FR3060505A1 - METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TAKING-UP OF A VEHICLE STEERING MEMBER - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling the grip of a vehicle steering unit comprising a touch sensor detecting a grip of said steering unit, said method comprising: a step (E1) of collecting an output signal supplied by the device. touch sensor, • a step (E2) for determining a reference level corresponding to a grip allowing control of the management organ, • a step (E3) for monitoring at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, • a step (E4) of adapting said reference level as a function of at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, • a step ( E5) comparison of the output signal with said adapted reference level in order to check the grip of said management organ.

Description

Holder (s): PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA Société anonyme.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA Public limited company.

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE HANDLING OF A VEHICLE STEERING MEMBER.

FR 3 060 505 - A1

Method for controlling the grip of a vehicle steering member comprising a touch sensor detecting a grip on said steering member, said method comprising:

a step (E 1) of collecting an output signal supplied by the touch sensor, a step (E2) of determining a reference level corresponding to a grip allowing control of the steering member, a step (E3) for monitoring at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, a step (E4) for adapting said reference level as a function of the at least one vehicle parameter and / or of the at least one environmental parameter, a step (E5) of comparing the output signal with said adapted reference level in order to control the handling of said steering member.

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE HANDLING OF AN ORGAN

DIRECTION OF VEHICLE The present invention relates generally to a method for controlling the handling of a vehicle steering member. The invention also relates to a security system for a vehicle steering member.

It is known in the prior art vehicle steering elements such as steering wheels provided with a capacitive touch sensor in order to detect a grip by a driver. Document WO2016087279 thus describes a vehicle steering wheel provided with capacitive sensors capable of detecting a grip of the steering wheel.

On the other hand, this system has the particular disadvantage of having a low level of detection reliability, since the output signal supplied by the sensor closely depends on the size of the driver's hands. Thus, a person with small hands will cause a weak output from the touch sensor, even if the steering wheel is held correctly. Conversely, a person with large hands will cause the generation of an important signal from the sensor, even if the steering wheel is not held correctly.

In addition, this system also has the disadvantage of not taking into account vehicle life situations. For example, a driver can drive during the cold season with gloves on at least part of a route, then take them off when the interior of his vehicle has warmed up. However, gloves greatly reduce the output signal provided by the touch sensor, even if the steering wheel is held correctly, which can lead to false detection of improper grip of the steering wheel. In contrast, water significantly increasing the output signal from the touch sensor, a driver driving in a hot and humid country will have sweaty hands and therefore generate an important output signal, even if the steering wheel is not held correctly .

This lack of reliability of the steering wheel grip detection is particularly problematic in the field of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, where it is imperative to ensure that the driver keeps his hands on the steering wheel while driving autonomous and is ready to regain control of the vehicle at the end of autonomous driving.

An object of the present invention is to respond to the drawbacks of the document of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, to propose a control method and a security system implementing this method capable of controlling an outlet in the hands of a management body in all situations.

For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling the handling of a vehicle steering member comprising a touch sensor detecting a grip of said steering member, said method comprising:

• a step of collecting an output signal supplied by the touch sensor, • a step of determining a reference level corresponding to a grip allowing control of the management organ, • a step of monitoring '' at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, • a step of adapting said reference level as a function of the at least one vehicle parameter and / or the at least one environmental parameter ,

-3 • a step of comparing the output signal with said adapted reference level in order to control the handling of said steering member.

This method makes it possible to control with great reliability the handling of a vehicle steering member such as a steering wheel, since the reference level used to determine whether the handling is appropriate, that is to say that is to say if it allows the control of the steering member, is adapted according to a vehicle parameter and / or an environmental parameter. This process makes it possible, for example, to avoid detection of bad or non-handling by monitoring a temperature parameter. Thus, the logic unit of the vehicle on-board system is capable of evaluating at any time whether the driver is indeed capable of driving the vehicle, in particular in the case of autonomous driving or switching from autonomous driving to manual driving.

Advantageously, the reference level corresponds to the output signal supplied by the touch sensor, preferably capacitive, when the steering member is in contact with a minimum surface of a hand of a driver allowing the control of the management body. Determining or predetermining this minimum hand surface in the factory makes it possible to compare with the hand surface detected at an instant "t" in order to allow a reliable detection of the grip of the management member.

Especially advantageously, two reference levels are determined in the determination step, a first reference level corresponding to the surface of one hand and a second reference level corresponding to the surface of two hands. Thus, the logic unit of the on-board system can distinguish between a driving situation where a one-handed grip by the steering member is acceptable, for example in the case of a semi-driving situation autonomous, and a driving situation where the two-handed handling of the

-4 steering is required, for example switching from an autonomous driving situation to a manual driving situation.

Advantageously, a third reference level can exist in order to differentiate a total grip with two hands, that is to say with both hands closed on the steering member, from a partial grip with two hands, that is to say with the two open hands placed on the steering member. Indeed, depending on a driving situation, a partial grip may be sufficient, for example in an autonomous driving mode in which the driver is only ready to take over the direction of the vehicle if necessary. In other driving situations, for example when switching from an autonomous driving situation to a manual driving situation, the driver must hold the steering wheel firmly in his hand.

Advantageously, the vehicle parameter is chosen from: an orientation of the steering member, an engine running time, a location of the vehicle, a temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a hygrometric degree of cabin of the vehicle and the environmental parameter is chosen from: an outside temperature, an outside humidity level and data sent by a remote server. These parameters are not exclusive and can be used alternatively or in combination according to a level of vehicle range, a driving situation of the vehicle or a choice of the importer, seller or driver.

A second aspect of the invention is a vehicle computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of a control method according to the first aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a security system for a vehicle steering member, said system comprising:

-5 • a touch sensor, preferably capacitive, providing an output signal, said touch sensor being arranged to be received in said steering member to detect a grip of said steering member, • a logic unit collecting said output signal and storing a reference level of said output signal corresponding to a grip allowing control of said steering member, • a monitoring unit monitoring at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, characterized in that said logic unit is arranged to adapt said reference level as a function of the at least one vehicle parameter and / or the at least one environmental parameter as well as to compare the output signal with said reference level adapted to control the grip of the management body.

Such a system makes it possible to ensure that the driver is able to drive the vehicle safely by taking a suitable grip from the management body. This is particularly interesting in the case of vehicles provided with an autonomous driving system.

Advantageously, the reference level corresponds to the output signal supplied by the touch sensor when the steering member is in contact with a minimum surface of at least one hand of a driver allowing the control of the member. direction.

Advantageously, the logic unit is arranged to store two reference levels, a first reference level corresponding to the surface of one hand and a second reference level corresponding to the surface of two hands.

Advantageously, the vehicle parameter is chosen from: an orientation of the steering member, an engine operating time, a state of location of the vehicle, a temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a hygrometric degree of cabin of the vehicle and the environmental parameter is chosen from: an outside temperature, an outside humidity level and data sent by a remote server.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawing, in which FIG. 1 represents a flowchart of a method for controlling the handling of a steering member according to the present invention.

Finally, a last aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a steering member such as a steering wheel and a security system according to the third aspect of the invention.

A method for controlling the handling of a steering device according to the present invention applies to any type of vehicle steering device. In particular, it is a steering wheel, but also a handlebar or a handle.

A vehicle implementing such a method comprises a security system provided with known means, such as a touch sensor, as well as a logic unit comprising one or more computers in order to carry out the various stages of the control process. This touch sensor is preferably capacitive, that is to say that the sensor comprises a layer of materials accumulating electrical charges, while a hand of a conductor in contact with this surface creates a detectable charge deficit. For example, this touch sensor may be in the form of a mat inserted in the steering wheel or of several touch sensors arranged in the steering wheel.

In addition, such a vehicle comprises one or more known sensors allowing the monitoring of vehicle parameters such as the temperature of the passenger compartment, the hygrometric degree of the passenger compartment, the engine operating state, the position of the vehicle. by GPS or Glonass localization, or the orientation of the management body. Such a vehicle may alternatively or in combination with environmental sensors allowing the monitoring of environmental parameters such as the outside temperature or the outside humidity level. Finally, such a vehicle can be provided with communication modules by 3G, 4G, Bluetooth or Wifi connection.

Figure 1 shows the flow diagram of the control method according to the present invention. The black arrows represent logical links between the stages while the white arrows represent a transmission of information.

In a first step (E1), the vehicle logic unit collects an output signal supplied by the touch sensor. This can be achieved by a wired connection or by a wireless connection. This step is preferably carried out as soon as the vehicle is started, but can advantageously be started by a particular event such as the launching of the autonomous driving function of the vehicle.

In a second step (E2), a reference level corresponding to an appropriate handling of the management body is determined and stored in the logic unit. One or more reference levels are thus stored in a memory of the logic unit and read by the logic unit during this step of the process. A reference level is an output signal provided by the touch sensor when the steering device is appropriately taken in hand. It thus defines the signal corresponding to the minimum surface area of one hand or both hands of a driver when taken in hand allowing the control of the steering body safely. Preferably, several minimum areas, that is to say several reference levels are recorded and correspond to several situations of grip of the management organ, for example a single closed hand, two open hands and two closed hands.

This or these reference levels are for example determined upon delivery of the vehicle, where the driver is then asked to carry out an initial calibration by holding the steering wheel with both hands and with one hand, with full hand and with an open hand, in order to determine a corresponding output signal for each grip of the steering wheel and thus overcome differences in hand sizes. This initial calibration can be done under the supervision of a specialized technician, under the direction of a specific mode of the vehicle's infotainment system or even through a dedicated application on a smart phone or a touch slate.

In addition, the owner of the vehicle may have the possibility of reproducing this initial calibration for different people, in order to give the possibility to other people to drive the vehicle. Thus, several reference levels each corresponding to the holding of a steering device by a different driver can coexist. The selection of an appropriate reference level can be carried out by selecting a driver profile in the infotainment system, the driver profile possibly combining other preferences such as seat and mirror settings. Alternatively, an identification can be carried out on the basis of an ignition key or a specific access card for each driver or on the basis of fingerprints or voiceprints.

Alternatively, for example for a less upscale vehicle model, the second step (E2) can be carried out in the factory on the basis of an average handling corresponding to the average of the output signals according to different takes hand of different people or be chosen by the seller, driver or importer of the vehicle from several levels corresponding to different predetermined hand sizes.

In a third step (E3), the logic unit performs parameter monitoring by collecting the vehicle parameter data as well

-9 only environmental parameters mentioned above. These vehicle and environmental parameters allow at least the detection of a vehicle situation in which the reference level is no longer valid, for example a situation of extreme cold or high relative humidity. Preferably, they allow the detection of a driving situation in which the steering member is held in both hands, as explained in the third example below.

In a fourth step (E4), the logic unit performs an adaptation of the reference level as a function of the environmental parameters and of the vehicle parameters, in order to calculate an adapted reference level. This adaptation can be carried out directly as a function of the parameters monitored, then involving a calculation from the reference level and a calibration as a function of the temperature and / or the relative humidity or humidity. Alternatively, a prerecorded reference level can exist for each temperature or relative humidity range, the calculation unit then selecting the prerecorded reference level corresponding to the detected temperature and / or relative humidity level. Preferably or in combination, this adaptation is carried out indirectly as a function of the parameters monitored, where the parameters monitored allow the detection of a driving situation in which the driver has both hands on the steering member and where the output signal supplied by the touch sensor in this situation is chosen as the appropriate reference level, as explained in the third example below.

Preferably, the fourth step (E4) is repeated at regular intervals, for example every 5 or 10 minutes, or else for each detected driving situation in which the driver has both hands on the steering member or else when a significant variation in one of the parameters monitored is recorded, in order to maintain the most accurate possible reference level at all times.

-10 In a fifth step (E5), the logic unit compares the output signal with the appropriate reference level. This comparison can be done for example by subtraction of the output signal and evaluation of the result of the subtraction, or else according to a more complex algorithm known to those skilled in the art.

Thus, if the output signal is equal to or close to the appropriate reference level, the logic unit continues to collect the output signal supplied by the touch sensor and the comparison with the adapted reference level.

If the output signal is greater than the adapted reference level, the fourth step (E4) of adapting the reference level is repeated in order to obtain an adapted reference level taking into account new environmental parameters or a driving situation not previously detected.

If the output signal is lower than the appropriate reference level, the logic unit performs a sixth step (E6) in which corrective means are implemented. For example, an audible or visual alarm and / or a vocal or vibratory reminder can be sent to the driver, to encourage him to take back the steering control. The logic unit can also influence vehicle driving, such as deceleration during autonomous driving mode, or even refuse to switch to autonomous driving mode. Once the management body is taken over again, the process is resumed.

Preferably, the fifth step (E5) of comparison comprises a tolerance threshold making it possible to consider as a suitable grip a detected surface range, that is to say a range of output signals, in order to avoid imposing too rigid a posture on the driver.

The following paragraphs detail three examples of embodiments given to better understand the invention. These examples of implementation of the method according to the present invention are not exclusive and

- 11 can either be carried out separately, for example according to the level of range of the vehicle, or be carried out alternately or in combination according to a situation of the vehicle or according to a setting by the user or the importer of the vehicle.

In a first example, the logic unit detects in step E3 a very cold temperature thanks to a cabin temperature sensor, for example a temperature below 0 ° C. The reference level is thus reduced to a lower adapted reference level in step E4, in order to take into account the wearing of gloves by the driver. When taking control of the steering device, if the driver is not wearing gloves, the logic unit in step E5 determines that the output signal is higher than the appropriate reference level and the reference level is again adapted in a step E4 to resume the previous reference level, for example the factory calibrated reference level. If the driver is indeed wearing gloves, the logic unit determines in step E5 that the output signal is equal to or close to the reference level and continues the comparison in step E5 without implementing the corrective means of the step E6. After 20 minutes, the driver takes off his gloves when the cabin temperature returns to a high level, for example 20 ° C. This results in step E5 an output signal higher than the adapted reference level and therefore a new determination of a reference level in step E4, in order to adapt the reference level, for example to the reference level set in factory.

In a second example, the logic unit detects in step E3 a situation of relative humidity and very high temperature by external or internal sensors of humidity and temperature, or else receives from a remote server meteorological data corresponding to an important temperature and an important hygrometric degree. The reference level is therefore adjusted upwards in step E4 since it is expected that the driver will have the

- 12 moist hands and therefore that the sensor output signal will be high. Thus, when the driver takes control of the steering wheel when starting his vehicle, the logic unit determines in step E5 that the output signal is equal to or close to the appropriate reference level and continues the control step E5 without setting implementing corrective measures in step E6.

After a few tens of minutes spent in the air-conditioned cabin of the vehicle, the driver's hands how to dry, which tends to reduce the output signal from the touch sensor. However, the humidity level of the passenger compartment as well as the temperature of the passenger compartment are continuously measured by the logic unit (step E3), which makes it possible to continuously adapt the reference level in step E4 on the basis of a previous calibration saved in the logic unit.

Thus, the driver of the vehicle does not receive a false alert, that is to say inappropriate implementation of the corrective means of step E6, since any false detection of inappropriate handling is avoided. On the other hand, if the driver releases the steering wheel or holds it improperly, the output signal suddenly becomes lower than the appropriate reference level, the control process detects this abnormal situation and implements the corrective measures according to the step E6, for example an audible alarm, a message on the dashboard or the refusal to switch to autonomous driving mode.

In a third example, the logic unit continuously detects driving situations where the vehicle is traveling at very low speed, for example less than 5 km / h and where the steering member has an orientation greater than 5 ° , that is to say in which the driver is likely to maneuver his vehicle and therefore to hold the steering wheel with both hands. These parameters can be detected by an orientation sensor placed in the vehicle's steering system as well as by a speed sensor usually present in passenger vehicles. During each of these driving situations, step E4 of adapting the reference level is

-13 made to make the reference level equal to the touch sensor output signal. In this way, the reference level is regularly updated or adapted each time the driver has both hands on the steering wheel, in order to prevent any false detection of an improper handling of the steering system.

Thus, the control process for taking hold of a steering member can be carried out with more or less parameters, for example according to the level of range of the vehicle or according to the climate of the country in which it is sold. In addition, the logic unit can select different parameters depending on the driving situation in which the vehicle is located.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. In particular, reference is made to steps E1, E2 and E3 as described in FIG. 1 which can be carried out in any order or in parallel. Furthermore, the parameters monitored are not limited to the parameters cited as an example in this description, but may include any appropriate parameter. Finally, the method according to the present invention is not necessarily carried out continuously when the vehicle is started, but can be carried out only retrospectively when a difference is noted between the sensor output signal and the reference level.

Claims (8)

1. A method for controlling the handling of a vehicle steering member comprising a touch sensor detecting a grip on said steering member, said method comprising: • a step (E1) of collecting an output signal supplied by the touch sensor, • a step (E2) of determining a reference level corresponding to a grip allowing control of the steering organ, • a step (E3) for monitoring at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, • a step (E4) for adapting said reference level as a function of the at least one parameter of vehicle and / or at least one environmental parameter, • a step (E5) of comparing the output signal with said adapted reference level in order to control the handling of said steering member. 2. Control method according to the preceding claim, wherein the reference level corresponds to the output signal supplied by the touch sensor when the steering member is in contact with a minimum surface of at least one hand of a conductor allowing the control of the management body. 3. Control method according to the preceding claim wherein two reference levels are determined in the determining step (E2), a first reference level corresponding to the surface of one hand and a second reference level to the surface of two hands. -154. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: • the vehicle parameter is chosen from: an orientation of the steering unit, an engine running time, a location of the vehicle, a temperature of the vehicle interior and a humidity level of the vehicle interior; • the environmental parameter is chosen from: an outside temperature, an outside humidity level and data sent by a remote server. 5. Vehicle computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of a control method according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. Security system for a vehicle steering member, said system comprising: • a touch sensor providing an output signal, said touch sensor being arranged to be received in said steering member to detect a grip of said steering member, • a logic unit collecting said output signal and storing a reference level of said output signal corresponding to a grip allowing control of said steering member, • a monitoring unit monitoring at least one vehicle parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter, characterized in that said unit logic is arranged to adapt said reference level as a function of the at least one vehicle parameter and / or of the at least one environmental parameter as well as to compare the output signal with said adapted reference level in order to control the socket in hand of the management body. - 167. Security system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reference level corresponds to the output signal supplied by the touch sensor when the steering member is in contact with a minimum surface of at least one hand. a driver allowing the 5 control of the management body. 8. Security system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the logic unit is arranged to store two reference levels, a first reference level corresponding to the surface of one hand and a second reference level corresponding to the surface 10 with two hands. 9. Security system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: • the vehicle parameter is chosen from: an orientation of the steering system, an engine running time, a 15 state of location of the vehicle, a temperature of the vehicle interior and a humidity level of the vehicle interior, • the environmental parameter is chosen from: an outside temperature, an exterior humidity degree and 20 data sent by a remote server. 10. Vehicle comprising a steering member and a security system according to any one of claims 6 to 9. 1/1 χζ 6. Implementation of corrective measures