CH706201A1 - Device for operating driving function in vehicle i.e. motor car, has auxiliary element and display unit connected with computer, where auxiliary element energizes driver for triggering driving function supplementary to operating elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has operating elements (12a-12f) integrated in a steering wheel collar (6) of a steering wheel (3). An auxiliary element e.g. activation button (10), is integrated in the collar of the wheel. A digital display unit is provided in a vehicle inner space. The auxiliary element and the display unit are connected with a board computer provided in the vehicle. The auxiliary element energizes a driver to triggering a driving function supplementary to the operating elements. The button remains activated after actuation of a determined time span within a range of 2-10 seconds. The auxiliary element is designed as a touch-sensitive element or an operating knob and a joystick. The operating elements are a turn signal lever and a cruise control lever.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for increasing the safety and comfort in the operation of functions on the steering wheel rim of a steering wheel in conjunction with a safety function in a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular a device for operating cruise control functions or Speedlimiter functions as well as an application of the device.

When driving vehicles, the function of the steering wheel is of great importance as it is one of the important elements to steer a vehicle accurately and safely. Installed directly on the steering column by means of so-called steering column levers, for example, turn signals, light switches, windscreen wipers or the control of Tempomates. New requirements, particularly in the area of safety and the constant technical development of the vehicles in terms of ease of use, safety and functionality mean that a variety of assistance systems are available in modern cars and the driver can or must carry out another operation in addition to the actual driving. So that the driver is not unduly distracted and burdened by these additional possibilities and tasks, in the past, in addition to indicators and light, for example, controls and electronics for the gear change or about the basic operation of a car radio were installed directly into the steering wheel spoke. After a short acclimation, the driver can steer a different number of operations directly via the steering wheel without distraction from the actual driving of the vehicle. Such so-called multifunction steering wheels make an important contribution to traffic safety and also increase the ease of use considerably.

Also known in the automotive sector and infotainment systems, the various components for information, navigation, communications, multimedia and assistance systems, for example, via a single button in the center console of the vehicle - also called iDrive controller in BMW - and a LCD display can be operated in the middle of the dashboard.

Thus, in the European Patent EP 1-502-835 A1 describes a variety of modes for the operation of functions from the fields of vehicle comfort and infotainment systems via a control interface on the steering wheel.

The cruise control in a vehicle is a comfort system that keeps the speed constant and thus relieves the driver, especially on long distances. In addition, the cruise control allows maintaining a constant speed with the effect of saving fuel, especially when driving straight ahead. In most vehicles, the cruise control is operated by a steering column lever, which is mounted on the left side below or above the turn signal lever on the steering column, but it can also be integrated in the steering wheel spoke of the steering wheel itself. A conventional cruise control keeps the desired speed after activation. When the cruise control is activated, the speed can be changed via the lever. Pressing the brake pedal deactivates the cruise control. Although currently available cruise control facilitate driving, but for the driver have the disadvantage of distraction from road traffic. In order to minimize the risk of such a distraction, a simple and safe operation of the various cruise control functions is desired.

Vehicles in the higher price segment are often equipped with an adaptive system that allows to keep the distance from one's own vehicle to the vehicle in front automatically to a predetermined value, for example, to 100 m, with activated cruise control system.

In the utility model of the German Patent Office with the number DE 20 2006 005 990 U1 a device for setting a speed in a vehicle via a keyboard and a display for reading is described.

A motor vehicle with a control system for speed regulation with predeterminable vehicle speeds with the exceeding of a maximum speed is to be avoided is described in the published patent application of the German Patent Office with the number DE 10 2006 032 766 A1. The switching off of the control system is carried out by pressing a key, preferably over a longer period.

In other patents tempomats are described, as for example in US 2005/0 257 976 A1. Setting and recalling a desired speed is done via SET and MEMORY buttons via a console mounted on the center of the steering wheel.

A PCT application under the number WO 2008/082 403 A1 describes a cruise control system, with the aid of a certain speed level can be selected from several speed levels.

Important criteria for the operation of basic functions and in particular of comfort functions such as cruise control in a vehicle are safety, comfort, reliability and simplicity. In addition, the driver should be distracted by pressing the comfort functions as little as possible from the actual driving of the vehicle.

The associated with the prior art cruise control with the advanced functions for setting and activating several speed levels have the disadvantage that the setting of predetermined speeds is relatively cumbersome. Furthermore, the driver can be distracted from the actual concentrated driving of the vehicle by operating these operations, in particular if he has to take one of the two hands from the steering wheel rim to trigger a function. This is a central risk factor and can negatively affect driving safety with immediately serious consequences.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device in which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated.

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

The invention presented here allows the setting and operation of cruise control functions, in particular of predetermined speeds, in a simple manner and also increases the safety when driving a vehicle. The driver can trigger the operating functions without taking his hands off the steering wheel, whereby the distraction of the driver by these actions is low and the attention is little disturbed.

The inventive device further has the advantage that existing display elements can be largely shared and the integration into existing operating concepts of a car manufacturer is simplified.

Overall, with the invention presented here an increase in driving safety while improving and increasing the ride comfort. The invention also opens up new opportunities for people with disabilities to drive a vehicle.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments with reference to drawings. Showing: <Tb> FIG. 1 <sep> a partial view of a vehicle interior with a steering wheel, <Tb> FIG. 2 <sep> a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a front side of an inventive steering wheel with activation key, <Tb> FIG. 3 <sep> a second embodiment of a front side of an inventive steering wheel with safety button in a schematic representation, <Tb> FIG. 4 <sep> a third embodiment of an inventive device with a steering wheel front side in a schematic representation, <Tb> FIG. 5 <sep> is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of an inventive device with a steering wheel, <Tb> FIG. 6 <sep> another embodiment of an inventive device with a steering wheel rear side in a schematic representation, <Tb> FIG. 7 <sep> a fifth embodiment of an inventive steering wheel with activation key and security key in a schematic representation, <Tb> FIG. 8 <sep> a still further embodiment of an inventive steering wheel with a joystick in a schematic representation and <Tb> FIG. 9 <sep> is a schematic representation of a joystick.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a partial section of a vehicle interior 1 with a windshield 2 and a steering wheel 4. The steering wheel 4 consists of a steering wheel rim 6 and, for example, three steering wheel spokes 5. As controls the turn signal lever 7 and the cruise control 8 are on the steering column installed. Other controls, for example, for adjusting the volume of a radio can be installed in the steering wheel spoke 5. The optional multifunction display 9 serves to visualize the controls and can be placed anywhere in the vehicle interior.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first inventive steering wheel 3 with integrated operation for cruise control or Speedlimiter in the steering wheel rim 6. The preferably arranged on the upper right or on the upper left side on the steering wheel rim 6, for example, six speed buttons 12a to 12f corresponding speeds are assigned, for example 30/50/60/80/100/120 km / h. These speed data can be specified at the factory or can also be preset by the driver, for example via the on-board computer 29. For example, the speed key 12b corresponds to a speed of 50 km / h, the speed key 12d to a speed of 80 km / h. Typically, these speed indications, which may preferably be marked on the speed buttons with the corresponding numbers 30/50/60/80/100/120 and, depending on their status, may also be color coded, indicate the different maximum speeds in each country for certain street categories, in-town and out-of-town, and maximum road speeds for road maintenance work. The speed indication km / h may differ from country to country, for example mph in Anglo-Saxon countries. The activation of the cruise control system is carried out by activating the activation key 10, whereby the activation during a certain period of time, typically 2 to 10 seconds, is maintained and becomes inactive after this period of time. The driver can now select one of the two modes described below. A first mode allows you to set a defined speed limit. If the actual speed of the vehicle is in the range of 77 km / h to 83 km / h, for example, pressing the activation key 10 and subsequently pressing the SET key 14 sets the set speed to 80 km / h. The vehicle is now accelerated or decelerated to this new speed of 80 km / h. With an adjustable deviation of the actual speed to the target speed of, for example, more than plus or minus 3 km / h, the SET button 14 remains ineffective or, depending on the presetting, the current actual speed is adopted. A second mode which can be selected in the cruise control basic settings generally allows the current speed to be taken over, for example 102 km / h, by pressing the SET button 14. With the PLUS button 16, the current speed can be increased respectively with the speed control activated by pressing a button the MINUS key 17 can be reduced, wherein in this mode an actuation of the activation key 10 can be omitted. Pressing the distance button 15 activates the adaptive cruise control to a vehicle in front, wherein in this mode, an actuation of the activation button can be omitted. The cruise control cruise control system of the vehicle is usually automatically deactivated when braking, clutching or exceeding or falling below the controlled speed for a predetermined time.

Instead of the cruise control function, the speed buttons can also be defined as speed limits, this sub-variant speed limiter is selected on the basic settings and the driver is preferably not only visually displayed, for example, color or other illumination of the buttons 12a to 12f. The activation of a speed limit is carried out by activating the activation key 10, whereby the activation is maintained for a certain period of time, typically 2 to 10 seconds, and becomes inactive again after this time has elapsed. For example, to set a speed limit of 100 km / h, the driver operates the key 12e. The vehicle can now be accelerated individually by the driver until these limits are reached. The driver can accelerate the vehicle beyond this limit and deactivate the limits by, for example, briefly depressing the accelerator pedal.

Fig. 3 shows a second inventive embodiment with a security button 11 instead of the activation button 10. The activation of the cruise control system is carried out only by simultaneously pressing the security button 11 and one of the example six speed buttons 12a to 12f. Pressing, for example, the speed button 12c without simultaneously pressing the safety button 11 has no effect.

Fig. 4 shows a third inventive embodiment, wherein the activation of the cruise control system in contrast to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 without activation button 10 or without security button 11 is carried out but via a double or multiple click, for example, within 1-2 seconds to one of the arranged on the steering wheel rim 6 speed keys 12a to 12f, for example, the speed key 12b to specify a speed of 50km / h. The speed buttons 12a to 12f may also be present several times on the steering wheel rim 6. In another alternative on both sides, the speed keys 12a to 12f are arranged both on the left side of the front side of the steering wheel rim 6 and the speed keys 12a to 12f on the right side, the driver each having two identical speed buttons simultaneously, for example the left one Hand the speed button 12f and with the right hand the speed button 12f must be pressed to specify a speed of 120 km / h.

Fig. 5 shows in a fourth embodiment, the steering wheel front 3 and the steering wheel back 4 of a steering wheel. To select a certain speed, for example, 50 km / h, the driver operates, for example, with the thumb of the right hand preferably arranged in the upper part of the steering wheel rim 6 speed button 12b on the steering wheel front 3 and simultaneously or within a period of, for example 1-2 Seconds with another finger of the same hand, the speed button 13b on the steering wheel back 4, wherein the speed buttons 12a to 12f also be placed on the left side of the steering wheel front 3 and the speed buttons 13a to 13f on the right side of the steering wheel back can.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a steering wheel back 4 with a large-scale button 18, which must be operated at the same time or within a period of, for example, 1-2 seconds with the desired speed button 12a to 12f on the steering wheel front 3 For example, to set the speed key 12b at the target speed 50 km / h.

FIGS. 5 and 6 can also be combined in their design with an activation key 10 or security key 11, analogously to the mode of operation described in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment for operating a cruise control, wherein the actual speed is taken over as a controlled target speed by simultaneously pressing the security key 11 and the SET key 14. As an alternative security element, a double or multiple click within a certain time can be used to activate the SET button. By pressing the SET button again after the previous activation of the SET button, the cruise control is deactivated or, depending on the presetting, the current speed is adopted again. By pressing the UNSET button 19, the cruise control is deactivated again, whereby the UNSET button 19 can also be absent if the deactivation of the cruise control is also possible by pressing the SET button again, depending on the default setting. Alternatively, the activation key 10 may be actuated instead of the security key 11, wherein in a vehicle preferably either a security key 11 or an activation key 10 is present.

8 shows a still further embodiment for the operation of a cruise control, wherein the activation of the cruise control after pressing the security button 11 respectively the activation button 10 or a double or multiple click, for example, within 1-2 seconds on preferably the SET Button 25 via the placed in the steering wheel rim 6 joystick 20 takes place. Alternatively, a variant without security button 11, without activation button 10 and also without double or multiple click possible, in which case the activation of the cruise control takes place directly via the joystick 20. The joystick 20 may also be used to control other functions in a car, such as navigation equipment, radio, communication devices, or on-board computers.

In Fig. 9, the functionality of a joystick 20 will be explained. By pressing the ON button 22, the cruise control is activated, deactivated again by means of the OFF button 24. When the cruise control is activated, a single keystroke on the UP button 21 at an actual speed of, for example, 80 km / h causes an increase by one tempo, for example to 100 km / h, two times pressing the UP button 21 increases by two Tempostufen to 120 km / h. The determination of the speed levels, for example 30/50/60/80/100/120 km / h, is preset at the factory or can be preset by the driver via the on-board computer 29. Correspondingly, a single press of the button on the DOWN button 23 causes a speed reduction of one speed level, for example from 120 km / h to 100 km / h, or a double depression of the DOWN button 23, a speed reduction of 120 km / h to 80 km / h. The currently selected speed level can be visualized on the multifunction display 9, for example. It is expressly mentioned that the assignment of the functions ON / OFF / UP / DOWN to the keys 21, 22, 23, 24 can be as described but not necessarily be.

Alternatively, by pressing the SET button 25 at an actual speed of, for example, 80-83 km / h, the target speed to 80 km / h are set, the currently selected speed level can be visualized for example on the multi-function display 9 , If the actual speed deviates significantly from the target speed, for example, more than plus or minus 3 km / h, the SET button 25 has no effect or, depending on the presetting, the current actual speed is adopted. As yet another alternative, the driver can select in the cruise control basic settings that, for example, at an actual speed of 78 km / h after pressing the SET button 25, the set speed is set to exactly 78 km / h. In still another alternative, when the cruise control is activated, pressing the UP button 21 causes an increase in speed and a button press on the DOWN button 23 reduces the speed.

Claims (16)

1. A device for operating at least one driving function in a vehicle by means of at least one integrated in the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel control and at least one associated additional element and located in the vehicle interior preferably digital display unit, which is connected to an on-board computer in the vehicle, characterized in order to trigger the at least one driving function, the driver must actuate an additional element in addition to the operating element. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one additional element is an activation button preferably integrated in the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel. 3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the activation key remains activated after pressing a certain period of time, preferably in the range of 2-10 seconds. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one additional element is a preferably integrated in the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel safety button. 5. The device according to claim 1 and according to one of claims 2 or 4, characterized in that the at least one additional element is equipped with a built-in activation button or in the security button fingerprint recognition for unique driver identification while driving. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one additional element is realized so that within a period of about 1 second, a double-click or within a period of about 3 seconds, a multiple click on the at least one control element. 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one additional element is realized by the simultaneous actuation of a placed on the front of the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel and of a placed on the back of the steering wheel rim additional element. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one additional element is realized by the simultaneous actuation of several placed on the steering wheel rim controls. 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the placed on the back of the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel additional element has a large area preferably arcuate shape. 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one additional element is realized as a button or as a control knob or as a joystick or as a touch-sensitive element. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the arranged on the steering wheel rim of the steering wheel controls a defined vehicle speed can be assigned. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one additional element and the at least one control element is provided with a backlight which may have a different color depending on the operating condition of the vehicle and depending on the operating function. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one additional element and the at least one operating element has a haptic recognizable by the driver surface or shape. 14. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cruise control functions are selected by means of the at least one additional element and the at least one operating element. 15. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the speed limiter functions are selected by means of the at least one additional element and the at least one operating element. 16. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that by means of the at least one additional element and the at least one control element further operating alternatives can be executed by a vehicle driver with a disability and also other functions, in particular a navigation device, a radio, communication devices or an on-board computer can be operated.