DE102010053663A1 - Steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle and method for driving functional units of the motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The steering arrangement comprises a steering wheel (12) which has a sensor (16,18) which is provided for detection of a contact of an area (14) of the steering wheel by a user. A control unit (20) is provided for controlling a functional unit (34) of a motor vehicle, depending on a signal of the sensor. The functional unit is controlled, depending on holding the steering wheel in one area. An independent claim is also included for a method for actuating functional units of a motor vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel, which has at least one sensor for detecting contact of at least a portion of the steering wheel by a user of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the steering wheel arrangement comprises a control device for controlling at least one functional unit of the motor vehicle in dependence on a signal of the at least one sensor. The invention also relates to a method for controlling functional units of a motor vehicle.

The DE 10 2005 025 993 A1 describes a steering wheel for a motor vehicle whose steering wheel rim is divided into four equal segments. In each segment is a pressure-sensitive control element, which is assigned to a respective vehicle application. For example, can be operated by touching the pressure-sensitive control element in the upper right segment of the steering wheel rim, the right direction indicator and by touching the control element in the upper left segment of the steering wheel rim, the left direction indicator. If the controls of these two segments are pressed in time, this leads to activation of the high beam. The actuation of a pressure-sensitive operating element arranged in a third segment of the steering wheel rim makes it possible to accept a telephone conversation while, by actuating the operating element in the fourth segment, inputs can be confirmed or selected, which are displayed on a screen.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved steering wheel assembly of the aforementioned type and an improved method for driving functional units of a motor vehicle.

This object is achieved by a steering wheel assembly having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The steering wheel assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a steering wheel, which has at least one sensor for detecting contact of at least a portion of the steering wheel by a user of the motor vehicle. By means of a control device of the steering wheel arrangement, at least one functional unit of the motor vehicle can be activated as a function of whether the sensor detects contact with the steering wheel and transmits a corresponding signal to the control device. Here, the at least one functional unit can be controlled as a function of whether there is a holding of the steering wheel in at least one predetermined area, which corresponds to a better controllability of the steering wheel by the user than a further area of the steering wheel. This is based on the finding that it is advantageous for the activation of certain functional units of the motor vehicle when the user holds the steering wheel in an area whose gripping allows the user the greatest possible control of the steering wheel and thus of the motor vehicle.

It can also be inferred from the area of the steering wheel grasped by the user or driver whether the user is holding the steering wheel in a sporty and active manner or rather relaxed and defensive. The at least with a particularly large controllability of the steering wheel accompanying predetermined area in which the user holds the steering wheel, also allows the conclusion that the user handles the steering wheel with particular attention. This makes it possible to ensure that in particularly demanding driving situations, for example at a particularly high speed, the control of the steering wheel by the user has an influence on whether certain functional units are actuated or not. By such, improved steering wheel assembly increased safety when operating the steering wheel and increased ride comfort can be achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one functional unit in response to the simultaneous holding of the steering wheel in two predetermined areas can be controlled. This is based on the knowledge that a particularly large controllability of the steering wheel is given by the user when he holds the steering wheel with both hands.

The at least one functional unit preferably comprises a device for canceling a limitation of the maximum speed of the motor vehicle and / or for releasing a manual change of gears of the motor vehicle and / or for releasing an increased power output of a drive unit of the motor vehicle and / or for deactivating at least one driver assistance system. Namely, if the user signals by actively and sportily holding the steering wheel in the at least one predetermined range that he is currently seeking a sporty driving style, it is conducive to the driving experience of the user if he is allowed to exceed the maximum speed of the motor vehicle limited under other circumstances. In an analogous manner, the user can signal the desire for a sporty driving style by controlling the steering wheel in the at least one predetermined range in a particularly controlled manner, and then signal the time of a gear change itself determine and thus implement the sporty driving style as desired. In contrast, it is particularly convenient for those interested in a defensive driving style, if he does not need to worry about changing the gears of the motor vehicle. The defensive driver can signal this driving style by gripping the steering wheel on areas associated with low controllability or by gripping the steering wheel with one hand.

Even if more power is provided by the drive unit of the motor vehicle, a particularly sporty driving style can be realized. Therefore, maintaining the steering wheel at predetermined areas allowing high steering control of the steering wheel can provide for the release of particularly high power of the power plant. Likewise, the deactivation of a driver assistance system may be conducive to the sportiness of the driving style, for example if a distance controller and / or a lane departure warning system and / or an electronic stability program are deactivated and thus a higher driving dynamics is permitted.

It is furthermore advantageous if the at least one functional unit can be actuated as a function of a time duration of the holding of the steering wheel in the at least one predetermined range. In that case, it can then be ensured that the functional unit is only activated if the user sufficiently clearly signals by holding the steering wheel in the predetermined areas over the time duration that he is interested in a sporty, dynamic driving style.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, depending on the holding of the steering wheel in the at least predetermined area, at least one switching element which serves to manually change gears of the motor vehicle, from a stowed position in a functional position and / or from the functional position in the stowed position be brought. In the stowage the switching elements do not interfere, while they are operable in the functional position by the user of the motor vehicle. Thus, the switching elements can be recessed in the stowed position in a region of the steering wheel, and folded out in the functional position of the region of the steering wheel or extended. Here then the availability of the switching elements is dependent on whether the user holds the steering wheel in areas in which the best possible control of the steering wheel and thus of the motor vehicle is given. The switching elements are therefore only spent in the functional position, if this is useful and spent again from the functional position in the stowed position when the user holds the steering wheel again in other than the predetermined, ensuring a high level of controllability areas.

The at least one sensor can be designed as a touch-sensitive sensor and / or as a pressure sensor and / or as a temperature-sensitive sensor and / or as an optical sensor. If the sensor is designed as a pressure sensor, it is advantageous that this sensor can detect an intensity of the pressure, so that certain functional units of the motor vehicle are only activated when the user holds the steering wheel in the predetermined areas and with a sufficiently large force.

In the method according to the invention for activating functional units of a motor vehicle, it is detected by means of at least one sensor that a user touches at least one area of a steering wheel of the motor vehicle. By means of a control device, at least one functional unit of the motor vehicle is controlled as a function of a signal of the at least one sensor. Here, the at least one functional unit is controlled depending on whether the user holds the steering wheel in a predetermined range, which corresponds to a better controllability of the steering wheel by the user as another area of the steering wheel.

The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the steering wheel assembly according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention for driving functional units.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. Showing:

1 a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, wherein a driver of the motor vehicle surrounds a steering wheel rim of the steering wheel in predetermined areas, wherein two sensors arranged in the two gripped areas transmit a signal to an on-board computer, which then activates functional units of the motor vehicle;

2 Gripping positions of two hands of the driver on the steering wheel rim, which cause no output of a signal from the sensors to the on-board computer;

3 further such, not coincident with the sensors gripping positions of the hands on the steering wheel rim;

4 two further gripping positions of the driver's hands, which surround spokes of the steering wheel;

5 a gripping position of a driver's hand holding the steering wheel rim with only one hand;

6 a gripping position of a hand of the driver, which surrounds the steering wheel rim with only one hand in the region of the right sensor;

7 a gripping position of a hand of the driver, which surrounds the steering wheel rim with only one hand in the region of the left sensor;

8th embracing the steering wheel rim with one hand according to 7 wherein two shift paddles for manually changing gears are sunk into spokes of the steering wheel; and

9 in the area of both arranged in the steering wheel rim sensors engages around the steering wheel 8th , wherein the shift paddles are unfolded from the spokes of the steering wheel.

1 shows a steering wheel assembly 10 which is a steering wheel 12 a motor vehicle, wherein in a steering wheel rim 14 of the steering wheel 12 two touch-sensitive sensors 16 . 18 are arranged. The two sensors 16 . 18 are with an on-board computer 20 the steering wheel assembly 10 coupled in a manner that the on-board computer 20 a signal is transmitted when hands 22 . 24 a driver's wheel rim 14 in the area of the two sensors 16 . 18 embrace and so the driver the steering wheel 12 holds in predetermined areas.

The two sensors 16 . 18 are in those areas of the steering wheel rim 14 arranged in which the steering wheel rim 14 over two spokes 26 . 28 to a hub 30 the steering wheel is connected. In the in 1 shown, not taken position of the steering wheel 12 the two run the steering wheel rim 14 to the hub 30 connecting spokes 26 . 28 in the vehicle transverse direction, and the two spokes 26 . 28 divide the steering wheel rim 14 in an upper half and in a lower half.

When the driver turns the rim 14 with his two hands 22 . 24 at the height of the two spokes 26 . 28 surrounds, it ensures that the sensors 16 . 18 a touch of the steering wheel rim 14 through the hands 22 . 24 to capture. Another spoke 32 in the present case connects the hub 30 with the lower half of the steering wheel rim 14 , However, in alternative embodiments, a steering wheel with spokes may be used, which are arranged differently than shown here by way of example or a steering wheel, which has a number of spokes differing from the number of spokes shown here by way of example. Also, in the steering wheel assembly 10 find a spokeless steering wheel use.

If the driver with his two hands 22 . 24 the steering wheel rim 14 in the area of the two sensors 16 . 18 engages whose distance is substantially a diameter of the steering wheel 12 is the same, so the driver can use the steering wheel 12 master and control very well. The driver thus signals by holding the steering wheel 12 in the two sensors 16 . 18 Having areas that he is trying to get the best possible control of the steering wheel 12 and thus of the motor vehicle is interested.

Represents the on-board computer 20 due to the signals from the sensors 16 . 18 determines that the driver is the steering wheel 12 stops in the predetermined areas, so are functional units 34 the motor vehicle driven, of which in the present case only one is shown schematically and by way of example. The functional unit 34 may include means for removing a limit on the maximum speed of the motor vehicle. So if the driver is the steering wheel 12 in the two sensors 16 . 18 the on-board computer stops 20 exceeding the maximum speed of the motor vehicle, for example down to 250 km / h. Namely, if the driver is interested in a sporty, dynamic driving style by positioning the hands 22 . 24 in the predetermined areas on the steering wheel 12 signaled, the driver is also able to control a higher speed than the lowered maximum speed of the motor vehicle.

Additionally or alternatively, the activation of the functional unit 34 through the on-board computer 20 or lead by such a control device that an increased power output of a drive unit of the motor vehicle is released. Furthermore, a manual change of gears of the motor vehicle can be released when the driver by positioning the hands 22 . 24 at the steering wheel 12 in the field of sensors 16 . 18 signaled the desire for a sporty driving style and thus would like to switch from an automatic gear change to a manual gear change. Likewise, by activating the functional unit 34 at least one driver assistance system may be deactivated, such as a distance controller, a lane-keeping assistant or an electronic stability program.

Holds the driver the steering wheel 12 by holding the steering wheel rim 14 in its lower half, approximately in the area between the spoke 26 and the spoke 32 and between the spoke 28 and the spoke 32 encompasses (cf. 2 ), so are the hands 22 . 24 the driver is not in the areas that the sensors 16 . 18 have and therefore not in areas, which is a particularly good control of the steering wheel 12 guarantee.

Therefore controls at the in 2 shown wrong position of the hands 22 . 24 the on-board computer 20 not the functional unit 34 at.

The same applies if the driver with both hands 22 . 24 the steering wheel rim 14 in its upper half, however, at a relatively large distance from the spokes 26 . 28 encompasses (cf. 3 ), or if the driver is the steering wheel 12 on the spokes 26 . 28 holds (cf. 4 ), or if the driver is the steering wheel 12 with only one hand 22 in an area of the steering wheel rim 14 holds which of the spoke 32 opposite (cf. 5 ).

6 and 7 show two more incorrect positions while holding the steering wheel 12 which prevent both sensors 16 . 18 detecting a touch by the driver and corresponding signals to the on-board computer 20 can transmit. So embraces in 6 the driver the steering wheel rim 14 only with one, namely the right hand 24 in the area of the sensor 18 while the left hand is the steering wheel 12 not touched. In 7 only touches one, namely the left hand 22 the steering wheel 12 such that this the steering wheel rim 14 in the area of the sensor 16 embraces.

8th shows the same position of the left hand 22 on the steering wheel rim 14 of the steering wheel 12 as 7 , but here are the two sensors 16 . 18 shown, as well as in the spokes 26 . 28 recessed shift paddles 36 . 38 and a speedometer 40 , which is in the range of a (not shown) instrument cluster of the motor vehicle. Because the driver is the steering wheel 12 not at the two, the best possible control of the steering wheel 12 ensuring positions, namely in the area of the two sensors 16 . 18 but only with one hand 22 , that's in the speedometer 40 indicated driving speed of the motor vehicle is limited to a value which is lower than the drive power of the motor vehicle allow. For example, the so-controlled maximum speed of the motor vehicle may be limited to 250 km / h.

In addition, stay with the in 8th shown type the steering wheel 12 to hold the two paddles 36 . 38 collapsed, which allow a manual change gears of an automatic transmission. In this folded stowage of the shift paddles 36 . 38 These are in the spokes 26 . 28 hidden.

The driver grasps the rim of the steering wheel 14 with both hands 22 . 24 in the area of the two sensors 16 . 18 so flip the two paddles 36 . 38 in their functional position and also the limitation of the maximum speed of the motor vehicle is repealed (see. 9 ). The on the speedometer 40 displayed current driving speed can thus be more than 250 km / h.

The unfolding of the shift paddles 36 . 38 from the spokes 26 . 28 can be made dependent on whether the driver's hands 22 . 24 for a predetermined minimum period of time in those areas of the steering wheel rim 14 holds in which the two sensors 16 . 18 are located. Also the activation of the functional units 34 through the on-board computer 20 can be made dependent on whether the driver the steering wheel rim 14 over a sufficiently long period of time there, where the sensors 16 . 18 are located.

In addition, the unfolding of the shift paddles 36 . 38 be made dependent on whether the car has a driving speed which is greater than a minimum speed.

Removes the driver one of the two hands 22 . 24 out of the range of one of the sensors for a predetermined period of time 16 . 18 Thus, the permissible maximum speed of the motor vehicle is downshifted again and the two shift paddles 36 . 38 will be out of their in 9 shown functional position again in the in 8th spent stowing away.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

steering wheel assembly

12

steering wheel

14

steering wheel rim

16

sensor

18

sensor

20

board computer

22

hand

24

hand

26

spoke

28

spoke

30

hub

32

spoke

34

functional unit

36

rocker

38

rocker

40

speedometer

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005025993 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Steering wheel arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a steering wheel ( 12 ), which has at least one sensor ( 16 . 18 ) for detecting touching at least one area ( 14 ) of the steering wheel ( 12 ) by a user of the motor vehicle, and with a control device ( 20 ) for driving at least one functional unit ( 34 ) of the motor vehicle in dependence on a signal of the at least one sensor ( 16 . 18 ), characterized in that the at least one functional unit ( 34 ) in response to a holding of the steering wheel ( 12 ) is controllable in at least one predetermined range, which with a better controllability of the steering wheel ( 12 ) by the user as another area of the steering wheel ( 12 ). Steering wheel arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one functional unit ( 34 ) depending on the simultaneous holding of the steering wheel ( 12 ) is controllable in two predetermined areas. Steering wheel arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one functional unit ( 34 ) means - for removing a limit on the maximum speed of the motor vehicle and / or - for enabling a manual change of gears of the motor vehicle and / or - for releasing an increased power output of a drive assembly of the motor vehicle and / or - for deactivating at least one driver assistance system, in particular one Distance control and / or a lane departure warning and / or an electronic stability program includes. Steering wheel arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one functional unit ( 34 ) in dependence on a duration of the steering wheel ( 12 ) in which at least one predetermined area is controllable. Steering wheel arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in dependence on the holding of the steering wheel ( 12 ) in the at least one predetermined area at least one switching element ( 36 . 38 ) for manually changing gears of the motor vehicle from a stowage position in a functional position and / or from the functional position in the stowage position can be brought. Steering wheel arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one switching element ( 36 . 38 ) can be brought into the functional position and / or in the stowed position depending on a driving speed of the motor vehicle. Steering wheel arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a distance between two sensors ( 16 . 18 ) at least substantially a diameter of the steering wheel ( 12 ) is equal to. Steering wheel arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one sensor ( 16 . 18 ) in the region of a steering wheel rim ( 14 ) of the steering wheel ( 12 ) is arranged, in which the steering wheel rim ( 14 ) with one, in particular the steering wheel rim ( 14 ) in the vehicle transverse direction to a hub ( 30 ) of the steering wheel ( 12 ) connecting, spoke ( 26 . 28 ) of the steering wheel ( 12 ) connected is. Steering wheel arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one sensor ( 16 . 18 ) is designed as a touch-sensitive sensor and / or as a, in particular an intensity of a pressure detecting, pressure sensor and / or as a temperature-sensitive sensor and / or as an optical sensor. Method for controlling functional units ( 34 ) of a motor vehicle, in which by means of at least one sensor ( 16 . 18 ) touching at least one area ( 14 ) of a steering wheel ( 12 ) of the motor vehicle is detected by a user, and in which by means of a control device ( 20 ) at least one functional unit ( 34 ) of the motor vehicle in dependence on a signal of the at least one sensor ( 16 . 18 ), characterized in that the at least one functional unit ( 34 ) depending on whether the user is the steering wheel ( 12 ) in a predetermined range, which with a better controllability of the steering wheel ( 12 ) by the user as another area of the steering wheel ( 12 ).

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