Steering wheel for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering wheel (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel rim (12) which is connected to a steering wheel hub (18) by at least one steering wheel spoke (14, 16) and has, in a planar view through the steering wheel rim (12), on the left and right of a straight-ahead position of the steering wheel (10) respectively one first section (20) which projects inwards towards the steering wheel hub (18) and a recess (22) which is connected directly above the first section, said first section and recess together forming a grip area (24) for a motor vehicle driver with a thumb support (26); and a lighting device (34) which comprises at least two first and two second lighting elements (36, 38) and by means of which information can be output to the driver which characterizes a driving state of the motor vehicle which can be automated, said projecting first sections (20) having respectively an inner free end region (28) on which the first lighting elements (36) of the lighting device (34) are arranged respectively, the second lighting elements (38) of the lighting device (34) being arranged respectively in an inner edge region (40) of the steering wheel rim (12) directly above the recess (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a steering wheel for motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Modern motor vehicles are increasingly using automated driving systems, which can achieve different levels of automation. The Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) model, for example, differentiates between assisted, automated, and autonomous modes.

[0003] Furthermore, the classification of automation levels is also common. The applicable standard here is SAE J3016 from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International), which divides driving functions into levels 0 to 5. Levels 2 and below (including Level 2) provide driver assistance. This includes, for example, functions such as automatic parking, lane keeping, general longitudinal guidance, acceleration, and braking, which are handled by the assistance system. In Level 3, corresponding to the automation mode, the vehicle can temporarily drive itself, meaning it can automatically perform functions such as triggering turn signals, lane changes, and lane keeping. The driver does not need to continuously monitor the system and can temporarily shift their attention to other things, but the system will prompt the driver to take over driving when necessary. In Germany, autonomous driving regulations have allowed this technological possibility since 2017. From Level 4 onwards, the vehicle can drive itself without driver intervention; that is, the driving functions are autonomous when performing driving tasks.

[0004] Autonomous driving is generally not feasible in all road and environmental conditions. Therefore, for example, in a driving system designed for autonomous driving on highways, it can be stipulated that the vehicle can only operate autonomously on certain approved sections of the highway. The driver must take full or partial control of the vehicle before reaching the end of the currently approved autonomous driving section. Unexpected events such as accidents, traffic jams, or the presence of people on the highway can also cause the autonomous driving section to end. Furthermore, in driving systems designed for autonomous driving, the driver must typically take over vehicle control before merging from a highway onto another road type.

[0005] Therefore, drivers need to take over vehicle control from the driving system in a timely manner before the autonomous driving ends. There are several ways to prompt drivers to take over vehicle control, such as displays, visual warnings on screens, audible warnings, or tactile warnings.

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

[0007] This type of lighting display, directly integrated into the steering wheel rim, offers excellent visibility and is highly cumbersome for the driver, as it directly illuminates the grip area on the steering wheel where the driver should take control of the vehicle. However, a drawback of the described implementation is that embedding the lighting device in the front of the steering wheel rim increases the difficulty of installing steering wheel heating or hands-on / off-detektion sensors within the rim. Furthermore, this type of lighting, integrated into the entire circumference of the front of the steering wheel rim (and therefore also the grip area), is not ideal in terms of tactile feedback, as it typically has a cover made of hard plastic. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel with lighting for a motor vehicle, characterized by improved ergonomics and, despite this, intuitively conveying to the driver the correct operation for taking over driving tasks.

[0009] Therefore, according to the present invention, a steering wheel for a motor vehicle is provided, the steering wheel comprising a steering wheel rim, the steering wheel rim being connected to a steering wheel hub via at least one steering wheel spoke, and having, in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim with respect to the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel, a first section protruding inward toward the steering wheel hub on the left and right sides respectively, and a recess directly connected above the first section, the first section and the recess together forming a gripping area for the motor vehicle driver with a thumb support; and a lighting device comprising at least two first lighting elements and two second lighting elements, and by means of the lighting device being able to output information to the driver characterizing the driving state of the motor vehicle capable of automated operation, the protruding first section having an inward free end region, on which a first lighting element of the lighting device is respectively disposed, and a second lighting element of the lighting device is respectively disposed directly above the recess in the inner edge region of the steering wheel rim.

[0010] Therefore, in the steering wheel according to the invention, the lighting device is provided in or near the lateral gripping area, thereby providing a high degree of alertness when the autonomous driving system prompts the driver to take over vehicle control.

[0011] Because there are two lighting elements on each side of the inner edge area of ​​the steering wheel rim, and a recess is left there for the driver to grip, the driver will not come into contact with the lighting elements when gripping the steering wheel and therefore will not feel any tactile discomfort.

[0012] Furthermore, compared to known solutions in the prior art, setting the lighting element in the inner edge region of the steering wheel rim simplifies the installation of heating pads for steering wheel heating or sensing pads for hands-off detection devices, since these pads are mainly set in the outer edge region of the steering wheel rim as well as on the front and rear sides.

[0013] The steering wheel rim is not necessarily round; it is preferred to have a rounded hexagonal or angular shape.

[0014] In particular, the thickness of the inwardly protruding first section relative to the basic cross-sectional area of ​​the steering wheel rim outside the gripping area is widened, 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 advantageous ergonomics.

[0015] The steering wheel according to the invention has at least one steering wheel spoke, which preferably connects the area at the lower center of the steering wheel rim in the straight-line driving position (commonly known as the 6 o'clock position) to the steering wheel hub. Furthermore, another steering wheel spoke may be provided, preferably positioned opposite each other (at the 12 o'clock position), i.e., connecting the area at the upper center of the steering wheel rim to the steering wheel hub. According to a preferred embodiment, there are no steering wheel spokes in the areas of the protruding first section (i.e., for example, at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions), but this is conceivable in principle, for example, in the form of rearward-off spokes.

[0016] It should be noted that, in the sense of this application, autonomous driving is preferably performed over a relatively long period of time, such as on a highway. Furthermore, this can be understood in principle as autonomous driving with any level of automation, wherein the driver must be able to fully or at least partially take over the driving task before the autonomous driving is about to end. The steering wheel according to the invention is particularly designed for vehicles with a level 3 level of automation.

[0017] The preferred steering wheel rim has a second section protruding inward toward the steering wheel hub on the left and right sides above the recess, respectively, with a second lighting element provided at the end region of the second section.

[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 therebetween. In particular, when the upper center of the steering wheel rim is indicated by 0°, the widening is located in the range of approximately 40° to 120° (right side) and 240° to 320° (left side) in the straight-line driving position.

[0019] Advantageously, the first and second lighting elements, positioned on the same side of the steering wheel for straight-line driving, are located on an imaginary line interrupted by a recess or on two parallel imaginary lines. This arrangement visually resembles the appearance of a lane boundary, thus intuitively conveying to the driver the correct action for taking over driving tasks.

[0020] To improve visibility and achieve a particularly high signal effect, the lighting element is preferably configured such that it emits light on the driver-facing front side of the steering wheel rim, and in particular, the lighting element has a shielding portion on the driver-rear side and / or on the inner circumference of the steering wheel rim.

[0021] In one extended embodiment, operating areas are provided on both the left and right sides of the steering wheel regarding its straight-line driving position. Each operating area has at least one operating element. The operating areas extend outward from the center of the steering wheel towards the steering wheel rim in a plane formed by the rim, but are not connected to it; rather, they are laterally spaced apart. This creates "free-floating" operating areas on both the left and right sides, which the driver can easily access without removing their hands from the steering wheel rim.

[0022] Preferably, the operating area has a free end facing outward toward the steering wheel rim, and the free end region of a first section protruding inward from the steering wheel rim (on which a first lighting element is disposed) is at least partially opposite to and especially spaced apart from the free end of the operating area. The operating area and the inwardly protruding first section form, laterally, a “spoke” that is essentially interrupted and unsupported at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions.

[0023] The preferred steering wheel rim has a support structure surrounded by a foam enclosure and a covering. The covering is particularly a leather covering (Belederung), and the support structure is, for example, a magnesium skeleton.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each lighting element has a first component embedded in a foam-encapsulated portion of the steering wheel rim and a second component inserted into and connected to, and in particular clamped to, the first component. This achieves simple installation and an advantageous appearance. The second component is preferably installed after the coating is applied.

[0025] By moving the lighting elements back relative to the cladding, a visually and tactilely appealing design can be achieved. In this way, the driver will not feel the relatively hard plastic of the lighting elements, and the lighting elements are integrated into the steering wheel in an inconspicuous manner.

[0026] In one extended embodiment of the invention, a pad-shaped heating element and / or sensor element are provided, which are at least partially disposed under the cover in the region of the outer periphery and / or the steering wheel rim facing the driver, and are at least left empty in the region of the lighting element.

[0027] The sensor element is preferably a capacitive sensing pad of a hands-off detection device. In this case, by means of the embodiment according to the invention, not only can the correct operation for taking over driving tasks be reliably communicated to the driver, but the driver's takeover can also be detected. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:

[0029] Figure 1 A top view of the steering wheel according to the present invention is shown;

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

[0031] Figure 3 Show the steering wheel rim Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of line AA in the middle;

[0032] Figure 4 Show the steering wheel rim Figure 2 Cross-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 center steering wheel rim, illustrating the installation of multiple lighting elements of the lighting system. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 A steering wheel 10 for a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown, particularly for vehicles capable of automated operation.

[0036] Steering wheel 10 has steering wheel rim 12, which steering wheel rim in Figures 2 to 5The steering wheel hub 18 is shown separately again and connected to it by at least one, here two, steering wheel spokes 14 and 16. Here, the steering wheel spokes 14 extend between the area at the lower center of the steering wheel rim 12 (commonly known as the 6 o'clock position) and the steering wheel hub 18 in the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel 10 shown, while the steering wheel spokes 16 are disposed opposite to it, that is, connecting the area at the upper center of the steering wheel rim 12 (also known as the 12 o'clock position) and the steering wheel hub 18.

[0037] Formed by the steering wheel rim 12, in Figure 1 In the plane corresponding to the plane of the figure, the steering wheel rim 12 has a first section 20 protruding inward toward the steering wheel hub 18 on both the left and right sides with respect to the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel 10 shown herein, and a recess 22 is directly connected above to the first section. The protruding first section 20 and the recess 22 connected thereto together form a gripping area 24 for the driver of the motor vehicle, having a thumb support 26, the gripping area 24 being approximately in the shape of a pistol grip.

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

[0039] Above the recess 22, the steering wheel rim 12 also has another second section 30 that protrudes inward toward the steering wheel hub 18, the end region 32 of which also faces the steering wheel hub 18 or the opposite side of the steering wheel 10.

[0040] Two protruding sections 20 and 30 form a widening of the steering wheel rim 12 on each side of the steering wheel 10, the widening being interrupted by a recess 22 located therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, when the upper center of the steering wheel rim 12 is represented by 0°, the widening is located in the range of approximately 40° to 120° (right side) and 240° to 320° (left side) in the straight-line driving position.

[0041] Furthermore, the steering wheel 10 includes a lighting device 34, by which information representing the driving status of the automatically operating motor vehicle can be output to the driver. The lighting device 34 includes two first lighting elements 36 and two second lighting elements 38, with the two first lighting elements 36 disposed on the free end region 28 of the inwardly projecting first section 20.

[0042] Two second lighting elements 38 are respectively disposed directly above the recess 22 in the inner edge region 40 of the steering wheel rim 12, and are disposed in the end region 32 of the corresponding protruding second section 30.

[0043] As can be seen from the attached diagram, the steering wheel rim 12 is not circular, but rather has a roughly rounded hexagonal shape.

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

[0045] The lighting elements 36 and 38 are constructed such that they emit light, at least primarily, on the driver-facing side of the steering wheel rim 12. This is achieved by having a shielding portion 42 on the driver-rear side of the lighting elements 36 and 38 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 may also have other shapes or be not obscured in the form of lines on the surface, but rather obscured in the form of a series of dots or similar shapes, for example.

[0047] Furthermore, an operating area 44 is provided on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 10 (in the straight-line driving position), each with multiple operating elements 46. These two operating areas 44 extend outward from the center 45 of the steering wheel in a plane formed by the steering wheel rim 12, but are not connected to it; instead, they are laterally spaced apart. This creates what can be described as "free-floating" operating areas 44 on both sides. The driver can easily access these operating areas without removing their hands from the steering wheel rim 12.

[0048] These two operating areas 44 have free ends 48 extending outward toward the steering wheel rim 12. The free end region 28 of a first section 20 (on which the first lighting element 36) protruding inward from the steering wheel rim 12 is segmentally opposite to, but spaced apart from, these free ends 48 of the operating areas 44 (see [link]). Figure 1 ).

[0049] As in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen in the cross-sectional view, the steering wheel rim 12 of the steering wheel 10 has a support structure 50 in the form of a magnesium skeleton, which is surrounded by a foam encapsulation portion 52. The foam encapsulation portion 52 is further covered on the outer side of the steering wheel rim 12 by a covering 54, particularly a leather covering.

[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 portion 52 of the steering wheel rim 12. Each first component 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.) is encapsulated together with the foam-encapsulated support structure 50. The protruding first and second sections 20, 30 provide sufficient structural space for this purpose.

[0051] Furthermore, each lighting element 36, 38 has a second component 64 or 66, which includes an insertion element 68 or 70 made of plastic and a light conductor 72 or 74 inserted therein. The second component 64 or 66 is inserted into and connected to, and particularly clamped to, the first component 56 or 58 after the application of the coating 54, as shown. Figure 6 As shown.

[0052] The lighting elements 36 and 38 are preferably positioned slightly rearward relative to the cover 54 toward the support structure 50, so that the driver will not feel or will feel less of the relatively hard plastic of the lighting elements 36 and 38 (or the insert elements 68 or 70) when gripping the steering wheel 10.

[0053] In addition, a pad-shaped heating element and / or a sensor element for off-hand detection can be provided, which in Figure 3 The sensor element is indicated by reference numeral 76 in the accompanying drawings. The sensor element is disposed sectionally or along the entire steering wheel rim 12 in the area below the cladding 54 and / or in the area facing the driver and / or the rear of the steering wheel rim 12, and is at least empty in the area of ​​the lighting elements 36, 38.

Claims

1. A steering wheel for a motor vehicle, the steering wheel comprising: - Steering wheel rim (12), which is connected to steering wheel hub (18) by at least one steering wheel spoke (14, 16) and has a first section (20) protruding inward toward steering wheel hub (18) on the left and right sides respectively in the plane formed by the steering wheel rim (12) with respect to the straight driving position of the steering wheel (10), and a recess (22) directly connected above the first section, the first section and the recess together forming a gripping area (24) for the driver of the motor vehicle with a thumb support (26). and - A lighting device (34), which includes at least two first lighting elements (36) and two second lighting elements (38) and is capable of outputting information to the driver that characterizes the driving status of the vehicle capable of automated operation. - Each of the protruding first sections (20) has an inwardly facing free end region (28), on which a first lighting element (36) of a lighting device (34) is respectively provided, and - The second lighting element (38) of the lighting device (34) is respectively disposed directly above the recess (22) in the 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 inward toward the steering wheel hub (18) above the recess (22) on the left and right sides of the straight driving position of the steering wheel (10), and a second lighting element (38) is provided in the end area (32) of the second section.

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

4. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first and second lighting elements are configured to emit light on the front side of the steering wheel rim (12) facing the driver.

5. The steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first and second lighting elements have shielding portions (42) on the rear side away from the driver and / or on the inner circumference of the steering wheel rim (12).

6. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Regarding the straight-line driving position of the steering wheel (10), there is an operating area (44) on the left and right sides respectively. Each operating area has at least one operating element (46). The operating area (44) extends outward from the center (45) of the steering wheel in the 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.

7. The steering wheel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The operating area (44) has a free end (48) facing outward toward the steering wheel rim (12) and the free end region (28) of a first segment (20) protruding inward from the steering wheel rim (12) is at least partially opposite to the free end (48) of the operating area (44), and a first lighting element (36) is disposed on the free end region.

8. The steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that, The free end region (28) of the first segment (20) is spaced apart from the free end region (48) of the operating region (44).

9. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The steering wheel rim (12) has a support structure (50) surrounded by a foam encapsulation portion (52) and a covering (54).

10. The steering wheel according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each lighting element has a first component (56, 58) embedded in a foam encapsulation (52) of the steering wheel rim (12) and a second component (64, 66) inserted into and connected to the first component (56, 58).

11. The steering wheel according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second component clamps with the first component.

12. The steering wheel according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first and second lighting elements are moved back relative to the cover (54).

13. The steering wheel according to claim 9, characterized in that, A pad-shaped heating element and / or sensor element (76) is provided, which is disposed at least sectionally on the outer periphery of the steering wheel rim (12) and / or in the area facing the driver's front, under the cover (54) and is at least open in the area of ​​the first lighting element and the second lighting element.

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