Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (1), comprising a driver's seat (2) and a module (5) located in front of the driver's seat (1) in the direction of travel and having an airbag (3) and a display unit (4), which module can be moved in the direction of the driver's seat (2). According to the invention, an inclination of the module (5) can be adjusted about a pivot axis parallel to a vehicle transverse axis.

Description

[0001] vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A motor vehicle is known from the prior art, as described in DE 102019206584 B3. The motor vehicle comprises at least one seat, a steering wheel arranged in front of the seat as viewed in the direction of travel, and an instrument panel arranged in front of the steering wheel as viewed in the direction of travel. The motor vehicle is operable in an autonomous driving mode. The instrument panel has at least one movable upper panel section with at least one control or display element and / or airbag, which, at least in the autonomous driving mode, is movable relative to a lower, fixed-position panel section in the direction of the seat, overlapping the steering wheel.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A vehicle has a driver's seat and a module arranged in front of the driver's seat in the direction of travel, which module has an airbag and a display unit and is movable towards the driver's seat.

[0008] According to the invention, the inclination of the module is adjustable about a pivot axis parallel to a vehicle's transverse axis. The display unit is designed, in particular, as a combined display and input unit, in particular as a touchscreen or touch display.

[0009] The vehicle is particularly designed to carry out automated, in particular highly automated or autonomous, ferry operation, in particular for switching between a ferry operation carried out by a driver of the vehicle and this automated ferry operation. In this automated ferry operation, the driver can advantageously assume a different, in particular relaxing, seating position, also referred to as an extended seating position, in particular by adjusting a seat back of the vehicle seat backwards, i.e., tilting the seat back backwards and downwards. The driver is then in a reclined or, at least almost, lying position in the driver's seat.

[0010] The solution according to the invention enables accessibility of the display unit, in particular the combined display and input unit described above, even in such an extended seating position by moving the module with the display unit and the airbag towards the driver's seat. Since the module contains not only the display unit but also the airbag, unhindered deployment of the airbag is ensured at all times. If only the display unit were moved, there would be a risk that the display unit would move into the airbag's deployment space, which would damage the display unit upon deployment of the airbag and impair the effectiveness of the airbag. This is avoided by the solution according to the invention because, by installing the display unit and the airbag together in the movable module, the geometric position of the display unit and the airbag relative to one another always remains unchanged.

[0011] Furthermore, by adjusting the module with airbag and display unit, especially depending on the respective seating position of the driver's seat and thus of the driver, not only the ergonomics with regard to the display unit are improved, but also the effect of the deploying airbag and thus the passive safety is ensured even in the extended seating position.

[0012] This is further optimized by the inventive adjustability of the module's inclination, and thus of both the display unit and the airbag, around the pivot axis parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis. With regard to the display unit, this allows for an inclination adjustment according to the driver's respective line of sight in the respective seating position. With regard to the airbag, this allows for the airbag's deployment direction to be adapted to the respective seating position.

[0013] In addition to adjusting the module with airbag and display unit in the direction of travel, i.e., along the vehicle's longitudinal axis, a height adjustment can also be provided. These adjustment movements can be performed individually or in combination, allowing the module to be adjusted diagonally upwards and backwards.

[0014] For example, the tilt adjustment of the module can be done from a neutral position by 3° in one swivel direction and 3° in the other swivel direction.

[0015] In one possible embodiment, an automatic activation of the movement of the module towards the driver's seat and the adjustment of the inclination of the module upon activation of the automated, in particular highly automated or autonomous, driving operation of the vehicle and the adjustment of the seat back of the driver's seat to the rear, ie in particular to the extended seating position, is provided.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the module extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle in front of a front passenger seat. It then advantageously has two airbags, i.e. one airbag assigned to the driver's seat, also referred to as a driver airbag, and one airbag assigned to the front passenger seat, also referred to as a front passenger airbag. The display unit can then, for example, also extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle in front of the front passenger seat, or the module can, for example, have two display units, i.e. one display unit assigned to the driver's seat and one display unit assigned to the front passenger seat. Both display units can be designed as described above, i.e. in particular as a combined display and input unit.

[0017] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0018] Showing:

[0019] Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle with a driver in a normal seating position, Fig. 2 schematically shows the vehicle with the driver in an extended seating position,

[0020] Fig. 3 schematically shows a movable in the direction of a driver's seat of the vehicle

[0021] Module in a forward position, and

[0022] Fig. 4 schematically shows the module in a rear position.

[0023] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show a vehicle 1 capable of carrying out a ferry operation carried out by a driver F of the vehicle 1, as shown in Figure 1, and of carrying out an automated, in particular highly automated or autonomous, ferry operation, as shown in Figure 2. In this automated ferry operation, the driver F can assume a different, in particular relaxing, seating position, also referred to as an extended seating position, in particular by adjusting a seat back of a driver's seat 2 backwards, i.e., tilting the seat back backwards and downwards, as shown in Figure 2. The driver F is then in a reclined or, at least almost, lying seating position in the driver's seat 2.

[0025] The vehicle 1 has an airbag 3 (hereinafter also referred to as a driver airbag 3) in front of the driver's seat 2, and a display unit 4, which is particularly designed as a combined display and input unit, also referred to as a touchscreen, touchscreen, or touch display. If this display unit 4 is permanently installed in the vehicle 1, it is problematic for the driver F to use it in the extended seating position, as it is then no longer optimally aligned with their line of sight and they can no longer reach it with their hands and thus no longer operate it.If this display unit 4 were designed to be adjustable alone, there would be the problem that it could move into a deployment space of the driver airbag 3, whereby the display unit 4 could be damaged when the airbag 3 is activated and deployed, and the airbag 3 could be hindered in its deployment by the display unit 4 and thus no longer be able to achieve its full protective effect.

[0026] Therefore, in the solution described here, the display unit 4 and the airbag 3 are attached to a common module 5, for example to a structural frame, and this module 5 is adjustable. This module 5 with the driver airbag 3 and the display unit 4 is thus arranged in front of the driver seat 2. In the example shown, this module 5 extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle up to a passenger seat (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and, in addition to the display unit 4 and the driver airbag 3, which is assigned to the driver seat 2, also has a further airbag 6, hereinafter also referred to as the passenger airbag 6, which is assigned to the passenger seat of the vehicle 1.

[0027] As a result of this arrangement on the common module 5, a geometric position of the driver airbag 3, the display unit 4 and, in the example shown, also the passenger airbag 6 relative to one another always remains the same, so that an obstruction of the deployment of the respective airbag 3, 6 by the display unit 4 and damage to the display unit 4 by a deployment of the respective airbag 3, 6 are avoided.

[0028] As already mentioned, this module 5 is intended to be adjustable together with the display unit 4 attached thereto and, in the example shown, the two airbags 3, 6 attached thereto. In particular, it is intended to be adjustable in the direction of the driver's seat 2, i.e., particularly rearwardly, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Additionally, it can be adjustable, for example, in the vertical direction of the vehicle. These two adjustment directions can be implemented individually or in combination with one another, for example, by appropriately aligning an adjustment device.

[0029] Furthermore, it is provided that an inclination of the module 5 together with the display unit 4 attached thereto and, in the example shown, the two airbags 3, 6 attached thereto can be adjusted about a pivot axis parallel to a vehicle transverse axis, for example from a neutral position by 3° in each pivot direction.

[0030] For example, it is provided that this adjustment of the module 5 takes place depending on the seating position, in particular of the driver F of the vehicle 1, in particular automatically. This achieves good ergonomics with regard to the display unit 4 and optimal effectiveness of the airbag 3, 6 or, in the example shown, the respective airbag 3, 6. Furthermore, thanks to the possibility of changing the position of the display unit 4, the dimensioning of the display unit 4 is no longer restricted by a steering wheel height adjustment. In the case of fixed display units 4, these must be dimensioned such that they are fully visible whatever the settings of a steering wheel 7 of the vehicle 1. In the solution described here, this can be ensured by a corresponding adjustment of the module 5. This allows the display unit 4 to be dimensioned differently, for example, in particular with regard to its height, thus enabling a larger display area.

[0031] Figure 1 shows the driver F in a normal sitting position while he is driving the vehicle 1. The module 5 with the display unit 4 and, in this example, the two airbags 3, 6 is arranged in a front basic position adapted to the driving task of the driver F.

[0032] Figure 2 shows the driver F in the rearwardly inclined extended seating position during automated ferry operation of the vehicle 1. The module 5 with the display unit 4 and the two airbags 3, 6 in this example is arranged adjusted to the rear, i.e. in the direction of the driver's seat 2 and thus of the driver F, i.e. positioned in a rearwardly shifted position, and can also be inclined, in particular inclined downwards. As a result, the display unit 4 remains in the line of sight of the driver F and also within the driver F's reach so that it can be operated, and moreover the respective airbag 3, 6 is in an optimal position and orientation in order to achieve full deployment and protective effect. The steering wheel 7 of the vehicle 1 is retracted in this case, for example, since it is not needed during automated ferry operation.Therefore, only a steering column 8 is shown in Figure 2 and the steering wheel 7 is not shown.

[0033] For example, one or more intermediate positions are possible between these two positions of module 5. In particular, a continuous adjustment of module 5 is provided to allow it to be optimally adapted to the respective driver F and their respective seating position.

[0034] Figures 3 and 4 show a configuration of module 5 and a possible adjustment device. The airbags 3 and 6 are not shown here for clarity. Figure 3 shows module 5 in its forward basic position, and Figure 2 shows it in its rearward-shifted position.

[0035] As described, the display unit 4 and, in this example, the two airbags 3, 6 are attached to the module 5, which in the illustrated example is designed as a structural frame. The adjustment device has, for example, at least one telescopic unit 9, in the illustrated example two such telescopic units 9, as also shown in Figures 1 and 2. The respective telescopic unit 9 has a base part 10 fastened to a cross member of a bodyshell of the vehicle 1 and at least one drive rod 11 which can be extended linearly therefrom and retracted therein in a telescopic manner and to which the module 5 is attached. The extension and retraction of the respective drive rod 11 is effected, for example, by an electric motor. The respective drive rod 11 can be extended, for example, by 200 mm, which enables a corresponding adjustment of the module 5 in the direction of the driver's seat 2 and back.

[0036] In addition, an angle adjustment is provided on the respective telescoping unit 9 to enable the inclination adjustment of the module 5. For this purpose, for example, the module 5 is pivotably attached to the respective drive rod 11, or the base part 10 of the respective telescoping unit 9 is pivotably attached to the cross member of the body shell.

[0037] The respective telescopic unit 9 can, for example, be a unit provided for a steering wheel adjustment or be designed similarly thereto.

[0038] List of reference symbols

[0039] 1 vehicle

[0040] 2 driver's seat

[0041] 3 airbags, driver airbag

[0042] 4 Display unit

[0043] 5 Module

[0044] 6 airbags, passenger airbag

[0045] 7 Steering wheel

[0046] 8 Steering column

[0047] 9 Telescopic unit

[0048] 10 Base part

[0049] 11 Drive rod

[0050] F Driver

Claims

Patent claims Vehicle (1), comprising a driver's seat (2) and a module (5) arranged in front of the driver's seat (1) in the direction of travel, said module having an airbag (3) and a display unit (4), which is movable in the direction of the driver's seat (2), characterized in that an inclination of the module (5) is adjustable about a pivot axis parallel to a transverse axis of the vehicle, and the display unit (4) is designed as a combined display and input unit, and an automatic activation of the movement of the module (5) in the direction of the driver's seat (2) and the adjustment of the inclination of the module (5) is provided upon activation of an automated, in particular highly automated or autonomous, driving operation of the vehicle (1) and a rearward adjustment of a seat back of the driver's seat (2). Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclination of the module (5) is adjustable from a neutral position by 3° in each pivot direction.Vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module (5) extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle in front of a passenger seat and has an airbag (3) assigned to the driver's seat (2) and an airbag (6) assigned to the passenger seat.

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