CN115257374A

CN115257374A - Instrument panel, vehicle and device for operating a heating and air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: CN115257374A
Application number: CN202211051501.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D.梅雷兹尼科瓦; J.赛费特; C.克拉夫奇克
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2016-01-07
Filing date: 2017-01-05
Publication date: 2022-11-01
Also published as: DE102016200110A1; CN107031404A

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle, to a dashboard and to a device for operating a heating and air-conditioning system of a vehicle. The device comprises: -a first finger groove (1) arranged in a substantially flat surface (7) extending in a straight or curved line for tactile guidance of a finger of a user (20), -a detection unit for detecting a swipe gesture performed in the finger groove (1), -an evaluation unit (35) for processing the detected swipe gesture, wherein-the detection unit has a capacitive surface arranged in the finger groove (1).

Description

Instrument panel, vehicle and device for operating a heating and air conditioning system

The present application is a divisional application of a patent application "dashboard, transport means and device for operating a heating and air-conditioning system" (application number: 201710006506.7, applicant: mass automobile ltd) filed on 5.1.2017.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle, to an instrument panel and to a device for operating a heating and air-conditioning system of a vehicle. The invention relates in particular to a reliable possibility for adjustment of the operating means with the least possible potential for inattention to the user.

Background

The trend in the current vehicle, in particular in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, is now to a switch-free design. Since the conventional rotary pressure regulator is also to be dispensed with, and therefore no significant tactile feedback for the user input is to be generated, there is a need for a user interface and input element which is well integrated into the appearance of the switchless cockpit and nevertheless gives the customer good guidance (Orientierung) and visual feedback in the case of setting important functions, such as volume, scrolling in long lists, air conditioning operation, etc.

Document DE 10 2012 008 681 A1 discloses a multifunction operating device for a motor vehicle, in which a combined sliding/touch face for receiving a sliding gesture and a pressing input is provided. The actuating element is embodied in an elongated or rectangular manner, wherein the protruding edge bead serves to guide a finger of a user. Preferably, the operating element is arranged substantially vertically on the side of the screen display.

Document DE 10 2013 226 A1 discloses a device for operating a vehicle function with an operating body having differently oriented faces whose surfaces are set for respective operation of the respective function via a slide gesture.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the prior art cited above, the object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective and comfortable input device for operating a heating/air conditioning range in a vehicle. In particular, it is an object of the invention to make such an adjustment possible as "blind" as possible, so that the potential for inattention is reduced for the user.

The above-identified object is achieved according to the invention by a device for operating a heating and air-conditioning system of a vehicle. In the context of the present invention, a device for influencing the temperature sensation of a passenger of a vehicle is understood to be a "heating and air conditioning system", wherein a device for adjusting the air temperature, the seat temperature, the temperature of a steering device, etc. can be understood to be a device according to the present invention. The means of transport may, for example, be designed as a car, a transport vehicle, a truck, a motorcycle, an aircraft and/or a ship. The device comprises a "finger groove" extending in a straight and/or curved line for tactilely guiding a user's finger in case of performing a slide gesture, which is put into a substantially flat surface. Within the scope of the present invention, a substantially linearly and/or longitudinally extending recess according to the groove, groove or recess type is understood to be a "finger groove" which is set up for guiding a sliding gesture of a user as long as the user presses his finger substantially normally into the finger groove against a flat surface of the device. In this way, the user's finger is guided on both sides approximately parallel to the flat surface in the finger groove. The detection unit is configured to detect a slide gesture performed in the finger groove. In other words, the detection unit may determine the position and/or movement of the user's finger and provide corresponding information for further processing. The evaluation unit is provided for processing the detected swipe gesture or a signal determined on the basis thereof. The evaluation unit can, for example, have a programmable processor, a microcontroller or the like. In practical automotive applications, the evaluation unit is often provided in the form of an electronic controller (also referred to as "ECU"). The detection unit has a capacitive surface arranged in the finger recess. The surface can be designed according to the type of input device known in the prior art (english: "digitzer"), wherein the display device in the form of a matrix of pixels as it is comprised in a touch screen is however not an integral part of the apparatus according to the invention. Via a sliding gesture in a finger groove of the device according to the invention, the user may for example adjust a fan gear, which makes possible a control of the amount of heated or cooled air. The above-described assembly can be produced relatively cost-effectively and is particularly comfortable and reliable (because it is guided) to be handled.

The flat surface can be designed, for example, in one piece. In other words, the surface of the finger groove may be formed in one piece with the substantially flat surface, thereby avoiding foreign matter entry and noise development in the case of vibrations occurring during driving.

A second finger groove, which is associated with a different functional range than the first finger groove, may optionally be provided in the substantially flat, preferably one-piece, surface. In this way, corresponding finger grooves can be provided for different functional ranges, thereby showing immediately usable input elements for the parameters of the corresponding functional ranges. The two finger grooves may be encoded, for example, haptically, in order to make blind recognition of the respective functional range possible for the user. For example, a first finger groove may have bumps, longitudinal ridges (laengsgart), transverse striations, etc., while a second finger groove is correspondingly differently encoded. The feasibility of blind operation is improved in this way, since the haptic coding of the different finger grooves can be learned and used quickly by the user.

The second finger groove may for example be arranged above or below the first finger groove. In particular, for the case in which the second finger groove runs parallel to the first finger groove, a space-saving arrangement can be provided in a1 DIN or 2 DIN element in the dashboard of the vehicle. The second finger groove can also have a principally different direction of its longitudinal extension with respect to the first finger groove. For example, the first finger groove and the second finger groove may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. In this way, for example, the edge region surrounding the display device can be utilized with little additional effort.

Preferably, the blind operation can be simplified by providing a transition groove between the first finger groove and the second finger groove. A transition groove may be understood as a guide for a user's finger as long as the finger desires to change from one of the finger grooves to the next. The transition recess can be designed substantially sensorless, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Preferably, however, the transition recess is not associable with a further function call in the event of user contact.

The transition groove may be tactilely spaced relative to the finger groove by having a reduced width and/or a reduced depth. Alternatively or additionally, the transition grooves may have different surface structures (e.g., bumps or ridges, etc., as described above). This makes it possible for the user to "blindly" go from one finger groove to the next without having to turn his line of sight to the device according to the invention.

The possibility of feedback to the user is extended by providing the device according to the invention with light outlets placed in the finger grooves. Via the light outlet, for example, a pictogram and/or a position/extension of the corresponding finger groove can be generated. To this end, the surface of the device may be at least proportionally transparent, thereby structuring the light outlet.

A light emitting device (e.g. an LED or LEDs) may be arranged behind the light outlet.

A translucent ("opalescent") element for uniformly dispersing the light pattern emerging from the light outlet may also preferably be provided. In this way, the number of light-emitting means required can be reduced and the visual impression of the device improved.

The light outlet may be set for letting out predefined other light colors in the finger groove(s) independently of the light color let out in the keypad of the device. This can be produced by spacers, translucent light guides of colored design or light-emitting devices which discharge different light colors.

The finger groove may be configured to resolve multi-touch gestures. In other words, the finger groove may identify whether the user has placed one finger, two fingers, three fingers, or multiple fingers into the finger groove at the same time. Depending on the number of fingers, the device may for example start a first function call with a first signal in case of using a single finger, a second function call in case of using two fingers and a third function call in case of using three fingers, wherein the first, second and third function calls are distinguished from each other. Depending on the number of fingers arranged in the finger recess, feedback to the user (e.g. through the light color leaked out by the light outlet) may be issued regarding the number of fingers or the associated function call.

The blind operation of the device according to the invention is again improved when the first finger groove and/or the second finger groove is separated tactually at the end regions on both sides with respect to a flat surface. In other words, the finger groove also has groove walls at the ends arranged opposite one another in view of its longitudinal axes, by means of which the end or end region of the finger groove is perceptible to the user. This does not exclude the presence of transition grooves at the end regions.

Preferably, a keypad for selecting a predefined function of the vehicle can be put into the flat surface. If two finger grooves or a plurality of finger grooves are arranged in a device according to the invention, the keypad may be arranged between the finger grooves (e.g. arranged parallel to each other). The keypad may give control signals according to the "on/off logic" type and/or enable stepwise increase/decrease of parameters associated therewith. The keypad can also be run mainly on the capacitive surface described above, so that mechanical elements and the gaps often associated therewith can be avoided and the probability of foreign bodies entering can be reduced again.

Preferably, an output unit can be coupled with the device according to the invention, which can be designed, for example, as a screen arranged next to the finger well and/or as a loudspeaker and/or as an exciter. In this way, the output unit may output feedback to the user regarding the operated functional range or the matched parameters (e.g., the adjusted temperature value and/or the indication of the current fan gear). Especially for the case that the output unit does not require or requires less gaze deflection than with the visual detection of the device according to the invention, the potential for inattention may be reduced again for the user when he desires to obtain feedback on the currently operated functional range.

The evaluation unit may, for example, be set for matching the light signal emitted by the light outlet to a current adjustment of the atmosphere lamp of the vehicle in response to the lapse of a predefined duration after the end of the gesture detected by means of the detection unit. The matching can be effected, for example, in view of the light intensity and/or in view of the light color and/or in view of the (e.g. time-varying) light pattern. In this way, the device according to the invention can still be better fitted into the visual appearance of the dashboard or of the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an instrument panel for a vehicle is proposed, which has a device according to the first-mentioned inventive aspect. The instrument panel may in particular have a portion arranged substantially vertically in the transport means, into which a substantially flat surface of the device according to the invention is fitted. The finger moved on the finger groove with a normal force directed in the direction of movement is mechanically fixed or guided by the finger groove at a position where the sliding gesture operation has the greatest possible chance of success. In particular, undesired effects of vibrations and/or the driving over the hollow on the finger position are avoided, since the finger is enclosed in the finger groove upward and downward or in a leftward and rightward arrangement.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a vehicle is proposed, which has a dashboard according to the second-mentioned inventive aspect and/or a device according to the first-mentioned inventive aspect. The features, combinations of features and advantages derived therefrom correspond in this way to those which can be carried out in conjunction with the first and second inventive aspects, in order to avoid repeated reference to the above-described embodiments.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of the components of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of a device according to the invention in an embodiment of a dashboard according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the device according to the invention; and is

Fig. 3 shows a top view towards an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

List of reference numerals

1,2,3 finger groove

4,5,6 transition groove

7 flat surface

8 device

9 middle connecting piece

10 saloon car

11 channel element

12 heating equipment

13 air pump

14 Fan symbol

15 light outlet

16 Fan symbol

Symbol of 17,18,19,21 temperature

20 users

22 end region

23 to 31 key-plates

32,33 baffle

34 Screen

35 an electronic controller.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a passenger car 10 as a means of transport, in which a screen 34 as an output unit is connected to an electronic control unit 35 as an evaluation unit. Below the screen 34, the device 8 according to the invention is arranged in the dashboard and likewise connected to an electronic control unit 35 in a manner known in the art. The control line connects the electronic control unit 35 to the heating element 12 arranged in the channel 11 and to the air pump 13 of the heating and air conditioning system.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a device 8 according to the invention with a substantially flat front surface 7, into which a substantially horizontal first finger groove 1 and two

finger grooves

2,3 arranged side by side below the first finger groove 1 and parallel to the first finger groove 1 are placed. The substantially vertically arranged

transition recesses

4,6 connect the end region of the first finger recess 1 with the approximately 45 ° upwardly directed end regions 22 of the second and third finger recesses 2,3 and the end regions of the second and third finger recesses 2,3, respectively, facing towards the middle of the device 8. The

transition grooves

4,5,6 have a tapering cross section or a reduced width relative to the

finger grooves

1,2, 3. In this way, its position is tactilely perceptible to the user, thereby improving the user's guidance in the case of blind operation. In the upper finger recess 1, a linearly and horizontally extending light outlet 15 is provided which is arranged between the first air pump symbol 14 and the second air pump symbol 16, via which on the one hand the position of the finger of the user 20 can be displayed (for example via intensity adjustment of the position change) and on the other hand the height of the theoretical temperature of the heating and air conditioning system can be displayed (for example via adjustment of the color of the light escaping). In the second finger groove 2, the respective light outlet 15 is arranged between a temperature sign 17 for cold theoretical temperatures and a temperature sign 18 for high theoretical temperatures. The

temperature symbols

17,18 may for example be colour coded. For example, the temperature symbol 17 may have a color of blue, while the temperature symbol 18 has a color of red. The

temperature symbols

17,18 may also be backlit, thereby improving readability in situations of poor light illumination. The second finger groove 2 is used for operating a theoretical temperature for the driver side, while the third finger groove 3 is provided for operating a theoretical temperature for the passenger side. Here, the temperature sign 19 indicates a cold theoretical temperature and the temperature sign 21 indicates a high theoretical temperature. Between the

temperature symbols

19,21 there also extends a horizontal light outlet 15 in the form of a straight line, via which the position of the finger of the user 20 can be described visually and/or the currently adjusted theoretical temperature can be described visually via a corresponding light pattern (as explained in connection with the second finger groove 2). Below the transition recess 5, there are arranged

key plates

30,31 for activating seat heating for the driver side or the passenger side. In the intermediate web 9 of the flat surface 7, further

key plates

23,24,25,26,27,28,29 are provided, via which front windshield ventilation, automatic air conditioning control, air conditioning mode of operation, air distribution, circulating air function, synchronization for driver/passenger-side adjustment and rear windshield heating can be activated. The intermediate web 9, like the flat surface 7 (reference numeral 33 here) arranged below the

finger grooves

2,3, has a spacer element 32 which, for example, can be made of chromium, wood (Wurzelholz) or the like and thus enables a visually harmonious integration of the device according to the invention into the visual representation of the dashboard of a vehicle. The

partitions

32,33 can also be designed as light outlets, whereby the atmosphere light extraction used in the remaining means of transport can also be used for the device according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a top view onto a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the elements shown in fig. 2 are provided with the same reference numerals in fig. 3 and their renewed discussion is omitted in order to avoid repetition. The symmetry of the basic shape of the device, in particular in addition to the symbols of the key plates 23 to 31, can be recognized particularly well, so that the third finger groove 3 also has an end region 22 which opens into the transition groove 6 pointing upwards at an angle of approximately 45 °.

Even though aspects and advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, modifications and combinations of the features of the illustrated embodiments are possible for a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for operating a heating and air conditioning system (11, 12, 13) of a vehicle (10), comprising:

-placing a first finger groove (1) extending in a straight or curved line in a substantially flat surface (7) for tactilely guiding a finger of a user (20), the first finger groove being formed in one piece with the substantially flat surface (7), wherein the first finger groove (1) is formed in one piece,

-a detection unit for detecting a sliding gesture performed in the finger groove (1),

an evaluation unit (35) for processing the detected slide gesture, wherein,

-the detection unit has a capacitive surface arranged in the finger recess (1),

-a keypad (14, 16,17,18,19,21,23,24,25,26,27,28, 29) arranged in the flat surface (7) and set for starting a predefined function of the vehicle (10) in response to a touch by the user (20), and

wherein a second finger groove (2, 3) is provided in the flat surface (7), which is associated with a different functional range than the first finger groove (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second finger groove (2, 3) is opposite to the first finger groove (1)

Substantially parallel and/or

Substantially vertically to

And (5) stretching.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between the first finger groove (1) and the second finger groove (2) there is provided a transition groove (4, 5, 6) which is set up for guiding a finger of a user (20) from the first finger groove (1) into the second finger groove (2, 3).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the transition recess (4, 5, 6) has a recess (1) opposite to the first finger

Reduced width and/or

Reduced depth and/or

Different types of surface structures.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a light outlet (15) placed into the finger recess (1, 2, 3), wherein a light source is arranged behind the light outlet (15), which light source is arranged behind the light outlet (15)

Comprising individual light-emitting devices, preferably LEDs, among others

-a translucent element is provided for evenly dispersing the light exiting the light outlet (15).

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the light outlet (15) is set for letting out a predefined further light color in the finger recess (1, 2, 3) independently of the light color let out in the area of a keypad (14, 16,17,18,19,21,23,24,25,26,27,28, 29).

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the evaluation unit (5) is additionally set for matching the light signal emitted by the light outlet (15) to a current adjustment of the ambience light of the vehicle (10) in response to the lapse of a predefined duration after the end of the gesture detected by means of the detection unit.

8. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the finger grooves (1, 2, 3) are tactilely spaced from the flat surface (7) at the end regions on both sides.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, additionally comprising

-an output unit (4) set for outputting a prompt for a parameter matched by means of an operation of the finger groove (1, 2, 3) in response to the operation.

10. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the finger grooves (1, 2, 3) are set for resolving multi-touch gestures and the device (8) is set for resolving multi-touch gestures

-signaling with a first signal that a gesture with exactly one finger is received,

-signaling with a second signal the receipt of a multi-touch gesture with exactly two fingers, and in particular

-informing the reception of a multi-touch gesture with exactly three fingers with a third signal, which is emitted by the light outlet (15) accordingly.

11. Dashboard for a vehicle (10) comprising a device (8) according to any of the preceding claims.

12. Vehicle comprising an instrument panel according to claim 11 or a device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.