DE102023203774A1 - METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE PRODUCTION OF A VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an electrical connection between a first steering wheel component (100) and an electrical connection element (400, 500) in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel. According to the invention, it is provided that a first connection point (410, 510) of the electrical connection element (400, 500) is placed on a counter-connection point (110, 120) to form a loose temporary connection and, in a subsequent pressing step, a second steering wheel component (200) is pressed together with the first steering wheel component (100) and fixed in the pressed-on state, wherein, during the pressing together, at least the first connection point (410, 510) and the counter-connection point (110, 120) are pressed together to form a permanent electrical press connection.

Description

The invention relates to a method for establishing an electrical connection between a first steering wheel component and an electrical connection element in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel.

A method of the type described is described, for example, in the publication DE 11 2019 002 093 T5 In this known method, electrically conductive pins or bolts are used to produce electrical connections.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method which requires particularly little effort with regard to the establishment of electrical contact.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features according to patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are specified in subclaims.

According to the invention, it is then provided that a first connection point of the electrical connection element is placed on a counter-connection element to form a loose temporary connection and, in a subsequent pressing step, a second steering wheel component is pressed together with the first steering wheel component and fixed in the pressed-on state, wherein, as part of the pressing together, at least the first connection point and the counter-connection point are pressed together to form a permanent electrical press connection.

A significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that the establishment of contact between the first connection point of the electrical connection element and the counter-connection point is based only on touching, i.e. no further components have to be provided and assembled and no other activities such as soldering or the like are required, so that the contact can be established with a minimum number of parts and minimal manufacturing effort.

A further significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that, due to its simplicity, the contact can be made without human intervention by a robot alone and an automated steering wheel production becomes possible, at least with regard to the contact between the electrical connection element and the counter connection point.

It is advantageous if one of the mentioned locations, i.e. the first connection location or the counter-connection location, comprises a curved end section, the other of the mentioned locations is formed by a connection pad and the curved end section is pressed onto the connection pad when the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together.

It is particularly advantageous if the bent end section is bent on the contact side facing the connection pad to form a convex contact surface section and the convex contact surface section is initially placed loosely on the connection pad and is pressed on when the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together to form the permanent electrical press connection and is fixed in the pressed-on state.

It is particularly advantageous if the curved end section on the contact side facing the connection pad comprises two convex contact surface sections and a central section connecting the two convex contact surface sections, which is concave on the side facing the connection pad and convex on the side facing away from the connection pad, the two convex contact surface sections are placed on the connection pad to form the loose contact and when the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together, the convex side of the central section is pressed in the direction of the connection pad, whereby the permanent electrical press connection between the two convex contact surface sections and the connection pad is formed.

In a first preferred embodiment, it is provided that the electrical connection element is firmly connected to the second steering wheel component before it is loosely placed on the first steering wheel component.

In a second preferred embodiment, it is provided that the electrical connection element, the first steering wheel component and the second steering wheel component are separate, independent components which are only firmly connected to one another when the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together.

In a third preferred embodiment, it is provided that the electrical connection element is part of an intermediate component which is independent of the first and second steering wheel components and which, when the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together, is positioned between these is embedded to form a sandwich structure.

The connecting element is preferably rigid, but at least in the area of the connection point it is elastically springy.

When the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together, a second connection point of the electrical connection element is preferably pressed onto a counter connection point arranged on the second steering wheel component, whereby the counter connection point arranged on the first steering wheel component and the counter connection point arranged on the second steering wheel component are electrically connected to one another.

Alternatively or additionally, the second connection point of the electrical connection element can be connected to an internal connection of the intermediate element.

It is advantageous if the intermediate element comprises at least one second connecting element in addition to the first connecting element.

The first and second connecting elements are preferably electrically separated from each other.

An electrical functional component is preferably integrated in the intermediate element, which is electrically connected between the first and second connecting elements.

It is also considered advantageous if the loose placement of the connection point of the connecting element on the counter connection point is carried out by means of a robot and the subsequent pressing step of the second steering wheel component and the fixing is carried out by means of the same or another robot.

The first steering wheel component is preferably a radially inner component and the second steering wheel component is preferably a radially outer component relative to the radially inner component.

Alternatively, the second steering wheel component may be a radially inner component and the first steering wheel component may be a radially outer component relative to the radially inner component.

The radially outer steering wheel component is preferably locked to the radially inner steering wheel component or to a third steering wheel component located even further radially inside after the first steering wheel component and the second steering wheel component have been pressed together.

The connecting element(s) are preferably rigid; they are preferably designed to be elastically springy in the region of the connection point.

The connection pad(s) of the first and/or second steering wheel component are preferably each formed by a section of a conductor track layer of a printed circuit board or conductor mat that forms conductor tracks.

The rigid connecting element(s) are preferably each bent at least once to form at least a two-dimensional current guide.

The rigid connecting element(s) are preferably each bent at least twice to form an at least three-dimensional current guide.

The rigid connecting element(s) are preferably embedded in their central region in a non-conductive material, in particular plastic.

The rigid connecting element(s) are preferably each overmolded with the non-conductive material in their central region.

The rigid connecting element(s) are preferably designed as a conductor track of a three-dimensional printed circuit board.

The connection pad(s) are preferably flat.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Verfahren zum Herstellen einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen einer ersten Lenkradkomponente und einem elektrischen Verbindungselement im Rahmen der Herstellung eines Fahrzeuglenkrads,
• 2-5 Ausführungsvarianten des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß 1,
• 6 in einer dreidimensionalen Querschnittsdarstellung Bestandteile eines Ausführungsbeispiels für ein resultierendes Fahrzeuglenkrad,
• 7-10 vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen für gebogene bzw. umgebogene Endabschnitte von Anschlussstellen,
• 11 in einer Draufsicht Bestandteile eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels für ein resultierendes Fahrzeuglenkrad,
• 12 ein Ausführungsbeispiel für ein weiteres Verfahren zum Herstellen einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen einer ersten Lenkradkomponente und einem elektrischen Verbindungselement im Rahmen der Herstellung eines Fahrzeuglenkrads, und
• 13 ein Ausführungsbeispiel für noch ein weiteres Verfahren zum Herstellen einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen einer ersten Lenkradkomponente und einem elektrischen Verbindungselement im Rahmen der Herstellung eines Fahrzeuglenkrads.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, which show, for example:

• 1 an embodiment of a method for establishing an electrical connection between a first steering wheel component and an electrical connection element in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel,
• 2-5 Variants of the embodiment according to 1 ,
• 6 in a three-dimensional cross-sectional view, components of an embodiment of a resulting vehicle steering wheel,
• 7-10 advantageous designs for curved or bent end sections of connection points,
• 11 in a plan view components of a second embodiment of a resulting vehicle steering wheel,
• 12 an embodiment of a further method for establishing an electrical connection between a first steering wheel component and an electrical connection element in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel, and
• 13 an embodiment of yet another method for establishing an electrical connection between a first steering wheel component and an electrical connection element in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel.

For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

The 1 shows a first steering wheel component 100 and a second steering wheel component 200 before they are pressed together during the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel and embed an intermediate component 300 between them to form a sandwich structure.

The intermediate component 300 comprises in the embodiment according to 1 a first electrical connection element 400 and a second electrical connection element 500, which are electrically separated from each other.

The first connecting element 400 has a first connection point 410 with a curved end portion 415 on a connection side 301 of the intermediate component 300 facing the first steering wheel component 100.

The same applies to the second connecting element 500, which has a first connection point 510 with a curved end section 515 on the connection side 301 of the intermediate component 300 facing the first steering wheel component 100.

On the connection side 302 of the intermediate component 300 facing the second steering wheel component 200, the first connecting element 400 has a second connection point 420 in the form of a connection pad 425. The same applies to the second connecting element 500, whose second connection point 520 is also formed by a connection pad 525.

In a first one in connection with the 1 In the method step explained, the intermediate component 300 is loosely placed on the first steering wheel component 100. During this loose placement, the first connection point 410 of the first connecting element 400 is loosely placed on a first counter-connection point 110 of the first steering wheel component 100. The same applies to the second connecting element 500, whose first connection point 510 is loosely placed on a second counter-connection point 120 of the first steering wheel component 100.

The first counter-connection point 110 and the second counter-connection point 120 are preferably connection pads in the form of sections of a conductor track layer 101 of a conductor mat that forms the first steering wheel component 100 itself or is arranged on the first steering wheel component 100. The conductor tracks of the conductor track layer 101 can, for example, be designed as heating conductor tracks for heating the vehicle steering wheel during later operation or, alternatively, can also serve as power supply or signal conductors for steering wheel components not shown in more detail.

In a second one in connection with the 1 In the method step explained, the second steering wheel component 200 is pressed together with the first steering wheel component 100, either by pressing the first steering wheel component 100 onto the second steering wheel component 200 and/or vice versa by pressing the second steering wheel component 200 onto the first steering wheel component 100.

During this pressing together, the first connection point 410 of the first connecting element 400 is pressed firmly onto the first counter-connection point 110 of the first steering wheel component 100. The same applies to the second connecting element 500, whose first connection point 510 is pressed firmly onto the second counter-connection point 120 of the first steering wheel component 100.

In order to achieve a particularly low electrical contact resistance between the first connection point 410 of the first connecting element 400 and the first counter-connection point 110 of the first steering wheel component 100, it is advantageous if the curved end section 415 or at least an adjacent connection section 416 of the first connection point 410 is elastically deformed during this pressing, forming a spring force. For this purpose, the first connecting element 400 is preferably designed to be rigid overall or at least in the area of the first connection point 410, but at least elastic enough that the described spring effect occurs during deformation and a high contact force is generated between the first connection point 410 and the first counter-connection point 110. connection point 110 of the first steering wheel component 100 is ensured.

In order to achieve a particularly low electrical contact resistance between the first connection point 510 of the second connecting element 500 and the second counter-connection point 120 of the first steering wheel component 100, it is advantageous if the curved end section 515 or at least an adjacent connection section 516 of the first connection point 510 of the second connecting element 500 is elastically deformed during this pressing, forming a spring force. For this purpose, the second connecting element 500 as a whole or at least in the area of the first connection point 510 is preferably designed to be rigid, but at least elastic enough that the described spring effect occurs during deformation and a high contact force is ensured between the first connection point 510 of the second connecting element 500 and the second counter-connection point 120 of the first steering wheel component 100.

In the second one, in connection with the 1 In the method step explained, the second connection point 420 of the first connecting element 400 is pressed together with a first counter-connection point 210 of the second steering wheel component 200 and the second connection point 520 of the second connecting element 500 is pressed together with a second counter-connection point 220 of the second steering wheel component 200.

In order to achieve a particularly low electrical contact resistance between the second connection point 420 of the first connecting element 400 and the first counter-connection point 210 of the second steering wheel component 200, it is advantageous if the first counter-connection point 210 of the second steering wheel component 200 has a curved end section 215. It is particularly advantageous if the curved end section 215 or at least an adjacent connection section 216 of the first counter-connection point 210 is elastically deformed during this pressing, forming a spring force.

For this purpose, the first counter-connection point 210 of the second steering wheel component 200 is designed to be rigid overall or at least in the region of the curved end section 215 and/or the connecting section 216 adjacent thereto, but at least elastic to such an extent that the described spring effect occurs during deformation and a high contact force is ensured between the second connection point 420 of the first connecting element 400 and the first counter-connection point 210 of the second steering wheel component 200.

In order to achieve a particularly low electrical contact resistance between the second connection point 520 of the second connecting element 500 and the second counter-connection point 220 of the second steering wheel component 200, it is advantageous if the second counter-connection point 220 of the second steering wheel component 200 also has a curved end section 225. It is particularly advantageous if the curved end section 225 or at least an adjacent connection section 226 of the second counter-connection point 220 is elastically deformed during this pressing, forming a spring force.

For this purpose, the second counter-connection point 220 of the second steering wheel component 200 is also preferably designed to be rigid overall or at least in the region of the curved end section 225 and/or the connecting section 226 adjacent thereto, but at least elastic to such an extent that the described spring effect occurs during deformation and a high contact force between the second connection point 520 of the second connecting element 500 and the second counter-connection point 220 of the second steering wheel component 200 is ensured.

By pressing the first and second steering wheel components 100 and 200 together, the first counter-connection point 110 of the first steering wheel component 100 is connected to the first counter-connection point 210 of the second steering wheel component 200 and the second counter-connection point 120 of the first steering wheel component 100 is connected to the second counter-connection point 220 of the second steering wheel component 200. The intermediate component 300 therefore functions as a three-dimensional connecting element, the connecting elements 400 and 500 of which extend at least radially from the inside to the outside and serve to electrically connect the two steering wheel components 100 and 200.

The 2 shows a variant of the embodiment according to 1 . In the embodiment according to 2 the two connecting elements 400 and 500 each have connection pads at their first connection points 410 and 510.

In order to ensure low electrical contact resistances between the first connection points 410 and 510 and the counter connection points 110 and 120 of the first steering wheel component, it is considered advantageous if the counter connection points 110 and 120 are in the same way as the counter connection points 210 and 220, i.e. have curved end sections and adjacent connecting sections which are rigid but are at least elastic enough that the described spring effect occurs during deformation and a high contact force between the first connection point 410 and 510 and the counter connection points 110 and 120 of the first steering wheel component 100 is ensured.

Furthermore, the above explanations apply in connection with the design variant according to 1 accordingly.

The 3 shows a variant of the embodiment according to 1 , in which the intermediate component 300 is electrically connected exclusively to the first steering wheel component 100. The second steering wheel component 200 only serves to form the sandwich structure, but is neither electrically connected to the intermediate component 300 nor to the first steering wheel component 100.

In the design variant according to 3 The intermediate component 300 is therefore in electrical contact exclusively with the first steering wheel component 100 and thus, for example, with the conductor track layer 101 located thereon.

The intermediate component 300 may, for example, be an electrical switch that can connect or disconnect power supply lines or signal lines in the conductor layer 101.

Alternatively, the intermediate component 300 can also be an electrical consumer such as a lighting device that is supplied with power by the first steering wheel component 100. The intermediate component 300 can also be a sensor device that transmits sensor signals to the first steering wheel component 100 via the electrical connecting elements 400 and 500.

4 shows a further design variant based on the design variant according to 3 In contrast to the design variant according to 3 is in the design variant according to 4 It is provided that the first connection points 410 and 510 of the two connecting elements 400 and 500 are designed as contact pads.

Accordingly, on the side of the first steering wheel component 100, it is preferably provided that the two counter-connection points 110 and 120 have bent end sections, as in connection with the 2 The above statements in connection with the 2 and 3 therefore apply to the design variant according to 4 accordingly.

In the 5 It is shown by way of example how, after pressing the two steering wheel components 100 and 200 together, the pressed-together state can be maintained in a particularly simple manner, for example by providing a snap connection based on latching hooks 600.

Such locking hooks 600 can be provided, for example, on the second steering wheel component 200 and can be inserted and locked into corresponding recesses 610 in the first steering wheel component 100. Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding locking hooks 600 can be provided on the first steering wheel component 100 and can be inserted and locked into corresponding recesses 610 in the second steering wheel component 200.

The 6 shows in a cut-away three-dimensional representation of a steering wheel 700 obliquely from the side a possible arrangement of the first steering wheel component 100, the intermediate component 300 and the second steering wheel component 200, as described above in connection with the 1 to 5 were explained.

In the embodiment according to the 6 the first steering wheel component 100 is located radially inward and the intermediate component 300 is clamped radially between the first steering wheel component 100 and the second radially outer steering wheel component 200. Furthermore, reference is again made to the above statements in connection with the 1-5 referred to.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the first steering wheel component 100 is located radially outside and the second steering wheel component 200 is located radially inside.

The first steering wheel component 100, the second steering wheel component 200 and the intermediate component 300 can also be arranged in the central region, for example in the region of panels, as for example the 11 shows. In the 11 the second steering wheel component 200 is, for example, a panel or a back cover. The electrical connection elements 400 and 500 can, for example, be introduced into the panel in order to connect switches, hands-on devices (hand recognition devices), heating components, electronic components or cable breakouts to the vehicle connector.

The 7 shows in an enlarged view a preferred embodiment for the 1 to 4 shown bent end sections using the example of the bent end section 415 according to 1 .

The bent end section 415 is bent on the contact side facing the mating connection point 110 designed as a connection pad to form a convex contact surface section 701. The convex contact surface section 701 is initially placed loosely on the connection pad; this shows the 7 .

Subsequently, the convex contact surface section 701 is pressed onto the connection pad along the pressing force P when the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together, thereby forming the permanent electrical press connection; this is shown by way of example in the 8 . Preferably, the adjacent connecting section 416 is also deflected in order to increase the spring force in the contact area.

The 9 shows in an enlarged view a further preferred embodiment for the 1 to 4 shown bent end sections using the example of the bent end section 415 according to 1 .

In the embodiment according to the 9 it is provided that the curved end portion 415 on the contact side facing the connection pad comprises two convex contact surface portions 701 and 702 and a central portion 703 connecting the two convex contact surface portions.

The central portion 703 is concave on the side facing the mating connection point 110 and convex on the side facing away from the mating connection point.

The two convex contact surface sections are placed on the connection pad to form the loose contact; this is shown by the 9 . When the first and second steering wheel components are pressed together, the convex side of the central section is pressed towards the connection pad, whereby the permanent electrical press connection between the two convex contact surface sections and the connection pad is formed; in the process, the adjacent connection section 416 is preferably also deflected in order to increase the spring force in the contact area. The 10 shows the resulting press contact.

The 12 shows an embodiment for establishing an electrical connection in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel, in which the connecting elements 400 and 500 are loosely placed individually, i.e. without an intermediate element, with their first connection points 410 and 510 on the counter connection points 110 and 120 of the first steering wheel component 100. The first and second steering wheel components 100 and 200 are then firmly connected to one another, whereby the connecting elements 400 and 500 are pressed onto the counter connection points 110, 120, 210 and 220. In addition, the above explanations apply in connection with the 1 to 11 for the embodiment according to 12 accordingly.

The 13 shows an embodiment for establishing an electrical connection in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel, in which the connecting elements 400 and 500 are first firmly connected to the second steering wheel component 200, for example in the context of a heating caulking process, as shown by connection points 850 in the 13 In this process, second connection points 420 and 520 of the electrical connection elements 400 and 500 can be pressed onto counter connection points arranged on the second steering wheel component 200, for example, which are in the 13 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

The connecting elements 400 and 500 can, for example, be punched grid parts or the like.

The connecting elements 400 and 500 are then loosely placed with their first connection points 410 and 510 on the counter connection points 110 and 120 of the first steering wheel component 100. The first and second steering wheel components 100 and 200 are then firmly connected to one another, whereby the connecting elements 400 and 500 are pressed onto the counter connection points 110 and 120. In all other respects, the above explanations apply in connection with the 1 to 12 for the embodiment according to 13 accordingly.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all embodiments described above can be combined with each other in any way to form further other embodiments of the invention.

All features of subclaims can also be combined with each of the subordinate claims, either individually or in any combination with one or more other subclaims, in order to obtain further other embodiments.

list of reference symbols

100

first steering wheel component

101

conductor layer

110

first counter connection point

120

second counter connection point

200

second steering wheel component

210

first counter connection point

215

curved end section

216

connecting section

220

second counter connection point

225

curved end section

226

connecting section

300

intermediate component

301

connection side

302

connection side

400

first electrical connection element

410

first junction

415

curved end section

416

connecting section

420

second junction

425

connection pad

500

second electrical connection element

510

first junction

515

curved end section

516

connecting section

520

second junction

525

connection pad

600

locking hook

610

deepening

700

steering wheel

701

convex contact surface section

702

convex contact surface section

703

middle section

850

connection point

P

pressing force

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 112019002093 T5 [0002]

Claims (17)

Method for establishing an electrical connection between a first steering wheel component (100) and an electrical connection element (400, 500) in the context of the manufacture of a vehicle steering wheel, characterized in that - a first connection point (410, 510) of the electrical connection element (400, 500) is placed on a counter-connection point (110, 120) to form a loose temporary connection and - in a subsequent pressing step, a second steering wheel component (200) is pressed together with the first steering wheel component (100) and fixed in the pressed-on state, - wherein, as part of the pressing together, at least the first connection point (410, 510) and the counter-connection point (110, 120) are pressed together to form a permanent electrical press connection. procedure according to claim 1 , characterized in that - one of the said points, i.e. the first connection point (410, 510) or the counter connection point (110, 120), comprises a curved end section, - the other of the said points is formed by a connection pad and - the curved end section is pressed onto the connection pad when the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) are pressed together. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection pad is formed by a section of a conductor track layer (101) of a printed circuit board or conductor mat that forms conductor tracks. procedure according to claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that - the bent end section is bent on the contact side facing the connection pad to form a convex contact surface section and - the convex contact surface section is initially placed loosely on the connection pad and is pressed on when the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) are pressed together to form the permanent electrical press connection and is fixed in the pressed-on state. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that - the curved end section on the contact side facing the connection pad comprises two convex contact surface sections (701, 702) and a central section (703) connecting the two convex contact surface sections, which is concave on the side facing the connection pad and convex on the side facing away from the connection pad, - the two convex contact surface sections (701, 702) are placed on the connection pad to form the loose contact and - when the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) are pressed together, the convex side of the central section (703) is pressed in the direction of the connection pad, whereby the permanent electrical press connection between the two convex contact surface sections (701, 702) and the connection pad is formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (400, 500) is rigid and is elastically resilient in the region of the connection point (410, 510). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - when the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) are pressed together, a second connection point (420, 520) of the electrical connection element (400, 500) is pressed onto a counter-connection point (210, 220) arranged on the second steering wheel component (200), - whereby the counter-connection point (110, 120) arranged on the first steering wheel component (100) and the counter-connection point (210, 220) arranged on the second steering wheel component (200) are electrically connected to one another. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection element (400, 500) is firmly connected to the second steering wheel component (200) before it is loosely placed on the first steering wheel component (100). Method according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the electrical connection element (400, 500), the first steering wheel component (100) and the second steering wheel component (200) are separate, independent components which are only firmly connected to one another when the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) are pressed together. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 7 or 9 , characterized in that the electrical connection element (400, 500) is part of an intermediate component (300) which is independent of the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) and which, when the first and second steering wheel components (100, 200) are pressed together, is embedded between them to form a sandwich structure. procedure according to claim 10 , characterized in that a second connection point (420, 520) of the electrical connection element (400, 500) is connected to an internal connection of the intermediate component (300). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate element (300) comprises at least one second connecting element (500) in addition to the said first connecting element (400). procedure according to claim 12 , characterized in that the first and second connecting elements (400, 500) are electrically separated from each other. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 12 until 13 , characterized in that an electrical functional component is integrated in the intermediate element (300), which is electrically connected between the first and second connecting elements (400, 500). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the loose laying of the connection point (410, 510) of the connecting element (400, 500) on the counter connection point (110, 120) is carried out by means of a robot and - the subsequent pressing step of the second steering wheel component (200) and the fixing is carried out by means of the same or another robot. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the two steering wheel components (100, 200) is a radially inner component and the other steering wheel component (100, 200) is a radially outer component relative to the radially inner component. procedure according to claim 16 , characterized in that the radially outer steering wheel component is locked to the radially inner steering wheel component or to a third steering wheel component located even further radially inside after the two steering wheel components have been pressed together.

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