DE102015008538B4 - Motor vehicle operating device with rotatably mounted control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

Operating device (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - a control part (8) rotatably mounted relative to a housing (9) of the operating device (3), the control part (8) being in the housing (8) by means of a shaft element (20). 9) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (21) of the shaft element (20), - an actuator device (17) for generating a feedback movement (25) of the operating part (8), - a control device (13) which is set up in such a way in that, as a function of an actuation of the operating part (8), it acts on the actuator device (17) with an electrical current (I1), characterized in that the axle element (20) is designed as a ferromagnetic metal rod (22) which is movable along the longitudinal axis (21st) ) is movably arranged from a rest position, and the actuator device (17) has a respect to the housing (9) fixedly arranged electrical coil (18) which is acted upon by the current (I1), wherein the metal rod (22) at least partially e in the coil (18) is arranged so that a by the current (I1) in the coil (18) generated magnetic field (30) moves the metal rod (22) along the longitudinal axis (21) from the rest position.

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, wherein the operating device has a rotatably mounted operating part, such as a button or a button bar. A haptic feedback can be generated on the operating part by an actuator device generating a feedback movement of the operating part, for example a vibration. The invention also includes a motor vehicle with the operating device according to the invention.

In today's haptic feedback control devices, the actuator means for generating the haptic pulse or haptic vibration typically needs to be implemented as an additional component which acts as an armature in an electromagnet. This armature can then be acted upon by means of a magnetic field of a coil of the electromagnet with a magnetic force and thereby the control panel are placed in the feedback movement.

However, the provision of a separate armature is disadvantageous for the production of the operating device, because it is expensive and must be integrated into the operating device consuming. In addition, this increases the weight of the operating device, which is a decisive disadvantage, in particular in motor vehicle operating devices.

An actuator device of the type mentioned is for example from the WO 2012/082072 A1 known, in which a disc of a magnetizable material between two coils is arranged, which are alternately energized and thereby move the disc together with an axis on which the disc is fixed, back and forth. This causes a shaking movement.

Another actuator device is from the US 2004/0233161 A1 known, in which a magnet acts on a stack of soft magnetic discs, which are arranged loosely on an axis.

From the US 2008/0196541 A1 a knob is known, which is fixedly arranged on a rotation axis. On the axis of rotation two discs are arranged, which are freely movable along the axis of rotation. An electromagnet can press the two disks together and thereby set a rotational resistance of the rotary knob.

In the DE 10 2011 118 723 A1 discloses a control for a vehicle, wherein the control element has a plurality of control panels and consists of an area facing an operator and an area located in a vehicle trim panel. The operating element is characterized in that it is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation.

In the DE 42 30 950 C1 there is disclosed a push-button electrical switch comprising an electromagnetic component connected to a button and a key support. On the one hand, this serves as a sensor for determining the key movement or key position by an external electrical circuit and on the other hand as an actuator, which also addressed by an external circuit for the purpose of confirmation of the switching function causes an additional movement of the key, which is perceived by the actuator as mechanical feedback.

The invention has for its object to provide an operating device for a motor vehicle with rotatably mounted control panel and with an actuator device for a haptic feedback.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the features of the dependent claims.

The invention provides an operating device for a motor vehicle. The operating device has a control unit, for example a button or a button bar. The control panel is tiltable or rotatably mounted relative to a housing of the operating device. The control panel is thus for example a tilt button or a button bar with several tilt buttons. The control panel is rotatably supported for rotatable mounting by means of a shaft member in the housing about a longitudinal axis of the shaft member. In particular, the control panel is fixedly mounted on the axle and the shaft member rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis. The axle is thus for example a rod or a rod or a shaft which is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis. For the haptic feedback, an actuator device for generating a feedback movement of the operating part is provided. In the context of the invention, feedback motion is understood as meaning, in particular, a vibration (in particular with a frequency greater than 1 hertz) and / or an impact movement. An impact movement is a one-time deflection from a starting position and subsequent return to the starting position. The impact movement is in particular shorter than 1 second, in particular shorter than 500 milliseconds. A control device is set up in such a way that it applies an electric current to the actuator device as a function of an actuation of the operating part. As a result, the actuator device generates the feedback movement of the control panel. In other words, the keypad responds to the feedback motion when it is being operated by a user.

In order to produce this arrangement particularly space-saving and cost-effective and with low weight, the axle is designed as a ferromagnetic metal rod or ferromagnetic metal rod, for example as a steel shaft or steel rod. In particular, the metal rod is soft magnetic (coercive force less than 1 kA / m). This metal rod is arranged to be movable along its longitudinal axis from a rest position. In other words, the metal rod is movable back and forth along its longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is in particular the axis of a rotationally symmetrical shape of the metal rod. In the invention, therefore, an axle or an axle element is rotatably mounted in the housing and has a degree of freedom along the longitudinal axis.

Furthermore, the actuator device has a fixedly arranged with respect to the housing electrical coil, which is acted upon by the current. The metal rod is at least partially disposed in the coil so that a magnetic field generated by the current in the coil moves the metal rod along its longitudinal axis from the rest position. In other words, in the operating device according to the invention, the axle element in the form of a metal rod is simultaneously used as an armature of the actuator device, which can be acted upon by means of the coil with a magnetic force and thereby deflected out of the rest position. For this purpose, the metal rod is inserted through the coil or inserted into the coil. The magnetic force of the coil acting on the metal rod is transmitted to the operating part so that it executes the feedback movement. The feedback movement is then felt in particular on a user interface of the control unit, for example, by a finger of the user.

The invention results in the advantage that the actuator device itself does not have to have a separate anchor element, by means of which the operating part is then moved. Instead, the axle member for the rotatable bearing is simultaneously used to provide an armature which can be acted upon and moved by a magnetic force of the magnetic field of the coil. The Beidienteil has in particular in L-profile, whereby particularly favorable leverage ratios are created in the operating device.

The invention has optional refinements, by the characteristics of which additional advantages arise.

According to a development, the control device is set up in such a way that it acts on the actuator device with a current pulse and / or with an alternating current. By means of the current pulse, the described shock movement or jerking of the control panel is effected. By means of an alternating current, a vibration is effected in the operating part. A current pulse and an alternating current thus cause a haptic impression on the operating part that can be clearly felt by a user. For applying the current to the actuator device, the control device can have, for example, a transistor circuit. Furthermore, the controller may include a microcontroller or a microprocessor to control switching operations.

The control device may further be configured in a manner known per se to generate a control signal for at least one device of a motor vehicle in dependence on the actuation of the operating part. As a result, the device is controlled in response to the operation of the control panel and, for example, activates or deactivates a function in the device.

According to a development, an elastic return element is provided. The elastic return element can be realized for example by a spring, for example a leaf spring, or by a silicone body or a rubber body. The restoring element acts on the metal rod with a restoring force acting in the axial direction towards the rest position. By axial direction is meant the direction along the longitudinal or longitudinal direction of the metal rod. The development results in the advantage that in the de-energized or current-free state of the coil of the metal rod and thus the control panel are held in the rest position.

According to a development of the metal rod is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the coil in the axial direction. In other words, a magnetic distortion or imbalance between metal rod center and coil center is provided constructively. The greater the asymmetry of the arrangement in the longitudinal direction of the metal rod, the stronger the magnetic force acting on the metal rod, which is generated by the magnetic field of the coil.

According to a further development, a ferromagnetic body, in particular a soft-magnetic body, or a permanent magnet is fastened to the metal rod outside the coil, to which the magnetic field of the current-carrying coil is likewise subjected to a magnetic force. In other words, in this embodiment, not only the metal rod itself but also the ferromagnetic body or the permanent magnet is subjected to a magnetic force by the magnetic field of the coil. The body or the permanent magnet can each be configured, for example, as a disk which is firmly connected to the metal rod. This refinement has the advantage that the force transmitted by the coil to the operating part can be increased.

According to one embodiment, the control panel is designed as a button bar with multiple buttons. The keys can be realized for example by key caps or key dummies, since not every key must be pressed individually, but by pressing the control panel, the respective key is pressed together with the other keys of the button bar. Alternatively, the control panel may be formed of independently rotatable or tiltable buttons. A sensor device is set up in such a way that it signals through a sensor signal which button is touched by a user. For example, each key for this purpose have a capacitive sensor which signals an approach and / or a touch of the button. This refinement has the advantage that a single actuator device for generating the feedback movement of the operating part is provided for a plurality of keys, as a result of which multiple use of the actuator device is possible for all the keys. The control device can generate the described control signal for the at least one device of the motor vehicle, for example in dependence on the sensor signal.

According to a further development, a force sensor is provided, which generates a force signal which is correlated with an operating force, with which the operating part is acted upon by a user. The control device is. configured such that it generates the current for the coil only if the force signal signals an operating force greater than a predetermined threshold value. In other words, in this development, it is not sufficient merely to touch the operating part, but rather the user must exert an operating force on the operating part which is greater than the threshold value in order to cause the control device to effect the feedback movement. The threshold is in particular in a range between 2 Newton and 5 Newton. In particular, it is provided that the control device also generates the control signal for the at least one device of the motor vehicle only if the force signal signals an operating force greater than a predetermined threshold value. The development prevents accidental triggering of a device function in the motor vehicle, if a user touches the control panel unintentionally or touches only with an operating force that is smaller than the threshold. The control device can also generate the described control signal for the at least one device of the motor vehicle, for example as a function of the force signal.

As already stated, the invention also includes a motor vehicle with at least one device and with one embodiment of the operating device according to the invention. The at least one device can be, for example, an infotainment system (information entertainment system), an air conditioning system, a telephone system or a suspension control system. The operating device is coupled to the at least one device and designed to emit a control signal to the at least one device in response to an actuation of its operating part. Upon actuation, the described feedback movement is then advantageously generated in the control unit, so that the user feels when a control signal has been successfully transmitted.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car.

In the following an embodiment of the invention is described. For this purpose, the single FIGURE (FIG.) Shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention.

The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also each independently further develop the invention and thus also individually or in a different combination than the one shown as part of the invention. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

The figure shows a motor vehicle 1 which may be, for example, a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car. Shown are a device 2 and an operating device 3 for the device 2 , The operating device 3 is with the device 2 coupled, for example via a CAN bus (CAN - Controller Area Network). The device 2 may be, for example, an infotainment system, air conditioning, a telephone system or a suspension control. The operating device 3 can also be paired with multiple devices. The operating device 3 generated to control the device 2 a control signal 4 in response to an operation of the operating device 3 by a user 5 , The user has only one hand in the figure 6 with a finger 7 shown.

To operate the operating device 3 the operating device has a control panel 8th on, the movable or movable in a housing 9 the operating device 3 is arranged. The control panel 8th can be a button bar with multiple buttons 10 of which in the example the user 5 with your finger 7 a button 10 can press. A sensor direction 11 detects which key 10 the user 5 touched or pressed and signaled by a sensor signal 12 the pressed or operated key 10 , The sensor device 11 can be used to capture a touch of one of the buttons 10 and / or for detecting an approach of the user 5 to one of the keys 10 for each of the buttons 10 a sensor 11 ' may be, for example, a capacitive proximity sensor. Alternatively, the control panel 8th from individually operable keys 10 be formed and a respective sensor 11 '' , z. As a micro-switch, the individual actuation of the respective button 10 to capture. The following assumes that the keypad 8th is designed in one piece. The control panel 8th For example, an injection molded part may be made of plastic.

A control device 13 generates the said control signal 4 in dependence on the sensor signal 12 , The control device 13 For example, based on a printed circuit board 13 ' be formed, by means of which an electronic circuit is realized.

It may additionally be provided that the control device 13 from a force sensor 14 a force signal 15 receives, which is signaled by which operating force or operating force 16 the user 5 for example, with your finger 7 on the control panel 8th suppressed. It can be provided that the control signal 4 by the control device 13 is only generated if the operator 16 according to the force signal 14 is greater than a predetermined threshold. The force sensor 15 may be formed, for example, on the basis of a force variable resistor or have a plate spring, which at an operating force 16 greater than the threshold closes or opens a contact.

When operating each of the buttons 10 the user feels with his finger 7 a haptic feedback. Here the user senses that the respective button 10 performs a push or click action and / or a vibration.

For this purpose, the operating device 3 an actuator device 17 on. The actuator device 17 has an electrical coil 18 on, for example by means of a carrier device 19 with respect to the housing 9 firmly in the operating device 3 is arranged. The carrier device 19 For example, a tube made of, for example, plastic or a soft magnetic or magnetizable material, for. As iron, be.

The control panel 8th is in the control device 3 rotatably mounted by the control panel 8th by means of an axis element 20 around a longitudinal axis 21 of the axis element 20 is rotatably mounted. The axis element 20 is made of a metal rod or a metal rod 22 formed, which has a ferromagnetic, in particular soft magnetic or magnetizable by means of the coil material. For example, the metal rod 22 be formed of iron or steel. Due to the rotatable mounting is a rotational movement R of the control panel 8th around the longitudinal axis 21 allows.

The metal bar 22 is through the coil 18 stuck through it. For example, a coil axis of the coil 18 and the longitudinal axis 21 be arranged coaxially or parallel to each other. Furthermore, it can be provided that the metal rod 22 along the longitudinal axis asymmetrically with respect to the coil 18 is arranged, that is, a first from the coil 18 protruding or outstanding end 23 and an opposite second from the coil 18 protruding or outstanding end 24 are unevenly long. The metal bar 22 is further along the longitudinal axis 21 movably mounted.

If the controller 13 the control signal 4 generates, generates the control device 13 furthermore in dependence on the sensor signal 12 and the force signal 15 a current I1 in the coil 18 , In the de-energized state of the coil 18 is the metal rod 22 arranged in a rest position. By energizing the coil 18 with the current I1 acts on the metal rod 22 a magnetic force which is the metal rod 22 from the rest position along the direction of the longitudinal axis 21 draws. The control panel 8th is on the metal rod 22 in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis 21 firmly stored or attached so that with the movement of the metal rod 22 along the longitudinal axis 21 also the control panel 8th a feedback movement 25 performs. The user 5 thus feels on his finger 7 a jerking motion or a vibrating movement of the operating part 8th , This provides haptic feedback or haptic feedback to the user 5 by which it is signaled that a control signal 4 to the device 2 was sent out.

By a return element 26 can turn off or stop the current I1 of the metal rod 22 again in a return movement 27 be offset, through which the metal rod 22 moved back to the rest position. The reset element 26 can do this the metal rod 22 with a restoring force 28 apply that along the longitudinal axis 21 acts towards the rest position. The reset element 26 can z. As a spring or an elastic ausgestaltetes bearing on a rod end of the metal rod 22 , The camp can z. B. made of silicone or rubber.

On the metal rod 22 Furthermore, a magnetizable or permanently magnetic body 29 be attached, which together with the metal rod 22 through one of the current I1 in the coil 18 generated magnetic field 30 with a magnetic force 31 is charged. This will cause the on the metal rod 18 and thus on the control panel 8th acting force to generate the feedback motion 25 strengthened.

An amplitude profile of the current I1 may, for example, have the form of a pulse which is shorter than 1 second, in particular shorter than 500 milliseconds. Additionally or alternatively, the amplitude characteristic of the current I1 may be an alternating current signal or a signal having a time-varying amplitude, for example sinusoidal or sawtooth-shaped.

At the operating device 3 thus becomes a metal rod 22 or a metal shaft for a rotatably mounted control panel 8th additionally as an armature for an electromagnet of an actuator device 17 used and thereby a haptic impulse or generally a feedback movement 25 generated.

With a rotating control panel 8th is anyway often a steel shaft as a rotation axis or axle 20 used. This metal bar 22 or this metal shaft is now through a coil 18 guided. When energizing the coil 18 gets on the axle 20 transmit an impulse or a movement as the axle element 20 then in the magnetic field 30 the coil 18 emotional. Preferably, the axle is 20 in the coil 18 used constructively with a magnetic distortion, that is, there is an imbalance or asymmetry with respect to the distribution / alignment of the shaft element 20 to the coil 18 , By applying an electrical voltage to the coil 18 becomes a current I1 in the coil 18 imprinted and the axle 20 magnetic in the coil 18 aligned, whereby the pulse described or generally the feedback movement 25 is caused on the control panel 8th is transmitted because the axle element 20 firmly with the control panel 8th at least with respect to movement along the longitudinal axis 21 connected is. In the case 9 is the axle 20 rotatably mounted and here has a degree of freedom in addition to the degree of freedom along the longitudinal axis 21 , ie in the figure to the left and right. By a reset element 26 becomes the control panel 8th after switching off the current I1 again moved to the starting position or rest position. The reset element 26 may be formed for example by a spring or by an elastic element, resulting in movement of the axle element 20 is compressed from the rest position and then by expansion of the elastic element, the restoring force 28 results.

Overall, the example shows how can be used by the invention, a metal shaft in a rotationally mounted control element as an anchor for an electromagnet (actuator).

Claims (8)

Operating device ( 3 ) for a motor vehicle ( 1 ), comprising: - a housing ( 9 ) of the operating device ( 3 ) rotatably mounted control panel ( 8th ), whereby the control panel ( 8th ) by means of an axle element ( 20 ) in the housing ( 9 ) about a longitudinal axis ( 21 ) of the axle element ( 20 ) is rotatably mounted, - an actuator device ( 17 ) for generating a feedback movement ( 25 ) of the control panel ( 8th ), - a control device ( 13 ) arranged to operate in response to an operation of the control panel ( 8th ) the actuator device ( 17 ) is subjected to an electric current (I1), characterized in that the axle element ( 20 ) as a ferromagnetic metal rod ( 22 ) which is along the longitudinal axis ( 21 ) is arranged movable from a rest position, and the actuator device ( 17 ) one with respect to the housing ( 9 ) fixedly arranged electrical coil ( 18 ), which is acted upon by the current (I1), wherein the metal rod ( 22 ) at least partially in the coil ( 18 ) is arranged so that a through the current (I1) in the coil ( 18 ) generated magnetic field ( 30 ) the metal rod ( 22 ) along the longitudinal axis ( 21 ) moved from the rest position. Operating device ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the control device ( 13 ) is set up such that it controls the actuator device ( 17 ) is supplied with a current pulse and / or with an alternating current. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an elastic return element ( 26 ) is provided, which the metal rod ( 22 ) with a restoring force acting in the axial direction towards the rest position ( 28 ). Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal rod ( 22 ) with respect to the coil ( 18 ) is arranged asymmetrically in the axial direction. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein outside the coil ( 18 ) on the metal rod ( 22 ) a ferromagnetic body ( 29 ) or a permanent magnet ( 29 ), to which the magnetic field ( 30 ) with a magnetic force ( 31 ). Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating part ( 8th ) as a button bar with several buttons ( 10 ) is configured and a sensor device ( 11 ) is set up in such a way that it is detected by a sensor signal ( 12 ) indicates which key ( 10 ) a user ( 5 ) touched. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a force sensor ( 14 ) which is a force signal ( 15 ) generated by an operator ( 16 ), with which the control panel ( 8th ) by a user ( 5 ) is correlated, and wherein the control device ( 13 ) is set up such that it generates the current (I1) only if the force signal ( 15 ) an operator ( 16 ) is signaled greater than a predetermined threshold. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with at least one device ( 2 ) and with an operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device ( 3 ) with the at least one device ( 2 ) and is adapted, in response to an actuation of its control panel ( 8th ) a control signal ( 4 ) to the at least one device ( 2 ).

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