DE102008062204A1 - Control element i.e. electromechanical control element, operating method for vehicle, involves simulating detent, switching point and/or end stop of control element on basis of variable oscillation - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves outputting a haptic signal by a control element (2) as a function of a control event. A static operating characteristic (BCstat) of the control element is superimposed for producing the haptic signal with an electromechanically produced dynamic operating characteristic (BCdyn). The dynamic operating characteristic is designed as variable oscillation. A detent, a switching point and/or an end stop of the control element are simulated on the basis of the oscillation. The variable oscillation is produced in a stable rest position of the static operating characteristic. An independent claim is also included for a device for operating a control element in a vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for operating a control element in particular in a vehicle in which a haptic signal means of the operating element as a function of an operating event is issued. The invention further relates to a device for operating a control element in a vehicle, by means of of the operating element as a function of an operating event a haptic signal can be output.

in the State of the art operating elements, in particular controls for vehicle applications, which have different operating haptics exhibit. In this case, for example, in a rotatable operating element a torque to be applied against a torque to be applied changed depending on a rotation angle be used to B. to generate an end stop of the control element. Furthermore, there are solutions in which the end stop by mechanical means, in particular a lock of the operating element, can be generated.

From the publication KJ Kuchenbecker, J. Fiene, G. Niemeyer: "Event-Based Haptics and Acceleration Matching: Portraying and Assessing the Realism of Contact"; in the Eurohaptics Conference, 2005 and Symposium on Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environment and Teleoperator Systems, 2005 ; World Haptics 2005; First Joint Volume, Issue, 18-20 March 2005; Pp. 381-387 a method is known by means of which a human touch, in particular a hard touch, ie an impact on an object and thereby occurring accelerations of the object are detected. The touch and the accelerations that occur are fed to a model in order to determine and reproduce an adequate behavior, in particular a movement and a force resulting from this movement, of the object which has an effect on the human being. The simulated acceleration of the same, corresponding to the real acceleration of the object, is characterized by a damped oscillation, by means of which the real contact with the object is reproduced, for example for a virtual reality application.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a method and an apparatus to indicate the operation of a control element, by means of which opposite the prior art improved operability, in particular a very realistic operating haptic and a high level of operating comfort with low Material, maintenance and cost can be realized.

Regarding of the method according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1 and in terms of the device by the features specified in claim 7 solved.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

at the inventive method for operating a Control element in a vehicle is a haptic signal means of the operating element as a function of an operating event output. According to the invention is a static Operating characteristic of the operating element for generating the haptic signal with an electromechanically generated dynamic Operating characteristic superimposed, the dynamic actuation characteristic as a variable oscillation is formed, based on which a detent, a switching point and / or an end stop of the operating element can be simulated. By means of a such haptic signal, it is advantageously possible to achieve an improved signal effect. Furthermore, none are additional mechanical locks to realize a End stop required, resulting in a low technical effort, Low maintenance and thus low cost leads. By the variability of the vibration is the most diverse Customizable situations and leads to a simple, comfortable and intuitive operation.

According to one Further development of the method according to the invention becomes a static force-displacement characteristic or a static torque-rotation angle characteristic superimposed on the control element with the variable oscillation, wherein the variable vibration is preferably in at least one stable Rest position of the static actuation characteristic generated becomes. This results in the advantage that, for example, already in static characteristics existing notches and / or end strikes be clarified by the dynamic and variable vibration can. The vibration is depending on the training of static actuation characteristic in particular a time-dependent force oscillation or a time-dependent Torque oscillation with which superimposes the static actuation characteristic becomes.

In order to adapt the feel of the operating element, in particular the haptic signal, to a respective operating situation, an amplitude, a frequency and / or a damping of the oscillation are varied in dependence on operating parameters of the operating element and / or the operating event in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention , In particular, a strong damping of the vibration, preferably a damped sine wave, avoids haptic signals that a user may experience as unpleasant vibrations.

When Operating parameters are a rotation angle, an actuating travel, a torque of actuation, an actuation force, an actuation speed, an actuation direction and / or detects a position of the control.

Farther becomes the variable oscillation depending on an operating direction and / or operating speed of the operating element initiated and / or varied to always optimized signal effect to achieve.

at the device according to the invention for operation a control element in a vehicle is by means of the control element depending on a user event a haptic Signal can be output. According to the invention, the operating element so coupled with an electric motor drive that a static actuation characteristic of the control element for generating the haptic signal with one by means of the drive generated electromechanically generated dynamic actuation characteristic can be acted upon, the dynamic actuation characteristic is a variable vibration, on the basis of which a detent, a switching point and / or an end stop of the control element can be simulated.

There the variable oscillation to different applications and / or menu structures is adaptable, the device is particularly suitable for a Application with a control element, for example a turntable, which in the vehicle for navigation and operation of various applications and menu structures is provided. Thus, for example various types of navigation through differently structured menus and differently positioned notches, switching points and / or End stops of the control element can be generated and / or amplified, thereby increasing the ease of use for a Users and a high quality impression can be achieved. Also can a power of the electromotive drive be small, because a user on the basis of the variable vibration a larger Hardness and / or strength of the detent, switching points and / or end stops can be suggested as actually is available.

In a development of the device according to the invention is the electric motor drive between the control element and a position sensor of the operating element, by means of which a position of the control element, for. B. in the form of a rotation angle or a Actuations, are detected, arranged. Especially is advantageous that for carrying out the method by means of the device only a relatively low resolution of the position sensor is required, resulting in a cost savings results.

Between the electric motor drive and the operating element are a force sensor and / or a torque sensor arranged, wherein by means of the force sensor and / or the torque sensor an actuating force and / or a torque of the operation can be detected. This arrangement enables a very accurate in profitable way Control and / or regulation of a force and / or torque curve of the control element, resulting in a high quality of the generated Haptic of the control element results. It can the Force sensor and / or the torque sensor low resolutions have, which in turn cost savings can be achieved.

Further are one or more operator events as trigger conditions the variable oscillation provided, with the operating events are stored in a value table or as a characteristic curve. Consequently is a triggering of the variable vibration in easier and reliable way.

In summary it is by means of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention possible, a real operation with a clear feedback to create. Furthermore, the method and the device are equally suitable both for use with purely mechanical controls as well active, in particular electromechanical controls to haptic Generate signals. In addition, can be reversed conventional controls with the description of the vibration behavior specify.

embodiments The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to drawings explained.

there demonstrate:

1 1 is a schematic block diagram of a device for operating a control element;

2 schematically a static actuation characteristic, a dynamic actuation characteristic and a superposition of both actuation characteristics, and

three schematically another static actuation characteristic, dynamic actuation characteristic and a superposition of both actuation characteristics.

Corresponding parts are in all Figures provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 is a block diagram of a device 1 for controlling a control element 2 illustrated, wherein it is the operating element 2 is an electromechanical control element, which is arranged in particular in a vehicle, not shown, serves as a central control element to operate various functions with different menu structures and contents and is characterized by a static actuation characteristic BC _stat .

The operating element 2 is preferably as a turntable, by means of which several systems and applications in the vehicle, such. As a so-called entertainment system, a suspension system, a vehicle phone, a navigation system and other vehicle systems, is jointly operated. Alternatively, the control element 2 also on a deviating from the rotation and tactile movement, such. B. based on a translational movement.

The operating element 2 As an alternative to use in the vehicle, it is also suitable for other applications, which may be both mobile and immobile applications.

Furthermore, the operating element 2 executed electromechanically, wherein the operating element 2 with an electric motor drive three is coupled.

Between the control element 2 and the electric motor drive three is a torque sensor 4 arranged, by means of which the torque M of the operating element 2 , which of its electromotive drive three is determined is detected.

Further, a position sensor 5 with the electric motor drive three coupled, by means of which a rotation angle Phi of the operating element 2 about a movement of the electric motor drive three is determined.

From the torque M and the rotation angle Phi, the static actuation characteristic BC _{stat is} determined, which represents the torque M as a function of the rotation angle Phi in a torque-rotation angle characteristic.

To a haptic of the control 2 to improve and the operating element 2 to adapt to different situations, operating events, applications and in particular to the different functions and menu structures of the various vehicle systems, the static actuation characteristic BC _{stat is} superimposed with a dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn to simulate one or more detents, shift points and / or end stops or their effect to reinforce. The dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn is a time-dependent torque characteristic, in particular a vibration.

For this purpose, the device comprises 1 continue a logic unit 6 on the basis of which the generation of the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _{dyn is} controlled, wherein the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn in dependence on an actuation direction of the operating element 2 , which is determined in particular from a change in the rotational angle Phi, and in dependence on an operating event and operating parameters of the operating element 2 generates, varies and the electric motor drive three is supplied.

The Operating parameters are the rotation angle Phi, the torque M at the Actuation and the actuation direction, in this Embodiment, the direction of rotation.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible, as an operating parameter by means of a force sensor, not shown, an actuating force and by means of the position sensor 5 an actuating travel of the operating element 2 to be determined, wherein the static actuation characteristic BC _{stat are formed} in this case as a force-displacement curve and the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn as time-dependent force characteristic.

For setting an overall operation characteristic BC _ges resulting from the superposition of the static operation characteristic _BCstat and the dynamic operation characteristic BC _dyn , the static operation characteristic BC _stat and the dynamic operation characteristic BC _{dyn become} a control unit 7 supplied, which is the electric motor drive three so controls that on the control unit 2 a haptic signal adapted to an instantaneous operating situation and an instantaneous operating event is output to the user.

2 shows an embodiment of a static operating characteristic BC _stat as static torque-rotation angle characteristic and a dynamic operating characteristic BC _dyn formed as time-dependent torque characteristic curve. The overall characteristic BC _ges is formed from the superposition of the static actuation characteristic BC _stat with the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn .

The static actuation characteristic BC _stat is characterized by a plurality of detents, which both by mechanical means as by the electric motor drive three can be generated and in the static torque-rotational angle characteristic by stable rest positions POS1 to POS3, ie characterized by zero crossings of the torque M. In this case, a detent, for example, represent a change from a menu item to a subsequent or previous menu item, resulting in a simple operation for the user.

The dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn is formed as a vibration S1, which is a damped sine wave, the damping being in the form of an exponential function. Alternatively, other attenuations, such as linear attenuation are possible, wherein the vibration S1 is preferably strongly damped that no unpleasant for the user vibrations in the control 2 be generated.

At this time, the dynamic operation characteristic BC _{dyn is} generated in stable rest positions POS1 and POS3 of the static operation characteristic BC _stat , that is, the origin of the vibration S1 is set in the stable rest position POS1 and POS3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the superposition of the static actuation characteristic BC _stat with the vibration S1, a hard end stop as a haptic signal in the control 2 generated, so that the user, for example, a start or an end of a list, in particular a first or a last menu item of a menu structure is pointed out. The generation of the hard end stop, by means of which the force to be applied to operate the operating element 2 or whose hardness merely suggests, ie, be feigned, can subsequently also replace a force jump required in certain operating situations, so that only a small force of the electromotive drive three is required and this can be designed accordingly smaller, lower power and thus cost-effective designed.

Due to the generation of the haptic signal, ie the hard end stop, to the user, which he intuitively recognizes due to the human sensory perception as a collision with a solid object, the user reacts intuitively and stops the rotation of the control unit 2 ,

Furthermore, it is possible to have an amplitude, a frequency and / or the damping of the oscillation S1 as a function of the operating parameters of the operating element 2 and / or a respective operating event to vary a variety of haptic signals to generate and output to the user, which can also represent, for example, warnings during operation in addition to the notches, switching points and / or end stops.

As a trigger conditions of the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn several operating _events can be provided, which are stored in one or more value tables and / or curves. The value tables and / or characteristic curves are preferably in the logic unit 6 integrated or coupled with this.

In the illustrated embodiment, a clockwise rotation of a turntable is _stat as static operating characteristic shown BC, wherein said dynamic operating characteristic _dyn BC, that is, the sine wave, BC acts _stat in the same direction as the static operating characteristic.

In non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn also independent of the operating direction of the control element 2 Act.

Furthermore, z. As the switching points and / or notches and intermediate stops for a second switching point of the control element 2 generated or supported in your effect. For this purpose, the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn at fixed positions, such as the stable rest positions POS1 to POS3 or certain events such. B. warnings and or hints during operation at any time, be recorded.

three shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which by the static actuation characteristic BC _stat predetermined detents of the control element 2 are strengthened due to the superposition of the static actuation characteristic BC _stat with the dynamic actuation characteristic BC _dyn and thus made clear to the user.

The dynamic operating characteristic BC _dyn is formed in the illustrated embodiment of the vibration S1 and another vibration S2. The oscillation S2 is likewise a damped sinusoidal oscillation which, however, has smaller amplitudes of the torque M compared to the oscillation S1. The damping of the oscillation S2 has the form of an exponential function.

By means of the oscillation S2, whose origin lies in the stable rest positions POS1 to POS3, the already existing detents of the static actuation characteristic BC _{stat can be} amplified, so that for the user due to the output Haptic signal the latches are clarified and thus a simple, understandable and comfortable operation is possible. In this case, the oscillation S2 is preferably generated in each of the stable rest positions POS1 to POS3, in order to amplify all existing detents.

Based on the vibration S1 are in accordance with 2 In addition, the hard end stops of the control 2 realized, but not in each of the stable rest positions POS1 to POS3, but depending on the situation in selected rest positions POS1 and POS3 are generated or simulated.

1

contraption

2

operating element

3

drive

4

torque sensor

5

position sensor

6

logic unit

7

control unit

BC _dyn

dynamic operating characteristic

^BC ges

Total operating characteristic

BC _stat

static operating characteristic

M

torque

POS1

rest position

POS2

rest position

POS3

rest position

S1

vibration

S2

vibration

t

Time

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 non-patent literature

• KJ Kuchenbecker, J. Fiene, G. Niemeyer: "Event-Based Haptics and Acceleration Matching: Portraying and Assessing the Realism of Contact"; in Eurohaptics Conference, 2005 and Symposium on Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environment and Teleoperator Systems, 2005 [0003]
• - World Haptics 2005; First Joint Volume, Issue, 18-20 March 2005; Pp. 381-387 [0003]

Claims (13)

Method for operating a control element ( 2 ) in a vehicle in which a haptic signal by means of the operating element ( 2 ) in response to an operating _event , characterized in that a static actuation characteristic (BC _stat ) of the operating element ( 2 ) is superimposed to generate the haptic signal with an electromechanically generated dynamic actuation characteristic (BC _dyn ), wherein the dynamic actuation characteristic (BC _dyn ) as a variable vibration (S1, S2) is formed, based on which a detent, a switching point and / or an end stop of the operating element ( 2 ) are simulated. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a static force-displacement characteristic or a static torque-rotational angle characteristic of the operating element ( 2 ) is superposed with the variable vibration (S1, S2). A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the variable oscillation (S1, S2) in at least one stable rest position (POS1 to POS3) of the static actuation characteristic (BC _stat ) is generated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an amplitude, a frequency and / or an attenuation of the oscillation (S1, S2) in dependence on operating parameters of the operating element ( 2 ) and / or the operating event. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that a rotation angle (Phi), an actuation path, a torque (M) of the actuation, an actuation force, an actuation speed, an actuation direction and / or a position of the operating element ( 2 ). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the variable oscillation (S1, S2) in dependence of an actuating direction and / or operating speed of the operating element ( 2 ) and / or varied. Contraption ( 1 ) for operating a control element ( 2 ) in particular in a vehicle, wherein by means of the operating element ( 2 ) in dependence on an operating event, a haptic signal can be output, characterized in that the operating element ( 2 ) so with an electric motor drive ( three ) that a static actuation characteristic (BC _stat ) of the operating element ( 2 ) for generating the haptic signal by means of the drive ( three ) is acted upon electromechanically generated dynamic actuation characteristic (BC _dyn ), wherein the dynamic actuation characteristic (BC _dyn ) is a variable oscillation (S1, S2), by means of which a detent, a switching point and / or an end stop of the operating element ( 2 ) are simulated. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the electromotive drive ( three ) between the control element ( 2 ) and a position sensor ( 5 ) of the operating element ( 2 ) is arranged, wherein by means of the position sensor ( 5 ) a rotation angle (Phi), an actuating path and / or a position of the operating element ( 2 ) are detectable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that between the electric motor drive ( three ) and the operating element ( 2 ) a force sensor and / or a torque sensor ( 4 ), wherein by means of the force sensor and / or the torque sensor ( 4 ) An actuating force and / or torque (M) of the operation can be detected. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that one or more operating events as triggering conditions of the variable vibration (S1, S2) are provided, wherein the operating events are stored in a table of values or as a characteristic. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the oscillation (S1, S2) is a damped sinusoidal oscillation. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the oscillation (S1, S2) is a time-dependent force oscillation or a time-dependent torque oscillation. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the operating element ( 2 ) is a turntable.