DE102019101379A1 - Steering handle of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering handle of a vehicle with a support structure rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, on which two angled shaped grip elements are provided rotatably relative to the support structure, each grip element having a leg designed to be at least partially gripped by a driver's hand and furthermore apart from it Operating element arranged on the leg and operable by means of at least one finger of the gripping hand. The grip elements can have a second leg and a web connecting the two legs, each grip element being rotatably mounted on the support structure via the second leg. Operating elements can be provided on the second leg. Furthermore, a further control element and / or a display and control surface can be provided at the free end of the leg of the grip element designed to grip around.

Description

The invention relates to a steering handle of a vehicle with a support structure rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, on which two angled handle elements are provided so as to be rotatable relative to the support structure. In addition to the DE 10 2016 225 452 A1 and the WO 01/87687 on the JP-2004-352124 A and the JP 2005-104406 A referred.

As part of the development of at least partially autonomous two-lane motor vehicles, the development of novel steering handles is also being considered, with the aid of which a driver steers the vehicle in a non-automated driving mode that is still available, i.e. can specify or set its direction of travel. The steering wheels previously used for this require a relatively large amount of installation space, which could be used for other purposes at least if the vehicle is driving autonomously. In addition to a shifting of steering wheels during autonomous driving, novel steering handles are therefore also investigated, which require less installation space, at least in an autonomous driving state in which the steering handle of the vehicle also remains essentially in a neutral position corresponding to a straight travel of the vehicle even when the vehicle is turning.

A steering handle of the type mentioned at the beginning has already been proposed for this, the so-called support structure, which in the neutral position of the steering handle is practically horizontal in the vehicle interior, and therefore in the closest prior art mentioned at the beginning ( DE 10 2016 225 452 A1 ) is referred to as a cross element, can be designed in many different ways. By gripping and appropriately guiding at least one of the two grip elements, which are preferably provided or attached in end sections of the support structure, the driver can rotate the support structure or steering handle about its axis of rotation in the non-autonomous driving mode. In the prior art, an electromotive drive device for rotating the grip element has already been proposed, the axis of rotation of each grip element preferably running at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the support structure (or the transverse element), which in turn usually runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle and is slightly inclined towards the road in a vertical plane.

So-called steering column switches, which are provided on a fixed or slightly pivotable lever for switching a direction indicator ("turn signal") or for actuating a windshield wiper or a windshield washer system of the vehicle, are arranged behind his steering wheel when viewed by the driver of a motor vehicle customary today, in particular a passenger car. Steering column switches of this type, with which a transmission in the drive train of the vehicle can also be switched or controlled, appear less suitable in connection with a steering handle of the type mentioned at the beginning, since they would not be ergonomically usable if the steering handle were rotated. If, on the other hand, such lever-like steering column switches were rotated with the support structure of the steering handle, the operation would again be uncomfortable and collisions with the driver's knee area would be inevitable. Also known on steering handles or on the so-called multifunction steering wheels are buttons or switches or other control surfaces (for example in the manner of a touchscreen or touchpad) for operating entertainment or communication systems or for selecting driver assistance systems.

This is intended to show how, on a new type of steering handle of the type mentioned at the outset, which the driver of the vehicle can complete with one hand without letting go once or several times, i.e. can be turned through 360 °, various operating elements can be arranged in a favorable manner (= object of the present invention).

This object is achieved with the features of the independent patent claim and is characterized for a steering handle of the type mentioned at the outset in that each grip element has a leg designed to be at least partially gripped by a driver's hand and furthermore has a leg which is arranged apart from this leg and by means of at least one Operating element operated by a finger of the encompassing hand. Advantageous training and further education are included in the subclaims.

According to the invention, control elements or at least one control element are provided in the area of the grip elements, which, without releasing the respective grip element, can or can be actuated with at least one finger which is preferably slightly spread apart and which at least partially grips the grip element. For example, the grip element can be at least approximately U-shaped for this purpose and, in addition to a first leg provided for partial gripping with one hand, have a second leg, the two legs of which (in the driver's view, preferably lower) end section are connected to one another via a web. These two legs do not have to be of the same length or parallel to each other.

At least approximately, however, these two legs lie in a plane, which can be parallel to a plane described by the said support structure, for example, or at least approximately perpendicular to a plane described by the support structure. Now one of the two legs is designed or shaped in such a way that it can be gripped easily with one hand or can be gripped approximately or partially, so that the driver can hold this grip element well and thus rotate the support structure mechanically connected to the grip element about its axis of rotation. On the other second leg and / or on said web or on another suitable section of the angled grip element apart from the first leg to be gripped by the hand, at least one control element is provided according to the invention, for example for the direction indicator or the lighting system of the vehicle or for other, wherein this control element can be actuated with at least one finger of the hand encompassing said leg (or first leg).

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that the grip element does not have to be U-shaped; the only essential thing is a suitably angled shape, which enables the handle elements to be rotated relative to the support structure, preferably about an axis parallel to their axis of rotation, so that when the steering handle is rotated, the driver only shifts his hands translationally, but not about the longitudinal axis of his forearm must twist. The driver is also given the option of steering with only one hand, i.e. to grasp only one of the (two) handle elements. In order to be able to switch on the direction indicator even with one-handed steering operation, an operating element for switching the direction indicator can be provided both on the left-hand side (in the neutral position of the steering handle) and on the right-hand grip element, whereby actuation of only one (then two) control elements is sufficient is.

In principle, conventional pushbuttons or slide switches, but also knurled wheels or rotary rings or other common operating elements can be provided, which can be actuated in the manner according to the invention with one or more spread fingers (s) of the hand gripping the grip element or its corresponding leg, ideally with such an arrangement on the handle element that both a driver with large hands and a driver with small hands can operate them. In addition, a further control element and / or a control surface, for example in the manner of a so-called touch screen or touch pad, can be provided at the free end of the leg of the grip element, which can also serve only or additionally as a display surface.

In the following the invention is further explained with the aid of an embodiment, the attached one 1 in a first spatial view and 2nd shows a vehicle steering handle according to the invention in a second spatial view, each at an angle to the front.

With the reference number 3rd is a lining of a steering column for the steering handle L, characterized by its supporting structure 1 about an axis of rotation D1 rotatable on the steering column or panel 3rd a passenger car is stored. In the neutral position of the steering handle L shown in the figure - in this position the vehicle is driving straight ahead - this support structure lies 1 horizontal in the vehicle and extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Inside the fairing 3rd runs a steering spindle connected on the one hand to the steering handle L and on the other hand to a steering gear from which the steerable wheels of the vehicle are steered, ie driven. Inside this cladding attached to the body of the vehicle 3rd can also be arranged electrical and electronic accessories of the steering handle L.

In the two end sections of this in the neutral position of the steering handle L transverse support structure 1 is a handle element on the right or left side 2nd each around an axis of rotation D2 , which are preferably parallel to the axis of rotation D1 runs, rotatable on the support structure 1 attached. This allows a driver of the vehicle to hold the left-hand or right-hand grip element with his two hands 2nd partially embraces the supporting structure by translationally shifting his hands on an arc 1 with the two handle elements 2nd (and thus through the support structure 1 and the handle elements 2nd formed steering handle L) about the axis of rotation D1 twist. Due to the rotatability of the handle elements 2nd in the axes of rotation D2 the driver does not have to twist his hands; rather, each vertical first leg can 2a each grip element 2nd , which is gripped by the driver's hand in the course of the twisting of the support structure 1 maintain its essentially vertical orientation (in the coordinate system of the vehicle) shown in the figure.

Now on a single grip element 2nd as can be seen, this is approximately U-shaped and thus has a first leg 2a and a second leg 2 B that over a jetty 2c are interconnected. It was already mentioned that the first leg 2a is designed in such a way that it is ergonomically favorable with one hand from the driver of the vehicle can be encompassed. For this, this first leg runs 2a essentially in the vertical direction in the installation position in the vehicle, at least when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, although a slight inclination around the transverse axis of the vehicle is possible or is present. The jetty 2c runs essentially horizontally, and with its second leg vertically oriented in turn 2 B , which is viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in the driver's line of sight behind the first leg 2a is the grip element 2nd in the present case about the axis of rotation D2 rotatable on the support structure 1 attached. In the present case each web 2c is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, but is slightly inclined relative to it in a horizontal plane (e.g. by an angle of 30 °), the first leg lies in the neutral position of the steering handle shown in the figure 2a each grip element 2nd viewed in the radial direction further from the axis of rotation D1 spaced apart than the second leg 2 B .

On every second leg 2 B is on the outside, ie on the axis of rotation D1 facing away from a first control 4a and a second control element 4b intended. The latter is designed as a slide switch which can be displaced essentially in the vertical direction, while the first operating element arranged above this slide switch 4a is designed as a four-way toggle switch, ie as an approximate cube-shaped control button that can be used almost around the axis of rotation D2 can be tilted or tilted in a direction approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in each case in two opposite directions. For example, by tilting this first control element 4a around the axis of rotation D2 with one of the first legs 2a gripping hand stretched fingers of the direction indicator of the vehicle can be switched while tilting this control 4a can be switched in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis between low beam and high beam (the headlights of the vehicle). The second control 4b can, for example, act as an external switching element for controlling a transmission in the drive train of the vehicle. For operating these controls 4a , 4b with one or more fingers, the driver can rest the rest of his hand on the first leg 2a leave and at the same time actuate the steering handle L, e.g. twist or hold it. Otherwise, the controls explained so far 4a , 4b on the left-hand grip element (in the neutral position of the steering handle) 2nd and on the right-hand grip element (in the neutral position of the steering handle) 2nd the same (as from 2nd can be seen) or different functions can be assigned. For example, it can be provided that the second control element 4b of the left-hand grip element 2nd as described for the transmission control is provided while using the second control 4b the right-hand grip element 2nd the wipers of the vehicle can be switched.

How out 1 further emerges is at the free end of the first leg 2a each grip element 2nd another control 5a in the form of a rotating ring and a touch-sensitive control surface arranged within it and designed in the manner of a touchscreen or touchpad 5b intended. Outside under the rotating ring 5a is in the free end portion of the leg 2a a filing structure 6 for the thumb of this thigh 2a another hand is provided and in the opposite peripheral side area of this circular end section is a further control element 5c arranged. This control 5c is again designed as a slide switch with which, for example, the windshield wipers of the vehicle can be switched. On the filing structure 6 the right-hand grip element 2nd is still a push button 7 intended. On the mentioned touchscreen 5b For the rest, different displays can also be provided, so that this can also function as a display area, for which the reference number is also used 5b is used. Of course, various displays for the driver can also be provided at other points in the steering handle.

The control elements provided on a steering handle according to the invention, which can also be referred to proportionally as steering column levers, can be used as short 4-way rocker arms (cf. the control element 4a ) be carried out while a gear selector switch as a 2-way rocker arm 2nd Pressure points per tilt direction (see the control element 4b ) can be formed and both directly to the angled or cranked handle element 2nd are connected so that these control elements always remain within reach when steering, without the steering hand holding the steering handle L or the respective handle element 2nd have to let go. Here is the shape of the cranked handle element 2nd so pronounced that on the one hand the controls 4a , 4b , 5a , 5c and possibly also 5b are easily and blindly accessible for small and large hand percentiles, but on the other hand the freedom of the fingers is guaranteed when these operating elements are reached. The individual functions (such as high beam, direction indicator, gear selector switch) can be mirrored redundantly on the two handle elements 2nd (namely on the left and right grip elements 2nd ) attached, so that in left and right-hand drive countries or for left- and right-hand dominant people, easy steering and operation without changing or releasing the respective grip element 2nd is possible. The wiper control (see control element 5c ) is at the easily accessible free end of a handle element 2nd appropriate; there are also rotatable ones Rings (see control element 5a ) with stop levels, for example for the volume of an audio system in the vehicle. The control surface 5b , which is designed as a touchscreen or touchpad, is also at the free end of a handle element for driver assistance systems and entertainment or communication 2nd provided and is easily accessible ergonomically. There are also two handle elements 2nd Thumb recesses in the form of an ergonomically good storage structure 6 for the thumb of each hand. In addition, lighting elements on the handle elements 2nd It is provided which information can provide the driver, for example, about the automation mode of the vehicle, takeover requests in autonomous driving mode and warnings.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102016225452 A1 [0001, 0003]
• WO 0187687 [0001]
• JP 2004352124 A [0001]
• JP 2005104406 A [0001]

Claims (5)

Steering handle of a vehicle with a support structure (1) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (D1), on which two angled-shaped grip elements (2) are provided rotatably relative to the support structure (1), each grip element (2) having an at least partial grip by one Hand of a driver trained leg (2a) and furthermore an operating element (4a, 4b) arranged apart from this leg (2a) and operable by means of at least one finger of the gripping hand. Steering handle after Claim 1 , wherein the handle elements (2) have a second leg (2b) and a web (2c) connecting the two legs (2a, 2b), and wherein each handle element (2) is rotatable via its second leg (2b) on the support structure (1 ) is stored. Steering handle after Claim 2 A control element (4a, 4b) is provided on the second leg (2b). Steering handle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an operating element (5a, 5c) and / or an operating surface (5b) is provided at the free end of the leg (2a) of the grip element (2) designed for gripping around. Steering handle after Claim 4 An operating element (5a) provided on the free end of the handle element leg (2a) is designed as a rotating ring.

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