Steering wheel for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering wheel (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel rim (12), the steering wheel (10) has a steering wheel rim (12) which is connected to a steering wheel hub (18) by means of at least one steering wheel spoke (14, 16) and which has, in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim (12), a first section (20) which projects inward towards the steering wheel hub (18) and a recess (22) which is connected directly above the first section on the left side and on the right side with respect to the straight travel position of the steering wheel (10), the first section and the recess together form a gripping region (24) with a thumb bearing (26) for the driver of the motor vehicle; and a lighting device (34), which comprises at least two first and two second lighting elements (36, 38) and by means of which information characterizing the driving state of the automated operating motor vehicle can be output to the driver, the protruding first sections (20) each having an internally facing free end region (28), a first lighting element (36) of the lighting device (34) is arranged on each of the free end regions, and a second lighting element (38) of the lighting device (34) is arranged in each of the inner edge regions (40) of the steering wheel rim (12) directly above the recess (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Automated driving systems are increasingly being used in modern motor vehicles, whereby different degrees of automation can be realized. The model of the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) differentiates, for example, between assisted, automated and autonomous modes.

[0003] In addition, the division of automation levels or grades is also common. The standard applicable here is SAE J3016 of the International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International), which divides driving functions into levels 0 to 5. Functions below level 2 (including level 2) provide assistance to the driver. This includes, for example, functions such as automatic parking, lane keeping, general longitudinal guidance, acceleration and braking undertaken by the assistance system. In level 3, which corresponds to the automation mode, the vehicle can temporarily drive automatically, that is, for example, it can also automatically perform functions such as triggering turn signals, lane changes and lane keeping. The driver does not need to monitor the system continuously and can temporarily turn his attention to other things, but the system will prompt the driver to take over driving when necessary. In Germany, autonomous driving regulations have allowed the use of this technical possibility since 2017. From level 4 onwards, the vehicle can drive automatically without the driver taking over, that is, the driving function is autonomous when performing the driving task.

[0004] Automated driving is generally not possible under all road and environmental conditions. Therefore, for example, in a driving system for automated driving on highways, it can be stipulated that the vehicle can only be driven automatically on certain sections of the highway that are approved for this purpose. Before reaching the end of the section currently being driven and approved for automated driving, the driver must fully or partially take over the control of the vehicle. Unexpected events such as accidents, traffic jams or the presence of people on the highway can also lead to the end of the automated driving section. In addition, in driving systems for automated driving, the driver must generally take over the control of the vehicle before passing from the highway to another type of road.

[0005] Therefore, the driver needs to take over the vehicle control from the driving system in time before the automatic driving is about to end. There are many ways to prompt the driver to take over the vehicle control, such as a display, a visual warning on the screen, an audible warning or a tactile warning.

[0006] For example, WO 2019 / 137699 A1 discloses a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, in which a lighting device in the form of a closed ring is installed in the steering wheel rim on the front side facing the driver of the motor vehicle, which notifies the driver that the motor vehicle is in autonomous driving mode or in non-autonomous driving mode and / or that the driving mode is about to change.

[0007] Such a light display directly integrated into the steering wheel rim is highly visible and informative to the driver, since the gripping area on the steering wheel that the driver should grip to take over the vehicle control can be directly illuminated. However, the described embodiment has the disadvantage that the embedding of the lighting device into the front side of the steering wheel rim makes it more difficult to install a steering wheel heating device or a sensor device for hands-on / off detection in the steering wheel rim. Such a lighting device that is integrated into the front side of the steering wheel rim (and therefore also the gripping area) over the entire circumference is also not ideal in terms of tactile properties, since such lighting devices usually have a covering made of hard plastic. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel with an illumination device for a motor vehicle which is characterized by improved ergonomics and which nevertheless intuitively communicates to the driver the correct operation for taking over the driving task.

[0009] To this end, according to the present invention, a steering wheel for a motor vehicle is proposed, which includes a steering wheel rim, which is connected to a steering wheel hub by at least one steering wheel spoke and has a first section protruding inwardly toward the steering wheel hub and a recess directly connected to the first section on the left and right sides in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim with respect to the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel, the first section and the recess together forming a gripping area with a thumb support for the motor vehicle driver; and a lighting device, which includes at least two first lighting elements and two second lighting elements and can output information representing the driving state of the automatically operable motor vehicle to the driver by means of the lighting device, the protruding first sections each having a free end area facing inward, a first lighting element of the lighting device is respectively arranged on the free end area, and a second lighting element of the lighting device is respectively arranged directly above the recess in the inner edge area of ​​the steering wheel rim.

[0010] Therefore, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the lighting device is arranged in or near the lateral gripping area, thereby providing a high level of prompting when the automatic driving system prompts the driver to take over the vehicle control.

[0011] Since two lighting elements are arranged on each side in the inner edge region of the steering wheel rim and a recess for partial gripping by the driver is left free, the driver does not touch the lighting elements when gripping the steering wheel and therefore does not experience tactile discomfort.

[0012] Furthermore, the arrangement of the lighting element in the inner edge region of the steering wheel rim simplifies the installation of heating pads for steering wheel heating or sensor pads for hands-off detection devices compared to known solutions from the prior art, since these pads are primarily arranged in the outer edge region of the steering wheel rim and on the front and rear sides.

[0013] The steering wheel rim does not necessarily have to be circular; it preferably has a rounded hexagonal or angular shape.

[0014] In particular, the inwardly protruding first section is widened relative to the basic cross-sectional thickness of the steering wheel rim outside the gripping area and the protruding first section together with the recess forms a "pistol grip" on each side of the steering wheel rim, which is characterized by particularly favorable ergonomics.

[0015] The steering wheel according to the invention has at least one steering wheel spoke, which preferably connects the lower central region of the steering wheel rim in the straight-ahead driving position (commonly known as the 6 o'clock position) to the steering wheel hub. In addition, a further steering wheel spoke can be provided, which is preferably arranged opposite (12 o'clock position), i.e. connects the upper central region of the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel hub. According to a preferred embodiment, there are no steering wheel spokes in the region of the protruding first section (i.e., for example, at the 3 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position), but this is conceivable in principle, for example in the form of spokes offset to the rear.

[0016] It should be pointed out here that in the sense of the present application, automated driving is preferably carried out over a longer period of time, for example on a motorway. Furthermore, this can in principle be understood as automated driving with any degree of automation, wherein the driver must be able to completely or at least partially take over the driving task before the automated driving is terminated. The steering wheel according to the invention is provided in particular for vehicles with level 3 automation.

[0017] The steering wheel rim preferably has, on the left and on the right relative to the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel, above the recess a respective further second section protruding inwardly toward the steering wheel hub, in whose end region a respective second lighting element is arranged.

[0018] Here, the first and second protruding sections form a widening of the steering wheel rim on each side, which is interrupted by a recess located between them. In particular, when the upper center of the steering wheel rim is indicated at 0°, the widening is in the range of approximately 40° to 120° (right side) and 240° to 320° (left side) in the straight-ahead driving position.

[0019] Advantageously, the first and second lighting elements, which are arranged on the same side with respect to the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel, are each located on an imaginary line interrupted by the recess or on two imaginary lines parallel to one another. Such an arrangement visually evokes the appearance of a lane boundary, thereby intuitively conveying to the driver the correct operation for taking over the driving task.

[0020] In order to increase visibility and achieve a particularly high signal effect, the lighting element is preferably designed so that it emits light on the front side of the steering wheel rim facing the driver, in particular the lighting element has a cover on the rear side facing away from the driver and / or on the inner circumference of the steering wheel rim.

[0021] In one embodiment, an operating region is provided on the left and on the right in relation to the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel, each with at least one operating element, which extends from the center of the steering wheel in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim outwardly toward the steering wheel rim but is not connected thereto but is spaced laterally therefrom. Thus, a "free-floating" operating region is formed on the left and on the right, respectively, which the driver can easily reach without having to remove his hands from the steering wheel rim.

[0022] Preferably, the operating region has a free end facing outwardly toward the steering wheel rim, and a free end region of a first section protruding inwardly from the steering wheel rim, on which the first lighting element is arranged, is at least partially opposite to the free end of the operating region and is in particular spaced apart therefrom. The operating region and the first section protruding inwardly form a so-called interrupted "spoke" without a supporting function in the lateral direction at the 3 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position.

[0023] Preferably, the steering wheel rim has a supporting structure surrounded by a foam encapsulation and a covering, which is in particular a leather covering, and the supporting structure is, for example, a magnesium frame.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each lighting element has a first component embedded in the foam encapsulation of the steering wheel rim and a second component inserted into the first component and connected thereto, in particular clamped thereto. This allows for simple installation and a favorable appearance, the second component preferably being installed after the coating has been applied.

[0025] If the lighting element is set back relative to the covering, a visually and haptically appealing design can be achieved. In this way, the driver does not feel the relatively hard plastic of the lighting element and the lighting element is integrated into the steering wheel in an unobtrusive manner.

[0026] In one development of the invention, a mat-shaped heating element and / or sensor element is provided which is arranged at least sectionally below the coating in the area of ​​the periphery and / or the front side of the steering wheel rim facing the driver and is recessed at least in the area of ​​the lighting element.

[0027] The sensor element is preferably a capacitive sensor pad of a hands-off detection device. In this case, with the aid of the embodiment according to the invention, not only can the correct operation for taking over the driving task be reliably communicated to the driver, but also the taking over of the driver can be detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Other features and advantages are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 A top view showing a steering wheel according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A top view of the steering wheel rim of the center steering wheel;

[0031] Figure 3 Steering wheel rim along Figure 2 Sectional view along line AA;

[0032] Figure 4 Steering wheel rim along Figure 2 Sectional view of the middle BB line;

[0033] Figure 5 Show Figure 2 a perspective view of the center steering wheel rim; and

[0034] Figure 6 Show Figure 2 A top view of the steering wheel rim illustrating the installation of multiple lighting elements of the lighting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A steering wheel 10 according to the invention is shown for a motor vehicle, which is used in particular in a vehicle that can be operated automatically.

[0036] The steering wheel 10 has a steering wheel rim 12 which is Figures 2 to 51 and connected to the steering wheel hub 18 via at least one, here two, steering wheel spokes 14, 16. In the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel 10 shown, the steering wheel spoke 14 extends between the lower central area of ​​the steering wheel rim 12 (commonly known as the 6 o'clock position) and the steering wheel hub 18, while the steering wheel spoke 16 is arranged opposite, i.e. connects the upper central area of ​​the steering wheel rim 12 (also known as the 12 o'clock position) to the steering wheel hub 18.

[0037] In the case formed by the steering wheel rim 12, Figure 1 In a plane corresponding to the drawing plane, the steering wheel rim 12 has, with respect to the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel 10 shown here, on the left and right sides respectively, a first section 20 protruding inwardly toward the steering wheel hub 18, to which a recess 22 adjoins directly above. The protruding first section 20 and the recess 22 adjoining thereto together form a gripping region 24 for the motor vehicle driver with a thumb support 26, which gripping region 24 has approximately the shape of a pistol grip.

[0038] The two inwardly protruding first sections 20 each have a free end region 28 facing inwardly.

[0039] Above the recess 22 , the steering wheel rim 12 also has a further second section 30 which protrudes inwardly towards the steering wheel hub 18 and whose end region 32 likewise faces the steering wheel hub 18 or towards the opposite side of the steering wheel 10 .

[0040] The two protruding sections 20, 30 form a widening of the steering wheel rim 12 on each side of the steering wheel 10, which is interrupted by a recess 22 located between them. In the embodiment shown, when the upper center of the steering wheel rim 12 is indicated at 0°, in the straight-ahead driving position, the widening is in the range of approximately 40° to 120° (right side) and 240° to 320° (left side).

[0041] Furthermore, the steering wheel 10 comprises a lighting device 34, by means of which information characterizing the driving state of the automatically operable motor vehicle can be output to the driver. The lighting device 34 comprises two first lighting elements 36 and two second lighting elements 38, which are arranged on the free end region 28 of the inwardly protruding first section 20.

[0042] The two second lighting elements 38 are each arranged directly above the recess 22 in an inner edge region 40 of the steering wheel rim 12 , here in the end region 32 of the respectively protruding second section 30 .

[0043] As can be seen from the figures, the steering wheel rim 12 is not circular but has approximately the shape of a hexagon with rounded corners.

[0044] The first lighting element 36 and the second lighting element 38 arranged on the same side of the steering wheel 10 are respectively located on two imaginary parallel lines, which are interrupted by the recess 22. This arrangement is reminiscent of the appearance of a lane boundary, thereby providing a particularly high level of information to the driver.

[0045] The lighting elements 36, 38 are designed so that they emit light at least primarily on the front side of the steering wheel rim 12 facing the driver. This is achieved by having the lighting elements 36, 38 have a cover 42 on their rear side facing away from the driver and on the inner circumference of the steering wheel rim 12 (see also Figure 5 ).

[0046] Instead of the embodiment shown here, the lighting elements 36 , 38 can also have another shape or be shaded in the surface not in the form of a line but, for example, in the form of a series of dots or the like.

[0047] Furthermore, an operating area 44 is provided on the steering wheel 10 on the left and right side (with respect to the straight-ahead driving position), each of which has a plurality of operating elements 46. The two operating areas 44 extend outwards from the steering wheel center 45 in the plane formed by the steering wheel rim 12 toward the steering wheel rim 12, but are not connected thereto, but are spaced laterally therefrom. Thus, so to speak, "free-floating" operating areas 44 are formed on both sides. The driver can easily reach the operating areas without having to remove his hands from the steering wheel rim 12.

[0048] The two operating regions 44 have free ends 48 facing outwardly toward the steering wheel rim 12, and the free end region 28 of the first section 20 (on which the first lighting element 36 is arranged) protruding inwardly from the steering wheel rim 12 is located opposite these free ends 48 of the operating regions 44 in sections, but is spaced apart therefrom (see Figure 1 ).

[0049] As in Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen from the sectional view of that the steering wheel rim 12 of the steering wheel 10 has a supporting structure 50 in the form of a magnesium skeleton, which is surrounded by a foam encapsulation 52. The foam encapsulation 52 is in turn covered on the outer side of the steering wheel rim 12 by a coating 54, in particular a leather coating.

[0050] Both the first lighting element 36 and the second lighting element 38 have a first component 56 or 58 embedded in the foam encapsulation 52 of the steering wheel rim 12, which respectively includes at least one lower shell 60 or 62, which (if necessary together with other components of the first component 56 or 58, such as a carrier circuit board, wiring, etc.) are enclosed when the support structure 50 is foamed. The protruding first and second sections 20, 30 provide sufficient structural space for this.

[0051] Furthermore, each lighting element 36, 38 has a second component 64 or 66, which comprises an insert element 68 or 70 made of plastic and an optical waveguide 72 or 74 inserted therein. The second component 64 or 66 is inserted into the first component 56 or 58 after the coating 54 has been applied and connected thereto, in particular clamped thereto, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0052] The lighting elements 36 , 38 are preferably slightly set back relative to the coating 54 in the direction of the support structure 50 , so that the driver does not feel or only feels less of the relatively hard plastic of the lighting elements 36 , 38 (or the insert elements 68 or 70 ) when gripping the steering wheel 10 .

[0053] In addition, a mat-shaped heating element and / or a sensor element for hand-off detection may be provided, which Figure 3 The sensor element is denoted by reference numeral 76. The sensor element is arranged in sections or along the entire steering wheel rim 12 in the area of ​​the periphery and / or the front side facing the driver and / or the rear side of the steering wheel rim 12 below the coating 54 and is recessed at least in the area of ​​the lighting elements 36, 38.

Claims

1. A steering wheel for a motor vehicle, the steering wheel comprising: - a steering wheel rim (12) which is connected to a steering wheel hub (18) via at least one steering wheel spoke (14, 16) and has, in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim (12) with respect to the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel (10), on the left and right sides respectively, a first section (20) protruding inwardly towards the steering wheel hub (18) and a recess (22) adjoining the first section directly above, the first section and the recess forming together a gripping area (24) with a thumb support (26) for the motor vehicle driver; and a lighting device (34) which comprises at least two first and two second lighting elements (36, 38) and by means of which information characterizing a driving state of the automatically operable motor vehicle can be output to the driver, - each of the protruding first sections (20) has a free end region (28) facing inwards, on each of which a first lighting element (36) of the lighting device (34) is arranged, and The second lighting elements (38) of the lighting device (34) are each arranged directly above the recess (22) in an inner edge region (40) of the steering wheel rim (12).

2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering wheel rim (12) has a second section (30) protruding inwardly toward the steering wheel hub (18) on the left and right sides above the recess (22) relative to the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel (10), and a second lighting element (38) is arranged in each case in the end region (32) of the second section.

3. The steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first and second lighting elements (36, 38) arranged on the same side with respect to the straight-ahead driving position of the steering wheel (10) are respectively located on an imaginary line interrupted by the recess (22) or on two imaginary lines parallel to each other.

4. A steering wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The lighting elements (36, 38) are designed to emit light on the front side of the steering wheel rim (12) facing the driver, in particular the lighting elements (36, 38) have a cover (42) on the rear side facing away from the driver and / or on the inner circumference of the steering wheel rim (12).

5. A steering wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that An operating area (44) is provided on the left and right sides of the steering wheel (10) in a straight-ahead driving position, each of which has at least one operating element (46). The operating area (44) extends outwardly toward the steering wheel rim (12) from a steering wheel center (45) in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim (12), but is not connected to the steering wheel rim but is laterally spaced from the steering wheel rim.

6. The steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that: The operating area (44) has a free end (48) which faces outwardly toward the steering wheel rim (12), and a free end area (28) of a first section (20) which protrudes inwardly from the steering wheel rim (12) is at least partially opposite to the free end (48) of the operating area (44) and in particular is spaced apart from the free end, and a first lighting element (36) is arranged on the free end area.

7. A steering wheel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The steering wheel rim (12) has a support structure (50) surrounded by a foam encapsulation (52) and a coating (54).

8. The steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each lighting element (36, 38) has a first component (56, 58) embedded in a foam encapsulation (52) of a steering wheel rim (12) and a second component (64, 66) inserted into the first component (56, 58) and connected to the first component, in particular clamped to the first component.

9. The steering wheel according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The lighting elements (36, 38) are set back relative to the covering (54).

10. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that A mat-shaped heating element and / or sensor element (76) is provided, which is arranged at least in sections below the coating (54) in the area of ​​the outer circumference of the steering wheel rim (12) and / or in the area of ​​the front side facing the driver and is recessed at least in the area of ​​the lighting elements (36, 38).

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