Vehicles with Living Room Mode

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle, comprising a power unit including an internal combustion engine and / or a power battery. The vehicle is characterized in that the vehicle is provided with a living room mode, which can be activated when the vehicle is parked. When the living room mode is activated, the power unit of the vehicle can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, but does not provide functions related to driving readiness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the use of existing vehicles, users often find themselves in situations where they have to wait for a long time in the vehicle and / or may want to use the heating / cooling system, entertainment system, and other functions unrelated to driving or driving preparation. Currently, in existing vehicles, comfort or office functions cannot be appropriately provided in situations where the vehicle needs to wait for a long time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors of the present invention have discovered that when a vehicle is currently waiting for a long time, the vehicle is usually placed in a "START ON" or "Stop" state.

[0004] In the case where the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, in the "start" state, the vehicle is stopped and the start switch is activated, and the internal combustion engine is in an idle state, but the idle state of the internal combustion engine may cause undesirable vibrations in the vehicle interior. Using comfort-related functions in the "start" state may result in higher fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine. In the case where the vehicle is a new energy vehicle (NEV, such as a pure electric vehicle), in the "start" state, the start switch is activated and the vehicle is in a drive-ready state, in which all vehicle-related functions are activated and in a ready state, such as activating the air-conditioning function of the high-voltage battery and continuously pre-adjusting the temperature of the high-voltage battery, thereby making the high-voltage battery suitable for providing peak energy at any time, but this may result in higher energy consumption in the "start" state.

[0005] In the "shutdown" state, the vehicle is parked and stopped, and the vehicle's start switch is turned off. In the case that the vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, the internal combustion engine is shut down, and in the case that the vehicle is a new energy vehicle (such as a pure electric vehicle), the vehicle's high-voltage battery is disabled. In the "shutdown" state, the comfort functions that the vehicle can provide are very limited. In this "shutdown" state, the in-car air conditioning function is usually not available. Some simple leisure and entertainment functions (such as broadcasting and lighting) can still be used, but for the purpose of protecting the 12V battery, these leisure and entertainment functions are usually turned off after about 10 minutes. The inventors of the present invention have found that with regard to vehicles in the current prior art, it is very likely to feel uncomfortable when the vehicle is waiting for a long time, for example, more than 10 minutes.

[0006] In addition, the inventors of the present invention also found that when the vehicle is in the "start" state, that is, when the vehicle is ready to drive, according to the laws and regulations of some countries or regions, the driver of the vehicle must have a valid driver's license and meet the driving conditions (for example, not drinking alcohol).

[0007] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that is equipped with a “living room mode.” In this newly proposed living room mode, greater flexibility and comfort can be achieved with improved economy for the driver and / or vehicle occupants.

[0008] The above-mentioned object is achieved by a vehicle according to the present invention, comprising a power unit including an internal combustion engine and / or a power battery. The vehicle is characterized by being provided with a living room mode that can be activated when the vehicle is parked. When the living room mode is activated, the vehicle's power unit can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment, and / or office work, but not functions related to driving readiness. As a result, the vehicle according to the present invention can provide the driver and / or vehicle occupants with greater flexibility and comfort, particularly during long periods of waiting at a stop, with improved efficiency.

[0009] In one embodiment, when the living room mode is activated, the vehicle's power unit is in an intermediate state between a completely stopped state and a driving-ready state.

[0010] In one specific embodiment, when the power unit includes an internal combustion engine, when the living room mode is activated, the internal combustion engine operates at a recalibrated operating condition, such that the internal combustion engine, under the recalibrated operating condition, can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment, and / or office work, and can ensure that the internal combustion engine operates at a higher efficiency than the engine idle condition, and in particular, can ensure that the vehicle battery (e.g., a 12V battery or a high-voltage battery) is charged at a higher efficiency than the engine idle condition. Simultaneously, the recalibrated operating condition can minimize uncomfortable vibrations caused by the idle condition.

[0011] In one embodiment, the recalibrated operating condition of the internal combustion engine includes: adjusting the speed of the internal combustion engine; adjusting the running time of the internal combustion engine; and / or adjusting the load of the internal combustion engine.

[0012] In a specific embodiment, when the power unit includes a power battery, when the living room mode is activated, the power battery can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, and the energy consumption for temperature regulation of the power battery is lower than that in the driving ready state.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the living room mode is activated,

[0014] - functions related to driving readiness are deactivated, e.g. the stability system or driving sensors;

[0015] - Functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work remain available, such as seat heating, continuous operation of the entertainment system, in-vehicle air conditioning, seat position adjustment, headlight adjustment, window adjustment, or power supply for charging personal smart terminals.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, when the power unit includes an internal combustion engine or a range extender, the internal combustion engine or range extender can be used to recharge the vehicle battery. When the living room mode is activated, the internal combustion engine or range extender operates at a recalibrated operating condition, so that the vehicle battery can be effectively charged and used to provide functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine or range extender when charging the vehicle battery is lower than that in the idling condition.

[0017] In a specific embodiment, when the state of charge of the vehicle battery is lower than a predetermined value, the internal combustion engine or the range extender is used to charge the vehicle battery. The predetermined value is, for example, in the range of 10% to 50%, preferably 20%. Preferably, the user can personalize the predetermined value according to usage.

[0018] In a specific embodiment, the steering wheel of the vehicle is hingedly connected to the steering shaft. In the case of the living room mode, the steering wheel can be pivoted at an angle relative to the steering shaft so that the steering wheel forms an office table.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vehicle's steering wheel is constructed in two parts, wherein the first part is hingedly connected to the second part. In the living room mode, the first part of the steering wheel can be pivoted relative to the second part at an angle so that the first part forms an office table.

[0020] In one embodiment, the steering wheel can serve as an input device and work in conjunction with a head-up display system of the vehicle for office use.

[0021] In one embodiment, the vehicle is equipped with a voice recognition device and / or control buttons. A vehicle occupant (particularly the driver) can activate or exit the living room mode by voice using the voice recognition device and / or manually using the control buttons. For example, after the wake-up word activates the voice recognition device, if a vehicle occupant says "enter living room mode," a command to activate the living room mode is generated through voice recognition.

[0022] In one specific embodiment, the vehicle includes a communication device that can communicate with a personal smart terminal to import identity authentication data and / or personal information data stored on the personal smart terminal. The personal smart terminal can be a personal smartphone or a personal smart wearable device. In this regard, the present invention proposes using the personal smart terminal to identify and authenticate vehicle occupants. Preferably, when the living room mode is activated, the vehicle adapts its interior configuration based on the personal information data stored on the personal smart terminal (e.g., the occupant's gender, height, weight, age, etc.).

[0023] In one specific embodiment, the vehicle includes a control panel, which, when the living room mode is activated, can display the vehicle interior space layout in two or three dimensions, and the vehicle occupants can manipulate the various components of the vehicle interior space layout displayed in the control panel through gestures to personalize the vehicle interior configuration.

[0024] The vehicle according to the present invention may be any motor vehicle, for example, an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or a pure electric vehicle.

[0025] The present invention provides a vehicle with a living room mode. This vehicle provides greater flexibility and comfort to the driver and / or vehicle occupants, particularly during long stops and waits, with improved economy. Furthermore, since the vehicle does not have drive-ready functions when living room mode is activated, the vehicle can provide non-drivers with economical and comfortable working and entertainment options without violating applicable regulations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 A block diagram schematically shows an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention;

[0027] Figures 2a-2c A first embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel according to the invention is schematically shown, in which a work surface can be formed by pivoting the steering wheel relative to the steering axis, wherein: Figure 2a and 2b 2c shows a front view and a side view of the steering wheel of this embodiment in a driving-ready state, respectively; 2d shows a side view of the steering wheel of this embodiment in a living room mode;

[0028] Figures 3a-3c A second embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel according to the invention is schematically shown, in which the steering wheel is constructed in two parts, and a work surface can be formed by pivoting the first part of the steering wheel relative to the second part, wherein: Figure 3a and 3b3c shows a front view and a side view of the steering wheel of this embodiment in a driving-ready state, respectively; 3d shows a side view of the steering wheel of this embodiment in a living room mode;

[0029] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a vehicle control panel according to the invention is shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The following description sets forth specific details to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in a variety of other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art will be able to make similar generalizations without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] The expression "and / or" as used herein means including at least one of the components listed before and after the expression. The components, steps, operations, and elements used herein that "have," "include," or "comprise" mean that at least one other component, step, operation, or element is present or added.

[0033] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from sources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0034] Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention is shown. The vehicle includes a power unit, which includes an internal combustion engine and / or a power battery. The vehicle is provided with a living room mode, which can be activated when the vehicle is parked. When the living room mode is activated, the power unit of the vehicle can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, but does not provide functions related to driving readiness. Figure 1The "stop" state 100 and the "start" state 200 of the vehicle are schematically shown in boxes. In the "stop" state 100, the vehicle is parked and the start switch is turned off. In the "start" state 200, the vehicle is stopped and the start switch is activated, for example, the vehicle key is inserted and placed in the start position. In this "start" state 200, the various components in the vehicle are generally in a state ready to drive. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the living room mode is activated, the power unit of the vehicle is in an intermediate state 300 between the "stop" state 100 (completely stopped) and the "start" state 200 (ready to drive).

[0035] The vehicle according to the present invention may be any motor vehicle, for example, an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or a pure electric vehicle.

[0036] When the power unit includes an internal combustion engine, preferably, when the living room mode is activated, the internal combustion engine operates at a recalibrated operating condition, so that the internal combustion engine can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work under the recalibrated operating condition, and can ensure that it operates at a higher efficiency than the engine idle condition, especially can ensure that the vehicle battery (such as a 12V battery or a high-voltage battery) is charged at a higher efficiency than the engine idle condition. At the same time, the recalibrated operating condition can minimize uncomfortable vibrations caused by the idle condition. Preferably, the recalibrated operating condition of the internal combustion engine includes: adjusting the speed of the internal combustion engine; adjusting the running time of the internal combustion engine; and / or adjusting the load of the internal combustion engine.

[0037] In the case where the power unit includes a power battery, when the living room mode is activated, the power battery can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, and the energy consumption for temperature regulation of the power battery is lower than that in the driving ready state.

[0038] Preferably, when the living room mode is activated, functions related to driving readiness are deactivated, such as the stability system or driving sensors. Preferably, when the living room mode is activated, functions related to leisure, entertainment, and / or office work remain available, such as seat heating, continuous operation of the entertainment system, in-vehicle air conditioning, seat position adjustment, light adjustment, window adjustment, or a power supply for charging personal smart devices.

[0039] Preferably, when the power unit includes an internal combustion engine or a range extender, the internal combustion engine or range extender can be used to recharge the vehicle's battery. When the living room mode is activated, the internal combustion engine or range extender operates at a recalibrated operating condition, allowing the vehicle's battery to be effectively charged and used to provide leisure, entertainment, and / or office-related functions. The internal combustion engine or range extender consumes less fuel when charging the vehicle's battery than when operating at idle speed. Preferably, the internal combustion engine or range extender is used to charge the vehicle's battery when the vehicle's state of charge is below a predetermined value, such as in the range of 10% to 50%, preferably 20%. Preferably, the user can customize the predetermined value based on usage.

[0040] Preferably, with the living room mode activated, the vehicle's steering wheel can be folded or reshaped to form a work surface in front of the driver.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, the steering wheel of the vehicle is hingedly connected to the steering shaft. In the case of the living room mode, the steering wheel can be pivoted at an angle relative to the steering shaft so that the steering wheel forms an office table.

[0042] Figures 2a-2c A first embodiment of a vehicle steering wheel according to the invention is schematically shown, Figure 2a and 2b Figure 2a shows the front and side views of the steering wheel of this embodiment in the drive-ready state, respectively. Figure 2c shows a side view of the steering wheel of this embodiment in the living room mode. As shown in this embodiment, the vehicle's steering wheel 20 is hingedly connected to a steering shaft 21. In this living room mode, the steering wheel 20 can pivot about a hinge point 23 relative to the steering shaft 21 to form a work surface.

[0043] Figures 3a-3c A second embodiment of the vehicle steering wheel according to the invention is schematically shown. Figure 3a and 3b 3c shows a front view and a side view of the steering wheel of this embodiment in the drive-ready state. As shown in this embodiment, the vehicle's steering wheel 30 is constructed in two parts (i.e., consisting of a first part 31 and a second part 32), with the first part 31 and the second part 32 being hingedly connected. In this living room mode, the first part 31 of the steering wheel can pivot relative to the second part 32 about a hinge point 33, forming a work surface.

[0044] Preferably, the pivot angle of the steering wheel 20 or the first portion 31 of the steering wheel 30 is adjustable. Preferably, an input device can be integrated into the steering wheel 20 or the first portion 31 of the steering wheel 30. More preferably, the steering wheel 20 or 30 can function as an input device in conjunction with a vehicle's head-up display system for office use.

[0045] Preferably, the vehicle includes a control panel, which, when the living room mode is activated, can display the vehicle interior space layout in two or three dimensions, and the vehicle occupants can manipulate the various components of the vehicle interior space layout displayed in the control panel through gestures to personalize the vehicle interior configuration. Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of a vehicle control panel 40 according to the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 4 The control panel 40 schematically illustrates the interior layout of the vehicle in two dimensions, including, but not limited to, a steering wheel 41, windows (including the front window 42a, right window 42b, left window 42c, and rear window 42d), and seats (including the driver's seat 43a, the passenger seat 43b, and two rear seats 43c and 43d). Preferably, when the living room mode is activated, gesture manipulation on the control panel 40 can be used to adjust one or more of the following: the position and / or orientation and / or seat tilt of each seat; interior lighting; folding or reshaping the steering wheel; dimming the window glass; and activating the head-up display system on the front window. For example, if a vehicle occupant's fingertip touches the screen and swipes upward on the window area displayed on the control panel 40 (in this exemplary embodiment, the left window 42c), the window area is brightened (i.e., the light transmittance of the window is increased). Conversely, if the fingertip touches the screen and swipes downward, the window area is dimmed (i.e., the light transmittance of the window is decreased). For example, if a vehicle occupant double-clicks the front window 42a area displayed on the control panel 40, the head-up display system is activated. If the vehicle occupant double-clicks the area again, the head-up display system is deactivated. For example, when a vehicle occupant is manipulating the steering wheel 41 area displayed on the control panel 40, if the vehicle occupant double-clicks the area, the steering wheel 41 (or its first portion) pivots to form a work surface. If the vehicle occupant double-clicks the area again, the steering wheel returns to the driving position. For example, a vehicle occupant can adjust the rotation angle of the corresponding seat in the vehicle seat area using a two-finger twisting gesture, and can also adjust the translation and / or backrest tilt of the corresponding seat by dragging the corresponding area with a finger.

[0046] Preferably, when a vehicle occupant (such as a driver) cannot reach the control panel 40 with his fingers, it is conceivable to manipulate the control panel 40 remotely with the help of gestures; or, it is conceivable to adapt the interior space layout displayed on the control panel 40 with the help of a press-rotate element provided on the center console, seat, or steering wheel (or other areas accessible to the occupants).

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes or extends to all technical equivalents that fall within the effective scope of the appended claims. The positional descriptions selected in the description, such as top, bottom, left, right, etc., refer to the direct description and the drawings shown and can be transferred to the new position according to the meaning when the position changes.

[0048] Although the present invention has been disclosed above in terms of preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make possible changes and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a power unit comprising an internal combustion engine and / or a power battery, characterized in that: The vehicle is provided with a living room mode, which can be activated when the vehicle is parked. When the living room mode is activated, the vehicle's power unit can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment, and / or office work, but does not provide functions related to driving readiness. When the living room mode is activated, the vehicle's power unit is in an intermediate state between a completely stopped state and a driving-ready state. In the completely stopped state, the vehicle is parked, the vehicle's start switch is turned off, the internal combustion engine is shut down, and / or the vehicle's power battery is deactivated. In the driving-ready state, the vehicle's start switch is activated, and all functions related to vehicle driving are activated and in a ready state. If the power unit includes an internal combustion engine, when the living room mode is activated, the internal combustion engine operates at a recalibrated operating condition, so that under the recalibrated operating condition, the internal combustion engine can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment, and / or office work and can operate at a higher efficiency than the engine idle condition. In addition, the recalibrated operating condition can minimize uncomfortable vibration caused under the idle condition.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The recalibrated operating condition of the internal combustion engine includes: adjusting the speed of the internal combustion engine; adjusting the running time of the internal combustion engine; and / or adjusting the load of the internal combustion engine.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the case where the power unit includes a power battery, when the living room mode is activated, the power battery can provide the vehicle with functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, and the energy consumption for temperature regulation of the power battery is lower than that in the driving ready state.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that With the Living Room mode activated, - functions related to driving readiness are deactivated; - Functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or work remain available.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the case where the power unit includes an internal combustion engine or a range extender, the internal combustion engine or range extender can be used to recharge the vehicle battery. When the living room mode is activated, the internal combustion engine or range extender operates at a recalibrated operating condition, so that the vehicle battery can be effectively charged and used to provide functions related to leisure, entertainment and / or office work, and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine or range extender when charging the vehicle battery is lower than that in the idling condition.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that When the state of charge of the onboard battery is lower than a predetermined value, the internal combustion engine or the range extender is used to charge the onboard battery.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The steering wheel of the vehicle is hingedly connected to the steering shaft. In the case of the living room mode, the steering wheel can be pivoted at an angle relative to the steering shaft so that the steering wheel forms an office table.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The vehicle's steering wheel is constructed in two parts, with a first part being articulated to a second part. In the living room mode, the first part of the steering wheel can be pivoted relative to the second part at an angle so that the first part forms an office table.

9. The vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that The steering wheel can serve as an input device and work in conjunction with a head-up display system of the vehicle for office use.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The vehicle is an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or a pure electric vehicle.

11. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that When this living room mode is activated, the stability system and the driving sensors are deactivated.

12. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that When the living room mode is activated, the seat heating function, the continuous operation of the entertainment system, the in-car air conditioning function, the seat position adjustment function, the headlight adjustment function, the window adjustment function or the power supply function for charging personal smart terminals remain available.

13. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that The predetermined value is in the range of 10% to 50%.

14. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that The predetermined value is 20%.

15. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that The user can adjust the preset value in an individual manner according to usage.

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