Steering arrangement for a motor vehicle with a display instrument

Abstract

A steering arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a steering shaft (16) connectable to a handlebar (12) for steering the motor vehicle, a steering housing (14), wherein the steering shaft (16) is mounted rotatably and, at least in a crash situation, linearly displaceably in the steering housing (14), and a display instrument (18) for displaying vehicle data, wherein the display instrument (18) has a base part fastened to the steering shaft (16) or to the steering housing (14) and a display part (26) fastened to the base part so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (28), and is designed to be pivotable away under an impact force (F) acting on an edge (22) of the display part (26) pointing away from the steering housing (14).By pivoting the display part (26) away when impact forces (F) occur, the risk of injury can be reduced without causing unnecessary damage to the display instrument (18), so that good accident protection in a motor vehicle is possible in a cost-effective and damage-resistant manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering arrangement for a motor vehicle with the aid of which the motor vehicle can be steered and on which a display instrument can be provided, as well as to a motor vehicle with such a steering arrangement.

[0002] From EP 3 722 136 A1 it is known to couple a display instrument to a steering column of a steering wheel in a motor vehicle, wherein in the event of an accident in which the steering column is moved away from the driver in the direction of travel, the display instrument moving with the steering column can strike a fixed stop and break off along a predetermined breaking point.

[0003] From DE 10 2016 200 902 A1 it is known to pivotally attach a display part of a display instrument to a dashboard of a motor vehicle, so that the display part can pivot in the event of a sufficiently strong impact of a vehicle occupant on the dashboard.

[0004] There is a constant need to improve accident protection in a motor vehicle.

[0005] The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable good accident protection in a motor vehicle.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a steering arrangement having the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle having the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description, which can each individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention, the scope of protection being determined by the claims.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a steering arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft connectable to a handlebar for steering the motor vehicle, a steering housing, wherein the steering shaft is mounted rotatably and, at least in a crash situation, linearly displaceably in the steering housing, and a display instrument for displaying vehicle data, wherein the display instrument has a base part fastened to the steering shaft or to the steering housing and a display part pivotally attached to the base part about a pivot axis and is designed to pivot away under an impact force acting on an edge of the display part facing away from the steering housing, wherein a fixed starting wedge is provided, wherein the starting wedge is designed to be abuttable against and / or slidable from the display instrument in the event of a crash-induced linear displacement of the steering shaft,wherein the starting wedge forces a pivoting of the display part about the pivot axis and / or a detachment of at least a large part of the display part when it strikes and / or slides against the display instrument.

[0008] It was recognized that, depending on the positioning of the steering shaft, which is adjustable within certain limits, the display instrument may protrude into a volume area that could pose a risk of injury to a driver in the event of a crash. For example, it is conceivable that in a rear-end collision the driver's head could be thrown forward over the steering wheel and strike an edge of the display instrument. The risk of injury from the display instrument could, in principle, be avoided by ensuring that at least a large part of the display instrument can break off along a predetermined breaking point if the head hits it. However, this would require allowing the display instrument to break off even with comparatively low acting forces, so that the display instrument could also break off outside of a crash situation due to accidental impacts.This would make the positioning of the display instrument as part of the steering assembly vulnerable to damage and expensive.

[0009] However, in the steering arrangement according to the invention, the breakage of the display part of the display instrument protruding from the steering housing is not initially intended and is only reserved for a crash situation in which impact forces are so high that breaking off parts of the display instrument is urgently recommended. Accidental damage to the display instrument due to accidental impacts can thus be avoided, and breakage is only permitted in the case of impact forces that clearly indicate the presence of a crash situation that is dangerous to the health and safety of the driver.This is achieved by, as a first step, causing the display part protruding from the steering housing to deflect when impact forces occur. In particular, it is only in a second step, when deflection of the display part would no longer be sufficient, that the display part is deliberately broken off or detached and is provided for with the aid of predetermined breaking points or otherwise. In this case, the ability to correctly and conveniently adjust the relative position of the display part relative to the base part connected to the steering shaft or the steering housing is utilized in that the achieved pivot position of the display part relative to the base part is not fixed immovably, but can be released and / or set in motion by the impact forces acting on an edge of the display instrument.If an impact force acts on the edge of the display element facing away from the steering housing at an angle that bypasses the pivot axis, the display element can deflect the impact force by pivoting away in the direction of a portion of the impact vector. A resistance moment maintained for this purpose, which must first be overcome in the event of a sufficiently large impact force, can be large enough to ensure that the display element is sufficiently stabilized in position during normal operation of the vehicle and under the expected acceleration forces, and small enough to reliably prevent serious injuries if the display element strikes the head. This prevents breakage and thus damage to the display instrument in a variety of crash situations with relatively low impact forces, as well as in the event of accidental impact.By swiveling the display part away when impact forces occur, the risk of injury can be reduced without causing unnecessary damage to the display instrument, thus enabling good accident protection in a motor vehicle in a cost-effective and damage-resistant manner.

[0010] With the help of the starting wedge, an injury-preventing movement of the display unit can be triggered even if there is no head striking the edge of the display unit. Particularly in a crash situation so serious that even the steering shaft is retracted to avoid injuries, a potential risk of injury from the display unit can be avoided by moving the display unit out of the path of impact of the head before the head has even reached the corresponding volume. This improves accident protection. The starting wedge, which strikes as a result of the relative movement of the steering shaft, can cause the display unit to pivot or break off, or can initially cause the display unit to pivot and then break off. This makes it possible to only allow damage to the display instrument in a correspondingly extreme situation.For example, the indicator part can only break off due to the starting wedge if there is a risk of the swivelled indicator part becoming jammed between the handlebar and a fixed part of the vehicle, which could possibly impair the retraction of the steering shaft.

[0011] The handlebar can be any geometrically shaped steering device, such as a steering wheel, that can be manually manipulated, in particular rotated, by a driver to steer the motor vehicle. Typically, the steering wheel can rotate the steering shaft, which is rotatably mounted in the steering housing.

[0012] The steering shaft can cause wheels to steer by rotating. This can be implemented through a direct mechanical coupling or through a steer-by-wire concept, for example an electrical and / or hydraulic coupling. The steering shaft is rotatably mounted, in particular, by two bearings offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft. Furthermore, the steering shaft can be moved linearly relative to the steering housing or together with the steering housing, particularly in a crash situation, in order to prevent injury to the driver's chest. Preferably, the linear displaceability is achieved through a telescopic length adjustment. The steering shaft can, in particular, be designed as part of a safety steering column.

[0013] The steering housing can enable the rotatable and / or movable mounting of the steering shaft. Preferably, the steering housing, together with the steering shaft, can be moved within certain limits and / or tilted, particularly vertically, to allow for height and / or width adjustment of the handlebar. The position of the handlebar can thus be easily adjusted to the individual needs and comfort preferences of the driver.

[0014] The display instrument can, in particular as a so-called instrument cluster, display typical vehicle data such as speed, torque, and the selected transmission gear. In addition, the display instrument can be designed to display current speed limits and traffic signs passed and / or data from an on-board computer and / or a navigation system. For this purpose, a display, in particular a touch-sensitive screen, can be provided in the display part, which can communicate with a unit providing the data to be displayed, either wired or wirelessly. The base part of the display instrument can be guided linearly in the steering housing and carried by the steering shaft during a linear displacement. In particular, both the base part and the display part engage a hinge pin running along the pivot axis, whereby a pivotable joint is formed between the base part and the display part.Typically, the base part is positioned so close to and / or within the steering housing that only the display part can form an edge that can be subjected to impact forces from the driver. This edge can form a peripheral edge for the display part. In particular, the edge is rounded and / or flexible and / or padded to further reduce the potential risk of injury in the event of a head impact. This would also allow for a correspondingly higher resistance moment to prevent the display part from pivoting away.

[0015] A crash situation is characterized, for example, by a motor vehicle colliding with an obstacle. This impact can result in sudden acceleration forces that can cause the driver's head to strike the edge of the instrument cluster. In a particularly severe crash, the front end of the vehicle may deform, creating the risk of the handlebar striking the driver's chest. In such a severe crash, however, the steering shaft, together with the handlebar and, if applicable, the steering housing, can be automatically moved away from the driver in the direction of travel.

[0016] In particular, a pivoting position of the display part relative to the base part, which can be adjusted around the pivot axis, is held frictionally and overcome by the impact force. The articulated coupling of the display part to the base part can be intentionally provided with friction in order to provide a suitable resistance moment against pivoting, which holds the display part firmly in position through frictional engagement, but can be overcome by sufficiently large impact forces or by manual pivoting. In particular, the frictional resistance moment can be provided by clamping forces of the display part and / or the base part on a hinge pin running along the pivot axis.

[0017] Preferably, the pivoting position of the indicator part, which can be adjusted about the pivot axis, is positively locked relative to the base part, with the locking mechanism being designed so that it can be overcome by the impact force. The positive locking mechanism allows for good, stable positioning of the indicator part without requiring specific friction conditions. For example, a locking tongue engaging in a recess is provided for the positive locking mechanism. Upon sufficiently large impact forces, the locking tongue can elastically deform to such an extent that the positive locking is canceled and the indicator part can slide into a less dangerous relative position.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the display part is attached to the base part or to a hinge pin running along the pivot axis, so that it can be tilted about a tilt axis different from the pivot axis. For example, the pivot axis runs essentially horizontally, in particular in the Y direction, while the tilt axis runs essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis, in particular with a significant portion in the Z direction. This allows the display part to deflect even when a lateral impact force occurs. Accident protection can thus be further improved.

[0019] In particular, the display part is offset from the tilt axis and, when an impact force is applied, is releasably attached to the base part and / or the hinge pin. This makes it possible for the display part to be released on one side by the impact force, thus allowing tilting on the other side about the tilt axis. For example, the hinge pin has tilt pins protruding at right angles at its free ends, to which the display part can be releasably attached via a retaining clip. Such that, when impact forces occur from the side, one clip connection is released and the other clip connection with the tilt pin forms the tilt axis for pivoting the display part away about the tilt axis.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the indicator part is detachably fastened to the base part and / or a hinge pin running along the pivot axis by the contacting stop wedge. For example, the indicator part is fastened to the hinge pin via a clip connection, wherein the stop wedge, through its relative movement and in particular its sliding along the indicator part, can lift the indicator part from the hinge pin and release the clip connection. The indicator part can thus be detached along a predetermined breaking point without physical damage, making repair of the detached indicator part easy and simple.

[0021] In particular, a recess is formed above or below the pivot axis for threading a wedge tip of the starting wedge. The wedge tip of the starting wedge can penetrate the recess, allowing for rough directional centering and a defined sliding of the inclined plane of the starting wedge. If the starting wedge is displaced sufficiently far within the recess, the surfaces of the starting wedge, which are connected to one another via the angle in the wedge tip, come into contact with the edge of the recess on both the upper and lower surfaces, whereby the respective edges and the associated parts of the display instrument can be pushed apart and detached from one another.

[0022] Preferably, the indicator part has a projection projecting into the recess for engaging the wedge tip of the stop wedge and / or a sliding surface that can slide along the stop wedge. When the wedge tip of the stop wedge strikes the projection of the indicator part, the stop wedge can pivot the indicator part, whereby the pivoting direction of the indicator part depends on whether the stop wedge engages the projection above or below the pivot axis. Additionally or alternatively, the stop wedge can slide along a surface of the indicator part offset from the pivot axis, thereby pivoting the indicator part.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a steering arrangement, which can be designed and developed as described above, for steering the motor vehicle, wherein a safety device coupled to the steering arrangement is provided for linearly displacing the steering shaft and / or the steering housing away from a driver in the event of a frontal crash. In particular, if a crash situation occurs that is so serious that the steering shaft is to be retracted together with the handlebar, the risk of injury from the display instrument can be avoided. By pivoting the display part away when impact forces occur, the risk of injury can be reduced without unnecessary damage to the display instrument, thus enabling good accident protection in a motor vehicle that is cost-effective and damage-resistant.

[0024] The invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. The features presented below may represent an aspect of the invention, both individually and in combination, with the scope of protection being determined by the claims. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a steering arrangement in a first crash situation and Fig. 2: a schematic representation of the steering arrangement from Fig. 1 in a second crash situation.

[0025] The Fig. The steering assembly 10 shown in Figure 1 can be used to steer a motor vehicle by a driver rotating a handlebar 12, which is designed in particular as a steering wheel, which in turn rotates a steering shaft 16 rotatably mounted in a steering housing 14. The rotation of the steering shaft 16 can be converted mechanically or, in particular in a steer-by-wire concept, in another way into a steering of the wheels of the motor vehicle. In addition, the steering assembly 10 has a display instrument 18, also referred to in particular as an instrument cluster, which can be displaced together with the steering shaft 16 and the steering housing 14 during a width and height adjustment. This makes it possible in principle for the display instrument 18 to protrude into a volume into which a head 20 of the driver could be thrown in the event of a crash of the motor vehicle.In this case, the head 20 can strike an edge 22 of the display instrument 18 with an impact force F.

[0026] The display instrument 18 has a base part arranged largely inside the steering housing 14, which is coupled to the steering shaft 16 rotatably mounted in the steering housing 14 in such a way that, although co-rotation of the base part with the steering shaft is blocked, the base part can be moved along with a linear displacement of the steering shaft 16 relative to a fixed bracket 24 of the motor vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft 16. In particular, the base part is guided for linear displacement in the steering housing 14 for this purpose. A display part 26 is pivotally connected to the base part, with an associated pivot axis 28 of the display instrument 18 being provided in the region of the surface of the steering housing 14 facing upwards in the Z direction, in particular extending in the Y direction. It is also possible for the pivot axis 28 to extend slightly below or slightly above the surface of the steering housing 14.

[0027] When the head 20 strikes the edge 22 of the display part 22 with the impact force F, a resistance moment provided, for example by friction, can be overcome and the display part 22 can pivot away from the head 20 about the pivot axis 28 without there being a risk of injury to the head from the edge 22 of the display instrument.

[0028] In the Fig. 2, is compared to the crash situation shown in Fig.1, the crash situation is so severe that the steering shaft 16, together with the handlebar 12 and preferably together with the steering housing 14, is automatically retracted at least partially into the console 24. In this situation, the indicator part 26 can strike a stop wedge 30, which can slide, for example, along an underside 32 of the indicator part 26 facing the steering housing 14. By sliding along the underside 32, the stop wedge 30 can pivot the indicator part 26 about the pivot axis 28, so that a strike of the head 20 can be avoided even before the head 20 is even thrown near the edge 22. If a further relative displacement of the indicator part 26 relative to the starting wedge 30 occurs, the starting wedge 30 can separate the indicator part 26, for example by breaking through a predetermined breaking point and / or by releasing a clip connection or the like with the aid of the starting wedge 30.This prevents the display part 26 from becoming jammed between the handlebar 12 and the console 24, which could impair the retraction of the steering shaft.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible for the starting wedge 30 to engage in a recess formed below or above the pivot axis 28 in order to separate the display part 26 and / or to strike against a projection of the display part 26 projecting into the recess, whereby the display part 26 can be pivoted away by the striking of the starting wedge 30 against the projection of the display part 26, without the starting wedge 30 having to slide off the underside 32 of the display part 26. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible for the display part 26 to be tilted about a tilt axis running perpendicular to the pivot axis 28, so that the display part 26 can pivot away even when struck laterally.

Claims

[1] Steering arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, with a steering shaft (16) connectable to a handlebar (12) for steering the motor vehicle, a steering housing (14), wherein the steering shaft (16) is rotatably mounted and linearly displaceable in the steering housing (14) at least in a crash situation, and a display instrument (18) for displaying vehicle data, characterized by , that the display instrument (18) has a base part fastened to the steering shaft (16) or to the steering housing (14) and a display part (26) pivotably fastened to the base part about a pivot axis (28) and is designed to be pivotable away under an impact force (F) acting on an edge (22) of the display part (26) pointing away from the steering housing (14), wherein a fixed starting wedge (30) is provided, wherein the starting wedge (30) is designed to be abuttable and / or slidable on the display instrument (18) in the event of a crash-related linear displacement of the steering shaft (16), wherein the starting wedge (30) forces a pivoting of the display part (26) about the pivot axis (28) and / or a detachment of at least a large part of the display part (26) when it strikes and / or slides against the display instrument (18). [2] Steering arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein a pivot position of the display part (26) adjustable about the pivot axis (28) is held relative to the base part in a frictionally engaged manner and can be overcome by the impact force (F). [3] Steering arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pivot position of the display part (26), which can be adjusted about the pivot axis (28), is positively locked relative to the base part, wherein the locking is designed to be overcome by the impact force (F). [4] Steering arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display part (26) is fastened to the base part or to a hinge pin running along the pivot axis (28) so as to be tiltable about a tilt axis different from the pivot axis (28). [5] Steering arrangement (10) according to claim 4, wherein the indicator part (16) is offset from the tilt axis and is releasably fastened to the base part and / or to the hinge pin when an impact force (F) is applied. [6] Steering arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the starting wedge (30) striking due to a relative movement of the steering shaft (16) initially causes a pivoting of the display part (26) and a subsequent breaking off of the display part (26). [7] Steering arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indicator part (26) is detachably fastened to the base part and / or a hinge pin running along the pivot axis by the contacting starting wedge (30). [8] Steering arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a recess for threading a wedge tip of the starting wedge (30) is formed above or below the pivot axis (28). [9] Steering arrangement (10) according to claim 8, wherein the indicator part (26) has a projection projecting into the recess for abutting against the wedge tip of the starting wedge (30) and / or a sliding surface which can slide on the starting wedge (30). [10] Motor vehicle with a steering arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for steering the motor vehicle, wherein a safety device coupled to the steering arrangement (10) is provided for linearly displacing the steering shaft (16) and / or the steering housing (14) away from a driver in the event of a frontal crash.

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