DE202024105826U1 - Control element with at least two switching functions and individual haptic feedback for each - Google Patents

Abstract

Operating element (1) with at least two switching functions and individual haptic feedback in each case, comprising an actuating element (10) and a base element (20) on which the actuating element (10) is arranged so as to be rotatably movable about an axis (21) in accordance with a first degree of freedom (X1), characterized in that the operating element (1) provides at least two locking tracks (11, 12), each with a plurality of locking profiles (13) formed one behind the other along the locking tracks (11, 12), and at least one locking element (22) which is designed to releasably engage in the locking profiles (13) to generate a haptically perceptible feedback for an operator on the actuating element (10), wherein each of the locking tracks (11, 12) is assigned a switching function and the locking tracks (11, 12) have locking profiles (13) which differ from one another for generating haptic feedback which can be distinguished by the operator andwherein the actuating element (10) is arranged on the base element (20) so as to be movable in accordance with a second degree of freedom (X2) and the engagement of the at least one latching element (22) between the at least two latching tracks (11, 12) can be switched by a movement of the actuating element (10) corresponding to the second degree of freedom (X2).

Description

The invention relates to a control element with at least two switching functions and individual haptic feedback for each.

The state of the art provides a wide range of control elements for a wide variety of applications and to fulfil a wide variety of switching functions.

Thus the Scriptures reveal DE 102 19 477 C1 , DE 10 2011 011 299 A1 , EP 0 295 368 A2 , US 3,739,316 A and WO 2010/009914 A1 For example, multi-way switching devices or control crosses, through which several switching functions, for example a direction control, can be fulfilled, whereby these often correspond to a superposition of rocker switches, as can be seen in the example of US 5,584,380 A are known.

However, particularly when setting a numerical value, such as a temperature or a station, the disadvantage of such control elements is that when continuously operated for individual switching steps, there is no haptic feedback, i.e. no haptic feedback perceptible to the operator, and a specific numerical value can usually only be set slowly.

Therefore, rotary controls or rotary push buttons are often used, as shown in the documents DE 10 2007 038 580 A1 , DE 10 2012 012 172 A1 and WO 2013/189844 A1 are known. Because the respective control elements are roller-like or generally rotatable, individual values can be set quickly, whereby an immediate haptic feedback can be generated via a corresponding ratchet during rotation.

The disadvantage here is that exact numerical values are difficult or at least not comfortable to set for large adjustment ranges, since a fine subdivision of the switching steps, i.e. many detent steps over the circumference of the rotary control, means that a certain value must be set very sensitively. If a coarse subdivision is chosen instead, i.e. fewer detent steps over the circumference of the rotary control, much less sensitivity is required for fine adjustment, but adjusting a large value range requires a large number of turns of the rotary control or control element.

If switching between different value ranges is provided, so that, for example, several consecutive locking steps are assigned to a common switching step, the operator can no longer assign immediate haptic feedback to a switching step and, on the other hand, additional control elements are required to implement the switching.

Irrespective of this, it should be noted that by rotating most known rotary actuators, unless external switching is provided, only one switching function can be realized.

The invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing an operating element with which switching steps of various switching functions, in particular numerical values of a multi-digit number, can be set quickly and conveniently.

This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

According to the invention, an operating element with at least two switching functions and individual haptic feedback is therefore proposed. The operating element has an actuating element and a base element on which the actuating element is arranged, i.e. in particular is received or mounted, so as to be rotatable about an axis in accordance with a first degree of freedom. An operator can accordingly rotate the actuating element about the axis. According to the proposed invention, it is further provided that the operating element has at least two locking tracks, each with a plurality of locking profiles formed one behind the other along the locking tracks, and at least one locking element, wherein the locking tracks preferably have an identical length. The at least one locking element is designed to releasably engage or snap into the locking profiles, generating haptic feedback that an operator can perceive on the actuating element. Each of the locking tracks is assigned a switching function, whereby the locking tracks have locking profiles that differ from one another to generate haptic feedback that is distinguishable for the operator, so that a first haptic feedback can be generated by the locking profiles of a first locking track and a second haptic feedback can be generated by the locking profiles of a second locking track. To clarify, it should be noted that the locking profiles of the locking tracks can differ in both their shape and number, so that a different shape of the locking profiles and/or a different number of locking profiles can generate a distinguishable haptic feedback. In order to be able to switch between operation via the locking tracks, it is also provided that the actuation The actuating element is arranged on the base element so as to be movable in accordance with a second degree of freedom, ie is again received or mounted, and the engagement of the at least one locking element between the at least two locking tracks can be switched by a movement of the actuating element corresponding to the second degree of freedom. The locking element is accordingly only in engagement with one locking track or its locking profiles and is brought into engagement with a respective locking track or switched between different locking tracks by means of a movement corresponding to the second degree of freedom.

In a simple example, a first locking track can have 100 locking profiles and a second locking track can have 10 locking profiles over a preferably identical length, so that fine adjustment can be carried out more easily using the second locking track. In this case, a value can be set quickly and precisely using the control element, with the first locking track serving as the first switching function for fast but coarse adjustment and the second locking track serving as the second switching function for slow but fine adjustment of the value. The operator can switch between the fast, coarse adjustment and the slow, fine adjustment by moving the control element in a manner corresponding to the second degree of freedom.

If two different values are to be set rather than a single value, or two different functions are to be controlled in general, the first locking track can be assigned to the first value or the first switching function and the second locking track to the second value or the second switching function, whereby the locking profiles with different shapes allow the operator to haptically perceive whether the first value or the second value is being set. The operator can switch between the adjustability of the first value and the adjustability of the second value by moving the control element in a way that corresponds to the second degree of freedom.

To realize the second degree of freedom, two variants are conceivable.

In a first alternative, the actuating element can be arranged parallel to the base element, i.e. in particular accommodated or mounted, to provide the mobility corresponding to the second degree of freedom, and preferably displaceable along the axis. For this purpose, the actuating element can be cylindrical or hollow-cylindrical, so that it can rotate about the axis and be displaced along the axis. Likewise, the actuating element can be fixed to the axis or formed integrally with it, so that it can rotate together with the axis or be displaced together with the axis.

In a second alternative, the actuating element can be arranged on the base element so that it can be tilted relative to the axis in order to provide the mobility corresponding to the second degree of freedom. For this purpose, the actuating element is connected to the axis or mounted on it, for example, by a ball joint, a universal joint or a rotary-tilting joint, so that the actuating element can either be rotated around the axis and tilted relative to it or can be rotated with the axis and tilted relative to it.

Furthermore, each of the locking tracks can be assigned either to the actuating element or to the base element, i.e. be stationary in relation to it. This essentially results in three cases. Firstly, the at least two locking tracks can be provided on the actuating element and the at least one locking element on the base element, i.e. be stationary in relation to these, arranged or fixed to them, or formed by them. Alternatively, in the opposite case, it can be provided that the at least two locking tracks are provided on the base element and the at least one locking element are provided on the actuating element, i.e. be stationary in relation to these, arranged or fixed to them, or formed by them. According to the third case, at least one first locking track and at least one first locking element can be provided on the actuating element and at least one second locking track and at least one second locking element can be provided on the base element, i.e. be stationary relative to them, arranged or fixed to them or formed by them, wherein the first locking element is assigned to the second locking track and the second locking element is assigned to the first locking track and can each be brought into or out of engagement by a corresponding movement according to the second degree of freedom.

In order to not only generate haptic feedback when the rotation corresponds to the first degree of freedom, but also to make switching between the switching functions perceptible for the operator, i.e. haptically perceptible, it can also be provided that a predetermined threshold geometry is provided between each two locking tracks of the at least two locking tracks, which is designed to generate a predetermined feedback on the actuating element that is haptically perceptible for the operator when the locking element is switched between the two locking tracks, which can accordingly be a third feedback. Since this not only generates haptic feedback, but also increases the time required for switching Force is used to make switching between switching functions noticeable for the operator and at the same time prevent accidental switching between switching functions.

As already explained, the locking tracks can have different numbers of locking profiles and thus a different number of locking steps. Accordingly, it can be provided that the at least two locking tracks form different locking positions, i.e. a different division, through their respective locking profiles, which are each assigned to switching steps of the respective switching function, so that the switching functions have different switching steps or a different number of switching steps. Since each locking can be assigned a switching step, a larger area is assigned to each switching step with a smaller number of switching steps over the length of the locking track, so that fine adjustment is significantly simplified.

Irrespective of the provision of the second degree of freedom, the at least two locking tracks around the axis can be designed to be cylindrical, spherical segment-shaped or spherical layer-shaped. Nevertheless, the at least two locking tracks are preferably cylindrical when the actuating element can be displaced along the axis and preferably spherical segment-shaped or spherical layer-shaped when it can be tilted relative to the axis.

In order to ensure a releasable locking of the locking element in the locking profiles, the at least one locking element for engaging in the locking profiles is preferably designed as a ball or forms a surface corresponding to a spherical segment or a concave surface.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one locking element is spring-actuated or spring-loaded for engaging in the locking profiles in the direction of the at least respective locking track.

According to a further development, the locking profiles of the at least two locking tracks each form a plurality of alternating maxima and minima, through which a torque to be applied by the operator to rotate the actuating element about the axis is alternately increased and reduced by means of the locking element moving along the locking track in a way that is haptically perceptible to the operator. The increase in torque during the movement to a maxima can be haptically perceptible to the operator evenly and the reduction during the movement to a minima can be jerky, i.e. as a snap.

At least one of the locking tracks can correspond to a sine curve in its longitudinal section or have a zigzag-shaped or, for example, sawtooth-shaped course, whereby this is determined in each case by the shape and distance of the locking profiles. Furthermore, a level or sections of varying gradient can also be provided for the courses between two extremes.

Furthermore, the operating element can have a detection device for detecting the movement of the actuating element. The detection device is designed to generate a switching signal depending on a movement corresponding to the first degree of freedom and/or a position of the actuating element associated with the first degree of freedom and to assign the switching signal to one of the at least two switching functions depending on a movement corresponding to the second degree of freedom and/or a position of the actuating element associated with the second degree of freedom.

For this purpose, the detection device can have one sensor or two sensors. For example, the position and/or movement of the control element around the axis, i.e. the first degree of freedom, can be detected with a first sensor and the position and/or movement of the control element corresponding to the second degree of freedom can be detected with a second sensor.

Furthermore, it is also possible to detect the movement of the locking element by a single sensor in order to detect both a movement of the operating element corresponding to the first degree of freedom and a movement corresponding to the second degree of freedom from the different movement patterns resulting from the at least two locking tracks or their locking profiles on the locking element and optionally a further movement pattern resulting from a threshold geometry when switching between the locking tracks.

The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

• 1 Explosionsgrafik einer ersten Variante eines Bedienelements;
• 2 das Bedienelement der ersten Variante in einer ersten Stellung;
• 3 das Bedienelement der ersten Variante in einer zweiten Stellung;
• 4 Explosionsgrafik einer zweiten Variante eines Bedienelements;
• 5 das Bedienelement der zweiten Variante in einer ersten Stellung;
• 6 das Bedienelement der zweiten Variante in einer zweiten Stellung.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. They show:

• 1 Exploded view of a first variant of a control element;
• 2 the control element of the first variant in a first position;
• 3 the control element of the first variant in a second position;
• 4 Exploded view of a second variant of a control element;
• 5 the control element of the second variant in a first position;
• 6 the control element of the second variant in a second position.

The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical functional and/or structural features.

In the 1 to 3 an operating element 1 according to the invention is shown, which has an actuating element 10 that can be manipulated by an operator and a base element 20, wherein the actuating element 10 is attached to an axis 21 of the base element 20 via a ball joint. The ball joint enables the operator to rotate the actuating element 10 about the axis 21 in accordance with a first degree of freedom X1 and also to tilt it relative to the axis 21 in accordance with a second degree of freedom X2.

Two locking tracks 11, 12 are provided on the actuating element 10, which extend around the axis 21, have a substantially identical length or a substantially identical circumference and each have a plurality of locking profiles 13, wherein the locking profiles 13 of the first locking track 11 and the locking profiles 13 of the second locking track 12 differ from one another, so that different haptic feedback is generated for the operator by these or by a locking of a locking element 22 arranged on the base element 20.

If the locking element 22 is located in the area of the first locking track 11, as shown in 2 is shown, and the actuating element 10 is rotated by the operator about the axis 21 corresponding to the first degree of freedom X1, a first haptic feedback is generated which is haptically perceptible by the operator on the actuating element 10.

If the locking element 22 is located in the area of the second locking track 12, as shown in 3 is shown, and the actuating element 10 is rotated by the operator about the axis 21 corresponding to the first degree of freedom X1, a second haptic feedback is generated which is haptically perceptible by the operator on the actuating element 10.

These different haptic feedbacks result from the fact that the locking profiles 13 of the first locking track 11 have a different shape to the locking profiles 13 of the second locking track 12 and that a significantly higher number of locking profiles 13, in this case twice as many, is provided along the first locking track 11 compared to the second locking track 12.

The locking profiles 13 not only generate a haptic feedback, but also vary the torque (in Nm) which the operator has to apply to rotate the actuating element 10, as shown in the 2 and 3 is plotted over time t.

Since each locking profile 13 is assigned a switching step, the first locking track 11 can achieve twice the number of switching steps when the actuating element 10 is rotated by a predetermined angle compared to the second locking track 12.

In order to release the locking element 22 from engagement with the first locking track 11, as shown in 2 shown, to engage the second locking track 12, as shown in 3 As shown, the operator can pivot the actuating element 10 relative to the axis 21 in accordance with the second degree of freedom X2. In order to further restrict the mobility of the actuating element 10 and to limit it along the second degree of freedom X2, a cover (not shown) can also be provided.

Since the operator should also be able to haptically detect a switchover from the first locking track 11 to the second locking track 12, a threshold geometry 14 is provided between them, which, together with the locking element 22, generates a third haptic feedback that is perceptible to the operator.

If, for example, a numerical value is to be set, the operator can first move the actuating element 10 in the 2 rotate around the axis 21 in the position shown. If the numerical value has been roughly set and is now to be finely adjusted, the operator can move the actuating element 10 by moving the actuating element 10 in accordance with the second degree of freedom X2 into the position shown in 3 shown position, whereby the numerical value can then be adjusted by renewed rotation of the actuating element 10 about the axis 21.

In the 4 to 6 a second variant of an operating element 1 is shown, which, however, also has an actuating element 10 that can be manipulated by an operator and a base element 20, whereby, in contrast to the 1 to 3 In the embodiment shown, it is provided that the actuating element 10 is arranged displaceably along the axis 21 in order to realize the mobility corresponding to the second degree of freedom X2.

If the first locking track 11 of the actuating element 10 is in engagement with the locking element 22, as shown in 5 As shown, a haptic feedback perceptible to the operator is generated on the actuating element 10, as shown in 5 as a function of the force acting on the actuating element 10 through the locking profiles 13 of the first locking track 11 over time t.

By displacing the actuating element 10 corresponding to the second degree of freedom X2, the operator can bring the second locking track 12 into engagement with the locking element 22, as shown in 6 is shown, wherein half the number of locking profiles 13 is provided along the second locking track 12 and with constant levels between the locking profiles 13, so that a different course of the function and thus a different haptic feedback results.

As per the 1 to 3 explained, can also be done by the 4 to 6 The control element 1 shown can first be used to quickly and roughly set a numerical value and then to make a finer adjustment.

Both for the variant according to the 1 to 3 as well as for the embodiment according to the 4 to 6 It is true that, for example, two completely different functions can be controlled. For example, a first flow rate or a first speed can be controlled by means of the first locking track 11 and a second flow rate or a second speed can be controlled by means of the second locking track 12.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102 19 477 C1 [0003]
• DE 10 2011 011 299 A1 [0003]
• EP 0 295 368 A2 [0003]
• US 3,739,316 A [0003]
• WO 2010/009914 A1 [0003]
• US 5,584,380 A [0003]
• DE 10 2007 038 580 A1 [0005]
• DE 10 2012 012 172 A1 [0005]
• WO 2013/189844 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Operating element (1) with at least two switching functions and individual haptic feedback in each case, comprising an actuating element (10) and a base element (20), on which the actuating element (10) is arranged so as to be rotatably movable about an axis (21) in accordance with a first degree of freedom (X1), characterized in that the operating element (1) provides at least two latching tracks (11, 12), each with a plurality of latching profiles (13) formed one behind the other along the latching tracks (11, 12), and at least one latching element (22) which is designed to releasably engage in the latching profiles (13) to generate a haptically perceptible feedback for an operator on the actuating element (10), wherein each of the latching tracks (11, 12) is assigned a switching function and the latching tracks (11, 12) have latching profiles (13) which differ from one another for generating haptic feedback which can be distinguished for the operator, and wherein the The actuating element (10) is arranged on the base element (20) so as to be movable in accordance with a second degree of freedom (X2), and the engagement of the at least one latching element (22) between the at least two latching tracks (11, 12) can be switched by a movement of the actuating element (10) corresponding to the second degree of freedom (X2). control element after claim 1 , wherein the actuating element (10) is arranged on the base element (20) so as to be displaceable parallel to the axis (21) in order to provide the mobility corresponding to the second degree of freedom (X2), or wherein the actuating element (10) is arranged on the base element (20) so as to be tiltable relative to the axis (21) in order to provide the mobility corresponding to the second degree of freedom (X2). control element after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least two locking tracks (11, 12) are provided on the actuating element (10) and the at least one locking element (22) on the base element (20), or wherein the at least two locking tracks (11, 12) are provided on the base element (20) and the at least one locking element (22) are provided on the actuating element (10), or wherein at least a first locking track (11) and at least a first locking element are provided on the actuating element (10) and at least a second locking track (12) and at least a second locking element are provided on the base element (20), and the first locking element is assigned to the second locking track (12) and the second locking element is assigned to the first locking track (11). Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a predetermined threshold geometry (14) is provided between each two locking tracks (11, 12) of the at least two locking tracks (11, 12), which is designed to generate a predetermined haptically perceptible feedback for the operator on the actuating element (10) when the locking element (22) is switched between the two locking tracks (11, 12). Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two locking tracks (11, 12) form different locking positions through their respective locking profiles (13), which are each assigned to switching steps of the respective switching function, so that the switching functions have different switching steps. Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two locking tracks (11, 12) are cylindrical or spherical segment-shaped or spherical layer-shaped around the axis (21). Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking element (22) for engaging in the locking profiles (13) is designed as a ball or forms a surface corresponding to a spherical segment or a concave surface and/or wherein the at least one locking element (22) for engaging in the locking profiles (13) is spring-actuated in the direction of the at least respective locking track (11, 12). Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking profiles (13) of the at least two locking tracks (11, 12) each form a plurality of alternating successive maxima and minima, by means of which a torque to be applied by the operator for rotating the actuating element (10) about the axis (21) is alternately increased and reduced in a haptically perceptible manner for the operator by means of the locking element (22) moving along the locking track (11, 12). Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the locking tracks (11, 12) corresponds in longitudinal section to a sine curve or has a zigzag-shaped course. Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detection device for Detecting the movement of the actuating element (10), wherein the detection device is designed to generate a switching signal depending on a movement corresponding to the first degree of freedom (X1) and/or a position of the actuating element (10) associated with the first degree of freedom (X1), wherein the detection device is designed to assign the switching signal to one of the at least two switching functions depending on a movement corresponding to the second degree of freedom (X2) and/or a position of the actuating element (10) associated with the second degree of freedom (X2).

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