DE102007058110A1 - Switch i.e. manually actuatable switch, for motor vehicle, has trigger for deflecting switching surface upon actuation of switching element, and springy arm for producing resetting force after deflection to bring surface to initial position - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch has a switching surface (12) fastened to opposite sides (13) over a plate-shaped springy arm (14) located at a fixed carrier (10). A switching element i.e. piezoelectric switching element, is actuated over the switching surface. An oscillation trigger (15) deflects the switching surface upon actuation of the switching element. The springy arm produces a resetting force after deflection in order to bring back the switching surface to an initial position. The trigger has an iron yoke (16) wrapped with a coil (17) and includes a counterpiece (19) made of magnetic material.

Description

The The present invention relates to a switch, in particular manually actuatable switch for integration in a motor vehicle and in particular manually operable switch with a very small switching path, as in the case of piezoelectric, for example Switches occurs. The term switch also includes pushbuttons or similar.

at Such switches is due to the very low switching path for the operator often has no haptic feedback, d. H. The operator does not necessarily realize he has the switch at all or sufficient to trigger the switching function Has. For this reason, the prior art often become actuators used, which can also be referred to as so-called haptomaten. These actuators connect a button of the switch with a stationary carrier and usually form the only one Connection between button and carrier.

at Such a structure is the internal stability of the actuator responsible for the stability and position the button. In particular, if the button adjacent to other components, is an exact positioning in terms the gap dimensions and over- or shelter required. In addition, this exact positioning should also remain stable in the installed state in all three dimensions, without that a tilting of the button occurs. An inaccurate Positioning or tilting presents especially in the automotive sector is an inferior quality and can be about it also lead to impairment of the switching process.

By the connection of the button via the actuator on the carrier is such an exact positioning and also a stability in all three dimensions with only an actuator usually not feasible. To the stability Therefore, more than one among the Button uses distributed actuators, however an additional effect on the natural frequency of the system (see later) has.

Further be the actuators as standard elements with a given Natural frequency, z. From the company Immersion Corporation, USA. In addition, certain of the car manufacturers optimized natural frequencies demanded on the button. The buttons, however, are usually at least partially designed based on design considerations, so that their shape and weight are given. As well as at the same time the natural frequency of the actuators available in the market are given, but the entire natural frequency is off Button and the actuator results, it is almost in practice impossible a natural frequency given by the manufacturers the buttons that are at z. B. is about 120 Hz, to achieve.

The The object of the present invention is therefore based on an input educate mentioned switch such that independent one of the number of actuators used as possible accurate positioning of the button as well as a sufficient three-dimensional stability can be achieved. Simultaneously the natural frequency of the button in the simplest way is adaptable to the required frequency range.

These The object is achieved by a switch with the features of the claim 1 solved. Advantageous developments of the invention are called in the dependent claims.

Of the The present invention is based on the idea of the button not via the actuator or vibration trigger to connect with the carrier, but independently from the actuator via resilient legs, the after the deflection of the button a springback bring into the starting position.

Accordingly For example, the switch of the present invention includes a fixed one Carrier, which is to be understood by stationary that the Carrier for generating haptic feedback is not moved, but remains stationary. Furthermore, the Switch a button on opposite sides over each connected at least one resilient leg to the carrier is. With opposite sides are for example quadrangular Button each opposite each other Pages or opposite pages, whereas, for example with a round button, the two semicircles or semi-ellipses etc. which form two opposite sides. About that In addition, a switching element is provided in the switch, via the button is actuated. In other words is done by applying a force to the button, the switching element actuated and triggered the switching process. Finally, the switch of the present invention comprises a vibration actuator or actuator, the on an actuation of the switching element, for example, electrically controlled, the button deflects. Once deflected, the button springs over the resilient legs, which generate a restoring force, automatically back to the starting position, which is a is essentially free vibration while the the Button with a certain natural frequency, z. 120 Hz goes off.

advantageously, is provided on each of the opposite side only one leg. In this case, the leg is for stability reasons plate-shaped and has a width that at least half of the corresponding page of the button, with which the leg is in communication corresponds. At a Button with essentially quadrangular shape means this that the leg has a width which is at least half the length of the page to which it is connected. This causes a twist of the button around an axis in the plane of the button and a rotation the button around to the button in essence vertical axis is prevented.

at In this embodiment it is further preferred and in particular to prevent tilting, that the thighs each centered with the corresponding page of the button stand.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment is comprising the vibration trigger to a solenoid an iron yoke (electromagnet) wrapped with a coil and a Counterpart of magnetic material. The choice of such Vibration trigger, as used for example by the company Immersion Corporation, USA is available in particular due to the simple construction, the low weight, the high applicability Strength etc. justified. On the other hand, however, for example Unbalance motors, exciters and other actuators to produce a Haptic feedback conceivable.

According to one preferred embodiment is the iron yoke on the carrier attached and the counterpart on a carrier facing Side of the button. This leads to the solenoid is actuated upon actuation of the switching element, so that the electromagnet generates a magnetic force by means of the Counterpart is attracted. Immediately after dressing the supply to the coil is interrupted with power (solenoid switched off). Is the counterpart connected to the button, so the button becomes along with this process attracted to the counterpart and thus triggered the vibration. By interrupting the power supply of the coil immediately after putting on, the button may over the resilient legs with the given natural frequency in the Swing out starting position.

When Of course, it is also an alternative embodiment possible to provide the counterpart such that it acts on at least one of the thighs. Ie. when driving the coil is attracted to the counterpart and transmits this movement on one, or preferably both thighs, the then by linking with the button these deflect. Thereafter, the same spring back, as described above has been.

Especially Such systems come with switching elements with a very small switching path before, where the operator due to the low switching path no haptic feedback learns. Accordingly it is in the switching element of the present invention in particular a piezoelectric switching element.

About that In addition, it is particularly preferred the button only over to tie the legs to the support so as to be free Allowing the button to swing, taking the restoring force exclusively through the legs is made available.

at Such switches, it is quite possible that several switches be integrated in one component. Since it is unlikely a user simultaneously operates two switches, can in such a module several switching elements through The same actuator can be set in vibration, so the haptic Feedback for the respective switch to form. Accordingly, the switch of the present invention is preferably with a button made up of several sub-buttons is constructed, each associated with a switching element, so that about the individual sub-buttons through Applying a force the respective switching element operable and the associated switching operation is triggered. The actuator will be independent of the actuated Switching element activated and the haptic feedback takes place for all sub-buttons at the same time. However, as a rule, only a partial button touches will be, the vibration of the other sub-buttons will not perceived.

On the one hand, the present invention provides a switch in which the button can be positioned very accurately and, moreover, this exact positioning can also be stably maintained in the installed state. In addition, by simply adjusting the shape and dimensioning of the legs easily the natural frequency is adjustable, with which the button vibrates. In this regard, it should be noted that the natural frequency is given by the total mass moved relative to the restoring force (generated by the legs). Depending on how the actuator or the counterpart are connected, ie directly or indirectly with the legs or with the button itself, the moving mass is given. However, the restoring force can be adjusted accordingly by the shaping and dimensioning of the legs. Therefore, essentially independent of the egg gen frequency of the actuators and regardless of the number of actuators used, a predetermined natural frequency can be set.

Further Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings shows:

1 a cross-sectional view of a switch according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

2 a comparable cross-sectional view of a switch according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

3 a comparable cross-sectional view of a switch according to the invention according to a third embodiment;

4 a plan view of a switch according to the invention, in which the button has been omitted, to show an arrangement of the actuators;

5 a plan view of a switch according to the invention, in which the button has been omitted, to show an alterntive arrangement of the actuators;

6 a plan view of a switch according to the invention, in which the button has been omitted to show a further alternative arrangement of the actuators.

The in 1 illustrated switch comprises a stationary support 10 and an operation section 11 , The operating section 11 points to his the carrier 10 opposite side 10 a button 12 on. On opposite sides 13 of the actuating element 11 or the button 12 are integral with the actuator 11 one leg each 14 formed, which are plate-shaped in the illustrated embodiment and whose width, in which it is the dimension perpendicular to the sheet plane in 1 trades along much (more than 50%) of the page 13 of the switching element 12 equivalent. The piezoelectric switching element not shown in the figures can be arranged at any point at which the on the actuating surface 12 applied force to the piezoelectric switching element is transferable, so that an electrical signal is output by a deformation of the piezoelectric switching element, which triggers the corresponding switching function.

In addition, the switch indicates 1 an actuator 15 in the form of a solenoid. This is made up of an iron yoke 16 Together, that of a coil 17 is wrapped. This iron yoke 16 with the coil 17 (Electromagnet) is about fasteners 18 on the carrier 10 attached. Furthermore, the actuator includes 15 a counterpart of magnetic material (ferritic iron). This counterpart 19 is in the embodiment in 1 on a circuit board 20 attached, which in turn on both sides of the thighs 14 is present or connected to these. This attachment of the counterpart 19 on the board 20 takes place equally via fasteners 18 , In these, as well as the aforementioned fasteners 18 , it can be z. B. to the following material-dependent fastening techniques:
Screws, rivets, clamps, snapping, pressing, gluing etc. The iron yoke 16 and the counterpart 19 are in the illustrated embodiment L-shaped, with the long legs of the "L" and the short legs of the "L" each opposite and in the, in 1 shown, starting position one gap 21 between the front of the long thigh and one side of the short thigh 16 the respective L-shaped elements 16 and 19 is present.

As it is from the 4 - 6 can be seen, in such a switch two actuators 15 be arranged side by side, ie parallel to each other (see 3 and 4 ), where are the actuators 15 can differ in size and z. B. instead of just one coil per actuator 15 (please refer 4 ) also two coils 17 per actuator 15 can be provided (see 5 ). In addition, more than two actuators z. Four (see 6 ) be provided. These are, for example, grouped so that they are arranged at four corners of a rectangle.

In addition, it is preferred on the board 20 one or more lamps, preferably LEDs 23 provide that serve a symbolism in the actuator 11 on the side of the button 12 it can be seen to backlight, this can be done in the form of a search lighting and / or a functional lighting.

In this regard, the German patent applications DE 10 2004 009 208 A and DE 102 60 831 A directed.

The Function of the switch according to the invention and in particular haptic feedback is explained below.

Is an operating force on the button by an operator 12 exercised essentially in 1 is done from top to bottom deforms the piezoelectric switching element, not shown, and generates an electrical pulse. On the one hand, this electrical pulse triggers the switching process and, on the other hand, causes the coil 17 or the coils 17 be powered, so that over the combination iron yoke 16 and coil 17 a magnetic force is generated. This magnetic force causes the counterpart 19 is attracted, ie, the gap 21 between the elements 16 and 19 closes. The excitation of the coil 17 is only temporary and becomes immediately after the contraction of the elements 16 and 19 is done is released again.

By doing that, the board 20 on both thighs 14 is attached or connected to them, the movement of the counterpart 19 along the arrow A in 1 also on the thighs 14 Transfer, so that the button 12 or the actuating element 11 in the same direction A is moved to the right, that is deflected. After the elimination of the magnetic force, the legs cause 14 a provision of the actuating element 11 or the button 12 in the starting position. Ie. after deflection, the system springs back into the starting position.

This is a substantially free vibration. This is done with a given natural frequency, by shaping and dimensioning of the legs 14 to a desired level, preferably about 120 Hz, is adjustable. By swinging the buttons 12 the operator receives a haptic feedback that the switching process has been triggered.

As it is from the 4 - 6 is apparent, is the button 12 Stable in three dimensions X, Y, Z and accurately positioned, regardless of how many actuators are used. For example, this stability would also be ensured if only one actuator were provided.

In addition, the natural frequency can be with the actuator 11 or the button 12 independent of the given frequency by the actuator swings through pure design of the legs 14 in terms of shape and dimension accomplish.

The switch according to the second embodiment in 2 is different from the one in 1 shown switch only by the configuration of the actuator 15 , However, the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals and the same elements will be omitted to a new description.

The actuator 150 differs in that the iron yoke 16 and the counterpart 19 tilted backwards, that is lying horizontally instead of previously arranged standing. The horizontal arrangement allows a flatter component. Otherwise, the embodiment of the second embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment and a further description of the embodiment as the function is omitted to avoid repetition.

Referring to 3 a switch of the present invention according to a third embodiment is shown. Again, the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals and a detailed description of the same elements is omitted.

The actuator 15 or vibration trigger 15 has substantially the same configuration as the actuator 15 the first embodiment in 1 on. However, in the illustrated embodiment, in FIG 3 the carrier 10 formed in the form of a board on which also in the 4 - 6 represented LEDs 23 and actuators are arranged. In other words, the combination is iron yoke 16 and coil 17 on the board 20 attached, including the fasteners 18 be used.

The counterpart 19 however, it is at the carrier 10 facing side of the actuating element 11 ie the button 12 opposite side of the actuator 11 attached and attached, whereby here the same fasteners can be used, as for the combination of iron yoke 16 and coil 17 , Also in this embodiment, the operation is the same as in the previous embodiments, so that a further description is omitted.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are not a final illustration of the possibilities to implement the present invention. Rather, it is also conceivable other actuators 15 to use as imbalance motors, etc., or a different shape of the actuator 11 and especially the thigh 14 , These can be designed to adapt the natural frequency of the oscillating system by appropriate weakening in the material, other shaping and / or dimensioning such that the natural frequency to be achieved is achieved.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102004009208 A [0031]
• DE 10260831A [0031]

Claims (10)

Switch comprising: a fixed support ( 10 ); a button ( 12 ) on opposite sides ( 13 ) via at least one resilient leg ( 14 ) on the carrier ( 10 ) is connected; a switching element that is activated via the button ( 12 ) is operable; and a vibration trigger ( 15 ), which upon actuation of the switching element, the button ( 12 ) deflects, wherein the resilient legs ( 14 ) after the deflection generate a restoring force to the button ( 12 ) to bring back to the starting position. Switch according to Claim 1, in which only one leg ( 14 ), which is plate-shaped and with a width which is at least half of the corresponding side of the button ( 12 ) with the thigh ( 14 ), corresponds, is configured. Switch according to Claim 2, in which the leg ( 14 ) in each case in the middle with the corresponding side of the button ( 12 ). Switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibration trigger ( 15 ) a solenoid comprising a coil with a ( 17 ) wrapped iron yoke ( 16 ) and a counterpart ( 19 ) of magnetic material. Switch according to claim 4, in which the iron yoke ( 16 ) on the carrier ( 10 ) and the counterpart ( 19 ) on a side of the button facing the wearer ( 12 ) is attached. Switch according to claim 4, in which the iron yoke ( 16 ) on the carrier ( 10 ) and the counterpart ( 19 ) on at least one of the legs ( 14 ) button ( 12 ) acts. Switch according to Claim 6, in which the counterpart ( 19 ) on both legs ( 14 ) button ( 12 ) acts. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching element is a piezoelectric switching element. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the button ( 12 ) only over the thighs ( 14 ) on the carrier ( 10 ) is attached. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, in which the button ( 12 ) is composed of a plurality of sub-buttons, each associated with a switching element.