Tiltable steering wheel and motor vehicle with such a steering wheel

Abstract

Steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the steering wheel (1) is adapted so that a direction of travel of the motor vehicle is set by a forward or backward movement of the steering wheel (1), and the steering wheel has a release device (4), characterized in that the release device (4) is adapted so that the movement of the steering wheel (1) cannot be carried out when the motor vehicle is in motion.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a motor vehicle comprising this steering wheel according to claim 6.

[0002] In commercially available passenger cars with automatic transmissions, the gear selector is generally located between the driver and front passenger. The steering wheel is usually in front of the driver. The steering wheel and gear selector are therefore two separate controls positioned spatially apart. The same applies to manual transmissions. In both cases, a relatively large amount of space is required.

[0003] In contrast, the increasing autonomy of vehicles opens up new possibilities. The steering wheel and gear selector no longer need to be operated constantly while driving. This makes it possible, for example, to recess the steering wheel into the dashboard and use the resulting space differently while driving. The gear selector would then remain in the center between the driver and passenger. Making this retractable as well would be extremely complex and costly.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need, especially in autonomous vehicles, to be able to recess the two different control elements, the steering wheel and gear selector, in order to create more space.

[0005] German patent DE 103 60 280 A1 discloses a steering wheel for a motor vehicle to which a manual shift device is assigned. This manual shift device is used to select gears in a power-shifted vehicle. It features a shift ring that is essentially circumferential and arranged coaxially with respect to a central axis of the steering wheel. The driver can operate the shift ring regardless of the position of their hands on the steering wheel, without their hands needing to be opposite a local control element. This provides increased ease of use and greater operational reliability. However, this prior art does not address the question of how space can be saved in a simple manner, for example, in an autonomous vehicle.

[0006] From US Patent 2017 / 0355390 A1, a steering device is known that has two independently pivoting arms, wherein the pivoting movement of one arm is used to actuate a brake and the pivoting movement of the second arm is used to change a transmission setting. Furthermore, each arm has a rotatable handle section, the right handle section being configured for accelerator control and the left handle section being configured for clutch operation. The steering device is designed for use in a conventional vehicle so that it can be operated by a person with a disability.

[0007] From EP 3 184 346 A1 a steering wheel is known which has an integrated switch or lever which is moved relative to the steering wheel in order to engage a gear.

[0008] DE 44 04 594 A1 discloses a generic control device in which a forward movement of the control element serves to accelerate forward and a backward movement to decelerate. DE 603 ​​06 002 T2 relates to a steering device with a separate steer-by-wire system in which the steering device is mechanically separated from the steering mechanism. DE 14 59 676 A describes a steering device for vibratory road rollers in which a horizontal steering axis is pivoted. A forward movement of the control element causes forward acceleration and a backward movement of the control element causes deceleration. KR 10 2010 0 071 208 A discloses a device for controlling steering and speed in which acceleration or deceleration processes are influenced by bending the steering wheel. The forward and backward movement thus serves to adjust the speed.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is to be able to save space in a motor vehicle in a simple way.

[0010] This problem is solved by a steering wheel with the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle with the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to the invention, a steering wheel for a motor vehicle is provided, which is characterized in that the steering wheel is adapted in such a way that a forward or backward movement of the steering wheel sets the direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

[0012] As will be described in detail below, the steering wheel according to the invention allows the respective direction of travel (forward / reverse) to be selected by, for example, a tilting (tilting / pushing) movement of the steering wheel rim. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the direction of travel left and right in the usual manner with this steering wheel. The steering wheel can also be designed so that it can be recessed into the instrument panel.

[0013] As usual, the direction of travel can be selected by moving the steering wheel left or right, and the direction of travel can be set to forward or backward by moving it forward or backward. The terms "left," "right," "forward," and "backward," or their analogous expressions, refer to a motor vehicle that, when used as intended, travels forward.

[0014] The steering wheel according to the invention combines the functions of a steering wheel and a gear selector lever, particularly in an automatic transmission, into a single control element. This saves space inside a motor vehicle. Furthermore, such a vehicle is easier to operate, as it requires only one control element with which all movements (left, right, forward, backward) can be set and controlled.

[0015] In one embodiment, the steering wheel is designed such that a forward movement of the steering wheel (relative to the intended forward movement of the vehicle) initiates a forward movement of the vehicle. In a conventional automatic transmission, this would correspond to position "D".

[0016] In one embodiment of the steering wheel according to the invention, it is designed such that a backward movement of the steering wheel initiates a reverse movement of the vehicle. In a conventional automatic transmission, this corresponds to the "R" position of the gear selector lever.

[0017] The steering wheel according to the invention can also be equipped in such a way that the reverse movement of the vehicle is set by the forward movement of the steering wheel and a forward movement of the vehicle is set by a reverse movement of the steering wheel.

[0018] A steering wheel (also called a steering wheel; formerly volant) is a handwheel that forms part of a vehicle's steering system. It allows the driver to turn the vehicle's wheels to change direction from a straight-ahead position. The steering wheel is usually attached to the top of a steering column.

[0019] In one embodiment, the movement of the steering wheel to adjust the vehicle's direction of travel can involve pushing, tapping, tilting, or pulling the steering wheel. In this way, the vehicle's direction of travel can be adjusted with simple, short, quick, and economical movements without much effort.

[0020] According to the invention, the steering wheel has a release device adapted so that the steering wheel cannot be moved while the vehicle is in motion. The steering wheel can only be moved forward or backward once the release device has been activated to unlock it. This release device ensures that no unwanted movement of the steering wheel occurs, and thus no unwanted adjustment of the vehicle's forward or backward motion, for example, while driving. Such a release device can be electrical, electronic, or electromechanical. It is particularly conceivable that release can be requested by pressing a button, but that the release only occurs, and is specifically electromechanically activated, once the vehicle has come to a standstill.Additionally, unlocking may also require that a brake (brake pedal) is activated or held down.

[0021] As explained above, the forward and reverse movements of the vehicle can be adjusted by moving the steering wheel. With an automatic transmission, this corresponds to the "D" and "R" positions of the gear selector lever. The steering wheel according to the invention allows for the adjustment of further positions, in particular the "P", "N", and / or "S" positions of a conventional automatic transmission. The corresponding position can thus be selected by repeatedly pushing or pulling the steering wheel. If the steering wheel is used with a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, the various positions can correspond to the gears of the transmission.

[0022] The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a driver, as described in detail above. In particular, the motor vehicle can be a passenger car, especially a passenger car designed for autonomous driving. The vehicle can be an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0023] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a steering wheel according to the invention, Fig. 2 the steering wheel according to the invention made of Fig. 1, which is tilted forward, and Fig. 3 the steering wheel according to the invention Fig. 1, which is tilted backwards.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a steering wheel 1 according to the invention, which has a steering rim 2 and at least one steering wheel spoke 3. In the Fig. 1 and the following explained Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a steering wheel with two steering wheel spokes 2. However, this is only meant as an example of the number of steering wheel spokes 2. In Fig. Figure 1 shows the steering wheel 1 according to the invention in its normal position. The steering wheel 1 according to the invention is attached to the upper end of a steering column in the usual manner. By moving the steering wheel 1 to the left or right, the wheels of the motor vehicle rotate from the straight-ahead position to the steering position to change direction.

[0025] In Fig. 2 is the steering wheel 1 of Fig. 1 shown, where the same technical features have identical reference numerals, so that in this respect reference is made to the representation in Fig. 1 is referred to. In Fig. 2 The steering wheel 1 according to the invention is tilted forward, which is represented by a corresponding directional arrow RPV. By positioning the tilt of the steering wheel 1 according to the invention, the position “D” of the gear selector lever of a conventional automatic transmission can be set, so that the vehicle then moves forward.

[0026] In Fig. 3 is the steering wheel according to the invention made of Fig. Figure 1 shows the steering wheel tilted backwards, which analogously sets the gear selector lever of a conventional automatic transmission to position “R” (indicated by arrow RPH). Otherwise, in Fig. 3 the identical technical features from Fig. 1. provided with identical reference numerals, so that reference to the relevant version is made to Fig. 1 is referred to.

[0027] In Fig.Figures 1 to 3 further illustrate a release device 4. This release device 4 is designed such that, in the locked state, the steering wheel 1 cannot be moved when the vehicle is in motion. This prevents undesired changes in the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle. As already mentioned, such a release device 4 can be mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical.

[0028] The steering wheel 1 shown can also be used in particular in electrically powered motor vehicles, in which usually only a forward driving direction or a reverse driving direction is specified.

Claims

[1] Steering wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the steering wheel (1) is adapted so that a direction of travel of the motor vehicle is set by a forward or backward movement of the steering wheel (1), and the steering wheel has a release device (4), characterized by , that the unlocking device (4) is adapted so that the movement of the steering wheel (1) cannot be carried out when the motor vehicle is in motion. [2] Steering wheel (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a forward movement of the steering wheel (1) will stop the vehicle from moving forward. [3] Steering wheel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a backward movement of the steering wheel (1) stops the vehicle from moving backward. [4] Steering wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the movement of the steering wheel (1) is caused by pushing, tapping, tilting or pulling on the steering wheel (1). [5] Steering wheel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the P, N and / or S positions of an automatic transmission can still be set by moving the steering wheel (1). [6] motor vehicle, characterized by that it has a steering wheel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 [7] Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized by that it is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

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