Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Patent
1998-03-25
2000-09-05
Lieu, Julie
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
340531, 25022711, 25022714, 307 101, B60Q 100
Patent
active
061149497
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on a steering wheel the type conventionally known in the art.
From German Patent Disclosure DE 33 11 524 A1, fiber-optical sensors are known that are especially suitable for force and pressure measurements or for monitoring and safety purposes. In an example of an application in automotive engineering, described in this reference, such fiber-optical sensors are mounted in the window frame or in the face end of an electrically actuatable window pane. In this application, the sensors cause the window raising motor to be shut off as soon as the risk of something's being caught in the window, as the window pane moves upward, is detected. This risk is detected by an electronic control unit in that the pressure, exerted in this state, on the optical fiber causes a change in a light signal introduced into it and received by a pickup. This change is evaluated by the control unit and converted into a signal for shutting off the window raising motor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By comparison, the invention is based on the concept of using a fiber-optical sensor for the targeted tripping of vehicle-specific functions, such as of the lights, horn, windshield wiper, etc., by the driver. To allow the driver, for safety reasons, to keep his hands on the steering wheel as he actuates these functions, the sensor is suitably disposed on the steering wheel, and particularly on the steering wheel ring. The tripping of the functions is effected by means of a strong pressure pulse exerted by the driver on the steering wheel ring.
In an expanded version of such a sensor system, on the basis of multiple pressure pulses occurring in rapid succession, grip sequences can be defined, by means of which even a plurality of different vehicle-specific devices can be triggered with a single sensor. The switches omitted as a result from the vehicle dashboard make the dashboard easier to read and reduce costs for both parts and assembly while simultaneously increasing driving safety.
On the basis of the basic signal of the fiber-optical sensor that necessarily results from the grip of the driver's hands on the steering wheel, it is possible, parallel to the tripping functions, to monitor the driver at only slight added expense. In this case, monitoring of the steering time or detecting a driver who falls asleep are conceivable. When the vehicle is in motion and there is no grip on the steering wheel, for example because the driver has fallen asleep, an alarm is tripped, or a procedure for stopping the vehicle is initiated.
Further advantages or advantageous refinements will become apparent from the dependent claims or the description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in further detail in the ensuing description of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.
FIG. 1 in simplified form shows the disposition of fiber-optical sensors and the evaluation circuit on a steering wheel. In FIG. 2, the essential components for signal generation, detection and evaluation are shown in the form of a schematic signal flow diagram.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The steering wheel 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a ring-shaped steering wheel ring 11, which is joined via a plurality of radially extending steering wheel spokes 12 to a centrally disposed steering wheel hub 13. An optical fiber 14, which covers the entire circumference of the steering wheel ring 11, is wound in a spiral around the steering wheel ring 11. The two ends of the optical fiber 14 extend parallel along the spokes 12 to the hub 13. A transmitter 16, not visible here, is disposed on the first end of the optical fiber, and its transmitted light signal is received by a pickup 18, also not shown. The transmitter 16 and the pickup 18 are integrated into an evaluation circuit 15, which processes the received light signals into a driver signal 20.
In a departure from the arrangement described above, it would also be possible for only defined portions of the circumference of the steering wheel ring 11 to be
REFERENCES:
patent: 4158191 (1979-06-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 4438425 (1984-03-01), Tsuchida et al.
patent: 4456903 (1984-06-01), Kishi et al.
patent: 4672214 (1987-06-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 4678906 (1987-07-01), Rudi et al.
patent: 4772799 (1988-09-01), Inui et al.
Gaillard Alain
Pruksch Achim
Schmitz Stephan
Lieu Julie
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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