DE102023003026A1 - steering wheel assembly and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (1) with at least two rocker switches (2) and a signal line that can be connected to a communication line of a vehicle, wherein a control signal for setting a first vehicle function can be output via the signal line by actuating one of the rocker switches (2). The steering wheel assembly according to the invention is characterized in that a control signal for setting at least one further vehicle function can be output by actuating one of the rocker switches (2).

Description

The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 and to a vehicle with such a steering wheel assembly.

To increase comfort and safety, more and more functions are being integrated into vehicles. Means must be provided that allow the respective functions to be operated. However, it is desirable to reduce the number of controls in the vehicle, for example so as not to overwhelm a vehicle occupant with the sheer number of controls, for design reasons and to reduce costs. The use of touch-sensitive display devices is now established. As a result, more and more physical controls are being replaced by digital twins displayed virtually on a corresponding display surface. However, replacing physical controls with virtual controls has the disadvantage of a lack of haptics. This makes it difficult to interact with the respective controls while driving. In addition, controls can be hidden in submenus, so that further user input is required before a respective control can be operated.

This creates the need to provide means that allow comfortable and easy operation of several functions in the vehicle.

From the US 2014/0116179 A1 A locking device for the gearshift paddles attached to the steering wheel of a car is known. The gearshift paddles make it easy to carry out a manual gearshift in a vehicle with an automatic transmission. To operate the gearshift paddles, they can be pushed away from the driver or pulled towards him. During use of the vehicle, the gearshift paddles can be activated by mistake. This can be prevented by a system for activating and deactivating a gearshift described in the publication.

The steering wheel shift paddles can be activated and deactivated, whereby in an active mode, operating actions registered via the shift paddles to change gear are taken into account and in a deactivated mode they are ignored. If the system nevertheless registers an operation of the shift paddles in deactivated mode, haptic feedback can be output. The locking device can also be used to block the freedom of movement of the shift paddles in deactivated mode. The change between the active and deactivated mode can be made via the shift paddles themselves. For this purpose, both shift paddles can be operated simultaneously, for example in the same or opposite way. At least one of the shift paddles can also be held in a certain position or operated beyond a certain standard position. The shift paddles described in the publication only allow limited user interaction.

The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved steering wheel assembly which allows an extended user interaction.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a steering wheel assembly having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments as well as a vehicle with such a steering wheel assembly emerge from the dependent claims.

A generic steering wheel assembly with at least two shift paddles and a signal line that can be connected to a communication line of a vehicle, wherein a control signal for setting a first vehicle function can be output via the signal line by actuating one of the shift paddles, is further developed according to the invention in that a control signal for setting at least one further vehicle function can be output by actuating one of the shift paddles.

With the aid of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention, it is possible for a vehicle occupant to operate several vehicle functions using one and the same control element, namely the said shift paddles. Shift paddles can be reached and thus operated particularly quickly and easily by the person driving the vehicle due to the steering wheel assembly being arranged close to the hands on the steering wheel. For example, a first shift paddle is arranged in a left half of the steering wheel from the perspective of the person driving the vehicle and a second shift paddle is arranged in a right half of the steering wheel. Additional shift paddles can also be provided. For example, the steering wheel can be divided into four quadrants, namely a left and a right half and an upper and a lower half. Shift paddles can thus be provided on the right, left and above and below the center of the steering wheel or a steering column. Additional shift paddles can also be arranged on the steering wheel assembly.

The shift paddles can be operated by the person driving the vehicle pushing the shift paddles away from him or herself. Other operating techniques are also possible, such as swiveling up or down, twisting, pressing in the sense of squeezing or the like.

The signal line can be connected to the communication line of a vehicle. The communication line is, for example, a bus system such as a CAN bus. The signal line can include a wide variety of components, in particular cables, plugs, transponders and the like.

To output the control signal, the steering wheel assembly itself can include a corresponding computing unit such as a control unit, control chip or the like. However, the steering wheel assembly can also simply include corresponding sensors for registering an actuation of the shift paddles, which are forwarded to an internal vehicle control unit via the signal line.

An advantageous development of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention provides that the shift paddles are designed to be configurable, so that in addition to the first vehicle function, at least the other vehicle function can be freely assigned from a number of other vehicle functions. This makes it even easier for the person driving the vehicle to interact with the vehicle via the steering wheel assembly. The shift paddles can be assigned different vehicle functions automatically depending on the driving situation, or they can be manually set by the person driving the vehicle. In particular, the automatic assignment makes interaction with the vehicle even easier, since fewer operating inputs are required for the person driving the vehicle to operate the corresponding vehicle functions. However, the person driving the vehicle can determine which vehicle functions should generally be operable according to their personal preferences. According to one embodiment, the person driving the vehicle can also determine which vehicle functions should generally be automatically assigned to the shift paddles in which driving situations.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention, the first vehicle function is either a gear change for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or a thrust behavior adjustment of the electric motor for a vehicle with an electric motor. The first vehicle function is therefore preferably the functions provided by operating shift paddles in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and in a vehicle with an electric drive motor. For example, by operating a shift paddle on the right in relation to the steering column, a gear of the vehicle can be shifted up and by operating a shift paddle on the left in relation to the steering column, a gear can be shifted down. The thrust behavior adjustment can be used to set the level of the braking torque that can be delivered by an electric motor operated in a generator mode depending on the accelerator pedal position.

In this context, the technical terms “one-paddle driving”, “sailing” and “coasting” are mentioned. So-called one-paddle driving, also known as one-pedal driving, is a concept of influencing the speed of a vehicle by pressing just a single pedal. It is possible to both accelerate and brake using the accelerator pedal. For this purpose, the accelerator pedal position is recorded using a potentiometer, for example. If the accelerator pedal is depressed particularly far, the vehicle accelerates. If, on the other hand, the accelerator pedal is depressed less hard or not depressed at all, the vehicle brakes. For example, if the accelerator pedal is not depressed as hard, the vehicle's electric drive motor can be operated in generator mode for recuperative braking. If the accelerator pedal is not depressed at all, a friction brake system can be switched on as an alternative or in addition to decelerate the vehicle.

In so-called sailing, the drive engine is physically separated from the vehicle's drive train in order to prevent the engine's drag torque from affecting the rotational speed of the vehicle's wheels. Switching to sailing can result in an extreme value for the thrust behavior setting. In the case of an electric motor, the sailing state can be achieved almost by reducing the braking torque to 0 Nm or even by applying a positive torque that compensates for the drive train's drag torque due to the low drag torque of the electric motors. In the case of combustion engines, however, the combustion engine must be uncoupled from the drive train using a clutch due to friction losses.

During so-called coasting, the vehicle is only operated in idle, so that the drag torque of the drive engine can affect the rotation of the wheels. Using the paddle shifters, the thrust behavior of the electric motor can be changed so that a different braking torque is applied for different accelerator pedal positions due to the recuperative operation. Another, opposite extreme value of the thrust behavior For example, the setting can be set so that the vehicle's friction brake system is automatically activated when the accelerator pedal is released.

• - einen physischen oder simulierten Gangwechsel bei Elektrofahrzeugen;
• - eine Schubverhaltenseinstellung eines Verbrennungsmotors;
• - das Einstellen und/oder Freigeben einer von einer Antriebsmaschine abgebbaren Zusatzleistung; oder
• - das Einstellen der Höhe eines von einer Antriebsmaschine abgebbaren variablen Anfahrmoments.

A further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention further provides that the further vehicle function comprises one of the following:

• - a physical or simulated gear change in electric vehicles;
• - a thrust behavior setting of an internal combustion engine;
• - setting and/or enabling an additional power output from a drive machine; or
• - adjusting the level of a variable starting torque that can be delivered by a drive machine.

A “vehicle function” is therefore understood to mean, in particular, a function that affects the operating behavior of the vehicle’s drive train.

In electric vehicles, i.e. vehicles with an electric drive motor, it is not absolutely necessary to have a gearbox. Another vehicle function is a simulated gear change using the shift paddles. The ratio of torque to speed can be changed by changing the power of the electric motor. This is possible by adjusting the voltage and/or current with which the electric motor is operated. This allows gear changes to be simulated. However, a gearbox can also be connected between the electric drive motor and the wheels of the vehicle, so that gear changes can actually be physically carried out using the shift paddles in an electric vehicle.

In a similar way, the shift paddles can be used to adjust the thrust behavior of a combustion engine. However, when the accelerator pedal is not pressed down as hard, the braking torque is not generated by the recuperative operation of an electric drive motor, but by means of the conventional friction brake system. The shift paddles can be used to set the ratio of which friction brake torque is to be applied at which accelerator pedal position. Here, too, one of the extreme values can be the physical separation of the drive motor from the drive train in order to prevent the wheels from being braked by the engine's drag torque.

As a further vehicle function, an additional power that can be delivered by a drive engine can also be set and/or released using the paddle shifters. Such additional power can also be referred to as boost power or booster power. Energy is required to provide the additional power. Dedicated booster energy is available for this purpose. This can, for example, be the electrical energy stored in a battery or in capacitors or an equivalent amount of energy. The person driving the vehicle can call up the boost power, if available, by operating the paddle shifters. In an alternative embodiment, the person driving the vehicle can use the paddle shifters to set the ratio of which booster power should be made available for which period of time. In this way, either a high booster power can be made available for a comparatively short period of time, or a lower booster power for a longer period of time, until the corresponding energy supply is exhausted.

Additionally or alternatively, the additional power can also be released using the paddle shifters. For example, electrical energy can be charged through regenerative braking to provide the booster energy. If a sufficiently high electrical energy reserve is reached, the additional power is available. This additional power can then be released for use by operating one of the paddle shifters. If the additional power has been released, it can be accessed, for example, by fully depressing the vehicle's accelerator pedal, which is similar to a kickdown.

Another vehicle function is the ability to use the paddle shifters to set the level of a variable starting torque that can be delivered by the vehicle's drive engine. For a race start, for example, the drive train is preloaded against the brake and the wheel torque is operated as close to the slip limit as possible. The user can preselect the level of wheel torque for starting off. As soon as wheel slip is detected, the wheel torque is adjusted so that the slip is set to a target value. This enables the vehicle to start off reliably and comfortably in different weather conditions, or it allows the driver to adapt the vehicle's starting behavior to make it sporty. Some people prefer a tight, powerful start with maximum possible acceleration, while others prefer a slow and leisurely start.

• - der Anzahl wie oft dieselbe Schaltwippe betätigt wird;
• - der Zeitdauer wie lange dieselbe Schaltwippe betätigt wird;
• - der Kraft mit der dieselbe Schaltwippe betätigt wird; oder
• - dem Weg wie weit dieselbe Schaltwippe betätigt wird.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel construction according to the invention group, at least one vehicle function has several setting levels, whereby the number of setting levels that can be changed by operating a rocker switch depends on:

• - the number of times the same rocker switch is operated;
• - the length of time the same rocker switch is pressed;
• - the force with which the same rocker switch is operated; or
• - the distance by which the same rocker switch is operated.

Using the steering wheel assembly according to the invention, it is particularly easy and convenient for the person driving the vehicle to skip several setting levels of a vehicle function at the same time. The rocker switch can either be operated several times in succession. The rocker switch can also be pressed for a longer period of time, for example for 5 seconds, with one setting level being skipped after each second. The steering wheel assembly can also have force sensors connected to a respective rocker switch. These force sensors can be used to detect the force exerted on a rocker switch. If the person driving the vehicle pulls or presses the rocker switch comparatively lightly, comparatively few setting levels, for example one setting level, are skipped. If, on the other hand, the person driving the vehicle applies a comparatively higher force to the rocker switch, several setting levels can be skipped at once, for example two, three or all setting levels. The steering wheel assembly can also have displacement sensors, such as Hall sensors, in a similar way. This makes it possible to detect the position of a respective rocker switch. If a rocker switch is moved relatively little from its initial position, a few setting levels, such as one or two, are advanced. If the respective rocker switch is moved further, however, several setting levels can be skipped at once, such as three, four or five setting levels. Pressure points can also be provided for each number of setting levels to be skipped or advanced, so that the person driving the vehicle can feel how many setting levels are being advanced when moving the rocker switches.

• - Dauerbetätigen derselben Schaltwippe für eine Mindestdauer;
• - Betätigen derselben Schaltwippe mit einer Betätigungskraft, welche größer ist als eine voreingestellte kritische Kraft; oder
• - Betätigen derselben Schaltwippe mit dem maximal verfügbaren Betätigungsweg.

Preferably, the highest or lowest setting level can be adjusted directly by:

• - Continuous operation of the same rocker switch for a minimum period of time;
• - Operating the same rocker switch with an actuation force that is greater than a preset critical force; or
• - Operating the same rocker switch with the maximum available travel.

This further increases comfort for the driver and makes interaction with the vehicle even easier. This means that the driver does not have to repeatedly operate the same rocker switch several times in a row, but can jump directly to the respective maximum or lowest setting.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention, each shift paddle has a display device for displaying information relating to the respective vehicle function. This also allows the user interaction with the vehicle to be further improved. This allows the person driving the vehicle to be informed which vehicle function can be operated using the shift paddles and to what extent. In addition, further information can be displayed. This prevents incorrect operation. This improves the acceptance of using the shift paddles to operate several vehicle functions.

All common displays, indicators or similar can be used as display devices. They can be monochromatic or multi-colored displays. A respective display can also be touch-sensitive. For example, it is an LCD display, an OLED display or an E-Ink display. A respective display device can be connected to a respective rocker switch at any point or form the rocker switch itself. For example, a display device can take up the entire surface area of a rocker switch or just parts of it. A respective display device can also extend around several sides of a rocker switch, for example, be provided on the side of the rocker switch facing the person driving the vehicle and extend to the right or upwards around an edge.

• - die Höhe der aktuellen Einstellstufe der jeweiligen Fahrzeugfunktion;
• - die aktuell durch Betätigen der jeweiligen Schaltwippe einstellbare Fahrzeugfunktion;
• - eine Betätigungsaufforderung zum Betätigen der jeweilige Schaltwippe zu einem optimalen Betätigungszeitfenster; und/oder
• - eine Restmenge einer aktuell noch nutzbaren, von einer Antriebsmaschine abgebbaren Zusatzleistung.

Information can be displayed on the display device of a rocker switch. Preferably, at least one of the following information can be displayed on the display device of a rocker switch:

• - the current setting level of the respective vehicle function;
• - the vehicle function that can currently be set by operating the respective rocker switch;
• - a request to operate the respective rocker switch at an optimal operating time window; and/or
• - a residual amount of additional power that can currently still be used and delivered by a drive machine.

By displaying the currently adjustable vehicle function, the driver can be informed which vehicle function can currently be operated using the paddle shifters. Different vehicle functions can have different setting levels, which can also be shown on a respective display device. This improves the driver's understanding of how the respective vehicle function works.

A switching time or a request to change gear, possibly a simulated gear change in electric vehicles, or a speed in hybrid or electric drives can be displayed as an actuation request to actuate the respective rocker switch at an optimal actuation time window. The actuation time window can be as long as desired, for example a few seconds, milliseconds or even a precise point in time.

The optimal activation time window can be highlighted in various ways. For example, one or more display devices can show several lights, such as six circular symbols, which light up depending on the speed of the vehicle's drive engine. If the vehicle's engine is rotating at a speed such as slow or medium speed, two of these light elements will light up green. If the vehicle accelerates, the speed increases and the number of light elements increases. As soon as the speed increases further and all light elements light up, the color changes to red and the light elements may start to flash. This is an indicator that a gear change should now take place. However, other display modalities are also possible, such as displaying a text message such as "Upshift".

The remaining amount of additional power that can still be used can be shown, for example, in the form of a loading bar. The loading bar is initially full and empties increasingly as the additional power is used. Similarly, the additional power can be shown on a display device on the paddle shifters when the additional power is being charged. If a recuperative braking process is carried out with the vehicle, the "loading bar" can increase while electrical energy is fed into a corresponding traction battery or capacitors or transformed into kinetic energy to accelerate a flywheel storage device.

The additional power can also be represented by a percentage, for example “34%” of the maximum available additional power, or as a concrete value such as “1 kWh”. The additional power corresponds to a value integrated over a time window, i.e. an amount of energy.

The display devices can be used to show both static information and animations.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention, it has a locking device, wherein the locking device is designed to block a degree of freedom of movement of a rocker switch if the control signal that can be output to set the vehicle function that can currently be set by operating the respective rocker switch would have no effect. This is the case, for example, if a respective maximum or minimum setting level has been reached, but the person driving the vehicle shifts beyond this. For example, if the vehicle is in the highest gear and the person driving the vehicle shifts up by operating the "upshift rocker switch" again, no further higher gear can be engaged. Accordingly, the rocker switch cannot be moved in such a situation due to the restriction of the degree of freedom of movement. This communicates to the person driving the vehicle in a very intuitive way that the respective highest or lowest setting level has been set. Another example of a case in which operating a rocker switch would have no function would be if a corresponding additional power, i.e. booster energy, is to be used, but this has not yet been sufficiently charged.

A further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention further provides that it has at least one actuator connected to a respective rocker switch for imparting haptic feedback. By means of such an actuator, for example, vibrations can be imparted to a rocker switch. A type of knocking force can also be exerted on a respective rocker switch. Corresponding vibrations or knocking forces can then be felt by the person driving the vehicle when touching the respective rocker switch. For example, haptic feedback can be given each time a rocker switch is operated. or when a certain setting level has been reached, for example the maximum or minimum setting level. Haptic feedback can also be given, for example, as soon as the additional power that can be delivered by the vehicle's drive engine has been sufficiently charged so that it can now be released. This information can thus be transmitted to the person driving the vehicle without the need for the person driving the vehicle to look at a display device in the vehicle or to listen to an acoustic message or warning tone. This allows the person driving the vehicle to devote more of their attention to what is happening on the road, which improves road safety.

All common actuators are possible, such as mechanical actuators, electrical actuators, magnetic actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators and the like, as well as mixed forms.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention, it has a control element for selecting the vehicle function that can currently be set by operating the respective rocker switch. In general, the question arises as to how the user should manually select the vehicle function that can be used or set by operating the respective rocker switch if this does not happen automatically. For this purpose, the steering wheel assembly can have a control element. This dedicated control element can, for example, be integrated into the steering wheel of the steering wheel assembly, into the steering column or into the rocker switches themselves. It can be a physical rotary control, slide control, button, knob, toggle switch or the like. It can also be a touch-sensitive control element. For example, the user wants to use a short-term additional service (boost) and requests that this function be operated via the rocker switch using the control element. If the battery is too cold, the rocker switch would indicate that the battery is still in preconditioning for this function for a certain period of time and that the additional power will only be available after that, for example, recognizable by the color and height of a bar.

In general, it is also possible for the person driving the vehicle to use another touch-sensitive display device in the vehicle to specify which vehicle function should be adjustable by operating the shift paddles. For example, the person driving the vehicle can interact with the vehicle's head unit and make the appropriate setting using a graphic user interface (GUI). However, this setting can be made more easily, intuitively and quickly using a control element integrated into the steering wheel assembly, which further improves user comfort.

A vehicle according to the invention has a steering wheel assembly as described above. The vehicle can be any vehicle such as a car, truck, van, bus or the like. The vehicle can have an internal combustion engine and/or an electric drive motor. It can therefore also be a hybrid vehicle or a purely battery-electric vehicle. The vehicle can also be operated manually, at least partially automatically or even autonomously.

Further advantageous embodiments of the steering wheel assembly according to the invention also emerge from the embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 eine Frontalansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Lenkradbaugruppe;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung der auf den in die Schaltwippen einer in 1 gezeigten erfindungsgemäßen Lenkradbaugruppe integrierten Anzeigeeinrichtungen dargestellten Bildinhalten im Zusammenhang mit einer Fahrzeugfunktion;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung der im Zusammenhang mit einer weiteren Fahrzeugfunktion auf den Anzeigeeinrichtungen dargestellten Bildinhalten und
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung der im Zusammenhang mit einer wiederum weiteren Fahrzeugfunktion auf den Anzeigeeinrichtungen dargestellten Bildinhalten.

The following show:

• 1 a front view of a steering wheel assembly according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of the on the in the shift paddles of a 1 shown image contents displayed in connection with a vehicle function in the display devices integrated in the steering wheel assembly according to the invention;
• 3 a schematic representation of the image content shown on the display devices in connection with another vehicle function and
• 4 a schematic representation of the image content shown on the display devices in connection with yet another vehicle function.

1 shows a front view of a steering wheel assembly 1 according to the invention. The steering wheel assembly 1 comprises at least two rocker switches 2, which can be connected, for example, to a steering wheel 6 or a steering column (not shown in detail). The steering wheel assembly 1 according to the invention can comprise further rocker switches 2, which in 1 is indicated by dashed shift paddles 2 in the lower half of the steering wheel assembly 1. The at least existing shift paddles 2 and the optionally existing shift paddles 2 can also be provided in correspondingly swapped positions.

The steering wheel assembly 1 according to the invention has a not shown in detail and connectable to the communication line of a vehicle Signal line, wherein by operating one of the shift paddles 2, a control signal for setting a first vehicle function can be output via the signal line. According to the invention, by operating one of the shift paddles 2, a control signal for setting at least one further vehicle function can also be output. In particular, the first vehicle function is a gear change in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a thrust behavior adjustment of the electric motor in a vehicle with an electric motor. The further vehicle functions are, for example, carrying out a physical or simulated gear change in an electric vehicle, a thrust behavior adjustment in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, setting and/or releasing an additional power that can be delivered by a drive motor of the vehicle or setting the level of a variable starting torque that can be delivered by a drive motor of the vehicle.

1 also shows a possible embodiment of the steering wheel assembly 1 according to the invention, in which a respective rocker switch 2 has a display device 4. The information relating to the vehicle function that can be set using the rocker switches 2 can be displayed via the display devices 4. This facilitates user interaction with the vehicle for the person driving the vehicle.

In order to make it easier for the person driving the vehicle to switch between the vehicle functions that are to be operated by operating the rocker switch 2, the steering wheel assembly 1 according to the invention can have one or more operating elements 5. In the 1 In the embodiment shown, such a control element 5 is arranged on a respective rocker switch 2. Furthermore, 1 a possible grip of a hand 7 of the person driving the vehicle. The respective control element 5 is arranged on a respective rocker switch 2 in such a way that the control element 5, for example designed as a button or touch-sensitive surface, can be operated quickly and easily with the thumb of the respective hand 7. The fingers of the hand 7 grip behind the steering wheel 6 so that a respective rocker switch 2 can simply be pulled to operate it.

By operating the control elements 5, the vehicle function can be changed, which can be set by operating the paddle switches 2. For example, four vehicle functions can be set using the paddle switches 2. Currently, for example, the third vehicle function can be set. If the person driving the vehicle now presses the control element 5 of the 1 right shift paddle 2, the vehicle function that can be set using the shift paddles 2 changes from the third vehicle function to the fourth vehicle function. If, on the other hand, the person driving the vehicle were to operate the control element 5 of the left shift paddle 2, the adjustable vehicle function would change from the third vehicle function to the second vehicle function. A dedicated control element 5 could also be provided for each adjustable vehicle function, so that the person driving the vehicle can, for example, jump from the third vehicle function to the first vehicle function (not shown). A control element 5 could also be integrated in the middle of the front of the steering wheel 6 or in another position (not shown). Instead of the control element, the adjustable vehicle function can alternatively be made via a selection in a head unit or an instrument cluster, for example via a steering wheel control element, button or a touch display.

The 2 to 5 show the respective display content of the display devices 4 of the left and right rocker switches 2 for successive states.

In 2 As a vehicle function, the thrust behavior of the electric motor of an electric vehicle can be set using the shift paddles 2. Which vehicle function can be set by operating the shift paddles 2 can be made clear, for example, by pictograms 8 shown on the respective display devices 4. On the left shift paddle 2, for example, a shoe pressing down a pedal is shown as pictogram 8 to symbolize a so-called one-pedal drive driving mode. On the display device 4 of the right shift paddle 2, for example, a sailboat can be shown as pictogram 8 to symbolize a driving mode which is also referred to as sailing. The display content on the left and right shift paddles 2 can be the same color or different colors. For example, the left shift paddle can be shown in yellow and the right shift paddle in light blue.

Between the pictograms 8 there are markings that symbolize a respective setting level 3 for the respective adjustable vehicle function. 2 In the embodiment shown, there are eight setting levels 3. By operating the right-hand rocker switch 2, the thrust behavior of the electric motor is changed in the direction of sailing operation and by operating the left-hand rocker switch 2, the recuperative braking torque applied to the vehicle's drive train depending on the accelerator pedal position is increased. The level of the currently active setting level 3 can be identified by the number of hatched elements.

2 shows the image content displayed on the display devices 4 in three consecutive states. In the first, in 2 In the state shown at the top, the vehicle is in coasting mode, so the electric motor is physically separated from the vehicle's drivetrain when the accelerator pedal is released. This means that the drag torque of the electric motor does not have a braking effect on the vehicle's wheels when the vehicle's accelerator pedal is released.

By operating the left rocker switch 2, the overrun behavior is changed so that a recuperative braking torque is applied to the vehicle's drive train when the accelerator pedal is released or not pressed. This allows electrical drive energy to be recovered and fed into the vehicle's traction battery. Depending on which setting level 3 is selected, a different level of recuperative braking torque and thus a different level of energy recovery performance is selected depending on the accelerator pedal position. This is in 2 in the second state shown in the middle. The height of the setting levels 3 is continued via the right display device via the left display device.

To change several setting levels 3, a respective rocker switch 2 can be operated several times, operated for a certain period of time, operated with a certain force or operated with a certain adjustment path.

2 shows a third state at the very bottom. This state illustrates the direct jump to the maximum or minimum setting level. The fifth setting level 3 is currently active. The person driving the vehicle presses the left rocker switch 2 and keeps it pressed. This so-called “long press” allows you to jump directly to the setting of the maximum recuperation power, which in 2 is indicated by a curved and dashed arrow. The pictogram 8, which shows the gas pedal being pressed down, is designed like a clock. The longer the rocker switch 2 is operated, the further the "hands" of the clock turn. When the circle is completely filled, the setting level 3 jumps.

3 illustrates the operation of releasing the additional power that can be delivered by a vehicle's drive engine. 3 In the first state, the top display shows a loading bar 9, which symbolizes that energy is recovered by operating the vehicle's electric drive unit in generator mode during braking and is stored to charge the additional power. The loading bar 9 could also be shown on the display device 4 of the left rocker switch 2, as indicated by a dashed box. 3 In the embodiment shown, there are only four setting levels 3, which are mirrored on both display devices 4.

In the second state shown in the middle, enough energy has been stored to enable the additional power to be called up. In this case, no display content can be shown on the display device 4 of the left rocker switch 2, or, as 3 shows the currently set setting level 3 in order to inform the person driving the vehicle.

The additional power is enabled for use by operating the right-hand rocker switch 2. If, for example, the driver presses the accelerator pedal all the way down, the 3 The third state shown below is reached. The additional power that can be delivered by the vehicle's drive engine is called up, which is shown by an increasingly emptying bar 10 on both display devices 4 of the shift paddles 2.

4 shows the performance of a gear change as a currently adjustable vehicle function. The display content shown via the display devices 4 of the shift paddles 2 makes it possible to issue an actuation request to actuate the respective shift paddles 2 at an optimal actuation time window. The currently set gear 11 and the next lower or higher gear 12 can be shown as information on a respective display device 4. An indicator 13 is also shown to represent the speed of the vehicle's engine. The indicator 13 is formed, for example, by six lights, which can light up in a first color, in particular green, for example. Further information can also be shown in a field 14. In the 4 In the first state shown, the vehicle is travelling comparatively slowly. The vehicle now accelerates and reaches the second state. Here, the lamps of the indicator 13 are completely filled and in particular light up in a different colour, for example red. In addition, the red lamps may flash. This is interpreted by the person driving the vehicle as a request to change gear. The person driving the vehicle then operates the right shift paddle 2 to shift up. This causes the gear shown in 4 The third state shown at the bottom is reached. How 4 can be removed, the lights of the indicator 13 are deactivated and the set gear 11 changes from second to third gear.

The steering wheel assembly 1 according to the invention can be used to improve the interaction of the person driving the vehicle with the vehicle. In this way, several vehicle functions can be conveniently and easily operated using the shift paddles 2. By providing display devices 4, it is possible for the person driving the vehicle to intuitively and quickly recognize which vehicle function can currently be set by operating the shift paddles 2. By using shift paddles 2 to set the vehicle functions, the person driving the vehicle can devote more focus to the driving process, which improves road safety. In addition, the number of other control elements in the vehicle can be reduced, which improves the aesthetics of the vehicle interior, reduces costs and prevents the vehicle occupants from being overwhelmed.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• US 2014/0116179 A1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Steering wheel assembly (1) with at least two rocker switches (2) and a signal line that can be connected to a communication line of a vehicle, wherein by actuating one of the rocker switches (2) a control signal for setting a first vehicle function can be output via the signal line, characterized in that by actuating one of the rocker switches (2) a control signal for setting at least one further vehicle function can be output. Steering wheel assembly (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the rocker switches (2) are designed to be configurable, so that an assignment in addition to the first vehicle function with at least the further vehicle function can be freely set from a number of further vehicle functions. Steering wheel assembly (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first vehicle function is either a gear change for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or a thrust behavior adjustment of the electric motor for a vehicle with an electric motor. Steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the further vehicle function comprises one of the following: - a physical or simulated gear change in electric vehicles; - a thrust behavior adjustment of an internal combustion engine; - the setting and/or release of an additional power that can be delivered by a drive machine; or - the setting of the level of a variable starting torque that can be delivered by a drive machine. Steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that at least one vehicle function has a plurality of setting levels (3), and a determination of how many setting levels (3) are to be changed by actuating a rocker switch (2) is made as a function of: - the number of times the same rocker switch (2) is actuated; - the length of time the same rocker switch (2) is actuated; - the force with which the same rocker switch (2) is actuated; or - the distance the same rocker switch (2) is actuated. Steering wheel assembly (1) after claim 5 , characterized in that the highest or lowest setting level (3) can be set directly by: - continuously actuating the same rocker switch (2) for a minimum period; - actuating the same rocker switch (2) with an actuating force which is greater than a preset critical force; or - actuating the same rocker switch (2) with the maximum available actuating travel. Steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that each rocker switch (2) has a display device (4) for displaying information relating to the respective vehicle function. Steering wheel assembly (1) after claim 7 , characterized in that at least one of the following information can be displayed on the display device (4) of a rocker switch (2): - the level of the current setting level (3) of the respective vehicle function; - the vehicle function that can currently be set by operating the respective rocker switch (2); - an actuation request to actuate the respective rocker switch (2) during an optimal actuation time window; and/or - a remaining amount of additional power that can currently still be used and delivered by a drive machine; Steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , characterized by a locking device, wherein the locking device is designed to block a degree of freedom of movement of a rocker switch (2) if the control signal that can be output for setting the vehicle function that can currently be set by actuating the respective rocker switch (2) would have no effect. Steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized by at least one actuator connected to a respective rocker switch (2) for imparting haptic feedback. Steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized by a control element (5) for selecting the vehicle function that can currently be set by operating the respective shift paddles (2). Vehicle, characterized by a steering wheel assembly (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 .

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