MOTOR VEHICLE WITH STEERING WHEEL PROVIDED WITH AN
ILLUMINABLE PORTION
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000008356 filed on April 12 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .
Technical Field
The invention relates to a motor vehicle , in particular comprising a steering wheel with an illuminable emblem .
Prior Art
Motor vehicles are usually equipped with a plurality of controls and mechanisms which can be used by a driver or passengers for a number of purposes , which may involve the activation or performance of basic or auxiliary functions of the motor vehicle , or the locking or unlocking of locks or additional controls of the motor vehicle .
Typically, the driver becomes aware of the use of the aforementioned controls and mechanisms simply by directly observing their ef fect or at most through the illumination of warning lights or indicators on a dashboard, or through information emitted on screens of a human-machine interface of the motor vehicle .
In general , there is a need to increase as much as possible the immediacy of feedback on the correct use of controls and mechanisms , and also to provide feedback in order to generate positive environmental sensations in the driver, which result in greater comfort and a sense of pleasantness in using the motor vehicle .
The obj ect of the invention is to meet the above need, preferably in a simple and reproducible way .
Description of the Invention
The obj ect is achieved by means of a motor vehicle as defined in claim 1 .
The dependent claims define particular embodiments of the invention .
Brief Description of the Drawings
To better understand the invention, one embodiment thereof is described hereinafter by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle shown in Figure 1 , in which a control panel and a steering wheel are visible ; and
- Figure 3 is simi lar to Figure 2 with a wider view of the passenger compartment and the presence of seats and passengers in the motor vehicle . Embodiments of the Invention
In Figure 1 , reference number 1 is used to indicate a motor vehicle as a whole .
The motor vehicle 1 has a passenger compartment 2 shown in Figure 2 . The passenger compartment 2 is equipped with a steering wheel 3 and a control panel 3b, both of which are part of the motor vehicle 1 .
In addition, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a body 4 internally defining the passenger compartment 2 , and a door 5 , such as a side door . The door 5 is coupled to the body 4 in a movable way in relation to the body 4 between at least one closed configuration, in which it closes or occupies an opening in the body, and one open configuration, in which it provides access to the opening by a user of the motor vehicle 1 .
The steering wheel 3 comprises a transparent portion 10 and a light-emitting device 11 configured to illuminate the transparent portion 10 .
In greater detail , the light emitted by the lightemitting device 11 is transmitted through the transparent portion 10 , so that it is visible to the driver .
The driver then perceives that the transparent portion 10 is illuminated .
The light-emitting device 11 is configured to illuminate the transparent portion in response to the emission of an illumination control signal by one or more suitable devices of the motor vehicle 1 , the devices being distinct from the light-emitting device 11 itsel f .
In other words , the emission of the illumination control signal may be caused by at least one of the devices in the motor vehicle 1 which will be described in more detail later . Therefore , each o f these devices i s configured to cause the emission of the illumination control signal in response to the performance of a speci fic function thereof .
For the sake of clarity, the devices for the emission of the illumination control signal will hereinafter be referred to as activating devices .
In greater detail , each of the activating devices comprises an ECU control unit , which may be the same for all or some of the activating devices themselves , or be dedicated to the corresponding activating device .
The ECU control unit is configured to detect the performance of the speci fic function of the corresponding activating device and to emit the illumination control signal when it determines the performance of the speci fic function, i . e . , in response to the determination of the performance of the speci fic function .
The light-emitting device 11 is coupled to the ECU control unit in order to receive the illumination control signal emitted by the ECU control unit and illuminate the transparent portion 10 accordingly .
The light-emitting device 11 may be of a known type and therefore is only schematically illustrated . The lightemitting device 11 may be placed behind the transparent portion 10 , for example such that the transparent portion 10 functions as a screen for the light-emitting device 11 .
For example , the light-emitting device 11 may comprise an LED matrix behind the transparent portion 10 . In addition, the light-emitting device 11 may comprise one or more light filters , which may be coloured, between the LED matrix and the transparent portion 10 .
Based on the above , the transparent portion 10 could also be considered as an integral part of the light-emitting device 11 .
Preferably, the steering wheel 3 comprises an airbag module having an outer cover comprising the transparent portion 10 . Alternately or additionally, the portion 10 is made up of the outer cover itsel f .
In particular, the transparent portion 10 and/or the light-emitting device 11 are designed to break in a controlled manner in response to a predetermined load, such as a load corresponding to the activation of the airbag module . Furthermore, the transparent portion 10 and/or the light-emitting device 11 are designed, for example by means of appropriate selection of materials , shapes , and dimensions , to be non-detrimental to the user in front of the steering wheel 3 .
For the sake of clarity, the term transparent must be understood as having a certain degree of transparency, which may be 100% or less, but not zero. In other words, the portion 10 is not completely opaque or reflective, that is, it allows light to be transmitted through it.
Preferably, the portion 10 is translucent, i.e., it allows light to be transmitted through it but does not allow the driver to clearly distinguish what is behind the portion 10 itself, in particular when the light-emitting device 11 is switched off, i.e., it does not emit light or illuminate the portion 10.
The internal features of the airbag module for the steering wheel 3, apart from the outer cover with the transparent portion 10 and the light-emitting device 11, could have a commonly known function and be known per se, so they will not be described in particular detail.
Preferably, the steering wheel 3 comprises an emblem 12 on the transparent portion 10. The emblem 12 is arranged such as to be illuminated by the light-emitting device 11 when the latter illuminates the transparent portion 10.
Each of the activating devices will be now presented in more detail.
For example, the activating device comprises a lock assembly 13 configured to perform at least one of the following functions: allowing the door 5 to engage with the body 4, securing the door 5 to the body 4, and releasing the door 5 from the body 4. More precisely, the lock assembly 13 comprises a coupling interface fixed to the body 4 and configured to cooperate with a corresponding coupling device of the door 5 in the closed configuration, thus achieving the coupling of the door 5 to the body 4 .
In addition, the lock assembly 13 specifically comprises a release device (not shown) which is configured to interact with the coupling interface and the coupling device such that they are released from each other, so that the user can move the door 5 into the open configuration . For example , the release device could be operated by the user via a handle 14 of the door 5 or another suitable device that can be used by the user .
In addition, the lock assembly 13 comprises a lock operable to selectively secure and release the door 5 in the closed configuration, or when engaged with the body 4 , relative to the body 4 .
Here , in particular, the term secure is understood to mean that the door 5 is further locked in the closed configuration with an additional constraint with respect to the simple coupling of the door 5 to the body 4 through the cooperation between the coupling interface and the coupling device . On the other hand, here , the term release corresponds to the removal of the aforementioned additional constraint .
In other words , the user could not release the door 5 from the body 4 , for example via the release device , without first having commanded the lock to release the door 5 from the body 4 , i . e . , without first having removed the additional constraint provided by the lock .
The user may control the lock assembly 13 or more precisely the lock to selectively secure and release the door 5 , in particular when the door 5 is in the closed configuration or the configuration coupled to the body 4 , via at least one suitable control assembly of the motor vehicle 1 . In other words , the control assembly can be used by the user to control the lock assembly 13 , or more precisely the lock, to selectively secure and release the door 5 .
For example , the control assembly may comprise one or more controllers 15 arranged inside the passenger compartment 2 ( e . g . , buttons ) and configured to control the lock assembly 13 , or more precisely the lock, to selectively secure and release the door 5 .
Alternatively or additionally, the control assembly could comprise a portable controller 16 , for example a remote control , which can also be carried by the user outside the passenger compartment 2 . The portable controller 16 is also configured to control the lock assembly 13 , or more precisely the lock, to selectively secure and release the door 5 .
The control assembly or more in particular one of its components is configured or is controllable , therefore , to emit or produce an emission of a lock control signal to control the lock assembly 13 or the lock .
The illumination control signal is emitted when, or in response to the fact that , the lock assembly 13 releases or secures the door 5 relative to the body 4 , or when, or in response to the fact that , the door 5 engages the body 4 .
More speci fically, the emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to a command from the lock assembly 13 to release or secure the door 5 relative to the body 4 via the controllers 15 , the portable controller 16 , or more generally the control assembly . In other words , the emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to the emission of the lock control signal .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is configured to detect or determine an event defined by : a release of the door 5 from the body 4 via the lock assembly 13 , in particular controlled by the control assembly or one of its components ; or a securing o f the door 5 to the body 4 via the lock assembly 13 , in particular control led by the control assembly or one of its components ; or a coupling of the door 5 to the body 4 , in particular through the cooperation of the coupling interface with the coupling device .
Therefore , the ECU control unit is configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to the detection or determination of the event , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular one of the following : coupling the door 5 to the body 4 , securing the door 5 to the body 4 , and releasing the door 5 from the body 4 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a sensor 17 configured to detect a touch of the user on a portion of the steering wheel 3 , speci fically comprising or def ined by the portion 10 . In other words , the portion of the steering wheel 3 is touch-sensitive thanks to the sensor 17 .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused when, or in response to the fact that , the sensor 17 detects the user' s touch .
More precisely, the sensor 17 is configured to emit a touch signal indicative of the occurrence of the touch; furthermore , the ECU control unit is coupled to the sensor 17 and is configured to receive the touch signal .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to receiving the touch signal , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the user' s touch .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a pedal 18 configured to accelerate or brake the motor vehicle , or to control a clutch of the motor vehicle . In practice , the pedal 18 is one o f an accelerator pedal , a brake pedal , and a clutch pedal of the motor vehicle 1 .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to a pressing on the pedal 18 .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is coupled to the pedal 18 and is configured to detect the pressing on the pedal 18 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting the pressing on the pedal 18 , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the pressing on the pedal 18 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a sensor 19 configured to detect a level of external brightness outside the motor vehicle 1 . The brighter the environment outside the motor vehicle 1 the higher the level .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused when, or in response to the fact that , the level of external brightness detected by the sensor 19 is below a threshold, in particular corresponding to a standard brightness value after sunset . In practice , the external brightness level becomes below the threshold after sunset , that is , in the evening and at night , and before sunrise , or in any case in places that are always dark, such as a tunnel .
More precisely, the sensor 19 is configured to emit an external brightness signal associated with the detected external brightness level ; furthermore , the ECU control unit is coupled to the sensor 19 and is configured to determine the external brightness level from the external brightness signal .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal when, or in response to the fact that , it determines that the determined external brightness level is below the threshold .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect when the external brightness level is below the threshold .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a controller 20 configured to start and/or stop an engine of the motor vehicle 1 , and possibly additionally or alternatively a human-machine interface of the motor vehicle . In practice , the controller 20 is the typical start command, for example implemented as a button .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to an operation of the controller 20 , which may be one among starting and stopping the engine or one among turning the human-machine interface on and of f .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is coupled to the controller 20 and is configured to detect the operation of the controller 20 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting the operation of the controller 20 , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the operation of the controller 20 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a sensor 21 configured to detect a presence of the user in the passenger compartment 2 . For example , the sensor 21 could be configured to detect a quantity indicative of a weight exerted on a seat 22 of the motor vehicle 1 inside the passenger compartment 2 ; thus , the sensor 21 would detect the presence of the user when the quantity detected indicates that the weight on the seat 22 exceeds a threshold, in particular corresponding to the weight of a person .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused when, or in response to the fact that , the sensor 21 detects the user' s presence .
More precisely, the sensor 21 is configured to emit a presence detection signal in response to the detection of the user' s presence .
The ECU control unit is coupled to the sensor 21 and is configured to receive the presence detection signal from the sensor 21 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal when, or in response to the fact that , it receives the presence detection signal from the sensor 21 .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the presence of the user in the passenger compartment 2 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a seat belt 23 that can be fastened to restrain the user to the seat 22 . The seat belt 23 is itsel f a well- known safety device typical for motor vehicles , so it will not be described in further detail .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to a fastening of the seat belt 23 or when the seat belt 23 is fastened .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is coupled to the seat belt 23 and is configured to detect the fastening of the seat belt 23 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting the fastening of the seat belt 23 , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the fastening of the seat belt 23 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a light setting assembly 24 operable to change a setting of a light assembly 25 of the motor vehicle 1 .
In particular, the light assembly 25 may comprise one or more interior or ambient lights 26 inside the passenger compartment 2 for illuminating the passenger compartment, and/or headlamps or lamps 27 for illuminating the exterior of the motor vehicle 1, including, for example, main-beam headlamps, dipped-beam headlamps, fog lamps, parking lights, and the like.
The light setting assembly 24 may comprise one or more controllers 28 that can be used by the user to change the setting of the light assembly 25, i.e., more specifically to selectively turn on and off the interior or ambient lamps 26 and/or the headlamps or lamps 27, as well as to adjust their light emission when they are turned on.
The controllers 28 may comprise buttons, levers, knobs, touch-sensitive elements, switches, and any type of controller known per se. Preferably, the controllers 28 are arranged within the passenger compartment 2.
In other words, changing the setting of the light assembly 25 means switching on or off or adjusting the light emission, for example in terms of light intensity, emission frequency, light colour, light direction, and the like, of at least one of the headlamps or lamps 27 and interior or ambient lamps 26 by means of the light setting assembly 24, or more precisely by means of a corresponding one of the controllers 28.
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to an operation of the light setting assembly 24, that is, in response to a change in the setting of the light assembly 25 , where the change may consist of switching on, switching of f , or adj usting the light emission of one of the headlamps or lamps 27 and interior or ambient lamps 26 , in particular by means of the corresponding one of the controllers 28 .
More precisely, the ECU control unit can be coupled to the light setting assembly 24 and/or the light assembly 25 . In addition, the ECU control unit is configured to determine or detect a change in the setting of the light assembly 25 , for example by detecting the change itsel f from the light assembly 25 , or by detecting an operation of the light setting assembly 24 , i . e . , more precisely a use of one of the controllers 28 to change the setting of the light ass e mb 1 y 25 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting or determining the change in the setting of the light assembly 25 .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the change in the setting of the light assembly 25 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a parking brake 29 operable to immobili ze the motor vehicle 1 during a stop . The parking brake 29 may be a known- per-se component in motor vehicles , so it will not be described in further detail . The parking brake 29 can also be deactivated to release the motor vehicle 1 from its immobili zation .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to a deactivation of the parking brake 29 .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is coupled to the parking brake 29 and is configured to detect the deactivation of the parking brake 29 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting the deactivation of the parking brake 29 , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the deactivation of the parking brake 29 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a voice receiver 30 configured to detect a voice command from the user to request illumination of the transparent portion 10 . The voice command could be a speci fic instruction uniquely recogni zable by the voice receiver 30 , or any encoded instruction recogni zable by the voice receiver 30 .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused when the voice receiver 30 detects the voice command to request illumination of the transparent portion, i . e . , in response to the detection of the voice command . The voice receiver 30 could be part of , for example , the human-machine interface of the motor vehicle 1 .
More precisely, the voice receiver 30 emits a voice recognition signal in response to the detection of the voice command . The ECU control unit is coupled to the voice receiver 30 and is configured to receive the voice recognition signal .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to receiving the voice recognition signal , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the voice command from the user to request illumination of the transparent portion 10 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises a gearbox 31 operable to set a gear ratio , that is , a gear, between an engine of the motor vehicle 1 and an axle of the motor vehicle 1 .
The gearbox 31 allows , in particular, the setting of one of a discrete plurality of gear ratios or gears . More speci fically, the gearbox 31 comprises a gear selector 32 , such as a gear lever, which is arranged in the passenger compartment 2 and can be manipulated or used by the user to set or select one of the gears .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to an operation of the gearbox 31 , i . e . , to the setting of a gear, in particular via the gear selector 32 .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is coupled to the gearbox 31 or more precisely to the gear selector 32 and is configured to detect the operation of the gearbox 31 or gear selector 32 , i . e . , the setting of a gear, in particular via the gear selector 32 .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting the operation of the gearbox 31 or gear selector 32 , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the operation of the gearbox 31 or gear selector 32 .
According to another example , the activating device comprises an electric charger 33 , i . e . , a device configured to output electric charge . The electric charger 33 can be coupled to an electric energy storage device 40 , such as a battery or a capacitor, for example of a mobile phone , a portable computer, or any other electrical or electronic device that can be recharged with an electric charge . The electric charger 33 is configured to deliver electric charge to the electric energy storage device , i . e . , to recharge the electric energy storage device , when it is coupled to the latter . Coupling may occur via a physical coupling interface of the electric charger 33 , such as an electric charge output port , or wirelessly, including a magnetic coupling mode .
Preferably, the electric charger 33 is arranged within the passenger compartment 2 .
The emission of the illumination control signal is caused in response to a coupling of the electric charger 33 to the electric energy storage device .
More precisely, the ECU control unit is coupled to the electric charger 33 and is configured to detect the coupling of the electric charger 33 to the electric energy storage device .
The ECU control unit is also configured to emit the illumination control signal in response to detecting the coupling of the electric charger 33 to the electric energy storage device , so that the activating device causes the emission of the illumination control signal .
Here , the speci fic function of the activating device is in particular to detect the coupling of the electric charger 33 to the electric energy storage device .
The advantages of the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention are clear from the foregoing .
The user has an optimal perception of the performance of the speci fic functions of the activating devices , as the steering wheel 3 is illuminated through the transparent portion 10 and the light-emitting device 11 .
In particular, the light emitted by the light-emitting device 11 and transmitted through the transparent portion 10 enters directly into the user' s primary cone of vis ibility, thus stimulating the user' s attention in an improved manner compared to the prior art .
Lastly, it is clear that modi fications and variations may be made to the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, without however departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims .