A vehicle steering wheel switch atmosphere linkage system and vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of steering wheel switch, and particularly relates to a vehicle steering wheel switch atmosphere linkage system and a vehicle, which comprises a steering wheel module, an atmosphere lamp module, an information entertainment host control module and an integrated control module, the atmosphere lamp module comprises light emitting LEDs arranged on a PCB of the steering wheel switch, the information entertainment host control module comprises an outside environment sensing unit and an inside environment sensing unit, the integrated control module comprises a preset environment unit, an environment matching unit and a man-machine interaction unit, a plurality of vehicle driving modes are stored in the preset environment unit, in the present application, a user can control the opening and closing and color of the light emitting LEDs through the man-machine interaction unit; the steering wheel switch atmosphere lamp can enter different driving modes according to driving conditions, the driving pleasure of the driver is improved, the user can independently adjust the functions of the vehicle Tbox control in the driving mode through the man-machine interaction unit, and the use experience and operation convenience of the user are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of steering wheel switch technology, specifically to a vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, traditional steering wheel switches are primarily designed for control, with the driving status typically indicated by corresponding indicator lights on the instrument panel. This approach, to some extent, diminishes the driving pleasure. Designing the steering wheel switches to display different lights depending on the driving environment and vehicle operating mode could positively impact the driver's mental state, especially during extended driving periods.

[0003] The utility model patent with publication number CN217495965U, entitled "Ambient Lighting System and Autonomous Driving Device for Autonomous Driving Device", uses an ambient light design to solve the problem of making the autonomous driving device more conspicuous. However, it only proposes the design of the ambient light and its communication control method, without further elaborating on what color light the ambient light emits or what kind of atmosphere it creates.

[0004] The invention application CN108791293B, entitled "A Control Method, System, and Vehicle for Vehicle Driving Modes," proposes multiple driving modes for a vehicle, including standard mode, sport mode, snow mode, mud mode, sand mode, low-speed four-wheel drive mode, etc., to improve off-road driving safety and enhance the driver's experience. However, this solution does not address the adjustment of ambient lighting colors. In other words, none of the aforementioned modes allow for functional design of ambient lighting via steering wheel switches, thus failing to address the issue mentioned in the first paragraph where the driver loses much of the driving pleasure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system and vehicle that can improve the driver's driving pleasure and simplify the driver's human-computer interaction operation.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by the present invention is: the vehicle steering wheel switch is divided into a linkage system, including a steering wheel module, an ambient light module, an infotainment host control module, and an integrated control module;

[0007] The steering wheel module includes a steering wheel switch, and the ambient lighting module includes LEDs arranged on the PCB board of the steering wheel switch.

[0008] The infotainment host control module includes an external environment sensing unit and an internal environment sensing unit. The external environment sensing unit senses the driving environment outside the vehicle and sends the sensed external environment information to the integrated control module. The internal environment sensing unit senses the application environment inside the vehicle and sends the sensed internal environment information to the integrated control module.

[0009] The integrated control module includes a preset environment unit, an environment matching unit, and a human-computer interaction unit;

[0010] The preset environment unit stores multiple vehicle driving modes. The preset environment unit is connected to the vehicle's TBox, which controls the on / off state and color of the LEDs.

[0011] The environment matching unit analyzes and matches the external and internal environmental information sent from the infotainment head unit control module with the vehicle driving mode stored in the preset environment unit, and sends the matching result to the vehicle Tbox. The vehicle Tbox controls the opening and closing and color of the LEDs according to the vehicle driving mode.

[0012] Users can control the on / off state and color of the LEDs through the human-computer interaction unit.

[0013] In the above technical solution, LEDs are first arranged on the PCB board of the steering wheel switch to function as ambient lighting strips, enhancing the driver's driving experience. The infotainment system control module simultaneously observes both the external and internal environments of the vehicle. An environment matching unit analyzes and matches the overall environment with preset driving modes. Once the matching result is obtained, the vehicle's T-box is controlled to execute corresponding vehicle functions, including the on / off state and color of the LEDs. This allows the LEDs to automatically turn on / off and emit different colors under different driving environments and modes, thus improving the driver's experience. Furthermore, users can actively adjust the on / off state and color of the LEDs through the human-machine interface, further enhancing the system's interactivity and usability.

[0014] Furthermore, each vehicle driving mode can correspond to some vehicle functions in the vehicle infotainment Tbox. The vehicle infotainment Tbox controls the vehicle functions based on the results of the analysis and matching by the environment matching unit. This allows users and drivers to obtain different driving experiences by actively selecting or by the vehicle environment and driving mode automatically matched by the environment matching unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the vehicle driving modes include Comfort mode, Sport mode, Snow mode, Sand mode, Charging mode, Autonomous driving mode, and Active control mode;

[0016] In comfort mode, the LEDs emit a pale blue light.

[0017] In sports mode, the LEDs are magenta and light up sequentially;

[0018] In snow mode, the LEDs appear snow-white;

[0019] In sand mode, the LEDs appear golden yellow;

[0020] In charging mode, the LEDs turn green and slowly scale.

[0021] In autonomous driving mode, the LEDs illuminate blue.

[0022] In active control mode, the LEDs are red and flash continuously.

[0023] The above technical solution describes some types of vehicle driving modes, covering most vehicle conditions, and allows the LEDs to emit different colors of light in different modes to match the vehicle conditions, thereby improving the driver's driving pleasure.

[0024] Furthermore, the external environment sensing unit includes an autonomous driving controller, a power battery controller, and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller captures images of the external environment of the vehicle and sends the image information to the environment matching unit. When the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving controller sends information that the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode to the environment matching unit. When the vehicle is in charging or energy recovery mode, the power battery controller sends information that the vehicle is in charging or energy recovery mode to the environment matching unit. Thus, the external driving conditions of the vehicle are judged and confirmed by image acquisition, and the autonomous driving controller and the power battery controller are combined to receive the status information of the vehicle during autonomous driving and charging or energy recovery processes, respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, when the environmental matching unit recognizes that the outside of the vehicle is sunny in the image information captured by the vehicle controller, it sends the instruction to run comfort mode to the vehicle's Tbox.

[0026] When the environment matching unit recognizes that the outside of the vehicle is snowy in the image information captured by the vehicle controller, it sends the command to run the snow mode to the vehicle's Tbox.

[0027] When the environment matching unit recognizes that the exterior of the vehicle is sandy in the image information captured by the vehicle controller, it sends the command to run the sand mode to the vehicle's Tbox, thereby explaining the operation of comfort mode, snow mode and sand mode respectively.

[0028] Furthermore, the in-vehicle environment sensing unit includes a camera and a microphone. The microphone receives voice control commands issued by the user, and the environment matching unit recognizes the voice control commands received by the microphone and sends the vehicle driving mode information required by the user to the vehicle Tbox based on the recognition result.

[0029] The camera captures images of the vehicle's interior environment and sends the captured information to the environment matching unit. This allows users to directly control the functions of the vehicle's Tbox via voice commands, thereby directly adjusting the ambient lighting (LEDs), their brightness, and color. This further enhances the level of intelligence and simplifies the control method. At the same time, by capturing images of the vehicle's interior environment, the environment matching unit can also analyze and determine the appropriate driving mode, improving the accuracy of driving mode application.

[0030] Furthermore, the vehicle driving modes also include night mode, karaoke mode, quiet mode, and minimalist mode;

[0031] In night mode, the LEDs appear silver-white;

[0032] In karaoke mode, the LEDs display multiple colors;

[0033] In quiet mode, the LEDs are gray.

[0034] In simplified mode, the LEDs do not emit light.

[0035] The above technical solution describes the working status of the LEDs in four driving modes: night, karaoke, quiet, and simple, to better adapt to the actual driving experience of drivers.

[0036] Furthermore, users can access the human-machine interface unit (HMI) through the vehicle's central control screen. The HMI also displays an adjustable color palette of LEDs on the central control screen, allowing users to directly adjust the functions of the vehicle's Tbox via the touch-sensitive central control screen, including adjusting the color of the LEDs.

[0037] Furthermore, the system includes an information feedback module, through which users can learn the current driving mode of the vehicle. This allows users to receive timely feedback from the system and then make further adjustments through the human-machine interaction unit according to their needs.

[0038] The present invention also includes vehicles that utilize the above-described vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system.

[0039] Compared with existing technologies, the significant advantages of this solution are:

[0040] 1. The vehicle's steering wheel switch ambient lighting can switch to different driving modes according to driving conditions, emitting different brightness and colors, which enhances the driver's driving pleasure.

[0041] 2. The overall system features automated control and a high level of intelligence; users can independently adjust the functions of the vehicle's Tbox control in driving mode through the human-machine interaction unit, improving the user experience and ease of operation. Attached Figure Description

[0042] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of the linkage system of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the PCB board and the mounting position of the light-emitting LEDs of the present invention;

[0045] In the diagram: 1-PCB board, 2-LED. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle steering wheel switch ambient lighting linkage system of the present invention includes a steering wheel module, an ambient lighting module, an infotainment host control module, an information feedback module, and an integrated control module.

[0048] The steering wheel module includes a steering wheel switch, while the ambient lighting module includes LEDs 2 arranged on the PCB board 1 of the steering wheel switch, as well as ambient lights arranged in other parts of the vehicle interior.

[0049] The infotainment head unit control module includes an external environment sensing unit and an internal environment sensing unit. The external environment sensing unit is mainly used to sense the driving environment outside the vehicle and send the sensed external environment information to the integrated control module. The internal environment sensing unit is used to sense the application environment inside the vehicle and send the sensed internal environment information to the integrated control module.

[0050] The integrated control module includes a preset environment unit, an environment matching unit, and a human-computer interaction unit.

[0051] The preset environment unit stores multiple vehicle driving modes, and each vehicle driving mode corresponds to the vehicle's Tbox to execute and implement some vehicle functions, such as opening windows, turning on music, turning off the air conditioner, etc. It also includes the control of the LED lights and ambient lights in other parts of the vehicle interior, as mentioned above, and can control the LED lights to turn on, off, change color, and adjust brightness.

[0052] The environment matching unit is responsible for integrating and analyzing the external and internal environmental information sent from the infotainment head unit control module to determine which vehicle driving mode stored in the preset environment unit should be matched for the current vehicle condition, and then sending the analysis and matching results to the vehicle Tbox so that the vehicle Tbox can perform the corresponding function operation.

[0053] Finally, the human-machine interaction unit can provide users with a way to actively control and adjust the vehicle's functions, such as actively controlling the on / off state, color, and brightness of the LEDs.

[0054] In this embodiment, the vehicle driving modes mentioned above include, but are not limited to, Comfort mode, Sport mode, Snow mode, Sand mode, Charging mode, Autonomous driving mode, Active control mode, Night mode, Karaoke mode, Quiet mode, and Simple mode.

[0055] In comfort mode, the LEDs emit a pale blue light.

[0056] In sports mode, the LEDs are magenta and light up sequentially;

[0057] In snow mode, the LEDs appear snow-white;

[0058] In sand mode, the LEDs appear golden yellow;

[0059] In charging mode, the LEDs turn green and slowly scale.

[0060] In autonomous driving mode, the LEDs illuminate blue.

[0061] In active control mode, the LEDs are red and flash continuously;

[0062] In night mode, the LEDs appear silver-white;

[0063] In karaoke mode, the LEDs display multiple colors;

[0064] In quiet mode, the LEDs are gray.

[0065] In simplified mode, the LEDs do not emit light.

[0066] Therefore, the color of the light emitted by the LEDs is limited for different driving modes, so that the color emitted by the LEDs can be better adapted to the driver's actual driving experience.

[0067] In addition, drivers and users can adjust the color of the LEDs in each mode through the human-machine interaction unit and save it in the preset environment unit. This way, when the driving mode is activated again, there is no need to manually adjust it again, which reduces the repetitive work of the driver and improves the driver's driving pleasure and comfort.

[0068] In addition to the aforementioned driving modes, the external environment sensing unit also includes an autonomous driving controller, a power battery controller, and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller captures images of the external environment and sends the information to the environment matching unit. When the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving controller sends information about the vehicle's autonomous driving to the environment matching unit. When the vehicle is in charging or energy recovery mode, the power battery controller sends information about the vehicle's charging or energy recovery to the environment matching unit. Therefore, in addition to the aforementioned driving modes, the system also includes an autonomous driving mode and a charging / energy recovery mode, further enriching the driving mode functionality and enhancing the user's driving experience.

[0069] The vehicle controller can capture images of the vehicle's external environment. If the environment matching unit detects that the outside world is sunny, it sends a command to the vehicle's T-box to activate Comfort mode; if it detects snowy weather, it sends a command to activate Snow mode; and if it detects sandy terrain, it sends a command to activate Sand mode. Similarly, if it detects that it is nighttime, it can enter Night mode. Other modes, such as Karaoke mode, Quiet mode, and Minimalist mode, can be activated by the user through the human-machine interface unit.

[0070] Finally, users can directly access the human-machine interaction unit through the vehicle's central control screen, and the human-machine interaction unit can display an adjustable LED color palette to the user through the central control screen.

[0071] The information feedback module can provide real-time feedback to the user on the current driving mode of the vehicle, allowing the user to understand the current driving mode more quickly and accurately, and then adjust the functions executed by the illuminated LEDs or other vehicle Tbox controls under the current driving mode, or directly switch driving modes.

[0072] The present invention also includes a vehicle that applies the above-described vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system.

[0073] Compared with existing technologies, the significant advantages of this solution are:

[0074] 1. The vehicle's steering wheel switch ambient lighting can switch to different driving modes according to driving conditions, emitting different brightness and colors, which enhances the driver's driving pleasure.

[0075] 2. The overall system features automated control and a high level of intelligence; users can independently adjust the functions of the vehicle's Tbox control in driving mode through the human-machine interaction unit, improving the user experience and ease of operation.

[0076] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system, characterized in that, This includes a steering wheel module, an ambient lighting module, an infotainment head unit control module, and an integrated control module; The steering wheel module includes a steering wheel switch, and the ambient light module includes light-emitting LEDs arranged on the PCB board of the steering wheel switch; The infotainment host control module includes an external environment sensing unit and an internal environment sensing unit. The external environment sensing unit senses the driving environment outside the vehicle and sends the sensed external environment information to the integrated control module. The internal environment sensing unit senses the application environment inside the vehicle and sends the sensed internal environment information to the integrated control module. The integrated control module includes a preset environment unit, an environment matching unit, and a human-computer interaction unit; The preset environment unit stores multiple vehicle driving modes. The preset environment unit is connected to the vehicle infotainment Tbox, which controls the opening and closing and color of the LEDs. The environment matching unit analyzes and matches the external and internal environmental information sent from the infotainment host control module with the vehicle driving mode stored in the preset environment unit, and sends the matching result to the vehicle Tbox. The vehicle Tbox controls the opening and closing and color of the light-emitting LED according to the vehicle driving mode. Users can control the on / off state and color of the LEDs through the human-computer interaction unit.

2. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the vehicle driving modes can correspondingly implement some vehicle functions in the vehicle infotainment Tbox, and the vehicle infotainment Tbox controls the vehicle functions based on the results of the analysis and matching obtained by the environment matching unit.

3. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle driving modes include Comfort mode, Sport mode, Snow mode, Sand mode, Charging mode, Autonomous driving mode, and Active control mode; In the comfort mode, the LED emits a light blue light. In the motion mode, the light-emitting LEDs are magenta and illuminate sequentially; In the snow mode, the LEDs are snow-white; In the sand mode, the LEDs are golden yellow; In the charging mode, the light-emitting LED is green and slowly scales. In the autonomous driving mode, the LED is blue. In the active control mode, the LED is red and flashes continuously.

4. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The external environment sensing unit includes an autonomous driving controller, a power battery controller, and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller captures images of the external environment of the vehicle and sends the image information to the environment matching unit. When the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving controller sends information that the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode to the environment matching unit. When the vehicle is in charging or energy recovery mode, the power battery controller sends information that the vehicle is charging or energy recovery mode to the environment matching unit.

5. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the environment matching unit recognizes that the outside of the vehicle is sunny in the image information captured by the vehicle controller, it sends the instruction to run comfort mode to the vehicle Tbox. When the environment matching unit recognizes that the outside of the vehicle is snowy in the image information captured by the vehicle controller, it sends a command to run the snow mode to the vehicle Tbox. When the environment matching unit detects that the exterior of the vehicle is sandy in the image information captured by the vehicle controller, it sends a command to run the sand mode to the vehicle's Tbox.

6. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The in-vehicle environment sensing unit includes a camera and a microphone. The microphone receives voice control commands issued by the user. The environment matching unit recognizes the voice control commands received by the microphone and sends the vehicle driving mode information required by the user to the vehicle Tbox based on the recognition result. The camera captures images of the vehicle's interior environment and sends the captured image information to the environment matching unit.

7. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The vehicle driving modes also include night mode, karaoke mode, quiet mode, and minimalist mode; In the night mode, the luminous LED is silver-white; In the karaoke mode, the LEDs emit multiple colors; In the quiet mode, the light-emitting LED is gray; In the simplified mode, the LED does not emit light.

8. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Users can access the human-machine interaction unit through the vehicle's central control screen, and the human-machine interaction unit also displays a color palette for adjusting the luminous LEDs to the user through the central control screen.

9. The vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes an information feedback module, through which users can learn the current driving mode of the vehicle.

10. A vehicle employing the vehicle steering wheel switch ambient linkage system according to any one of claims 1-9.

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