Steering knob arrangement

Abstract

Steering knob assembly (10) with a steering knob (12), in particular a steering wheel knob, with a fastening arrangement (14) for fastening the steering knob (12) to a steering device (16), in particular a steering wheel, of a vehicle, characterized in that an exposed electrically conductive structure is provided on the steering knob (12), which is electrically conductively connected to the fastening arrangement (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering knob arrangement with a steering knob, in particular a steering wheel knob, with a fastening arrangement for fastening the steering knob to a steering device, in particular a steering wheel of a vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles may be equipped with assistance systems that include sensors in the steering wheel or steering wheel rim to detect whether the steering wheel is being held.

[0003] A capacitive sensor, often mounted around the entire rim of the steering wheel, is frequently used for this purpose. Evaluation electronics measure the conductivity of this sensor. The conductivity changes when the steering wheel is touched or gripped by hand.

[0004] Driver assistance systems, such as active lane keeping assist, prompt the driver to hold the steering wheel if they release it for a certain period of time. If the steering wheel is not held after this prompt, an emergency stop may be initiated. In newer vehicles, lane keeping assist is automatically activated when the ignition is switched on. This poses a problem for drivers who use a steering wheel knob to steer the vehicle, meaning they don't actually touch the steering wheel itself. Consequently, the assistance system's electronics cannot detect whether the driver is using the steering knob to take steering action or not.

[0005] In particular, the sensors may not detect a driver's hand on the steering wheel knob. As a result, the vehicle cannot be driven using the steering wheel knob, or only with limited functionality.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a steering knob arrangement that allows the driving of a vehicle with an assistance system when the steering knob arrangement is used for steering.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a steering knob assembly comprising a steering knob, in particular a steering wheel knob, and a mounting arrangement for attaching the steering knob to a steering element, in particular a steering wheel, of a vehicle. The steering knob has an exposed, electrically conductive structure that is electrically connected to the mounting arrangement. The exposed, electrically conductive structure can be touched by the hand of a user or driver. Through this electrically conductive connection, a charge builds up in the mounting arrangement, which is located on the steering element, in particular the steering wheel. This allows the capacitive sensor installed in the steering wheel to be activated, thus signaling that a driver has taken over a steering task via the steering knob. The exposed, electrically conductive structure can be made of metal and can cover the entire surface of the steering knob.In particular, the exposed electrically conductive structure can be designed as a coating. An exposed conductive structure is understood to be, in particular, an electrically conductive structure that is not located in a recess and is therefore always touched by a user when they grasp the steering knob.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the steering knob may have a housing that is at least partially electrically conductive. The electrically conductive area of ​​the housing may be arranged in such a way as to ensure that a user actually touches this area when performing a steering task. In particular, the entire surface of the housing may be electrically conductive.

[0009] The exposed electrically conductive structure can be raised above the rest of the steering knob. This ensures, firstly, that the user touches the electrically conductive structure with their hand when taking over a steering task. Secondly, the raised structure can be felt, allowing the user to confirm that they are indeed touching it.

[0010] The steering knob can be detachably connected to the mounting assembly, and the electrically conductive structure can be arranged or formed on an actuating element for releasing or establishing the connection. For example, a release button can be provided on the steering knob, which, when actuated, releases the steering knob from the mounting assembly. The release button can be electrically conductive, particularly metallic. It can protrude with a section beyond the surrounding area of ​​the steering knob.

[0011] The electrically conductive structure can be of sufficient size to ensure that a hand touch can be detected by the steering wheel's capacitive sensor. Specifically, the electrically conductive structure can have an area of ​​at least 1 cm². 2 exhibit.

[0012] The steering knob is advantageously detachably connected to the mounting assembly so that it can be removed, allowing a non-disabled user to steer the vehicle without a steering knob.

[0013] The steering knob can be rotatably mounted on the mounting assembly about an axis of rotation, the mounting assembly having an electrically conductive sleeve, in particular a brass sleeve. The sleeve allows the steering knob to be rotatably mounted. The electrically conductive sleeve can be electrically connected to the electrically conductive structure of the knob. An electrically conductive connection to the mounting assembly or to the steering mechanism can be established via the electrically conductive sleeve. A brass sleeve has proven particularly advantageous because it is highly electrically conductive and also enables low-wear mounting of the steering knob.

[0014] The mounting assembly can include an electrically conductive section that extends along the steering mechanism when the steering knob assembly is attached to the steering system. This electrically conductive section can partially encircle the steering rim, for example, within a radius of approximately 180°. The electrically conductive section can also be of a specific length to ensure that the steering rim's capacitive sensor detects when a user touches the steering knob. For example, the electrically conductive section can be between 5 cm and 10 cm long.

[0015] The steering knob can have one or more controls, particularly configurable ones, especially buttons. These controls allow the user to operate other vehicle functions. For example, the controls can operate turn signals, windshield wipers, headlights, cruise control, or a radio.

[0016] The steering knob may have a radio module through which the signals triggered by the controls can be transmitted to the vehicle or a vehicle control system.

[0017] The steering knob may have a housing made at least partially of plastic, the surface of which is bead-blasted or sandblasted. This results in a particularly pleasant feel to the touch. In particular, the housing feels smooth. The housing may be made of several parts to facilitate the installation of the steering knob.

[0018] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawing. Likewise, the features mentioned above and those described in more detail below can each be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather serve as examples for illustrating the invention.

[0019] The single figure shows, in a highly schematic representation, a steering knob arrangement 10 with a steering knob 12, which is connected to a steering means 16 via a fastening arrangement 14.

[0020] The steering device 16, shown in a sectional view, has a core 18 surrounded by a capacitive sensor 22. The capacitive sensor 22 is in turn arranged under a protective covering 24, for example a leather sheath.

[0021] The steering knob 12 is detachably connected to the fastening assembly 14. For this purpose, the steering knob 12 has an actuating element 26, for example, a release button. This is connected to a release pin 28, which is arranged in an electrically conductive tube 30. The tube 30 is in turn rotatably connected to a sleeve 31, so that the steering knob 12 can rotate about an axis of rotation. The release pin 28 and the tube 30 constitute a ball lock pin. The ball lock pin is detachably connected to the fastening assembly 14.

[0022] The upper surface of the actuating element 26 is raised above the surface 32, i.e., the rest of the steering knob 12, and thus constitutes an exposed electrically conductive structure. When a user's hand 34 touches the steering knob 12, it automatically also touches the electrically conductive structure. Charge from the steering device 16 is transferred to the user's hand 34 via the mounting assembly 14, the ball locking pin, and the actuating element 26.

[0023] The fastening arrangement 14 has an electrically conductive section 36 that extends section by section along the steering element 16. In particular, the section 36 can extend region by region along the circumference and longitudinal direction of the steering element 16. Specifically, the area of ​​the electrically conductive section 36 can be large enough to ensure that contact with the actuating element 26 by a user can be detected by the capacitive sensor 22. The arrows 38 indicate the flow of the electrical charge.

[0024] The electrically conductive section 36 may have a coating not shown here towards the steering means 16 or be completely encased, so that the electrically conductive section 36 is spaced apart from the steering means 16 by a layer of material.

[0025] The electrically conductive section 36 can be part of a clamping device, whereby the opposing part 40 of the clamping device can also be electrically conductive. However, it can also be made of electrically insulating material, for example, plastic. The fastening arrangement 14 can therefore have a clamping device that is at least partially electrically conductive. The electrically conductive section 36 can, for example, be made of metal. The clamping device can be designed as a clamp. Due to the electrically conductive connection from the steering knob 12 via the fastening arrangement 14 to the electrically conductive section 36, it is ensured that contact of the steering knob 12 by a user's hand 34 is detected by the capacitive sensor 22, so that the vehicle's assistance systems function reliably.

Claims

[1] Steering knob assembly (10) with a steering knob (12), in particular a steering wheel knob, with a fastening arrangement (14) for fastening the steering knob (12) to a steering device (16), in particular a steering wheel, of a vehicle, characterized by , that an exposed electrically conductive structure is provided on the steering knob (12) which is electrically conductively connected to the fastening arrangement (14). [2] Steering knob arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by , that the steering knob (12) has a housing that is at least partially electrically conductive. [3] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the exposed electrically conductive structure is raised above the rest of the steering knob (12). [4] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the steering knob (12) is detachably connected to the fastening arrangement (14) and the electrically conductive structure is arranged or formed on an actuating element (26) for releasing or establishing the connection. [5] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the steering knob (12) is rotatably arranged on the fastening arrangement (14) about an axis of rotation, wherein the fastening arrangement (14) has an electrically conductive sleeve (31), in particular a brass sleeve. [6] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fastening arrangement (14) has an electrically conductive section (36) which extends in an area along the steering means (16) when the steering knob arrangement (10) is attached to the steering means (16). [7] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the fastening arrangement (14) includes a clamping mechanism which has the electrically conductive section. [8] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening arrangement (14), in particular its electrically conductive section (36), has an electrically insulating coating or sheathing. [9] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the steering knob (12) has one or more, in particular configurable, control elements. [10] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the steering knob (12) has a radio module. [11] Steering knob arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the steering knob (12) has a housing made at least partially of plastic, the surface of which is bead-blasted or sandblasted.

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