Motor vehicle with movable driver's seat

Abstract

Motor vehicle (10), with a driver's seat (12), wherein the driver's seat (12) is movable into a forward position and a reverse position, and can be fixed in the respective position, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle (10). wherein the driver's seat (12) has a direction selection device (18) for the driver of the motor vehicle (10) to select between forward and reverse travel, wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a vehicle control device (20) which controls the drive system of the motor vehicle (10), characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) is designed such that, when the driver's seat (12) is fixed in the forward position, a first electrical connection of the direction selection device (18) with the vehicle control device (20) is effected, which results in the selection of forward travel by means of the direction selection device (18) causing the selection of forward travel by the vehicle control device (20), and that, when the driver's seat (12) is fixed in the reverse position, a second electrical connection of the direction selection device (18) with the vehicle control device (20) is effected, which results in the selection of forward travel by means of the direction selection device (18) causing the selection of reverse travel by means of the vehicle control device (20).

Description

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

[0002] Motor vehicles of the type in question include land vehicles that are moved by mechanical power without being bound to railway tracks, and in particular also commercial vehicles, agricultural or forestry tractors, construction machinery, industrial trucks, half-track and tracked vehicles as well as self-propelled work machines.

[0003] In some vehicles, the vehicle is designed for applications where a rearward-facing (i.e., towards the rear) driver's seat is advantageous. To meet such requirements, vehicles have been developed in the past with a driver's seat that can be moved and locked into a forward position (i.e., facing the front of the vehicle) and a rearward position (i.e., facing the rear). With such a vehicle, it is possible to move the driver's seat into the forward or rearward position as needed, lock it in place, and control the vehicle with the driver's seat appropriately oriented.Examples of such applications include agricultural machinery that can be used as a tractor with the driver's seat in the forward position and, with the driver's seat in the reverse position, can operate an attachment mounted at the rear of the machine, such as a bucket. Also well-known are backhoe loaders or rear-mounted excavators, which have a loading bucket at the front, similar to a wheel loader, and a hydraulic excavator on a boom at the rear.

[0004] Such a vehicle is disclosed, for example, in DE 20 2006 010 700 U1. The vehicle shown there, intended for forestry work, has a seat that can be rotated around a vertical axis together with the pedals.

[0005] EP 2 127 938 A2 also discloses a driver's seat that is rotatable about a vertical axis. This seat has a control module that decides, based on the vehicle's operating parameters, whether or not it is permissible for the driver to rotate the seat at any given time.

[0006] WO 2012 / 118 488 A1, in turn, shows a corresponding vehicle that the driver can operate via a joystick. The controls are designed so that the direction of travel can be selected using a direction selector switch. The vehicle's speed is controlled via foot pedals. The operation of the controls is independent of the seat's rotational position. However, the seat can only be rotated through a specific angle, so that the forward-facing and backward-facing seating positions in this case have diagonal orientations to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, thus ensuring a certain degree of intuitive usability of the controls.

[0007] DE 100 52 316 A1 discloses a device for controlling an electrical safety device for a motor vehicle. DE 10 2014 017 906 A1 discloses an electrical circuit for a switch on a steering wheel. DE 10 2014 014 217 A1 discloses a switching device for switching an electrical or electronic device, which may, for example, be part of a steering wheel.

[0008] Furthermore, US patent 4 278 144 A discloses a rotating driver's seat for a tractor, DE 20 2016 100 964 U1 discloses a rotating driver's seat for a construction vehicle in the form of a dump truck, US patent 2010 / 0 320 022 A1 discloses a rotating driver's seat for a construction vehicle in the form of an excavator, and US patent 2019 / 0 146 494 A1 discloses a movable seating arrangement for the passengers of an autonomously driving vehicle, by means of which the direction of view of the passengers can be adapted to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0009] German patent DE 10 2011 122 342 A1 discloses an electrical circuit for coupling a switching unit with two loads, allowing them to be selectively supplied with electrical energy. For this purpose, the polarity is reversed, and diodes are used to supply electrical energy to one or the other load accordingly. The loads are a heating element for heating a steering wheel handle and a vibration actuator for a lane departure warning system.

[0010] In other vehicles, particularly where the forward-facing and rearward-facing seating positions of the driver's seat are opposite to each other, intuitively grasping controls that move into the corresponding position along with the driver's seat is problematic because the spatial orientation of the vehicle's longitudinal direction relative to the driver has reversed. While the functionality of the controls remains the same, the driver must therefore "rethink" their approach.

[0011] In practice, however, there are different solutions. One option is to simply swivel the seat and provide separate controls for each position. However, this is relatively complex and incurs costs for additional controls.

[0012] Furthermore, as described, for example, in the generic WO 2008 / 134 816 A1, it is possible to program or design a vehicle control unit in such a way that a sensor detects the driver's position and adjusts the functions triggered by operating the controls accordingly. This means that selecting forward travel with a direction selector will cause the vehicle to reverse if the driver's seat is in the reverse position. However, adapting the vehicle's control unit accordingly has disadvantages in practice, as it significantly limits the possibility of using cost-effective "standard components" for the control system.

[0013] The object of the present invention is therefore to demonstrate a motor vehicle of the type in question in which a function of a direction selection device which depends on the position of the driver's seat is ensured in a simple yet reliable manner.

[0014] The problem is solved by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. The features of the dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0015] The motor vehicle in question has a driver's seat. In this context, the driver's seat comprises, in particular, a seat for the driver. The driver's seat is movable into a forward position (facing forward) and a backward position (facing backward) relative to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The driver's seat can also be locked in both the forward and backward positions. In this context, the forward and backward positions are oriented in opposite directions.

[0016] The driver's seat can be moved into the forward and / or reverse position by being rotatable and / or pivotable around a vertical axis. Such rotatability or pivotability of the driver's seat around the vertical axis allows for movement in a structurally simple and user-friendly manner.

[0017] The driver's seat also features a direction selection device for choosing between forward and reverse driving.

[0018] The choice between forward and reverse driving using the direction selector is made by the driver of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the direction selector may have a suitable control element, for example a switch that can be moved to a position for selecting forward driving and / or to a position for selecting reverse driving.

[0019] The direction selector can, in particular, be a component of the movable driver's seat. This allows the direction selector to move with the driver into the forward or reverse position, automatically assuming the corresponding orientation which, in conjunction with the "functional reversal" of the direction selector, enables the driver to intuitively determine the direction of travel.

[0020] In the context of the described vehicle, the terms "forward" and "reverse" refer to the vehicle itself, not to the current orientation of the driver's seat. If the driver's seat is in the forward position, it faces the direction of travel when driving forward and the opposite direction when driving in reverse. If the driver's seat is in the reverse position, it faces the opposite direction of travel when driving forward and the same direction when driving in reverse.

[0021] The motor vehicle has a vehicle control unit. The vehicle control unit controls the motor vehicle's propulsion system. Such vehicle control units are also referred to as VCUs (vehicle control units).

[0022] The problem is solved, in particular, by designing the motor vehicle such that, when the driver's seat is fixed in the forward position, an electrical connection is established between the direction selector and the vehicle control unit, resulting in the selection of forward travel via the direction selector also resulting in the selection of forward travel by the vehicle control unit. Furthermore, the motor vehicle is designed such that, when the driver's seat is fixed in the reverse position, a second electrical connection is established between the direction selector and the vehicle control unit, resulting in the selection of forward travel via the direction selector also resulting in the selection of reverse travel by the vehicle control unit.

[0023] By implementing the necessary electrical connections with the direction selector, the driver can operate the direction selector intuitively. If the seat is moved to the rearward position, and the driver is therefore facing the rear of the vehicle, selecting forward mode with the direction selector will result in reverse mode being selected. However, this means the vehicle will move in the direction the driver is facing, i.e., the direction the driver perceives as forward movement at that moment, even though, from the vehicle's perspective, it is moving in reverse.

[0024] The motor vehicle can further be designed such that the first circuit ensures that selecting reverse using the direction selector also results in the vehicle control unit selecting reverse. Furthermore, the motor vehicle can be designed such that the second circuit ensures that selecting reverse using the direction selector also results in the vehicle control unit selecting forward. Such a function of the first and second circuits ensures that selecting reverse using the direction selector provides the same intuitive understanding of the direction of travel as described above for selecting forward using the direction selector.

[0025] A further advantage of using the interconnection between the direction selector and the vehicle control unit to bring about the "functional reversal" of the direction selector described above is that no modifications to the vehicle control unit are necessary. This interconnection can be achieved using electromechanical switching elements. In this way, the desired functional reversal can be realized using simple technical components. This makes the described solution particularly attractive from a cost perspective, especially for small production runs, and also ensures easy repair and / or maintenance.

[0026] The direction selector can have a forward signal output and be configured to output an electrical signal at this output when forward travel is selected. The first circuit can be configured to electrically connect the forward signal output of the direction selector to a forward signal input of the vehicle control unit. The second circuit can be configured to electrically connect the forward signal output of the direction selector to a reverse signal input of the vehicle control unit.

[0027] The vehicle control unit is designed such that the input of an electrical signal at the forward signal input of the vehicle control unit causes the vehicle control unit to select forward travel. Similarly, the vehicle control unit is designed such that the input of an electrical signal at the reverse signal input causes the vehicle control unit to select reverse travel. This configuration of signal inputs and outputs allows for the simple creation of circuits in which, particularly by means of electromechanical switching elements, the desired functionality of the first and second circuits can be achieved.

[0028] Accordingly, the direction selector device has, in particular, a reverse signal output and is configured to output an electrical signal at this output when reverse travel is selected. The first circuit is specifically designed to electrically connect the reverse signal output of the direction selector device to a reverse signal input of the vehicle control unit. The second circuit is specifically designed to electrically connect the reverse signal output of the direction selector device to a forward signal input of the vehicle control unit. This allows for the simple implementation of both the first and second circuits, even with regard to the selection of reverse travel.

[0029] The motor vehicle can be designed such that the first gear shift and / or the second gear shift is initiated when the driver's seat is moved into the forward and / or reverse position. The first gear shift can be initiated, in particular, by actuating a first switching device. The second gear shift can be initiated, in particular, by actuating a second switching device.

[0030] With this design, simply moving the driver's seat into the appropriate position triggers the corresponding circuitry. For this purpose, a suitably designed actuating element can be moved relative to one or more switches when the driver's seat is moved relative to the vehicle. For example, an actuating element located at the driver's seat, such as a cam, can move along a specific path when the driver's seat is moved. This path could, for instance, be a circular path around a vertical axis of rotation of the driver's seat.

[0031] The motor vehicle can be designed such that the actuating element activates the first switching device when the driver's seat is moved into the forward position. Furthermore, the motor vehicle can be designed such that the actuating element activates the second switching device when the driver's seat is moved into the reverse position.

[0032] The motor vehicle may alternatively and / or additionally be designed such that the first gear shift and / or the second gear shift is initiated when the driver's seat is fixed in the forward and / or reverse position. The first gear shift can be initiated, in particular, by actuating a first switching device. The second gear shift can be initiated, in particular, by actuating a second switching device.

[0033] This can be achieved, for example, by the vehicle having a locking device to secure the driver's seat in the forward and / or reverse position. With such a design, the corresponding switching action is only triggered when the driver's seat is locked in the appropriate position. For this purpose, a suitably designed actuating element can be moved relative to one or more switches when the driver's seat is locked relative to the vehicle. For example, an actuating element located at the driver's seat, such as a cam, can actuate the respective switching device when the driver's seat is locked.

[0034] The vehicle can be designed such that the actuating element activates the first switching device when the driver's seat is fixed in the forward position. Furthermore, the vehicle can be designed such that the actuating element activates the second switching device when the driver's seat is fixed in the reverse position.

[0035] The first switching device and / or the second switching device can have one or more switches which, when the first switching device is actuated, bring about the first switching operation and / or, in the case of the second switching device, the second switching operation, in particular by closing the switches. In this way, the function of the direction selector can be adapted to the orientation of the driver's seat in a simple and reliable manner.

[0036] The direction selector may have mechanically coupled switches configured to simultaneously apply an electrical signal to a first and a second forward signal output or simultaneously to a first and a second reverse signal output. In this context, the first forward signal output and the first reverse signal output are specifically assigned to the first configuration, and the second forward signal output and the second reverse signal output to the second configuration. The assignment of outputs to the respective configuration means, in particular, that the electrical signal present at the respective output is forwarded to the corresponding signal input of the vehicle control unit when the respective configuration is activated.This assignment of separate signal outputs to the first and second circuits allows for more comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, particularly with regard to cable breaks and / or short circuits, compared to a solution where the direction selector only has a forward signal output and a reverse signal output, each of which can transmit the electrical signal to the corresponding signal input of the vehicle control unit via the first and second circuits, respectively. In practical terms, this can mean, in particular, that the first forward signal output and the first reverse signal output are electrically connected to the first switching device, which serves to establish the first circuit, and the second forward signal output and the second reverse signal output are electrically connected to the second switching device, which serves to establish the second circuit.

[0037] The vehicle can be designed such that, during normal operation, an electrical signal is present either at the forward signal input of the vehicle control unit, at the reverse signal input, or at neither input. In this context, the vehicle control unit can be designed to detect a fault and, in particular, to issue an error message when electrical signals are present simultaneously at both the forward and reverse signal inputs. Such functionality enables the detection of short circuits. This prevents malfunctions in the engine control unit, ultimately contributing to the operational safety of the vehicle.

[0038] The vehicle may have a safety switching device connected to the vehicle control unit as part of a locking mechanism for securing the driver's seat in the forward or reverse position. In this context, the vehicle may be designed such that locking the driver's seat in the forward or reverse position activates the safety switching device. The vehicle may also be designed such that the vehicle control unit activates the drive system only when the safety switching device is activated. Such a design ensures that the drive system can only be activated if the driver's seat is properly locked in the forward or reverse position. This increases the operational safety of the vehicle.

[0039] The safety switching device can have a first safety signal output connected to the first safety signal input of the vehicle control unit and a second safety signal output connected to a second safety signal input of the vehicle control unit. The safety switching device can be configured to output the electrical signal only to the first safety output when the safety switching device is activated and only to the second safety signal output when the safety switching device is not activated. The vehicle control unit can be configured to detect a fault and, in particular, to output a fault message when electrical signals are present at both safety signal inputs and / or at neither safety signal input.

[0040] This design of the safety switching device and the vehicle control unit ensures the fail-safe operation of the safety switching device. Faults in the safety switching device, such as short circuits or broken cables, can be detected by the wiring described above.

[0041] The invention is described below with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. Figure 7 explains this in more detail schematically. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary motor vehicle with a driver's seat in the forward position, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the exemplary motor vehicle from Fig. 1 with the driver's seat in the reverse position, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an exemplary practical implementation of the driver position-dependent wiring, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an alternative exemplary practical driver position-dependent wiring, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of an exemplary circuit for realizing the driver's seat position-dependent connection of the direction selection device with the vehicle control device, Fig. Figures 6 and 7 are schematic representations of exemplary alternative circuits to the one shown in [reference]. Fig. 5 shown circuit.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 shown is, for example, a tractor. The motor vehicle 10 has a driver's seat 12 for accommodating a driver. The driver's seat 12 can be configured as shown in Fig. 1. Illustrated by way of example in a forward-facing position relative to the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle 10, and as in Fig. 2, shown, is moved into a reverse position facing backwards with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle 10. The driver's compartment 12 can, as in the example shown, comprise a driver's seat 14 for accommodating the driver and operating elements 16. Such a design requires, in particular as shown, that the operating elements 16 and the driver's seat 14, together with the driver's compartment 12, can be moved into the forward and reverse positions.

[0043] The operating elements 16 include a direction selection device 18. This is located in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is not shown separately for illustrative reasons. The direction selector 18 is used by the driver of the motor vehicle 10 to select forward and / or reverse travel.

[0044] The motor vehicle 10 is designed in such a way that - when the driver's seat 12 is in the Fig. The forward position shown in Figure 1 is fixed – a first electrical circuit of the direction selector 18 with a vehicle control unit 20 is effected. The vehicle control unit 20 controls the drive system of the motor vehicle 10. The drive system can, in particular, be an electric drive system. In this context, the vehicle control unit 20 can, in particular, include or control an inverter.

[0045] The first circuit configuration results in the selection of forward travel by means of the direction selector 18 causing the vehicle control unit 20 to select forward travel. The vehicle control unit 20 is located in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is also not shown separately for presentation reasons.

[0046] Furthermore, the exemplary motor vehicle 10 is designed such that, when the driver's seat 12 is fixed in the reverse position, a second electrical connection is established between the direction selector 18 and the vehicle control unit 20. The reverse position of the driver's seat is exemplified in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. The second circuit configuration results in the selection of forward travel via the direction selector 18 causing the vehicle control unit 20 to select reverse travel. In other words, locking the driver's seat in the reverse position "reverses" the function of the direction selector 18 with respect to the vehicle. From the driver's perspective in the driver's seat 12, the direction of travel selected with the direction selector 18, whether in forward or reverse position, is always the one corresponding to the driver's orientation. This allows for intuitive operation of the direction selector 18 in both the forward and reverse positions of the driver's seat 12.

[0047] The exemplary motor vehicle 10 is further configured such that the first circuit ensures that selecting reverse driving with the direction selector 18 results in the vehicle control unit 20 selecting reverse driving. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 can be configured as shown such that the second circuit ensures that selecting reverse driving with the direction selector 18 results in the vehicle control unit 20 selecting forward driving.

[0048] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows exemplary electromechanical realizations of the design of the motor vehicle 10, which enable the first and / or second circuits to be brought about.

[0049] In the case of the in Fig. In the example shown in Figure 3, the motor vehicle 10 can be designed such that the first switching operation and / or the second switching operation is brought about by the actuation, in particular by the closing, of switches, which, due to the design of the motor vehicle 10, occurs when the driver's seat 12 is moved into the forward position and / or the reverse position. Fig. Figure 3 shows driver's seat 12 in the forward position. This occurs in the case of the Fig. 3 of the motor vehicle 10 shown, for example, by the fact that the driver's seat 12 can be rotated about an axis 22 parallel to the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle 10 into the forward position and / or the reverse position.

[0050] As in the example shown, the driver's seat 12 can have an actuating element 24 that moves with the driver's seat 12 into the forward and / or reverse position. As in the example shown, the motor vehicle 10 can be designed such that the actuating element 24, in the (shown) forward position, actuates a first switching device 26. Actuating the first switching device 26, in the example shown, results in the first switching operation. For this purpose, the first switching device 26 can have switches, the actuation of which, in particular their closing, brings about the first switching operation.

[0051] As in the example shown, the motor vehicle 10 can further be designed such that the actuating element 24, in the (not shown) reverse position, actuates a second switching device 28. Actuating the second switching device 28, in the example shown, results in the second circuit being activated. For this purpose, the second switching device 28 can have switches, the actuation of which, in particular their closing, brings about the second circuit.

[0052] The motor vehicle 10 can, as in Fig. Figure 3 shows a safety switching device 30. As shown by way of example, the safety switching device 30 can be part of a fixing device for fixing the driver's seat 12 in the forward position and / or reverse position. As shown in Fig. In the example shown in Figure 3, the motor vehicle 10 can be designed such that locking the driver's seat 12 in the forward and / or reverse position activates the safety switching device 30. The motor vehicle 10, in particular the vehicle control unit 20, is designed so that the vehicle control unit 20 only activates the drive system when the safety switching device 30 is activated.

[0053] This can be achieved, as in the example shown, by the fixing device having a locking element 32 in the form of a bolt. In the example shown, the driver's seat 12 has openings (not shown in detail) through which the locking element 32 can be inserted to fix the driver's seat 12 in the forward and / or reverse position. A section 34 of the vehicle body located below the driver's seat 12 also has an opening through which the locking element 32 can be guided. If the driver's seat 12 is moved into the forward and / or reverse position in the example shown, one of the two openings in the driver's seat 12 is located directly above the opening in the section 34 of the vehicle body.The locking element 32 can then be guided through the two openings and, upon reaching its end position in which it fixes the driver's seat 12 in the forward position and / or the reverse position, actuates the safety switching device 30.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 4 shows an alternative configuration of the driver's seat 12. The first switching device 26, the second switching device 28 and the safety switching device 30 are shown in the Fig. The embodiment shown in section 4 is arranged by way of example at the driver's seat 12. The motor vehicle 10 can be arranged as in the embodiment shown in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is designed such that the first circuit and / or the second circuit is brought about by actuating, in particular by closing, switches. The closing of the switches occurs, for example, due to the design of the motor vehicle 10, when the driver's seat 12 is fixed in the forward position and / or the reverse position.

[0055] In the example shown, this is achieved by actuating a first switching device 26 and / or a second switching device 28 by providing actuating elements 24 on the locking element 32. These can be designed as cams, as in the example shown. In the example shown, the actuating elements 24 for actuating the first switching device 26 and the second switching device 28 are arranged offset by 90°. To secure the driver's seat 12, the locking element 32 is first pushed from above through an opening in the driver's seat 12 (not shown). When the driver's seat 12 is in a forward or reverse position, the opening in the driver's seat 12 aligns with a corresponding opening in an area 34 of the vehicle body.To fix the driver's seat 12 in the forward position and / or the reverse position, the locking element 32 can be pushed through the openings accordingly until it reaches a respective end stop 36.

[0056] The cross-sections of the actuating element 24 and the openings in the area 34 of the vehicle body can then be designed such that the locking element 32 must be rotated 90° about its vertical axis relative to the driver's seat 12 when changing between the forward and reverse positions. In the example shown, this results in the following: Fig. In the forward position shown in Figure 4, an actuating element 24 actuates the first switching device 26. Simultaneously, another cam provided on the locking element 32 actuates the safety switching device 30 when the locking element 32 has reached its end position, where it abuts the end stop 36. For better understanding, the orientations of the actuating elements 24 relative to the motor vehicle 10 are shown in the schematic partial figures 37 in the respective possible positions of the locking element.

[0057] If the driver's seat 12 is rotated into the reverse position (not shown), the locking element 32 for fixing the driver's seat 12 in the reverse position must be inserted into the openings in a position pivoted 90° around the vertical direction Z relative to the driver's seat 12 until it abuts the corresponding stop 36. In the example shown, this means that instead of the first switching device 26, which in the case of the Fig. In the forward position shown in Figure 4, the lower actuating element 24 is actuated; in the reverse position, the second switching device 28 is actuated by the upper actuating element 24. Simultaneously, in the reverse position, the safety switching device 30 is also actuated when the locking element 32 has reached its end position, in which it rests against a corresponding end stop 36.

[0058] In the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. Figure 7 shows exemplary circuits for realizing the “function reversal” of the direction selection device 18, which depends on the position of the driver’s seat 12.

[0059] The one in the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. The common feature of the seven examples shown is that the respective motor vehicles 10 have a safety switching device 30. As in the example shown, the safety switching device 30 can have a first safety signal output 38, which is connected to a first safety signal input 40 of the vehicle control unit 20. As also shown by way of example, the safety switching device 30 can further have a second safety signal output 42, which is connected to a second safety signal input 44 of the vehicle control unit 20. As in the examples shown, the safety switching device 30 can be configured to output an electrical signal, which, as in the examples, can originate from a signal source 46, only at the first safety signal output 38 when the safety device 30 is activated.As also shown in the examples, the safety switching device 30 can be configured to output an electrical signal only at the second safety signal output 42 when the safety switching device 30 is not actuated. In other words, with such a design, the electrical signal is output either at the first safety signal output 38 or the second safety signal output 42 and is accordingly present at either the first safety signal input 40 or the second safety signal input 44. This can be implemented, as schematically shown in the example, by two mechanically coupled switches, one of which is closed and the other opened when the safety switching device 30 is actuated.

[0060] What they also have in common is that in the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a control element 48, for example a pedal, which, when actuated, is designed to produce a response of the drive system desired by the driver, in particular a movement in the direction selected by the direction selector 18. The control element can influence one or more control variables, for example a torque, a rotational speed, and / or a velocity. As in the examples shown, the control element 48 can be electrically connected to one or more inputs of the vehicle control unit 20 to enable the corresponding control of the drive system by means of the vehicle control unit 20.

[0061] The direction selection device 18 can, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, this can be implemented by means of switches that output an electrical signal from a signal source 50 either to a forward signal output 52, a reverse signal output 54, or a neutral signal output 56. In the example shown, the neutral signal output 56 can be connected to a corresponding neutral signal input 58 of the vehicle control unit 20. The presence of such a neutral signal output 56, connected to a neutral signal input 58, allows the vehicle control unit 20 to detect that a neutral position is actively selected at the direction selector 18.The switches can be interconnected as in the example shown in the direction selection device 18 and mechanically coupled to each other in such a way that, starting from the switch position shown, in which the electrical signal of the signal source 50 is not output at any of the signal outputs 52, 54 or 56, only combinations of switch positions are possible in which one of the exemplary switches shown is actuated or closed, so that the electrical signal is output either at the signal output 52, 54 or 56.

[0062] As in the Fig. In the example shown, the forward signal output 52 and the reverse signal output 54 can each be connected to a first switching device 26 and a second switching device 28, respectively. The first switching device 26 and the second switching device 28 can have mechanically coupled switches, as shown in the example. As in the example shown, actuation of the first switching device 26 can cause the mechanically coupled switches of the first switching device 26 to connect the forward signal output 52 of the direction selector 18 to a forward signal input 60 of the vehicle control device 20, and the reverse signal output 54 to the reverse signal input 62 of the vehicle control device 20.As in the example shown, the actuation of the second switching device 28 can cause the mechanically coupled switches of the second switching device 28 to connect the forward signal output 52 of the direction selection device 18 with a reverse signal input 62 of the vehicle control device 20 and the reverse signal output 54 with the forward signal input 60 of the vehicle control device 20.

[0063] The one in Fig. The embodiment shown in 6 differs from the one in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 differs essentially in that the direction selector 18 has, for example, a 3-position switch for selecting the direction of travel. In a first position, this switch connects the electrical signal to the forward signal output 52, and in a second position, to the reverse signal output 54. In a third position, the electrical signal is not output at either signal output 52 or 54. Alternatively, in the third position, the electrical signal can also be output at a neutral signal output (not shown) that is connected to a neutral signal input (not shown) of the vehicle control unit 20.The latter variant has the advantage of being able to distinguish between the active selection of the neutral position and a malfunction, in which, for example, a broken cable interrupts the connection between the signal output 52 or the signal output 54 with a corresponding signal input of the vehicle control unit 20.

[0064] The in Fig. The example shown in 7 differs from the one in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the direction selector 18 has a first forward signal output 52a and a second forward signal output 52b, as well as a first reverse signal output 54a and a second reverse signal output 54b. The direction selector 18 is configured to output the electrical signal either at the first forward signal output 52a and the second forward signal output 52b, or at the first reverse signal output 54a and the second reverse signal output 54b. The first forward signal output 52a and the first reverse signal output 54a are, by way of example, assigned to the first circuit by connecting the first forward signal output 52a and the second reverse signal output 54a to the first switching device 26.The second forward signal output 52b and the second reverse signal output 54b are assigned to the second circuit by example, in that the second forward signal output 52b and the second reverse signal output 54b are connected to the second switching device 28.

[0065] The resulting functionality corresponds to that of the in Fig. 6 examples shown, which are in Fig. However, the circuit shown in Figure 7 offers better possibilities for detecting damage to lines between the direction selection device 18 and the respective switching device 26 or 28 due to the discrete electrical lines.

[0066] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, the drawings, and the claims can be essential for realizing the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. Reference symbol list 10 motor vehicle 12 driver's seat 14 Driver's seat 16 controls 18 Direction selection device 20 Vehicle control unit 22 axle 24 Actuating element 26 first switching device 28 second switching device 30 Safety switching device 32 locking element 34 area 36 End stop 37 partial illustration 38 first safety signal output 40 first safety signal input 42 second safety signal output 44 second safety signal input 46 Signal source 48 Control element 50 Signal source 52 Forward signal output 52a First forward signal output 52b second forward signal output 54 Reverse signal output 54a first reverse signal output 54b second reverse signal output 56 Neutral position signal output 58 Neutral position signal input 60 Forward signal input 62 Reverse signal input X Longitudinal direction Y transverse direction Z Upward direction

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (10), with a driver's seat (12), wherein the driver's seat (12) is movable into a forward position and a reverse position, and can be fixed in the respective position, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle (10). wherein the driver's seat (12) has a direction selection device (18) for the driver of the motor vehicle (10) to select between forward and reverse travel, wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a vehicle control device (20) which controls the drive system of the motor vehicle (10), characterized by, that the motor vehicle (10) is designed such that, when the driver's seat (12) is fixed in the forward position, a first electrical connection of the direction selection device (18) with the vehicle control device (20) is effected, which results in the selection of forward travel by means of the direction selection device (18) causing the selection of forward travel by the vehicle control device (20), and that, when the driver's seat (12) is fixed in the reverse position, a second electrical connection of the direction selection device (18) with the vehicle control device (20) is effected, which results in the selection of forward travel by means of the direction selection device (18) causing the selection of reverse travel by means of the vehicle control device (20). [2] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the motor vehicle (10) is designed such that the first connection results in the selection of reverse travel by means of the direction selection device (18) causing the selection of reverse travel by the vehicle control device (20), and that the second connection results in the selection of reverse travel by means of the direction selection device (18) causing the selection of forward travel by the vehicle control device (20). [3] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the direction selection device (18) is configured to output an electrical signal at a forward-driving signal output (52) of the direction selection device (18) when forward driving is selected, and the first circuit is configured to electrically connect the forward-driving signal output (52) of the direction selection device (18) to a forward-driving signal input (60) of the vehicle control device (20), wherein the second circuit is configured to electrically connect the forward-driving signal output (52) of the direction selection device (18) to a reverse-driving signal input (62) of the vehicle control device (20). [4] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the direction selector (18) is configured to output an electrical signal at a reverse signal output (54) of the direction selector (18) when reverse travel is selected, and the first circuit is configured to electrically connect the reverse signal output (54) of the direction selector (18) to a reverse signal input (62) of the vehicle control unit (20), wherein the second circuit is configured to electrically connect the reverse signal output (54) of the direction selector (18) to a forward signal input (60) of the vehicle control unit (20). [5] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the motor vehicle (10) is designed such that the first switching operation, in particular by closing switches when operating a first switching device (26), and / or the second switching operation, in particular by closing switches when operating a second switching device (28), is effected when the driver's seat (12) is moved into the forward position and / or the reverse position. [6] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the motor vehicle (10) is designed such that the first switching operation, in particular by closing switches when operating a first switching device (26), and / or the second switching operation, in particular by closing switches when operating a second switching device (28), is effected when the driver's seat (12) is fixed in the forward position and / or the reverse position. [7] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the direction selection device (18) has mechanically coupled switches configured to simultaneously apply an electrical signal to a first and a second forward signal output (52a, 52b) or simultaneously to a first and a second reverse signal output (54a, 54b), wherein the first forward signal output (52a) and the first reverse signal output (54a) are assigned to the first wiring and the second forward signal output (52b) and the second reverse signal output (54b) are assigned to the second wiring. [8] Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by, that the motor vehicle (10) is designed such that, in normal operation of the motor vehicle (10), an electrical signal is present either at the forward-driving signal input (60) of the vehicle control unit (20) or at the reverse-driving signal input (62) of the vehicle control unit (20) or at neither of the two inputs, and the vehicle control unit (20) is designed to detect an error when electrical signals are present simultaneously at the forward-driving signal input (60) and the reverse-driving signal input (62), and in particular to issue an error message. [9] Motor vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the motor vehicle (10) has a safety switching device (30) connected to the vehicle control unit (20) as part of a fixing device for fixing the driver's seat (12) in the forward or reverse position and is designed in such a way that fixing the driver's seat (12) in the forward or reverse position activates the safety switching device (30) and the vehicle control unit (20) only activates the drive when the safety switching device (30) is activated. [10] Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 9, characterized by, that the safety switching device (30) has a first safety signal output (38) connected to a first safety signal input (40) of the vehicle control device (20) and a second safety signal output (42) connected to a second safety signal input (44) of the vehicle control device (20) and is configured to output an electrical signal only to the first safety signal output (38) when the safety switching device (30) is actuated and only to the second safety signal output (42) when the safety switching device (30) is not actuated, and that the vehicle control device (20) is configured to detect an error and, in particular, to output an error message when electrical signals are present at both safety signal inputs (40, 44) and / or no safety signal input (40, 44).

Images