Abstract:
A steering wheel has at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. In order to improve the ease of operation when actuating the shift paddle on the steering wheel, the steering wheel is distinguished by a slotted guide mechanism by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German application DE 10 2009 042 497.0, filed Sep. 15, 2009; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a steering wheel with at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle with a steering wheel of this type. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a steering wheel with at least one shift paddle which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices of this general type, which improves the ease of operation when actuating the shift paddle on the steering wheel. 
         [0004]    With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention a steering wheel configuration. The steering wheel configuration contains a steering wheel and at least one shift paddle is coupled to the steering wheel such that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. A slotted guide mechanism is provided by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle. 
         [0005]    The object is achieved in a steering wheel with at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation, by a slotted guide mechanism by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle. When shifting gears using the shift paddle, the contactless triggering of the shifting operation means that no resistance can be felt, i.e. the shifting operation cannot be haptically detected. By the additional slotted guide mechanism, a resistance is artificially generated when shifting gears using the shift paddle, the resistance, directly when shifting gears, haptically imparting to a driver that a shifting operation is taking place or has taken place. A shift paddle denotes a type of shift lever which is mounted at one end, preferably pivotably, on the steering wheel. 
         [0006]    A preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slotted guide mechanism interacts with a slide which is prestressed against the slotted guide mechanism. By the prestressing, the slide is kept in contact, preferably at one end, with the slotted guide mechanism. The resistance during the movement of the shift paddle relative to the steering wheel can be varied by the configuration or shape of the slotted guide mechanism and/or of the slide. 
         [0007]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slide is prestressed against the slotted guide mechanism by a spring. The spring can be configured, for example, as a helical compression spring. As an alternative, it is also possible to prestress the slide against the slotted guide mechanism by subjecting the slide to a fluid pressure. 
         [0008]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slide is guided movably to and fro in a guide body which is mounted on the shift paddle. The configuration of the guide body is preferably matched to the configuration of the slide. 
         [0009]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slotted guide mechanism is mounted on the steering wheel. The slotted guide mechanism can be made, for example, of metal or of plastic. 
         [0010]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slide has a tapering tip. The tip is configured, for example, in the manner of a cone and is preferably rounded at the end. The cone or truncated cone at the tip of the slide preferably has an angle of taper of approximately 40 to 50 degrees. 
         [0011]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slotted guide mechanism has at least one initial bevel. In an unactuated state of the shift paddle, the initial bevel is preferably arranged at an angle of approximately 50 degrees to the axis of movement to and fro of the slide. An initial resistance is generated by the initial bevel when the shift paddle is moved out of the initial position thereof. 
         [0012]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the initial bevel is divided into two bevel sections which have different bevel angles. The first bevel section is arranged, for example, at an angle of approximately 50 degrees to the axis of movement to and fro of the slide in the unactuated state of the shift paddle. The corresponding angle in the second bevel section is preferably approximately 70 degrees. 
         [0013]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the slotted guide mechanism has a central bevel which is angled away from the initial bevel. The central bevel is preferably angled away from the initial bevel at an angle which is greater than 90 degrees. The angled-away central bevel means that the resistance upon movement of the shift paddle is greatly increased abruptly in order to impart to the driver, for example, that a shifting operation is being carried out or has been carried out. 
         [0014]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the central bevel is arranged at an angle of approximately 100 degrees to the initial bevel. This value has proven particularly advantageous within the context of the present invention. 
         [0015]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the central bevel is spaced apart from an end bevel by a step. The step creates a type of latching point by which it is imparted to the driver, for example, that a particular shifting operation, in particular a kickdown, is being carried out or has been carried out. 
         [0016]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that the end bevel is arranged approximately parallel to the central bevel. The end bevel can also be arranged at a slight inclination with respect to the central bevel. 
         [0017]    Another preferred exemplary embodiment of the steering wheel is characterized in that at least one contact sensor, which interacts with at least one light barrier, is mounted on the shift paddle. The contact sensor may also interact with a plurality of light barriers. A plurality of contact sensors may also be mounted on the shift paddle. As an alternative, at least one inductive triggering mechanism may be used. 
         [0018]    The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle with an above-described steering wheel. Two shift paddles are preferably mounted on the steering wheel. The two shift paddles are preferably arranged diametrically. 
         [0019]    Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0020]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a steering wheel with at least one shift paddle, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
         [0021]    The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a steering wheel with a shift paddle according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view through the steering wheel in a region of a slotted guide mechanism for the shift paddle; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view through the steering wheel in the region of a triggering mechanism for a shifting operation via the shift paddle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a steering wheel  1  with a hub body  2 . A shift paddle  4  is mounted movably, in particular pivotably, on the hub body  2  of the steering wheel  1 . The shift paddle  4  contains a lever element  5  which is coupled at one end to the hub body  2  of the steering wheel  1 . Two actuating arms  6 ,  7  are angled away from the other end of the lever element  5  in opposite directions. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates the view of a section through the steering wheel  1  in the region of a slotted guide mechanism  25 . It is seen in the sectional view that the lever element  5  of the shift paddle  4  is mounted pivotably on the steering wheel  1  at a coupling point  10 . The shift paddle  4  engages around the coupling point  10  with a coupling body  12  which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, is connected integrally to the lever element  5 . 
         [0027]    A guide body  14  for a slide  16  which is guided movably to and fro in the guide body  14  is fastened to the coupling body  12 . The slide  16  projects at one end out of the guide body  14 . A tip  18  is formed at the projecting end of the slide  16 , the tip being configured in the form of a cone which is rounded at the tip. The angle of taper of the cone is approximately 45 degrees. 
         [0028]    The other end of the slide  16  is of hollow configuration on the inside. The slide  16  is prestressed against the slotted guide mechanism  25  by a spring  20 . The spring  20  is configured as a helical compression spring and is clamped between the base of the guide body  14  and the slide  16 . 
         [0029]    The slotted guide mechanism  25  contains an initial bevel  30  with two bevel sections  31 ,  32 . The first bevel section  31  is arranged at an angle of approximately 50 degrees with respect to the axis of movement of the slide  16  in the unactuated state of the shift paddle  4 . The second bevel section  32  is arranged at an angle of approximately 70 degrees to the direction of movement of the slide  16  in the unactuated state of the shift paddle  4 . 
         [0030]    In the illustrated unactuated state of the shift paddle  4 , the tip  18  of the slide  16  bears by the rounded end thereof against the first bevel section  31  of the initial bevel  30 . The initial bevel  30  together with the two bevel sections  31 ,  32  is intended first to prevent unintentional actuation of the shift paddle  4 . Second, the bevel sections  31 ,  32  are arranged in such a manner that an actuation of the shift paddle  4  is countered only by a slight initial resistance. By the kink-like intersection between the two bevel sections  31 ,  32 , it is haptically imparted upon movement of the shift paddle that a shifting operation is being triggered upon continuation of the movement. 
         [0031]    A central bevel  34  is angled away from the second bevel section  32  of the initial bevel  30  at an angle of approximately 100 degrees. By this arrangement of the central bevel  34 , the resistance to further movement of the shift paddle is significantly, i.e. noticeably, increased as soon as the slide  16  comes to bear against the central bevel  34 . As a result, it is haptically imparted to the driver that a shifting operation is being carried out or has been carried out. 
         [0032]    A step  35  from which, in turn, an end bevel  36  emerges is formed at that end of the central bevel  34  which faces away from the initial bevel  30 . The end bevel  36  is arranged approximately parallel to the central bevel  34 . The step  35 , which may be of slightly rounded configuration, creates a type of latching point by which a particular shifting operation, such as, for example, a kickdown, can be haptically imparted. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates the view of a section through the steering wheel  1  in the region of a contact sensor  40  which is mounted on the shift paddle  4 . The contact sensor  40  interacts with a light barrier  42  which is mounted on the steering wheel  1 . In order to depict different shifting operations, the contact sensor  40  may interact with a plurality of light barriers. A plurality of contact sensors  40  may also be provided on the shift paddle  4 . 
         [0034]    By the configuration or shape of the slotted guide mechanism  25  with the different bevels  30 ,  34  and  36  and the step  35 , various shifting operations can be haptically imparted to the driver via a change in the resistance countering the movement of the shift paddle  4 . 
         [0035]    By the interaction between the slide  16  and the slotted guide mechanism  25 , it is noticeably imparted to the driver whether a shifting operation is being triggered or has been triggered and which operation is triggered with the movement of the shift paddle  4 . The actual triggering of the operation, in particular the shifting operation, takes place in a contactless manner, i.e. without a noticeable resistance, by the interaction between the contact sensor  40  and light barrier  42 .