DE102016007478A1 - steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel rim (2), with a central steering wheel body (3) which is connected to the steering wheel rim (2) via at least one spoke (4), and in whose area the axis of rotation the steering wheel (1) is arranged, with at least one light display (5) for visual visualization of information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving, and with controls (6, 7). The steering wheel according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one illuminated display (5) in the steering wheel body (3) and / or the at least one spoke (4) is integrated, and different sections and luminous colors for visualizing the information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation, wherein control elements (6, 7) on the steering wheel body (3) and / or the at least one spoke (4) for influencing the driving state have lighting elements and color analogous to the visualization of the information about the driving condition by the at least one Illuminated display (5), are illuminable.

Description

The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to an electronic control device for visualizing a driving condition according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 9, in particular in combination with a steering wheel according to the invention.

A generic steering wheel for a motor vehicle is from the DE 2014 216 105 A1 known. The steering wheel for a motor vehicle has in the steering wheel on a light display, which are designed to display information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle. In this case, for example, the steering angle, which occurs during a highly automated or autonomous driving operation, without the need to move or move the steering wheel itself, visualized by the light display. A similar indicator is also from the DE 11 2013 005 122 T5 known. Again, the light indicator is located in the region of the steering wheel and is designed so that it is suitable for visualizing a driving state during a highly automated or autonomous driving operation. It can visualize the driving state or, for example, a changing direction of travel and the like via the light display integrated in the steering wheel, which is designed in particular in the form of numerous light sources, such as LEDs, arranged side by side.

Although the statements in the two cited documents have a high degree of functionality, they are disadvantageous in terms of logistics and the effort involved in the production. In particular, various functionalities are typically integrated in the steering wheel, for example a steering wheel heater. In addition, the steering wheel is part of the interior design concept of the vast majority of vehicles. It can be configured, for example, in various materials, for example made of wood or with a wood look, made of plastic, for example in different colors, high-gloss lacquered or the like. All this makes the storage of steering rings correspondingly complex. If, in addition, the necessity of integrating a light display as a further equipment variant in the steering wheel, as shown in the above-mentioned prior art, occurs, the variety of variants is extremely large. In addition to various designs and the integration of an optional steering wheel heating results from the light indicator another equipment variant, which must be kept in combination with the steering wheel heating, or even without such, in various connection variants for the data and / or power transmission. This represents a considerable disadvantage with regard to the production costs and the logistical expense in the production. Ultimately, this leads to correspondingly high costs for the affected steering wheel or for the integration of the associated functionality in the vehicle. In addition, it is so that the space in the steering wheel is already very cramped anyway. The integration of, for example, a steering wheel heater and a corresponding light indicator in the steering wheel is highly complex in terms of production and possibly also requires an adaptation of the steering wheel in its diameter, which further increases the variety of variants and thus entails even greater cost disadvantages.

From the further general state of the art, it is also known that control buttons are integrated in the steering wheel. These can be used, for example, to control an audio system, to control a telephone handsfree or the like. In these controls, a lighting for the operation is typically provided in the dark, since the controls themselves are typically passive, so not lit, designed. In this context, for example, on the DE 10 2013 005 895 A1 in which the realization of such controls by a touch-sensitive surface of a screen is realized, which is designed as a passive or non-illuminated display in the manner of an electronic paper. Similar to conventional buttons, this structure can be illuminated at night by a light source, such as a side LED.

The object of the present invention is now to provide a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, which allows at least one light display for visual visualization of information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving, and which in terms of manufacturing costs and logistics over from The prior art known steering wheels is improved. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide an electronic control device for visualizing a driving state of a vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation, which allows a simple and efficient operation.

In the steering wheel according to the invention, it is provided that this, comparable to the two steering wheels in the aforementioned prior art, at least one indicator for visual visualization of information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation. In addition, the steering wheel, as with conventional Steering wheels is common practice include controls in the area of the steering wheel.

According to the invention, the at least one illuminated display is integrated in the steering wheel body arranged in the region of the steering axis and / or the at least one spoke which connects the steering wheel body to the steering rim. According to the invention, the at least one illuminated display comprises various sections and luminous color tones for the visualization of information about the driving state of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving mode. The controls are also arranged on the steering wheel body and / or on the at least one spoke and are used to influence the driving condition. They have lighting elements, which are color-coded analogously to the visualization of the information about the driving state represented by the at least one light display.

In the steering wheel according to the invention, the at least one illuminated display is therefore not provided in the region of the steering rim as in the aforementioned prior art, but rather in the region of the steering wheel body and / or the spokes. The bandwidth in terms of the variation of the steering wheel body and the spokes is very small in the usual steering wheels. The options with regard to the individual vehicle design desired design elements and / or functionalities, such as a steering wheel heater to select, is typically limited to the steering wheel. It must be kept in a relatively large number of different steering rings. The steering wheel body and the spokes, which connect the steering wheel to the steering wheel body, are typically largely independent of this and are then combined with the respective desired steering rings accordingly. An integration of the at least one illuminated display for visualization of the driving state in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation can thus ideally be arranged in the region of the steering wheel carcass and possibly the spokes. As a result, the variety of variants of the steering wheels is not further increased and the already scarce space in the range of the steering wheel can be used for functionality such as a steering wheel heating without getting into conflict with the at least one indicator light.

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the controls on the steering wheel body and / or the at least one spoke are illuminated analogously to the visualization of the information on the illuminated display. If in the illuminated display, for example, by a characteristic hue, such as blue, recognize a certain driving condition of the vehicle in highly automated driving, then to change this state, for example, to switch off the autonomous driving and manually intervene, a corresponding control element ideally operated in the region of the steering wheel become. If now the operating element and the lighting element are illuminated with the same color, then it is very easy for the user to recognize that there is a connection between the respective operating element and the information which is visualized via the at least one illuminated display. This creates an intuitive concept. This is a significant advantage in terms of ease of use, as the human-machine interface thereby becomes very simple and intuitive in an efficient manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel according to the invention, it may be provided that the lighting elements are part of the light indicator. The lighting elements for illuminating the controls can therefore be part of the light display itself, so that the control is simplified accordingly. For example, it is conceivable to pull the illuminated display in the upper region of the body of the steering wheel over the entire width of the body and partly over the width of the horizontal spokes typically seated there. If the operating elements are then arranged in the area of the spokes and here approximately in the region of the right and left end of the illuminated display, then an illumination of the corresponding operating elements can easily be effected over a part of the illuminated display itself, which then uses some of its light sources as lighting elements for illuminating the operating elements provides.

In a further very favorable embodiment of the idea, in the steering wheel according to the invention, the at least one illuminated display is formed by a plurality of light sources arranged in a row. These light sources, which may preferably be realized as light-emitting diodes, are realized in the manner of a running light or in the manner of a scale display. The light sources, in particular in the embodiment as light-emitting diodes, can represent different colors, for example by a different number of light sources whose colors mix, or by the use of light emitting diodes, which can change their color and adjust accordingly.

As already mentioned, it can be provided according to an advantageous embodiment that the light indicator is the light at an upper boundary of the steering wheel body and optionally provided this extending horizontally extending spokes. The light display is mainly oriented so that the light in the direction of The driver radiates, so that the indicator is very easy to recognize, even if there are correspondingly bright environmental conditions or the like. The light display can be shadowed in particular by a protruding edge against an incidence of ambient light from above and / or from the side in order to make them even more visible in bright ambient conditions.

A comparable structure is additionally or alternatively also in the range of one or more of the spokes possible, so that the light indicator can also be designed accordingly.

According to a further embodiment of the idea, it can further be provided that the light sources of the illuminated display illuminate a scattering element, via which the light emerges in the desired direction of illumination. In particular, such a structure in the region of the body and / or the spokes can be realized, which can be made very small in terms of the necessary height. A diffuser, such as a matte surface light guide, can be easily inserted into a gap between two materials, for example, along the upper contour of the steering wheel body and / or along spokes. This is ideal in terms of the additional space required, since even a very small height sufficient for the introduction of the scattering element. The actual light sources can then be arranged somewhat remotely in an area in which the installation space is available, for example inside the carcass in the rear area seen from the driver, which extends along the axis of rotation of the steering wheel to the dashboard. About the scattering element, the light for the light display can then be directed specifically into the area in which it is needed.

The electronic control device according to the invention for visualizing the driving state via at least one illuminated display, preferably in a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, it now provides that the control device is adapted to further lighting elements in the range of controls for influencing the driving state of the motor vehicle in an autonomous or highly automated driving to illuminate in the same color as the visualization via the illuminated display. As already mentioned, this makes a very simple, efficient and intuitive operating concept possible. The interface between the vehicle and the driver (HMI - Human Machine Interface) is simplified in that the control element associated with the respective operating function is illuminated in the same color, which also uses the illuminated display to display the corresponding corresponding state.

A particularly favorable development of the electronic control unit provides that it is used together with at least one illuminated display, the controls and their lighting elements in a steering wheel according to the invention according to one or more of the embodiments shown above.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the remaining dependent subclaims and will be apparent from the embodiment, which is described below with reference to the figures.

Showing:

1 a possible embodiment of a steering wheel according to the invention;

2 a possible alternative embodiment of a steering wheel according to the invention;

3 a possible further alternative embodiment of a steering wheel according to the invention; and

4 a schematic sectional view through a section of a steering wheel according to the invention, for example according to the embodiment in the 1 or 3 ,

In the presentation of the 1 is one in its entirety with 1 to recognize designated steering wheel. This steering wheel 1 consists essentially of a steering wheel 2 and a central, about the axis of rotation not shown here arranged steering wheel body 3 , which in the embodiment shown here four spokes 4 with the steering wheel 2 connected is. The two in horizontal extension of the steering wheel body 3 arranged upper spokes 4 have individual control buttons, which may be provided for example for the operation of functionalities of a telephone handsfree, an audio system or the like. In addition, the steering wheel points 1 a light indicator 5 on, which is configured to visualize the driving condition of the vehicle in an autonomous or highly automated driving mode. With regard to the functionality can be made to the above-mentioned prior art. Other than there is the light indicator 5 in the embodiment of 1 in the upper part of the steering wheel body 3 , This is in terms of installation and in terms of logistical complexity, since different steering rings 2 made of different materials, in different designs and for example with or without steering wheel heating exist, very efficient. So can the steering wheel 2 for example, at least in the upper most of the driver seen Be provided area, with a wood decor, a desired color, surface texture or the like. In practice, this leads to a corresponding number of steering rings 2 must be held, which leads to a significant logistical effort. If, in addition, the illuminated display had to be integrated here as an optical equipment variant, this already high expenditure would increase again, which would be a serious cost disadvantage. Therefore, as already indicated, it is provided that the corresponding illuminated display 5 here in the steering wheel body 3 is integrated, which has a much lower variety of variants.

In the presentation of the 2 is an alternative embodiment to recognize, in which the same elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Unlike in the presentation of the 1 here is the light indicator 5 starting in the lower part of the right upper spoke 4 over the right lower spoke 4 to the left lower spoke 4 and from there again pulled up accordingly. The light indicator 5 "Orbiting" so the spokes following the entire lower portion of the steering wheel 1 from right to left, respectively at the lower edge or outer edge of the spokes and at the connection of the two lower spokes 4 ,

Again, the light indicator 5 simple and efficient in the steering wheel body 3 or in the spokes 4 be provided, so that the effort in terms of their use is significantly lower than in the prior art.

A further embodiment variant is in the representation of 3 to recognize. Here is the view centrally, as he is typically expected by the driver, on the steering wheel 1 directed. Also here you will find the steering wheel 2 , the hub 3 as well as the four spokes 4 , In the spokes 4 Again, the control buttons are arranged in the manner described above. The light indicator 5 is here analogous to the representation in 1 in the upper part of the steering wheel body 3 and protrudes some distance into the area of the two upper spokes 4 along the upper edge.

In addition to the light indicator 5 are now controls 6 at the side of the indicator 5 provided, which may be formed, for example, in the manner of a pressure rocker. These controls are used by the side light sources as lighting elements of the light indicator 5 Illuminated so that they are illuminated in the same color as for the respective driving condition of the vehicle by the light indicator 5 is predetermined. An analogue use of the colors for the illuminated display 5 on the one hand and the lighting of the two controls 6 On the other hand, it allows extremely simple, efficient and intuitive operation by the driver of the vehicle. In addition or as an alternative, more can be found here 7 be designated controls as a switch or also be realized as pressure rockers. These are in the embodiment shown here, for example, below the two upper spokes 4 in the area between the respective right upper spoke 4 and the lower right spoke 4 , These controls 7 are also illuminated accordingly, for example, they can by an annular lighting, which here with 8th is designated to be illuminated accordingly. This light corona around the respective control element 7 is also functionally illuminated in the color in which the light indicator 5 at the corresponding function lights up, so that here too an operating concept results, which by using the same colors in the field of light indicator 5 on the one hand and in the field of lighting 8th the controls 7 on the other hand is very intuitive to use.

Ideally, it is so that the light indicator 5 is designed so that these individual discrete light sources 9 consists of which in the representation of 4 one is shown. These light sources 9 , For example, color change LEDs are ideally arranged in a row, so on the light indicator, a display in the manner of a scale display is possible. The light sources 9 need not be located in the area where the light exits. Rather, it is possible via optical fibers and in particular via a in the representation of 4 indicated and with the reference numeral 10 provided scattering element, the light, which in the example of 4 is radiated upward, to redirect in the direction of the driver, so that a light emission corresponding to the two marked and with 11 designated arrows takes place. The structure corresponds largely to the in 1 and 3 described structure, so in the area of the steering wheel body 3 the light above through a slit-shaped opening in the material of the steering wheel body 3 in which the scattering element 10 is installed, is discharged. The material of the steering wheel body 3 , In particular, running in the direction of the driver material of the hub, can a canopy 12 form, so that the lens is shielded from sunlight, and can be easily detected even in bright conditions.

In the presentation of the 4 is also an electronic control device 13 indicated, which, as symbolized by the arrows, data of a vehicle control, such as a control system for autonomous or highly automated driving of the motor vehicle receives. The electronic control device 13 gives this data to the light sources 9 or one of these driving electronics accordingly further, so the light indicator 5 to operate. In the presentation of the 4 It also visualizes that via the control device 13 other lighting elements, here the lighting 8th for generating the light corona around the control element 7 be controlled. About the electronic control device 13 So can also control the lighting of the controls 7 as well as the lighting of the controls 6 at the respective ends of the indicator 5 to be controlled with.

In addition to the information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in autonomous or highly automated driving mode, the indicator light 5 can also be used to warn, for example, of foreign objects detected in the vicinity, which have been detected via a corresponding sensor on board, such as camera, radar, lidar or the like. Also a communication between different vehicles can to corresponding data about the driving condition and thus to an activation of the indicator 5 , comparable to the constructions in the prior art lead.

Another functionality of the light display can also be to use these with specific shades for ambient lighting of the vehicle interior with. In addition to the pure display function with respect to the driving state, a further advantageous use for generating a desired ambient lighting occurring in the corresponding color is thus possible.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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 assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2014216105 A1 [0002]
• DE 112013005122 T5 [0002]
• DE 102013005895 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Steering wheel ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle, with a steering wheel rim ( 2 ), with a central steering wheel body ( 3 ), which has at least one spoke ( 4 ) with the steering wheel ( 2 ) is connected, and in whose area the axis of rotation of the steering wheel ( 1 ) is arranged, with at least one indicator ( 5 ) for optical visualization of information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation, and with operating elements ( 6 . 7 ), characterized in that the at least one indicator ( 5 ) in the steering wheel body ( 3 ) and / or the at least one spoke ( 4 ) is integrated, and comprises various sections and luminous colors for visualizing the information about the driving condition of the motor vehicle in a highly automated or autonomous driving operation, wherein operating elements ( 6 . 7 ) on the steering wheel body ( 3 ) and / or the at least one spoke ( 4 ) have to influence the driving state lighting elements and color analogous to the visualization of the information about the driving condition by the at least one indicator ( 5 ), are illuminable. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting elements are part of the illuminated display ( 5 ) are. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one indicator ( 5 ) by a plurality of light sources arranged in a row ( 9 ) is trained. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the indicator ( 5 ) directed the light in the direction of the driver at a standstill of the steering wheel ( 1 ) upper limit of the steering wheel body ( 3 ) radiates. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the illuminated display ( 5 ) the light directed towards the driver along one or more of the spokes ( 4 ) radiates. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operating elements ( 6 ) at the respective ends of the illuminated display ( 5 ) are arranged. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the light sources ( 9 ) are formed as light-emitting diodes. Steering wheel ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the light sources ( 9 ) of the illuminated display ( 5 ) are arranged in such a way that they form a scattering element ( 10 ) illuminate, over which the light emerges in the desired lighting direction. Electronic control device ( 13 ) for visualizing a driving condition of a motor vehicle via at least one illuminated display ( 5 ), preferably in a steering wheel ( 1 ) of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the electronic control device is designed for further lighting elements ( 8th ) in the range of operating elements ( 6 . 7 ) for influencing the driving condition in the same color as the visualization via the illuminated display ( 5 ) to illuminate Control device ( 13 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one indicator ( 5 ), the controls ( 6 . 7 ) and the light elements ( 8th ) in a steering wheel ( 1 ) are arranged according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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