FR2750390A1 - CONTROL ELEMENT DEVICE TO CONTROL AT LEAST THE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Instead of the accelerator and brake pedals and a steering wheel, this device comprises two control elements, in particular in the form of joysticks, which can be actuated independently of one another and by which at least the longitudinal or transverse movement of the vehicle can be selectively controlled by the actuation of one or the other element. According to the invention, the two control elements (1, 2) are coupled together, mechanically (4) or hydraulically, with a view to the transmission of movements or adjustment forces between the two elements (1, 2). By a relatively reduced cost, it thus becomes possible to achieve a comfortable and highly functional control of the longitudinal and / or transverse movement of the vehicle. Applicable to automobiles for example.

Description

The invention relates to a control element device for controlling

  the longitudinal movement and / or the transverse movement of a motor vehicle, which device comprises two control elements and by which at least the longitudinal movement and, optionally,

  in addition to the transverse movement of the vehicle over

  tomobile can be ordered selectively by action-

  ment of one or the other control element.

  Conventionally, the steering wheel serves, in a

  automobile, an element to control the trans-

  versal, while the accelerator and brake pedals

  serve as elements for controlling the longitudinal movement

  the vehicle. In the study of P. Brânneby et al.

  Active and Passive Safety by Active Lateral Dynamic Control and the Unconventional Steering Unit ",

  13th International Technical Conference on Vehicles

  Experimental safety cules, from November 4 to 7, 1991, Accounts-Rendus, Volume 1, page 224, it is proposed, as an alternative to the conventional steering wheel, a control lever installed for example on the central tunnel of the vehicle. It is also known to provide a common element for controlling longitudinal dynamics and dynamics.

  cross-section of a motor vehicle, the long-term

  being preferably controlled by an actuator

  length of the control element in the longitudinal direction

  of the vehicle and the transverse movement by an actua-

  of this element in the transversal direction and in parti-

  by a rotary motion by analogy with the

  classic lant. Such a control element is described in U.S. 3,022,850 in the form of a joystick mounted movable in inclination about a horizontal transverse axis on a frame which is itself rotatable about a horizontal longitudinal axis. Another control element of this type, mentioned in the article by H. Bubb, "Arbeitsplatz Fahrer - Eine Ergoncmische Studie", Automobil-Industrie 3/85, page 265, comprises two disconnected handles placed at a short distance, one to side of the other and mechanically connected to each other, which are installed at the end of a stirrup itself movable and guided on the central console of the vehicle. The sliding of the caliper in the direction of the length of the vehicle controls the longitudinal dynamics of the vehicle, while the transverse dynamics is influenced by rotation of the two handles discorded in the transverse plane of the vehicle.

vehicle.

  The above-mentioned German Unexamined Patent Application 195,477,717.6 discloses a control element device of the type mentioned in US Pat.

  beginning, whose two control elements are manoeu-

  true independently of each other and made of

  preferably as manually operated joysticks

  LEMENT. An electronic coupling of the two elements

  fishing for "collisions" of orders, for example by super-

  additive addition of control command signals, manual switching to a passive state each time a control element or by assigning different priorities to the two elements. To obtain security

  sufficient functional requirements, provisions are necessary

  in this case to detect the failure of one of the two elements, so that the driver of the vehicle can immediately release the failed element in order to drive the vehicle then using the

  only control element still operating.

  The patent application submitted to the Inspectorate

  WO 88/09279, discloses a control element device for controlling the transverse movement of a

  automobile, a device which comprises two elements of com-

  in the form of joysticks placed on a console

  stalled where a steering wheel is usually located

  classic. Both levers are mounted - in the syn-

  chronized by mechanical coupling - tilting on the

  console, tilting movements to the right in

  trailing, according to obvious functional coordination, right turns and tilting movements

  to the left resulting in robberies on the left.

  Patent Application EP 0 525 817 A1 discloses a control element device for controlling the transverse movement of a vehicle, which comprises two control elements made as broom handles whose one is installed to the left and the other to the right in the lateral area adjacent to the driver's seat. Both sleeves are mounted to be movable exclusively in the direction of the length of the

  vehicle. Moreover, they are mutually coupled

  to an engine, as well as electrically to the wheels of the vehicle to be steered, so that a steering in a given direction is caused by a forward movement of a handle and a simultaneous movement backwards

of the other round.

  The technical problem underlying the invention is the provision of a device of control elements, of the type mentioned at the beginning, by which is carried out, with a comparatively low expense, a high

functional reliability.

  The invention solves this problem by providing

  of a control element device which is

  characterized in that the two control elements are made as broom handles and are mechanically

  or hydraulically coupled together for the purpose of trans-

  mission of adjustment movements or adjustment forces

  between the two elements, so that they are

  depending on each other. In this

  positive, the two control elements, made as joysticks, by which the longitudinal movement of the vehicle can be controlled in parallel

  also, optionally, the transverse movement of the vehicle

  automobile, are mechanically or hydraulically

  coupled together, so that the movements or ef-

  setting or positioning strengths produced on one element are transmitted each time to the other element of

  command. The driver may drive the selected vehicle

  by actuating one or the other or both

  control elements. As a result, the device comprises

  both the mechanically coupled control elements

  functional safety hydraulics, has a

  Inherent dondence that increases functional safety, without the need for specific components to detect the failure of a particular component.

two control elements.

  Moreover, this device of elements of com-

  mande provides the known advantages of a common element for controlling longitudinal movement and movement

  transversal compared to conventional devices

  with a steering wheel to control the transverse movement and a system of accelerator and

  brake - a system which is decoupled from the steering wheel - for controlling

  der the longitudinal movement of the vehicle, such as more rapid adjustment or positioning

  for robbery, eliminating the risk of

  by the steering wheel and the pedal system, the lack of need to change the pedal when ordering the

  longitudinal movement, a large free space for

  instrumentation due to the removal of the

  flying and a comfortable position of the body, with the li-

  a good choice for the position of the feet and a position close to the body of the hand holding the control element, as well as the possibility of shortening the vehicle of the length so far required for installation

  steering wheel and pedals, while maintaining the same

  useful pace inside, and a better boarding

of the vehicle.

  An improvement of the control element device provides that the two elements are constituted by two joysticks installed one on the left and the other on the right in the lateral area adjacent to the seat.

  of the driver, who are mounted to be able to

  in the direction of the length of the vehicle, with a view to controlling the longitudinal movement of the vehicle and, optionally, additionally in the transverse direction of the vehicle with a view to controlling its transverse movement. This improvement is advantageous especially from different ergonomic points of view because the two elements

  of control are made as broomsticks ins-

  next to the driver's seat, preferably at the height of his arms. According to this improvement,

  sleeves are mounted that can be moved in the direction of

  the vehicle and, optionally, in the direction

  cross-section of the vehicle, thereby creating a coordinated

  intuitive dination of the direction of actuation to the

  function of the fact that the sleeves are action-

  in the transverse direction to influence the transverse movement of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction to

  influence its longitudinal movement.

  According to another development of such a

  tif of control elements, the two handles are coupled

  between them mechanically, through a timone-

  or Bowden cable, or hydraulically through

  a system of pistons and cylinders.

  Other features and advantages of the

  will become clearer from the description

  which will follow of several preferred embodiments, but in no way limiting, as well as the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front view;

  the driver's seat area of a motor vehicle

  bile with two broom handles installed beside the seat, mounted reclining and coupled via a mechanical linkage; - Figure 2 is a similar view, but with a mechanical coupling made by a Bowden cable between the two sleeves; and - Figure 3 is a similar view, but with a hydraulic coupling of the two sleeves. The control element device shown - only schematically with its components of interest here - in FIG. 1 and serving to control the longitudinal movement and the transverse movement of a motor vehicle, comprises two joysticks 1, 2 one of which, designated 1, is in the lateral zone along the right side and the other element 2 is in the lateral zone along the left side of a seat 3 for the driver. Both sleeves 1, 2 have a free upper end in the form of a

  handle 2a or 2a that the driver can conveniently grasp

  and they are mounted mobile in inclination, both in the direction of the length and in the transverse direction of the vehicle, on the body thereof, by a hinge point lb or 2b located in a middle portion of the handle . For simplicity, we have only indicated, on the

  Figure 1, mobility in inclination in the

  versal, with double arrows P. At their ends

  1c and 2c, the two sleeves 1, 2 are mechanically

  coupled together by means of a coupling bar 4 which extends parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle under the seat cushion 3a of the driver's seat.

  As shown in Figure 1, the bar of

  Beach 4 transmits a recline movement of a handle

  in the transverse direction of the vehicle and produces a

  corresponding transverse tilting of the other sleeve.

  For the coupling of longitudinal movements of

  4, the bar 4 is guided on the bodywork of the vehicle.

  hicle, which is not shown, so that it can be moved perpendicular to the transverse direction of the vehicle, without performing a clean rotary motion component, so that the bar transmits a longitudinal inclination of a handle producing a longitudinal inclination of the same magnitude of the other sleeve. This longitudinal inclination controls the longitudinal movement of the vehicle because,

  again in an associative functional coordination

  a movement of the handles 1a, 2a of the sleeves forward causes a positive acceleration, that is to say an increase in the speed of the vehicle, while their rearward movement triggers a deceleration, it is that is, a decrease in the running speed of the vehicle. It goes without saying that, for this purpose, the device

  of control elements is equipped in a conventional manner.

  not shown in detail here, of a control system

  appropriate drivers and control to detect the posi-

  handles 1a, 2a and hence the handles

  1, 2 and to transform them into a corresponding intervention

  the engine control system, the braking system

  and / or direction for acceleration, deceleration and / or steering of the vehicle. As required, other organs or control functions can be accommodated in handles 1a, 2a of handles 1, 2, such as control buttons for the system

  vehicle lighting, wipers and the like.

  Beside the described design of the two

  sleeves 1, 2 as regulating or positioning members

  so-called passive, by which the magnitude to be controlled is adjusted according to the deflection or movement of the handle, it is also possible to provide, alternatively, a sleeve design as isometric control members (static) or active. In case of design

  isometric system, sleeves 1, 2 remain stationary

  and the quantity to be controlled is set according to the

  the actuating force exerted in the direction of ac-

  concerned on the sleeves. With a design as active actuators, the actuating force

  or the deviation determines the value of the magnitudes to be

  mander, and a deviation or application of force

  reaction to the sleeves 1, 2 is also performed automatically

  tically, depending on the actual instantaneous value of

  the quantity to be controlled, for example according to the

  celerity or deceleration and / or braking angle

  quage, as feedback for the conductor

  tor. In both cases, the

  mande has an appropriate system of actuators to exert a corresponding reaction force on the

  sleeves or for the automatic deviation thereof.

  Regardless of sleeve design, due to the kinetic or dynamic coupling of the two

  sleeves 1, 2, efforts and / or action movements-

  that the driver applies to one handle, are mechanically transmitted to the other In the case of a simultaneous actuation of the two sleeves 1, 2, the mechanical coupling automatically establishes an average of the actuating forces or deviations of the sleeves. It is enough

  therefore to coordinate an adequate system of

  only one of the two handles 1, 2 to detect the actuation forces exerted by the driver or to detect deviations or displacements that the driver prints to this handle. For the same reason, if it is

  design or active type, a system of

  is needed only for one of the two. he

  It is of course also possible to

  passively for one of the two runs and an active or isometric design for the other. In each case, the mechanical coupling of the two sleeves ensures redundancy

  increasing functional safety.

  Instead of the described control of longitudinal movement and transverse movement of the vehicle by

  the two runs 1, 2, we can also foresee, as

  the only control of the longitudinal movement of the vehicle by these sleeves by limiting their mobility or the detection of the actuation force exerted on them at the

  longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As a variant

  In addition, it is possible to control the longitudinal movement and the transverse movement of the vehicle as described previously by the two sleeves 1, 2, but to act their coupling by the bar 4 in a control function only. For example, this coupling can be limited to the control of the transverse movement because the mobility of the coupling bar 4 is not

  not limited by longitudinal guidance on the coach-

  of the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the bar transmits only transverse inclinations of the

sleeves 1, 2.

  Figure 2 shows another variant of the

  of control elements of Figure 1, in the

  for the sake of clarity, the same references are used for functionally identical elements,

  so that we can refer in this respect to the explanations

  1 instead of the coupling bar 4 of FIG. 1, a bowden cable 5 is provided in this control element device.

  as a mechanical coupling between the two sleeves 1, 2.

  For the efforts exerted on the sleeves or

  placements of these can be transmitted with the same reliability in the two directions of operation in the transverse direction indicated, the cable 5 connects the two lower articulation points lc, 2c of the sleeves 1, 2 at a time directly by a direct connecting strand 5a and a bypass strand 5b which is capable of exerting on the lower hinge point 1c or 2c of each handle 1 or 2 pulling forces from the far side of the other handle. Thus, for this device, the same coupling properties of the two sleeves 1, 2 are obtained as for the control element device according to FIG. 1. It goes without saying that next to the Bowden cable coupling shown in the opposite direction. crosswise, there is also provided a coupling of the two sleeves 1, 2 with respect to their direction

longitudinal actuation.

  FIG. 3 shows an additional variant of the control element device of FIG.

  1, in which functionally identical elements

  ticks are again designated by the same references.

  In this device, instead of the mechanical coupling, as in the devices according to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided a hydraulic coupling of the two sleeves 1, 2. This hydraulic coupling comprises a system of pistons and cylinders which is composed of two cylinders 6a, 6b and two piston rods 7a, 7b associated. The cylinders 6a, 6b are attached by their sides directed towards one

  the other, to parts 8a, 8b of the vehicle body

  while their piston rods 7a, 7b emerge

  mutually distant sides of the cylinders and are

  tipped with their ends at the lower extremities

  lc and 2c of the sleeves 1, 2. The piston secured to each of the piston rods 7a, 7b divides the internal space of each of the cylinders 6a and 6b into two working chambers which are each connected to the corresponding working chamber of the other cylinder by

  a hydraulic pipe 9a or 9b coordinated.

  Actuation of a handle in the trans-

  of the vehicle is transmitted by this system of pistons and cylinders, more exactly by a first piston rod, the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic lines 9a, 9b and the other piston rod, to the other round. The hydraulic coupling of the two sleeves 1, 2 by this system of pistons and cylinders has

  therefore the same mode of operation and the same properties

  advantages for the control of longitudinal movements

  nal and transversal motor vehicle concerned than those previously described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 there and to which one can refer. It goes without saying that in the case of the control element device according to FIG.

  3 also, in addition to the coupling represented for the

  in the transverse direction, provision may be made for a

  range, preferably mechanical or hydraulic, of the two

  sleeves 1, 2 for actuation in the longitudinal direction

nal.

  The examples shown clearly show

  only by the mechanical or hydraulic coupling of the two control elements, to control the longitudinal movement and also, optionally, the transverse movement, a comparatively safe and reliable driving of the vehicle is obtained with relatively

  reduced and with great comfort for the driver.

  Thanks to the mechanical or hydraulic coupling, one can be satisfied overall, in comparison with an electronic coupling, a system of sensors and actuators less important since it is enough to only coordinate

  such a system to one of the two control elements.

Claims (3)

  1. Controller device for controlling   to urge longitudinal movement and / or movement   cross-section of a motor vehicle, a device which   takes two control elements (1, 2) and by which at least longitudinal movement and, optionally,   the more the transverse movement of the motor vehicle can   can be controlled selectively by actuating one or the other control element, characterized in that the two control elements (1, 2) are made   like broomsticks and are mechanically or hy-   hydraulically coupled with each other for the purpose of   adjustment movements or adjustment forces   between the two elements, so that they are   depending on each other.   Control device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the two control elements are constituted by two joysticks (1, 2) installed on the left and the right on the left. side area adjacent to the driver's seat, which are mounted to be operable in the direction of   the length of the vehicle for the purpose of controlling the movement   of the vehicle and, optionally, additionally in the transverse direction of the vehicle for the purpose of   control of the transverse movement of the vehicle.   Control device according to claim 2, further characterized in that the two joysticks (1, 2) are mechanically coupled via a wheelhouse (4) or Bowden cable.   (5), or hydraulically through a device   pistons and cylinders (6a to 9b).