MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A TOUCHPAD IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING THE TOUCHPAD

• US 20100288567A1
• Filed: 05/05/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: BONNE, Uwe
• Application Number:
  US12/774,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20100288567A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 178/18.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10

Abstract

A motor vehicle is equipped with a steering wheel to which is allocated a touchpad for controlling various functions of the motor vehicle. A touchpad can be automatically deactivated when the steering wheel exceeds a prescribed angle of lock. Also indicated is a corresponding method for actuating the touchpad.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a steering wheel; and

a touchpad allocated to the steering wheel and adapted to control a function of the motor vehicle, wherein the touchpad is adapted to deactivate once the steering wheel has exceeded a preset angle of lock.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the touchpad is deactivated after a predetermined duration.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the touchpad is deactivated after an adjustable duration.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the touchpad is adapted for activation by a user.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the touchpad is adapted for deactivation by a user.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein a sensitivity of the touchpad can be varied as a function of a driving state.

7. A method for actuating a touchpad adapted to control a various function of a motor vehicle that is allocated to a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

determining an angle of the steering wheel; and

deactivating the touchpad when the angle of the steering wheel exceeds a prescribed angle of stop.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of deactivating comprises determining a duration and deactivating the touchpad after the duration.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the duration is adjustable.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of receiving an activation command for the touchpad.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of receiving a deactivation command.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of varying a sensitivity of the touchpad as a function of a driving state.