KR20230160576A - Steering stick for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A steering stick for a vehicle is disclosed. A steering stick for a car according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lever operated by a driver to steer the vehicle; A grip portion provided on the lever; A sensor pad provided on the grip part to detect the driver's grip by detecting the driver's Hands Off and Hands On signals; and a control unit that activates or deactivates the steering function of the steering stick according to the hands-on signal or hands-off signal from the sensor pad.

Description

Vehicle steering stick {STEERING STICK FOR VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to a steering stick for a vehicle. More specifically, in the stick-type steering device of a vehicle, in order to prevent the vehicle from being steered regardless of the driver's will to steer, it detects whether the driver is holding the steering stick and enables steering only when the driver holds the steering stick. This is about a steering stick for a vehicle.

As autonomous driving technology develops, cars are evolving from a simple means of transportation to a purpose-based means of transportation that takes the convenience of passengers into account. In this process, it is essential to secure space for the driver's convenience within the autonomous vehicle. To this end, various research and developments are being carried out to secure more space in the driver's seat.

For example, a wheel-type steering device is an essential device in a regular car, but it may be unnecessary in an autonomous car. Additionally, the wheel-type steering device limits the driver's action radius in the driver's seat when driving in autonomous driving mode. For this reason, research is being actively conducted to remove the wheel-type steering device from the driver's seat in autonomous driving mode.

However, even in self-driving cars, some degree of driver intervention is required depending on road conditions, so it is difficult to completely remove the steering device from the driver's seat.

KR 2183411 B1 (2020.11.26.)

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and seeks to provide a steering stick for a vehicle that can detect the driver's grip to determine the driver's steering intention and switch between autonomous driving mode and manual driving mode accordingly.

In addition, it is intended to provide a steering stick for a vehicle that allows the driver to easily recognize the acquisition of steering control rights.

In addition, we provide a steering stick for a vehicle that prevents the vehicle from being steered dangerously due to the driver's unintentional mistake or disturbance by preventing the movement of the steering stick from being reflected in the steering of the vehicle until the driver grasps the steering stick. I want to do it.

In addition, it is intended to provide a steering stick for a vehicle in which the movement of the steering stick is maintained in a locked state until the driver grasps the steering stick, thereby preventing slight fluctuations in the steering stick.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the contents mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lever operated by a driver to steer the vehicle; A grip portion provided on the lever; A sensor pad provided on the grip part to detect the driver's grip by detecting the driver's Hands Off and Hands On signals; and a control unit that activates or deactivates the steering function of the steering stick according to the hands-on signal or hands-off signal from the sensor pad.

Additionally, the movement of the lever may be locked to prevent operation when the hands-off signal is detected from the sensor pad, and the movement may be released to allow operation when the hands-on signal is detected from the sensor pad.

Additionally, the sensor pad has a plurality of sensing areas, and the control unit can activate the steering function of the vehicle when the hands-on signal is detected in two or more of the plurality of sensing areas.

In addition, one of the plurality of sensing areas is located in an area where the driver's fingers touch when the driver grips the grip unit, and at least one of the other areas is located in an area where the driver's palm touches. can be located

Additionally, the plurality of sensing areas may be divided into conductive areas and non-conductive areas.

In addition, the grip part includes a grip button that detects the driver's grip when the driver presses it, and the control unit controls the steering function of the vehicle when the hands-on signal of the sensor pad is detected and the grip button is pressed. can be activated.

Additionally, the gripper may include a gear shift switch that generates a control signal to change the gear mode of the vehicle.

Additionally, the grip part may include a driver assistance system function switch linked to the vehicle.

In addition, the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle, and when the hands-on signal is detected from the sensor pad, the control unit transmits a steering function activation signal of the steering stick to the electronic control device of the vehicle, and the electronic device of the vehicle When the control device receives the steering function activation signal, it can change the steering mode of the vehicle from autonomous driving mode to manual driving mode.

In addition, it may further include a lighting unit that lights up in different ways depending on the steering mode to guide the driver to change the steering mode.

In addition, it may further include a vibration unit that vibrates the grip unit in different ways depending on the steering mode to guide the driver to change the steering mode.

Additionally, the vibration unit may additionally generate virtual vibration to transmit vibration between the vehicle and the road surface to the driver.

In addition, the control unit may not reflect the movement of the lever to the steering of the vehicle when the hands-off signal is detected from the sensor pad, and may reflect the movement of the lever when the hands-on signal is detected from the sensor pad. It can be reflected in the vehicle's steering.

Additionally, the lever may be maintained in a locked state, but the locked state may be released when the hands-on signal is detected at the sensor pad.

The steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention can secure free space in the driver's seat by removing the wheel-type steering device from the driver's seat.

The steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect the driver's grip to determine the driver's steering intention and can switch between autonomous driving mode and manual driving mode accordingly.

Additionally, the driver can easily recognize the acquisition of steering control rights.

Additionally, the movement of the steering stick is not reflected in the steering of the vehicle until the driver grasps the steering stick, thereby preventing the vehicle from being steered dangerously due to the driver's unintentional error or disturbance.

Additionally, the movement of the steering stick is maintained in a locked state until the driver grasps the steering stick, thereby preventing slight fluctuations in the steering stick.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the contents mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 is a diagram showing a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing a sensor pad in a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing an internal cross-section of a grip portion of a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a driver is holding a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly explain the embodiments of the present invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted.

The terms used herein are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this specification, terms such as “include,” “have,” or “equipped with” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification. It can be understood that it does not exclude in advance the existence or possibility of addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Additionally, the components appearing in the embodiments of the present invention are shown independently to show different characteristic functions, and this does not mean that each component is comprised of separate hardware or one software component. That is, for convenience of explanation, each component is listed and described as each component, and at least two of each component may be combined to form one component, or one component may be divided into a plurality of components to perform a function. Integrated embodiments and separate embodiments of each of these components are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they do not deviate from the essence of the present invention.

Additionally, the following embodiments are provided to provide a clearer explanation to those with average knowledge in the art, and the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the steering stick 100 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is a steering device for controlling the steering of a vehicle, and includes a lever 110, a grip portion 120, and a sensor pad 130. ) and a control unit 140.

The lever 110 is provided to control or input the change of direction of the vehicle through the driver's operation, has a stick shape, and is linked to a component responsible for steering the vehicle so that the direction of the vehicle is changed according to the movement of the lever 110. It can be. Depending on the embodiment, the vehicle and the lever 110 may be linked mechanically or electronically.

The grip part 120 is provided to facilitate the driver's operation of the lever 110, and may be provided on the lever 110.

The sensor pad 130 is provided to determine whether the driver intentionally or unintentionally operated the lever 110, and is provided on the gripper 120 along the circumference of the gripper 120. The driver's grip can be detected by detecting the driver's hands off signal and hands on signal.

In one embodiment, the sensor pad 130 may be provided with a capacitive sensor to detect the driver's hands-on signal or the hands-off signal. The capacitance of the sensor pad 130 varies depending on whether the driver grips the grip portion 120, and the changed capacitance value can be used as the hands-on signal or the hands-off signal. However, the sensing method of the sensor pad 130 does not only use the capacitive type, but may also be a pressure detection type or any method that can detect the driver's hands-on or hands-off signal.

The control unit 140 is provided to activate or deactivate the driver's steering function for the steering stick of the steering stick 100 according to the hands-on signal or the hands-off signal detected by the sensor pad 130.

Here, the steering control right means activating or deactivating the steering function of the steering stick when the driver wants to directly steer the vehicle using the steering stick.

For example, when the hands-off signal of the sensor pad 130 is detected, the control unit 140 may control the vehicle so that the steering of the vehicle is not controlled by the lever 110. When the driver holds the steering stick 100 and the hands-on signal is detected in a plurality of predetermined areas of the sensor pad 130, the control unit 140 controls the steering so that the steering of the vehicle is controlled by the lever 110. The stick can be activated.

Specifically, in one embodiment, if the hands-on signal is not detected in a predetermined area of the sensor pad 130 (if the hands-off signal is detected), the control unit 140 controls the steering stick 100. The movement of the lever 110 may be locked so that operation of the lever 110 is physically impossible. Accordingly, the steering control right can be recovered from the driver. When the driver grasps the grip part 120 of the steering stick 100 and the hands-on signal is detected by the sensor pad 130, the control unit 140 operates the lever 110 so that the driver can operate the steering stick 100. ), the driver can be given steering control. Hereinafter, the method of granting and recovering steering control rights of the control unit 140 may be understood as the case of this embodiment.

Meanwhile, as another embodiment of the method of granting and recovering steering control rights of the control unit 140, when the hands-off signal is detected in a preset area of the sensor pad 130, the control unit 140 operates the lever 110 even if the lever 110 is operated. A deactivation signal of the steering stick 100 may be sent to the electronic control device of the vehicle so that the movement of the steering stick 110 is not reflected in the steering of the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is a mechanical steering system, the control unit 140 physically disconnects the steering gear connected to the wheels of the vehicle and the lever 110, or if the vehicle is an electronic steering system such as Steer By Wire, the control unit 140 inputs the lever 110. Steering control can be taken back from the driver by controlling the vehicle to ignore . When the driver grasps the grip part 120 of the steering stick 100 and the hands-on signal is detected in a preset area of the sensor pad 130, the control unit 140 steers the vehicle according to the movement of the lever 110. An activation signal of the steering stick 100 may be transmitted to the electronic control device of the vehicle. For example, the control unit 140 transmits activation information of the steering stick 100 to the electronic control device, thereby physically restoring the connection between the steering gear and the lever 110 connected to the wheels of the vehicle if the vehicle is a mechanical steering system. , If the vehicle is an electronic steering system, steering control can be granted to the driver by reflecting the input of the lever 110 to the steering of the vehicle.

The grip portion 120 of the vehicle steering stick 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a grip button 121. The grip button 121 is used to generate the hands-on signal, and can be provided in a position that is naturally pressed when the driver grips the steering stick 100. The control unit 140 detects the driver's grip on the steering stick 100 by auxiliary using the hands-on signal in a preset area of the sensor pad 130 and the hands-on signal generated by the grip button 121, and operates the lever. The locking of (110) can be controlled.

In one embodiment, the grip portion 120 of the steering stick 100 for a vehicle may further include a gear shift switch 122 that generates a control signal to change the gear mode of the vehicle. The gear shift switch 122 is provided to change the gear mode of the vehicle, and may be provided at the top of the grip portion 120 so that the driver can easily operate it using the steering stick 100. The driver can operate the gear shift switch 122 using the thumb while holding the steering stick 100.

In one embodiment, the grip portion 120 of the steering stick 100 for a vehicle may further include one or more Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) function switches 123 linked to the vehicle. For example, the driver assistance system function switch 123 includes smart cruise control, forward collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear collision warning (blind spot). It may include one or more of the following function switches: Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Highway Driving Assist.

In one embodiment, the grip portion 120 of the vehicle steering stick 100 may further include a dial 124. The dial 124 can perform driver input in conjunction with vehicle functions. For example, the driver can use the dial 124 to adjust the vehicle's speaker volume or adjust the vehicle's speed when in smart cruise mode. The dial 124 may be provided at the top of the grip portion 120 where the driver's thumb can reach when the driver is holding the steering stick 100 so that the driver can easily operate it while holding the steering stick 100.

In one embodiment, the vehicle steering stick 100 may further include a lighting unit 150. When steering control rights are granted to the driver, the lighting unit 150 may be turned on so that the driver can recognize this.

In one embodiment, the vehicle steering stick 100 may further include a vibration unit 160. The vibration unit 160 may generate vibration in the grip unit 120 so that the driver's hands holding the steering stick 100 can feel it when steering control rights are granted to the driver.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a sensor pad in a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sensor pad 130 of the steering stick 100 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a plurality of conductive sensing regions 131 and 132, and a plurality of sensing regions 131 and 132. 132) Each can independently detect the hands-on signal or the hands-off signal. When the hands-on signal is detected in two or more preset areas among the plurality of sensing areas 131 and 132, the control unit 140 allows the driver to grab the steering stick 100 with the intention to drive, that is, the driver It is determined that the driver is grasping the steering stick 100 and the lever 110 is unlocked so that the driver can operate the steering stick 100, thereby granting steering control to the driver. That is, if the hands-on signal is not detected and the hands-off signal is detected in two or more preset areas among the plurality of sensing areas 131 and 132, the control unit 140 determines that the driver does not have the will to drive and uses the steering stick 100. ) may be lightly touched or the steering stick 100 has been manipulated unintentionally, and the lever 110 may be kept locked, thereby denying steering control to the driver. The plurality of sensing areas 131 and 132 are divided into non-conductive areas 133 to improve the accuracy of detecting the driver's grab grip in various grip environments. In this embodiment, an example of two plurality of sensing areas 131 and 132 was described, but the plurality of sensing areas may be three or more. In this case, all of the plurality of sensing areas or some preset areas are used. When a measurement range exceeding the set high measurement range is detected, the control unit 140 may determine that hands are on.

Additionally, the control unit 140 may determine grab grip by further including the hands-on signal generated by the grip button 121. For example, the control unit 140 detects the hands-on signal in the plurality of sensing areas 131 and 132, and when the hands-on signal generated by the grip button 121 is generated, the driver grabs the steering stick 100. It can be judged that Through this, the detection accuracy of grab grip can be further improved.

In the embodiment described below, the sensor pad 130 is described as having two sensing areas, that is, the first sensing area 131 and the second sensing area 132, but is not limited to this and has three sensing areas. The above can be provided. In this embodiment, each of the sensing areas 131 and 132 may be located in the grip unit 120 so that the driver's grip can be easily determined. For example, the first sensing area 131 may be located in the area where the driver's fingers touch when the driver grips the grip unit 120, and the second sensing area 132 may be located in the area where the driver's palm touches. You can.

In this embodiment, the driver's grab condition can be used as a condition for the autonomous vehicle to transfer driving control to the driver. Here, the driving control right can be understood as an authority that includes the steering control right to control the direction of the vehicle and the speed control right to control the speed. For example, in a vehicle in autonomous driving mode, when a hands-on signal is detected simultaneously in the first sensing area 131 and the second sensing area 132, the control unit 120 determines that the driver has gripped the steering stick 100 and It is possible to transfer driving control from the vehicle to the driver and transmit an activation signal for the steering function to the electronic control device of the vehicle. The electronic control device of the vehicle may receive the steering function activation signal from the control unit 120 of the steering stick 100 and switch the vehicle from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode. However, if a hands-on signal is detected only in either the first sensing area 131 or the second sensing area 132, the control unit 140 detects the driver by lightly touching the steering stick 100 instead of holding it. By determining that the vehicle is in a state of being present, a deactivation signal for the steering function can be transmitted to the electronic control device of the vehicle without transferring driving control rights to the driver. That is, if the control unit 140 does not detect a hands-on signal in both of the two sensing areas, the steering mode of the vehicle may not be changed from autonomous driving mode to manual driving mode.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an internal cross-section of a grip portion of a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sensor pad 130 of the vehicle steering stick 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided along the outer surface of the body 120a of the gripper 120. The gripping portion 120 may be finished on the outer surface of the sensor pad 130 with a finishing material 120b such as leather. As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor pad 130 is disposed under the finishing material 120b, so that the steering stick 100 can maintain an attractive appearance.

Figures 2 and 5 are diagrams showing a state in which a driver is holding a steering stick for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the gripping portion 120 of the steering stick 100 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a lighting portion 150 or a vibrating portion 160 to notify the driver of transfer of driving control rights of the vehicle. can do.

The lighting unit 150 is used to inform the driver of the change in steering mode when the vehicle's steering mode changes from autonomous driving mode to performance driving mode. The lighting unit 150 lights up in different ways depending on the steering mode. You can. For example, when the driver touches the first sensing area 131 and the second sensing area 132 at the same time and holds the steering stick 100, the control unit 140 determines that the driver has grabbed the steering stick 100. can do. At this time, the lighting unit 150 may light up in a different pattern or color than the previously lit pattern to notify that driving control of the vehicle has been transferred to the driver.

The lighting unit 150 provides emotional lighting effects to the driver in various situations, such as when the driver gets on the vehicle, when the driver starts the vehicle, and when the driver gets off the vehicle, as well as information about driving control rights to the driver. It can also light up in various colors and patterns.

The vibration unit 160 is used to guide the driver to change the steering mode when the vehicle's steering mode changes from autonomous driving mode to performance driving mode. The vibration unit 160 vibrates in different ways depending on the steering mode. can do. For example, when the driver grabs the steering stick 100, the steering stick 100 may vibrate in a pattern different from the previous vibration pattern, thereby indicating that driving control of the vehicle has been transferred to the driver.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the vibration unit 160 may additionally generate virtual vibration to transmit vibration between the vehicle and the road surface to the driver.

If the vehicle is an electronic steering system such as Steer By Wire, there is no physical connection between the steering device and the wheels of the vehicle, so the weight of the road surface friction or jamming is not transmitted to the driver when steering, which reduces the driver's steering feeling. There is. The virtual vibration of the vibrating unit 160 can improve the steering feel of the steering stick 100 and help the driver steer the vehicle more stably.

The steering stick for a vehicle of the present invention can remove the steering wheel from the driver's seat, so the driver's action radius in the driver's seat can be expanded, and when the vehicle is driving autonomously, the driver can leisurely enjoy convenience facilities in the expanded space.

In addition, the vehicle steering stick of the present invention detects the driver's grip and grants steering control to the driver, thereby preventing the vehicle from changing direction due to an operation mistake regardless of the driver's intention, thereby further protecting the driver's safety. You can.

Additionally, the vehicle steering stick of the present invention can increase the accuracy of grip detection by using a plurality of sensor areas.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

100: Vehicle steering stick
110: lever
120: gripping part
130: Sensor pad
140: control unit
150: lighting unit
160: Vibration unit

Claims (12)

A steering stick that controls the steering of a vehicle,
a lever operated by a driver to steer the vehicle;
A grip portion provided on the lever;
A sensor pad provided on the grip part to detect the driver's grip by detecting the driver's Hands Off and Hands On signals; and
A steering stick for a vehicle comprising: a control unit that activates or deactivates the steering function of the steering stick according to the hands-on signal or hands-off signal from the sensor pad.
According to paragraph 1,
The lever is locked so that it cannot be operated when the hands-off signal is detected from the sensor pad, and its movement is released to allow operation when the hands-on signal is detected from the sensor pad.
According to paragraph 1,
The sensor pad has a plurality of sensing areas,
The control unit activates a steering function of the vehicle when the hands-on signal is detected in two or more of the plurality of sensing areas.
According to paragraph 3,
One of the plurality of sensing areas is located in an area where the driver's fingers touch when the driver grips the grip unit, and at least one of the other areas is located in an area that the driver's palm touches. A steering stick for a vehicle.
According to paragraph 3,
The steering stick for a vehicle, wherein the plurality of sensing areas are divided into conductive areas and non-conductive areas.
According to paragraph 1,
The grip portion includes a grip button that detects the driver's grip when the driver presses it,
The control unit activates the steering function of the vehicle when the hands-on signal of the sensor pad is detected and the grip button is pressed.
According to paragraph 1,
The steering stick for a vehicle, wherein the grip portion includes a gear shift switch that generates a control signal to change the gear mode of the vehicle.
According to paragraph 1,
The steering stick for a vehicle, wherein the grip portion includes a driver assistance system function switch linked to the vehicle.
According to paragraph 1,
The vehicle is an autonomous vehicle,
When the hands-on signal is detected at the sensor pad, the control unit transmits a steering function activation signal of the steering stick to the electronic control device of the vehicle,
A steering stick for a vehicle, wherein when the electronic control device of the vehicle receives the steering function activation signal, it changes the steering mode of the vehicle from an autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode.
According to clause 9,
A steering stick for a vehicle, further comprising a lighting unit that lights up in different ways depending on the steering mode to guide the driver to change the steering mode.
According to clause 9,
A steering stick for a vehicle, further comprising a vibration unit that vibrates the grip unit in different ways depending on the steering mode to guide the driver to change the steering mode.
According to clause 11,
The steering stick for a vehicle, wherein the vibration unit additionally generates virtual vibration to transmit vibration between the vehicle and the road surface to the driver.