Motor vehicle with a steering wheel, a driving mode selector mounted on the steering wheel and an instrument cluster

Abstract

Motor vehicle, with a steering wheel (10), with an instrument cluster having a display, with a driving mode selector (15) mounted on the steering wheel (10), wherein the driving mode selector (15) is configured so that a defined actuation of the same on the driver's side automatically changes a driving mode of the motor vehicle, wherein the driving mode selector (15) can be moved in different directions of actuation such that a defined actuation of the same on the driver's side in a first direction of actuation results in a change from the currently current driving mode to a respective first driving mode and a defined actuation of the same on the driver's side in a second, opposite direction of actuation results in a change from the currently current driving mode to a respective second driving mode.The driving mode selector (15) is associated with at least one sensor that detects a future touch by the driver and / or an actual touch or actuation of the driving mode selector (15) by the driver that does not change the driving mode. When the at least one sensor detects a future touch by the driver and / or an actual touch or actuation of the driving mode selector (15) by the driver that does not change the driving mode, a control unit of the motor vehicle then generates a display in the instrument cluster showing the first and second driving modes currently available in the two directions of operation.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a steering wheel, with a driving mode selection element installed on the steering wheel and with an instrument cluster.

[0002] In motor vehicles, it is common for controls to be installed on the steering wheel. These could be, for example, a control for adjusting the volume of an entertainment system or a control for operating a car phone. In sports cars, it is already common practice to install a driving mode selector on the steering wheel as an additional control element. This selector is designed to change the driving mode of the vehicle through a defined actuation of the driving mode selector by the driver. These driving modes can include, for example, fuel-efficient driving modes and sporty driving modes.

[0003] A driving mode selection element is already known in practice, which is designed as a rotary knob or as a roller, wherein a defined movement of the same by the driver in a first actuation direction results in an automatic change from a current driving mode to a respective first driving mode, and a defined movement of the same by the driver in a second, opposite direction results in an automatic change from the respective current driving mode to a respective second driving mode. The problem here is that the driver has no information or overview of which driving modes are currently available and, accordingly, to which driving mode the change is made when the driving mode selection element is operated in the respective actuation direction, starting from the current driving mode. This can impair both the desired sportiness of the driving behavior and driving safety.

[0004] For example, if a driver wants to increase the sportiness of the vehicle's handling from the current driving mode and switch to a Sport or Sport Plus driving mode, but operates the driving mode selector in the wrong direction, the vehicle will then switch from the current driving mode to a less sporty driving mode. This will impair the desired sportiness of the vehicle's handling.

[0005] If, for example, a driver wants to change to a less sporty driving mode due to bad weather or road conditions, but then operates the driving mode selector in the wrong direction and changes to a sportier driving mode, this can impair driving safety.

[0006] DE 10 2010 012 239 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a steering wheel and an instrument cluster. Various control elements are installed on the steering wheel. A first control element is designed as a control island consisting of several push buttons. A driver assistance function and a cruise control system can be operated via the control island. A second control element, installed on the steering wheel, serves to operate a multifunction display and an audio system. In the instrument cluster, displays can be generated on a display to provide the driver with specific information.

[0007] DE 10 2021 120 964 A1 discloses a vehicle steering wheel of a motor vehicle with a plurality of proximity sensors extending along a rim of the steering wheel. Furthermore, the steering wheel includes a steering angle sensor that detects the angle of rotation of the steering wheel rim. Each proximity sensor is assigned a different function based on the rotation of the steering wheel.

[0008] US 10 780 909 B2 discloses further prior art relating to vehicle steering wheels.

[0009] There is a need for a motor vehicle that allows for safe switching of driving modes via a driving mode selector mounted on the steering wheel. The object of the invention is to provide such a motor vehicle.

[0010] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle according to patent claim 1.

[0011] The motor vehicle according to the invention has a steering wheel, an instrument cluster with a display and a driving mode selection element installed on the steering wheel.

[0012] The driving mode selection element is configured to automatically change a driving mode of the motor vehicle through a defined actuation thereof on the driving side. The driving mode selection element can be displaced in different actuation directions such that, upon a defined actuation thereof on the driving side in a first actuation direction, a change automatically occurs from a respective current driving mode to a respective first driving mode, and upon a defined actuation thereof on the driving side in a second, opposite actuation direction, a change automatically occurs from the respective current driving mode to a respective second driving mode.

[0013] According to the invention, at least one sensor is assigned to the driving mode selection element, which sensor detects a future driver-side touch and / or an actual driver-side touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element that does not cause a change in the driving mode.

[0014] When the at least one sensor detects a future driver-side touch and / or an actual driver-side touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element that does not result in a change in the driving mode, a control unit of the motor vehicle generates an indication in the display of the instrument cluster of the first and second driving modes currently available in the two actuation directions.

[0015] In the motor vehicle according to the invention, a safe change of the driving mode is possible via the driving mode selection element installed on the steering wheel.

[0016] If the at least one sensor of the driving mode selector detects a future driver touch and / or an actual driver touch or an actual driver actuation of the driving mode selector that does not yet result in a change in the driving mode, the control unit generates an indication on the instrument cluster display of the driving modes currently available in the respective actuation directions of the driving mode selector. Thus, before the actual change of driving mode, the driver is provided with information about which driving modes are currently available in which actuation direction.

[0017] A change to a driving mode that is not desired by the driver can be safely and reliably avoided.

[0018] The driver can see on the instrument cluster display in which direction he has to press the driving mode selector to change to a desired driving mode.

[0019] This can prevent both undesirable, less sporty driving behavior and unsafe driving.

[0020] Preferably, at least one sensor is a proximity sensor that detects a future touch of the driver's touch on the driving mode selector. The proximity sensor is installed in the immediate vicinity of the driving mode selector on the steering wheel. If the sensor is a proximity sensor, the driving mode display of the available driving modes is generated in the instrument cluster display even before the driving mode selector is touched.

[0021] Preferably, at least one sensor is a touch sensor that detects an actual touch of the driver on the driving mode selector, or a motion sensor that detects an actual actuation of the driver on the driving mode selector that does not result in a change in the driving mode, wherein the touch sensor or motion sensor is integrated into the driving mode selector. If the sensor is a touch sensor or a motion sensor, the display on the instrument cluster is only generated upon touching or actuating the driving mode selector, but also before an actual change in the driving mode.

[0022] Preferably, the motor vehicle's control unit determines the currently available driving modes based on the vehicle's operating conditions. This development is particularly preferred. The control unit determines the currently available driving modes. Only those driving modes that are actually available are shown on the instrument cluster display. If, for example, a driving mode is locked or unavailable due to the vehicle's current operating conditions, it will not be shown on the instrument cluster display.

[0023] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a steering wheel of a motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 a detail of the steering wheel of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a section of an instrument cluster of the motor vehicle according to the invention. Fig. 4 a motor vehicle.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a section of a steering wheel 10 of a motor vehicle 20. The steering wheel 10 has a steering wheel rim 11, by which the steering wheel 10 can be grasped by a driver.

[0025] A steering wheel hub 12 is formed in the center of the steering wheel 10. Several struts 13 extend between the steering wheel hub 12 and the steering wheel rim 11. Free spaces are formed between the struts 13, namely for the passage of the driver's hands and for the view of an instrument cluster 14 of the motor vehicle 20, wherein Fig. 3 shows a section of such an instrument cluster 14.

[0026] On the steering wheel 10, namely in Fig. 1 on the steering wheel hub 12, a driving mode selector element 15 is installed, which in Fig. 2 is shown in greater detail.

[0027] The driving mode selection element 15 is according to Fig. 2 is designed as a rotary knob, which is rotated according to the double arrow 16 of the Fig. 2 can be displaced in two opposite actuating directions to change the driving mode of the motor vehicle 20. If the driving mode selection element 15 is displaced in a first actuating direction as a result of a defined displacement thereof by the driver, an automatic change occurs from the respective current driving mode to a respective first driving mode available in the first actuating direction. If, however, the driving mode selection element 15 is displaced in a respective opposite second actuating direction, an automatic change of the driving mode occurs from the respective current driving mode to a respective second driving mode available in the second actuating direction.

[0028] In motor vehicles known from practice, this driving mode change occurs automatically when the driver operates the driving mode selector element 15 in the respective actuation direction, without the driver having any information about which driving modes are available in the respective actuation direction. This can lead to undesirable driving situations in a motor vehicle known from practice.

[0029] According to the invention, at least one sensor 19 is assigned to the driving mode selection element 15. The at least one sensor 19 assigned to the driving mode selection element 15 detects a future driver touch and / or an actual driver touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element 15, specifically a touch or actuation that does not yet cause an automatic change in the driving mode.

[0030] Then, when the at least one sensor 19 detects such a future driver-side touch and / or an actual driver-side touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element 15 that does not cause a change in the driving mode, a control unit 21 of the motor vehicle 20 generates a display 18 in a display 17 of the instrument cluster 14 about the first and second driving modes currently actually available in the respective actuation directions of the driving mode selection element 15.

[0031] This shows Fig. 3 shows a section of the instrument cluster 14 in the area of ​​the display 18 generated in the display 17, wherein Fig.3 indicates that a normal driving program is currently selected, whereby when the driving mode selector element is operated clockwise, the driving modes "Sport", "Sport Plus" and "Individual" are available in succession, and when the driving mode is operated counterclockwise a second time, the driving mode "Wet" for driving on a wet road surface is available.

[0032] Therefore, before an actual change of driving mode is automatically executed by the driver operating the driving mode selector 15, the display 18 is automatically generated in the instrument cluster 14 to show the driver information about the respective driving modes available in a particular operating direction. This can prevent an undesired driving mode change from being performed by operating the driving mode selector 15 in the wrong operating direction.

[0033] Undesirable unsporting driving behavior can be prevented, while dangerous driving situations can be avoided by selecting a driving mode that is too sporty, for example on wet roads.

[0034] The sensor 19 associated with the driving mode selection element 15 can be designed as a proximity sensor that detects a future driver-side touch of the driving mode selection element as a result of a hand movement of the driver, wherein such a proximity sensor 19 is preferably installed in the immediate vicinity of the driving mode selection element 15 on the steering wheel 10.

[0035] The sensor can also be a touch sensor that detects an actual touch by the driver on the driving mode selector element 15. This can be, for example, a so-called touch foil, which is then installed below the rotary knob 15 and thus integrated into the driving mode selector element. Instead of a touch foil, another touch sensor based on capacitive detection can also be used.

[0036] The proximity sensor 19 can be based on the principle of detecting the change in an electric field or on the principle of a light barrier.

[0037] The sensor can also be a motion sensor that detects an actual driver actuation of the driving mode selector element 15 as a micro-movement that is so small that it does not cause a change in the driving mode. This can then be a Hall sensor, for example.

[0038] Several different sensors can also be assigned to the driving mode selection element 15, for example a proximity sensor 19 and a touch sensor or a proximity sensor 19 and a motion sensor, which is also capable of detecting an actuation of the driving mode selection element that is too small to cause a change in the driving mode.

[0039] As already explained above, depending on the at least one sensor, namely when the sensor detects a future touch by the driver and / or an actual touch or actuation of the driving mode selector element that does not result in a change in the driving mode, the display 18 showing the driving modes currently available in the actuation directions of the driving mode selector element 15 is automatically generated in the instrument cluster 14. The display 18 therefore shows the currently available driving modes even before a change in the driving mode occurs. The driver is thus provided with information about which driving mode will be available when the driving mode selector element is actuated in the respective actuation direction. This supports the driver when changing driving modes, and driving safety can be increased.It can prevent a change to a driving mode that is too sporty or to a driving mode that is too unsporty.

[0040] In particular, it is provided that the control unit 21, which automatically generates the display 18 in the instrument cluster 14 as a result of the detection of a future driver touch and / or an actual driver touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element by the at least one sensor 19, determines the currently available driving modes depending on the operating conditions of the motor vehicle 20. For example, depending on the operating conditions of the motor vehicle 20, a driving mode may not be available. If, for example, a traction battery of the motor vehicle 20 is not sufficiently charged, a "Sport Plus" driving mode may be blocked as a result of this operating condition and is then unavailable.Accordingly, if the control unit 21 detects a future driver-side touch and / or an actual driver-side touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element 15 that does not yet result in a change in the driving mode, the control unit 21 displays in the instrument cluster 14 only the respective actual driving modes available in the respective actuation direction. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2010 012 239 A1

[0006] DE 10 2021 120 964 A1

[0007] US 10 780 909 B2

[0008]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle, with a steering wheel (10), with a combination instrument (14) having a display (17), with a driving mode selection element (15) installed on the steering wheel (10), wherein the driving mode selection element (15) is designed such that a driving mode of the motor vehicle is automatically changed by a defined actuation thereof on the driver's side, wherein the driving mode selection element (15) is displaceable in different actuation directions such that, upon a defined driving-side displacement thereof in a first actuation direction, a change from a respective current driving mode to a respective first driving mode takes place, and upon a defined driving-side displacement thereof in a second, opposite actuation direction, a change from the respective current driving mode to a respective second driving mode takes place, characterized by , that the driving mode selection element (15) is assigned at least one sensor (19) which detects a future driver-side touch and / or an actual driver-side touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element (15) which does not cause a change in the driving mode, a control unit (21) of the motor vehicle, when the at least one sensor detects a future driver-side touch and / or an actual driver-side touch or actuation of the driving mode selection element (15) which does not cause a change in the driving mode, generates an indication (18) in the display (17) of the instrument cluster (14) of the first and second driving modes currently available in the two actuation directions. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the driving mode selection element (15) is a rotary knob. [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat at least one sensor (19) is a proximity sensor which detects a future driver-side touch of the driving mode selection element (15). [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by that the proximity sensor is installed in the immediate vicinity of the driving mode selector element (15) on the steering wheel (10). [5] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that at least one sensor is a touch sensor which detects an actual driver touch of the driving mode selection element (15). [6] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that at least one sensor is a motion sensor which detects an actual driver-side actuation of the driving mode selection element (15) which does not cause a change in the driving mode. [7] Motor vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the touch sensor or motion sensor is integrated into the driving mode selection element (15). [8] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the control unit (21) of the motor vehicle determines the currently available driving modes depending on the operating conditions of the motor vehicle.

Images