FR3150767A1 - Motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel equipped with indicator lights adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel (VOL) defining a plate (PLT) with a front face (FAV) arranged facing the driver of the vehicle, when the driver is at the wheel; said plate (PLT) comprising at least one gripping means (OP1-OP4) on which is mounted a control member (OC1-OC4) of at least one function or system of the vehicle, in the vicinity of an edge of the plate (PLT), at least one indicator light (IL1-IL4) arranged on the front face (FAV), around the gripping means (OP1-OP4); said vehicle further comprising means for supervising the lighting and display of the indicator light (IL1-IL4) in relation to a state or a level of the function or the system and in connection with the control member (OC1-OC4) and according to a determined display mode of the indicator lights (IL1-IL4). (Figure 2)

Description

Motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel equipped with indicator lights adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel

The invention relates generally to the field of human-machine interfaces (HMIs), in particular those equipping the steering wheels of motor vehicles, and more particularly relates to a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel equipped with indicator lights adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel, in particular indicator lights adapted to means of gripping the steering wheel.

Indicator lights are widely used in HMIs and are generally associated with control devices located in the passenger compartment, on the dashboard, the central console or on the steering wheel or near the steering wheel.

These indicators allow visual monitoring of functions and/or systems embedded in the motor vehicle. Monitoring includes both adjusting a function or system between a minimum and a maximum value (setpoint) and monitoring the level or status of a function or system.

HMIs located on the steering wheel, or near the steering wheel, have become widespread. Ergonomically, the driver can thus control or monitor the evolution of certain functions of systems embedded in the vehicle without his hands leaving the steering wheel or his attention being diverted too much from driving, which, of course, is fundamental for the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

It is important that these HMIs are compact, ergonomically adapted to their location on or near the steering wheel, easy to handle and of course simple and robust in design, i.e. using a minimum of mechanical, optical parts and electronic components, simple to produce and easy to assemble. It is also important that the information carried by these HMIs is sufficiently clear, concise and arranged in such a way as to allow readable feedback on the status or level of a function or system while adjusting the status or level of the function or system, while being close to the control elements arranged on the steering wheel.

To date, there is no HMI on the front of the steering wheel (the side facing the driver when the latter is in the driving position) with light indicators adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel and in particular to means of gripping the steering wheel, meeting the conditions set out above.

The ergonomics of the steering wheel are assessed based on the shape of the steering wheel, its gripping means, etc. and its positioning in relation to the driver in the driving position but also in the resting position. It is also assessed in relation to the information and control elements carried by the steering wheel.

The invention therefore aims in particular to provide an ergonomic, simple, robust, space-saving and inexpensive solution.

For this purpose, the invention has as its first subject a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel defining a plate with a front face arranged facing the driver of the vehicle, when the driver is at the wheel; said plate comprising at least one gripping means on which is mounted a control member for at least one function or system of the vehicle, in the vicinity of an edge of the plate, at least one indicator light arranged on the front face, around the gripping means; said vehicle further comprising supervision means capable of controlling the lighting and display of the indicator light in relation to a state or a level of the function or the system and in connection with the control member, according to first and second display modes.

According to one feature, the supervision means are capable of controlling the light indicator according to the first display mode called permanent to display in real time the level or state of the function or system of the vehicle and according to the second display mode called temporary to display a level of adjustment of the state or level of the function or system of the vehicle.

According to another characteristic, the plate further comprises a lighting means capable of being controlled by the supervision means to illuminate at least one zone of the front face of the plate; said supervision means being further capable of controlling the lighting means in cooperation with the display of the light indicator in the temporary display mode.

According to another characteristic, the plate has a generally rectangular shape and the gripping means is an orifice passing through the plate arranged in the vicinity of an edge of the plate; at least part of the edge of the orifice supporting the control member and the light indicator defines a crown, or portion of a crown, representative of a light strip at least partially surrounding said orifice in the vicinity of the control member.

According to another feature, the illuminated surface of the light strip is proportional to the level or state of the supervised function or system, capable of rendering a visual effect of filling a gauge.

According to another characteristic, the light strip comprises a series of a determined number of LEDs; the number of LEDs lit indicating the level or status of the function or system supervised.

The second subject of the present invention is a supervision method, implemented by the supervision means of the vehicle as described above, consisting in the first display mode called permanent, of permanently calculating the level or state of the function or system linked to the control member, and of displaying the indicator light with a lighting surface of the light strip proportional to the level or state of the function or system, calculated between a start and an end of the light strip, and consisting, in the second display mode called temporary, of modifying the default lighting of the area of the front face of the plate, of taking into account the setting instruction of the level or state of the function or system set by the driver, of calculating the level or state of the function or system corresponding to the driver's setting instruction, of displaying in return the setting instruction on the indicator light between a start and an end of the light strip representing the indicator light and after validation of the setting instruction by the driver, of selecting the permanent display mode at the end of a time delay determined following validation, and to restore the default lighting of the area on the front of the plate.

According to a characteristic of the method, the so-called permanent display mode is automatically selected at the end of the temporary display mode.

According to another feature, the front panel illumination is controlled in the temporary display mode with illumination distinct from the illumination in the permanent mode and producing specific lighting effects.

The third and final subject of the present invention is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method as described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description below, and of the attached drawing, in which:

schematically illustrates a front part of a motor vehicle interior according to the invention, in which a steering wheel is installed equipped with light indicators adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel;

illustrates a detailed view of a type of steering wheel of a vehicle according to the invention; and

illustrates a flowchart of the main steps of a supervision method according to the invention.

There , schematically illustrates a front part of a passenger compartment HAB of a motor vehicle VHL in which a steering wheel VOL is installed.

In the example considered, the front face FAV of the steering wheel VOL defines a PLT plate of generally rectangular shape which is carried by the hub of the steering wheel VOL.

The rectangular PLT plate can also completely define the VOL steering wheel. The PLT plate is illustrated here superimposed on the traditional steering wheel which is grayed out in the figure; the large dimension of the PLT plate corresponds substantially to the diameter of the JTV rim of the traditional steering wheel of generally circular shape. The rim of the JTP steering wheel corresponds to the rectangular perimeter of the PLT plate when the PLT plate completely defines the VOL steering wheel. Only the lateral parts (small dimensions) of the PLT plate define means of gripping the PLT plate. It should be noted that some steering wheels already have a lower flat part, or even two flat parts: a lower flat part and an upper flat part, allowing better visibility of the instrument panel which is arranged on the dashboard, behind the steering wheel.

The PLT plate has four generally circular gripping holes OP1-OP4, arranged in the vicinity of the four corners of the PLT plate. These holes OP1-OP4 could have different shapes, oblong for example. They are through and sized to allow the passage of the driver's thumbs, respectively left and right. These holes OP1-OP4, with the lateral edges of the PLT plate, define the gripping means of the PLT plate. The holes OP1-OP2, arranged in the upper part of the PLT plate, are rather intended for a driving position requiring a firm grip of the PLT plate and the holes OP3-OP4, arranged in the lower part of the PLT plate, are rather intended for a driving position in more relaxed mode.

As illustrated in more detail in the , the front face FAV of the PLT board supports four light indicators IL1-IL4 shaped to define light strips capable of visually restoring a gauge effect, here “digital” gauges, arranged respectively on the periphery of the gripping holes OP1-OP4. It is recalled that a gauge is an indicator device for informing the driver about the state or a measurement of a function or system of the vehicle.

The indications that a gauge can provide on the status or level of a function or system of a motor vehicle are numerous. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the main indications that can be displayed by the gauge: charge level of a battery during charging or while driving, remaining fuel level, volume of the audio system (radio, navigation system, telephone, etc.), opening status of an opening (door, window, sunroof, etc.), temperature of the combustion engine, number of revolutions per minute (rev counter), lighting adjustment, vehicle deceleration adjustment level ("brake mode"), cruise control inter-vehicle time (TIV) management, front/rear automatic braking distance, other ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) settings, etc.

Advantageously, in the embodiment described, each light indicator IL1-IL4 is arranged in the form of a crown or portion of a crown extending around the outer periphery of the gripping orifice OP1-OP4.

As shown in the , one edge of each gripping hole OP1-OP4 (edge facing the inside of the PLT board) is equipped with a button OC1-OC4, or member, for controlling and/or adjusting the status or level of a function or system of the vehicle.

Each IL1-IL4 indicator light is arranged as close as possible to the OC1-OC4 control and/or adjustment unit, which allows immediate perception and understanding by the driver. The feedback is thus systematically in the driver's field of vision and close to the OC1-OC4 control unit.

In the example of the , we have arbitrarily chosen different configurations for the four indicator lights IL1-IL4.

The configurations could be identical for all four indicators IL1-IL4.

In the example of the , the IL2 indicator light is inactive (off). The other three indicators IL1, IL3 and IL4 are shown active (on).

The IL1-IL4 indicator light can be made using LED technology (LED for “Light Emitting Diode”). In this case, the indicator light is made up of a series of monochrome or polychrome LEDs forming a luminous strip, or ribbon: the surface of the ribbon lights up more or less depending on the number of LEDs lit.

As illustrated in the , the VHL vehicle according to the invention comprises SPV supervision means for the display and lighting of the indicator lights IL1-IL4 and the lighting of the front face FAV of the PLT board. The SPV supervision means belong for example to the lighting management system inside the VHL vehicle, hosted for example in the BCU box of the vehicle (BCU for "Body Control Unit" in English terminology).

These SPV supervision means control the display and lighting of the indicator lights IL1-IL4 and the lighting of the front face FAV of the PLT board from the states or levels of the FCT functions or SYS systems determined, in connection with the OC1-OC4 control devices mounted on the PLT board and according to a determined display mode of the indicator lights IL1-IL4. The display mode is selected by the driver via an HMI not shown.

In the case of monochrome LEDs, the SPV supervision means control an increase in the lighting intensity at both ends of the indicator light (of the light strip), IL3 on the , to indicate the start DEB and the end FIN of the gauge, as well as for the level of the adjustment instruction between these two ends

In the case of polychrome LEDs, the SPV supervision means control a color change in certain areas of the IL1-IL4 light indicator (light strip).

For example, a red colored zone when the IL1-IL4 indicator light defines a gauge displaying a rev counter function: the red colored zone indicating that the number of revolutions/minute has passed into a zone that is too high, the same for the sound in the case of an audio function; the gauge indicating the sound volume level.

Other lighting technologies equivalent to LEDs can be used, such as technologies using LCD (Liquid Crystal Diode) or TFT (Thin Field Transistor) type displays to represent the filling of a gauge.

According to the invention, there are at least two display modes for the light indicators IL1-IL4: a so-called permanent MAP display mode and a so-called temporary MAT display mode.

Display mode means a mode of graphic representation of the light information displayed by the light indicators IL1-IL4, here in the form of a crown, on the front face FAV of the PLT board.

Each of these two modes MAP, MAT result from the selection by the driver of either a permanent MAP or temporary MAT display mode of the IL1-IL4 indicator lights. Thus, when the driver wishes to define a status or adjust the level of an FCT function or the SYS system to be supervised, he selects the temporary MAT display mode for example via the OC1-OC4 control unit (two successive presses or a long press for example). For example, the permanent MAP display mode is considered to be the default display mode.

The PLT board includes at least one RTE lighting means, which is managed by the SPV supervision means. This RTE lighting means can be a light source, LED or other, ensuring for example backlighting of at least one area of the FAV front face supporting the IL1-IL4 light indicator.

This backlighting can be the “default” lighting of the FAV front panel of the PLT board, i.e. the permanent lighting of the FAV front panel, the intensity of which can automatically adapt according to the ambient brightness.

The permanent display mode MAP corresponds to a display mode of the IL1-IL4 indicator lights (which can be the default display mode of the IL1-IL4 indicator lights for example) in which the display of the IL1-IL4 indicator lights reproduces the levels or states of the FCT function or the SYS system chosen, calculated permanently by the SPV supervision means. In this MAP mode, the lighting of the FAV front panel of the PLT board can remain constant in intensity and/or in color.

The temporary MAT display mode corresponds to a display mode that is used temporarily only during the adjustment of the level or status of the FCT function or the SYS system by the driver. When this MAT mode has been selected by the driver, the lighting of the FAV front panel of the PLT board takes a form different from the default lighting during the adjustment and returns to the default lighting at the end of a time delay determined after the last adjustment operation.

This change in form may be a change in light intensity and/or color, flashing or “breathing” or any other light effect to inform the driver that this display mode is temporary MAT.

In this temporary MAT display mode, the driver manually sets, via the OC1-OC4 control unit, or another control unit of the VHL vehicle, the setpoint status or level (or setpoint adjustment level) that he wishes to obtain between a minimum and a maximum (materialized by the start DEB and the end FIN of the IL3 gauge) for a FCT function or a SYS system determined in relation to the OC1-OC4 control unit. The pairing of the FCT function or the SYS system, with one of the OC1-OC4 control units, may have been preconfigured by default or configured by the driver when the control unit is of the multifunction type for example.

The SPV supervision means then control the lighting of a certain number of LEDs proportionally to the level setting or the state of the FCT function or the SYS system, within the DEB and FIN limits, which have been calculated from the information sent to it by sensors and other measuring devices concerning the supervised FCT function or SYS system.

The lower the setting level, the fewer LEDs are lit (low filling of the IL1-IL4 gauge). The higher the level, the more LEDs are lit (high filling of the IL1-IL4 gauge).

Thanks to the crown shape (light strip) and the light effects of the IL1-IL4 light indicators associated with the OC1-OC4 control devices, it is thus possible to recreate a gauge effect displaying the fill level of the gauge in relation to a set level, between a start point and an end point of the gauge and with an easily adjustable set level, between these two points and feedback that is easily understandable for the driver both for the adjustment and for monitoring the function or system.

The flowchart of the , summarizes the main steps of the supervision process controlling the permanent MAP and temporary MAT display modes.

In the permanent MAP display mode ( ), the method implemented by the SPV supervision means, consists, after the selection of the permanent MAP mode by the driver, or automatically by default or, after a temporary display mode MAT, for the display of a light indicator IL1-IL 4 associated with a given FCT function or SYS system, in permanently calculating 100 the level or state of the given FCT function or SYS system in connection with a control member OC1-OC4, and in displaying 200 the light indicator IL1-IL4 in the form of a light strip with a lighting surface proportional to the level or state of the FCT function or SYS system, calculated between a start DEB and an end FIN of the light strip IL3.

In the temporary display mode MAT, the method implemented by the supervision means SPV, consists, after the selection of the temporary mode MAT by the driver for the display of a gauge (light strip) IL1-IL4 associated with a given function FCT or system SYS, in modifying 300 the default lighting of at least one zone of the front face FAV of the PLT plate displaying the gauge IL1-IL 4, in taking into account 400 the setting instruction for the level or state of the function FCT or system SYS set by the driver, in calculating 500 the level or state of the function FCT or system SYS given corresponding to the setting instruction, in displaying in return 600 the setting instruction with a filling corresponding to the level or state of the function FCT or system SYS calculated between a start DEB and an end FIN of the light strip representing the gauge IL1-IL4, and after validation 700, which may be an absence of setting the setpoint by the driver, and at the end of a time delay determined following validation or absence of adjustment, to select 800 the permanent MAP display mode and to restore 900 the default lighting of the FAV front panel area of the PLT board.

The management method implements a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method according to the invention.

Claims (10)

Motor vehicle (VHL) comprising a steering wheel (VOL) defining a plate (PLT) with a front face (FAV) arranged opposite the driver of the vehicle (VHL), when the driver is at the wheel (VOL); said plate (PLT) comprising at least one gripping means (OP1-OP4) on which is mounted a control member (OC1-OC4) of at least one function (FCT) or system (SYS) of the vehicle (VHL), in the vicinity of an edge of the plate (PLT), at least one indicator light (IL1-IL4) arranged on the front face (FAV), around the gripping means (OP1-OP4); said vehicle (VHL) further comprising supervision means (SPV) capable of controlling the lighting and display of the light indicator (IL1-IL4) in relation to a state or a level of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) and in connection with the control member (OC1-OC4), according to first and second display modes (MAP, MAT). Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the supervision means (SPV) are capable of controlling the light indicator (IL1-IL4) according to the first display mode called permanent (MAP) to display in real time the level or the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) of the vehicle (VHL) and according to the second display mode called temporary (MAT) to display a level of adjustment of the state or the level of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) of the vehicle (VHL). Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claims, in which the plate (PLT) further comprises a lighting means (RTE) capable of being controlled by the supervision means (SPV) to illuminate at least one zone of the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT); said supervision means (SPV) being further capable of controlling the lighting means (RTE) in cooperation with the display of the light indicator (IL1-IL4) in the temporary display mode (MAT). Vehicle (VHL) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plate (PLT) has a generally rectangular shape and in which the gripping means (OP1-OP4) is an orifice passing through the plate (PLT) arranged in the vicinity of an edge of the plate (PLT); at least part of the edge of the orifice (OP1-OP4) supporting the control member (OC1-OC4), and in which the light indicator (IL1-IL4) defines a crown or portion of a crown, representative of a light strip, at least partially surrounding said orifice (OP1-OP4) in the vicinity of the control member (OC1-OC4). Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the illuminated surface of the light strip (IL1-IL4) is proportional to the level or state of the supervised function (FCT) or system (SYS), capable of restoring a visual effect of filling a gauge. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim in which the light strip (IL1-IL4) comprises a series of a determined number of LEDs; the number of LEDs lit indicating the level or status of the function (FCT) or system (SYS) supervised. Supervision method, implemented by the supervision means (SPV) of the vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claims, consisting in the first display mode called permanent (MAP), of calculating (100) permanently the level or the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) in connection with the control member (OC1-OC4), and of displaying (200) the indicator light (IL1-IL4) with a lighting surface of the light strip proportional to the level or to the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS), calculated between a start (DEB) and an end (FIN) of the light strip (IL3), and consisting, in the second display mode called temporary, of modifying (300) the default lighting of the area of the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT), of taking into account (400) the setting instruction of the level or of the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) set by the driver, of calculating (500) the level or status of the function (FCT) or system (SYS) corresponding to the driver's adjustment instruction, to display (600) in return the adjustment instruction on the indicator light (IL1-IL4) between a start (DEB) and an end (FIN) of the light strip (IL3) representing the indicator light (IL1-IL4) and after validation (700) of the adjustment instruction by the driver, to select (800) the permanent display mode (MAP) at the end of a time delay determined following the validation, and to restore (900) the default lighting of the area of the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT). Method according to the preceding claim, consisting of selecting the so-called permanent display mode (MAP), automatically at the end of the temporary display mode (MAT). Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, consisting of controlling the lighting of the front face (FAV) in the temporary display mode (MAT) with lighting distinct from the lighting in the permanent mode (MAP) and producing determined lighting effects. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method according to one of claims 7 to 9.