Motor vehicle featuring a steering wheel equipped with segmented indicator lights

Abstract

A motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel (SWH) defining a control panel (CP) with a front face (FW) arranged facing the driver of the vehicle; said control panel (CPH) comprising at least one gripping means (OP1) on which is mounted a control element (OC1) for at least one function or system of the vehicle, near an edge of the control panel (CPH), at least one indicator light (IL1) defining a light strip arranged on the front face (FW) around the gripping means (OP1); said vehicle further comprising monitoring means capable of controlling the illumination of a specified number of successive and non-contiguous light segments (SG1-SG3) of the strip so as to segment the display of the indicator light (IL1) according to a state or level of the function or system and in relation to the control element (OC1), according to first and second display modes. (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel equipped with light indicators with segmented display

[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 with segmented display.

[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 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 are no HMIs 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 for gripping the steering wheel, meeting the conditions set out above and which, moreover, are adapted to adjusting or monitoring the state or level of a function or system of the vehicle comprising only a few states or requiring only a few adjustment steps. This is, for example, the case of a distance adjustment in systems of automatic emergency braking (or "AEB" for Automatic Emergency Brake in English terminology), inter-vehicle distance or TIV, etc. unlike an adjustment, for example, of the sound volume which can have up to twenty adjustment steps.

[0007] The ergonomics of the steering wheel are assessed according to the shape of the steering wheel, its gripping means, etc. and by its positioning relative 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 subject 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 defining a light strip arranged on the front face, around the gripping means; said vehicle further comprising supervision means capable of controlling the lighting of a determined number of successive and non-contiguous light segments of the strip so as to segment the display of the light indicator according to a state or a level of the function or 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 in which the luminous indicator defines a crown or portion of crown, representative of a luminous ribbon, at least partially surrounding said orifice in the vicinity of the control member.

[0013] According to another characteristic, the number of illuminated light segments of the strip luminous is proportional to the level or state of the supervised function or system, capable of rendering a visual effect of a segmented gauge.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the light strip comprises a series of a determined total number of adjacent LEDs extending between the start and the end of the strip; a lit light segment corresponding to a first set of a determined number of lit adjacent LEDs among all the LEDs of the strip and a lit light segment being separated from another lit light segment by a second set of a determined number of unlit LEDs among all the LEDs of the strip; the number of lit light segments indicating the level or state of the supervised function or system.

[0015] The second object of the present invention is a supervision method, implemented by the supervision means of the vehicle 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 a determined number of illuminated light segments of the light strip indicating 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 by a determined number of light segments lit on 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 one characteristic, the method consists of selecting the so-called permanent display mode, automatically at the end of the temporary display mode.

[0017] According to another characteristic, the method consists of controlling the lighting of the front face 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.l] schematically illustrates a front part of a motor vehicle passenger compartment 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 plate PLT can also entirely define the steering wheel VOL. The plate PLT is here illustrated superimposed on the traditional steering wheel which is shaded in the figure; the large dimension of the plate PLT corresponding substantially to the diameter of the rim JTV of the traditional steering wheel of generally circular shape. The rim of the steering wheel JTP corresponds to the rectangular periphery of the plate PLT when the plate PLT entirely defines the steering wheel VOL. Only the lateral parts (small dimensions) of the plate PLT define means for gripping the plate PLT. 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 a system of a motor vehicle, are numerous.

[0029] The present invention relates more particularly to gauges whose display is segmented with a limited number of light segments, typically three segments.

[0030] By segmented display is meant a type of display here illuminated which presents a series of non-contiguous luminous segments which follow one another along a straight or curved line.

[0031] A first lit light segment is separated from another lit light segment, immediately following the first in a determined direction, generally from left to right, by an extinguished light segment.

[0032] Thus, when at least two light segments are successively lit, the light display of the gauge appears to the driver as a segmented gauge with two lit segments.

[0033] The number of illuminated light segments depends on the state or level of the vehicle function or system, either in a permanent display mode, corresponding to real-time monitoring of the function or system, or in a temporary display mode, corresponding to the setting by the driver of a specific state or level.

[0034] A non-exhaustive list of the main indications that can be displayed by a segmented gauge is given below: the charge level of a battery during charging or while driving, the remaining fuel level, the opening status of an opening (door, window, sunroof, etc.), the temperature of the thermal engine, the number of revolutions per minute (rev counter), the lighting adjustment, the level of adjustment of the vehicle deceleration ("brake mode"), the management of the inter-vehicle time (TIV) of the cruise control, the automatic emergency braking distance AEB, other AD AS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) settings, etc.

[0035] Advantageously, in the embodiment described, each light indicator IL1-IL4 is arranged in the form of a ribbon forming a crown or portion of a crown extending around the outer periphery of the gripping orifice OP1-OP4.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] In the example of [Fig.2], we have arbitrarily chosen to describe a single indicator segmented display light among the four light indicators IL1-IL4: here the light indicator ILL

[0039] In the example described, the light indicator IL1 is configured to display three light segments SG1-SG3 which are all three shown lit. It could be configured to display more than three segments with a minimum of two segments.

[0040] The light indicator IL1 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; all of the LEDs, adjacent to each other, fill the ribbon.

[0041] The segmentation of the display is visually restored by the activation of a determined number of LEDs (LEDs lit) on one or more segments SG1-SG3 of the light strip (here the three light segments SG1-SG3 are shown lit) and the deactivation of another determined number of LEDs (LEDs off) between two successive lit light segments (here between the light segments SGI and SG2 and the light segments SG2 and SG3).

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the VHL vehicle according to the invention comprises SPV supervision means for the display and lighting of the light indicators IL1-IL4, in particular the indicator IL1 (segmented gauge) 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).

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the case of monochrome LEDs, the SPV supervision means can control an increase in the intensity of the lighting of a lit light segment SG1-SG3 immediately following a previous lit light segment in a determined order, or gradually within the same lit light segment.

[0045] In the case of polychrome LEDs, the SPV supervision means can control a change in color of a lit light segment SG1-SG3 immediately following a previous lit light segment in an order determined, or gradually within the same illuminated light segment.

[0046] For example, a red illuminated segment SG1-SG3 may follow an orange illuminated segment which itself follows a green illuminated segment. For example, when the indicator light IL1 defines a gauge displaying a rev counter function: the red illuminated segment SG3 indicates that the number of revolutions per minute has passed into an excessively high zone.

[0047] 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 a light segment SG1-SG3 on or off.

[0048] According to the invention, at least two display modes of the light indicator IL 1 are distinguished: a so-called permanent MAP display mode and a so-called temporary MAT display mode.

[0049] Display mode means a mode of graphic representation of the light information restored by the light indicator IL1, here in the form of a crown, on the front face FAV of the PLT board.

[0050] Each of these two modes MAP, MAT results from the selection by the driver of either a permanent MAP or temporary MAT display mode of the indicator light ILL. 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 (two successive presses or a long press for example). For example, the permanent MAP display mode is considered to be the default display mode.

[0051] 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 ILL light indicator.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The permanent display mode MAP corresponds to a display mode of the light indicator IL1 (which can be the default display mode of the light indicator IL1 for example) in which the display of the light indicator IL1 reproduces the levels or states of the FCT function or of 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.

[0054] 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 by the driver, the lighting of the front face FAV of the PLT board takes a form different from the default lighting during the adjustment and returns to the default lighting at the end of a determined time delay after the last adjustment manipulation.

[0055] This change of shape may be a change in light intensity and / or color, flashing or “breathing” or any other light effect (or light animation) to inform the driver that this display mode is temporary MAT.

[0056] In this temporary display mode MAT, the driver manually sets via the control member OC1, or another control member of the vehicle VHL, the setpoint state or level (or setpoint adjustment level) with a determined number of light segments SG1-SG3 for a FCT function or a SYS system determined in relation to the control member OC1. The pairing of the FCT function or the SYS system, with the control member OC1, may have been preconfigured by default or configured by the driver when the control member is of the multifunction type for example.

[0057] The SPV supervision means then control the lighting of a first set of light sources implemented by the light strip, for example LEDs, from one end of the strip then one or more other sets of LEDs, proportionally to the setting of the level or to the state of the FCT function or of the SYS system, within the limits of the total number of light segments SG1-SG3 of the strip: level or state which have been calculated from the information which have been sent back to the SPV supervision means by sensors and other measuring devices, not shown, concerning the supervised FCT function or the SYS system. Other sets of LEDs are voluntarily left respectively off between the sets of lit LEDs so as to visually render a segmented gauge effect: a set of lit LEDs corresponding to a lit SG1-SG3 light segment.

[0058] The lower the setting level, the fewer SG1-SG3 light segments are lit (low filling of the IL1 gauge). The higher the level, the higher the number of SG1-SG3 light segments lit (high filling of the IL1 gauge).

[0059] Thanks to the crown shape (light ribbon) and the light effects of the light indicator IL1 associated with the control member OC1, it is thus possible to recreate a segmented gauge effect displaying the filling level of the gauge relative to a setpoint level between the start and end of the light strip and with an easily adjustable setpoint level between this start and this end with feedback that is easily understandable for the driver both for adjustment and for monitoring the function or system.

[0060] The flowchart in [Fig.3] summarizes the main steps of the supervision process controlling the permanent MAP and temporary MAT display modes.

[0061] In the permanent display mode MAP ([Fig. 3]), the method implemented by the supervision means SPV, consists after the selection of the permanent mode MAP by the driver, or automatically by default or again, after a temporary display mode MAT, for the display of a light indicator IL1 associated with a given FCT function or SYS system, in permanently calculating 100 the level or the state of the given FCT function or SYS system in connection with a control member OC1, and in displaying 200 the light indicator IL1 in the form of a light strip with a number of light segments SG1-SG3 lit proportional to the level or to the state of the FCT function or of the SYS system, calculated between a start and an end of the light strip IL1.

[0062] 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 segmented gauge (light strip) IL1 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, 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 number of illuminated light segments SG1-SG3 lit corresponding to the level or state of the FCT function or the SYS system calculated between a start and an end of the light strip representing the gauge IL1, and after validation 700,which may be an absence of adjustment of the setpoint by the driver, and at the end of a time delay determined following validation or an absence of adjustment, to select 800 the permanent MAP display mode and to restore 900 the default lighting of the area of ​​the front face FAV of the PLT board.

[0063] 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) on which is mounted a control member (OC1) 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) defining a light strip arranged on the front face (FAV), around the gripping means (OP1);said vehicle (VHL) further comprising supervision means (SPV) capable of controlling the lighting of a determined number of successive and non-contiguous light segments (SG1-SG3) of the strip so as to segment the display of the light indicator (IL1) according to a state or a level of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS) and in connection with the control member (OC1), 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) 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) 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) 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) supporting the control member (OC1), and in which the light indicator (IL1) defines a crown or portion of a crown, representative of a light ribbon, at least partially surrounding said orifice (OP1) in the vicinity of the control member (OC1).

5. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the number of illuminated light segments (SG1-SG3) of the light strip (IL1) is proportional to the level or state of the supervised function (FCT) or system (SYS), capable of reproducing a visual effect of a segmented gauge.

6. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim in which the light strip (IL1) comprises a series of a determined total number of adjacent LEDs extending between the start and the end of the strip; a lit light segment (SGI) corresponding to a first set of a determined number of lit adjacent LEDs among all the LEDs of the strip and a lit light segment (SGI) being separated from another lit light segment (SG2) by a second set of a determined number of extinguished LEDs among all the LEDs of the strip; the number of lit light segments (SG1-SG3) indicating the level or state of the supervised function (FCT) or system (SYS).

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), and of displaying (200) the light indicator (IL1) with a determined number of illuminated light segments (SG1-SG3) of the light strip indicating the level or the state of the function (FCT) or of the system (SYS), calculated between a start and an end of the light strip (IL1), and consisting, in the second display mode called temporary, of modifying (300) a default lighting of the area of ​​the front face (FAV) of the plate (PLT), of taking into account (400) an adjustment instruction of 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) by a determined number of light segments (SG1-SG3) lit on the light strip representing the indicator light (IL1) and after validation (700) of the instruction, adjustment by the driver, to select (800) the permanent display mode (MAP) at the end of a time delay determined following validation, and to restore (900) the default lighting of the front face area (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 determined lighting 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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