Steering wheel and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a steering wheel and a vehicle, which separates the light control function from the traditional combination switch and integrates the light control device in the steering wheel body, avoids the limitation of the traditional lever structure on the overall size of the steering wheel, makes the overall structure of the steering wheel more compact, and is beneficial to reducing the space occupation of the steering wheel in the cockpit. Since the traditional combination switch structure is removed, the steering wheel does not interfere or occupy additional space in each state, such as folding, thereby improving the convenience and reliability of the steering wheel. By integrating the light control device, the driver can complete the light control without leaving the steering wheel, thereby improving the convenience and safety of the driving operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of steering mechanism technology, and more particularly to a steering wheel and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the steering wheel, as an important component of the steering system, is typically located in the driver's cab, allowing the driver to adjust the wheel steering and thus the vehicle's direction. Currently, the steering wheel and steering column are relatively fixed. In scenarios where the steering wheel is not needed, it occupies a significant amount of space in the driver's seat. Therefore, some steering wheels in related technologies have a flip-folding function. However, the switch assembly structure associated with the steering wheel, such as the combination switch for lights, is relatively large, which hinders the implementation of steering wheel folding, thus leaving room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a steering wheel and a vehicle using the steering wheel, aiming to achieve a compact design of the steering wheel and reduce the space occupied by the steering wheel.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, according to a first aspect of this application, a steering wheel is provided, comprising:

[0005] Steering wheel body;

[0006] A lighting control device is disposed on the steering wheel body, the lighting control device being adapted to control the lights in response to a control operation.

[0007] In some alternative embodiments, the steering wheel body includes:

[0008] The rim is constructed as a handhold.

[0009] Spokes, connected to the inner side of the rim;

[0010] The lighting control device is located on the wheel spokes.

[0011] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device is located on the wheel rim.

[0012] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device is located inside the wheel rim.

[0013] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes a first actuating element and a second actuating element connected to the wheel spokes, wherein the first actuating element and the second actuating element are adapted to control the left turn signal and the right turn signal, respectively, when actuated.

[0014] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes a first actuating element and a second actuating element connected to the wheel spokes, wherein the first actuating element and the second actuating element are configured to be at least one of the following:

[0015] When the first toggle is activated, the right turn signal is turned on.

[0016] When the second toggle is activated, the left turn signal is illuminated.

[0017] After the first toggle is activated, the second toggle is activated to cancel the control of the right turn signal to illuminate.

[0018] After the second toggle is activated, the first toggle is activated to cancel the control of the left turn signal to illuminate.

[0019] When the first toggle and the second toggle are toggled simultaneously, neither turn signal is controlled.

[0020] When the first toggle and the second toggle are toggled simultaneously, they control a preset light, which includes a warning light.

[0021] In some alternative embodiments, when the steering wheel is in the center position, the first and second detents are located to the left of the wheel spokes, and the first detent is located above the second detent;

[0022] In some alternative embodiments, the first actuating member and the second actuating member are constructed as a single unit.

[0023] In some alternative embodiments, the first and second toggle members are configured as levers or paddles.

[0024] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes a first button and a second button, which, when pressed, are adapted to control the left turn signal and the right turn signal, respectively.

[0025] In some alternative implementations, the first button and the second button are located on the wheel spokes.

[0026] In some alternative implementations, the first button and the second button are configured as at least one of the following:

[0027] When the first button is pressed, the left turn signal is turned on.

[0028] When the second button is pressed, it illuminates the right turn signal.

[0029] After the first button is pressed, press the second button to cancel the control of the left turn signal to illuminate.

[0030] Press the first button after the second button is pressed to cancel the control of the right turn signal.

[0031] In some alternative implementations, when the steering wheel is in the center position, the first button is located on the left side of the steering wheel body, and the second button is located on the right side of the steering wheel body.

[0032] In some alternative implementations, the first button and the second button are located on the front of the steering wheel body.

[0033] In some alternative embodiments, the first button and the second button are located on the back of the steering wheel body, and the surfaces of the first button and the second button are formed with identification patterns.

[0034] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes:

[0035] A sensor is used to acquire operation gesture information, which is used to control the indicator light's light control intention;

[0036] The sensor includes at least one of a camera, a lidar, a photoresistor, and an infrared camera;

[0037] The gesture information includes at least one of the finger movement direction and the finger movement speed.

[0038] The lighting control intent includes at least one of turning on the left turn signal, turning on the right turn signal, turning off the left turn signal, and turning off the right turn signal.

[0039] In some alternative implementations, the sensor is used to acquire an image sequence that characterizes the operation gesture, and the lighting control device further includes an image processor for processing the image sequence and determining the lighting control intention according to predetermined rules.

[0040] In some alternative embodiments, the steering wheel is configured as a folding steering wheel with predetermined stowage and unfolded positions, and the lighting control device is configured to not respond to control operations when the steering wheel is in the stowage position.

[0041] According to a second aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided having a steering wheel for controlling it, the steering wheel being the aforementioned steering wheel.

[0042] In the aforementioned steering wheels and vehicles, by separating the lighting control function from the traditional combination switch and integrating it into a lighting control device located within the steering wheel body, the limitations imposed by the traditional lever structure on the overall size of the steering wheel are avoided. This results in a more compact overall steering wheel structure, reducing the space occupied by the steering wheel in the cockpit. Because the traditional combination switch structure is eliminated, the steering wheel does not interfere with or occupy additional space due to the switch structure in various states, such as when folded, thereby improving the convenience and reliability of steering wheel use. By integrating the lighting control device, the driver can control the lights without taking their hands off the steering wheel, improving the convenience and safety of driving operations.

[0043] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0045] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the following description denote the same parts.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of a steering wheel in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the side structure of the steering wheel.

[0048] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the back structure of the steering wheel.

[0049] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the steering wheel in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shows the back structure of the steering wheel.

[0052] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The diagram shows the system architecture of the steering wheel.

[0053] Figure 8 for Figure 5 The diagram shows the process of using a steering wheel to control the turn signals.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the steering wheel in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The illustrated embodiment is a flowchart of the process for determining the driver's intention.

[0056] Figure 11 for Figure 9 The flowchart shown in the embodiment generates a algorithm for determining the driver's control intention.

[0057] Figure label:

[0058] 1. Front first button; 2. Front second button; 3. Rear second button; 4. Rear first button; 100. Steering wheel; 101. First actuating element; 102. Second actuating element; 110. Wheel rim; 120. Wheel spoke; 301. Central control screen; 302. Multifunction button; 303 (503), Domain controller; 304 (504), Lighting controller; 501. Sensor; 502. Image processor. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0060] To achieve the above objectives, participants Figures 1 to 11 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a steering wheel 100, including a steering wheel body and a light control device.

[0061] The lighting control device is disposed on the steering wheel body and is adapted to control the lights in response to control operations.

[0062] The lighting control device is located on the steering wheel body, which can be understood as the lighting control device being integrated into the steering wheel body or connected to the steering wheel body.

[0063] By separating the lighting control function from the traditional combination switch and integrating it into the lighting control device located on the main body of the steering wheel, the limitation of the traditional lever structure on the overall size of the steering wheel is avoided, making the overall structure of the steering wheel more compact and helping to reduce the space occupied by the steering wheel in the cockpit.

[0064] By eliminating the traditional combination switch structure, the steering wheel will not interfere with or occupy extra space due to the switch structure in various states, such as when folded, thereby improving the convenience and reliability of the steering wheel.

[0065] By integrating a lighting control device, the driver can control the lights without taking their hands off the steering wheel, improving the convenience and safety of driving operations.

[0066] The steering wheel body can be understood as the part of the steering wheel 100 that can be operated. For example, in a specific implementation, the steering wheel body includes a rim 110 and spokes 120.

[0067] The rim 110 is configured as a handheld part. The spokes 120 are connected to the inner side of the rim 110. The lighting control device is disposed on the spokes 120 and may be located inside the rim 110. The lighting control device is adapted to control the lighting in response to a control operation. In a specific implementation, the lighting control device may also be integrated or connected to the rim 110.

[0068] For example, in a specific implementation, the rim 110 is the main hand-held part of the steering wheel 100, which the driver holds to control the direction of travel of vehicles and other means of transportation. The rim 110 is usually a ring structure, but it can also be set as a discontinuous ring or other shapes.

[0069] The spokes 120 are connected to the inner side of the rim 110 as structural support. They are usually made of magnesium-aluminum alloy or high-strength steel by die casting. They are responsible for transmitting steering torque and connecting the steering shaft. They can also serve as the installation area for integrated control devices.

[0070] The lighting control device is disposed on the spoke 120, which can be understood as the lighting control device being integrated into the spoke 120 or connected to the spoke 120. The lighting control device is located inside the rim 110, which can be understood as the outer periphery of the lighting control device not exceeding the outer periphery of the rim 110.

[0071] The lighting control device replaces the traditional lighting levers to control vehicle lights (such as turn signals and side marker lights). By separating the lighting control function from the traditional combination switch and integrating it into the inner side of the wheel spokes 120, the limitation of the traditional lever structure on the overall size of the steering wheel 100 is avoided, making the overall structure of the steering wheel 100 more compact. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the steering wheel 100 in the cockpit and improve the flexibility of the cockpit layout.

[0072] Because the traditional combination switch structure has been removed, the steering wheel 100 will not cause interference or occupy extra space due to the switch structure in application scenarios such as folding, thereby improving the convenience and reliability of the steering wheel 100 folding.

[0073] In addition, by integrating a lighting control device, the driver can control the lights without taking his / her hands off the steering wheel, improving the convenience and safety of driving operations.

[0074] In contrast, the light control lever in related technologies is usually located on the outer side of the wheel rim 110, which can easily overlap with the driver's hand operating area, causing inconvenience or misoperation. By placing the light control device on the inner side of the wheel spoke 120, it is located in the inner area of ​​the wheel rim 110, away from the driver's normal hand operating position, thereby avoiding direct contact or interference with the hand and improving operating comfort and safety.

[0075] In some steering wheels 100 with folding function, the traditional light stalk structure may interfere with the wheel rim 110 or wheel spoke 120 during folding, affecting the smoothness of folding. In this embodiment, the light control device is located inside the wheel spoke 120, which avoids the active area of ​​the folding structure, thereby avoiding interference during folding and improving the reliability and service life of folding.

[0076] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes a first actuating element 101 and a second actuating element 102 connected to the wheel spokes 120, wherein the first actuating element 101 and the second actuating element 102 are adapted to control the left turn signal and the right turn signal, respectively, when actuated.

[0077] The first actuating element 101 and the second actuating element 102 are similar in form to turn signal levers, conforming to conventional usage habits. In traditional vehicles, turn signal levers (such as gear shift levers and light levers) are usually located near the steering wheel 100, and drivers are already accustomed to using levers to complete related operations while driving. In specific implementations, the first actuating element 101 and the second actuating element 102 can adopt levers or similar lever structures, such as paddles, so that drivers do not need to learn new operating methods, lowering the threshold for use and improving the intuitiveness and convenience of operation.

[0078] The shape, position, and operation of the lever are similar to those of a traditional lever. The driver can naturally flick it with their fingers without having to exert extra force or adjust their hand posture.

[0079] Because the structure of the toggle switch is similar to that of a traditional lever, it is compatible with existing vehicle lighting control, gear shifting control, intelligent driving systems, etc., making it easy to integrate into existing vehicle systems.

[0080] For example, in a specific implementation, the first actuating member 101 and the second actuating member 102 are configured as at least one of the following.

[0081] In some alternative implementations, the first toggle switch 101 is activated to illuminate the right turn signal. For example, when the driver toggles the first toggle switch 101, a control signal is sent to the control module, which recognizes this as a command to illuminate the right turn signal and activates the vehicle's right turn signal.

[0082] In some alternative embodiments, the second toggle 102 is activated to illuminate the left turn signal. For example, when the driver toggles the second toggle 102, a control signal is sent to the control module, which recognizes this as a command to illuminate the left turn signal and activates the vehicle's left turn signal.

[0083] By assigning the left and right turn signal control functions to two separate levers, independent and clear control logic is achieved, avoiding misoperation caused by unclear operating direction in traditional lever structures.

[0084] In some optional embodiments, after the first toggle 101 is toggled, the second toggle 102 is toggled to cancel the control of the right turn signal illumination. When the first toggle 101 is toggled, the right turn signal illuminates; subsequently, if the driver toggles the second toggle 102, the system recognizes this as an operation to cancel the right turn signal illumination, and the control module turns off the right turn signal. This achieves linked control of turn signal illumination and deactivation, avoiding the need for the driver to perform additional operations to turn off the turn signal, thus improving operational convenience. For example, it can be applied to scenarios where the turn signal needs to be quickly turned off after a temporary lane change or turn, reducing misoperation and improving driving safety.

[0085] Similarly, in some alternative embodiments, the first toggle switch 101 is toggled after the second toggle switch 102 is toggled, thus canceling the control of the left turn signal illumination. When the second toggle switch 102 is toggled, the left turn signal illuminates; subsequently, if the driver toggles the first toggle switch 101 again, the system recognizes this as an operation to cancel the left turn signal illumination, and the control module turns off the left turn signal.

[0086] In some alternative implementations, neither the first toggle 101 nor the second toggle 102 controls any turn signal when they are toggled simultaneously.

[0087] When the first toggle switch 101 and the second toggle switch 102 are simultaneously activated, the control module recognizes this as a non-steering operation and does not activate any turn signals. This avoids accidental activation of the turn signals due to misoperation, improves the system's resistance to misoperation, and is suitable for scenarios where the driver may activate both toggle switches simultaneously, ensuring the system does not misinterpret this as activating the turn signals.

[0088] In some alternative embodiments, when the first toggle 101 and the second toggle 102 are toggled simultaneously, a preset light is controlled, the preset light including a warning light.

[0089] When the first toggle 101 and the second toggle 102 are toggled simultaneously, the control module recognizes it as a special operation command and controls the preset lights, such as warning lights (e.g., hazard lights).

[0090] The steering wheel 100 expands its functionality by simultaneously moving both toggle switches to control the warning lights. This allows it to be used not only for turn signal control but also for warning light control in emergency situations. It is suitable for scenarios such as emergency avoidance, vehicle malfunction, or when other vehicles need to be alerted, thereby improving driving safety and emergency response capabilities.

[0091] In some alternative embodiments, when the steering wheel 100 is in the center position, the first actuation member 101 and the second actuation member 102 are located to the left of the spokes 120, and the first actuation member 101 is located above the second actuation member 102.

[0092] The "centering position" of the steering wheel 100 can be understood as the steering wheel 100 being in the center position when the vehicle is traveling straight, that is, when the driver's hands are naturally placed on the steering wheel 100 and the steering wheel 100 is not turned. In this state, the first shifter 101 and the second shifter 102 are arranged on the left side of the wheel spoke 120, and the first shifter 101 is located above the second shifter 102, forming a fixed, symmetrical, and ergonomic layout.

[0093] When the steering wheel 100 is in the center position, the driver's hands are naturally placed on the steering wheel 100, usually with the left hand on the left and the right hand on the right. The first shifter 101 and the second shifter 102 are arranged on the left side of the wheel spoke 120 so that the left hand can naturally reach and operate these two shifters, while the right hand is used to control other functions (such as shifting gears, multimedia control, etc.).

[0094] The first actuation element 101 is located above the second actuation element 102, allowing the driver to naturally move the first actuation element 101 from top to bottom and then the second actuation element 102 from bottom to top with their left hand, conforming to ergonomic operating habits. This layout also facilitates the differentiation of the functions of the left and right actuation elements. For example, the first actuation element 101 controls the right turn signal, and the second actuation element 102 controls the left turn signal, or may be used for other functions, providing a clear sense of direction during operation, making it easier for the driver to quickly identify and operate the actuation elements, and improving operating efficiency.

[0095] The arrangement of the first actuating element 101 and the second actuating element 102 allows the driver to operate the steering wheel 100 without having to move their hands significantly, thus improving driving safety.

[0096] In some alternative embodiments, the first actuating member 101 and the second actuating member 102 are constructed as a single unit. Constructing the first actuating member 101 and the second actuating member 102 as a single unit avoids functional failures or operational insensitivity caused by loosening, misalignment, or wear of connecting components in a separate structure. The single unit structure can be integrally formed or machined during manufacturing, reducing assembly steps and improving the stability and reliability of the overall structure. The single unit structure can be manufactured in one step using processes such as injection molding, stamping, and laser cutting, avoiding complex processes such as assembly, welding, or bonding between multiple components in a separate structure.

[0097] The integrated structure ensures that the two toggle switches have a unified motion trajectory and force feedback during operation, avoiding operational inconsistencies or differences in feel caused by separate structures. For scenarios requiring coordinated operation (such as simultaneously toggling both toggle switches to control warning lights), the integrated structure guarantees the continuity and consistency of operation.

[0098] Understandably, while constructing the first actuating element 101 and the second actuating element 102 as a single unit has the aforementioned advantages, in certain application scenarios, the first actuating element 101 and the second actuating element 102 can also be separate units. Separate units also have their advantages, such as ease of functional expansion, maintenance, replacement, and adaptation to different vehicle models and user needs. Therefore, depending on the specific application scenario and design goals, a single unit or separate unit structure can be selected to achieve the best performance-cost balance.

[0099] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes a first button and a second button disposed on the wheel spoke 120, wherein the first button and the second button are respectively adapted to control the left turn signal and the right turn signal when pressed.

[0100] The button layout conforms to conventional operating habits, with the buttons for controlling the left and right turn signals located on the wheel spokes 120 respectively. This allows the driver to naturally press the buttons with their fingers without needing to learn any new operating methods, thus lowering the barrier to entry for use.

[0101] The buttons are located on the wheel spoke 120, away from the driver's usual hand operating area (such as steering, shifting gears, etc.), avoiding accidental touches or inconvenience caused by direct contact or interference between the buttons and the hand during operation. Compared with the traditional lever structure, the button structure is more compact and the layout is more reasonable, avoiding physical interference caused by improper button position when the driver operates the device.

[0102] On a traditional steering wheel 100, control devices such as the light stalk, gear shift lever, and multimedia control lever are usually concentrated on the outer side of the wheel rim 110 or the outer side of the wheel spokes 120, which can easily cause signal interference or operational conflicts. By placing the light control buttons on the inner side of the wheel spokes 120 and arranging them in separate areas from other control devices, functional overlap or interference is avoided, and the stability and reliability of the control system are improved.

[0103] Compared to traditional lever structures, button structures do not require additional mechanical transmission components, further reducing space requirements.

[0104] In some alternative implementations, the first button and the second button are configured as at least one of the following:

[0105] When the first button is pressed, the left turn signal is turned on.

[0106] When the second button is pressed, it illuminates the right turn signal.

[0107] After the first button is pressed, press the second button to cancel the control of the left turn signal to illuminate.

[0108] Press the first button after the second button is pressed to cancel the control of the right turn signal.

[0109] The configuration of the first button and the second button is similar to that of the first toggle 101 and the second toggle 102 mentioned above. They can also achieve similar functions and roughly the same effect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0110] In some alternative embodiments, when the steering wheel 100 is in the center position, the first button is located on the left side of the spokes 120, and the second button is located on the right side of the spokes 120.

[0111] Designed to suit driver operating habits: With the steering wheel 100 in the center position, the driver's hands are typically placed naturally on either side of the steering wheel 100, with the left hand on the left and the right hand on the right. The first button is located on the left side of the wheel spoke 120, and the second button is located on the right side of the wheel spoke 120, allowing the left and right hands to naturally reach and operate the corresponding buttons, conforming to ergonomic design.

[0112] In some alternative embodiments, the first button and the second button are located on the front of the steering wheel 100, that is, including a front first button 1 and a front second button 2.

[0113] The buttons are located on the front of the steering wheel 100, making them easily visible and operable by the driver while driving, especially when quick control of the turn signals is required. This eliminates the need to look down or adjust hand position, improving operational efficiency. The front of the steering wheel 100 is where the driver's hands naturally rest; arranging the buttons on the front is ergonomically designed, allowing for more natural operation, such as thumb operation.

[0114] In some alternative embodiments, the first button and the second button may also be located on the back of the steering wheel 100, that is, including a first button 3 and a second button 4 on the back, and the surfaces of the first button 3 and the second button 4 on the back may be formed with identification textures.

[0115] The buttons are located on the back, preventing direct contact or interference with the driver's hands during driving and avoiding accidental touches or inconvenience caused by improper button placement. Identifying textures (such as raised patterns, Braille dots, stripes, etc.) allow the driver to accurately identify button locations through tactile feedback without looking at the steering wheel, making it suitable for nighttime driving or low-light conditions.

[0116] In some alternative embodiments, the lighting control device includes:

[0117] Sensor 501 is used to acquire operation gesture information, which is used for the indicator light control intention to control the light.

[0118] In a specific implementation, the sensor 501 may include at least one of a camera, a lidar, a photoresistor, and an infrared camera.

[0119] In specific implementation, the operation gesture information may include at least one of the finger movement direction and finger movement speed.

[0120] In practice, the lighting control intent includes at least one of turning on the left turn signal, turning on the right turn signal, turning off the left turn signal, and turning off the right turn signal.

[0121] Sensor 501 (such as a camera, infrared camera, lidar, photoresistor, etc.) can collect real-time information on the driver's hand movements near the steering wheel 100, including finger movement direction and speed. Through image recognition, deep learning, or signal processing algorithms, the system identifies the driver's hand gestures and determines whether the gesture is for actions such as turning on the left turn signal, turning on the right turn signal, turning off the left turn signal, or turning off the right turn signal. After recognizing the gesture, the system analyzes the gesture intent and converts it into specific lighting control commands.

[0122] For example, when the driver moves their right hand to the right, the system recognizes it as "turning on the right turn signal"; when the driver moves their left hand to the left, the system recognizes it as "turning on the left turn signal". The control command is sent to the vehicle's lighting system via the lighting controller 504 to turn the left and right turn signals on or off. This is just an example; in actual implementation, the gesture information and corresponding lighting control intent can be set as needed.

[0123] Gesture control replaces traditional levers, eliminating the need for drivers to manually search for or press physical buttons. This makes operation more convenient and intuitive, resulting in more intelligent and automated lighting control, aligning with the development trend of modern vehicle intelligent driving and human-machine interaction. Gesture recognition control also makes the steering wheel and vehicle interior more streamlined and modern, avoiding the complex layout of traditional buttons or levers.

[0124] In some alternative embodiments, the sensor 501 is used to acquire an image sequence representing an operation gesture, and the lighting control device further includes an image processor 502 for processing the image sequence and determining the lighting control intention according to a predetermined rule.

[0125] The acquisition of image sequences allows the system to capture continuous and dynamic gesture changes, which is more conducive to recognizing complex or subtle gestures compared to static images or single-frame images.

[0126] The image processor 502 processes image sequences, such as image preprocessing, feature extraction, gesture recognition and classification, which can improve recognition accuracy and reduce misrecognition caused by environmental interference (such as changes in lighting, background noise, etc.).

[0127] The image processor 502 determines the lighting control intention based on predetermined rules, such as "turn on the left turn signal" and "turn off the right turn signal", making the lighting control more intelligent and automated, eliminating the need for the driver to manually operate physical buttons or levers.

[0128] In some alternative embodiments, the steering wheel 100 is configured as a folding steering wheel and has a predetermined stowage position and an unfolded position, and the lighting control device is configured to not respond to control operations when the steering wheel 100 is in the stowage position.

[0129] When the steering wheel is in the folded position, the lighting control device does not respond to any control operations, effectively preventing accidental activation and avoiding abnormal activation of the lighting system due to misoperation in non-driving states (such as when the vehicle is parked or in autonomous driving mode). The folding steering wheel occupies less space when folded, making it suitable for scenarios such as autonomous driving, vehicle parking, or emergency rescue.

[0130] According to a second aspect of this application, a means of transportation is provided, the means of transportation having a steering wheel 100 for controlling thereon, the steering wheel 100 being the steering wheel 100 described above.

[0131] In the aforementioned steering wheel 100 and vehicle, by separating the lighting control function from the traditional combination switch and integrating it into a lighting control device located inside the wheel spokes 120, the limitations imposed on the overall size of the steering wheel 100 by the traditional lever structure are avoided. This results in a more compact overall structure for the steering wheel 100, reducing its space occupation within the cockpit. Because the traditional combination switch structure is eliminated, the steering wheel 100 does not experience interference or occupy additional space due to the switch structure in various states, such as when folded, thereby improving the convenience and reliability of its use. By integrating the lighting control device, the driver can control the lights without leaving the steering wheel 100, enhancing the convenience and safety of driving operations.

[0132] In some alternative implementations, the steering wheel 100 may be configured as a drive-by-wire steering wheel.

[0133] In a Steer-by-Wire (SbW) system, there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels; the steering signal is transmitted electronically. This design provides greater flexibility for the steering wheel's folding function, as the steering wheel's rotation angle can be independent of the wheels' steering actions.

[0134] The aforementioned means of transportation can be any device capable of carrying people or being unmanned and controlled by the steering wheel 100, such as vehicles, ships, aircraft, etc. Since the aforementioned means of transportation includes all the technical features of the steering wheel 100 in the above embodiments, it also has all the technical effects corresponding to the steering wheel 100. As the technical effects of the steering wheel 100 have been described in detail above, they will not be repeated here.

[0135] To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the foregoing concept, the following detailed embodiment will be used to describe the aforementioned solution. It should be noted that this embodiment may introduce additional technical details, which are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to further limit the understanding. Some terms may differ from those in the foregoing embodiments; terms with the same reference numerals are understood to refer to the same structure as those in the foregoing embodiments.

[0136] This invention proposes a method for controlling automotive turn signals by eliminating the integrated switch on the steering wheel. As vehicles become increasingly intelligent, autonomous driving technology, through drive-by-wire technology, enables precise electronic control of various vehicle functions, reducing traditional mechanical connections. The core application of a folding steering wheel lies in adapting to the spatial restructuring and scene switching needs of the intelligent driving era. By eliminating the traditional combination switch and using a switch-free method to control the turn signals, the space occupied by the folded steering wheel in the cockpit is reduced.

[0137] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0138] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The diagram shown is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. The steering wheel includes a steering wheel body, and two actuating elements are located on the upper and lower sides of the inner side of the left spoke of the steering wheel. The two actuating elements can be integrated or separated. The actuating elements can be fixed to the integrated frame of the spokes by clips or screws. The actuating elements are positioned similarly to traditional levers for easy finger operation. The shape and position of the actuating elements are not limited.

[0139] Based on the usage habits of traditional turn signal levers, moving the upper lever outputs a signal to control the switch on / off of the right turn signal, and moving the upper lever outputs a signal to control the switch on / off of the left turn signal.

[0140] With the steering wheel folded, when the driver wants to turn or change lanes, they can activate the toggle switch to send a turn signal. The body control system receives the signal, confirms the steering wheel is folded, and illuminates the corresponding turn signal. When the turning or lane-changing action stops, the steering wheel returns to center, and the body control system receives a 0-degree angle signal from the steering angle sensor, thus deactivating the turn signal.

[0141] When the steering wheel is folded, if the driver accidentally moves the toggle switch, the body control system receives a signal, confirms that the steering wheel is folded, and does not illuminate the turn signals to avoid interference.

[0142] When the steering wheel is not folded, if the driver moves the upper lever to turn right or change lanes, and then loses the ability to turn or change lanes due to unforeseen circumstances, the right turn signal can be canceled by moving the lower lever in the opposite direction.

[0143] When the driver simultaneously moves the upper and lower levers, no turn signal signal is controlled; instead, a custom function is controlled. Alternatively, no function can be set.

[0144] The second embodiment of this invention proposes a method for controlling the turn signal switch by adding custom buttons to the back of the steering wheel. A customizable button area is added to the back of the steering wheel in a region easily accessible to the driver's fingers. While driving, the driver can control the buttons on the back of the steering wheel using their index, middle, or ring fingers without taking their hands off the steering wheel, thus controlling the turn signal switch without removing the physical turn signal stalk. Eliminating the physical turn signal stalk effectively reduces the size and complexity of the steering wheel system, facilitating the development of a foldable steering wheel system suitable for intelligent user scenarios.

[0145] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0146] Reference Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the button area on the front of the steering wheel, including button area 1 on the left and button area 2 on the right. Both button areas can be controlled by the driver's thumb.

[0147] Reference Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the button area on the back of the steering wheel, including button area 3 on the right side of the back of the steering wheel and button area 4 on the left side of the back of the steering wheel. Both button areas can be controlled by the driver's index finger, middle finger, or ring finger. Both button area 3 on the right side of the back of the steering wheel and button area 4 on the left side of the back of the steering wheel can be used to control the turn signal switch.

[0148] Reference Figure 7 This is a system architecture diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, which specifically includes the following parts.

[0149] The central control screen 301 simulates setting the specific functions of each button on the back of the multi-function steering wheel before the driver drives, and sends the set parameters to the domain controller. The communication between the central control screen and the integrated control module can be controlled via CAN network.

[0150] The multi-function button 302 is responsible for interacting with the driver and outputting corresponding signals. The range of control includes, but is not limited to, the turn signal switch. The communication method between it and the integrated control module can be controlled by CAN network.

[0151] Domain Controller 303 has the function of parsing and transmitting data from various information acquisition devices, bus data, and high and low frequency data. Its communication with the integrated control module can be controlled via a CAN network. It is responsible for sending randomly received lighting control signals to the lighting controller.

[0152] The lighting controller 304 receives and acquires CAN signals from the domain controller, displaying different lighting effects based on different signals. This can include controlling the left and right turn signals to turn on and off, as well as controlling the turn signals to be on for a certain period of time.

[0153] Reference Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the turn signal control implementation in an embodiment of the present invention. The method specifically includes the following steps.

[0154] S401: User-defined button functions. Before driving, the driver can pre-set the functions of the buttons on the back of the multi-function steering wheel via the central control screen. These functions include, but are not limited to, controlling the turn signal switch.

[0155] S402: Store button function settings. The domain controller stores the button functions set by the driver and changes the domain controller's response to each button signal.

[0156] S403: The user presses the multifunction button. During driving, the driver presses the buttons on the back of the multifunction steering wheel as needed, controlling, but not limited to, turning the turn signals on and off.

[0157] S404: Send turn signal control signal. The multi-function steering wheel generates corresponding control signals based on the driver's button operations and sends them to the domain controller.

[0158] S405: Turn signals on or off. The domain controller sends a command to the lighting controller to turn the turn signals on or off.

[0159] Reference Figure 9 The third embodiment of this invention proposes a method for controlling turn signal switches based on the principle of light sensing. By using a miniature camera on the surface of the steering wheel and an image processing algorithm to determine the driver's intention to operate the turn signal, effective control of the turn signal switch by the driver can be achieved even without a physical turn signal stalk. Eliminating the physical turn signal stalk can effectively reduce the size and complexity of the steering wheel system, which is beneficial for realizing a foldable steering wheel system suitable for intelligent user scenarios.

[0160] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0161] Reference Figure 9 This is a system architecture diagram of the present invention, which may include the following parts.

[0162] The light sensor 501, which can be a miniature camera, lidar, photoresistor, or infrared camera, is responsible for capturing the position information of the driver's finger in real time.

[0163] The image processor 502, which can be a SOC or FPGA, has the function of processing input images in real time. It is responsible for determining whether the driver intends to operate the turn signal switch based on the image sequence generated by the light sensor, and generating corresponding control signals to send to the domain controller.

[0164] The domain controller 503 has the function of parsing and transmitting data from various information acquisition devices, bus data, and high and low frequency data. Its communication with the integrated control module can be achieved via a CAN network. It is responsible for sending randomly received lighting control signals to the lighting controller.

[0165] The lighting controller 504 receives and acquires CAN signals from the domain controller, displaying different lighting effects based on different signals. This can include controlling the left and right turn signals to turn on and off, as well as controlling the turn signals to be on for a certain period of time.

[0166] Reference Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating how the driver's intention is determined in real time through a sequence of images, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The specific steps are as follows.

[0167] S601: Input images collected by the photosensitive element. Read images of the driver's fingers captured by the miniature camera frame by frame in real time.

[0168] S602: Calculate the location of finger key points. Perform key point localization on the acquired image of the driver's finger. The key point localization algorithm can be an edge detection algorithm, a corner detection algorithm, or a deep learning algorithm. The output is the spatial coordinates of the driver's finger.

[0169] S603: Calculates the movement velocity of finger keypoints. The real-time finger movement velocity is calculated using the coordinates of finger keypoints from multiple adjacent frames. The velocity calculation method can be linear fitting or quadratic fitting.

[0170] S604: Outputs the driver's control intention. It determines the driver's control command for the turn signal switch based on real-time finger movement speed data. The method for determining the driver's intention can be a deep learning algorithm.

[0171] S605: Generates and uploads control signals. It converts the driver's intended actions, as identified by the algorithm, into control signals and uploads them to the CAN network.

[0172] Reference Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the algorithm for judging driver control intentions generated through deep learning training in an embodiment of the present invention. The specific steps are as follows.

[0173] S701: Obtain the training dataset. Capture a large number of video clips of drivers' fingers, including all possible driver control intentions, drivers of different ages, genders, and finger shapes, and label each video clip with the corresponding driver control intention.

[0174] S702: Establish a neural network. Establish a neural network structure where the input is a video segment and the output is the driver's control intention. The neural network can be a convolutional neural network, a recurrent neural network, a feedforward neural network, or an attention mechanism network.

[0175] S703: Training the Neural Network. The collected dataset is divided into a training set and a test set. The established neural network is then used for training. Through training, the accuracy of the neural network's output results on the training set is improved.

[0176] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0177] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0178] The embodiments, implementation methods, and related technical features of this application can be combined and substituted for each other without conflict.

[0179] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A steering wheel, characterized in that, include: Steering wheel body; A lighting control device is disposed on the steering wheel body, the lighting control device being adapted to control the lights in response to a control operation.

2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering wheel body includes: The rim is constructed as a handhold. Spokes, connected to the inner side of the rim; The lighting control device is disposed on the wheel rim; and / or, the lighting control device is disposed on the wheel spoke; and / or, the lighting control device is located on the inner side of the wheel rim.

3. The steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lighting control device includes a first detent and a second detent connected to the wheel spokes. When the first detent and the second detent are detented, they are respectively adapted to control the left turn signal and the right turn signal. And / or, the lighting control device includes a first actuating element and a second actuating element connected to the wheel spokes, the first actuating element and the second actuating element being configured to be at least one of the following: When the first toggle is activated, the right turn signal is turned on. When the second toggle is activated, the left turn signal is illuminated. After the first toggle is activated, the second toggle is activated to cancel the control of the right turn signal to illuminate. After the second toggle is activated, the first toggle is activated to cancel the control of the left turn signal to illuminate. When the first toggle and the second toggle are toggled simultaneously, neither turn signal is controlled. When the first toggle and the second toggle are toggled simultaneously, they control a preset light, which includes a warning light.

4. The steering wheel according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the steering wheel is in the center position, the first and second shifters are located on the left side of the wheel spokes, and the first shifter is located above the second shifter. And / or, the first actuating element and the second actuating element are constructed as a single unit; And / or, the first and second toggle members are constructed as levers or paddles.

5. The steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lighting control device includes a first button and a second button, which are respectively adapted to control the left turn signal and the right turn signal when pressed.

6. The steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first button and the second button are located on the wheel spokes; And / or, the first button and the second button are configured to be at least one of the following: When the first button is pressed, the left turn signal is turned on. When the second button is pressed, it illuminates the right turn signal. After the first button is pressed, press the second button to cancel the control of the left turn signal to illuminate. Press the first button after the second button is pressed to cancel the control of the right turn signal.

7. The steering wheel according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the steering wheel is in the center position, the first button is located on the left side of the steering wheel body, and the second button is located on the right side of the steering wheel body.

8. The steering wheel according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first button and the second button are located on the front of the steering wheel body; Alternatively, the first and second buttons are located on the back of the steering wheel body, and the surfaces of the first and second buttons have identification patterns.

9. The steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lighting control device includes: A sensor is used to acquire operation gesture information, which is used to control the indicator light's light intention in order to control the light. The sensor includes at least one of a camera, a lidar, a photoresistor, and an infrared camera; The gesture information includes at least one of the finger movement direction and the finger movement speed. The lighting control intent includes at least one of turning on the left turn signal, turning on the right turn signal, turning off the left turn signal, and turning off the right turn signal.

10. The steering wheel according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sensor is used to acquire image sequences that characterize operation gestures. The lighting control device also includes an image processor for processing the image sequences and determining the lighting control intent according to predetermined rules.

11. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The steering wheel is configured as a folding steering wheel and has a predetermined stowage position and an unfolded position. The lighting control device is configured to not respond to control operations when the steering wheel is in the stowage position.

12. A means of transportation, characterized in that, The vehicle has a steering wheel for controlling it, the steering wheel being the steering wheel of claim 11.

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