DE102011112806A1 - Operating element for operation of e.g. human machine interface of passenger car during non-driving, has input units for inputting control instructions to device of motor vehicle, and input section broader than gripping section - Google Patents

Abstract

The element i.e. emergency brake (1), has input units e.g. resetting or persisting or electronic push-buttons (A-H) and central buttons (Z), for inputting control instructions to a device of a motor vehicle. A cylindrical gripping section (1.1) is provided for gripping with a hand, and the input units are arranged in a workspace of a finger i.e. thumb, of the hand. An input section (1.2) is broader than the gripping section. The input units, a display and/or an input device are fixed with each other and arranged at a location e.g. instrument panel or center console of the motor vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to an actuating element for actuating a device of a motor vehicle in non-driving operation and to a motor vehicle having such an actuating element.

From the DE 44 33 573 A1 is a manual lever for operating a transmission of a commercial vehicle known, are arranged on the switching elements for controlling various additional functions such as a front or rear spigot, a front or rear hoist or other equipment of the commercial vehicle. Generally, it is also known, for example, in control sticks of fighter jets, on an actuating element, which the driver operates during the driving operation to control the vehicle, to provide further switching elements to operate additional functions during the control while driving.

In addition to such actuators that are actuated during driving, actuators are also present in motor vehicles, which are not intended for operation while driving, but only in non-driving. A prominent such actuator is a handbrake for activating or releasing a parking brake of the motor vehicle.

In addition, in motor vehicles and input means for the input of control commands to on-board computers, entertainment and telecommunications equipment, navigation systems, air conditioning systems and the like are available. These require space in the working area of the driver, which is limited especially for small vehicles.

Object of the present invention is to make better use of the working space of a motor vehicle.

This object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 10, respectively. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is proposed to use the driving surface usually unused surface of an actuator which is provided for operation in non-driving operation and on or during the driving operation is therefore usually no hand of the driver, there to To arrange input means.

However, since the driver anyway accesses the input means for actuating the latter - and as a rule one of the abovementioned actuating elements, which the driver actuates during the driving operation, and on which, therefore, a driver's hand lies during driving, must let go , The input means can also be arranged on the usually unused during driving actuator. In this way, the actuating element and input means are combined in one component and thus better utilized the working space in a motor vehicle.

The actuating element is preferably provided only for actuating a device of the motor vehicle in non-driving operation. This can, but does not exclude, that the device, in particular exceptionally, can also be actuated or actuated during driving operation. This can be illustrated by a handbrake; Usually a parking brake is released only before the start of the journey and activated after the end of the journey, d. H. operated in non-driving mode. There are therefore hand brakes known that are not operable during driving, for example, they are mechanically or control technology locked and / or decoupled from the parking brake. Similarly, it may be necessary in exceptional cases, for example, when starting on the mountain or to control a drift, to operate the handbrake while driving. In this respect, an actuating element, which is provided in the sense of the invention only for actuating a device of the motor vehicle in non-driving operation, in particular an actuating element whose operation is not or only exceptionally provided in normal driving operation. For the purposes of the invention, a driving operation is understood to be, in particular, a state of the motor vehicle in which it moves, in particular at a minimum speed, preferably at least 10 km / h.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element is a handbrake, which is provided for activating and / or releasing a parking brake.

At, in particular in and / or on the actuating element, one or more input means for inputting control commands to further devices of the motor vehicle are arranged. Such a further device may in particular be a human-machine interface ("human-machine interface"). Interface "HMI) act. In a preferred refinement, the further device of the motor vehicle has an on-board computer, a telecommunications device, in particular a hands-free device, a navigation device, in particular a navigation system, an entertainment device, in particular an audio and / or video system, preferably a radio and / or a playback device for stored audio data As a cassette player, a CD or MP3 player or the like, an air conditioning device, in particular an air conditioner, / / an adjusting device such as a window, a sunroof motor or the like, preferably, the further device is one of the aforementioned devices.

As is known, in particular, from known hand brakes, the actuating element can have a gripping region. This is preferably provided for gripping around with one hand and, in a preferred development, for this purpose, at least substantially, is cylindrical. In this case, the cylinder diameter can be so large that a common human hand can embrace this partially or completely.

In a preferred embodiment, the input means is arranged in a working space of a finger, in particular of the thumb, of a hand gripping this grip area. Under a working space according to the invention is understood in the usual way in particular the area that can be reached or actuated with the finger, in particular, without moving the rest of the hand on the handle area.

In this way, the driver can support the hand on the handle portion of the actuating element or orient and thus targeted by finger, in particular thumb movement serve the input means. Advantageously, many drivers are used to this feel, for example, from mobile phones.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuating element has an input area which is wider than the grip area and which adjoins the grip area indirectly or directly, in particular continuously. In this way, the familiar, ergonomically favorable design of the grip area can be combined with an enlarged space for the input means. Within the meaning of the present invention, an input region is wider than the grip region, in particular, if it has a larger maximum dimension in a longitudinal section of the actuating element.

In a preferred embodiment, the input means and a display and / or input device correspond to each other, which is arranged at a remote from the actuator element, in particular an instrument panel or center console of the motor vehicle. In particular, they can correspond to each other logically or spatially. In particular, an arrangement of keys of the input means and an array of displays, functions, controls, menu items or the like of the display or input device may correspond to each other. For example, if a touch screen of an on-board computer that can constitute a display and an input device according to the present invention has four functions in one mode, and the input means has four keys arranged in a cross shape or distributed in the corners of a quadrangle advantageous, even if the functions shown on the touch screen are displayed in a cross shape or distributed in the corners of a square. Conversely, it can be useful in four cross-shaped or distributed in the corners of a quadrilateral illustrated functions of eight equidistantly distributed over a circumference of a circle keys of the input means only the four crosswise opposite to activate or provide for actuation, in particular to detect their operation. In general, therefore, it is preferred to match the arrangement of elements of a display and / or input device, which is arranged on a stand remote from the actuating element, and to coordinate the arrangement of elements of the input device, in particular the same.

In a preferred embodiment, the input means has at least one key. As a key, in the present generalization, in particular any device is referred to, which, in particular by a finger, can be actuated, including rocker, toggle switch and the like. In particular, a key may be designed as a mechanical pushbutton. In the present case, this is understood in particular to mean a device which has a contact surface which moves in an actuation direction of the key under pressure, preferably a minimum pressure which is exerted on it by a finger. In this case, the key after removal of the operating pressure, in particular spring-loaded, reset to the starting position. Likewise, it can also remain in an actuated position until it is brought by renewed operation in the starting position or another actuated position.

Likewise, a key may also be electronic. For this purpose, it can in particular have a contact, pressure, temperature and / or distance sensor which can be triggered by a finger and then emits an electronic signal.

In a preferred development, the input means has a central key and two or more, in particular at least four, preferably at least eight further keys, which are arranged, in particular concentrically, around the central key. The central key is preferably designed to input a confirmation control command, the further keys are preferably provided for inputting quantitative and / or selection control commands.

Further advantageous developments of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. This shows, partially schematized:

1 a handbrake according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

2 a touch screen of an on-board computer.

1 shows in plan view from above an actuating element in the form of a handbrake 1 for actuating, ie for releasing or activating, a parking brake of a motor vehicle (not shown), ie a device whose operation is only normally provided in non-driving operation.

The handbrake 1 is in a known manner to a in 1 Dash-dotted axis indicated pivotable and lockable in a locking and release position by a button that protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the handbrake from this front. In the in 1 shown release position is the handbrake in a recessed grip 2 in a center tunnel between the driver and passenger seats (not shown) recessed in alignment.

The handbrake 1 has a pivot axis, substantially cylindrical handle area 1.1 on, on the other hand, a wider, substantially circular input area 1.2 connects, leaving the handbrake 1 Seen from above has a tennis racket-shaped cross-section.

In the wider input area 1.2 an input means is arranged. This has a central key Z and eight concentric around these distributed keys A-H.

These are the operating areas "RAD" (for "Radio"), "CD" (for "CD player"), "NAV" (for "Navigation System"), "LHT" (for "Light"), "CLS" ( for "central locking"), "TEM" (for "air conditioning"), "TEL" (for "telephone") and "VID" (for "video") the display of an on-board computer 3 of the vehicle in a main menu to select a submenu for or activation of the above functions emulated (see. 2 ).

If the driver (not shown), for example, wants to switch the central locking or call up the submenu for navigation, he takes his hand off the steering wheel and includes the grip area 1.1 the handbrake 1 and presses with its thumb the "CLS" or "NAV" key of the input means. It rests his grip area 1.1 comprehensive hand on the handbrake, so that he can address the individual keys well with his thumb. The congruence of their arrangement and the arrangement on the touch screen of the on-board computer 3 make it easier to operate without having to look away from the road.

In a submenu, the keys A to H can be assigned different selection control commands, for example navigation up (key A), down (key E), left (key C) or right (key G) in a submenu of the onboard computer. The central key Z is adapted to input a confirmation control command, by its operation the driver can confirm the selection.

Although exemplary embodiments have been explained in the foregoing description, it should be understood that a variety of modifications are possible. It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples that are not intended to limit the scope, applications and construction in any way. Rather, the expert is given by the preceding description, a guide for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment, with various changes, in particular with regard to the function and arrangement of the components described, can be made without departing from the scope, as it turns out according to the claims and these equivalent combinations of features. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 Handbrake (actuator) 1.1 grip area 1.2 input Panel 2 grip 3 On-board computer touchscreen (further equipment) AH (further) key (input means) Z (central) key (input means)

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• DE 4433573 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Actuating element ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, wherein the actuating element ( 1 ) is provided for actuating a device of the motor vehicle in non-driving operation, and wherein on the actuating element an input means (A-H, Z) for inputting control commands to a further device of the motor vehicle, in particular a man-machine interface ( 3 ) is arranged. Actuating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element is a handbrake ( 1 ), which is provided for activating and / or releasing a parking brake. Actuating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further device of the motor vehicle has an on-board computer ( 3 ), a telecommunication device, a navigation device, a entertainment device, an air conditioning device and / or an actuating device, in particular. Actuating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a, in particular at least substantially cylindrical, handle region ( 1.1 ), which is provided for gripping around with one hand, and in that the input means (A-H, Z) is arranged in a working space of a finger, in particular a thumb, of a hand embracing the grip area. Actuating element according to claim 4, characterized in that it has an input area ( 1.2 ) which is wider than the grip area ( 1.1 ) and adjoins this. Actuating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input means (A-H, Z) and a display and / or input device ( 3 ) correspond to each other at one of the actuating element ( 1 ) Remote location, in particular an instrument panel or center console, the motor vehicle is arranged. Actuating element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input means comprises at least one key (A-H, Z). Actuating element according to claim 7, characterized in that the input means comprises a central key (Z) and at least two further keys (A-H), which are arranged, in particular concentrically, around the central key (Z). Actuating element according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 8, characterized in that at least one key as a mechanical, in particular restoring or persisting, or electronic pushbutton (A-H, Z) is formed. Motor vehicle, in particular passenger car, with a device whose operation is provided in the non-driving operation of the motor vehicle, a further device, in particular a man-machine interface ( 3 ), and an actuator ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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