Motor vehicle featuring a steering wheel equipped with indicator lights adapted to steering wheel ergonomics

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel (SWH) defining a control plate (CP) with a front face (FFP) arranged facing the driver of the vehicle when the driver is at the wheel; said control plate (CPH) comprising at least one gripping means (OP1-OP4) on which is mounted a control element (OC1-OC4) of at least one function or system of the vehicle, near an edge of the control plate (CPH), at least one indicator light (IL1-IL4) arranged on the front face (FFP) around the gripping means (OP1-OP4); said vehicle further comprising means for monitoring the lighting and display of the indicator light (IL1-IL4) in relation to a state or level of the function or system and linked to the control element (OC1-OC4) and according to a determined display mode of the indicator lights (IL1-IL4). (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel equipped with light indicators adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel

[0001] The invention relates generally to the field of human-machine interfaces (HMIs), in particular those equipping the steering wheels of motor vehicles, and more particularly relates to a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel equipped with light indicators adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel, in particular light indicators adapted to means for gripping the steering wheel.

[0002] Indicator lights are widely used in HMIs and are generally associated with control devices arranged in the passenger compartment, on the dashboard, the central console or even on the steering wheel or in the vicinity of the steering wheel.

[0003] These indicators allow functions and / or systems embedded in the motor vehicle to be visually monitored. Monitoring means both adjusting a function or system between a minimum value and a maximum value (setpoint value) and monitoring the level or status of a function or system.

[0004] HMIs located on the steering wheel, or in the vicinity of the steering wheel, have become widespread. From an ergonomic point of view, the driver can thus control or monitor the progress of certain functions of systems on board the vehicle without his hands leaving the steering wheel or his attention being too diverted from driving, which, of course, is fundamental for the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0005] It is important that these HMIs are compact, ergonomically adapted to their location on or near the steering wheel, easy to handle and of course of simple and robust design, that is to say implementing a minimum of mechanical, optical parts and electronic components, simple to produce and easy to mount. It is also important that the information carried by these HMIs is sufficiently clear, concise and arranged in such a way as to allow readable feedback on the state or level of a function or system during the adjustment of the state or level of the function or system, while being close to the control members arranged on the steering wheel.

[0006] To date, there is no HMI on the front face of the steering wheel (face which faces the driver when the latter is in the driving position), comprising light indicators adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel and in particular to means of gripping the steering wheel, meeting the conditions set out above.

[0007] The ergonomics of the steering wheel are assessed according to the shape of the steering wheel, its means grip, ... and by its positioning in relation to the driver in the driving position but also in the resting position. It is also assessed with regard to the information and control elements carried by the steering wheel.

[0008] The invention therefore aims in particular to provide an ergonomic, simple, robust, compact and inexpensive solution.

[0009] To this end, the invention has as its first object a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel defining a plate with a front face arranged opposite the driver of the vehicle, when the driver is at the wheel; said plate comprising at least one gripping means on which is mounted a control member for at least one function or system of the vehicle, in the vicinity of an edge of the plate, at least one light indicator arranged on the front face, around the gripping means; said vehicle further comprising supervision means capable of controlling the lighting and the display of the light indicator in relation to a state or a level of the function or of the system and in connection with the control member, according to first and second display modes.

[0010] According to one characteristic, the supervision means are capable of controlling the light indicator according to the first display mode called permanent to display in real time the level or the state of the function or the system of the vehicle and according to the second display mode called temporary to display a level of adjustment of the state or the level of the function or the system of the vehicle.

[0011] According to another characteristic, the plate further comprises a lighting means capable of being controlled by the supervision means to illuminate at least one zone of the front face of the plate; said supervision means being further capable of controlling the lighting means in cooperation with the display of the light indicator in the temporary display mode.

[0012] According to another characteristic, the plate has a generally rectangular shape and the gripping means is an orifice passing through the plate arranged in the vicinity of an edge of the plate; at least a part of the edge of the orifice supporting the control member and the light indicator defines a crown, or portion of crown, representative of a light ribbon at least partially surrounding said orifice in the vicinity of the control member.

[0013] According to another characteristic, the illuminated surface of the light strip is proportional to the level or state of the supervised function or system, capable of restoring a visual effect of filling a gauge.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the light strip comprises a series of a determined number of LEDs; the number of lit LEDs indicating the level or state of the supervised function or system.

[0015] The second object of the present invention is a supervision method, implemented implemented by the vehicle supervision means as described above, consisting in the first display mode called permanent, of permanently calculating the level or state of the function or system in connection with the control member, and of displaying the light indicator with an illumination surface of the light strip proportional to the level or state of the function or system, calculated between a start and an end of the light strip, and consisting, in the second display mode called temporary, of modifying the default lighting of the area of ​​the front face of the plate, of taking into account the setting instruction for adjusting the level or state of the function or system set by the driver, of calculating the level or state of the function or system corresponding to the driver's setting instruction,to display in return the adjustment instruction on the light indicator between a start and an end of the light strip representing the light indicator and after validation of the adjustment instruction by the driver, to select the permanent display mode at the end of a time delay determined following the validation, and to restore the default lighting of the area of ​​the front face of the plate.

[0016] According to a characteristic of the method, the so-called permanent display mode is automatically selected at the end of the temporary display mode.

[0017] According to another characteristic, the lighting of the front face is controlled in the temporary display mode with lighting distinct from the lighting in the permanent mode and producing determined lighting effects.

[0018] The third and final subject of the present invention is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method as described above.

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawing, in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a front part of a vehicle passenger compartment at car according to the invention, in which a steering wheel is installed equipped with light indicators adapted to the ergonomics of the steering wheel;

[0021] [Fig.2] illustrates a detail view of a type of steering wheel of a vehicle according to the invention; and

[0022] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the main steps of a supervision method according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a front part of a passenger compartment HAB of a motor vehicle VHL in which a steering wheel VOL is installed.

[0024] In the example considered, the front face FAV of the steering wheel VOL defines a PLT plate of generally rectangular shape which is carried by the hub of the steering wheel VOL.

[0025] The rectangular PLT plate can also fully define the VOL steering wheel. The plate PLT is illustrated here superimposed on the traditional steering wheel which is shaded in the figure; the large dimension of the PLT plate corresponding substantially to the diameter of the JTV rim of the traditional steering wheel of generally circular shape. The rim of the JTP steering wheel corresponds to the rectangular perimeter of the PLT plate when the PLT plate entirely defines the VOL steering wheel. Only the lateral parts (small dimensions) of the PLT plate define means of gripping the PLT plate. It should be noted that some steering wheels already have a lower flat, or even two flats: a lower flat and an upper flat, allowing better visibility of the instrument panel which is arranged on the dashboard, behind the steering wheel.

[0026] The PLT plate comprises four gripping holes OP1-OP4 of generally circular shape, arranged in the vicinity of the four corners of the PLT plate. These holes OP1-OP4 could have different shapes, oblong for example. They are through and dimensioned to allow the passage of the thumbs, respectively left and right, of the driver. These holes OP1-OP4, with the lateral edges of the PLT plate, define the gripping means of the PLT plate. The holes OP1-OP2, arranged in the upper part of the PLT plate, are rather intended for a driving position requiring a firm grip of the PLT plate and the holes OP3-OP4, arranged in the lower part of the PLT plate, are rather intended for a driving position in a more relaxed mode.

[0027] As illustrated in more detail in [Fig.2], the front face FAV of the PLT board supports four light indicators IL1-IL4 shaped to define light strips capable of visually reproducing a gauge effect, here “digital” gauges, arranged respectively on the periphery of the gripping holes OP1-OP4. It is recalled that a gauge is an indicator device making it possible to inform the driver about the state or a measurement of a function or system of the vehicle.

[0028] The indications that a gauge can provide on the state or level of a function or system of a motor vehicle are numerous. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the main indications that can be displayed by the gauge: charge level of a battery during charging or while driving, remaining fuel level, volume of the audio system (radio, navigation system, telephone, etc.), opening status of an opening (door, window, sunroof, etc.), temperature of the thermal engine, number of revolutions per minute (rev counter), lighting adjustment, level of adjustment of the vehicle deceleration ("brake mode"), management of the inter-vehicle time (TIV) of the cruise control, automatic front / rear braking distance, other AD AS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) settings, etc.

[0029] Advantageously, in the embodiment described, each light indicator IL1-IL4 is arranged in the form of a crown or portion of a crown extending around the outer periphery of the gripping orifice OP1-OP4.

[0030] As shown in [Fig.2], one edge of each gripping hole OP1-OP4 (edge ​​facing the inside of the PLT board) is equipped with a button OC1-OC4, or member, for controlling and / or adjusting the state or level of a function or system of the vehicle.

[0031] Each indicator light IL1-IL4 is arranged as close as possible to the control and / or adjustment member OC1-OC4, which allows immediate perception and understanding by the driver. The feedback is thus systematically in the driver's field of vision and close to the control member OC1-OC4.

[0032] In the example of [Fig.2], different configurations were arbitrarily chosen for the four indicator lights IL1-IL4.

[0033] The configurations could be identical for the four indicators IL1-IL4.

[0034] In the example of [Fig.2], the indicator light IL2 is inactive (off). The other three indicators IL1, IL3 and IL4 are shown active (on).

[0035] The light indicator IL1-IL4 can be produced using LED technology (LED for “Light Emitting Diode” or light-emitting diode), in this case, the light indicator is made up of a series of monochrome or polychrome LEDs forming a luminous strip, or ribbon: the surface of the ribbon lights up more or less depending on the number of LEDs lit.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the VHL vehicle according to the invention comprises SPV supervision means for the display and lighting of the indicator lights IL1-IL4 and the lighting of the front face FAV of the PLT board. The SPV supervision means belong for example to the lighting management system inside the VHL vehicle, housed for example in the BCU box of the vehicle (BCU for “Body Control Unit” in English terminology).

[0037] These SPV supervision means control the display and lighting of the indicator lights IL1-IL4 and the lighting of the front face FAV of the PLT board from the states or levels of the FCT functions or SYS systems determined, in connection with the control members OC1-OC4 mounted on the PLT board and according to a determined display mode of the indicator lights IL1-IL4. The display mode is selected by the driver via an HMI not shown.

[0038] In the case of monochrome LEDs, the SPV supervision means control an increase in the intensity of the lighting at the two ends of the light indicator (of the light strip), IL3 in [Fig. 2], to indicate the start DEB and the end FIN of the gauge, as well as for the level of the adjustment instruction between these two ends

[0039] In the case of polychrome LEDs, the SPV supervision means control a change of color in certain zones of the light indicator IL1-IL4 (light strip).

[0040] For example, a red colored zone when the indicator light IL1-IL4 defines a gauge displaying a rev counter function: the red colored zone indicating that the number of revolutions / minute has passed into a zone that is too high, the same for the sound in the case of an audio function; the gauge indicating the sound volume level.

[0041] Other lighting technologies equivalent to those of LEDs can be used, such as technologies using LCD (Liquid Crystal Diode) or TFT (Thin Field Transistor) type displays to represent the filling of a gauge.

[0042] According to the invention, at least two display modes of the light indicators IL1-IL4 are distinguished: a so-called permanent MAP display mode and a so-called temporary MAT display mode.

[0043] Display mode means a mode of graphic representation of the light information restored by the light indicators IL1-IL4, here in the form of a crown, on the front face FAV of the PLT board.

[0044] Each of these two modes MAP, MAT result from the selection by the driver of either a permanent MAP or temporary MAT display mode of the indicator lights IL1-IL4. Thus, when the driver wishes to define a state or adjust the level of an FCT function or of the SYS system to be supervised, he selects the temporary MAT display mode for example via the control member OC1-OC4 (two successive presses or a long press for example). For example, the permanent MAP display mode is considered to be the default display mode.

[0045] The PLT board comprises at least one RTE lighting means, which is managed by the SPV supervision means. This RTE lighting means may be a light source, LED or other, ensuring for example backlighting of at least one zone of the front face FAV supporting the light indicator IL1-IL4.

[0046] This backlighting can be the lighting of the FAV front face of the PLT board “by default”, that is to say, the permanent lighting of the FAV front face whose intensity can adapt automatically according to the ambient brightness.

[0047] The permanent display mode MAP corresponds to a display mode of the light indicators IL1-IL4 (which can be the default display mode of the light indicators IL1-IL4 for example) in which the display of the light indicators IL1-IL4 reproduces the levels or states of the FCT function or the SYS system chosen, calculated permanently by the supervision means SPV. In this MAP mode, the lighting of the front face FAV of the PLT board can remain constant in intensity and / or in color.

[0048] The temporary display mode MAT corresponds to a display mode which is used temporarily only during the adjustment of the level or the state of the FCT function or the SYS system, by the driver. When this MAT mode has been selected When selected by the driver, the lighting of the FAV front panel of the PLT board takes a different form from the default lighting during adjustment and returns to the default lighting at the end of a time delay determined after the last adjustment operation.

[0049] This change in shape may be a change in light intensity and / or color, flashing or “breathing” or any other light effect to inform the driver that this display mode is temporary MAT.

[0050] In this temporary display mode MAT, the driver manually sets via the control member OC1-OC4, or another control member of the vehicle VHL, the setpoint state or level (or setpoint adjustment level) that he wishes to obtain between a minimum and a maximum (materialized by the start DEB and the end FIN of the gauge IL3) for a FCT function or a SYS system determined in relation to the control member OC1-OC4. The pairing of the FCT function or the SYS system, with one of the control members OC1-OC4, may have been preconfigured by default or configured by the driver when the control member is of the multifunction type for example.

[0051] The SPV supervision means then control the lighting of a certain number of LEDs proportionally to the level setting or to the state of the FCT function or of the SYS system, within the DEB and FIN limits, which have been calculated from the information sent to it by sensors and other measuring devices concerning the supervised FCT function or SYS system.

[0052] The lower the setting level, the fewer LEDs are lit (low filling of the IL1-IL4 gauge). The higher the level, the higher the number of LEDs lit (high filling of the IL1-IL4 gauge).

[0053] Thanks to the crown shape (light ribbon) and the light effects of the light indicators IL1-IL4 associated with the control members OC1-OC4, it is thus possible to recreate a gauge effect displaying the filling level of the gauge in relation to a set level, between a start point and an end point of the gauge and with an easily adjustable set level, between these two points and feedback that is easily understandable for the driver both for the adjustment and for the monitoring of the function or the system.

[0054] The flowchart in [Fig.3] summarizes the main steps of the su process Pervision controlling the permanent MAP and temporary MAT display modes.

[0055] In the permanent MAP display mode ([Fig.3]), the method implemented by the SPV supervision means, consists after the selection of the permanent MAP mode by the driver, or automatically by default or again, after a temporary MAT display mode, for the display of a light indicator IL1-IL 4 associated with a given FCT function or SYS system, in permanently calculating 100 the level or the state of the FCT function or the SYS system given in connection with a control member OC1-OC4, and to display 200 the light indicator IL1-IL4 in the form of a light strip with a lighting surface proportional to the level or state of the FCT function or the SYS system, calculated between a start DEB and an end FIN of the light strip IL3.

[0056] In the temporary display mode MAT, the method implemented by the supervision means SPV, consists after the selection of the temporary mode MAT by the driver for the display of a gauge (light strip) IL1-IL4 associated with a given FCT function or SYS system, in modifying 300 the default lighting of at least one zone of the front face FAV of the PLT board displaying the gauge IL1-IL4, in taking into account 400 the setting instruction for the level or state of the FCT function or the SYS system set by the driver, in calculating 500 the level or state of the given FCT function or SYS system corresponding to the setting instruction, in displaying in return 600 the setting instruction with a filling corresponding to the level or state of the FCT function or the SYS system calculated between a start DEB and an end FIN of the light strip representing the gauge IL1-IL4, and after validation 700, which may be a lack of adjustment of the setpoint by the driver,and at the end of a time delay determined following validation or absence of adjustment, to select 800 the permanent display mode MAP and to restore 900 the default lighting of the zone of the front face FAV of the PLT board.

[0057] The management method implements a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method according to the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (VHL) comprising a steering wheel (VOL) defining a plate (PLT) with a front face (FAV) arranged opposite the driver of the vehicle (VHL), when the driver is at the wheel (VOL); said plate (PLT) comprising at least one gripping means (OP1-OP4) on which is mounted a control member (OC1-OC4) of at least one function (FCT) or system (SYS) of the vehicle (VHL), in the vicinity of an edge of the plate (PLT), at least one light indicator (IL1-IL4) arranged on the front face (FAV), around the gripping means (OP1-OP4); said vehicle (VHL) further comprising supervision means (SPV) capable of controlling the lighting and display of the light indicator (IL1-IL4) in relation to a state or a level of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) and in connection with the control member (OC1-OC4), according to first and second display modes (MAP, MAT).

2. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim in which the supervision means (SPV) are capable of controlling the light indicator (IL1-IL4) according to the first display mode called permanent (MAP) to display in real time the level or the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) of the vehicle (VHL) and according to the second display mode called temporary (MAT) to display a level of adjustment of the state or the level of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) of the vehicle (VHL).

3. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claims, in which the plate (PLT) further comprises a lighting means (RTE) capable of being controlled by the supervision means (SPV) to illuminate at least one zone of the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT); said supervision means (SPV) being further capable of controlling the lighting means (RTE) in cooperation with the display of the light indicator (IL1-IL4) in the temporary display mode (MAT).

4. Vehicle (VHL) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plate (PLT) has a generally rectangular shape and in which the gripping means (OP1-OP4) is an orifice passing through the plate (PLT) arranged in the vicinity of an edge of the plate (PLT); at least a part of the edge of the orifice (OP1-OP4) supporting the control member (OC1-OC4), and in which the light indicator (IL1-IL4) defines a crown or portion of a crown, representative of a light strip, at least partially surrounding said orifice (OP1-OP4) in the vicinity of the control member (OC1-OC4).

5. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the illuminated surface of the light strip (IL1-IL4) is proportional to the level or state of the supervised function (FCT) or system (SYS), capable of restoring a visual effect of filling a gauge.

6. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim in which the light strip (IL1-IL4) comprises a series of a determined number of LEDs; the number of lit LEDs indicating the level or state of the function (FCT) or system (SYS) supervised.

7. Supervision method, implemented by the supervision means (SPV) of the vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claims, consisting in the first display mode called permanent (MAP), of calculating (100) permanently the level or the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) in connection with the control member (OC1-OC4), and of displaying (200) the light indicator (IL1-IL4) with a lighting surface of the light strip proportional to the level or to the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS), calculated between a start (DEB) and an end (FIN) of the light strip (IL3), and consisting, in the second display mode called temporary, of modifying (300) the default lighting of the zone of the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT), of taking into account (400) the setting for adjusting the level or the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) set by the driver,to calculate (500) the level or state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) corresponding to the driver's adjustment instruction, to display (600) in return the adjustment instruction on the indicator light (IL1-IL4) between a start (DEB) and an end (FIN) of the light strip (IL3) representing the indicator light (IL1-IL4) and after validation (700) of the adjustment instruction by the driver, to select (800) the permanent display mode (MAP) at the end of a time delay determined following the validation, and to restore (900) the default lighting of the area of the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT).,

8. Method according to the preceding claim, consisting of selecting the so-called permanent display mode (MAP), automatically at the end of the temporary display mode (MAT).

9. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, consisting of controlling the lighting of the front face (FAV) in the temporary display mode (MAT) with lighting distinct from the lighting in the permanent mode (MAP) and producing specific light effects.

10. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to implement the steps of the method according to one of claims 7 to 9.

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