Operating arrangement for a steering handle of a motor vehicle, steering handle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Operating arrangement (2) for a steering handle (4) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising an actuator (6) for outputting at least one haptic signal to an operator of the steering handle (4) and a driver (5) for controlling the actuator (6), characterized in that the driver (5) has at least one interface (12, 13) for receiving a first control signal from at least one operating element (11, 11') of the steering handle (4) and for receiving a second control signal from a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the driver (5) is designed to control the actuator (6) depending on the received first control signal and / or the received second control signal.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating arrangement for a steering handle of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator device for outputting at least one haptic signal to an operator of the steering handle and a driver device for controlling the actuator device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a steering handle with such an operating arrangement. Finally, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a steering handle.

[0002] In the present case, interest is directed in particular to operating arrangements for steering handles or steering wheels. Operating arrangements are known from the prior art which have corresponding actuator devices with which a haptic signal or haptic feedback, for example in the form of a vibration, can be output to the operator or driver. Furthermore, such operating arrangements usually comprise a driver device by means of which the actuator device can be controlled. The driver device can, for example, be connected to a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle for data transmission. This makes it possible, for example, for a haptic warning signal to be output to the driver via the operating arrangement if a dangerous situation is detected by the driver assistance system. This can be the case, for example, if there is a risk of lane departure.

[0003] Furthermore, control arrangements for steering handles are known from the prior art in which the operator receives haptic feedback upon operation of a control element. Such a control element can, for example, have a touch-sensitive surface with which switching functions can be performed. For various reasons, it is useful to provide the operator with haptic feedback for this type of operation. This is particularly suitable if the operator operates the control element blindly.

[0004] In this context, DE 10 2012 011 877 A1 describes an adjustment device for adjusting a steering column of a motor vehicle. The adjustment device comprises an actuator device for adjusting the steering column and a user-operable operating device. Furthermore, an electronic control device is provided for controlling the actuator device depending on operation of the operating device, wherein the operating device is designed as a touch-sensitive operating device with a touch element. By touching the touch element, the actuator device can be controlled to adjust the steering column.

[0005] DE 10 2006 060 554 A1 discloses a steering wheel for a motor vehicle with control elements for controlling at least one longitudinal dynamic control system of the motor vehicle. The control elements comprise an adjustment element for changing a set speed value for the at least one longitudinal dynamic control system, which can be actuated in two opposite actuation directions in order to specify a direction for changing the set speed value by the actuation direction.

[0006] DE 10 2008 046 102 A1 discloses an operating element, in particular in a motor vehicle, wherein the operating element comprises at least one actuating element for actuating the operating element. Furthermore, the operating element comprises at least one sensor element operatively connected to the actuating element for registering an actuation and at least one voice coil fixedly connected to the actuating element for transmitting a mechanical feedback signal, in particular for transmitting flexural waves, through the actuating element.

[0007] DE 101 03 563 A1 discloses an input device and a method for inputting information into a control unit, in particular for adjusting a central control unit of a household appliance. In order to create an improved method and a corresponding device for inputting control information, parameters, etc., in particular into a household appliance, it is proposed that a device be provided for detecting a signal emitted by a finger of an operator, preferably a light pressure, and for emitting an electrical signal, the device be connected to logic for preparing and / or processing the signal, and the device comprise a device for converting and outputting a feedback signal into a tactile signal that is essentially only perceptible in the area of ​​the finger.

[0008] DE 10 2008 061 302 A1 discloses a device and a method for route guidance assistance of a vehicle connected to a navigation system. To make it easier for the driver to follow a route calculated by a navigation system, a route guidance assistance device is provided, wherein the assistance device has a control unit for generating a control signal for haptic feedback to the driver of the vehicle. As haptic feedback, the control unit can, for example, output an additional torque to the vehicle's steering system. The additional torque is negative in the event of a deviation from the route and positive when following the calculated direction of the navigation route.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating arrangement for a steering handle of a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, which is designed to be more cost-effective and saves installation space.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by an operating arrangement, a steering handle, and a motor vehicle having the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subject matter of the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0011] An operating arrangement according to the invention for a steering handle of a motor vehicle comprises an actuator device for outputting at least one haptic signal to an operator of the steering handle and a driver device for controlling the actuator device. The driver device has at least one interface for receiving a first control signal from at least one operating element of the steering handle and for receiving a second control signal from a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the driver device is designed to control the actuator device depending on the received first and / or the received second control signal.

[0012] The operating arrangement can be used in a steering handle or in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The operating arrangement comprises an actuator device by means of which a haptic signal can be output to the operator of the steering handle or the driver when the operating arrangement is in the intended installation position in the steering handle. For example, a mechanical oscillation or vibration can be output as a haptic signal, which is transmitted from the actuator device to the steering handle. Furthermore, a driver device or driver electronics is provided by means of which the actuator device can be controlled. The driver device has at least one interface. It can also be provided that the driver device has a first and a second interface.A first control signal from at least one control element of the steering handle can be received via the at least one interface. The interface can be connected to at least one control element of the steering handle via a corresponding data line for data transmission. Such a control element can be, for example, a control button, a switch, or a touch-sensitive surface. The control element can be operated by the operator or driver, for example, with a finger to execute an operating function. The driver device can also receive data from a driver assistance system via the at least one interface. For this purpose, the interface can be connected to the driver assistance system or to a control device of the driver assistance system for data transmission.The driver device can now control the actuator device in dependence on the received first control signal and / or the received second control signal.

[0013] The operating arrangement according to the invention therefore has only a single driver device and a single actuator device, which can receive control signals from different sources. Thus, for example, in a steering handle that has two operating elements and is also connected to the driver assistance system of the motor vehicle for data transmission, it is sufficient to use only one driver device with the associated actuator device. The at least one operating element and the driver device can be assigned to a common control unit. According to the prior art, a separate driver device and an associated actuator device would be necessary for each of the operating elements and for the driver assistance system. The operating arrangement would therefore have three actuator devices and three driver devices. The operating arrangement according to the invention is therefore designed to save space and is more cost-effective.

[0014] The driver device is preferably designed to transmit a first excitation signal to the actuator device upon receiving the first control signal and to transmit a second excitation signal to the actuator device upon receiving the second control signal. The driver device can output a corresponding excitation signal to the actuator device depending on the received control signal. An electrical voltage, in particular a time-varying electrical voltage, can be output to the driver device as the first or second excitation signal. The driver device can thus control the actuator device via the first or second excitation signal depending on whether it has received a first control signal from the at least one control element or a second control signal from the driver assistance system.If the first and second control signals are received by the driver device simultaneously, the processing of the control signals can be carried out according to a predetermined priority.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the actuator device is designed to output a first haptic signal as a result of the first excitation signal and a second haptic signal as a result of the second excitation signal. Thus, the actuator device can output different haptic signals depending on whether a first control signal was received from the at least one operating element or a second control signal was received from the driver assistance system. Thus, haptic feedback can be output to the operator, for example, as a result of an operating input that they perform on the at least one operating element. Such feedback can be, for example, positive feedback or negative feedback. Furthermore, a single click or a double click can be output as haptic feedback as a result of the operating input on the at least one operating element.The driver assistance system can warn the driver, for example, of exceeding the speed limit and / or of under-speeding via the haptic feedback provided by the second haptic signal. Furthermore, it can alert the driver, for example, to a gear change or the like. The driver assistance system can also warn the driver of the lane departure using the second haptic signal. The first and second haptic signals can be output according to a predetermined sequence. It can also be provided that the actuator device outputs the first and second haptic signals simultaneously. Thus, different haptic signals can be output using a single actuator device and the associated driver devices.

[0016] In one embodiment, the actuator device is designed to output a mechanical vibration with a first frequency as the first haptic signal and a mechanical vibration with a second frequency different from the first frequency as the second haptic signal. When the operating arrangement is in its intended installation position in or on the steering handle, the actuator device is mechanically coupled to at least part of the steering handle. Thus, mechanical vibrations generated by the actuator device can be transmitted to the steering handle. These mechanical vibrations can be perceived haptically by the operator. By selecting the mechanical frequency of the first and second haptic signals, different areas can be excited to vibrate, for example.The first haptic signal can have a first frequency, by means of which, in particular, the at least one control element can be excited to mechanical vibrations. The second haptic signal can be a mechanical vibration with a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency. This is based on the knowledge that relatively low frequencies are barely noticeable on the control elements or steering wheel switches, but can be clearly perceived, for example, on the steering wheel rim. The first and second frequencies can each be adapted to the type of steering wheel or to the design of the at least one control element.

[0017] In one embodiment, the actuator device is designed to perform a translational movement and a rotational movement to output the first and / or second haptic signal. The actuator device can comprise one or more actuators which, for example, as a result of the first and / or second excitation signal, perform a translational movement as a haptic signal. This translational movement can occur, for example, along a main extension direction of the steering handle. The translational movement can occur essentially parallel to a surface of the steering handle or an impact absorber of the steering handle facing the driver. The actuator device can also be designed such that it can perform translational movements in different directions, for example, directions perpendicular to one another.The actuator device can also be configured to perform a rotary movement as the haptic signal. It can also be designed to perform rotary movements in different directions. Thus, different haptic signals can be output and the steering action transmitted with a single actuator device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the actuator device comprises an actuator with a shape memory element, an actuator with an eccentrically rotating mass, a linear resonant actuator, a moving coil, and / or a piezoelectric actuator. The actuator device can fundamentally comprise one or more actuators. Such an actuator can, for example, be an actuator with a shape memory element or a shape memory alloy (SMA). The actuator can also have an eccentrically rotating mass. Such an actuator can also be referred to as an ERM actuator (ERM - Eccentric Rotating Mass). The actuator can also be a linear resonant actuator or an LRA actuator (LRA - Linear Resonant Actuator). The actuator device can also comprise an electromagnetic actuator or a moving coil. Alternatively, or in addition, the actuator device can comprise a piezoelectric actuator.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the actuator device comprises a servomotor for providing an auxiliary steering force. In an electrically driven power steering system, corresponding servomotors are used to provide an auxiliary steering force. In particular, the steering column or the steering gear can be driven by the servomotor. The servomotor can be controlled to provide the first and / or second haptic signal in such a way that the provision of the first and / or second haptic signal only transmits a haptic signal to the steering handle, but does not influence the steering. For example, the servomotor can be controlled at a predetermined, relatively high frequency, which influences the steering due to its mechanical inertia.Thus, the servo motor can advantageously be used to provide an auxiliary steering force in addition to outputting the first and / or second haptic signal.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the driver device comprises a Class-D amplifier. In particular, this amplifier can be configured to serve all four quadrants. If the actuator device comprises a moving coil, for example, such an amplifier can be used to deflect or accelerate the moving coil in two different directions and also decelerate it in two directions in accordance with the movements of the moving coil. This enables a broad spectrum of haptic signals or characteristics.

[0021] The steering handle according to the invention comprises an operating arrangement according to the invention, wherein the actuator device of the operating arrangement is mechanically coupled to the steering handle. Thus, the mechanical vibration provided by the actuator device or the first and / or second haptic signal can be transmitted to the steering handle or to one of the steering handles.

[0022] The steering handle preferably has at least one operating element connected to the at least one interface of the driver device. The at least one operating element can also be connected to a first interface of the driver device. For example, the steering handle can have two operating elements, which are designed, for example, as switches on the button or on the operating surface. The at least one operating element is designed to detect an operating input from the operator or driver and to transmit a corresponding control signal to the driver device via the at least one interface.

[0023] In a further embodiment, a resonance frequency of the at least one operating element and / or a steering wheel rim of the steering handle corresponds to a frequency of the at least one haptic signal output by the actuator device. The first haptic signal output by the actuator device can, for example, be selected such that it corresponds to a resonance frequency of the at least one operating element. Thus, by providing the first haptic signal, haptic feedback can be provided to the at least one operating element. The second haptic signal output by the actuator device can be selected such that it corresponds to a resonance frequency of the steering wheel rim. Thus, for example, the steering wheel rim can be excited to mechanical vibrations and thus haptic feedback can be output to the driver by the driver assistance system.

[0024] In one embodiment, the steering handle has a second operating element, and the actuator device is designed to excite the second operating element to mechanical vibrations by outputting the at least one haptic signal. The steering handle or the steering wheel can have two separate operating elements or steering wheel switches. These can be configured such that they have different resonant frequencies, for example. Thus, by selecting the haptic signal output by the actuator device, the first or the second operating element can be selectively excited. Thus, a haptic signal can be output for each of two different operating elements in its single actuator device.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first and second control elements have different degrees of freedom with respect to their movement. For example, the first and second control elements can have different mechanical suspensions. For example, the first control element can be mounted so that it can vibrate along a first direction. The second control element can be mounted so that it can vibrate along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. As previously mentioned, the actuator device can then output different translational movements as a haptic signal, which can cause either the first control element or the second control element to vibrate mechanically.

[0026] A motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a steering handle according to the invention. The motor vehicle is designed, in particular, as a passenger car. Preferably, a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle is connected to the at least one interface of the driver device of the operating arrangement. The driver assistance system can be connected to a second interface of the driver device. The driver assistance system can, for example, be designed to warn the driver against exceeding and / or undershooting the speed limit. Alternatively or additionally, the driver assistance system can be a lane departure warning system or a lane change warning system that outputs a second control signal to the driver device when the current lane is left, as a result of which a haptic signal is output on the steering wheel rim, for example by means of the actuator device.

[0027] The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the operating arrangement according to the invention and their advantages apply accordingly to the steering handle according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0028] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

[0029] The invention will now be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Showing: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, which comprises an operating arrangement for a steering handle; Fig. 2 the steering handle with the operating arrangement according to a first embodiment; Fig. 3 the steering handle with the operating arrangement according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 4 the steering handle with the operating arrangement according to a third embodiment.

[0031] In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the motor vehicle 1 is embodied as a passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 further comprises a steering handle 4 or a steering wheel. Using the steering handle 4, an operator or the driver can steer the steerable wheels of the motor vehicle 1. The steering handle 4 comprises an operating arrangement 2, which—as explained in more detail below—comprises a driver device 5 and an actuator device 6.

[0033] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises a driver assistance system (not shown in detail here). This driver assistance system can, for example, warn the driver of speeding and / or underspeeding. Furthermore, the driver assistance system can be a lane departure warning system or a lane change warning system. The driver assistance system comprises a control device 3, which is formed, for example, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the motor vehicle 1. The control device 3 is connected to the driver device 5 via the data line 7, for example, a vehicle data bus.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows a steering handle 4 in a first embodiment. The steering handle 4, or rather the steering wheel, comprises a steering wheel rim 8, which is connected to a shock absorber 10 of the steering handle 4 via spokes 9. Furthermore, the steering handle 4 comprises at least one operating element 11, 11'. In the present embodiment, the steering handle 4 comprises a first operating element 11 and a second operating element 11'. The operating elements 11, 11' can be designed, for example, as buttons, switches, or touch-sensitive surfaces.

[0035] The operating arrangement 2 is arranged on the steering handle 4. The operating arrangement 2 comprises an actuator device 6, which comprises at least one actuator. The actuator device 6 can, for example, comprise a shape memory element, a voice coil, a piezoelectric actuator, an ERM actuator, and / or an LRA actuator. The actuator device 6 is mechanically coupled to the steering handle 4 or a part of the steering handle 4. For example, the actuator device 6 can be mechanically connected to the impact absorber 10 or a cover of the impact absorber 10. In addition, the operating arrangement 2 comprises a driver device 5, by means of which the actuator device 6 can be controlled. The driver device 5 and the operating elements 11, 11' can be assigned to a common control unit (ECU). The driver device 5 has at least one interface 12, 13.In the present example, the driver device 5 has a first interface 12 and a second interface 13. The first interface 12 and the second interface 13 can be formed by a single interface. The first interface 12 is connected to the first control element 11 for data transmission. The first control element 11 is in turn electronically connected to the second control element 11'. This is indicated here by the arrow 16. The control elements 11, 11' are designed to detect an operating input from an operator or the driver and, depending on this, output a control signal to the driver device via the first interface 12. In addition, the driver device 5 comprises a second interface 13, which is connected to the driver assistance system of the motor vehicle 1 or to the control unit 3 via the clock spring 14.Thus, the driver device 5 can detect control signals from the driver assistance system via the second interface 13.

[0036] The driver device 5 can now receive a first control signal from the first control element 11 and / or the second control element 11' via the first interface 12. Alternatively or additionally, the driver device 5 can receive a second control signal from the driver assistance system via the second interface 13. After receiving the first control signal, a first excitation signal can be transmitted to the actuator device 6 via a data line 15. After receiving the second control signal, the driver device 5 can transmit a second excitation signal to the actuator device 6 via the data line 15.

[0037] As a result of the first excitation signal, the actuator device 6 can output a first haptic signal, and as a result of the second excitation signal, the actuator device 6 can output a second haptic signal. The first and / or second haptic signal thus provides a mechanical vibration from the actuator device 6, which is transmitted from the actuator device 6 and the impact absorber 5, and from there to the operating elements 11, 11', on the one hand, and to the steering wheel rim 8, on the other hand. The mechanical coupling is represented here by the arrows 17. Thus, with a single actuator or a single actuator device 6, haptic feedback can be output to the operating elements 11, 11' and to the steering wheel rim 8.The haptic feedback to the operating elements 11, 11' can be output as a result of a detected operating input and the haptic feedback to the steering wheel rim 8 can be output, for example, as a result of the control signal of the driver assistance system.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows the steering handle 4 in a second embodiment. As illustrated by the arrow 18, a translational vibration can be executed as the haptic signal by means of the actuator device 6. This translational vibration can be transmitted to the operating elements 11, 11', and can also be achieved by these also executing a translational vibration. This is illustrated by the arrows 19. Furthermore, the vibration or the haptic signal output by the actuator device 6 can be designed such that the steering wheel rim 8 is also excited to mechanical vibrations. This is illustrated by the arrow 20. In this case, a first haptic signal having a first frequency can be output by the actuator device 6. This first frequency can, for example, correspond to the natural frequency of the operating elements 11, 11'.In addition, the actuator device 6 can output a second haptic signal, which has a lower, second frequency than the first haptic signal. This haptic signal can then be used to transmit a mechanical vibration to the steering wheel rim 8.

[0039] Fig.4 shows the steering handle according to a third embodiment. As illustrated by arrows 18 and 21, the actuator device 6 is designed to execute translational oscillations in mutually perpendicular directions to provide the haptic signals. In the present case, the first operating element 11 is designed such that it has a spatial degree of freedom with respect to a first direction. It is therefore mounted so as to be capable of oscillation with respect to the first direction. This is illustrated by arrow 19. The second operating element 11' is mounted so as to be capable of oscillation with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This is illustrated by arrow 22. Thus, by controlling the actuator device 6, i.e., the oscillation along the first direction or the second direction, either the first operating element 11 or the second operating element 11' can be excited to mechanical oscillations.Thus, the control elements 11, 11' can be activated separately and selectively by means of the actuator device 6. Haptic feedback can thus be output either at the first control element 11 or at the second control element 11'. Furthermore, the actuator device 6 can be used to excite the steering wheel rim 8 to mechanically vibrate along the first and second directions. This is illustrated by arrows 20 and 23.

Claims

[1] Operating arrangement (2) for a steering handle (4) of a motor vehicle (1), with an actuator device (6) for outputting at least one haptic signal to an operator of the steering handle (4) and with a driver device (5) for controlling the actuator device (6), characterized by that the driver device (5) has at least one interface (12, 13) for receiving a first control signal from at least one operating element (11, 11') of the steering handle (4) and for receiving a second control signal from a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the driver device (5) is designed to control the actuator device (6) as a function of the received first control signal and / or the received second control signal. [2] Operating arrangement (2) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the driver device (5) is designed to transmit a first excitation signal to the actuator device (6) upon receiving the first control signal and to transmit a second excitation signal to the actuator device (6) upon receiving the second control signal. [3] Operating arrangement (2) according to claim 2, characterized by that the actuator device (6) is designed to output a first haptic signal as a result of the first excitation signal and a second haptic signal as a result of the second excitation signal. [4] Operating arrangement (2) according to claim 3, characterized by that the actuator device (6) is designed to output a mechanical vibration with a first frequency as the first haptic signal and a mechanical vibration with a second frequency different from the first frequency as the second haptic signal. [5] Operating arrangement (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized bythat the actuator device (6) is designed to perform a translational movement and / or a rotational movement in order to output the first and / or the second haptic signal. [6] Operating arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator device (6) comprises an actuator with an eccentrically rotating mass, an actuator with a shape memory element, a linear resonant actuator, a moving coil and / or a piezoelectric actuator. [7] Operating arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuator device (6) comprises a servo motor for providing an auxiliary steering force. [8] Operating arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the driver device (5) comprises a class D amplifier. [9] Steering handle with an operating arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator device (6) of the operating arrangement (2) is mechanically coupled to the steering handle (4). [10] Steering handle according to claim 9, characterized by that the steering handle (4) has at least one operating element (11, 11') which is connected to the at least one interface (12, 13) of the driver device (5). [11] Steering handle according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that a resonance frequency of the at least one operating element (11, 11') and / or a steering wheel rim (8) of the steering handle (4) corresponds to a frequency of the at least one haptic signal output by the actuator device (6). [12] Steering handle (4) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized bythat the steering handle (4) has a second operating element (11') and the actuator device (6) is designed to excite the second operating element (11') to mechanical vibrations by outputting the at least one haptic signal. [13] Steering handle (4) according to claim 12, characterized by that the first and second operating elements (11, 11') have different degrees of freedom with regard to their movement. [14] Motor vehicle (1) with a steering handle (4) according to one of claims 9 to 13. [15] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 14, characterized by that a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle (1) is connected to the at least one interface (12, 13) of the driver device (5) of the operating arrangement (2).

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