interface/connection and a mechanical interface/connection; the interface may comprise a combined/integrated interface/connector comprising the electrical interface/connector and the mechanical interface/connector. The cover may comprise a set of cover/shell segments; the functional insert may comprise a set of functional insert segments; the composite structure may comprise a set of composite structure segments comprising the cover segments and functional insert segments. The interface may provide mechanical alignment of the shell segments and electrical connection of the functional insert segments. The functional insert may comprise a heating element, sensor and/or electrified functional insert. The functional insert may comprise a set of functional insert segments mechanically and electrically connected.

Inventors

  • POHL, MANFRED
  • STEFFENS, Lucas
  • MAUL, HOLGER

Assignees

  • Yanfeng International Automotive Technology Co., Ltd

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240628

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A component for a vehicle interior comprising a steering wheel assembly comprising: a frame; and a composite structure configured to be assembled to the frame; wherein the composite structure comprises a cover and a functional insert; wherein the composite structure comprises an interface for each functional insert; wherein the interface comprises an electrical interface and a mechanical interface for the functional insert.
  2. 2. The component of Claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a combined interface comprising the electrical interface and the mechanical interface for the functional insert.
  3. 3. The component of Claim 1 wherein the interface comprises an integrated connector comprising the electrical interface and the mechanical interface for the functional insert.
  4. 4. The component of Claim 1 wherein the electrical interface is configured to provide an electrical connection; wherein the electrical interface comprises an electrical connector.
  5. 5. The component of Claim 1 wherein the mechanical interface is configured to provide a mechanical connection; wherein the mechanical interface comprises a mechanical connector.
  6. 6. The component of Claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a set of cover segments.
  7. 7. The component of Claim 6 wherein each cover segment of the set of cover segments comprises a shell segment.
  8. 8. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert comprises a set of functional insert segments.
  9. 9. The component of Claim 1 wherein the composite structure comprises a set of composite structure segments.
  10. 10. The component of Claim 6 wherein the composite structure comprises a set of composite structure segments comprising the set of cover segments and the set of functional insert segments.
  11. 11. The component of Claim 7 wherein the composite structure comprises a set of composite structure segments comprising the set of shell segments and the set of functional insert segments.
  12. 12. The component of Claim 9 wherein the interface is configured to provide mechanical alignment of the set of shell segments and electrical connection of the functional insert segments.
  13. 13. The component of Claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a combined interface for mechanical alignment and electrical connection.
  14. 14. The component of Claim 13 wherein the electrical connection comprises a connector.
  15. 15. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert comprises at least one of a heating element or a sensor.
  16. 16. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert is configured to be electrified; wherein the functional insert is configured to provide a functional circuit.
  17. 17. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert comprises a set of functional insert segments configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector provided at the interface.
  18. 18. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert comprises a set of functional insert segments; wherein the interface is configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector between functional inserts.
  19. 19. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert comprises a set of functional insert segments configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector comprising a wire connection provided at the interface.
  20. 20. The component of Claim 1 wherein the functional insert comprises a set of functional insert segments configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector comprising a bridge connection provided at the interface.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in full the following patent application: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/524,288 titled “COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR” filed June 30, 2023. [0002] The present application incorporates by reference in full the following patent applications: (1) PCT/Intemational Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/46625 titled “COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR” filed October 13, 2022; (2) PCT/International Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/046626 titled “COMPONENT FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR” filed October 13, 2022. FIELD [0003] The present invention relates to a component for a vehicle interior. [0004] The present invention also relates to a component such as a steering wheel assembly for a vehicle interior comprising a set of segments. BACKGROUND [0005] It is known to provide a component for a vehicle interior with a heating function and/or detection of contact. [0006] It would be advantageous to provide for an improved component for a vehicle interior comprising a composite structure that is configured for efficient assembly including mechanical/electrical connection of a functional element. [0007] It would be advantageous to provide for an improved component for a vehicle interior comprising a composite structure that is configured for efficient assembly including mechanical/electrical connection of a functional element with a combined/integrated connector arrangement. [0008] It would be advantageous to provide for a component for a vehicle interior that is configured with a composite structure comprising at least one segment that is configured for efficient assembly. [0009] It would be advantageous to provide for a component for a vehicle interior such as a steering wheel that is configured with a rim comprising a composite structure comprising at least one segment that is configured for efficient assembly. [0010] It would be advantageous to provide for a component for a vehicle interior such as a steering wheel that is configured with a rim comprising a composite structure comprising at least one segment comprising a functional insert/layer in the form of a heating element or hand-off detection sensor. SUMMARY [0011] The present invention relates to a component for a vehicle interior comprising a steering wheel assembly comprising a frame and a composite structure configured to be assembled to the frame. The composite structure may comprise a cover and a functional insert. The composite structure may comprise an interface for each functional insert. The interface may comprise an electrical interface and a mechanical interface for the functional insert. The interface may comprise a combined interface comprising the electrical interface and the mechanical interface for the functional insert. The interface may comprise an integrated connector comprising the electrical interface and the mechanical interface for the functional insert. The electrical interface may be configured to provide an electrical connection; the electrical interface may comprise an electrical connector. The mechanical interface may be configured to provide a mechanical connection; the mechanical interface may comprise a mechanical connector. The cover may comprise a set of cover segments. Each cover segment of the set of cover segments may comprise a shell segment. The functional insert may comprise a set of functional insert segments. The composite structure may comprise a set of composite structure segments. The composite structure may comprise a set of composite structure segments comprising the set of cover segments and the set of functional insert segments. The composite structure may comprise a set of composite structure segments comprising the set of shell segments and the set of functional insert segments. The interface may be configured to provide mechanical alignment of the set of shell segments and electrical connection of the functional insert segments. The interface may comprise a combined interface for mechanical alignment and electrical connection. The electrical connection may comprise a connector. The functional insert may comprise at least one of a heating element or a sensor. The functional insert may be configured to be electrified; the functional insert may be configured to provide a functional circuit. The functional insert may comprise a set of functional insert segments configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector provided at the interface. The functional insert may comprise a set of functional insert segments; the interface may be configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector between functional inserts. The functional insert may comprise a set of functional insert segments configured to be mechanically connected and electrically connected at a connector comprising a wire connection p