CH711640A2

CH711640A2 - Steering device with at least one folding steering wheel segment or steering wheel lever and its use.

Info

Publication number: CH711640A2
Application number: CH01470/15A
Authority: CH
Inventors: Kägi Peter
Original assignee: Rinspeed Ag; Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-10-09
Filing date: 2015-10-09
Publication date: 2017-04-13
Also published as: WO2017060149A1; CH711640B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steering device (10) for a land vehicle or a marine vehicle or an amphibian vehicle or an aircraft with a front (16) located in the direction of travel or flight. The steering device (10) comprises a steering wheel, which is rotatable about a steering axis (A-A), comprising at least two steering wheel segments (12) and / or steering wheel levers, wherein at least one steering wheel segment (12) or at least one steering wheel lever can be moved out of a first position in which the steering wheel segments (12) and / or the steering wheel levers are arranged substantially parallel to the steering axis (A-A) in the direction of the front (16) of the steering wheel (12) and / or the steering wheel levers form the steering wheel ) lies. The invention also relates to a use for such a steering device (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a steering device for a land vehicle or a watercraft or an amphibian vehicle or an aircraft according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the steering device.

PRIOR ART [0002] A steering device is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,197,896. This shows a steering device which is configurable in such a way that it operates as an input device in two different states as a result of current driving modes. In a first manual driving mode, it is configured as an input device to control a limited number of vehicle functions. In a second autonomous mode, it is configured as an input device to control an extended number of vehicle functions. The steering device in this case has a steering wheel rim which is movably mounted on a steering wheel hub in such a way that the steering wheel rim can be positioned along a steering axis to a position farther away from a driver or

[0003] Another example of a steering device is described in EP 1 283 146 A2. The steering wheel and the steering column are displaceable relative to the armature panel and the steering wheel can be sunk in the region of the displays against a front surface of the armature panel or in a recess of the armature panel. In this case, a hood is pivotally mounted in the armature panel, wherein the hood can be folded down with its end facing a vehicle rear in the direction of the sunken steering wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to further improve steering devices of land, water, amphibious or aircraft vehicles, in particular with regard to a safe, simple and efficient use for different driving or driving conditions Flight modes or operating conditions.

This object is achieved by the steering device according to claim 1, wherein at least one steering wheel segment or at least one steering wheel lever can be folded over from a first position, in which the steering wheel segments and / or steering wheel levers form the steering wheel, towards the front, Position in which the steering wheel segment and / or the steering wheel lever is essentially parallel to the steering axis.

In another particularly advantageous embodiment, all steering wheel segments or steering wheel levers can be folded over from the first position into the second position, wherein all steering wheel segments and / or all steering wheel levers lie essentially parallel to the steering axis (AA).

[0007] In the first position, the steering wheel segments or levers thus initially form a steering wheel with which a vehicle of the aircraft can be controlled manually or conventionally in a first driving or flight mode or operating state. Depending on the embodiment, the steering wheel comprises mechanical and / or electronic control and / or communication means and / or displays, the latter also being able to be touch-sensitive.

According to one embodiment, mechanical and / or electronic unlocking / unlocking, depending on the embodiment, form a simple (simultaneous or successive) folding of the steering wheel segments or steering wheel levers in the direction of a vehicle or aircraft front located in the driving or flight direction These now together an exceptionally compact steering device. This is no longer in the first operating state (manual control), but can still be controlled manually / conventionally, depending on the embodiment. The advantages of the invention over previous solutions are obvious: Safe, simple and efficient operation, which is made possible by fast,

In a further advantageous embodiment, the steering device is designed in such a way that it has a steering column which is substantially coaxial with the steering axis, the steering wheel being displaceable along the steering column, or the steering column or sections of the steering column together with the steering wheel Is / are displaceable. This embodiment makes it possible to displace the steering device in the folded, compact position individually, ie, the steering wheel alone, or together, if present according to the embodiment, with a steering column or parts of the steering column along the steering axis, Direction of an opposite tail.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the steering device is characterized in that the steering wheel - in a steering position (ie in the first position in the driving / flight mode), with non-folded steering wheel segments / levers along the steering axis to the driver's or pilot's seat In a retracted position (ie in a second position or a second driving / flight mode) with folded-over steering wheel segments / levers along the steering column from the driver's or pilot's seat location to or Is positioned in or under a dashboard or faucet cover that does not provide manual maneuverability.

[0011] This ergonomically advantageous displacement / stowing of the steering device provides the great advantage that additionally useful space for the driver or the pilots and / or for other persons present, eg the passenger or the co-driver, within the interior of the vehicle / aircraft forms.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the steering device is configured in such a way that the steering wheel segments or levers are folded over and / or the steering wheel is displaced by hand or motor by means of folded-over steering wheel segments or levers along the steering axis. This advantageous embodiment helps to increase operating comfort, depending on the purpose of the steering device, or to reduce production costs and / or a vehicle / aircraft weight.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the steering device is designed in such a way that the steering wheel has a middle part on which the foldable steering wheel segments or steering wheel levers are arranged, and that at least one airbag is arranged in the middle part of the steering wheel.

Furthermore, in a yet another advantageous embodiment, a single airbag is provided in such a way that it can be activated in dependence on its distance from the driver's or pilot's seat position - in the steering position (ie in the first driving / flight mode) Or with a smaller airbag volume and - in the retracted position (ie in the second driving / flight mode) with a stronger step 2 and / or with a larger airbag volume.

In a further, advantageous embodiment, two or more airbags are provided in the steering device such that they can be ignited with different ignition intensities and / or airbag volumes as a function of their distance from the driver's or pilot's seat location.

The resulting advantages are, in particular, that a driver / pilot and / or a passenger / copilot, possibly also third parties, are optimally protected by one or more airbags although, depending on the current position of the steering device, one or more, Different distances between the airbag / s and driver / pilot seat or passenger / co-driver seat. This is achieved by means of different, electronically variably controlled or preset ignition forces of one or more airbags and / or via different, electronically variably controlled or preset airbag volumes.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the steering position can be adjusted longitudinally, rotationally and / or vertically adjustable relative to the driver's or pilot's seat location. The (obvious) advantages lie, among other things, in the fact that the steering device can be adjusted or adjusted to differently large or differently corpulent drivers / pilots with correspondingly different body masses according to their individual needs.

In a further, advantageous embodiment, the steering device can be displaced / positioned automatically, depending on a driving situation, or on an input command into the retracted position or into the steering position or also a position therebetween. In this way, a driving / flight mode or an operating state can be changed or changed. This is the case at the individual request / command of the driver or pilot of the case. The changeability of the operating state is, however, also provided for an emergency, for example, if the driver / pilot manually intervenes (eg due to a system / computer error) or vice versa when a computer control must automatically intervene for correction (eg due to manual error / flight error) ).

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, a steering control is effected mechanically, electrically ("drive-by-wi-re" / "fly-by-wire") and / or hydraulically. In particular, in the case of the electric steering control, a steering column is advantageously dispensed with, or the steering column is again made more compact, as a result of which the steering device can be built even smaller with corresponding additional interior gain.

[0020] Furthermore, the steering device is also of great advantage for non-self-propelled (ie, non-autonomous) vehicles, for example when a driver is in a waiting position. This is the case, for example, when a taxi driver is waiting for passengers or a driver in front of a closed railway crossing for a train and for opening railway barriers.

With regard to the use of the steering device, the object is achieved in that the steering device is used for driving in a self-propelled land, water or amphibian vehicle or for flying in an aircraft which is preferably self-propelled by means of an autopilot.

Advantages of such a use are obtained, in particular, from the circumstance that the steering device can be operated manually or conventionally in the first driving position. On the other hand, the steering device is arranged in autonomous or self-propelled operation in the space-saving, ie, folded-in, second position preferably displaced by the driver's or pilot's seat. The vehicle / aircraft travels / flies in the second position independently of the driver / pilot. The additional interior space obtained by the space-saving arrangement is then also usable in a parked state in a variety of ways other than exclusively for guiding the vehicle / aircraft, for example for conducting talks within or with persons outside the vehicle / aircraft,

A further, advantageous use of the steering device consists in its use together with at least one display device, wherein the display device comprises at least one display surface which is directed towards the driver's or pilot's seat and can be mounted in different positions. In this case, the display device is configured in such a way that the display surface can be moved and moved back towards the driver's or pilot's seat, such that the entire display surface moves closer to the driver's or pilot's seat or moves back away from the driver's or pilot's seat.

The advantages result in this case in particular in that one or more display / s can be used / positioned in combination with the steering device such that, on the one hand, a manual or conventional operation of the steering device in the driving position is ensured without hindrance, The display (s) is / are ergonomically positioned in the best possible way in the background or laterally to the steering device; On the other hand, the steering device is arranged in autonomous or self-propelled operation in the space-saving, ie folded-in, position, which is folded away from the driver's or pilot's seat, and the vehicle / aircraft is guided independently by the driver / pilot; In this case, however, the display / s is / are now positioned closer to the driver / pilot in the foreground, That they are usable by the driver / pilot from the responsibility resulting from driving / piloting. For example, to conduct video conferences, individual work on a computer and / or reading newspapers, answering e-mails, etc .; And that it is, of course, also possible, if necessary, that the display (s) is / are also positioned in the background or laterally to the steering device, even in autonomous or self-propelled operation, in such a way that the vehicle / Additional interior space, for example, for conducting conversations within or with persons outside the vehicle / aircraft, for resting / sleeping or for reading. Which result from driving / piloting, are usable. For example, to conduct video conferences, individual work on a computer and / or reading newspapers, answering e-mails, etc .; And that it is, of course, also possible, if necessary, that the display (s) is / are also positioned in the background or laterally to the steering device, even in autonomous or self-propelled operation, in such a way that the vehicle / Additional interior space, for example, for conducting conversations within or with persons outside the vehicle / aircraft, for resting / sleeping or for reading. Which result from driving / piloting, are usable. For example, to conduct video conferences, individual work on a computer and / or reading newspapers, answering e-mails, etc .; And that it is, of course, also possible, if necessary, that the display (s) is / are also positioned in the background or laterally to the steering device, even in autonomous or self-propelled operation, in such a way that the vehicle / Additional interior space, for example, for conducting conversations within or with persons outside the vehicle / aircraft, for resting / sleeping or for reading. The individual working on a computer and / or the reading of newspapers, answering e-mail etc .; And that it is, of course, also possible, if necessary, that, even in autonomous or self-propelled operation, the display (s) is again positioned space-saving in such a way that it can be folded away in the background or laterally to the steering device, Additional interior space, for example, for conducting conversations within or with persons outside the vehicle / aircraft, for resting / sleeping or for reading. The individual working on a computer and / or the reading of newspapers, answering e-mail etc .; And that it is, of course, also possible, if necessary, that the display (s) is / are also positioned in the background or laterally to the steering device, even in autonomous or self-propelled operation, in such a way that the vehicle / Additional interior space, for example, for conducting conversations within or with persons outside the vehicle / aircraft, for resting / sleeping or for reading.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] Further preferred embodiments and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims as well as from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. In this connection:

1 shows a steering device according to the invention with steering wheel segments in a first unfolded position, FIG.

2 shows the steering device according to FIG. 1 with steering wheel segments partially folded over in the direction of a front around a steering axis, FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the steering device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with steering wheel segments completely folded over in the direction of the front around the steering axis, FIG.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show the steering device according to FIGS. 1 to 3 as a schematic plan view together with a steering wheel hub and steering column arranged essentially coaxially with the steering axle on the steering wheel device

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the steering device according to FIG. 6 as a schematic top view in cooperation with the steering wheel hub and the steering column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0026] FIG. 1 shows a steering device 10 according to the invention with steering wheel segments 12 in a first, opened or open position. In this case, the steering wheel segments 12 essentially form a closed circle or a closed oval, whereby a steering wheel which can be rotated around a steering axis AA is formed. In another embodiment, steering wheel levers and / or knobs, knobs, etc., which are not shown in FIG. 1, are formed instead of the steering wheel segments 12 or to supplement them for controlling / operating the steering device 10. The steering wheel segments 12 can be unlocked by preferably simultaneously pressing the two push buttons 14 (for secure unlocking). In other, Not shown and advantageous embodiments, the secure unlocking is also formed by means of switches, push buttons, etc., on or outside the steering device 12. Depending on the embodiment, the push buttons 14 unlock the steering wheel segments 12 in a mechanical, electrical or electromechanical manner.

Claims

FIG. 2 shows the steering device 10 according to FIG. 1. However, the steering wheel segments 12 are folded in a circular manner about the steering axis AA in the direction of a front 16 or in the direction of a steering wheel hub 18, which is illustrated in FIG 2 with the circular arrows 20 is indicated. FIG. 3 again shows the steering device 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2, but now with steering wheel segments 12 folded completely in the direction of the front 16 or in the direction of the steering wheel hub 18. The steering wheel segments 12, which, as mentioned in other, Can also be designed as steering wheel levers or handles, are shown locked in a locked and therefore secured second (steering wheel segment-end) position. The steering wheel segments 12 now lie essentially parallel to the steering axis AA. 3, for the purpose of locking the steering wheel segments 12 in the steering wheel segment end position, is again mechanically, electrically or electromechanically, and locks the steering wheel segments 12 automatically when pressed into their steering wheel segment end position. The process for folding the steering wheel segments 12 described with FIGS. 1 to 3 can, of course, also be carried out in the reverse order. That is, the steering wheel segments 12 illustrated in FIG. 3, which are locked parallel to the steering axis AA towards the front 16, can be unlocked by the simultaneous actuation of the two push buttons 14 in the embodiment shown (for the purpose of secure unlocking). 1, in which the two steering wheel segments 12 again move the steering wheel in the steering or control position. The steering wheel segments 12 can then be rotated about the steering axis AA in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrows 20 in FIG molding. The steering wheel segments 12, in turn, automatically lock when they are pressed into the first position. FIGS. 4 to 6 show the steering device 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 as a schematic plan view together with a steering wheel hub 18 and steering column 22 arranged coaxially with the steering axis AA on the steering device 10, FIG Steering device 10 with steering wheel segments 12 in the first, folded-out or opened position according to FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows the steering device 10 according to FIG. 2 with steering wheel segments 12, which are partially folded in the direction of the front 16 around the steering axis AA; And FIG. 6 shows the steering device 10 according to FIG. 3 with steering wheel segments 12 which are folded and locked or completely locked in the direction of the front 16 about the steering axis AA. 7 and 8 represent the steering device 10 according to FIG. 6 as a schematic top view, but now in cooperation with the steering wheel hub 18 and steering column 22 arranged essentially coaxially with the steering axle AA. The steering device is shown in FIG 10 with the steering wheel segments 12 folded together, and in FIG. 8 completely displaced towards the front 16 along the steering column 22 as far as a stop 24. The steering device 10 automatically locks during its pressing against the stop 24, Depending on the embodiment, in turn mechanically, electrically or electromechanically. Conversely, the steering device 10 is released by simultaneously pressing two print heads (or switches), in this case the two push buttons 14, whereby the steering device 10 can be retracted in the reverse direction along the steering axis AA and finally automatically locked in the starting position according to FIG. In principle, the unlocking and locking of the steering device 10 in the described different situations is designed in such a way that a faulty manipulation or incorrect operation of the steering device 10 is excluded. Depending on the embodiment (not shown) and depending on the intended use of the steering device 10, this is achieved, for example, That simultaneously two buttons or switches are pressed, the steering wheel being released with both hands. In still other embodiments, which are not shown, a computer program collects data about the operating state of the vehicle or aircraft and evaluates it in such a way that the obtained information is used as the sole or complementary decision basis for unlocking and / or locking. claims

(EN) The invention relates to a steering device (10) for a land vehicle or a watercraft or an amphibian vehicle or an aircraft with a front (16) located in the direction of travel or flight, the steering device (10) comprising a steering wheel of at least two steering wheel segments which is rotatable about a steering axis (AA) (12) or at least one steering wheel lever from a first position, in which the steering wheel segments (12) and / or the steering wheel levers form the steering wheel, towards the front (12) and / or steering wheel levers, 16) and can be brought into a second position in which the steering wheel segment (12) and / or the steering wheel lever is essentially parallel to the steering axis (AA).
2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein all steering wheel segments or all steering wheel levers can be folded over from the first position to the second position, wherein all steering wheel segments and / or all steering wheel levers are essentially parallel to the steering axis. AA).
3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the steering device has a steering column which is essentially coaxial with the steering axis, and wherein the steering wheel is displaceable along the steering column , Or - that the steering column (22) or sections of the steering column (22) can be displaced together with the steering wheel.
4. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein the steering wheel is positioned in the steering position with the steering wheel segments / levers (12) not folded over, along the steering axis (AA), towards the driver's or pilot's seat position (12) is positioned along the steering column (22), away from the driver's or pilot's seat location, on or in or under a dashboard or dashboard cover, in which there is no manual maneuverability ,
5. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a folding-over of the steering wheel segments or levers and / or the displacement of the steering wheel with folded-over steering wheel segments or levers along the steering axis, By hand or by motor.
6. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering wheel has a middle part, on which the foldable steering wheel segments or steering wheel levers are arranged, and that at least one airbag is arranged in the middle part of the steering wheel ,
7. The steering device according to claim 6, characterized in that a single airbag is designed as a function of its distance from the driver's or pilot's seat position, in the steering position with a lower stage 1 and / or with a smaller airbag volume, Position with a heavier stage 2 and / or a larger airbag volume can be ignited.
8. The steering device according to claim 6, wherein two or more airbags can be ignited with different ignition intensities and / or airbag volumes as a function of their distance from the driver's or pilot's seat location.
9. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the steering position can be aligned longitudinally, rotationally and / or vertically adjustable relative to the driver's or pilot's seat location.
10. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering device can be displaced / positioned automatically or on an input command into the retracted position or into the steering position or a position therebetween as a function of a driving situation ,
11. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a steering control is effected mechanically, electrically ("drive-by-wire" / "fly-by-wire") and / or hydraulically.
12. The use of the steering device as claimed in claim 1 for driving in a self-propelled land, water or amphibian vehicle or for flying in an aircraft which is preferably self-propelled by means of an autopilot.
13. The use of the steering device as claimed in claim 12 together with at least one display device, the display device comprising at least one display surface which is directed towards the driver's or pilot's seat and can be mounted in various positions, characterized in that the display device is designed such that the display surface To the driver's or pilot's seat and can be moved back again in such a way that the entire display surface moves closer to the driver's or pilot's seat or moves back away from the driver's or pilot's seat.
14. A land vehicle or vessel or amphibian vehicle or aircraft with a steering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11.