CN115668772A - Sensor device for operator input device - Google Patents
Sensor device for operator input device Download PDFInfo
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- CN115668772A CN115668772A CN202180037346.7A CN202180037346A CN115668772A CN 115668772 A CN115668772 A CN 115668772A CN 202180037346 A CN202180037346 A CN 202180037346A CN 115668772 A CN115668772 A CN 115668772A
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- sensor
- electrode
- sensor device
- contact element
- operating force
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/96—Touch switches
- H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
- H01H13/48—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using buckling of disc springs
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/965—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
- H03K17/975—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a capacitive movable element
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
- H01H2203/036—Form of contacts to solve particular problems
- H01H2203/038—Form of contacts to solve particular problems to be bridged by a dome shaped contact
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
- H01H2227/026—Separate dome contact
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
- H01H2239/006—Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
- H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
- H03K17/96—Touch switches
- H03K2017/9602—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
- H03K2017/9604—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes
- H03K2017/9613—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes using two electrodes per touch switch
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
- H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
- H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
- H03K2217/965—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
- H03K2217/9651—Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch the moving element acting on a force, e.g. pressure sensitive element
Abstract
The invention relates to a sensor device (10) for an operator input device, having a capacitive sensor (11) and a contact switch (12), the capacitive sensor (11) having a first electrically conductive sensor electrode (11A) and at least one second electrically conductive sensor electrode (11B) which are designed and arranged relative to one another such that they form a sensor capacitance between them, which sensor capacitance can be varied by applying an operating force (F) to the sensor device (10), the contact switch (12) having a first electrical contact element (12A) and a second electrical contact element (12B) which are designed and arranged relative to one another such that the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element (12A) and the second electrical contact element (12B) is broken in the state of no operating force, and the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element (12A) and the second electrical contact element (12B) can be established by applying an operating force (F) in the actuating direction which is greater than a defined contact closing force, and one of the two electrical contact elements (12A, 12B) of the sensor electrodes (11, 11B, 12B) of the capacitive sensor (11, 21) forms one of the electrical contacts (12A, 12B) of the contact switch (12).
Description
Technical Field
The invention relates to a sensor device for an operator input device, comprising a capacitive sensor and a contact switch. The capacitive sensor has a first electrically conductive sensor electrode and at least one second electrically conductive sensor electrode which are designed and arranged relative to each other such that they form a sensor capacitance between them, a change in the sensor capacitance being able to be induced by applying an operating force to the sensor device. The contact switch has a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element which are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element is broken in the absence of an operating force. The electrical connection between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element may be established by applying an operating force in the actuating direction that is greater than a defined contact closing force.
Background
Generic sensor devices, in particular combination sensor devices designed as described above, having a capacitive sensor and a touch switch are known from the prior art in principle, wherein the capacitive sensor and the touch switch in the generic sensor device known from the prior art are usually each formed from separate components, in particular if the capacitive sensor is designed as a force sensor.
For similar sensor devices, reference is made, for example, to KR20190023171, DE102014019241 or US2011/0011650.
Disclosure of Invention
Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative sensor device, in particular an improved sensor device, in particular a simpler and more compact sensor device.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a sensor device having the features according to patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims, the description and the figures. The wording of the claims is made part of the content of the description by express reference.
The sensor device according to the invention for an operator input device has a capacitive sensor with a first electrically conductive sensor electrode and at least one second electrically conductive sensor electrode, which are designed and arranged relative to one another such that they form a sensor capacitance between them, and a contact switch, a change in the sensor capacitance being able to be brought about by applying an operating force to the sensor device. The contact switch has a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element which are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element is broken in the absence of an operating force. The electrical connection between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element may be established by applying an operating force in the actuating direction that is greater than a defined contact closing force.
The sensor device according to the invention is characterized in that one of the sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor forms one of the two electrical contact elements of the contact switch, in particular the first sensor electrode or the second sensor electrode.
The joint use of one of the sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor as well as the electrical contact element makes it possible to provide a particularly compact combined sensor device with a capacitive sensor and a contact switch. The invention makes it possible in particular to provide a sensor device which requires fewer components than sensor devices known from the prior art which are substantially similar or comparable in terms of their function.
In an advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, the capacitive sensor is a capacitive force sensor, that is to say by means of which a force, in particular an operating force applied to the sensor device, can be determined capacitively.
The sensor device is particularly preferably designed and arranged to use a capacitive sensor for detecting an operating force applied to the operator input device in a functional state used in the operator input device, in particular an operating force applied to the operator input device perpendicular to the user interface.
The sensor device according to the invention is designed and provided in particular for an operator input device which preferably has a user interface and which particularly preferably can be actuated by applying a pressure operating force to the user interface, in particular by applying an operating force in an actuating direction perpendicular to the user interface, and which sensor device is particularly preferably designed to be arranged below the user interface in an operating device, in particular such that the operating force applied to the user interface can be transmitted to the sensor device via the user interface or by means of the user interface. The operator input device may be, for example, a touch screen display or the like, or have one or more touch control elements.
In the context of the present invention, the term "contact closing force" is understood to mean an operating force which is at least large enough to bring the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element into contact, thereby establishing an electrical connection.
In the context of the present invention, "a state without an operating force" is understood to mean a state in which no operating force acts on the sensor device, that is to say a state in which no operating force is applied, and thus an unactuated state.
In an advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, the first and second electrically conductive sensor electrodes are designed and arranged relative to one another such that, in the absence of an operating force, they are arranged at a defined distance from one another, and by applying the operating force to the sensor device, the distance between the first and second sensor electrodes can be varied, whereby a change in the sensor capacitance can particularly preferably be brought about.
The sensor device according to the invention is particularly preferably designed and arranged such that by applying an operating force in the actuation direction, that is to say in a direction perpendicular to the user interface of the respective operator input device for which the sensor device is intended, the distance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode can be varied, in particular can be reduced, and a change in the sensor capacitance can be caused. For this purpose, the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode are preferably arranged opposite one another.
In principle, the capacitive sensor can also have more than two sensor electrodes, wherein the sensor device according to the invention preferably has a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode, in particular arranged opposite the first sensor electrode. In this case, each of the first and second sensor electrodes may be designed as a plurality of sections or be formed by a set of a plurality of individual electrodes or electrode segments. Thus, higher spatial resolution can be achieved, if desired. This configuration of the sensor device according to the invention also allows redundant detection or evaluation.
Alternatively, the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode may also be arranged adjacent to each other, in particular in a common plane, in which case the change in the sensor capacitance may particularly preferably be caused by a change in another capacitive active element, particularly preferably by a capacitive active actuation element and/or a capacitive active electrical contact element, for example by an electrically conductive actuation electrode and/or by an electrically conductive contact element.
In a particularly advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, the first sensor electrode and/or the second sensor electrode of the capacitive sensor, in particular, are designed as actuation electrodes, in particular first sensor electrodes, and can be moved by applying an operating force relative to the other sensor electrode, in particular the second sensor electrode, and/or their shape is changed by applying an operating force, in particular reversibly, such that a change, in particular a reduction, of the distance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode can be brought about, wherein particularly preferably only one of the two sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor is designed as an actuation electrode. That is to say, it is particularly preferred that only one of the sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor is correspondingly movable or deformable. As a result, a capacitively detectable change of the distance between the first and the second sensor electrode can be achieved with a particularly simple configuration of the sensor device.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the actuation electrode of the capacitive sensor forms in particular one of the two electrical contact elements, in particular the first electrical contact element, of the contact switch. As a result, a sensor device which is particularly easy to configure and easy to adjust or set can be provided, and thus a particularly advantageous sensor device can be provided.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the actuation electrode is in particular of flat design and is designed to be flexible and/or flexible and is accommodated in the sensor device in such a way that the application of an operating force can lead to the actuation electrode being bent or can lead to a curvature which is already present in the absence of an operating force being changed, so that the distance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode is changed, in particular reduced, and a change in the sensor capacitance is caused. This makes it possible to provide a particularly simple sensor device which not only allows an accurate and reliable capacitive distance detection, but also allows an electrical contact or electrical connection to be reliably established between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element by applying a sufficiently large operating force, which is in particular greater than the required contact closing force.
In this case, the actuation electrode can be a flat structure, that is to say for example a flat electrode, or a conductive structure applied to and/or incorporated into a flat carrier material, so that the conductive structure extends at least partially over a defined area. For example, instead of a flat electrode, the actuation electrode can also have conductive threads which are applied to the carrier material in a meandering pattern or in a fabric-like manner or which are incorporated into the carrier material in a meandering pattern or in a fabric-like manner.
The actuation electrode is particularly preferably designed such that the detected change in distance can be used to unambiguously infer the applied operating force. For this purpose, the actuation electrode is designed in particular such that the application of an operating force, in particular in the actuation direction, repeatedly and reproducibly leads to a defined, in particular elastic and thus reversible deformation and thus to a defined change in the distance between the actuation electrode and the further sensor electrode.
Particularly preferably, an operating force/deformation-displacement curve can be determined for the actuation electrode and can be stored in the sensor device, in particular as a characteristic map, interpolation function, parameterization function or the like in the sensor device, while particularly preferably the stored operating force/deformation-displacement curve can be used to determine the operating force applied to the sensor device from a capacitively detected distance or a capacitively detected change in distance between the actuation electrode and the further sensor electrode.
In a particularly advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, the sensor electrode intended to be arranged facing the user interface in the functionally mounted state in the operator input device is preferably designed as an actuation electrode. This allows an operating force applied to the user interface of the operator input device to be transmitted to the actuation electrode particularly easily and thus allows a particularly simple and compact configuration of the sensor device.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the actuation electrode is fastened in the sensor device at least partially along its circumference, preferably at its outer edge, in particular only at its edge, wherein the actuation electrode is in particular a snap disk and particularly preferably has a dome shape or dome shape in the state of no operating force. The actuation electrode can also be fastened in the sensor device along its entire circumference, not only partially, in which case the actuation electrode can in principle be fastened in the sensor device from only one side, for example by welding or gluing or the like, or can be clamped on both sides, for example in a manner similar to an eardrum, like the skin of a drum in a tension ring. For this purpose, the edge or edge portion may preferably extend in a plane which, with respect to the functional installation state in the operator input device, extends in particular parallel to the user interface.
With such an actuation electrode, on the one hand a sufficient distance between two sensor electrodes for a capacitive distance sensor can be achieved in a small installation space, and on the other hand an actuation electrode with a defined operating force/deformation-displacement curve can be provided in a simple manner, which curve allows a sufficient elastic and thus reversible deformation with a small operating force to allow a contact switch to close.
It is particularly preferred that the actuation electrode is configured in this case such that, in the state of no operating force, it already has a curved shape, in particular a convex curve, that is to say curves upwards towards the user interface or downwards away from the user interface.
If the actuation electrode has, in particular, a projection surface which is substantially in the form of a circular disk, a sensor device with a particularly simple configuration and a harmonious operating feel can be provided. That is, when the actuation electrode is projected into a plane, a projection surface is obtained which is substantially in the form of a circular disc, in particular having a substantially circular base region.
In order to transmit the operating force from the user interface to the actuation electrode particularly simply, the sensor device according to the invention is preferably designed such that the actuation electrode can be arranged with its center, in particular its curved tip, directly below the user interface, in particular up to the user interface.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, at least one of the two sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor is also designed as a reference electrode, in particular as a second sensor electrode, and is arranged in a fixed manner in the sensor device and preferably cannot be changed in its shape and/or position by the application of an operating force, that is to say is designed and arranged in particular in the sensor device such that it cannot be changed in position and shape and therefore cannot be moved or deformed on application of an operating force. As a result, a fixed reference electrode for distance measurement can be provided in a particularly simple manner.
The other of the two sensor electrodes, in particular the reference electrode, is preferably also of flat design, wherein the reference electrode, in a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, preferably extends in a flat plane, in particular such that in a functionally mounted state of the sensor device in an operating device with a user interface, which extends parallel to the user interface, in particular in a state without operating force and in a state in which operating force is applied in the actuating direction, operating force can be applied to the user interface in order to actuate the operating device. As a result, a particularly compact sensor device, in particular a sensor device which is flat under the user interface and which is responsive or easy to operate, may be provided.
In one possible configuration of the sensor device, in particular like the actuation electrode, the reference electrode can be a flat structure, that is to say for example a flat electrode, or have a conductive structure applied to and/or incorporated into a flat carrier material, so that the conductive structure extends at least partially over a defined area. For example, instead of a planar electrode, the reference electrode can also have conductive threads which are applied to the carrier material in a meandering pattern or in a fabric-like manner or which are incorporated into the carrier material in a meandering pattern or in a fabric-like manner.
In particular in contrast to the actuation electrode, the reference electrode or the carrier material or the carrier element on which the reference electrode is applied is preferably designed and/or arranged in a rigid manner, for example fastened on a rigid carrier device, for example a carrier plate, for example a printed circuit board or the like in particular.
A particularly advantageous sensor device is obtained when the reference electrode is arranged on the side of the actuation electrode facing away from the user interface in the functionally mounted state of the sensor device in the operator input device.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the reference electrode is preferably at least substantially in the form of a circular ring disk, in particular as a ring disk which is completely closed in the circumferential direction or as a slotted ring disk having a first ring disk edge and a second ring disk edge. In this way, a very compact sensor device can be provided on the one hand and a sensor device allowing accurate capacitive distance measurement on the other hand.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the reference electrode is arranged in particular on a side of the actuation electrode facing away from the user interface and preferably with its center lower than the center of the actuation electrode, in particular concentric with the actuation electrode, on the basis of a functional mounting state of the sensor device in a user input device with a user interface. In this way, a very compact sensor device can be provided on the one hand and a sensor device allowing accurate capacitive distance measurement on the other hand.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the sensor device further has a contact element electrode which forms a further electrical contact element, in particular a second electrical contact element, the contact element electrode preferably also being of flat design and being arranged in particular in one plane with the reference electrode. As a result, a sensor device may be provided which allows an accurate capacitive distance measurement and at the same time shares the use of an actuation electrode as an electrical contact element, and which also has a particularly space-saving and compact arrangement of the individual electrodes.
Alternatively, the contact element electrode can also be designed as an electrically conductive contact element and/or actuation electrode, and can be moved by applying an operating force relative to the first sensor electrode and/or the second sensor electrode and/or its shape and/or position can be changed by applying an operating force, in particular if the first and second sensor electrodes are not arranged opposite one another but are arranged adjacent one another, in particular in one plane, so that a change in the sensor capacitance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode can be brought about.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the contact element electrode is arranged in the central region of the reference electrode, the contact element electrode being designed in particular in the form of a circular disk. This allows a particularly space-saving and compact arrangement of the individual electrodes. The reference electrode can be designed in particular as a closed disk, preferably with only one electrode connection, or as a slotted disk, preferably with one or two electrode connections.
The contact element electrode is preferably arranged on a side of the actuation electrode facing away from the user interface, based on the functional mounting state of the sensor device in the operator input device, in particular if the actuation electrode is a snap disk and/or dome-shaped.
Alternatively, however, the actuation electrode may also be of flat or plate-shaped design, for example, and the contact element electrode may be dome-shaped or dome-shaped.
However, in another alternative possible configuration, the same electrode may also be both the actuation electrode and the contact element electrode (see in particular the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 8).
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the actuation electrode has at least one electrode connection, and in particular is of single-channel design, that is to say comprises only one electrode segment, the reference electrode and/or the contact element electrode preferably being of single-channel or multi-channel design, in particular of dual-channel design having two separate electrode segments, each electrode segment forming a channel with at least one electrode connection, preferably two electrode connections.
If there are two electrode connections on each electrode, they are preferably arranged, in particular in each case at one end of the electrode segment, so that a continuity test can be carried out to detect electrode breaks. The sensor device, in particular the control and evaluation device which the sensor device preferably also has, is preferably also designed and arranged to carry out a respective continuity test of at least one electrode with two electrode connections. As a result, higher safety requirements can be satisfied. In particular, improved diagnostics are possible. Redundant state detection for sensor devices may also use dual channel electrodes.
For example, with a dual-channel reference electrode, the distance can be detected redundantly, whereas with a corresponding dual-channel design and arrangement of the contact element electrodes, the establishment of an electrical contact between the first contact element and the second contact element can be detected redundantly.
In many cases, a reference electrode designed as a slotted ring disk may be particularly advantageous, preferably with a first electrode connection, in particular arranged on or in the region of the edge of the first ring disk, and with a second electrode connection, in particular arranged on or in the region of the edge of the second ring disk.
In a particularly advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, as already mentioned at the outset, the capacitive sensor is in particular a force sensor, the capacitive sensor device particularly preferably also being designed and arranged to detect and evaluate the current sensor capacitance and/or the change in the sensor capacitance and to determine the applied operating force and to generate an operating signal from the detected sensor capacitance. Particularly preferably, the sensor device, in particular the capacitive force sensor, also has a correspondingly designed and provided sensor capacitance detection and evaluation device for this purpose. As a result, a particularly advantageous and in particular particularly versatile sensor device, in particular a sensor device which can achieve a high level of functional reliability, can be provided. For example, force sensors make it possible to distinguish accidental touches characterized by low operating forces from intentional touches that are generally characterized by significantly greater applied operating forces.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the sensor device is designed and arranged to detect whether the contact switch is in an unactuated initial state, that is to say a zero position, or in an actuated state using a capacitive sensor. This allows the contact switch to be "monitored" in a simple manner, in particular without further additional components. In this way, in particular, a sensor device can be provided with which a high level of functional reliability can be achieved.
Preferably, for this purpose, the distance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode can be detected and evaluated, and the state of the contact switch can be detected as an unactuated initial state, i.e. the zero position, which is detected in particular when the distance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode is greater than a defined zero position distance. Thus, the unactuated initial state of the contact switch can be detected particularly reliably.
Thus, alternatively or additionally, the actuation state may be detected by means of a capacitive sensor, the sensor device preferably being designed and arranged to detect this when the distance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode is zero, that is to say when an electrical contact is made and an electrical connection is established between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element. As a result, the actuation state of the contact switch can be detected particularly reliably.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in particular in development, an additional condition for the actuation state may be that the detected operating force must also be greater than a defined operating force threshold value. As a result, the actuation state of the contact switch can be detected particularly reliably. In particular, in this way it is particularly easy to distinguish accidental or erroneously caused contact from desired contact caused by operator input.
In a further advantageous configuration of the sensor device according to the invention, in particular in a development, the sensor device is further designed and arranged to detect and evaluate a capacitive coupling between the actuation electrode and the contact element electrode or between the contact element electrode designed as actuation electrode and the further contact element or to detect and evaluate a change in the capacitive coupling between them when the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element is broken, in particular to redundantly detect and evaluate a change in the capacitive coupling between them with respect to a change in the sensor capacitance and/or the sensor capacitance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode of the capacitive sensor. The distance, or the actuating force applied in the case of a force sensor, can thus be detected particularly precisely and at least temporarily redundantly, in particular without further additional components, but simply by means of the contact element electrodes of the contact switch. Due to the possibility of redundant detection, a sensor device with a particularly high level of functional reliability can be provided.
Further features of the invention are provided by the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. All features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description and also identifiable features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone.
Drawings
The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of a number of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing, in which parts having the same function have been provided with the same reference numerals for a better understanding. In the drawings:
figure 1 shows a perspective view in half section of a first exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention,
figure 2 shows a plan view of components of the sensor device of figure 1,
FIG. 3 shows a partial plan view of the sensor device of FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 2, but with partially transparent actuation electrodes;
figure 4 shows a plan view of the reference electrode and the contact element electrode of the sensor device of figures 1 to 3,
fig. 5 shows a related operating force/deformation-displacement diagram of the actuation electrode of the sensor device of fig. 1 to 3;
figure 6 shows a plan view of a reference electrode and a contact element electrode of a second exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention,
FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a reference electrode and a contact element electrode of a third exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention, an
Fig. 8 shows a half section of a further exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention in a perspective view.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 to 4 show different views of a first embodiment of a sensor device 10 according to the invention, wherein fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a half section of the sensor device 10. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a part of the sensor device 10. Fig. 3 also shows a plan view similar to fig. 2, but with the actuation electrode 11A being partially transparent. Fig. 4 shows a plan view of only the reference electrode 11B and the contact element electrode 12B of the sensor device 10.
The sensor device 10 has a first sensor electrode 11A, a second sensor electrode 11B and a third conductive electrode 12B, wherein the second sensor electrode 11B and the third electrode 12B are applied to a rigid carrier plate 21 in the form of a printed circuit board 21 and are arranged in a common plane.
The first sensor electrode 11A has a flat and flexible or flexible design, particularly advantageously in particular as a snap-action disk 11A made of sheet metal, wherein the snap-action disk 11A together with the second sensor electrode 11B forms a sensor capacitance as part of the capacitive sensor 11, in this case as part of the capacitive force sensor 11. The snap-action disk 11A is designed in particular as an actuation electrode 11A and its shape can be changed, in particular elastically and reversibly deformed, by the application of an operating force F, so that the application of the operating force F can cause a change in the distance d between the snap-action disk 11A and the second sensor electrode 11B.
For this purpose, the snap-action disk 11A is dome-shaped or dome-shaped, in particular with a substantially circular base region, wherein the snap-action disk 11A is slightly curved in the absence of operating forces, as shown in fig. 1, and is fastened only partially at its outer edge 13 in the circumferential direction on the carrier plate 21 by means of the fastening electrode 16 and is electrically connected to an evaluation and detection device (not shown here) of the sensor device 10.
The second sensor electrode 11B of the capacitive force sensor 11 serves as a reference electrode 11B for distance measurement or as a fixed reference electrode 11B and is rigid and fastened on the carrier plate 21, its positioning and its position and shape being unchangeable. The reference electrode 11B is electrically connected to the aforementioned evaluation and detection means (not shown here) of the sensor device 10 via connection lines 17 and 19 (see fig. 2 to 4).
As indicated by the arrow in fig. 1, if an operating force F is applied to the snap-action disk 11A in the actuating direction, the snap-action disk 11A deforms, in particular elastically and reversibly, and in particular its curvature decreases or the dome flattens. This lowers the height of the dome, with the result that the distance d from the reference electrode 11B is immediately reduced. This change in distance can be detected and evaluated capacitively by the already mentioned evaluation and detection device (not shown here) of the sensor device 10.
In this exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention with a force sensor 11 as capacitive sensor 11, the evaluation and detection device is accordingly designed to infer or determine the applied operating force F using a capacitively detected distance d between the snap-action disk 11A and the reference electrode 11B, which is of inflexible and rigid design and arrangement in terms of its positioning, shape and position.
For this purpose, the operating force/deformation/displacement diagram assigned to the snap-action disk 11A, as described by way of example in fig. 5 for example, is stored in an evaluation and detection device, preferably as in this exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention, in particular a sensor capacitance evaluation and detection device.
By means of this figure, the applied operating force F can be clearly assigned to the covered deformation displacement or the resulting change in distance, since the operating force F is applied to the snap disk 11A. That is, with the aid of this diagram, the detected distance d, in particular the detected change in distance, can be used to clearly determine how large the operating force F that has to be applied in order to bring about this distance d or this change in distance.
As can be seen from fig. 5, the distance d decreasing displacement s2 corresponds to the applied operating force F2, and the distance d decreasing displacement s1 corresponds to the applied operating force F1.
In addition to the capacitive force sensor 11, the sensor device 10 according to the invention also has a contact switch 12 with a first electrical contact element 12A and a second electrical contact element 12B which are designed and arranged relative to one another such that, in the state of the sensor device 10 without operating force, as shown in fig. 1, the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element 12A and the second electrical contact element 12B is broken, but the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element 12A and the second electrical contact element 12B can be established by applying an operating force F in the actuation direction which is greater than a defined contact closing force.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact closing force corresponds to the operating force F2, which is achieved in particular when the distance d has decreased by the displacement s2 (see fig. 5).
According to the invention, in this exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention, at least one contact element 12A, 12B (in this case the first contact element 12A) is formed by one of the sensor electrodes 11A, 11B of the capacitive sensor 11, in which case the actuation electrode 11A or the snap-action disk 11A forms the first contact element 12A of the contact switch 12.
In contrast, the second electrical contact element 12B of the contact switch 12 in this sensor device 10 is formed by the third electrode 12B, in particular by a separate contact element electrode 12B.
As can be seen particularly clearly in fig. 3 and 4, the reference electrode 11B of the capacitive force sensor 11 in this sensor device 10 is designed in the form of a ring disk and is arranged with its center Z2 concentric with the center Z1 of the snap-action disk 11A, in particular with its center Z2 directly below the dome of the snap-action disk 11A. In this case, the reference electrode 11B is designed as a slotted ring disk with a first ring disk edge 14 and a second ring disk edge 15, a connection line 17 or 19 being connected to each ring disk edge via a first electrode connection E1 or via a second electrode connection E2, the reference electrode 11B being electrically connected via the connection line 17 or 19, respectively, to the evaluation and detection means already mentioned at the outset.
In this exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention, the contact element electrode 12B of the contact switch 12 is designed in the form of a circular disk, that is to say, in particular, it has no slot, but is also arranged with its center Z3 concentric with the snap-action disk 11A (and thus also with the reference electrode 11B in this example). The contact element electrode 12B is also electrically connected to the evaluation and detection device of the sensor device 10 via a further electrode connection E3 and a connection line 18.
The reference electrode 11B and the contact element electrode 12B are of flat design and are arranged in a common flat plane and are in particular both fastened on the carrier plate 21 such that their position, shape or position does not change when the operating force F is applied.
The configuration of the reference electrode 11B in the form of a circular disk and the configuration of the contact element electrode 12B in the form of a circular disk allow a particularly compact configuration of the sensor device 10 according to the invention, in particular an arrangement of the contact element electrode 12B in a central region without electrode material or in a hollow, that is to say without electrode material, center of the reference electrode 11B.
The sensor device 10 is designed in particular such that, in a functionally mounted state of the sensor device 10 in an operator input device (not shown here) having a user interface, to which an operating force F can be applied for actuating the operator input device, the reference electrode 11B and/or the contact element electrode 12B extend parallel to the user interface, in particular together with the carrier plate 21. That is to say, in particular, the sensor device 10 with its carrier plate 21 and the electrodes 11B and 12B fastened thereon can be arranged parallel to the user interface in the user input device.
The two electrode connections E1 and E2 of the reference electrode 11B, which are located in particular at the outer ends or the ring disk edges 14 and 15 of the reference electrode 11B, allow continuity tests to be carried out on the reference electrode 11B, for example as is known in principle from the prior art, and with which, for example, a break in the reference electrode 11B can be detected.
In this sensor device 10, the contact element electrode 12B has only a single electrode connection E3 and therefore also only one associated connection line 18. In principle, however, as shown by way of example in fig. 6, which shows a plan view of the reference electrode 11B and the contact element electrode 12B of the second exemplary embodiment of the sensor device 10 according to the invention, the contact element electrode 12B can be configured as a double-ended electrode, in each case with two electrode connections E3 and E4, which respectively allow an electrical connection to the evaluation and detection device of the sensor device 10 via the respectively associated connection line 18 or 20, so that in principle continuity testing for the contact element electrode 12B is also possible and in principle an electrode fracture can be diagnosed.
Furthermore, the reference electrode 11B and/or the contact element electrode 12B may alternatively and as shown in the example of reference electrode 11B in FIG. 7 be made up of a plurality of electrode segments 11B-1, 11B-2, rather than just a single electrode segment, as in the first two exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-6, each electrode segment 11B-1 or 11B-2 thus forming a separate (signal or sensor) channel. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the reference electrode 11B is accordingly of a dual channel design, with the first electrode segment 11B-1 forming the first channel and the second electrode segment 11B-2 forming the second channel. In this exemplary embodiment, the two electrode segments 11B-1 and 11B-2 each have only a single electrode connection E1 or E2 and are each electrically connected to the evaluation and detection device by a respective connection line 17 or 19. However, it is also conceivable to design the individual electrode segments separately with two ends, that is to say to provide two electrode connections for each electrode segment, so that continuity tests can also be carried out for the individual electrode segments 11B-1 and 11B-2.
The advantage of dividing the electrode into a plurality of electrode segments 11B-1, 11B-2 is that on the one hand spatially resolved capacitive detection is possible and on the other hand redundant detection of the distance d is possible or, in the case of a division of the contact element electrode 12B into a plurality of segments, redundant detection of whether the contact switch 12 is open or closed is possible.
Fig. 8 shows a perspective view in half section of a further exemplary embodiment of a sensor device 10 'according to the present invention, in which case the electrodes 11B and 12B in this sensor device 10' according to the present invention form a capacitive force sensor 21 and a sensor capacitance between them, wherein the electrode 11B forms, in particular, a first sensor electrode and the electrode 12B forms a second sensor electrode.
By applying the operating force F to the snap-action disk 11A, which in this case also forms the first contact element 12A, a change in the sensor capacitance between the electrode 11B and the electrode 12B can be brought about.
In this example, the snap-action disk 11A is also designed as an electrode 11A, in this case both as an actuation electrode and as a contact element electrode 12A, while the electrode 12B in this case forms a second sensor electrode 12B instead of a contact element electrode.
As in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1, the capacitive coupling or variation thereof between the electrode 11A (i.e. the snap-action disk 11A) and the electrode 12B can be redundantly detected with respect to the sensor capacitance or variation thereof between the two sensor electrodes 11B and 12B as long as the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element is broken.
In addition to the various embodiments and configuration possibilities described, numerous further modifications are possible, in particular of structural nature, without departing from the scope of protection of the patent claims.
List of reference numerals
10. Sensor device according to the invention
11. 21 capacitive force sensor
12. Contact switch
11A first sensor electrode/actuation electrode/snap disk
11B-1 first portion/channel of second sensor/reference electrode
11B-2 first portion/channel of second sensor/reference electrode
11B second sensor/reference electrode
12A first contact element
12B second contact element/contact element electrode
13. Edge of first sensor electrode/actuation electrode/snap disk
14. Edge of the first ring plate
15. Second ring edge
16. Fastening electrode
17. Connecting line
18. Connecting line
19. Connecting line
20. Connecting line
22. Carrier board/circuit board
d distance between first and second sensor electrodes
E1 Electrode connection
E2 Electrode connection
E3 Electrode connection
F operating force
F1, F2 relative applied operating force
s covered actuation displacement for which the defined distance has changed
Values of actuation displacement covered by s1, s2
Z1 center of first sensor electrode/actuation electrode/snap disk
Center of Z2 second sensor electrode/reference electrode
Center of Z3 contact element electrode
Claims (16)
1. A sensor device (10, 10') for an operator input device, having:
-a capacitive sensor (11, 21), and
-a contact switch (12),
the capacitive sensor (11, 21) has a first conductive sensor electrode (11A,
the variation of the sensor capacitance can be caused by applying an operating force (F) to the sensor device (10),
the contact switch (12) has a first electrical contact element (12A) and a second electrical contact element (12B), which are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the electrical connection between the first electrical contact element (12A) and the second electrical contact element (12B) is broken in the absence of an operating force, and
an electrical connection between the first electrical contact element (12A) and the second electrical contact element (12B) can be established by applying an operating force (F) in the actuating direction which is greater than a defined contact closing force,
characterized in that one of the sensor electrodes (11A, 11B, 12B) of the capacitive sensor (11, 21) forms one of the two electrical contact elements (12A, 12B) of the contact switch (12).
2. Sensor device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conductive sensor electrode (11A) and the second conductive sensor electrode (11B) are designed and arranged with respect to each other such that in a state without operating force they are arranged at a defined distance (d) from each other and that by applying an operating force (F) to the sensor device (10) the distance (d) between the first sensor electrode (11A) and the second sensor electrode (11B) can be varied.
3. Sensor device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first sensor electrode (11A) and/or the second sensor electrode (11B) of the capacitive sensor (11) is designed as an actuation electrode and can be moved by applying an operating force (F) relative to the other sensor electrode (11B, 11A) and/or its shape can be changed by applying an operating force (F) such that a change of the distance (d) between the first sensor electrode (11A) and the second sensor electrode (11B) can be caused.
4. Sensor device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuation electrode (11A) of the capacitive sensor (11) forms one of the two electrical contact elements (12A, 12B), in particular the first electrical contact element (12A), of the contact switch (12).
5. Sensor device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the actuation electrode (11A) is of flat design and is designed to be flexible and/or flexible and is accommodated in the sensor device (10) such that the application of an operating force (F) can cause the actuation electrode (11A) to bend or can cause the curvature which is already present in the state without operating force to be changed, such that the distance (d) between the first sensor electrode (11A) and the second sensor electrode (11B) changes and causes a change in the sensor capacitance.
6. Sensor device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the actuation electrode (11A) is fixed in the sensor device (10) at its outer edge (13) at least partially along its circumference, wherein the actuation electrode (11A) is in particular a snap-action disk (11A).
7. Sensor device (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the two sensor electrodes (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) of the capacitive sensor (11) is also designed as a reference electrode, in particular as a second sensor electrode (11B, 12B), and is arranged in the sensor device (10, 10') in a fixed manner and cannot be changed in its shape and/or position by applying an operating force (F).
8. Sensor device (10, 10 ') according to claim 7, characterized in that the reference electrode (11B, 12B) is of flat design and extends in a flat plane, preferably such that in a functionally mounted state of the sensor device (10, 10') in an operator input device with a user interface, which user interface an operating force (F) can be applied to actuate the operator input device, it extends parallel to the user interface.
9. The sensor device (10, 10') according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the reference electrode (11B) is substantially in the form of a circular ring disk, in particular a ring disk which is completely closed in the circumferential direction or a slotted ring disk having a first ring disk edge (14) and a second ring disk edge (15).
10. The sensor device (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the reference electrode (11B) is arranged on the side of the actuation electrode (11A) facing away from the user interface, with its center (Z2) being lower than the center (Z1) of the actuation electrode (11A), in particular concentric with the actuation electrode (11A), on the basis of a functional installation state of the sensor device (10) in an operator input device with a user interface.
11. Sensor device (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (10) further has a contact element electrode (12B, 12A) which forms a further electrical contact element (12B, 12A), in particular a second electrical contact element (12B, 12A), which contact element electrode (12B) is preferably also of planar design and in particular is arranged in one plane with the reference electrode (11B) or as actuation electrode (12A) and can be moved by applying an operating force (F) relative to the first sensor electrode (11B) and the second sensor electrode (12B) and/or its shape can be changed by applying an operating force (F) such that a change of the sensor capacitance between the first sensor electrode (11B) and the second sensor electrode (12B) can be caused.
12. The sensor device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact element electrode (12B) is arranged in a central region (Z2) of the reference electrode (11B), the contact element electrode (12B) being designed in particular in the form of a circular disk.
13. Sensor device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the actuation electrode (11A) has at least one electrode connection (E1, E2) and is of a single-channel design in particular, wherein the reference electrode (11B) and/or the contact element electrode (12B) is of a single-channel or multi-channel design, in particular of a dual-channel design, and has two electrode segments (11B-1, 11B-2).
14. Sensor device (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive sensor (11, 21) is a force sensor, wherein the sensor device (10, 10'), in particular the capacitive sensor (11, 21), is designed and arranged to detect and evaluate a current sensor capacitance and/or a change in the sensor capacitance and to determine the applied operating force (F) from the detected sensor capacitance.
15. Sensor device (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (10, 10') is designed and arranged to detect whether the contact switch (12) is in an unactuated initial state or in an actuated state using the capacitive sensor (11, 21).
16. The sensor device (10, 10 ') according to claim 3 in combination with one of the claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the sensor device (10, 10') is further designed and arranged to detect and evaluate a capacitive coupling between the sensor electrode (11A) designed as actuation electrode and the contact element electrode (12B) or between the contact element electrode (12A) designed as actuation electrode and the further contact element (12B) or to detect and evaluate a change of the capacitive coupling between them, in particular to detect and evaluate a change of the capacitive coupling between them with respect to the sensor capacitance and/or the sensor capacitance between the first sensor electrode (111a, 11b) and the second sensor electrode (111b.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE102020108704.7 | 2020-03-30 | ||
| DE102020108704.7A DE102020108704A1 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2020-03-30 | Sensor device for an operator input device |
| PCT/EP2021/057523 WO2021197951A1 (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2021-03-24 | Sensor device for an operator control input device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN115668772A true CN115668772A (en) | 2023-01-31 |
Family
ID=75302539
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202180037346.7A Pending CN115668772A (en) | 2020-03-30 | 2021-03-24 | Sensor device for operator input device |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4128536A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN115668772A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102020108704A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2021197951A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102021111771A1 (en) | 2021-05-06 | 2022-11-10 | Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh | Diagnosis-capable circuit arrangement, sensor device with a circuit arrangement and method for diagnosing a circuit arrangement and/or sensor device |
| DE102021111734A1 (en) | 2021-05-06 | 2022-11-10 | Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh | Diagnosable circuit arrangement and method for diagnosing a circuit arrangement |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102009032614A1 (en) * | 2009-07-10 | 2011-01-13 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Switching element for manual operation, is provided with support element and two electrodes of capacitive sensor element |
| US8120588B2 (en) | 2009-07-15 | 2012-02-21 | Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab | Sensor assembly and display including a sensor assembly |
| TWM379794U (en) | 2009-11-26 | 2010-05-01 | Sentelic Corp | Touch screen device |
| DE102010026955A1 (en) * | 2010-07-12 | 2012-01-12 | Methode Electronics Malta Ltd. | Contact switch for use in motor car to control lighting, has contact layer pressed against electrode portion such that interconnection between electrode and electrode portion is produced, and control circuit producing control signal |
| EP2469556A1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-27 | Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB | Dome switch with touch detection function |
| US9793071B2 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2017-10-17 | Apple Inc. | Dome switch stack and method for making the same |
| DE202014104641U1 (en) * | 2014-09-29 | 2016-01-07 | Harman Becker Automotive Systems Gmbh | Multi-function switch |
| DE102014019241B4 (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2018-02-08 | Audi Ag | Input device for determining a manual operation |
| DE102017111253B4 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2020-10-01 | Preh Gmbh | Method for capacitive touch and actuation detection |
| KR101978375B1 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2019-05-15 | 주식회사 시노펙스 | Capacitive force sensor switch for variable control |
-
2020
- 2020-03-30 DE DE102020108704.7A patent/DE102020108704A1/en active Pending
-
2021
- 2021-03-24 EP EP21715524.1A patent/EP4128536A1/en active Pending
- 2021-03-24 CN CN202180037346.7A patent/CN115668772A/en active Pending
- 2021-03-24 WO PCT/EP2021/057523 patent/WO2021197951A1/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP4128536A1 (en) | 2023-02-08 |
| WO2021197951A1 (en) | 2021-10-07 |
| DE102020108704A1 (en) | 2021-09-30 |
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