MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) capable of operating in different driving modes, said motor vehicle (10) comprising at least: - a rotating electric machine (13), - an automatic gearbox (18), - an electric parking brake (19), and - a regenerative braking function (16) during which the rotating electric machine (13) transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy for recharging a battery (15) during a braking phase, - a single control element (20) capable of controlling: selection of a gearbox position, selection of a driving mode, selection of a regenerative braking level, and activation of the electric parking brake (19). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunction control member for a motor vehicle. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application with electric motor vehicles. The invention can also be implemented with hybrid vehicles comprising an electric motor and a thermal traction engine.

[0002] Generally, a function of a motor vehicle is controlled by a corresponding control member. For example, the selection of a gearbox ratio is carried out via a control member located on a central console or a lever located on a column behind the steering wheel. The selection of a driving mode (eco, comfort, sport) is carried out via another control member. The adjustment of the regenerative braking can be carried out via paddles located behind the steering wheel or buttons located on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0003] The multiplication of functions therefore leads to a multiplication of control elements. Certain groupings are possible, in particular on the steering wheel which groups together numerous control functions, or on an air conditioning panel which groups together several comfort functions, or even a touch screen which allows numerous functions and controls to be managed.

[0004] These solutions are not satisfactory because they sometimes separate certain functions of the same domain, for example the driving domain, in different control elements located at different positions in the passenger compartment. Worse, sometimes the control elements are combined together but with very different functions, making the groupings of functions difficult to understand and use, such as for example the audio volume adjustment which can be located on the steering wheel in the same place as the driving aids, or a control panel grouping together air conditioning, comfort and audio settings.

[0005] Furthermore, the multiplication of control members in the passenger compartment results in a loss of space and forces the user to navigate between different places in the passenger compartment to perform different interrelated actions. For example, if the user wishes to move a gear selector to the Drive (D) position corresponding to forward gear, then change a driving mode, and finally select a maximum regenerative braking level, the user will have to, on most existing vehicles, change the gearbox ratio via the control located on the console, change the driving mode via another member located elsewhere on the console or on the steering wheel, then modify the level of regenerative braking via a third device located on the steering wheel or behind the steering wheel.

[0006] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a motor vehicle capable of operating in different driving modes, said motor vehicle comprising at least:

[0007] - a rotating electrical machine,

[0008] - an automatic gearbox,

[0009] - an electric parking brake, and

[0010] - a regenerative braking function during which the electric machine rotating transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy intended to recharge a battery,

[0011] - a single control member is capable of controlling: • a selection of a gearbox position, • a selection of a driving mode, • a selection of a level of regenerative braking, and • activation of the electric parking brake.

[0012] The invention thus makes it possible, by grouping together a control of functions linked to driving via the single control member, to reduce the number and therefore the size of the control members inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. In addition, the logical grouping of the driving functions according to the invention makes it possible to improve the user experience by simplifying the handling and daily use of the motor vehicle.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member is located behind a steering wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member is a control lever.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio as well as a selection of a driving mode by a movement of at least a portion of said single control member in a first direction and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement of at least a portion of said single control member in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction.

[0016] MODE 1

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio as well as a selection of a driving mode by a movement in a vertical direction upwards or downwards and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement in a horizontal direction forward or backward.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, high and central positions of the single control member are fixed while a low position is impulse-based.

[0019] MODE 2

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio as well as a selection of a driving mode by a movement of a ring in a direction of rotation around an axis of rotation and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement in a horizontal direction forwards or backwards.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, a front position and a rear position allowing the regenerative braking mode to be changed are impulse positions, so that the single control member systematically returns to the central position after each action towards one of said front or rear positions.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member can be activated to control activation of the electric parking brake by pressing an end button of the single control member.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the single control member comprises a device for displaying a state of the electric parking brake.

[0024] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. These figures are given only for illustrative purposes but in no way limit the invention.

[0025] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle electric comprising a multifunction control member according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation illustrating a positioning of a multifunction control member according to the present invention behind a steering wheel of a motor vehicle;

[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a multifunction control member according to the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a multifunction control member according to the present invention.

[0029] Identical, similar, or analogous elements retain the same reference from one figure to another.

[0030] [Fig.l] shows a motor vehicle 10 comprising a front wheel set 11 and a rear wheel set 12. A rotating electrical machine 13 is capable of providing traction for the motor vehicle 10 by transforming electrical energy from a battery 15 into mechanical traction energy. In the example shown, the rotating electrical machine 13 is installed on the front wheel set 11 but could alternatively be installed on the rear wheel set 12.

[0031] The motor vehicle 10 also comprises a regenerative braking function 16 according to which the rotating electrical machine 13 operating in alternator mode transforms mechanical energy of the motor vehicle 10 into electrical energy intended to recharge a battery 15 during a braking phase. The regenerative braking function 16 can be controlled by a computer of the motor vehicle, in particular an engine computer.

[0032] In the embodiment presented, the invention is implemented with an electric vehicle. The invention can however also be implemented with a hybrid vehicle. In this case, the motor vehicle can also comprise a heat engine associated with a clutch so as to be able to selectively couple or decouple the heat engine with the front wheel set 11.

[0033] A gearbox 18, in particular an automatic gearbox, has several gear ratios associated with different positions. Position R corresponds to the “Reverse” position and therefore to reverse gear. This position allows the vehicle to move backward in order to carry out all kinds of maneuvers. Position N corresponds to the neutral position. Position D corresponds to the “Drive” position and therefore to forward gear. Choosing this position D allows the vehicle to move forward.

[0034] The motor vehicle 10 also includes an electric parking brake 19 for locking the transmission when the vehicle is parked. The electric parking brake 19 is identified by the acronym P.

[0035] The motor vehicle 10 is capable of operating in different driving modes, such as for example an economical mode called "eco" mode aimed at minimizing the energy consumption of the motor vehicle 10, a sport mode favoring speed to the detriment of energy consumption, and an intermediate "comfort" mode in which the electric motor reacts in a balanced manner to the requests of the accelerator pedal. In Figures 3 and 4, mode M1 corresponds to the economical mode, mode M2 ​​corresponds to the comfort mode, and mode M3 corresponds to the sport mode.Other operating modes adapted to particular driving conditions are possible, such as mud mode, in which the operating parameters of the electric or hybrid powertrain are optimized for driving the vehicle on snowy ground, or snow mode, in which the operating parameters of the electric or hybrid powertrain are optimized for driving the vehicle on muddy ground.

[0036] INVENTION

[0037] According to the invention, a single control member 20 is capable of controlling:

[0038] - a selection of a gearbox position R, N, D,

[0039] - a selection of a driving mode M1, M2, M3,

[0040] - a selection of a regenerative braking level (0, +, ++, +++), and

[0041] - an activation of the electric parking brake 19.

[0042] Thus, the data streams for controlling the gearbox, the driving mode, the regenerative braking level and the electric parking brake are grouped together into a single control member 20. The single control member 20 is preferably located behind a steering wheel 26 of the motor vehicle 10, as shown in [Fig. 2]. Preferably, the single control member 20 is a control lever 20 structurally similar to a windshield wiper lever for example. The single control member 20 can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio R, N, D as well as a selection of a driving mode M1; M2, M3 by moving at least a portion of said single control member 20 in a first direction and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by moving at least a portion of said single control member 20 in a second direction.The second direction is different from the first direction.

[0043] MODE 1

[0044] According to a first embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], the single control member 20 can be activated to control a selection of the gearbox position R, N, D as well as a selection of a driving mode (M1-eco, M2-comfort, M3-sport) by a movement in a vertical direction 21 upwards or downwards and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement in a horizontal direction 22 forwards or backwards. In this case, the entire single control member 20 is moved in the vertical direction 21 or in the horizontal direction 22.

[0045] In the example shown, the user raises or lowers the control lever 20 depending on whether he wishes to shift into reverse (activation of the control lever 20 upwards following the arrow F1), or into the Drive position (activation of the control lever 20 downwards following the arrow F2). The neutral position N is an intermediate position located between the forward position D and the reverse position R. The high position R and the central position N are fixed while the low position D is impulse, that is to say that the user can repeatedly press downwards on the lever to select the different driving modes, namely the mode M1 (eco), the mode M2 ​​(comfort), or the mode M3 (sport). Thus, with each downward pressure, the control lever 20 moves slightly away from the Drive position to return there following the release of the control member 20 due to the action of a return member.

[0046] In this case, the default mode of the Drive position being the comfort mode M2, the user must first press down on the control lever 20 and then release it to switch to sport mode M3, then a second press down on the control lever 20 and then release it to switch to eco mode M1. Another press down on the control lever 20 followed by a release will return it to comfort mode M2.

[0047] The inscriptions "R", "N", and "D" light up or go out on the control lever 20, via a display device, depending on the position engaged by the user in order to indicate to him in which position the control lever 20 is located. Alternatively or in combination with the display system of the control lever 20, feedback in the digital instrument cluster can also be provided.

[0048] To change the regenerative braking mode, the user pulls the control lever 20 towards him in the forward position or pushes it into the rear position in the horizontal direction 22. Both positions are impulse-based, that is to say that the control lever 20 systematically returns to the central position after each action towards one of the front or rear positions due to the action of an elastic member. To adjust stronger regenerative braking, the user pulls, according to arrow F3, the control lever 20 towards him one or more times, in particular 2 or 3 times. To adjust less strong regenerative braking, the user pushes, according to arrow F4, the control lever 20 facing him one or more times, in particular 2 or 3 times. The direction of the controls can be reversed. Feedback in the digital instrument cluster is present to indicate to the driver the level of regenerative braking selected.A display on the control lever 20 of the selected regenerative braking level is also possible. It is possible to provide 4 regenerative braking levels, namely level 0, a first level +, a second level ++ and a third regenerative braking level +++.

[0049] When stationary, the user presses, following the arrow F5, an end button 27 of the lever to activate / deactivate the electric parking brake 19. The inscription "P" lights up or goes out on the control lever 20 depending on the state of the electric parking brake 19. Feedback in the digital instrument cluster can also be provided.

[0050] MODE 2

[0051] According to a second embodiment shown in [Fig. 4], the single control member 20 can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio R, N, D as well as a selection of a driving mode (M1-eco, M2-comfort, M3-sport) by a movement of a ring 25 in a direction of rotation 23 around an axis of rotation X in a first direction of rotation or in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. For this purpose, the ring 25 of the lever control member 20 is rotatably mounted about the X axis relative to the rest of the body of the control lever 20. The single control member 20 is also activatable to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement in a horizontal direction forward or backward. To select the regenerative braking level, the entire single control member 20 is moved forward or backward.

[0052] In the example shown, the user turns the ring 25 of the control lever 20 depending on whether he wishes to shift into reverse by rotating downwards along the arrow F6, or into the forward position D by rotating upwards along the arrow F7 opposite the arrow F6. The neutral position N is an intermediate position located angularly between the forward position D and the reverse position R. The low position R and the central position N are fixed while the high position D is impulse-based, so that the user can perform repeated rotations of a few degrees upwards to select the different driving modes, namely the mode M1 (eco), the mode M2 ​​(comfort), or the mode M3 (sport). Thus, with each rotation, the control lever 20 deviates angularly slightly from the Drive position to return there following the release of the control member 20 due to the action of a return member.

[0053] In this case, the default mode of the Drive position being the comfort mode, the user must again perform a first upward rotation of the control lever 20 followed by a release to switch to sport mode M3 for example then a second upward rotation of the control lever 20 followed by a release to switch to eco mode ML A new upward rotation of the control lever 20 followed by a release will make it return to comfort mode M2.

[0054] The inscriptions "R", "N", "D" light up or go out on the control lever 20, via a display device, depending on the position engaged by the user in order to indicate to him in which position the control lever 20 is located. Alternatively or in combination with the display system of the control lever 20, feedback in the digital instrument cluster can also be provided.

[0055] To change the regenerative braking mode, the user pulls the control lever 20 towards him in the forward position or pushes it into the rear position in a horizontal direction. Both positions are impulse-based, that is to say that the control lever 20 systematically returns to the central position after each action towards one of the front or rear positions due to the action of a return member. To adjust stronger regenerative braking, the user pulls the control lever 20 towards him one or more times, in particular 2 or 3 times. To adjust less strong regenerative braking, the user pushes the control lever 20 towards him one or more times times, including 2 or 3 times. The direction of the controls can be reversed. Feedback is provided in the digital instrument cluster to indicate the selected regenerative braking level. A display on the control lever 20 of the selected regenerative braking level is also possible. It is possible to provide 4 regenerative braking levels, namely level 0, a first level +, a second level ++ and a third regenerative braking level +++.

[0056] When stationary, the user presses, following the arrow F5, an end button 27 of the lever to activate / deactivate the electric parking brake 19. The inscription "P" lights up or goes out on the control lever 20 depending on the state of the electric parking brake 19. Feedback in the digital instrument cluster can also be provided.

[0057] The choice of one or other of the embodiments is made according to an aesthetic appearance and a type of modularity desired for a given motor vehicle model.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (10) capable of operating in different driving modes (Ml, M2, M3), said motor vehicle (10) comprising at least: - a rotating electrical machine (13), - an automatic gearbox (18), - an electric parking brake (19), and - a regenerative braking function (16) during which the rotating electrical machine (13) transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy intended to recharge a battery (15), characterized in that a single control member (20) is capable of controlling: - a selection of a gearbox position (R, N, D), - a selection of a driving mode (Ml, M2, M3), - a selection of a regenerative braking level (0, +, ++, +++), and - an activation of the electric parking brake (19).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the single control member (20) is located behind a steering wheel of the motor vehicle (10).

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the single control member (20) is a control lever.

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the single control member (20) can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio (R, N, D) as well as a selection of a driving mode (M1; M2, M3) by a movement of at least a portion of said single control member (20) in a first direction and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement of at least a portion of said single control member (20) in a second direction. MODE1

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the single control member (20) can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio (R, N, D) as well as a selection of a driving mode (M1; M2, M3) by a movement in a vertical direction (21) upwards or downwards and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level. by a movement in a horizontal direction (22) forwards or backwards.

6. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that high and central positions (R, N) of the single control member (20) are fixed while a low position (D) is impulse. MODE 2

7. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the single control member (20) can be activated to control a selection of a gearbox ratio (18) as well as a selection of a driving mode by a movement of a ring (25) in a direction of rotation (23) around an axis of rotation (X) and to control a selection of a regenerative braking level by a movement of the single control member (20) in a horizontal direction (24) forwards or backwards.

8. Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that a front position and a rear position allowing the regenerative braking mode to be changed are impulse positions, so that the single control member (20) systematically returns to the central position after each action towards one of said front or rear positions.

9. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the single control member (20) can be activated to control activation of the electric parking brake (19) by pressing an end button (27) of the single control member (20).

10. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the single control member (20) comprises a device for displaying a state of the electric parking brake (19).

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