Selectively deployable control device

• US 10,214,236 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2015
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Jaramillo-Moscoso, Gustavo
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldman, Richard A
• Application Number:
  US15/301,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20170183033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 701 41, 340431, 180315, 180321
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/176 Camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/177 Augmented reality
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/573 Mobile devices controlling vehicle functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/586 Wired data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/5911 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/774 on or in the centre console
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/834 Docking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/808 for facilitating docking to a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/14 Tractor-trailers, i.e. combinations of a towing vehicle and one or more towed vehicles, e.g. caravans; Road trains
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/22 : Articulation angle, e.g. between tractor and trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/207 : Steering angle of wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 : Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18036 : Reversing
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/147 : Trailers, e.g. full trailers or caravans
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/00 : Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/22 : Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 : for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 : Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0275 : by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image

Abstract

A vehicle (100) comprises a docking port and a selectively demountable switch (10) having a body and a rotary knob (40) on the body, and an interface between the switch and the docking port to enable commands entered by operation of the rotary knob to be communicated to the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) incorporates a tow-assist system to facilitate reversing of a trailer, the vehicle (100) being of the type having a positive power-assisted steering mechanism (350) for its steerable wheels (250). The system comprises computing means (310) and the demountable switch (10). The computing means (350) is arranged to interpret rotational movement of the knob (40) on the body as desired steering movements of the trailer when the vehicle (100) is being reversed and to effect steering commands for the positive power assisted steering mechanism (350) to achieve said desired steering movements of the trailer.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a docking port comprising a cup holder; and

a selectively demountable switch having a body and a rotary knob on the body,

an interface between the switch and the docking port that allows commands entered by operation of the rotary knob to be communicated to the vehicle, the interface comprising a plug or a socket arranged to couple with a corresponding socket or plug in the docking port,

wherein the docking port is arranged to restrain the switch body when the switch is docked with the docking port by inserting the switch body in the cup holder,

wherein the switch provides an input interface to a tow-assist system of the vehicle, and

wherein operation of the rotary knob provides the tow-assist system with desired direction indications of a trailer connected to the vehicle during reversing of the vehicle so that the tow-assist system can control steering of the vehicle,

wherein the demountable switch and docking port are arranged so that engagement of the plug and socket is effected by a docking operation comprising a two-part movement, a first insertion step and a second and subsequent engagement step, wherein, during the insertion step, the switch is moved into a docking position in the port and, during the engagement step, an element of the switch or port comprising the plug or socket is actuated to move relative to the switch body, thereby to lock the switch in the port and also to mutually engage the plug and socket.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cup holder is provided with a socket that connects to a wiring loom of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the cup holder is disposed in a center console located between a driver'"'"'s seat and a front passenger seat of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the engagement of the plug and socket is completed by a magnetic connection between the plug and socket that corrects a degree of misalignment between the plug and socket after performance of the insertion step, and/or a signal indicates successful docking of the switch with the docking port.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the interface between the switch and the docking port is a wireless coupling, and when the switch is docked with the docking port, the docking port provides electrical power to the switch wirelessly.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a camera arranged to capture an image rearward of the vehicle and a display operable to overlay on a captured image displayed on the display a desired trajectory, direction and/or position indication of a trailer connected to the vehicle during reversing of the vehicle.

7. A method of reversing the vehicle of claim 1, comprising using the rotary knob as a substitute steering wheel to steer the trailer in a desired direction whilst reversing the vehicle, wherein the tow-assist system interprets rotational movements of the knob and effects steering movements of steerable wheels of the vehicle by actuating a positive power-assisted steering system of the vehicle to achieve the desired direction of movement of the trailer.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the body is cup-shaped.

12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the cup-shaped body is provided with grooves and the cup holder is provided with ridges, and wherein the grooves are adapted to mate with the ridges.

9. A tow-assist system for a vehicle arranged to tow a trailer, the vehicle having a positive power-assisted steering mechanism, the system comprising:

a computer;

a demountable switch having a body, a rotary knob on the body and an interface for communicating with the computer; and

a docking port comprising a cup holder and arranged to restrain the switch body when the switch is docked with the docking port by inserting the switch body in the cup holder;

wherein the interface for communicating with the computer comprises a plug or socket arranged to couple with a corresponding socket or plug in the docking port, and

wherein the computer interprets rotational movement of the knob on the body as desired steering movements of the trailer when the vehicle is being reversed and provides steering commands to the positive power assisted steering mechanism to achieve the desired steering movements of the trailer,

wherein the demountable switch and docking port are arranged so that engagement of the plug and socket is effected by a docking operation comprising a two-part movement, a first insertion step and a second and subsequent engagement step, wherein, during the insertion step, the switch is moved into a docking position in the port and, during the engagement step, an element of the switch or port comprising the plug or socket is actuated to move relative to the switch body, thereby to lock the switch in the port and also to mutually engage the plug and socket.

10. The tow-assist system of claim 9, further comprising a camera and a display to display an image captured by the camera, wherein the camera is configured to display on the image indications of a route the trailer will follow with a current steering input to the rotary knob.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a positive power-assisted steering mechanism; and

a tow-assist system, the tow-assist system comprising;

a computer;

a demountable switch having a body, a rotary knob on the body and an interface for communicating with the computer; and

a docking port comprising a cup holder and arranged to restrain the switch body when the switch is docked with the docking port by inserting the switch in the cup holder;

wherein the interface for communicating with the computer comprises a plug or socket arranged to couple with a corresponding socket or plug in the docking port, and

wherein the computer interprets rotational movement of the knob on the body as desired steering movements of the trailer when the vehicle is being reversed and provides steering commands to the positive power assisted steering mechanism to achieve the desired steering movements of the trailer,

wherein the demountable switch and docking port are arranged so that engagement of the plug and socket is effected by a docking operation comprising a two-part movement, a first insertion step and a second and subsequent engagement step, wherein, during the insertion step, the switch is moved into a docking position in the port and, during the engagement step, an element of the switch or port comprising the plug or socket is actuated to move relative to the switch body, thereby to lock the switch in the port and also to mutually engage the plug and socket.