DE102019108762B4 - Steering wheel for a vehicle, simulator or game console - Google Patents

Abstract

Steering wheel for a vehicle, a simulator or a game console, which has at least one display unit (11) for displaying at least one piece of information (13) for a driver,
A rotary position sensor (21) is arranged on the steering wheel (1) or on a device connected to the steering wheel (1), which detects a steering wheel lock angle as a function of a rest position, and the at least one display unit (11) is designed in such a way that the at least one piece of information (13) is displayed in an orientation that is not directly dependent on a steering wheel lock angle,
characterized in that
the alignment of the at least one piece of information (13) is designed to be changeable in a smaller area than the steering wheel angle, so that an unintentional inclination of the driver's head when the steering wheel is turned can also be taken into account.

Description

The invention relates to a steering wheel as used for vehicles, simulators or game consoles.

Such steering wheels often have a rotary position sensor that detects a steering wheel lock angle as a function of a rest position.

If the steering wheel is used on a (driving) simulator, the steering wheel lock or rotation of the steering axle or the steering column is detected via a rotation of the axle in a motor instead of via a direct angle sensor. the different resistance to a steering movement, which depends on the driving situation, is also generated in order to enable a real simulation and to be able to give feedback to the driver.

In simulators and game consoles as well as in real vehicles, there is an increasing need for information that is to be displayed to the driver as directly as possible.

The dashboard is used regularly for this purpose, in which displays and instruments are housed in the driver's field of vision in order to display desired information.

With the increasing amount of information, additional ways are also used to output it. For example, information is output in the form of sounds or even speech in order to draw the driver's attention to actions.

For example, a too small distance as well as a missing seat belt, navigation information, etc. are often given out via warning tones or even voice.

A steering wheel with a display has also already been introduced in motor racing.

A steering wheel according to the preamble of claim 1 is from DE 102 14 606 A1 known. More such steering wheels are from JP H07- 205 682 A , WO 2001 058 713 A1 , DE 37 26 336 A1 , JP 2009 096 210 A , U.S. 2015 0 286 385 A1 , U.S. 2016 0 375 770 A1 and DE 10 2012 014 326 A1 known.

However, this solution is perceived by drivers as inconvenient and not accepted as advantageous.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method that offer an additional option for displaying information to a driver in a convenient manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a steering wheel having the features of claims 1 and 10 and a method having the features of claim 7 .

According to the invention, the steering wheel itself is used to provide an additional means of displaying information to a driver. For this purpose, the steering wheel according to the invention has (at least) one display unit for displaying (at least) one piece of information for the driver. In the context of the invention, a display is to be understood as a visual display, ie representation in numbers (numeric), writing (alphanumeric) and/or an image.

According to the invention, the steering wheel has a rotary position transmitter, with this rotary position transmitter also being able to be arranged on the steering wheel or on its steering column or on devices or parts moved thereby. As a device that is moved by this, for example, a gear for the implementation of the steering movement comes into question.

The term rotary position sensor is to be understood broadly within the meaning of the invention, so that any devices, such as a motor for feedback (force feedback), angle sensor, steering angle sensor, Hall sensor, bar code sensor with light barrier system, gyroscope, and image evaluation, which are suitable to detect a steering angle of a steering wheel or a change in the rotational position (steering angle position) of the steering wheel in relation to a rest position or starting position (in particular position for driving straight ahead).

To display the information, the values determined by the rotary position transmitter or the respective current value are determined when the information is aligned, and the information is aligned as a function of this value, for example by means of an evaluation and control unit.

Accordingly, not only the display unit, but also the evaluation and control device (display electronics) is designed in such a way that the determined values (locking angle values) are used to align the information and the display electronics have a corresponding input interface (electronic and/or designed as a software interface).

This makes it possible to align the information on the display unit independently the steering angle of the steering wheel. When the steering wheel is turned, the orientation of the information does not remain fixed to the (rotational) position of the steering wheel, but is independent or not directly dependent on the steering wheel lock angle.

As a result, the display or the displayed information can still be read when the steering wheel is tilted (lock) even if you do not tilt your head. This is particularly advantageous when the driver wears a helmet, as is the case, for example, in a racing car or a corresponding simulation, since wearing a helmet hardly affects the tilting of the head. In addition, small jerky movements can also be compensated according to the invention, so that the information displayed on the display unit remains readable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the display unit is embodied as an electronic screen, in particular as an LCD, LED or OLED screen, which advantageously enables the display unit and the desired alignment of the information shown on the display to be implemented cost-effectively.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the orientation of the at least one piece of information remains constant in relation to a rest position of the steering wheel (in particular the position for driving straight ahead), so that the driver does not turn the information in any position of the steering wheel, preferably horizontally (in relation to his own position). , can perceive.

According to the invention, it is possible to adjust the orientation to a lesser extent than the steering wheel angle, so that an unintentional inclination of the driver's head when the steering wheel is turned can also be taken into account.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display unit (or the display units are) is arranged centrally in or on the steering wheel so that it can be seen particularly well in the driver's field of vision whenever the steering wheel is turned.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the steering wheel is not permanently connected to the base unit, but can be connected to it or detached from it by means of a quick-release fastener.

As a result, a steering wheel can advantageously be used by a driver or user on other base units.

Taking your own steering wheel with you increases the comfort for a driver, since there is no need to get used to someone else's steering wheel. In addition, the detachable steering wheel allows multiple use in a vehicle, simulator or game console.

Since this base unit also transmits information regarding the rotational position and/or a change in the rotational position of the steering column to the detachable steering wheel and its display unit, the inventive—preferably constant horizontal—alignment of the information is also ensured in this embodiment of the invention.

Electronics, in particular the evaluation and control device, for controlling the display unit can be accommodated in the steering wheel or in its housing and, in the case of a steering wheel that can be removed (by means of a quick-release fastener), can be removed with this.

The electronics, including any settings stored therein, can thus be contained in the detachable steering wheel and can be taken by a driver to another game console, another simulator or even another vehicle and used there.

Further advantageous configurations of the invention result from the dependent claims.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

• 1 eine Draufsicht auf ein schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Lenkrads in Ruheposition;
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf ein Lenkrad nach 1 mit Linkseinschlag und
• 3 eine Seitenansicht auf ein Lenkrad nach 1 und 2.

Show in the drawing:

• 1 a plan view of a schematic representation of a steering wheel according to the invention in the rest position;
• 2 a plan view of a steering wheel 1 with left turn and
• 3 a side view of a steering wheel 1 and 2 .

1 shows a schematic representation of a steering wheel 1, which is in the rest position (without turning the steering wheel) or position for a straight-ahead drive of a vehicle, simulator or a game console.

The steering wheel has, for example, an annular or circular grip area 3 and a central area 5 which is connected to the grip areas 3, for example via horizontal webs 7 and a vertical web 9.

A display unit 11, for example in the form of a circular area, is located in the center of the interior of the steering wheel 1, on which information 13 is or can be displayed for a driver in a horizontal orientation.

This display unit 11 can be designed, for example, as an electronic display (LCD, LED or OLED), with other configurations (rectangular, square, spherical, etc.) being conceivable in addition to the preferably round or circular configuration shown.

If the steering wheel is turned 45° to the left, for example, as in 2 shown, the steering wheel 1 is turned to the left without the orientation of the information 13 on the display unit 11 being changed.

The orientation of the information 13 remains in a horizontal position (x-axis of the coordinate system K) in relation to a coordinate system K of the driver (or the vehicle, simulator or game console).

The left turn of the steering wheel 1 is in 2 through the to 1 changed position of the webs 7 and 9 to the coordinate system K clarifies.

How out 3 As can be seen, the steering wheel 1 preferably has a steering wheel housing 15, which is not essential to the invention, centrally on its underside. Electronics for controlling the display unit 11 can be accommodated in this steering wheel housing.

The steering wheel 1 is connected to a steering column 19 which is rotatably mounted in a base 17 , for example a base unit of a game console or a simulator, but is stationary in the axial longitudinal direction of the steering column 19 .

A steering wheel turn of the steering wheel 1, which is non-rotatably connected to the steering column 19 (at the upper end), therefore causes a corresponding rotation of the steering column 19 in the base 17.

In base 17 or, as in 3 shown, below the base 17, there is a rotational position sensor 21 or steering angle sensor, which is electrically, mechanically or optically connected to the steering column 19 in such a way that it detects a steering wheel lock angle or a corresponding rotation of the steering column 19 in direction and size.

The detected value of a steering wheel angle is determined via a processor, not shown in the drawing, evaluated and used to control the display unit 11 in order to display the information 13 on the display unit 11, as in 2 shown, instead of shown in a correspondingly rotated position in an unchanged horizontal orientation.

As a position transmitter 21, for example, as in 3 shown, a (force feedback) motor is used, the axis of which serves as the steering column 19 or is connected to it or coupled to its rotation.

The motor is used, among other things, to generate a desired resistance to a steering wheel turn (feedback) depending on the driving situation (speed, curve radius, road gradient, road surface conditions, etc.) in order to simulate the driving situation as realistically as possible. In addition, the motor can be used to generate other types of feedback such as shaking, vibration, etc. for the driver.

Of course, it is also conceivable to determine the rotational position or a change in the rotational position in a different way. For example, a bar code can be attached to the circumference of the steering column or to a part that moves along with a rotation of the steering column 19, which bar code can be read via a light barrier system or a scanner.

However, the rotational position or a change in position itself generates an inductive current, so that this value is generated by a corresponding evaluation and control unit, for example a (display) processor, for controlling the display unit 11 or for aligning the data displayed on the display unit 11 Information 13 is used to keep the orientation constantly horizontal in relation to the coordinate system K of the driver or the simulator.

The base unit 17 with the position transmitter 21 is supplied with power via a connection 23 . The electronics for controlling the display unit 11 - if housed in the steering wheel housing 15 - and the display unit 11 itself are preferably supplied with power via an inductive coupling between the rotating steering wheel 1 (and the housing 15 rotated along with it) and the base 17 fixed thereto.

Of course, it is also conceivable to implement this power supply or energy supply in a different way, for example by means of a sliding contact or a twistable line (stranded wire, ribbon cable).

In addition, it is possible to equip the steering wheel with a self-sufficient energy source, in particular batteries or accumulators.

The signal transmission for displaying the information 13 can also take place in one of the aforementioned ways. In addition, it is conceivable for the aforementioned signal to be transmitted wirelessly via infrared, Bluetooth, etc.

Although the components of the steering wheel 1 and the base 17 are shown as being connected to one another and thus forming a unit in the drawing, it is conceivable for the steering wheel 1 to be detachable therefrom, for example by means of a quick-release fastener.

The quick-release fastener can be accommodated, for example, in the area of the steering wheel housing 15, with the electronics (evaluation and control device) for actuating the display unit 11 preferably being able to be contained in the part that can be removed with the steering wheel 1.

The above statements regarding the orientation of the information 13 apply unchanged to a corresponding arrangement of a base unit 17 and a steering wheel 1 .

Reference List

1

steering wheel

3

grip area

5

central area

7

horizontal bars

9

vertical bridge

11

display unit

13

information

15

steering wheel housing

17

Base

19

steering column

21

rotary encoder

23

connecting cable

K

Coordinate system of the driver

Claims (10)

Steering wheel for a vehicle, a simulator or a game console, which has at least one display unit (11) for displaying at least one piece of information (13) for a driver, being on the steering wheel (1) or on one connected to the steering wheel (1). standing device, a rotary position sensor (21) is arranged, which detects a steering wheel angle as a function of a rest position, and the at least one display unit (11) is designed in such a way that the at least one piece of information (13) is displayed in an orientation that is not directly dependent of a steering wheel lock angle, characterized in that the alignment of the at least one piece of information (13) is designed to be changeable in a smaller area than the steering wheel lock angle, so that an unintentional inclination of the driver's head when the steering wheel is turned can also be taken into account. steering wheel claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one display unit (11) is designed as an electronic screen. Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one display unit (11) is designed such that the at least one piece of information (13) is displayed independently of the steering wheel lock angle in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the driver's position. Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one display unit (11) is arranged centrally in or on the steering wheel (1). Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device connected to the steering wheel (1) is designed as a steering column (19) or conversion device. Steering wheel according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering wheel (1) is detachably connected to one of the base units (17) by means of a quick-release fastener. Method for displaying at least one piece of information on a steering wheel (1) of a vehicle, simulator or game console, in which at least one piece of information (13) is displayed in an orientation that is not directly dependent on a steering wheel lock angle, characterized in that the orientation the at least one piece of information (13) is designed to be changeable in a smaller area than the steering wheel angle, so that an unintentional inclination of the driver's head when the steering wheel is turned can also be taken into account. procedure after claim 7 , characterized in that the at least one piece of information (13) is displayed in a substantially horizontal orientation in relation to the position of the driver, independently of the steering wheel lock angle. Procedure according to one of Claims 7 until 8th , characterized in that the at least one piece of information (13) is displayed essentially centrally in the steering wheel (1). Steering wheel for use on a vehicle, simulator or game console, which is detachably connected to the vehicle, the simulator or the game console by means of a quick-release device, characterized in that the steering wheel has a display unit (11) and an evaluation and control device in order to at least to display information (13) that can be displayed on the display unit (11) in an orientation that is not directly dependent on a steering wheel lock angle of a steering wheel (1) connected to the vehicle, the simulator or the game console, and the orientation of the at least one piece of information (13 ) is designed to be changeable in a smaller area than the steering wheel angle, so that an unintentional inclination of the driver's head when the steering wheel is turned can also be taken into account.

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