System with a computing unit and a steering wheel for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (100) comprising a computing device (50) and a steering wheel (10), wherein the computing device (50) is configured and set up to receive an electronic signal (60) from a touch display (2) and an electronic signal (60) from a touch sensor (8), each representing a touch situation, and to combine these signals in such a way as to synthesize an overall touch situation, wherein the steering wheel (10) has a touch-sensitive control element (15), wherein the control element (15) has the touch display (2) as a touch-sensitive surface, in such a way as to control a first function via touch, wherein the touch-sensitive touch sensor (8) is arranged on the touch display (2) in such a way as to extend the touch-sensitive surface, wherein the computing device (50) is configured and set up to simulatethat the touch-sensitive area of ​​the touch display (2) and the touch-sensitive area of ​​the touch sensor (8) complement each other, characterized in that the touch sensor provides a redistribution according to unit ratios selected from 30 / 70, 10 / 90, 5 / 95, 1 / 99, 0.5 / 99.5, depending on the area ratios.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising a computing device and a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle.

[0002] Control elements in motor vehicles, such as those on the steering wheel, are well known from the state of the art.

[0003] For example, DE 102 14 606 A1 describes a steering wheel with a display and several controls, whereby the display and the controls are oriented independently of the steering wheel position.

[0004] DE 10 2014 118 956 A1 describes a steering wheel with a control element, the control element being designed as a touch display.

[0005] DE 21 2017 000 242 U1 describes a steering wheel with a touch control unit, wherein a touch film is arranged next to the touch control unit, through which a page-turning function is provided.

[0006] EP 2 529 912 A1 describes a cover, for example for a steering wheel, in which operating or display elements are integrated.

[0007] US 2 020 / 0 247 241 A1 describes a steering wheel with a touch display and several buttons surrounding the touch display, where the buttons may be designed as touchpads.

[0008] WO 2017 / 130 815 A1 describes a steering wheel with a touch display and several buttons surrounding the touch display, where the buttons may be designed as touchpads.

[0009] EP 3 967 540 A1 describes a steering wheel with a touch display and several buttons surrounding the touch display, where the buttons may be designed as touchpads.

[0010] Operating elements are also known from the printed documents DE 10 2016 122 972 A1, EP 3 451 123 A1, EP 2 234 005 A1 and US 2003 / 0 095 105 A1.

[0011] In familiar steering wheels with controls and corresponding touchscreens, the problem arises that smaller fingers tend to be recognized less accurately than larger fingers. Furthermore, the touch sensor technology is often perceived as unsatisfactory.

[0012] The object of the invention is to improve the touch sensor technology of control elements with touch displays, in particular in an application on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further features and details of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the steering wheel according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle and the computing device according to the invention. The reverse is also true, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes or can make reciprocal reference, particularly regardless of the respective category of method, use, system, or device.

[0014] According to one aspect, the problem is solved in particular by a steering wheel with the features of claim 1.

[0015] A steering wheel can be designed with a touch-sensitive control element, where the control element, as a touch-sensitive surface, is a touch display to allow a primary function to be controlled via touch. A touch-sensitive sensor can be provided, arranged on the touch display, to extend the touch-sensitive area. A computing device can simulate the complementary effect of the touch-sensitive area of ​​the touch display and the touch-sensitive area of ​​the touch sensor. This allows a touch at the edge of the touch display to be interpreted as an input at a different location, namely closer to the operator's actual touching area, such as a fingertip, than would be the case without the complementary touch-sensitive area of ​​the touch sensor.This allows even smaller fingers to be detected, which would otherwise operate at the edge of the touch-sensitive area of ​​the touch display and therefore might trigger too weak a signal - if any - to elicit a response from the computing device.

[0016] The control element can be designed and arranged in a way that allows it to be used by an operator controlling the steering wheel and thus a motor vehicle, particularly to control secondary vehicle functions such as the climate control system, the on-board computer, the infotainment system, or similar systems. In simple embodiments, the control element can be a surface, which may be designed as a button, but can also be enhanced with a touch display to allow operation by touch, for example, to make gradual adjustments. In one example of its use, it could be a horizontally arranged slider.

[0017] The touch display is, in particular, a display device designed and configured to present a display that can switch between at least two modes. What is displayed can be electronically controlled.

[0018] The computing unit can be designed and configured as a control unit that allows, on the one hand, the control of what is displayed on the touchscreen. Alternatively or additionally, it can also control the response to a touch. This includes controlling both the degree of response to a given input signal and the quality of the response, i.e., precisely what is to be controlled.

[0019] The touch sensor is, in particular, a touch-sensitive surface that exhibits a corresponding response, such as the output of an electronic signal, when touched. This corresponds, for example, to the response of a touch display to a touch. This electronic signal, as well as that of the touch display, can be transmitted to the processing unit for evaluation and to generate a response, for example, when a threshold is exceeded.

[0020] One aspect that could be considered is that the touch sensor is arranged in a bezel that surrounds the touch display of the steering wheel control element.

[0021] This allows the touch sensor to be stabilized. It also allows a structural connection between the touch sensor and the touch display to be established via the control element.

[0022] A bezel can have a structural function in that it can embed the touch display within the control element, and this control element can, in particular, be formed by the bezel surrounding the touch display. Specifically, the bezel is perceived by the user as a structural unit, as they view it as the corresponding control element, since the control element can be perceived as spatially limited by it.

[0023] According to the invention, the touch sensor is arranged on at least one side, selected from a left, right, top, and / or bottom side of the touch display. This allows, in particular, the real-time determination of a finger's position, especially in relation to the actual position of a touch surface, such as the fingertip. Alternatively or additionally, a scale can be translated into a linear position of a finger on the touch-sensitive surface of the touch display, which can be extended accordingly, or alternatively or additionally recalibrated, with respect to the touch display as extended by the touch sensor.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the touch sensor may be positioned relative to the touch display (above, below, right, and / or left) depending on a naturally perceived movement or the naturally perceived start of a movement on a slider. For a specific function, such as increasing a value, the touch sensor may be located at the bottom and / or top of the touch display. Alternatively or additionally, a side-sensitive (left / right) assignment of touches may allow the touch sensor to be positioned on the left or right side, thus extending the touch display to these sides of a start and / or end point. It may also be possible for the start point to be determined by a maximum value, for example, when a function is to be decremented.

[0025] One aspect is that the touch display can be completely surrounded by a touch sensor. This allows the touch display, or rather the control element, to be assigned various functions, which can be assigned to it by the computing system depending on the situation.

[0026] In this context, the term "fully integrated" can be understood to mean that the touch display can be embedded in a touch sensor within a bezel. The touch sensor itself can also be fully integrated within the bezel.

[0027] One aspect to consider is that the touch sensor and the touch display should be in contact with each other, particularly without gaps. This minimizes any haptic perception or separation for the user.

[0028] In this context, "gapless" means that the gap between the two is such that it is imperceptible to the human eye. It is specifically in the micrometer range, and particularly smaller than 1 mm.

[0029] One aspect of the design allows for touch sensors to be arranged on at least two sides of the touch display in linearly independent directions. One side can be used to control the function values ​​in a given configuration or setting of the touch display, while the touch sensor on the second side can be used to switch to another configuration. This allows the operator to easily switch between two functions for adjusting the settings.

[0030] An orientation is linearly independent, in particular, if the direction vectors have a scalar product that results in zero.

[0031] A configuration can, in particular, involve controlling another parameter, such as light vs. climate.

[0032] There may be embodiments in which the touch area of ​​a touch display can be extended in both directions.

[0033] The control element features a rocker switch. This allows for the integration of a mechanical component in addition to the touch functionality, particularly for controlling a second function.

[0034] A rocker switch can toggle between at least two states, thereby enabling a transfer between at least two different functional states. The number of functional states corresponds specifically to the number of toggle states. This allows for mechanical incrementing of a function. This function differs from the function that can be controlled via touch functionality.

[0035] So-called haptic elements, also known as haptic feedback, can be used to create a click sensation, for example via microswitches or touch mats. This provides the user with haptic feedback, giving them the impression that they have actually pressed a button or moved a control.

[0036] According to one aspect, an incremental value can be split between the touch sensor and the touch display in unit ratios selected from 50 / 50, 30 / 70, 10 / 90, 5 / 95, 1 / 99, 0.5 / 99.5.

[0037] From an independent perspective, a computing device may be provided, trained and set up to receive an electronic signal from a touch display and an electronic signal from a touch sensor, each representing a touch situation, and to combine them in such a way as to synthesize an overall touch situation.

[0038] A total touch situation is a combination of both touches that would be detected together if a large sensor area were designed as a touch display. This is generally not the case for cost reasons, as the displays are limited in their ability to accommodate corresponding control elements.

[0039] The computing unit can also be configured as a control unit for vehicle functions. It can be described in particular by the features, advantages, representations, effects, and structures as implemented in conjunction with the steering wheel. Reference is made to these details elsewhere herein, and for the sake of readability and conciseness, a repetition of all of them is omitted.

[0040] From an independent perspective, a motor vehicle may have a steering wheel of the type described. The motor vehicle can be described in particular by the "features, advantages, representations, effects, and structures as they have been implemented in connection with the steering wheel." Reference is made to these details elsewhere herein, and for the sake of readability and conciseness, all of this is omitted here.

[0041] In other words, and to summarize: The concept involves a steering wheel with a steering wheel control element that includes a touchscreen and a bezel element that can border or surround the touchscreen. This steering wheel can be installed in a motor vehicle for steering purposes. The controls are primarily directed towards secondary vehicle functions, such as the infotainment system or other similarly control-relevant systems, like the on-board computer, climate control, or lighting.

[0042] It is proposed that an additional touch sensor be provided on the aperture element, whereby the signals from the additional touch sensor can be combined with the touch signals from the touch display. This allows, on the one hand, the actual finger position to be detected, and on the other hand, even small fingers at the edge of the touch display to be reliably detected.

[0043] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1. A representation of an embodiment of a steering wheel with controls comprising a mechanical rocker function and haptic elements with a touch display; Fig. 2. A representation of part of an embodiment of a steering wheel comprising controls, a touch display and additionally a touch sensor; and Fig. 3 A comparative representation of a deviation of a horizontal position of an input finger from a detected position with and without an additional touch sensor in the bezel of a control element.

[0044] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a steering wheel 10 with control elements 15 having a mechanical rocking function of a rocker element 3 and haptic elements 4 with a touch display 2.

[0045] The schematic diagram shows the elements of a button cover 1, in which a rocker switch 3 with a pivot point can be concealed. A well-designed cover, especially one that gives the impression of a single-piece construction, is perceived as high-quality. Direct, single-piece construction is not efficient for cost reasons, and furthermore, the touch display 2 needs to be anchored to the steering wheel 10.

[0046] The touch display 2 is primarily used for touch recognition. This allows a function to be controlled, similar to a slider, such as up or down, smaller or larger, etc. This also applies reversibly, meaning that a value can be set in both directions.

[0047] So-called haptic elements 4 can be used to create a click sensation, e.g. via microswitches. This allows the operator to receive haptic feedback, giving them the impression that they have actually pressed a button or moved a control.

[0048] Fig. Figure 2 shows a representation of part of an embodiment of a steering wheel 10 with control elements 15, comprising a touch display 2 and additionally a touch sensor 8. An additional touch sensor 8 may be added in the area of ​​the bezel 1. The additional touch sensor 8 is specifically not part of the display 2, but rather part of the bezel 1, which can serve for anchoring it in the steering wheel 10.

[0049] The electrical signals 60 of the additional touch sensor 8 can be combined with the touch signals, also as electrical signals 60, of the touch display 2. This allows the actual finger position 5 to be detected. In particular, there is no distortion in the horizontal position. Small fingers can still be reliably detected even at the edge of the touch display 2.

[0050] Fig.Figure 3 shows a comparative representation of a deviation of a horizontal position 5 of an input finger 12 from a detected position 6 with and without an additional touch sensor 8 in the aperture 1 of a control element 15.

[0051] The touch display 2 is smaller than the aperture 1. This results in the situation that the finger position 6 detected by the touch display 2 differs from the position 5 that the operator perceives relative to the aperture 1 7. Therefore, a detected position 6, an actual position 5, and a perceived position 7 can diverge.

[0052] This is particularly relevant because aperture 1 and touch display 2 are visually almost identical (e.g., black), which can be perceived as a quality feature if the display does not stand out visually. From the user's perspective, aperture 1 is essentially identical to the control surface.

[0053] In the example on the right, the user believes they are at position 7. The touch display 2, however, "sees" position 6 relative to the horizontal position. 0% could correspond to the left edge of the display and 100% to the right edge if no additional touch sensor 8 were provided. This sensor would allow for redistribution according to unit ratios selected from 50 / 50, 30 / 70, 10 / 90, 5 / 95, 1 / 99, or 0.5 / 99.5, depending on the surface area ratios or the function being controlled.

[0054] The touch sensor 8 can therefore ensure that the system can correctly recognize the user's finger position 5 (there is a distortion at the edges). Even small fingers that are far to the "left," and which might otherwise generate too weak a touch signal, can be recognized.

Claims

[1] System comprising a computing device (50) and a steering wheel (10) for a motor vehicle (100), wherein the steering wheel (10) has a touch-sensitive control element (15), the control element (15) having a touch-sensitive surface, a touch display (2) such that a touch-sensitive surface is configured to control a first function by touch, a touch-sensitive touch sensor (8) being arranged on the touch display (2) such that the touch-sensitive surface is extended, the computing device (50) being configured and set up to simulate the combination of the touch-sensitive surface of the touch display (2) and the touch-sensitive surface of the touch sensor (8), the computing device (50) being configured and set up to receive an electronic signal (60) from the touch display (2) and an electronic signal (60) from the touch sensor (8), each representing a touch situation, and to combine them together.that an overall touch situation is synthesized, wherein the touch sensor (8) is arranged on at least one side selected from a left, a right, a top and / or a bottom side of the touch display (2), wherein the control element (15) has a rocker switch (3), wherein the rocker switch (3) is tiltable between at least two states in order to enable a transfer between at least two different functional states, wherein the number of functional states corresponds to a number of tilting states, wherein a function of the tilting states is different from a function that can be controlled via the touch functionality. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by , that the touch sensor (8) is arranged in a cover (1) that surrounds the touch display (2) of the control element (15) of the steering wheel (10). [3] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the touch display (2) is fully surrounded by a touch sensor (8). [4] System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the touch sensor (8) and the touch display (2) are in contact with each other, in particular without gaps. [5] System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that touch sensors (8) are arranged on at least two sides in a linearly independent direction of the touch display (2), wherein one side in a configuration or setting of the touch display serves to control function values, and wherein the touch sensor (2) on the second side serves to switch to another configuration. [6] Motor vehicle (100) comprising a system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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