Tactile signaling

• US 20060119474A1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Maurice, Jan Pieter, Requejo, Julian, Seibertz, Achim, Kees, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 7,683,765 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for a motor vehicle having a monitoring unit which monitors a fault-free functionality of at least one operator control unit of the motor vehicle and generates warning signals in the case of limit-value functions of the at least one operator control unit. The monitoring unit generates tactile signals as warning signals so that degradation of performance of the at least one operator control unit can be communicated haptically to a driver of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one operator control unit of the motor vehicle having a fault-free functionality; and

a monitoring unit monitors the fault-free functionality of the at least one operator control unit and generates signals

wherein the monitoring unit generates tactile signals when limit-value functions of the at least one operator control unit occur so the status of the at least one operator control unit can be communicated haptically to a driver of the motor vehicle.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein one of the tactile signals is generated by the monitoring unit and causes a steering element of the motor vehicle to vibrate.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operator control unit is a steering device which has an electric actuator.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein, the tactile signal is generated with a time offset such that the driver does not become aware of the haptic communication until the motor vehicle is in a non-critical driving situation.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the tactile signal is communicated continuously after the motor vehicle has reached a non-critical stage.