An automobile and its front cabin control system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a front cabin control system for an automobile, which includes a steering column (5), a steering wheel (7) fixed to the upper end of the steering column (5), a combination switch module installed on the upper part of the steering column (5) and below the steering wheel (7), and a first driving device connected to the lower part of the steering column (5) and capable of driving it to move up and down. When the steering column (5) moves, the bottom surface of the combination switch module can be brought into contact with the main instrument panel. The steering wheel and the combination switch module of this front cabin control system can be telescopic, and the sub-instrument panel can move back and forth, facilitating providing a larger space and a comfortable reading distance for the driver in the autonomous driving mode. The present invention also discloses an automobile including the above front cabin control system, and its beneficial effects are the same as those of the front cabin control system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive autonomous driving, and particularly to a front cabin control system. In addition, the present invention also relates to an automobile including the above-mentioned front cabin control system. Background Art

[0002] SAE classifies autonomous driving into six levels, from L0 to L5. The higher the value, the higher the maturity of autonomous driving. L0 is no automation, L1 is driving assistance, L2 is partial automation, L3 is conditional automation, L4 is highly automation, and L5 is full automation. For L3 and L4, the driver can completely entrust the system to control the vehicle and can also take over the system for manual control measurement.

[0003] Currently, on passenger cars, the steering wheel module and the lower instrument panel are relatively fixed. The entire steering wheel module can only adjust the angle and telescopic distance within a limited space to adapt to the operation of drivers of different body sizes. However, in the case of realizing L3 and L4 level autonomous driving, such a structure cannot provide more space and a more comfortable cockpit for the driver.

[0004] Therefore, how to design a control system for the steering wheel, combination switch, and lower instrument panel to meet the comfort requirements in the autonomous driving mode has become an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a front cabin control system. The steering wheel and combination switch module of the front cabin control system can be telescopic, and the lower instrument panel can move back and forth, which is convenient to provide more space and a comfortable reading distance for the driver in the autonomous driving mode. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an automobile including the above-mentioned front cabin control system, and its beneficial effects are the same as those of the front cabin control system.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] A front cabin control system for an automobile, including a steering column, a steering wheel fixed to the upper end of the steering column, a combination switch module installed on the upper part of the steering column and located below the steering wheel, and a first driving device connected to the lower part of the steering column and capable of driving it to move up and down. The movement of the steering column can drive the bottom surface of the combination switch module to contact the main instrument panel.

[0008] Preferably, the combination switch module includes a combination switch body that can be sleeved on the steering column and has a groove at the upper end, an output module sleeved on the steering column and installed in the groove, and a spring connected between the groove and the output module. The output module is fixedly connected to the steering column relatively, and the output module can move up and down in the groove.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom surface of the output module has a blind hole, the upper end of the spring is fixed on the bottom surface of the blind hole, and the lower end is fixed on the surface of the groove.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom surface of the output module can contact the surface of the groove.

[0011] Preferably, the side wall of the steering column is provided with a rib, and the bottom surface of the combination switch body abuts against the rib.

[0012] Preferably, the distance between the rib and the main instrument panel is equal to the maximum moving distance of the combination switch body.

[0013] Preferably, the lower end of the steering wheel has a threaded hole, and the upper end of the steering column has a threaded post that mates with the threaded hole.

[0014] Preferably, it further includes a sub-instrument panel module, which includes a sub-instrument panel body, a lead screw fixed to the lower part of the sub-instrument panel body, and a second driving device connected to the lead screw for driving the lead screw to move back and forth.

[0015] Preferably, both the first driving device and the second driving device include a motor, a driving gear installed on the output shaft of the motor, a transmission belt meshing with the driving gear, and a driven gear meshing with the transmission belt. The connection hole of the driven gear has an internal thread, and the lower part of the steering column has an external thread that mates with the internal thread. The steering column and the lead screw are respectively sleeved in the connection holes of their respective driven gears.

[0016] The present invention also provides an automobile, including a vehicle body and a front cabin control system installed on the vehicle body, and the front cabin control system is specifically the front cabin control system described in any one of the above.

[0017] The front cabin control system provided by the present invention includes a steering column, a steering wheel, a combination switch module, and a first driving device. The steering column is arranged vertically, and the steering wheel is fixed to the upper end of the steering column. The combination switch module is installed on the upper part of the steering column and is located below the steering wheel. The first driving device is connected to the lower part of the steering column, and the first driving device can drive the steering column to move up and down. The up and down movement of the steering column drives the steering wheel and the combination switch module to move up and down. The main instrument panel is located below the combination switch module. The movement of the steering column can drive the bottom surface of the combination switch module to contact the main instrument panel, reaching the limit downward movement position of the combination switch module.

[0018] Applying the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, it is applicable to autonomous driving vehicles of L3 and above levels. According to different driving modes, the driver can adjust the position of the steering wheel combination switch module. When the normal driving mode is adopted, the steering wheel and the combination switch module are relatively far from the main instrument panel and relatively close to the driver. Drivers of different body sizes can control the vehicle in a conventional and comfortable manner. When the autonomous driving mode is adopted, the steering wheel and the combination switch module are relatively close to the main instrument panel and relatively far from the driver, which can provide more space and a more comfortable cockpit for the driver.

[0019] The present invention also provides an automobile, including a vehicle body and a front cabin control system installed on the vehicle body, and the front cabin control system is specifically any one of the above-mentioned front cabin control systems. Since the above-mentioned front cabin control system has the above-mentioned technical effects, the automobile with this front cabin control system should also have corresponding technical effects. Description of the Drawings

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the steering wheel and the combination switch module in the front cabin control system provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the sub-instrument panel module in the front cabin control system.

[0023] The reference signs in the drawings are as follows:

[0024] Active gear 1, motor 2, transmission belt 3, driven gear 4, steering column 5, combination switch body 6, steering wheel 7, output module 8, spring 9, sub-instrument panel body 10, lead screw 11. Specific Embodiment

[0025] The core of the present invention is to provide a front cabin control system. The steering wheel and the combination switch module of the front cabin control system can be telescoped, and the lower instrument panel can move back and forth, facilitating providing a larger space and a comfortable reading distance for the driver in the autonomous driving mode. Another core of the present invention is to provide a vehicle including the above front cabin control system, and its beneficial effects are the same as those of the front cabin control system.

[0026] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 , Figure 1 which is a schematic diagram of the steering wheel and the combination switch module in the front cabin control system provided by a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 which is a schematic diagram of the lower instrument panel module in the front cabin control system.

[0028] In a specific embodiment, the front cabin control system provided by the present invention includes a steering column 5, a steering wheel 7 fixed to the upper end of the steering column 5, a combination switch module installed on the upper part of the steering column 5 and below the steering wheel 7, and a first driving device connected to the lower part of the steering column 5 and capable of driving it to move up and down. When the steering column 5 moves, it can drive the bottom surface of the combination switch module to contact the main instrument panel.

[0029] In the above structure, the front cabin control system includes a steering column 5, a steering wheel 7, a combination switch module, and a first driving device. The steering column 5 is arranged vertically, and the steering wheel 7 is fixed to the upper end of the steering column 5. The combination switch module is installed on the upper part of the steering column 5, and the combination switch module is below the steering wheel 7. The first driving device is connected to the lower part of the steering column 5, and the first driving device can drive the steering column 5 to move up and down. When the steering column 5 moves up and down, it drives the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module to move up and down. The main instrument panel is below the combination switch module. When the steering column 5 moves, it can drive the bottom surface of the combination switch module to contact the main instrument panel and reach the extreme lower position of the combination switch module.

[0030] Applying the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention is applicable to autonomous driving vehicles at L3 and above levels. According to different driving modes, the driver can adjust the position of the steering wheel 7 combination switch module. When the normal driving mode is adopted, the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module are relatively far from the main instrument panel and relatively close to the driver. Drivers of different body sizes can control the vehicle in a conventional and comfortable manner. When the autonomous driving mode is adopted, the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module are relatively close to the main instrument panel and relatively far from the driver, which can provide more space and a more comfortable cockpit for the driver.

[0031] On the basis of the above specific implementation manner, the combination switch module includes a combination switch body 6 that can be sleeved on the steering column 5 and has a groove at the upper end, an output module 8 sleeved on the steering column 5 and installed in the groove, and a spring 9 connected between the groove and the output module 8. The output module 8 is fixedly connected to the steering column 5 relatively, and the output module 8 can move up and down in the groove.

[0032] In the above structure, the combination switch module includes a combination switch body 6, an output module 8, and a spring 9. The output module 8 includes components such as a clock spring 9 and a steering angle sensor.

[0033] The upper end of the combination switch body 6 has a groove, the output module 8 is installed in the groove, the output module 8 has a clearance fit with the side wall of the groove, and the output module 8 can move up and down in the groove. The spring 9 is connected between the groove and the output module 8, that is, the output module 8 is pressed on the spring 9. When the output module 8 moves in the groove, the spring 9 has an elastic force on the output module 8.

[0034] The output module 8 is sleeved on the steering column 5, the output module 8 is fixedly connected to the steering column 5 relatively, and the up and down movement of the steering column 5 drives the output module 8 to move up and down. At the same time, the steering wheel 7 and the steering column 5 are fixedly assembled together, and the up and down movement of the steering column 5 drives the steering wheel 7 to move up and down at the same time.

[0035] The combination switch body 6 is sleeved on the steering column 5 through the output module 8, and relative movement can occur between the combination switch body 6 and the output module 8 such as the clock spring 9 and the steering angle sensor, that is, relative movement can occur between the steering column 5 and the combination switch body 6.

[0036] When the autonomous driving mode is adopted, the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module approach the main instrument panel through the first driving device. When the lower part of the combination switch body 6 contacts the main instrument panel, the steering wheel 7 and the output module 8 can still compress the spring 9 and move a certain distance towards the main instrument panel, making the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module relatively closer to the main instrument panel and relatively farther from the driver, which can provide more space and a more comfortable cockpit for the driver.

[0037] Further optimize the above technical solution. The bottom surface of the output module 8 has a blind hole. The upper end of the spring 9 is fixed on the bottom surface of the blind hole, and the lower end is fixed on the surface of the groove. The upper end of the spring 9 is placed inside the blind hole. When the spring 9 is compressed, the spring 9 can be compressed into the blind hole, so that the distance between the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module relative to the main instrument panel can be further reduced, and the distance from the driver can be increased, providing more space and a more comfortable cockpit for the driver.

[0038] Further, compress the spring 9 until the bottom surface of the output module 8 contacts the surface of the groove. At this time, the spring 9 is completely placed inside the blind hole, and the output module 8 is stopped at the bottom surface of the groove of the combination switch body 6, reaching the limit downward movement position. The distance between the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module relative to the main instrument panel is the closest, and the distance from the driver is the farthest, providing the largest activity space for the driver.

[0039] In another relatively reliable embodiment, on the basis of any of the above embodiments, the side wall of the steering column 5 is provided with a rib, and the bottom surface of the combination switch body 6 abuts against the rib. The rib supports the combination switch body 6, which is convenient for the installation and positioning of the combination switch body 6.

[0040] Further optimize the above technical solution. The distance between the rib and the main instrument panel is equal to the maximum moving distance of the combination switch body 6, that is, when the combination switch body 6 moves downward to the maximum distance, the bottom of the combination switch body 6 just contacts the main instrument panel, providing double limit for the combination switch body 6; and the structure is relatively compact, saving space.

[0041] For the front cabin control system provided by the present invention, without changing other components, the lower end of the steering wheel 7 has a threaded hole, and the upper end of the steering column 5 has a threaded post that matches the threaded hole, which is convenient for connection and easy to disassemble. The output module 8 and the steering column 5 can be fixed by screws, fasteners, etc., which are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] In another relatively reliable embodiment, on the basis of any of the above embodiments, it further includes a sub-instrument panel module. The sub-instrument panel module includes a sub-instrument panel body 10, a lead screw 11, and a second driving device. The lead screw 11 is fixed to the lower part of the sub-instrument panel body 10, and the sub-instrument panel and the lead screw 11 are fixedly assembled together. The lead screw 11 is arranged horizontally, and the second driving device is connected to the lead screw 11 for driving the lead screw 11 to move back and forth to realize the forward and backward movement of the sub-instrument panel.

[0043] When using the normal driving mode, make the sub-instrument panel relatively close to the main instrument panel and far from the driver, which is convenient for viewing the information on the sub-instrument panel. When using the automatic driving mode, make the sub-instrument panel relatively far from the main instrument panel and close to the driver, which is more convenient for operating and viewing the information on the sub-instrument panel screen, such as surfing the Internet, viewing videos, etc.

[0044] Further optimize the above technical solution. Both the first driving device and the second driving device include a motor 2, a driving gear 1 mounted on the output shaft of the motor 2, a transmission belt 3 meshing with the driving gear 1, and a driven gear 4 meshing with the transmission belt 3. The connecting hole of the driven gear 4 has an internal thread, and the lower part of the steering column 5 has an external thread matching the internal thread. The steering column 5 and the lead screw 11 are respectively sleeved in the connecting holes of their respective driven gears 4.

[0045] In the above structure, both the first driving device and the second driving device include a motor 2, a driving gear 1, a transmission belt 3, and a driven gear 4. The driving gear 1 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 2, the transmission belt 3 meshes with the driving gear 1, and the driven gear 4 meshes with the transmission belt 3. The connecting hole of the driven gear 4 has an internal thread, and the lower part of the steering column 5 has an external thread matching the internal thread. The steering column 5 and the lead screw 11 are respectively sleeved in the connecting holes of their respective driven gears 4. When the motor 2 rotates, the steering column 5 and the lead screw 11 are driven to rotate through the driving gear 1, the transmission belt 3, and the driven gear 4, so as to realize the up-and-down movement of the steering wheel 7 and the combination switch module along the steering column 5, and the horizontal front-and-back movement of the lower instrument panel module along the lead screw 11. The structure is simple and the transmission is stable. It should be noted that the structures of the above first driving device and the second driving device are only a preferred implementation manner, not the only one. The conveyor belt in the above structure can be replaced by gears and racks; the gear transmission can also be replaced by a sprocket transmission; in addition to using the motor 2, a hydraulic or pneumatic method can also be adopted, which are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0046] Based on the front cabin control system provided in the above embodiments, the present invention also provides an automobile, which includes a vehicle body and a front cabin control system installed on the vehicle body, wherein the front cabin control system is any one of the front cabin control systems in the above embodiments. Since the automobile adopts the front cabin control system in the above embodiments, the beneficial effects of the automobile can be referred to the above embodiments. The structures of other parts of the automobile can be referred to the prior art and will not be described in detail herein.

[0047] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts among the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0048] The above has introduced in detail the vehicle and its front cabin control system provided by the present invention. Specific examples are used in this article to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art in this technical field, without departing from the principle of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can still be made to the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to these embodiments shown in this article, but rather will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed in this article.

Claims

1. A front cabin control system for an automobile, characterized in that, it includes a steering column (5), a steering wheel (7) fixed to the upper end of the steering column (5), a combination switch module installed on the upper part of the steering column (5) and below the steering wheel (7), and a first driving device connected to the lower part of the steering column (5) and capable of driving it to move up and down. When the steering column (5) moves, the bottom surface of the combination switch module can contact the main instrument panel. The combination switch module includes a combination switch body (6) that can be sleeved on the steering column (5) and has a groove at the upper end, an output module (8) sleeved on the steering column (5) and installed in the groove, and a spring (9) connected between the groove and the output module (8). The output module (8) is relatively fixedly connected to the steering column (5), and the output module (8) can move up and down in the groove. When the automatic driving mode is adopted, the steering wheel (7) and the combination switch module approach the main instrument panel through the first driving device. When the lower part of the combination switch body (6) contacts the main instrument panel, the steering wheel (7) and the output module (8) can still compress the spring (9) and move a certain distance towards the main instrument panel, making the distance between the steering wheel (7) and the combination switch module closer to the main instrument panel.

2. The front cabin control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, the bottom surface of the output module (8) has a blind hole, the upper end of the spring (9) is fixed to the bottom surface of the blind hole, and the lower end is fixed to the surface of the groove.

3. The front cabin control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, the bottom surface of the output module (8) can contact the surface of the groove.

4. The front cabin control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, the side wall of the steering column (5) is provided with convex ribs, and the bottom surface of the combination switch body (6) abuts against the convex ribs.

5. The front cabin control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, the distance between the convex ribs and the main instrument panel is equal to the maximum moving distance of the combination switch body (6).

6. The front cabin control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, the lower end of the steering wheel (7) has a threaded hole, and the upper end of the steering column (5) has a threaded post that matches the threaded hole.

7. The front cabin control system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, it further includes a sub-instrument panel module, and the sub-instrument panel module includes a sub-instrument panel body (10), a lead screw (11) fixed to the lower part of the sub-instrument panel body (10), and a second driving device connected to the lead screw (11) and used to drive the lead screw (11) to move back and forth.

8. The front cabin control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the first driving device and the second driving device include a motor (2), a driving gear (1) mounted on the output shaft of the motor (2), a transmission belt (3) meshing with the driving gear (1), and a driven gear (4) meshing with the transmission belt (3). An internal thread is provided at the connection hole of the driven gear (4), and an external thread matching the internal thread is provided at the lower part of the steering column (5). The steering column (5) and the lead screw (11) are respectively sleeved in the connection holes of their respective driven gears (4).

9. An automobile, comprising a vehicle body and a front cabin control system mounted on the vehicle body, characterized in that, the front cabin control system is specifically the front cabin control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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