Steering wheel with separate control unit

Abstract

A steering wheel 1 for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a steering wheel rim 2 which is connected to a steering wheel hub 4 via at least one steering wheel spoke 3a, 3b, an airbag unit 6 which is arranged at least in the steering wheel hub 4, and an operating unit 5 comprising an operating surface 8 with at least one operating area 9a, 9b, 9c and a detection device 19 by means of which an actuation of the at least one operating area 9a, 9b, 9c can be detected, wherein the operating unit 5 is designed separately from the airbag unit 6 and forms a cover of the steering wheel hub 4.

Description

Technical Field:The invention relates to a steering wheel for a vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1.Background:Multifunction steering wheels are known which, in addition to the control of the vehicle, are also suitable for operating vehicle and multimedia applications; for this purpose, a plurality of pushbuttons or control panels are arranged on the steering wheel in such a way that the driver can operate the steering wheel without having to leave the steering wheel off. Furthermore, most steering wheels usually comprise an airbag which is stored within the steering wheel. In this case, the steering wheel must be designed to be visually appealing on the one hand and not to impair the functionality and safety on the other hand, for example when the airbag is deployed.US 2023 029 371 A1 discloses an emblem assembly disposed in an airbag cover of a vehicle structure such as a steering wheel. The emblem assembly includes an electronic unit, a decoration unit, and an operating device. The electronic unit is held by the airbag cover and has at least one light source. The decoration unit is disposed in the airbag cover and attached to the electronic unit such that the decoration unit covers at least a part of the electronic unit. The operating device is electrically connected to the electronic unit and can control the lighting of the decoration unit, wherein the operating device is arranged in the steering wheel structure.Description:The object of the invention is to propose a steering wheel which is distinguished by an improved and simpler structure. This object is achieved by a steering wheel having the features of claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims of the following description and / or the attached figures.The invention relates to a steering wheel which is designed and / or suitable for a vehicle. In particular, the steering wheel serves for manual adjustment of a direction of travel of the vehicle by a driver. For this purpose, the steering wheel can be part of a mechanical steering system, wherein a steering movement is transmitted via a steering linkage to at least one vehicle wheel, preferably the front wheels. Alternatively, the steering wheel can be part of a so-called steer-by-wire steering system, wherein a steering movement is detected by a sensor and a steering actuator is actuated on the basis of the sensor data in order to carry out the steering movement. In particular, a steering wheel is to be understood as meaning both a classic, in particular round, steering wheel and a control horn or the like.The steering wheel has a steering wheel rim. In particular, the steering wheel rim serves for setting or transmitting a steering movement by the driver, wherein the steering wheel rim is rotated about a steering wheel axis by hand for this purpose. The steering wheel rim can be configured continuously or discontinuously. In particular, designed as a control horn, the steering wheel rim has a radial interruption on its upper side and / or lower side.The steering wheel has at least or exactly one steering wheel spoke and a steering wheel pot, wherein the steering wheel pot is connected to the steering wheel rim via the at least one steering wheel spoke. In particular, the steering wheel pot is to be understood as a central part of the steering wheel, via which the steering wheel is mounted on a steering column coaxially with respect to the steering wheel axis. The at least one steering wheel spoke connects the steering wheel pot to the steering wheel rim preferably in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal wheel axis.The steering wheel can have an airbag unit which is arranged at least in the steering wheel pot. The airbag unit preferably comprises a gas generator, an airbag, also referred to as an airbag, an airbag housing in which at least the airbag is accommodated, and an airbag cap which closes the housing outwards and is opened by the airbag if necessary. For example, in the event of a hard impact of the vehicle, the airbag unit is activated, wherein the airbag is filled explosively with gas from the gas generator. In this case, the airbag breaks open the steering wheel pot and / or the airbag cap at least partially in order to inflate between the driver and the steering wheel in order to protect the driver.The steering wheel has an operating unit which has an operating surface with at least or exactly one, preferably a plurality of, functional operating regions. The operating unit furthermore has a detection device, by means of which a contact of the at least one operating region can be detected. In particular, the operating surface is arranged on a front side of the steering wheel and / or forms a visible surface of the steering wheel. In other words, the operating surface faces the driver. The control surface is preferably designed as a continuous and / or contiguous control surface. The operating areas can be distributed over the operating surface and / or arranged at a distance from one another. In particular, the operating regions can be separated and / or highlighted from one another visually and / or haptically by elevated lines and / or points. Alternatively or optionally additionally, one, a plurality or all operating areas are displayed optically, for example by colored and / or illuminatable symbol graphics on the operating surface. A symbol can be understood to mean symbols as well as letters, numbers, areas or the like, which optically convey one or more associated functions to the driver. For example, the detection device comprises one or more touch- and / or force-based sensors and / or switches for each operating region, which detect an actuation of the respective operating region, preferably an actuation by touch and / or pressure force.Within the scope of the invention, it is proposed that the operating unit is formed separately or decoupled from the airbag unit and at least partially forms a cover of the steering wheel pot. In particular, "separate" means that the operating unit and the airbag unit are designed as two independent and / or separate structural units. The airbag unit and the operating unit can preferably be handled and / or decoupled from one another independently of one another. Expressed in simplified form, the operating unit does not form a component of the airbag unit. The airbag unit is preferably arranged in the steering wheel pot in such a way that the airbag is not obstructed by the operating unit during deployment. In other words, the operating unit forms a cover without an airbag opening function on the side facing the driver or in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis. The steering wheel pot preferably has a receiving opening, into which the airbag unit and the operating unit are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis and / or can be mounted one after the other and / or as a pre-assembled assembly. The receiving opening is preferably completely covered by the operating unit.The invention is based on the finding that in existing multifunction steering wheels a plurality of individual control units are integrated into the steering wheel and / or are connected directly to the airbag unit, whereby the complexity increases and the freedom of material and design is limited. The advantage of the invention is that, due to the decoupling of the operating unit from the airbag unit and the simultaneous covering of the receiving opening in the center of the steering wheel, an airbag opening function no longer has to be integrated into the operating unit, whereby the freedom of material and design of the steering wheel, in particular of the operating unit, can be improved. This naturally also applies if only the operating unit without an airbag unit is still located in the steering wheel, wherein the operating unit would then have to be fastened directly in the steering wheel. This results in a plurality of material and / or styling possibilities for the visible operating surface. In addition, a steering wheel is proposed which can be completed particularly easily by the mounting of the two structural units or their installation as an assembly.In a concrete embodiment, it is provided that the steering wheel spoke and the steering wheel pot together define a receiving space for receiving the airbag unit and the operating unit, wherein the operating unit covers the receiving space, preferably the entire receiving space, in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis or with respect to the driver. In particular, the receiving space is accessible via the receiving opening. In other words, the receiving space is open in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis. The receiving space preferably extends in the radial direction within the steering wheel rim and / or is radially delimited by the steering wheel rim. A receiving space is thus created, which receives the airbag unit and the operating unit and at the same time can be completely covered by the operating unit in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis. In addition, the control unit can at least partially cover a lower and / or upper side of the receiving space and / or of the steering wheel pot in the axial and / or radial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis. Due to the adapted receiving space in the axial direction of the steering wheel axis, the operating unit can be integrated with an additional axial structural height.In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the operating unit has a closed operating housing which is formed substantially from a housing base body and a housing cover. In this case, the operating surface is arranged on the housing cover and the detection device is arranged within the housing. In particular, the operating surface extends in sections, for the most part or over the full surface on a front side of the housing cover. Preferably, all the operating areas are arranged on the front side of the housing cover. Particularly preferably, the housing base body is covered in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis by the housing cover. For example, the housing cover is detachably connected, preferably in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner, to the housing base body. The detection device is preferably arranged with all the correspondingly required mechanical, electrical or electronic elements within the operator control housing. The detection device can be fastened on the inner side of the housing cover and / or of the housing base body. For example, corresponding fastening interfaces can be formed directly on the housing cover and / or the housing base body. The housing cover and / or the housing base body can preferably be formed as a plastic injection molded part. In an installation situation, the housing base body is arranged within the receiving space and / or completely concealed by the housing cover. In other words, the operating surface of the housing cover forms a visible part of the operating unit. Preferably, all components of the operating unit are arranged in the operating housing. An operating unit is thus proposed which is distinguished by a simple construction and simple handling during assembly. The components of the operating unit are also accommodated in a protected manner by the closed housing.In one refinement, it is provided that the housing base body has at least or exactly one airbag fastening interface which is designed and / or suitable for fastening the operating unit to the airbag unit, in particular the airbag housing. The airbag fastening interface serves to fasten the operating unit and the airbag unit as a pre-assembled structural unit in the steering wheel, for example to screw or latch them together. Preferably, the operation case and the airbag case are connected to each other via the airbag attachment interface. The airbag fastening interface can be configured to form a clip and / or snap connection and / or screw connection. The housing base body preferably has a plurality of the airbag fastening interfaces which are formed distributed on the rear side on the housing base body. For example, the airbag fastening interfaces are designed as screw domes, into which a screw means for fastening the airbag unit can be mounted in each case. Alternatively, however, airbag fastening interfaces can also be designed as screw lugs, by means of which a screw means for fastening to the airbag unit can be mounted in each case. In particular, the airbag unit can be detachably connected to the steering wheel by means of a corresponding steering wheel fastening interface. Optionally, however, the operating unit can also be detachably connected to the steering wheel independently of the airbag unit via at least one steering wheel fastening interface. The steering wheel fastening interface can be designed to form a clip and / or snap connection or else screw connection. Joint assembly of the operating unit and the airbag unit is thus made possible.Optionally, the housing base body has interfaces for receiving electronic components in order to integrate one or more electrical and / or signal interfaces, such as input / output (I / O), power supply, etc. Preferably, the detection device is connected via the signal interface to at least one or the respective electronic control device (PCB: Printed Circuit Board) of the operating unit of the operating area concerned and / or optionally to an external control device in order to provide this sensor data to the detection device.In a further refinement, it is provided that the housing cover extends over the entire horizontal width at least within the steering wheel rim. The horizontal width is to be understood here as the radial overall width of the steering wheel, preferably an inner diameter of the steering wheel rim, with respect to the steering wheel axis, when the steering wheel is arranged in a straight position in the assembled state. In particular, the housing cover terminates at the end and / or at both sides with the steering wheel rim, preferably flush. In particular, the housing cover covers the steering wheel pot and the steering wheel spoke, in particular the front side to the driver, for the most part or completely. In particular, the housing cover can extend beyond the inner diameter of the steering wheel rim and / or terminate flush with an outer diameter of the steering wheel rim. A housing cover is thus proposed, which is distinguished by a large-surface area or operating surface.Alternatively or optionally additionally, the operating surface on the front side of the housing cover is free of gaps. In particular, "gap-free" means that the housing cover is formed closed and / or uninterrupted at least on the front side. The housing cover is preferably manufactured in one piece, in particular from a plastic injection molding. In principle, the entire surface on the front side can be formed without gaps. Alternatively, however, the housing cover can also be arranged offset from the operating surface in some areas, e.g. when a switch is arranged in the operating area and / or an emblem is arranged in the operating area or the steering wheel center. For example, one or more control elements, for example, designed as switches, balls, buttons or the like, can also be integrated into the gap-free control surface, in particular in the control areas. This allows a particularly simple adaptation of the steering wheel design.Optionally in addition, the housing cover is provided on the front side with a decorative surface which extends in sections or over the entire surface of the operating surface. For example, the decorative surface can be formed as a film, cladding, pane or the like. The decorative surface can be arranged on the housing cover in a releasable or non-releasable manner. In particular, the symbolics of the operating area and / or an emblem can be printed on the decorative surface and optionally can be formed so as to be light-transmissive and / or translucent.In a further embodiment, it is provided that the operating unit comprises at least or exactly one lighting means, wherein the housing cover, preferably including its operating surface possibly represented by coatings or the decorative film, is formed fully or partially transparent and / or translucent at least in the operating regions and can be illuminated by the lighting means. In particular, the symbolics, numerals, letters, areas or the like of the operating area and / or the emblem can be displayed on the operating area by backlighting the operating areas. In principle, the housing cover has a light-transmissive and / or translucent base material. Alternatively, the housing cover has a light-transmissive and / or translucent decorative element which is non-releasably connected, for example in a materially bonded manner, to the housing cover. In particular, the at least one lighting means can be supplied with electrical energy via the electrical interface. For example, the at least one lighting means can be designed as an LED, light foil or light guide. In particular, the optional decorative surface can likewise be formed to be light-transmissive and / or translucent at least in the operating regions. Preferably, the regions adjacent or surrounding the operating regions are designed to be opaque. A particularly simple representation of the operating areas is thus made possible by backlighting the housing cover.In a development, it is provided that the housing cover is configured to be movable and / or deformable relative to the housing base body in order to detect a compressive force in the respective operating region by means of the detection device in addition to a touch upon actuation of the respective operating region. Preferably, a connection between the housing cover and the housing base body is formed such that a relative movement of the housing cover to the housing base body takes place by pressing the operating surface. The housing base body preferably has a plurality of housing cover fastening interfaces which are formed on the housing base body in a manner distributed on the circumference. For example, the housing cover fastening interfaces of the housing base body are designed as snap hooks, which engage with corresponding receiving openings of the housing cover in an axially movable manner. Alternatively or optionally additionally, the housing cover is designed to be elastically deformable, so that a deformation of the housing cover takes place by pressing the operating surface. For example, the housing cover can be mounted fixedly on the housing base body and can be configured to be elastically deformable. Alternatively, the housing cover can be movably mounted on the housing base body and be rigid. In particular, the relative movement or the deformation of the housing cover is greatest in the central operating region and decreases towards the outside. By detecting a deformation or displacement of the housing cover relative to the housing base body by the detection device in addition to a contact, an undesired functional execution by a pure contact, wiping or approach of the operating areas can be prevented.In a further specific implementation, it is provided that the operating unit, in particular the housing cover, has a left and a right operating region, which are designed and / or suitable for operating at least or exactly one vehicle function. In particular, the vehicle function comprises an infotainment and / or assistance and / or telephony and / or navigation and / or driving function. An infotainment function can be understood to mean, for example, the setting of a volume, display control or the like. An assistance function can be understood to mean, for example, the setting of a lane keeping assistant, cruise control or the like. A driving function can be understood to mean, for example, the selection of an operating mode, gear or the like. It is particularly preferably provided that the left and right operating regions are arranged in the radially outer region of the steering wheel spokes. The left and right operating regions are preferably arranged in such a way that operation is possible without releasing the steering wheel rim, in particular with the thumb. The operating areas preferably have a touch- and pressure-sensitive operating surface, in particular a touchpad or a touch display. According to this embodiment, it is provided that the operating unit, in particular the housing cover, has a central operating region which is designed and / or suitable for actuating an acoustic warning function. In this case, all operating regions are arranged jointly on the operating surface. In other words, all operating areas have a common surface. In particular, an acoustic warning function is to be understood as the actuation of a vehicle horn. It is particularly preferably provided that the central operating region is arranged in the central region of the steering wheel pot. Preferably, the central operating region is arranged centrally between the left and right operating regions. Preferably, the central operating region comprises the emblem. Particularly preferably, the central operating region has a pressure- and / or touch-sensitive operating surface for actuating the acoustic warning function. Optionally, the two outer operating regions and / or the middle operating region can feed back a touch to the user haptically, for example by vibration.In a first specification, it is provided that the detection device has at least one touch-sensitive sensor arranged in the left and right operating regions and / or in the middle operating region, which detects a touch of the respective operating region. In particular, the touch-sensitive sensor is designed as a touch sensor, for example a capacitive sensor film. For example, at least or exactly one touch-sensitive sensor is assigned to each of the left and right operating regions and optionally to the central operating region, which generates a sensor signal upon a touch of the respective operating region, in particular of an operating element arranged in the operating region, by the driver. In principle, each operating element can be assigned a touch-sensitive sensor. Alternatively, the touch-sensitive sensor can be configured for spatially resolving touch detection of a plurality of operating elements.In an alternative or optionally supplementary concretization, it is provided that the detection device has at least one pressure-sensitive sensor which is arranged in the left and right operating region and / or in the central operating region and detects a compressive force in the respective operating region. In particular, the pressure-sensitive sensor is designed as a force sensor, for example a pressure force transducer, or a contact switch, for example a microswitch. For example, in each of the operating areas at least or exactly one pressure-sensitive sensor is assigned, which generates a sensor signal or an additional sensor signal by the driver in the respective operating area by a movement and / or deformation, in particular a microdeformation. Particularly preferably, a combination of touch-sensitive sensor and pressure-sensitive sensor is arranged at least in the left and right operating regions and optionally in the middle operating region. Thus, a touch- and force-based actuation of the respective operating element is realized in order to prevent undesired functional executions by touching, wiping or approaching. However, it can also be provided that in the central operating region, exclusively a force-based actuation of the operating element takes place. For this purpose, at least one of the pressure-sensitive sensors is motion-coupled to the housing cover in the central operating region. The sensor signal is generated by a movement and / or deformation of the central operating region in order to activate or trigger an acoustic warning device, e.g. a vehicle horn, based on the sensor signal. In particular, the operating unit has at least two, preferably three, contact switches in the central operating region, wherein, when the central operating region is operated, at least one of the contact switches must be contacted in order to activate the acoustic warning function. A simple and cost-effective actuating mechanism for the acoustic warning function is thus proposed.Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a steering wheel with a separate operating unit as an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the operating unit in the removed state; FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the operating unit from FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the operating unit in the same illustration as shown in FIG. 3.Corresponding or identical parts are each provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.FIG. 1 shows a steering wheel 1, which is rotatable about a steering wheel axis 100 for controlling or steering a vehicle. The steering wheel 1 has a closed steering wheel rim 2 and two diametrically opposite steering wheel spokes 3 a, 3 b,by means of which the steering wheel rim 2 is connected to a steering wheel pot 4. For this purpose, the two steering wheel spokes 3 a, 3 bextend substantially in the radial direction, with respect to the steering wheel axis 100, between the steering wheel pot 4 and the steering wheel rim 2.The steering wheel 1 has an operating unit 5 and an airbag unit 6 concealed by the operating unit 5, as is schematically indicated in FIG. 3. The operating unit 5 serves for manual operation of one or more vehicle functions, such as, for example, infotainment system, driver assistance system, vehicle horn, etc., by the driver. The air bag unit 6 serves to protect the driver upon an impact of the vehicle by explosively filling an air bag with gas from a gas generator.The steering wheel pot 4 and the two steering wheel spokes 3 a, 3 btogether define a receiving space 7, in which the airbag unit 6 and the operating unit 5 are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis 100. The operating unit 5 and the airbag unit 6 are each designed as a separate structural unit, wherein the operating unit 5 covers the receiving space 7 outwards at least towards the driver. In other words, the operating unit 5 forms a baffle cover. The airbag unit 6 is designed and / or arranged in such a way that a deployment region of the airbag is not obstructed by the operating unit 5.The operating unit 5 has a visible operating surface 8 on a front side facing the driver, which substantially comprises a left and right operating region 9 a, 9 band a central operating region 9 clocated between the two operating regions 9 a, 9 b. The left and right operator control areas 9 a, 9 bhave a plurality of operator control elements 10 with different functions, which serve for operating a plurality of vehicle functions. The operating elements 10 can be represented on the operating surface 8 in the respective operating area 9 a, 9 bby a symbol printed and / or backlit on the operating surface 8. The left and right operating regions 9 a, 9 bare arranged in the radially outer region of the steering wheel spokes 3 a, 3 b,as a result of which the operating elements 10 can be operated, for example, with the thumb without releasing the steering wheel rim 2. The central operating region 9 ccomprises an emblem which at the same time serves as a further operating element 11 for actuating an acoustic warning function, e.g. a vehicle horn, or enables the activation of the horn function by pressing as a planar region. For example, the emblem may be printed on and / or shown as backlit in the central operating area 9 con the operating surface 8. The operating surface 8 is formed without gaps, for example, over the entire front side of the operating unit 9. Furthermore, the operating regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 cand / or the operating elements 11 can be haptically emphasized by elevations or depressions. Preferably, all operating areas 9 a, 9 b, 9 care arranged on a common operating surface 8.As shown in FIG. 2, the operating unit 5 has a closed operating housing 12 in which all the components of the operating unit 5 are accommodated, as described in more detail below. The control housing 12 is formed by a housing base body 13 and a housing cover 14, wherein the housing base body 13 is opened in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis 100 and closed or covered by the housing cover 14. For example, the housing cover 14 is detachably connected to the housing base body 13 in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel rotation axis 100. The operation surface 8 is disposed on the front side of the housing cover 14 and extends over the entire front surface of the housing cover 14.In an installation situation, at least the housing cover 14 or the operating surface 8 of the operating unit 5 on the steering wheel 1 within the steering wheel rim 2 extends over the entire horizontal width 101 and closes off on the inner diameter on both sides with the steering wheel rim 2. The housing base body 13 is arranged within the receiving space 7 in the installation situation and has a plurality of circumferentially distributed housing cover fastening interfaces 16, which serve for fastening the housing cover 14 to the housing base body 13. For example, the housing cover fastening interfaces 16 are designed as a snap-hook connection, wherein a plurality of snap-hooks formed on the housing cover 14 are in engagement with a respective snap-hook receptacle formed in the housing base body 13 in an axially movable manner with respect to the steering wheel axis 100, so that the housing cover 14 is movable relative to the housing base body 13. In an installation situation, the housing cover fastening interfaces 16 are arranged in the receiving space 7 and are therefore no longer visible from the outside.FIG. 3 shows the operating unit 5 in a sectional view along a section line A-A shown in FIG. 2. The housing base body 13 can have a plurality of airbag fastening interfaces 17 on the rear side, which serve for fastening the airbag unit 6. For example, the airbag fastening interfaces 17 are designed as screw domes, via which the operating unit 5 is screwed to the airbag unit 6, e.g. an airbag housing.The housing cover 14 can additionally be provided with a decorative layer 18 which provides or decorates the operating surface 8. For this purpose, the decorative layer 18 extends over the entire visible front side of the housing cover 14. For example, the decorative layer 18 can be fastened to the housing cover 14 in a detachable manner, e.g. via a clamping or clip connection, or in a non-detachable manner, e.g. by an adhesive connection or by a decorative film injection-molded from behind. For example, the operating regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 cor the operating elements 10, 11 thereof can be printed on the decorative layer 18. The decorative layer 18 is formed, for example, as a decorative film.The operating unit 5 has a touch-and-force-based detection device 19 which is arranged inside the operating housing 12 on the inner side of the housing cover 14 and detects an actuation of the operating regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 c. For this purpose, the detection device 19 comprises in the two outer operating regions 9 a, 9 bone or more touch-sensitive sensors 20 a, 20 bwhich can detect a touch of the operating surface 8. For example, at least one capacitive sensor foil can be provided as touch-sensitive sensors 20 a, 20 bin each case at least in the two outer operating regions 9 a, 9 b, which are fastened to the inner side of the housing cover 14 and enable a keyless touch operation of the associated operating elements 10 in a known manner.Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the detection device 19 comprises in each case one or more pressure-sensitive sensors 21 a, 21 b, 21 cin the two outer operating regions 9 a, 9 band the central operating region 9 c, which sensors can detect a pressure force on the operating surface 8 in the respective operating region 9 a, 9 b, 9 c. For this purpose, the housing cover 14 can be mounted on the housing base body 13 via the housing cover fastening interfaces 16, as described in FIG. 2, so as to be movable axially with respect to the steering wheel axis 100. Alternatively or optionally additionally, the housing cover 14 and the decorative layer 18 can however also be designed to be elastically deformable. When the operating elements 10, 11 are actuated, it is therefore possible to detect not only a touch but also a compressive force by the detection device 19 in order to prevent unintentional actuation by a pure touch, approach or the like.The operating unit 5 has a left and right carrier section 22 a, 22 b, which are fixedly connected to the housing base body 13, for example via a screw connection. The carrier sections 22 a, 22 bmay be formed in one or more parts. Furthermore, the operating unit 5 has left and right carrier sections 23 a, 23 bwhich are fixedly connected to the housing cover 14 or are motion-coupled thereto. The two pressure-sensitive sensors 21 a, 21 bare each arranged on the associated fixed carrier section 22 a, 22 bor the housing base body 13 within the respective operating region 9 a, 9 bon the inner side of the housing cover 14. The touch-sensitive sensors 21 a, 21 bare respectively arranged on the associated movable carrier section 22 a, 22 band the housing cover 14 within the respective operating region 9 a, 9 bon the inner side of the housing cover 14. When one of the operating elements 10 of the outer operating regions 9 a, 9 bis intentionally operated by the driver, a touch of the operating surface 8 is detected by the touch-sensitive sensors 20 a, 20 b. In addition, the movable carrier sections 23 a, 23 bof the outer operating areas 9 a, 9 btransmit the deformation or movement of the housing cover 14 in the respective operating area 9 a, 9 bto the at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 21 a, 21 bwhich is located, for example, on a printed circuit board (corresponding to the actual steering wheel switches with light shafts, LEDs, electronics, etc.) of the respective operating area 9 a, 9 b.Furthermore, the operating unit 5 has in the central operating region 9 ca further carrier section 23 c, which is motion-coupled to the housing cover 14 and is supported on the housing base body 13 via at least two restoring elements 24. For example, the restoring elements 24 are designed as springs, by means of which the movable carrier section 23 cis resiliently supported on the housing base body 13. Arranged on the movable carrier portion 23 care one or more pressure-sensitive sensors 21 c, which are designed as contact switches and which can be contacted during an axial movement of the housing cover 13 or of the movable carrier portion 23 calong the steering wheel axis 100 in order to activate the acoustic warning function. To actuate the acoustic warning function, an actuating force must be applied by the user to the central operating region 9 c, as a result of which the central carrier section 23 cis moved axially in the direction of the housing base body 13 and at least one of the contact switches is contacted. When the actuating force is reduced, the central carrier section 23 cis automatically reset by the reset elements 24 and the contacting is again canceled.The operating unit 5 has one or more lighting means 15 in the three operating regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, which lighting means serve for illuminating the respective operating elements 10, 11. As illustrated, the lighting means 15 are arranged within the operating housing 12 below the central operating region 9 c, wherein the housing cover 14 and the decorative surface 18 are formed in regions so as to be light-transmissive and / or translucent at least in the operating regions 9 a, 9 b, 9 c. Thus, the operating element 11 embodied as emblems can be shown visible on the operating surface 8 at least in the event of backlighting by the lighting means 15. For example, the lighting means 15 are designed as LEDs, which are fixed individually or on a printed circuit board on the central carrier section 23 c. Furthermore, further lighting means, not shown, for illuminating the operating elements 11 of the left and right operating regions 9 a, 9 bmay be arranged within the operating housing 12, e.g. in non-movable light shafts, wherein the housing cover 14 and the decorative surface 18 in the left and right operating regions 9 a, 9 bare configured to be translucent and / or translucent in some regions.FIG. 4 shows the operating unit 5 with an alternative embodiment of the central operating region 9 c. The operating unit 5 has, instead of the movable central carrier section 23 c, a further carrier section 22 cfixedly connected to the housing base body 13. Arranged on the middle fixed carrier section 22 cis a touch-sensitive sensor surface 20 c, which is designed as a touch-sensitive sensor surface, for example a capacitive sensor foil, and which detects a touch of the middle operating region 9 cto activate the acoustic warning function. Furthermore, at least one pressure-sensitive sensor 21 cmay be additionally arranged in the central operating region 9 c, which may additionally sense a compressive force or a microdeformation of the operating surface 8 in the central operating region 9 cto prevent an unintentional actuation by a pure touch, approach or the like. In order to actuate the acoustic warning function, an actuation with a specific adjustable force level of the central operating region 9 cmust therefore be carried out by the user.While at least one embodiment has been disclosed in detail above, it should be appreciated that a variety of variations of the invention exist. It should also be appreciated that the at least one embodiment is exemplary only and is not a limitation on scope, areas of application, or configuration. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to be a pleasing travel plan for implementing at least one embodiment. Thus, it should be appreciated that various variations in the function or arrangement of the elements of the at least one embodiment may be implemented without departing from the scope specified by the claims and their legal equivalents.List of reference numbers:1 Steering wheel 2 Steering wheel rim 3 a, b Steering wheel spokes 4 Steering wheel pot 5 Operating unit 6 Airbag unit 7 Receiving space 8 Operating surface 9 a- c Operating regions 10 Operating elements 11 Further operating element 12 Operating housing 13 Housing base body 14 Housing cover 15 Lighting means 16 Steering wheel fastening interface 17 Airbag fastening interface 18 Decorative surface 19 Detection device 20 a, b, c Touch-sensitive sensors 21 a, b, c Pressure-sensitive sensors 22 a, b, c Fixed carrier sections 23 a, b, c Movable carrier sections 24 Restoring elements 100 Steering wheel axis 101 WidthReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedUS 2023 029 371 A1

[0003]

Claims

Steering wheel (1) for a vehicle, - having a steering wheel rim (2) which can be rotated about a steering wheel axis (100) and is connected to a steering wheel pot (4) via at least one steering wheel spoke (3a, 3b), - having an airbag unit (6) which is arranged in the steering wheel pot (4), - having an operating unit (5) which has an operating surface (8) having at least one operating region (9a, 9b, 9c) and a detection device (19) by means of which an actuation of at least one function of the at least one operating region (9a, 9b, 9c) can be detected, characterized in that the operating unit (5) is formed separately from the airbag unit (6) and forms a cover of the steering wheel pot (4).Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the steering wheel spoke (3a, 3b) and the steering wheel pot (4) together define a receiving space (7) for receiving the airbag unit (6) and the operating unit (5), wherein the operating unit (5) covers the receiving space (7) in the axial direction with respect to the steering wheel axis (100).Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating unit (5) has a closed operating housing (12) which is formed substantially from a housing base body (13) and a housing cover (14), wherein the operating surface (8) is arranged on the housing cover (14) and the detection device (19) is arranged within the operating housing (12).Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the housing base body (13) has at least one airbag fastening interface (17) for fastening the operating unit (5) to the airbag unit (6).Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the housing cover (14) extends over the entire horizontal width (101) at least within the steering wheel rim (2) and / or the entire operating surface (8) is formed without any gaps on the front side of the housing cover (14).Steering wheel (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the operating unit (5) comprises at least one lighting means (15), wherein the housing cover (14) is designed to be fully or partially transparent and / or translucent at least in the at least one operating region (9a, 9b, 9c) for illumination by the lighting means (15).Steering wheel (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the housing cover (14) is designed to be movable and / or deformable relative to the housing base body (13), with the result that, when the respective operating region (9a, 9b, 9c) is actuated, a compressive force in the respective operating region (9a, 9b, 9c) can be detected by means of the detection device (19) in addition to a touch.Steering wheel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating unit (5) has at least one left and right operating region (9a, 9b) for operating at least one vehicle function and a central operating region (9c) for operating an acoustic warning function, wherein the operating regions (9a, 9b, 9c) are arranged jointly on the operating surface (8).Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the detection device (19) has at least one touch-sensitive sensor (20a, 20b, 20c), which is arranged in the left and right operator control regions (9a, 9b) and / or in the central operator control region (9c), said touch-sensitive sensor detecting a touch of the respective operator control region (9a, 9b, 9c).Steering wheel (1) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the detection device (19) has at least one pressure-sensitive sensor (21a, 21b, 21c) which is arranged in the left and right operator control regions (9a, 9b) and / or in the central operator control region (9c) and detects a compressive force in the respective operator control region (9a, 9b, 9c).

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