Steering column switch for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle, and method for selecting a function by means of a steering column switch
AssigneeVolkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsThomas Mauterer, Thomas Fricke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steering column switch for a motor vehicle, such as an electric motor vehicle, facilitates function selection. The switch includes a rigid lever and a lever cap that at least partially surrounds the lever. The lever cap is mounted on the lever to tilt about at least two tilt axes, which are arranged orthogonally or substantially orthogonal to each other. At least one sensor is provided to detect the tilting of the lever cap and select a corresponding function. The present disclosure enables intuitive and adaptable function selection in motor vehicle steering systems.
Claims21
1-13. (canceled)
A steering column switch for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a rigid lever;
- a lever cap that at least partially surrounds the rigid lever, wherein the lever cap is mounted on the rigid lever to tilt about at least two tilt axes arranged orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to each other;
- and
- at least one sensor configured to select a function based on tilting of the lever cap.
A steering wheel system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a steering wheel;
- a steering wheel mount;
- and
- a steering column switch including:
- a rigid lever attached to the steering wheel or the steering wheel mount;
- a lever cap that at least partially surrounds the rigid lever, wherein the lever cap is mounted on the rigid lever to tilt about at least two tilt axes arranged orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to each other;
- and
- at least one sensor configured to select a function based on tilting of the lever cap.
A method for selecting a function using a steering column switch in a motor vehicle, wherein the steering column switch comprises a rigid lever, a lever cap that at least partially surrounds the rigid lever and is mounted to tilt about at least two tilt axes arranged orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to each other, and at least one sensor, the method comprising:
- tilting the lever cap about at least one tilt axis of the at least two tilt axes;
- detecting a position of the lever cap by polling the at least one sensor with a control unit;
- selecting the function with the control unit based on the detected position of the lever cap;
- and
- transmitting the selected function from the control unit via an interface to a motor vehicle controller to execute an action corresponding to the selected function.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.