Motor vehicle and steering wheel for such a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) comprising an automatic transmission (29) and a steering wheel (2), wherein the steering wheel (2) comprises a steering wheel rim (5) and a control device (3) with which one or more manual operating actions can be detected, wherein at least one function of the automatic transmission (29) is adjustable by the control device (3) of the steering wheel (2), wherein the control device (3) comprises at least one touch-sensitive control element (4) which is arranged at least on a segment of the annular steering wheel rim (5), wherein at least one operating action can be detected by the control device (3) as a manual touch and / or a hand movement on a surface of the control element (4), wherein operating actions in operating sections (17, 24), which each correspond to a subsection of the surface of the control element (4), can be detected by the control device (3) and assigned to the respective operating section (17, 24).wherein the operating device (3) comprises a display element (6) which is arranged at least on one segment of the steering wheel rim (5), wherein one display element (6) comprises display sections (19, 21) which each correspond to a subsection of the display element (6), characterized in that , the operating device (3) has a rotation sensor that detects a rotation of the steering wheel (2), wherein the operating sections (17, 24) of the control element (4) and the display sections (19, 21) of the display element (6) of the operating device (3) are displaced as a function of the rotation of the steering wheel (2) such that, with respect to a user of the steering wheel (2), they are in the same position regardless of the rotation of the steering wheel (2), by means of one control section (17) a rotational movement about an axis of rotation parallel to a tangent (23) of the steering wheel rim (5) can be detected as an operating action, and by means of the other control section (24) a swiping movement along the steering wheel rim (5) can be detected, wherein the rotational movement selects a gear stage of the automatic transmission (29) and the swiping movement engages a selected gear stage of the automatic transmission (29), and that In one display section (21) a current gear stage of the automatic transmission (29) is displayed, and in the other display section (19) a gear stage currently selected via the operating device (3) is displayed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a steering wheel according to claim 7.

[0002] Steering wheels in motor vehicles serve to steer the vehicle during operation. In addition, steering wheels are often equipped with selector levers, switches, paddle shifters, or similar operating devices through which further functions of the vehicle can be controlled. It is known to arrange such operating devices, in particular, on the spokes of the steering wheel or in the area of ​​the steering wheel hub. The operating devices can be used, for example, to control functions of an automatic transmission in the vehicle. Besides an arrangement on the spokes of the steering wheel and / or in the area of ​​the steering wheel hub, it is also known from the prior art to arrange operating devices in the area of ​​the steering wheel rim.

[0003] A motor vehicle with a steering wheel of this type is known from US 2016 / 0 062 531 A1. Further steering wheels for motor vehicles are known from US 2018 / 0 178 760 A1, JP 2003-095 038 A, WO 2017 / 116 898 A1, US 2006 / 169 085 A1, and US 2018 / 143 754 A1.

[0004] From DE 199 26 823 A1, a device for shifting an automatic transmission for motor vehicles is known, which has a selector lever which in a first position enables automatic upshifting and downshifting of the transmission, as well as an additional arrangement on the steering wheel for manual downshifting or upshifting, wherein the additional arrangement is integrated into the steering wheel rim.

[0005] DE 101 56 668 A1 describes a switching device on a steering wheel which rotates with the steering wheel and serves for the manual operation of switching functions of controllable motor vehicle equipment. The switching device consists of at least one switch assembly mounted on the steering wheel which makes it possible to select and confirm switching functions or to cycle through them sequentially. The switch assembly is pivotably mounted on a steering wheel rim of the steering wheel about an axis of rotation.

[0006] From DE 10 2004 031 309 A1, a steering wheel with a control element is known, wherein the control element is integrated into the steering wheel rim so as to be rotatable around it. A menu selection can be controlled by rotating the control element around the steering wheel rim.

[0007] German patent DE 102 48 651 A1 describes a drive train with a selector device for choosing driving modes of an automated manual transmission or an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle. The selector device is arranged on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle and is moved rotationally around the steering wheel rim and / or along the steering wheel rim for operation. The selector device can be moved along the steering wheel rim into an easily accessible position and can be designed as a switch, a push button, or a combination thereof.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a motor vehicle and a steering wheel for such a motor vehicle with an improved operating device, particularly with regard to ease of use and operating safety.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1 or claim 7. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] To solve this problem, in a motor vehicle and a steering wheel of the type mentioned at the outset, the operating device is provided according to the invention in that the operating device comprises at least one touch-sensitive control element which is arranged at least on a segment of the annular steering wheel rim, wherein the operating device can detect at least one operating action as a manual touch and / or hand movement on a surface of the control element.

[0011] A touch-sensitive control element advantageously eliminates the need for switches, buttons, rocker switches, or similar operating devices with moving parts. Furthermore, touch-sensitive controls can be advantageously designed to detect and distinguish between several different manual operating actions. The control element of the steering wheel's operating device, arranged on at least one segment of the annular steering wheel rim, also offers the advantage that, depending on the size of the control element or the size of the segment of the annular steering wheel rim covered by the control element, a comparatively large area is available for inputting one or more manual operating actions.In addition to the operating element, the operating device may in particular include a control unit or be connected to a control unit which evaluates signals generated by the operating element due to a manual touch of a surface of the operating element and / or a hand movement on a surface of the operating element with regard to the existence of an operating action.

[0012] The surface of the control element, on which a manual touch and / or a manual hand movement can be detected by the control device as an operating action, can be located, in particular, on the side of the steering wheel rim facing the driver. Preferably, the control element is ring-shaped and arranged such that its surface extends over the entire side of the steering wheel rim facing the driver. This advantageously provides a large area for inputting operating actions. Alternatively, one control element or two or more control elements can be arranged adjacent to one another, with the control element or elements extending over at least a portion, in particular at least the upper, circular segment-shaped half, of the side of the steering wheel rim facing the driver.It is also possible that the surface of at least one control element extends at least partially around the steering wheel rim, so that manual contact is also possible on an outer or inner side surface of the steering wheel rim and / or on its rear side, i.e., on the side of the steering wheel rim facing away from the driver. In particular, it is also possible that the surface of the control element extends around the entire steering wheel rim, with the exception of the area where the spokes of the steering wheel meet.

[0013] It can be provided that the operating device can detect at least a tapping of the surface of the control element as an operating action. According to the invention, it is provided that a rotational movement about an axis of rotation parallel to a tangent of the steering wheel rim and a swiping movement along the steering wheel rim can be detected. The different operating actions can be distinguished by the operating device, so that the different operating actions can each be assigned different functions, whereby different functions of a motor vehicle can be controlled by different manual inputs at the control element of the operating device.

[0014] Tapping the surface of the control element can occur when a user of the steering wheel, for example a driver, touches the surface of the control element with their hand, particularly with a finger. Depending on the design of the control element, simply touching the surface may be sufficient to register the touch as an operating action, or it may be required that, in addition to touching the surface, a certain amount of pressure must be applied to the control element for the touch to be registered as an operating action. Additionally or alternatively, a rotational movement around an axis parallel to a tangent of the steering wheel rim can also be registered as an operating action. This can be performed, for example, by a driver whose hand grips the steering wheel rim, as is customary when operating a motor vehicle.The driver's hand can rotate the steering wheel around its axis parallel to a tangent of the rim without releasing the wheel. This rotation can occur in two directions, and the control device may register different rotations performed in different directions as separate actions. Additionally or alternatively, the control device can also register a swiping motion along the steering wheel rim. This can be achieved, for example, by the driver's hand, gripping the steering wheel rim, moving upwards or downwards along the surface of the control element from the driver's perspective. Again, swiping motions performed in different directions along the steering wheel rim can be registered as separate actions.

[0015] In particular, the operating actions of rotating the steering wheel around an axis parallel to a tangent of the steering wheel rim and swiping along the steering wheel rim offer the advantage that these can be performed without the driver having to remove their hand from the steering wheel rim. Tapping the surface of the control element can also be performed while gripping the steering wheel rim, for example, by tapping the surface on the front of the steering wheel with the driver's thumb and / or a section of the surface facing the hub of the steering wheel rim with one of the other four fingers.

[0016] A function operable via the control device can be selected by a single operation. It is also possible that one or more adjustable functions require a sequence of operations, that is, several consecutive operations.

[0017] According to the invention, the operating device is designed to detect and assign operating actions in multiple operating sections, each corresponding to a subsection of the surface of the operating element. An operating section thus represents an area of ​​the surface of the operating element on which manually performed touches and / or movements, such as tapping, rotating movements, and / or swiping movements, can be detected as operating actions. An operating section can, in particular, be smaller than the entire surface of the operating element. It is therefore possible to detect surface touches as operating actions only in one or more subsections of the surface of the at least one operating element, each constituting an operating section, while identical touches and / or movements in subsections of the surface that do not correspond to an operating section are not detected as operating actions.For multiple operating sections of a control element, it may be specifically intended that they do not overlap.

[0018] Furthermore, it is possible for the operating device to detect operating actions in several operating sections, each corresponding to a subsection of the control element's surface. The operating actions detected in the respective operating sections can also be assigned to those sections, thus making it possible to assign different functions, controllable by the operating actions, to different operating sections, i.e., different subsections of the control element's surface.This can be used, for example, to assign different operating sections to a control element that extends around the entire steering wheel rim or that extends around a large part of the steering wheel rim, for example by 180° around the steering wheel rim in the upper area, so that different functions can be controlled on different sections of the surface of the control element by operating actions detected by the operating device.

[0019] According to the invention, the operating device comprises at least one display element, which is arranged on at least one segment of the steering wheel rim. The display element can show at least one piece of operating information, wherein the at least one piece of operating information describes a state of the operating device and / or a state of a function operated via the control element. A state of the operating device can, for example, denote the position of an operating section on the surface of the control element and / or a function assigned to an operating section on the surface. A state of a function operated via the control element can, for example, be the current selection of a parameter value to be set or the current selection of a function that can be activated via an operating action, which can be set, for example, by a subsequent operating action.can be activated.

[0020] The display element can preferably be located in close proximity to the control element, so that operating information, particularly indicating the state of the control element or the position of a control section, can be easily associated with the control element by a steering wheel user, thus enabling intuitive operation of the control device. In particular, it is possible for the display element to be arranged on the control element or behind a control element, especially a transparent or semi-transparent one.

[0021] According to the invention, the at least one display element comprises several display sections, each corresponding to a subsection of the display element. Operating information can be displayed on each display section of the display element. The display element can comprise several display sections, with different operating information being displayed on each of the display sections. A display section corresponds to a subsection of the display element in which the operating information is displayed. The subsection can, in particular, be smaller than the entire display element. For several display sections of a display element, it can be provided that they do not overlap.

[0022] According to the invention, a rotation sensor detects the rotation of the steering wheel, and the position of the control sections on the surface of the control element and / or the position of the display sections can be changed depending on the rotation of the steering wheel. This means that the position of the control sections on the surface of the control element and the position of the display sections of the display element change depending on the rotation, such that the control sections and the display sections change their position relative to the control element or the display element, respectively, depending on the rotation of the steering wheel. Unlike a switch fixed to the steering wheel rim, the position of a control section on the surface of the control element can thus be changed depending on the rotation of the steering wheel. The same applies to the position of the display sections of the display element.When the steering wheel is turned, the corresponding section of the display element changes. This change in the position of the display sections can be achieved, for example, by controlling the display element via a control unit of the operating device. Similarly, the position of the operating sections can be changed by modifying the evaluation of the signals generated by the operating element via a control unit of the operating device, allowing the device to detect the actions performed in the respective modified operating section, depending on the steering wheel rotation.

[0023] According to the invention, the position of the control sections and the display sections can be changed when the steering wheel is turned in such a way that they remain in the same position relative to the user of the steering wheel. This advantageously allows operation and / or reading of information at the same position relative to the user or driver, regardless of the steering angle.

[0024] This means that an action that can be entered, for example, in a control section at the 3 o'clock position (i.e., in the right-hand section of the steering wheel rim), can always be entered at that position, even if the steering wheel is turned relative to the straight-ahead position due to steering input. The same applies to a display section, so that, for example, operating information that is displayed at the 12 o'clock position of the steering wheel rim (i.e., in the upper section of the steering wheel rim) when driving straight ahead will also be displayed at that 12 o'clock position when the steering wheel is turned to steer the vehicle.This ensures intuitive and comprehensible operation of the steering wheel controls, as the position of at least one control element and / or at least one display element remains unchanged for the user even when the steering wheel is rotated relative to their own position. Thus, regardless of the steering wheel's rotation, at least one piece of operating information and / or at least one control element intended for inputting an action can always remain fixed in relation to the driver.

[0025] The at least one control element and the at least one display device remain stationary relative to the steering wheel rim when the steering wheel is rotated; that is, they rotate with it. The stationary position of the control elements can be achieved by controlling the control element to detect touches and / or movements as operating actions via a control unit of the control device. The stationary position of the display elements can be achieved by controlling the display element to show information via a control unit of the control device.

[0026] It may be provided that the control element is a touch-sensitive film and / or that the display element is a film display or that the display element comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes, wherein the display element is in particular arranged at least partially behind or on the control element, and / or that the control element and the display element are designed as a touchscreen.

[0027] A control element designed as a touch-sensitive film can be a film that, for example, uses capacitive and / or inductive measurement to detect when a user's finger and / or hand touches its surface. It is also possible for the touch-sensitive film to be pressure-sensitive, allowing it to measure pressure applied to its surface. The measurements from the control element can then be evaluated by a control unit of the operating device and, if necessary, recorded as an action. A pressure-sensitive touch-sensitive film offers the advantage that it can be at least partially covered on the outside with a coating, such as leather.It is also possible to arrange a pressure-sensitive touch-sensitive film together with a film display or a plurality of LEDs of a display element under the covering, the covering having a perforation so that operating information or similar displayed on the display element can be recognized from the outside. It is also possible for a display element designed as a film display to be arranged on or under a control element designed as a touch-sensitive film without using a covering.

[0028] It is also possible for the control element and the display element to be designed as a touchscreen, with the control element being formed, for example, by a touch-sensitive cover made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic, and the display element being arranged as a screen beneath this cover element. The control element can also be formed by a touch-sensitive film, which, for example, can be laminated onto a plastic component or a plastic-glass component.

[0029] According to the invention, the operating device may have at least one haptic output means, in particular at least one vibration element arranged inside the steering wheel rim, and / or the operating device may have an acoustic output means or be connectable to an acoustic output means. A haptic output means and / or an acoustic output means can indicate to the user of the steering wheel when an action of the user has been detected as an operating input. In this way, with operating elements that do not include moving parts, a perceptible movement of the operating element and / or the steering wheel rim can occur, so that the user can feel the detection of the operating action.

[0030] A haptic output device can, in particular, be a vibration element arranged inside the steering wheel rim, which causes the steering wheel rim to vibrate. It is also possible to use a vibration element coupled to the control element as the haptic output device, so that movement of the vibration element causes movement of the entire control element. For example, an electrically rotatable ring element can vibrate a control element arranged in a guide, or it can raise and lower the control element once, perceptibly to the user, after an action has been performed. Particularly with vibration elements arranged inside the steering wheel rim, it is possible for the steering wheel to have several vibration elements distributed around the rim, especially in the areas where the at least one control element is located.This allows the vibration element(s) to be used for haptic confirmation, depending on the location of the control section, specifically those located within the control section where the detected operation was performed. It is also possible to always use all vibration elements to confirm a detected operation.

[0031] In addition to or as an alternative to at least one haptic output device, the control device may also have an acoustic output device or be connectable to one. The acoustic output device may, for example, comprise one or more loudspeakers arranged on the steering wheel, through which a sound is emitted after a control action is detected. It is also possible to use, for example, the loudspeakers of a motor vehicle as the acoustic output device, to which the steering wheel control device can be connected, so that an acoustic signal can be emitted via the motor vehicle's loudspeakers when a control input is detected.

[0032] For a motor vehicle according to the invention, it is provided that it includes a steering wheel according to the invention.

[0033] The steering wheel can be used in the usual way to steer the vehicle by turning it. Additional vehicle functions can be controlled via the steering wheel's controls.

[0034] All advantages and features described in relation to the steering wheel according to the invention apply accordingly to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0035] According to the invention, it can be provided that a driving function of the motor vehicle and / or a multimedia function of the motor vehicle and / or a navigation function of the motor vehicle can be set via the steering wheel control device, and / or that the control device includes a display element, wherein driving information and / or multimedia information and / or navigation information can be displayed via the display element. In particular, an automatic transmission can be set as a driving function. The steering wheel control device can be used, in particular, to select a gear to be engaged, to engage a selected gear, and / or to release or engage a parking brake of the automatic transmission or the motor vehicle.

[0036] Further driving functions can also be set via the steering wheel controls, such as starting the vehicle's drive mode and / or the vehicle's internal combustion engine, and / or selecting a driving mode, such as sport mode, comfort mode, or similar. Additionally or alternatively, multimedia or navigation functions can be set via the steering wheel controls. A multimedia function can, for example, include operating an infotainment system, with the controls allowing functions such as changing the volume, selecting a song, or similar actions. A navigation function can, for example, be set to control the navigation device's operation, such as pausing or resuming a navigation process.A function to be set can be set by a single operating action or by a sequence of several operating actions.

[0037] In a control device that includes a display element, the display element can be used to show driving information, multimedia information, and / or navigation information. Driving information can, in particular, include information relating to a driving function that can be set via the control device. For example, in the case of an automatic transmission, the selected gear, the currently engaged gear, and / or the status of the parking brake can be displayed. Multimedia information related to the adjustable multimedia functions can also be displayed, and multimedia and / or navigation information can be displayed even if no multimedia and / or navigation function can be set via the steering wheel.

[0038] Multimedia functions can display information such as volume, song titles, or similar data. Multimedia information can also include traffic-related information like congestion reports, weather forecasts, and news updates such as a news ticker. Displaying vehicle status parameters such as speed, fuel consumption, energy consumption, and / or the charge level of a traction energy storage system is also possible. Navigation information can be displayed on the screen, including symbols such as arrows, distances to a destination or a vehicle ahead, estimated time of arrival, and similar data.

[0039] According to the invention, the motor vehicle comprises an automatic transmission, wherein at least one function of the automatic transmission can be adjusted via the steering wheel controls. In particular, it can be provided that the gear to be engaged can be selected via the controls, and that the engagement of the selected gear can be triggered, for example, by actuating the automatic transmission.

[0040] According to the invention, the operating device has a rotation sensor that detects a rotation of the steering wheel, wherein at least two operating sections of the control element and display sections of a display element of the operating device are shifted as the steering wheel is rotated, such that they remain in the same position relative to the user of the steering wheel, regardless of the steering wheel's rotation. This advantageously ensures that the automatic transmission is always set in the same position relative to the user of the steering wheel, irrespective of the steering angle achieved by rotating the steering wheel.This enables intuitive operation of the steering wheel controls, even with conventional automatic transmission controls via a gearshift lever and with manual transmission controls via a gearshift lever, where these controls are located in a fixed position within the vehicle. By changing the respective display section of the controls when the steering wheel is turned, it is also possible to ensure that the display section is always in the same position relative to the user, regardless of the steering angle. The user can therefore always intuitively find the information they need in the same place.

[0041] According to the invention, the steering wheel control device is designed to detect a rotary movement about an axis of rotation parallel to a tangent of the steering wheel rim in one of the control sections, and a swiping movement along the steering wheel rim. The rotary movement selects a gear of the automatic transmission, and the swiping movement engages the selected gear. The rotary movement preferably occurs in the region of the 2 o'clock position of the steering wheel. In this way, the rotary movement can be performed, for example, with the user's right hand. The user can touch the surface of the control element, for example, by gripping the steering wheel rim with their right hand, with the rotary movement being performed by a rotation along an axis of rotation parallel to a tangent of the steering wheel rim.In particular, two different directions of rotation—that is, rotation away from the driver and rotation towards the driver—can be recognized as distinct operating actions. For example, a rotation away from the driver can increase the currently selected gear by one, and a rotation towards the driver can decrease the currently selected gear by one, or the adjustable gears can be cycled through in a predefined sequence. Selecting the desired gear may require several consecutive operating actions. The currently selected gear can be indicated, in particular, via a display located adjacent to the operating section, so that the driver can always see the currently selected gear.

[0042] Engaging a selected gear can then be accomplished by a swiping motion, which the user performs along the steering wheel rim from the point where the rotation is initiated. For example, if the rotation is initiated at the 2 o'clock position on the steering wheel, the swiping motion can be performed towards the 12 o'clock position, i.e., upwards from the user's perspective. The control device registers this swiping motion as an action, subsequently activating the automatic transmission to engage the selected gear. This method of engaging a gear offers the advantage of requiring only a two-step input process. First, a rotation is performed to select a gear, and then the gear is engaged with a swiping motion.Unintentional gear changes of an automatic transmission through a single touch of the control element are thus advantageously avoided. The selection and / or engagement of a gear through the respective control action can be confirmed, in particular via a haptic or acoustic output element, so that the user receives feedback on the successful selection and / or engagement of a gear even without having to look at the steering wheel.

[0043] According to the invention, the operating device can detect at least one tap on the surface of the control element in a further operating section as an operating action, wherein a tap on the surface of the control element in a further operating section, in particular in a subsection in the area of ​​a 10 o'clock position on the steering wheel rim, engages or releases a parking brake of the automatic transmission. A tap on the surface of the control element in an operating section located in the area of ​​a 10 o'clock position on the steering wheel rim can, for example, be performed by the user's left hand. By tapping the surface, for example with a finger, a parking brake can be engaged or an already engaged parking brake can be released.After the system detects the action of tapping the surface, the engagement of the parking brake may be subject to further conditions, such as a stationary vehicle, in order to prevent unintentional engagement of the parking brake while the vehicle is in operation.

[0044] According to the invention, it can be provided that in a first display section, in particular in the area of ​​a 12 o'clock position of the steering wheel rim, a current gear stage of the automatic transmission is displayed, and in a second display section a gear stage currently selected via the operating device is displayed and / or that in a third display section parking brake information describing a state of a parking brake is displayed.

[0045] Displaying the current gear of the automatic transmission at the 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel rim offers the advantage that the driver can easily see the currently engaged gear at all times. The second display section, which shows a gear selected via the control device, can be located particularly close to the area used to select the gear. The third display section, which shows parking brake information describing the status of the parking brake, can be located particularly close to or overlapping with the control section for engaging and / or releasing the parking brake. Parking brake information can, for example, indicate whether the parking brake is engaged or released. Furthermore, it can also display information for engaging or disengaging the parking brake.The operating procedure required to release the parking brake is described by a displayed text, so that the user can recognize which action is required to engage or release the parking brake.

[0046] All the advantages and features described in relation to the steering wheel or motor vehicle according to the invention also apply analogously to the method according to the invention.

[0047] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments presented below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a steering wheel according to the invention, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a steering wheel rim of a steering wheel according to the invention, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of a steering wheel rim of a steering wheel according to the invention, Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of a steering wheel rim of a steering wheel according to the invention, Fig. 6 a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a steering wheel according to the invention, Fig. 7 - 10 schematic representations of the individual steps of a method according to the invention, as well as Fig. 11 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a steering wheel according to the invention in a non-rotated state, as well as Fig. 12 a schematic representation of the third embodiment of the steering wheel according to the invention in a twisted state, as well as

[0048] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a steering wheel 2, with which, in addition to steering the motor vehicle 1 via a control device 3, it is possible to control an automatic transmission 29 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0049] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a steering wheel 2 according to the invention. The operating device 3 of the steering wheel 2 comprises an annular control element 4, which is arranged on an annular steering wheel rim 5 of the steering wheel 2. Furthermore, the steering wheel 2 comprises an annular display element 6, which is arranged behind the annular control element 4 and also extends around the entire front of the steering wheel rim. In this context, annular does not necessarily mean circular; the steering wheel rim 5, the control element 4, and the display element 6 can also have an oval shape. The steering wheel 2 further comprises a hub 7 and three spokes 8, which connect the steering wheel rim 5 to the hub 7.

[0050] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the steering wheel rim 5 of a first embodiment of a steering wheel rim 5 of a steering wheel 2 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the control element 4 is a touch-sensitive film 9, which is arranged on a surface covering 10 of the steering wheel rim 5. The surface covering 10 can, for example, be made of leather and be perforated in certain areas. In this embodiment, the display element 6 arranged behind the control element 4 comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes 11, which are inserted in or behind the surface covering 10, for example, in or behind the recesses of a perforation of the surface covering 10. The plurality of light-emitting diodes 11 can extend over the entire front surface of the steering wheel 2 facing a user of the steering wheel 2.In this embodiment, the touch-sensitive film 9 is at least partially transparent, so that light emitted by the LEDs 11 can be detected from outside the steering wheel and various symbols can be displayed via the majority of LEDs 11 of the display element 6.

[0051] A vibration element 13 is arranged in an interior 12 of the steering wheel rim 5, which can cause the steering wheel rim 5 to vibrate, at least in certain areas, in order to provide haptic feedback to the user after a detected user input. Preferably, a plurality of vibration elements 13 are arranged within the interior 12 of the steering wheel rim 5 around its entire circumference, so that individual sections of the steering wheel rim can be excited to vibrate by one or more of the vibration elements 13. The control element 4, designed as a touch-sensitive film 9, can detect touches and / or movements on its surface and thus on the surface of the steering wheel rim 5 of the steering wheel 2. In this embodiment, the touch-sensitive film covers a side of the steering wheel rim 5 facing the user of the steering wheel 2.To evaluate signals generated by the touch-sensitive film 9, the operating device 3 can have a control unit (not shown) connected to the control element 4, which evaluates signals sent by the touch-sensitive film 9 to detect operating actions. The control unit can be located, for example, inside 12 of the steering wheel rim 5 or within one of the spokes 8 of the steering wheel 2.

[0052] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-section through a second embodiment of a steering wheel rim 5 of a steering wheel 2 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the operating device 3 comprises a control element 4 and a display element 6, which is designed as a touchscreen 14. Touches or movements can be made on the control element 4, which is made of, for example, glass or a transparent plastic, via the touchscreen 14. These touches or movements are detected by the operating device 3 as operating actions. The display element 6 is a screen of the touchscreen 14, which is located behind the control element 4 and on which information can be displayed.The touchscreen 14 can be movably mounted in a guide 15 of the steering wheel rim 5 and coupled to an electric motor (not shown) located inside 12 of the steering wheel rim 5, so that a movement of the electric motor can cause a vibration or a single movement of the touchscreen 14. In this way, haptic feedback can be given to a user of the touchscreen 14 after successful detection of an operating action.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-section through a third embodiment of a steering wheel rim 5 of a steering wheel 2 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the control element 4 is a touch-sensitive film 9 which extends around the entire circumference of the steering wheel rim 5. This makes it possible to detect a touch and / or movement on the surface of the control element 4 as an operating action both on the front of the steering wheel 2 and on the back of the steering wheel rim 5 facing away from the user of the steering wheel 2. Detection of an operating action is also possible on the side surfaces of the steering wheel rim 5, whereby the areas of an inner side surface of the steering wheel rim 5, where spokes 8 of the steering wheel 2 abut the steering wheel rim 5, may be excluded. In this embodiment, the display element 6 is a film display 16 which is arranged behind the touch-sensitive film 9.The display element 6 is located in an area of ​​the front of the steering wheel 2 and extends only over a portion of the circumference of the steering wheel rim 5. It is possible that an additional element is located in the... Fig. A cover 10 (not shown) is provided, which is arranged around the outside of the control element 4. The cover may have perforations, particularly in the areas of the display element 6, so that information displayed on the display element 6 is visible to a user of the steering wheel.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a steering wheel 2 according to the invention. This can be a steering wheel 2 with a steering wheel rim 5 according to the first, second, or third embodiment. The operating device 3 allows for the detection of operating actions in a first operating section 17 in the region of a 2 o'clock position of the steering wheel 2 and in a second operating section 18 in the region of a 10 o'clock position of the steering wheel rim 5. The display element 6 comprises a first display section 19, which connects to the first operating section 17 in the region of the 2 o'clock position of the steering wheel rim 5.

[0055] Furthermore, the display element 6 comprises a second display section 20, which is located within the second operating section 18 of the control element 4 in the area of ​​the 10 o'clock position, and a third operating section 24, which extends between a 1 o'clock position and the first display section 19. Additionally, a third display section 21 is provided, which is located in the area of ​​a 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel rim 5.

[0056] In the first operating section 17, a rotary movement performed by a user's hand around a rotational axis 22 on the surface of the control element 4 can be detected as an operating action. The rotational axis 22 is parallel to a tangent 23 of the steering wheel rim 5. The rotation can occur in two different directions around the rotational axis 22, with each rotation being detectable as a different operating action. For example, it can be provided that the two rotary movements in the first operating section 17 select a gear to be engaged. The currently selected gear can be displayed in the first display section 19. In the present example, a neutral position or idle (N) is displayed in the first display section 19.For example, by rotating clockwise around the axis of rotation 22, the selected gear can be changed to driving mode D, while a counterclockwise rotation selects reverse gear R.

[0057] When the operating device 3 detects a clockwise rotation around the axis of rotation 22, the neutral position or idle (N) can be changed to first gear. Further, potentially available higher gears can be selected by repeating the corresponding operating action, with the currently selected gear being displayed in the first display section 19. By detecting a counterclockwise rotation around the axis of rotation 22, a selected gear displayed in display section 19 can be reduced by one, or a neutral position or reverse gear can be engaged.

[0058] In the second operating section 18, tapping the surface of the control element 4 can be registered as an operating action. For example, tapping the surface of the control element 4 in the second operating section 18 can engage or disengage the parking brake of an automatic transmission 29. Parking brake information describing the status of the parking brake can be displayed in the second display section 20. In this example, an engaged parking brake is indicated by the letter P in the second display section 20. In the case of a released parking brake, the second display section 20 could, for example, show nothing, or a symbol, letter, or similar symbol describing the released parking brake.

[0059] The third display section 21 shows the currently engaged gear of the automatic transmission 29. This is the gear currently selected in the automatic transmission 29. In this example, it is the driving mode, which is indicated by the letter D in the third display section 21.

[0060] The control element 4 further comprises a third control section 24, which connects to the first display section 19 of the display element 6 above it. A swiping motion on the surface of the control element 4 can be detected as an operating action via the third control section 24. An operating action performed in the area of ​​the third control section 24 can, for example, result in the gear selected via the operating actions in the first control section 17 and displayed in the first display section 19 being engaged; that is, the automatic transmission 29 is controlled in such a way that the selected gear is engaged, so that further driving of the vehicle takes place in this gear.

[0061] In the Fig. Figures 7 to 10 describe the steps of a method according to the invention. The automatic transmission 29 of the motor vehicle 1 is, for example, in a driving gear. This is represented by the letter D in the third display section 21. To change gears from driving to neutral, a user of the steering wheel 2 can now change the currently selected gear to be engaged, shown in the first display section 19, in this case reverse gear R, by rotating their right hand 25 around the axis of rotation 22. By rotating the hand 25 clockwise around the axis of rotation 22, while in contact with the surface of the control element 4, the selected gear changes to neutral N. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in section 8, after the rotary movement is detected by the control device 3, this is indicated in the first display section 19 by the letter N for neutral. To engage the selected neutral gear, the user of the steering wheel 2 must perform a swiping motion along the surface of the control element 4, as shown by the arrow 26.

[0062] The swiping motion is in Fig. Figure 9 shows the hand 25 moving from the 10 o'clock position of the first display section 19 towards the 12 o'clock position of the third display section 21. The swiping motion of the hand 25 on the surface of the control element 4 can be detected in the first control section 17 and / or in the third control section 24. After the swiping motion is detected as an operating action, the control device 3 can activate the automatic transmission 29 to engage neutral. A gear is then engaged by virtually "pulling" the gear to be engaged, as displayed in the first display section 19, towards the 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel rim 5.

[0063] As in Fig. As shown in section 10, the neutral gear now selected in the transmission can then be indicated in the third display section 21 by displaying the letter N. The position of the first, second, and / or third operating section, as well as the position of the first, second, and / or third display section on the steering wheel rim 5, can also be selected differently. Due to the display element 6 located behind the control element 4, one or more of the display sections 19, 20, 21 can also coincide with the individual operating sections 17, 18, 24, so that operating information associated with an operable function can be displayed within operating sections 17, 18, 24 and understood by a user.

[0064] In Fig. Figure 11 shows a third embodiment of a steering wheel 2 according to the invention, in which the first control section 17 and the first display section 19 are arranged between the 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions of the steering wheel rim 5. The second control section 18 and the second display section 20 are arranged in the area between the 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions on the steering wheel rim. The third display section 21 is located at the 12 o'clock position of the steering wheel rim 5, and the third control section 24 is located between the 12 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions, i.e., between the third display section 21 and the first control section 17. In the first display section 19, in addition to the currently selected gear to be engaged, here D, operating information 27 can be displayed.This operating information 27 may, for example, contain text indicating what movement a user of the steering wheel 2 must perform on the surface of the control element 4 in order to change the currently displayed gear level.

[0065] In the second display section 20, in addition to the symbol P for an engaged parking brake, further operating information 28 is displayed, which can be specified, for example, in text form, which movement or touch of the surface of the control element 4 a user of the steering wheel 2 must perform in order to release the engaged parking brake or which operating action he must perform in the case of a released parking brake in order to engage a parking brake.

[0066] Additional display sections may be provided on the steering wheel 2, on which further information can be shown. This could include, for example, navigation information, multimedia information, and / or vehicle status information. This information can be displayed at different positions on the steering wheel rim 5 in different display sections. It is also possible that further control sections are provided at different positions on the steering wheel rim, whereby, for example, driving functions, multimedia functions, and / or navigation functions can be operated via these additional control sections. Operation can be carried out by a single action or by a sequence of actions.

[0067] The steering wheel 2 can include a rotation sensor that can measure a rotation of the steering wheel, or be connected to such a rotation sensor. This makes it possible that when the steering wheel is rotated, as occurs in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the position of the first control section 17, the first display section 19, the second control section 18, the second display section 20, the third control section 24, and the third display section 21 relative to the position of a user of the steering wheel 2 does not change when the steering wheel is rotated. This means that despite the rotation of the steering wheel 2, as shown in Figure 12, the position of the control section 17, the first display section 19, the second control section 18, the second display section 20, the third control section 24, and the third display section 21 do not change when the steering wheel is rotated. Fig.Figure 12 shows an angle of approximately 45°, which does not change the position of the display sections 19, 20, 21 and the control sections 17, 18, 24 in relation to a user of the steering wheel 2. Therefore, the user of the steering wheel 2 can operate the control device 3 intuitively and easily read the information displayed in the display sections.

[0068] The changes to display sections 19, 20, and 21 can be effected, for example, by a control unit of the operating device 3, which evaluates a signal generated by the rotation sensor describing the rotation and controls the display element 6 in such a way that the information is always displayed in a position that appears fixed to the user, depending on the angle of rotation. Furthermore, the position of the operating sections on the surface of the operating element 4 can be changed by the operating device 3 only registering touches and / or movements of the surface of the operating element 4 that correspond to the fixed positions of the operating sections when the steering wheel is not turned, as operating actions.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) comprising an automatic transmission (29) and a steering wheel (2), wherein the steering wheel (2) comprises a steering wheel rim (5) and a control device (3) with which one or more manual operating actions can be detected, wherein at least one function of the automatic transmission (29) is adjustable by the control device (3) of the steering wheel (2), wherein the control device (3) comprises at least one touch-sensitive control element (4) which is arranged at least on a segment of the annular steering wheel rim (5), wherein at least one operating action can be detected by the control device (3) as a manual touch and / or a hand movement on a surface of the control element (4), wherein operating actions can be detected by the control device (3) in operating sections (17, 24), which each correspond to a subsection of the surface of the control element (4), and can be assigned to the respective operating section (17, 24),wherein the operating device (3) comprises a display element (6) which is arranged at least on one segment of the steering wheel rim (5), wherein the display element (6) comprises display sections (19, 21) which each correspond to a subsection of the display element (6), characterized by , that the operating device (3) has a rotation sensor that detects a rotation of the steering wheel (2), wherein the operating sections (17, 24) of the control element (4) and the display sections (19, 21) of the display element (6) of the operating device (3) are displaced as a function of the rotation of the steering wheel (2) such that, with respect to a user of the steering wheel (2), they are in the same position regardless of the rotation of the steering wheel (2), by means of one control section (17) a rotational movement about an axis of rotation parallel to a tangent (23) of the steering wheel rim (5) can be detected as an operating action, and by means of the other control section (24) a swiping movement along the steering wheel rim (5) can be detected, wherein the rotational movement selects a gear stage of the automatic transmission (29) and the swiping movement engages a selected gear stage of the automatic transmission (29), and that In one display section (21) a current gear stage of the automatic transmission (29) is displayed, and in the other display section (19) a gear stage currently selected via the operating device (3) is displayed. [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the control element (4) is a touch-sensitive film (9) and / or that the display element (6) is a film display (16) or that the display element (6) comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (11), wherein the display element (6) is arranged at least partially behind or on the control element (4), and / or that the control element (4) and the display element (6) are designed as a touchscreen (14). [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operating device (3) has at least one haptic output means and / or that the operating device (3) has an acoustic output means or is connectable to an acoustic output means. [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a driving function of the motor vehicle (1) and / or a multimedia function of the motor vehicle (1) and / or a navigation function of the motor vehicle (1) can be set by means of the control device (3) of the steering wheel (2), and / or that the control device (3) includes a display element (6) wherein driving information and / or multimedia information and / or navigation information can be displayed by means of the display element (6). [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the operating device (3) detects at least one tapping of the surface of the control element (4) in a further operating section, wherein a parking brake of the automatic transmission (29) is engaged or released by tapping the surface of the control element (4) in the further operating section. [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that in a further display section (20) parking brake information describing a state of a parking brake is displayed. [7] Steering wheel (2) for a motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a steering wheel rim (5) and an operating device (3) with which one or more manual operating actions can be detected, wherein the operating device (3) comprises at least one touch-sensitive control element (4) which is arranged at least on a segment of the annular steering wheel rim (5), wherein the operating device (3) can detect at least one operating action as a manual touch and / or a hand movement on a surface of the control element (4), wherein the control element (4) is designed as a touch-sensitive film and is at least partially covered on the outside with a coating. [8] Steering wheel (2) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the operating device (3) comprises at least one display element (6) which is arranged at least on a segment of the steering wheel rim (5), wherein the display element (6) is a foil display (16) or the display element (6) comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (11), wherein the operating element (4) and the display element (6) are arranged under the cover, wherein the cover has a perforation so that operating information displayed on the display element (6) through the perforation is visible from the outside.

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