Control device for specifying the desired intended use of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Operating device for driver-side specification of the driver's intended use of a motor vehicle, comprising a control element (A) movable into different positions (B - F), wherein the individual positions (B - F) of the control element are each assigned to different intended uses, wherein each position of the operating device is assigned a comfort function filter dependent on the intended use, and at least a first group (G1) of positions with a comparatively high filter measure and a second group (G2) with a comparatively low filter measure are defined.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for specifying the desired intended use of a motor vehicle by the driver of the motor vehicle.

[0002] Driver assistance systems support the driver in their driving tasks. Different levels of support are possible. For example, at a low level of support, the driver remains responsible for longitudinal and lateral control. In this case, vehicle stability can be monitored by a stability control system, with the driver assistance system intervening in critical situations to maintain stability. At a higher level of support, the driver assistance system takes over longitudinal or lateral control of the vehicle for extended periods; for instance, cruise control is then active. This is often referred to as assisted driving. With further increases in support, the driver assistance system takes over longitudinal and lateral control, but the driver must continuously monitor the system. This is also known as partially automated driving.Furthermore, with increasing levels of driver assistance support, it may be possible for the system to take over longitudinal and lateral control in a highly automated driving mode, eliminating the need for the driver to constantly monitor the system. The driver must then be able to resume driving within a specific timeframe when prompted by the system. Examples of different levels of automation are described on the website "www.vda.de / de / themen / innovation-und-technik / automatisiertesfahren / automatisiertes-fahren.html".

[0003] Increasing or decreasing the level of support can also be achieved, for example, by activating or deactivating one or more additional driver assistance functions.

[0004] To activate, deactivate, and adjust individual driver assistance functions such as cruise control, distance control, and speed limiter, a large number of controls, e.g., buttons, are often located in the vehicle cockpit, particularly around or directly on the steering wheel. This multitude of controls can overload the cockpit, especially the steering wheel, potentially confusing or even distracting the driver.

[0005] Operating concepts are known in which the level of support provided by the driver assistance system, in particular the level of automation, can be centrally adjusted by one or two control elements.

[0006] For example, German patent application DE 10 2011 105 435 A1 describes an operating device in which the level of automation of the driver assistance system can be increased via a first button and decreased via a second button. A separate rocker switch allows the user to set the target speed or the target distance to a vehicle ahead in the case of adaptive cruise control (ACC).

[0007] In the publication DE 10 2010 046 918 A1, an operating device is described in which the degree of automation of the driver assistance system can be set via two buttons or alternatively via a sliding control.

[0008] The printed document DE 10 2010 046 917 A1 also describes how the level of automation of the driver assistance system can be set using two buttons.

[0009] The publication DE 10 2012 016 774 A1 describes an input device for a motor vehicle in which the degree of support of driver assistance systems can be set between "Deactivated", "Warning" and "Intervention" via a sliding switch.

[0010] Document DE 103 34 587 A1 also describes a sliding switch in which the driver assistance can be set between the extreme values ​​of "full assistance" and "personal responsibility".

[0011] Furthermore, reference is made to the printed document DE 10 2010 063 792 A1, in which the intensity of the driver assistance is set by means of a sliding switch, whereby with an increase in intensity one or more driver assistance functions are activated and with a decrease in intensity one or more driver assistance functions are deactivated.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an operating device for the driver to specify the desired intended use of a motor vehicle.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a dependent claim, without the features of the independent claim itself or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent claim, can constitute a separate invention independent of the combination of all features of the independent claim, which can be the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can constitute an invention independent of the features of the independent claims.

[0014] A first aspect of the invention relates to an operating device for the driver to specify the intended use of a motor vehicle. The operating device comprises a control element that can be moved into different positions, with each position of the control element being assigned to different intended uses. Each position of the operating device is additionally assigned a comfort function filter that is dependent on the intended use.

[0015] Comfort features can include multimedia systems or interior configuration options such as seat adjustment, a fragrance system, or interior lighting. A comfort function filter describes a configuration of comfort features, for example, combining a specific driver's seat setting with a particular lighting setting.

[0016] In particular, a comfort function filter can also describe filter settings for information sources. For example, certain acoustic or visual notifications from an infotainment system can be hidden according to a comfort function filter setting.

[0017] This includes at least one first group of positions with a comparatively high filter measure and a second group with a comparatively low filter measure.

[0018] The first group includes all positions that do not rely on automated systems or driver assistance systems. The aim here is to minimize driver distraction from the driving task.

[0019] In an exemplary "Pure Drive" setting, the information provided to the driver is heavily filtered, and only the absolute minimum of necessary information is displayed. This minimum information might include, for example, critical warnings from the vehicle's chassis or drive system.

[0020] In another exemplary setting, "Comfort Drive," the information provided to the driver is filtered less than in the exemplary setting "Pure Drive."

[0021] The second group additionally includes at least partially automated operation of the vehicle. In this case, the driver may be temporarily distracted and, for example, may only have to take control of the vehicle after a so-called "takeover time." In addition to the at least temporary permitted distraction, the different categories within the group can be distinguished by varying intended uses.

[0022] In an example setting, "Work / Create," the information provided to the driver is prioritized based on their current task. This setting can also trigger adjustments to the vehicle interior, such as changing the seats, lighting, and multimedia settings. Other information is hidden, for example, by using the filter function.

[0023] In another exemplary setting, "Social," the information provided to the driver is prioritized as being related to social interaction. Furthermore, this setting can also trigger adjustments to the vehicle interior, such as adjusting seats, lighting, and multimedia offerings.

[0024] In another example setting, "Relax," the information provided to the driver is filtered to allow for maximum relaxation and peace. In particular, this setting can also trigger adjustments to the vehicle interior, such as adjusting the seats, lighting, and multimedia offerings.

[0025] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the accompanying drawing.

[0026] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary operating device for specifying the desired intended use of a motor vehicle.

[0027] The control element A can be moved into different positions B - F. These positions represent, for example, the usage intentions “Pure Drive” B, “Comfort Drive” C, “Work / Create” D, “Social” E and “Relax” F.

[0028] The positions “Pure Drive” B and “Comfort Drive” C are assigned to the first group G1, and the positions “Work / Create” D, “Social” E and “Relax” F are assigned to the second group G2.

Claims

[1] Operating device for specifying the intended use of the driver of a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element (A) which can be moved into different positions (B - F), wherein the individual positions (B - F) of the operating element are each assigned to different intended uses, wherein each position of the operating device is assigned a convenience function filter which is dependent on the intended use, and at least a first group (G1) of positions with a comparatively high filter level and a second group (G2) with a comparatively low filter level are defined. [2] Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the first group (G1) comprises “Pure Drive” (B) and / or “Comfort Drive” (C) as usage intentions. [3] Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second group (G2) comprises “Work / Create” (D) and / or “Social” (E) and / or “Relax” (F) as usage intentions.

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