DE102014201523B4 - Operating unit, in particular for a vehicle component - Google Patents

Abstract

Operating unit in particular for a vehicle component such. An air conditioning unit, having - an operating element (12) which has a translationally movable key body (14), - a guide element (18) on which the key body (14) is guided, and - a carrier element (44) which, associated with the key body (14), at least one backlight source (42) and at least one functional feedback light source (46) and at least one switch (54) operable by the key body (14), the key body (14) facing the support member (44) , closed bottom wall (24), a front wall (22) opposite the bottom wall (24), provided with a backlightable icon (28) from the at least one backlighting source (42), and a function backlighting surface (32), and the bottom wall (24 ) having in the front wall (22) connecting side walls (25), - wherein in the key body (14) has a light guide (34) in the region of the bottom wall (24) one of the Funktionsrückm a light exit end (64) for function return light of the function return light source (46) and a light exit end (66) for the exit of function return light for the Funktionsrückmeldeleuchtfläche (32) of the front wall (22) of the key body (14), and a Lichtabschottelement (36 ) for the purpose of shielding the optical waveguide (34) against backlighting of the at least one backlighting light source (42) radiating into the key body (14), and wherein the bottom wall (24) and the light guide (34) are arranged in the Key body (14) inserted, one-piece component is formed from a permeable to the backlighting light and the function feedback light conductive plastic material.

Description

The invention relates to an operating unit and in particular an operating unit for a vehicle component, which is, for example, an air conditioner or the control unit of an air conditioning system.

Button-shaped control units for electrical or electronic devices are known in various configurations. As a rule, such an operating element has a key body which is guided in a translatory manner, namely typically by depression with the finger of a hand, movably on a guide element. The guide element can be, for example, an integral part of a front panel or front of a control unit housing.

Control panel controls have icon panels that symbolize each function that can be selected or set using the controls. As a rule, these symbol fields are backlit for the purpose of better findability, for which purpose backlighting light sources assigned to the respective key bodies are arranged on, for example, a carrier element. In addition, it is sometimes desirable for controls to visually display the fact that a selectable function upon actuation of the operating element is activated. For this purpose, the operating elements are assigned to function feedback light sources. Finally, a switch is operated via a key-shaped operating element by depressing the key body, which is also arranged on the carrier element.

The key body of a control element is usually formed as a plastic injection molded part, which is advantageous in terms of material and production costs. It is particularly advantageous if the front wall of the key body, which has the symbolism and a Funktionsrückmeldeleuchtfläche, and the side walls of the carrier body are formed as a one-piece plastic injection molded part. The symbol field or the symbolism of the front wall must be backlit, ie consist of a translucent material, while the side walls should consist of lichtabschottendem material. Here are two-component plastic injection molded parts, the front wall made of transparent, optically diffuse, white-colored plastic material and the side walls made of black plastic material. The front wall is provided on its outside with a black-colored coating, the contour of the symbol is exposed, the symbol is thus formed by the transparent plastic material of the front wall.

Such key body manufacturing technology are due to open at its front wall opposite bottom. However, if such a key body or to the operating unit, in which such a key body is used, increased tightness requirements are made, the key body must be provided at their floors with closed bottom walls. This, however, complicates the irradiation of backlight and functional feedback light. The latter is usually transported by the support member to the front wall of the key body by means of a light guide.

Out DE 20 2005 003 663 U1 a control unit with a key body is known, which is formed of a key and a reflector and which is guided in a housing. On a printed circuit board two light sources are arranged, one of which serves to backlight a symbol of the front wall of the button and the other for illuminating a Rückfeeldeflächenbereichs the front wall of the button for reporting the switching state of a button operated switch. An optical fiber directs the light of the feedback light source to the light exit or feedback area of the front wall of the key. A reflector wall of the reflector forms within the key body a Lichtabschottelement between the light guide and the symbol backlight.

In DE 37 13 528 A1 For example, an operating element with a key body is described, which has a bottom wall with integral connection to a light guide. The light guide directs light to a translucent icon on the top of an opaque cap of the button and at the same time forms the bottom wall of the button body.

The object of the invention is an operating unit in particular for a vehicle component such. As an air conditioning, wherein the control unit has at least one key body with backlight and Funktionsrückmeldelichtfunktionen and has a simplified construction, which has an improved design freedom with respect to the interface of the key body to the support element with its light sources and switches and switch pressure points.

To solve this problem, an operating unit in particular for a vehicle component such. B. an air conditioner, wherein the control unit is provided with the features of claim 1. Individual embodiments of the invention are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The operating unit according to the invention is provided with at least one operating element which has a translationally movable and guided by a guide member key body. This key body is provided with a front wall having at least one back-lightable symbol and at least one outside function of the surface occupied by the symbol arranged Funktionsrückmeldeleuchtfläche. Opposite the front wall is a bottom wall of the key body which is closed. Front and bottom wall are connected to circumferentially arranged side walls.

The operating unit according to the invention further comprises a carrier element, which is arranged opposite the bottom wall of the key body. The support member carries at least one backlighting light source for backlighting the icon of the front wall of the key body and at least one functional feedback light source for illuminating the functional backlighting area of the front panel and a switch on which the key body acts upon manual operation thereof. Because of the closed bottom wall, therefore, the entire outboard bottom surface of the key body is available to define the one or more mechanical contact points of the key body with one or more (generally two) switches.

Within the key body of the control unit according to the invention is a light guide having a light entrance and a light exit end. The light entry end is located in the region of the bottom wall, wherein it is expediently aligned with the outside of the bottom wall or can also project slightly beyond this outside. The light guide now projects from the bottom wall, in the direction of the front wall of the key body, where its light exit end forms either the Funktionsrückmeldeleuchtfläche or light in the direction of the Funktionsrückmeldeleuchtfläche for the purpose of illuminating the same exits. In the latter case, this light can be forwarded, for example, by an optical waveguide element, which in turn forms the functional back-light surface. Further, in the key body is still a Lichtabschottelement, namely the area within the key body in which the light guide is opposite to the remaining inner region of the key body, in which the backlighting illuminates the backlighting of the symbol, foreclose.

According to the invention the bottom wall and the light guide are formed as a one-piece component, in particular as one-piece one-component plastic injection molded component, this component is inserted into the bottom end of the key body and thus sealingly seals it. The plastic material of this component is transparent to light. This ensures that the light of the backlighting light source can pass through the bottom wall and continue to propagate within the key body to the symbol of the front wall. The position at which the backlighting light penetrates the bottom wall is freely selectable within wide ranges. In particular, it is thus possible to choose the backlighting light source within the degrees of freedom given given the positioning of the mechanical contact points of the bottom of the key body with the switch (s). However, care should be taken that the backlighting light does not penetrate the bottom wall too close to the lightguide due to a possible coupling of backlighting light into the lightguide, and vice versa, a possible coupling of functional return light into the bottom area of the button body to be penetrated by the backlighting light. The function feedback light source is disposed opposite to the light entrance end of the light guide. A possible decoupling of light of this function feedback light source from the light guide into the bottom wall is basically not disturbing, since this light mostly remains in the bottom wall due to internal total reflections.

The advantage of the one-piece plastic component according to the invention for the bottom wall and the light guide is in particular that the key body can be completely closed at its bottom, with sufficiently large position design freedoms for the light sources and switches to be arranged outside the key body, without the proper illumination the key body should have an enlarged bottom surface for the creation of the mechanical contact points to the switch (s), which as a rule would have to be realized by flange-like, laterally projecting projections which, because of the associated Undercuts would require an increased injection mold technical effort.

As mentioned above, key body of the type in question are usually formed as two-component plastic injection molded parts. The side walls and the front wall and the side walls, the front wall and the Lichtabschottelement the key body are thus suitably designed as a two-component plastic injection molded part.

Thus, the coupling of stray light of the light sources is further reduced in the bottom wall, it is advantageous if the carrier element and the at least one backlighting light source and the at least one Function feedback light source rise around compressible and / or flexible and / or elastic light guide shafts, which extend to the abutment on the support element facing the outside of the bottom wall of the key body. The light guide shafts extend expediently cylindrical above the light sources or conically tapering towards the bottom wall. The light guide shafts lie against the bottom wall. When the key body is depressed by manual operation, the light guide shafts deform elastically without interfering with the propagation of the light within the guide shafts. The light guide shafts are expediently designed as part of plastic safety mats, whose use for the realization of so-called keytop switches in control units is basically known. Such safety mats are on as support elements for electrical, electronic and electro-optical components serving boards.

Furthermore, it is for the optical decoupling of the bottom wall between the two areas in which on the one hand backlight and on the other hand function feedback light is irradiated, advantageous if the Lichtabschottelement of the carrier body dips into the bottom wall and thus assumes a Lichtabschottfunktion in this area of the bottom wall. In this regard, it is thus expedient if the bottom wall has on its front wall of the key body facing inside a receiving recess for receiving the front wall of the key body facing away from the end of the Abschottelements. The propagation of light by internal total reflection is thus further restricted in the area of the receiving depression of the bottom wall.

As mentioned above, the invention provides that the bottom wall is formed integrally with the light guide. If no further constructive measures are taken, the light exit end of the light guide is inserted into an opening in the front wall of the key body in this variant of the invention. The light exit end of the light guide so that forms the function back light area. In this construction, therefore, increased demands are made to maintain close tolerances so that the light exit end of the light guide is aligned with the front of the front wall. In this regard, larger manufacturing tolerances, however, allows a design approach in which the light guide between the bottom wall and the front wall of the key body is no longer made in one piece but in two parts. In that regard, it is expedient if the light guide has two separate light guide elements, of which a first light guide element integrally formed with the bottom wall and a second light guide element is connected to the front wall, wherein both light guide elements each have a Lichteintritts- and a light exit end and wherein the Funktionsrückmeldelicht the at least one functional feedback light source enters the light incident end of the first light guide element and emerges from the light exit end thereof and enters the light entrance end of the second light guide element whose light exit end forms the functional backlighting surface on the front wall of the key body. As a result of these measures, the second optical waveguide element can now be accurately connected to the front wall of the key body, so that the light exit end of this second optical waveguide element is exactly aligned with the front wall of the front wall or reproducibly occupies another previously defined position with respect to the front wall. Any tolerances can then be compensated by the provision of a distance between the light exit end of the first light guide element and the light entry end of the second light guide element. In addition, the two-part design of the light guide offers the advantage that the function return light has a different color from the backlight light of the symbol. This is realized, for example, in that the second light guide element is different in color than the first light guide element whose color, because of the one-piece design with the bottom wall, is equal to the color of the bottom wall.

• – Der bzw. die Druckpunkte an der Schnittstelle des Tastenkörpers zu dem oder den Schaltern ist/sind in weiten Bereichen frei wählbar.
• – Für den bzw. die Druckpunkte muss der Tastenkörper keine zusätzliche Hinterschnitte erfordernden Auflageflächen aufweisen.
• – Der Bauraum des Tastenkörpers für dessen Ausleuchtung verkleinert sich durch den Druckpunkt bzw. die Druckpunkte nicht.
• – Es können zusätzliche optische Elemente wie beispielsweise der Lichtleiter für die Funktionsrückmeldung, eingebracht werden, und zwar ohne nennenswerten ”Mehraufwand”.

It is particularly expedient if the side walls, the front wall and the second light guide element of the key body as well as additionally also its Lichtabschottelement are formed as one-piece multi-component plastic injection molded component. For then the positioning of the second light guide element relative to the front wall of the key body is given by the injection mold and thus due to production and not due to installation. The advantages of the inventively proposed key body for the operating element of the operating unit can be summarized as follows:

• - The one or more pressure points at the interface of the key body to the one or more switches / are freely selectable in many areas.
• - For the pressure points or the key body must have no additional undercuts requiring support surfaces.
• - The space of the key body for its illumination does not decrease by the pressure point or the pressure points.
• - It can be additional optical elements such as the light guide for the function feedback, introduced, and without significant "overhead".

The invention will be described below with reference to three embodiments and with reference to the drawing explained in more detail. In detail, they show:

1 a longitudinal section through an operating element according to a first embodiment of the invention,

2 a bottom view of the key body of the operating element according to 1 .

3 a plan view of the front wall of the key body of the operating element according to 1 .

4 a section through a key body of an alternatively formed control element and

5 a section through the key body of a control element according to a final embodiment of the invention.

In the 1 to 3 is a first embodiment of an operating unit according to the invention 10 shown. The operating unit 10 has at least one operating element 12 on, as a key body 14 is trained. This key body 14 is translationally movable (see the double arrow 16 ) and is by a guide element 18 led, for example, as a collar or shaft of a front panel 20 the control unit 10 is designed.

The key body 14 has a (closed) front wall 22 and a closed back bottom wall 24 on. From the front wall 22 out side walls extend 25 of the key body 14 with which the bottom wall 24 connected is. The key body 14 has plastic material and is designed as a two-component plastic injection molded part. His front wall consists of a translucent plastic (for example, white and thus non-colored plastic), while its side walls 25 have in particular black colored plastic. This procedure is basically known and has the advantage that on the front 26 the front wall 22 a backlit symbol 28 can be generated by the front wall 22 with an opaque coating 30 is provided, leading to the creation of the symbol 28 exposed (by so-called free-fibers) is (see also 3 ).

Furthermore, the front wall 22 a function feedback light area 32 on, by light, passing through a light guide 34 is transported, is fed.

In addition to this light guide 34 is located inside the key body 14 a Lichtabschottelement 36 that the key body 14 in two subspaces 38 . 40 divided. The subspace 38 closes on the front wall 22 in the area of its symbol 28 off, while the subspace 40 the light guide 34 receives. Like the side walls 25 so there is also the Abschottelement 36 Made of opaque colored plastic.

To backlight the symbol 28 serves at least one backlighting light source 42 that on a carrier element formed in this embodiment as a printed circuit board 44 is arranged. The carrier element 44 also carries at least one functional feedback light source 46 and switch contact surfaces 48 which together with pestles 50 a switching contact mat 52 one or more switches 54 form. Per key body 14 For example, two switches 54 be provided. For this purpose, the outer or bottom side 56 of the key body 14 (please refer 2 ) two symmetrically arranged or opposite surfaces 58 on, over which the key body 14 on the raised pestles 50 the switching contact mat 52 is applied.

As in particular by means of 1 can be seen, protrude from the switching contact mat 52 around the backlight as well as the function feedback light source 42 . 46 Lighting shafts 60 . 62 on that the respective light to different places of the bottom wall 24 of the key body 14 to lead. The light guide shafts 60 . 62 lie on the outside 56 the bottom wall 24 and soften when the key body is pressed down 14 back.

The bottom wall 24 and the light guide 34 are formed as one-piece (one-component) plastic injection molded part of lichtleitendem or translucent material. The light guide 34 has a light entry end 64 to which the light guide shaft 62 leads. The over this light entry end 64 in the light guide 34 coupled light of the function feedback light source 46 emerges from the light guide 34 at the light exit end 66 out. This light exit end 66 forms the function back light area 32 on the front wall 22 of the key body 14 ,

The light guide shaft 60 conducts the backlight of the backlight source 42 to an area of the bottom wall 24 in which this is the subspace 38 limited. Between the two coupling points of the function return light and the backlight, the front wall protrudes 22 opposite end 68 the Lichtabschottelements 36 into a depression 70 on the inside 72 the bottom wall 24 , This will cause the propagation of light within the bottom wall 24 is suppressed, so that the risk of "crosstalk" of the light of a light source is reduced in that bottom wall portion into which the light of the other light source is fed.

In 4 is on average a key body 14 in accordance with an alternatively designed operating unit according to the invention 10 ' shown. If the individual elements of this control unit 10 ' identical in construction or function with the individual elements of the operating unit 10 of the 1 to 3 are, they are in 4 with the same reference numerals as in the 1 to 3 characterized.

As compared to the embodiment of the 1 to 3 another element has the operating unit 10 ' according to 4 an optical element 74 in the form of, for example, a lens 76 for fanning out and widening the backlighting light within the subspace 38 of the key body 14 on. The Lens 76 is on the inside 72 the bottom wall 24 arranged and aligned with the light guide shaft 60 ,

Finally shows 5 A third embodiment of an operating unit according to the invention 10 '' , If the individual elements of this control unit 10 '' identical in construction or function with the individual elements of the operating unit 10 of the 1 to 3 are, they are in 5 with the same reference numerals as in the 1 to 3 characterized.

The difference of the key body construction of the operating unit 10 '' compared to the embodiment of the 1 to 3 is to be seen in that the light guide 34 is made in two parts. A first light guide element 78 is in one piece with the bottom wall 24 formed and has a light entry end 64 as well as a light exit end 66 on. A second light guide element 80 spaced from the first optical fiber element 78 is arranged, is with the front wall 22 connected and has a light entry end 82 that the light exit end 66 of the first light guide element 78 opposite, and a light exit end 84 on, this is the function feedback light 32 the front wall 22 Are defined. The second light guide element 80 can now be in one piece with the front wall 22 produce and thus has a through the multi-component plastic injection molding tool for the key body 14 defined, reproduced relative position to the front wall 22 on. This is the light exit end 84 in a defined position relative to the front 26 the front wall 22 arranged. This position is expediently aligned with the front side 26 the front wall 22 , In addition to this advantage may be another advantage of the two-part design of the light guide 34 can be seen in that the second light guide element 80 may be colored differently than the first light guide element 78 and the bottom wall 24 , Thus the function feedback can not be different in color than the symbol 28 backlit light.

As already mentioned above, the inventive design of the key body allows 14 a wide range of free choice on the one hand, the mechanical contact points between the key body 14 and the switches 54 and on the other hand, the arrangement of the backlighting light source 42 or the function feedback light source 46 , Basically, the function feedback light source 46 the light entry end 64 of the light guide 34 should be arranged opposite, however, the position of the light guide 34 at this one from the bottom wall 24 towers, again freely selectable. For the backlight source 42 is that (or in the case of multiple backlight sources each backlight source) can be placed at a location within that portion of the bottom wall 24 lies, in which this the subspace 38 of the key body 14 limited.

It should be emphasized at this point that in the 1 to 3 and 4 respectively. 5 shown features of the different variants of the control units 10 . 10 ' and 10 '' can also be provided in combination with one and the same control unit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

operating unit

10 '

operating unit

10 ''

operating unit

12

operating element

14

key bodies

18

Guide element for the key body

20

Front panel of the control unit

22

Front wall of the key body

24

Bottom wall of the key body

25

Side walls of the key body

26

Front side of the key body

28

Icon on the front of the key body

30

coating

32

Function back light on the front wall of the key body

34

optical fiber

36

Lichtabschottelement

38

Subspace within the key body

40

Subspace within the key body

42

Hinterleuchtungslichtquelle

44

support element

46

Function feedback light source

48

Switch contact surfaces

50

tappet

52

Switching contact mat

54

switch

56

Outside or bottom side

58

Contact surfaces of the key body with the switching contact mat

60

Light guide shaft

62

Light guide shaft

64

Light entry end of the light guide

66

Light emission end of the light guide

68

End of Lichtabschottelements

70

Receiving recess in the bottom wall of the key body

72

Inside the bottom wall of the key body

74

optical element

76

lens

78

first light guide element

80

second light guide element

82

Light entry end of the second light guide element

84

Light exit end of the second light guide element

Claims (10)

Operating unit in particular for a vehicle component such. As an air conditioner, with - a control element ( 12 ), which has a translationally movable key body ( 14 ), - a guide element ( 18 ) on which the key body ( 14 ), and - a carrier element ( 44 ), the key body ( 14 ), at least one backlighting light source ( 42 ) and at least one functional feedback light source ( 46 ) and at least one through the key body ( 14 ) actuatable switch ( 54 ), wherein the key body ( 14 ) a the support element ( 44 ), closed bottom wall ( 24 ), one of the bottom wall ( 24 ) opposite front wall ( 22 ) associated with one of the at least one backlighting light source ( 42 ) backlit icon ( 28 ) and with a function back light ( 32 ), and the bottom wall ( 24 ) with the front wall ( 22 ) connecting side walls ( 25 ), wherein in the key body ( 14 ) a light guide ( 34 ) in the area of the bottom wall ( 24 ) one of the function feedback light source ( 46 ) facing light entry end ( 64 ) for function feedback light of the function feedback light source ( 46 ) and a light exit end ( 66 ) for the exit of function feedback light for the function back light ( 32 ) of the front wall ( 22 ) of the key body ( 14 ), and a Lichtabschottelement ( 36 ) for the partitioning of the light guide ( 34 ) in order to backlight the symbol ( 28 ) in the key body ( 14 ) radiating backlighting light of the at least one backlighting light source ( 42 ) is arranged and - wherein the bottom wall ( 24 ) and the light guide ( 34 ) than in the key body ( 14 ), one-piece component is formed from a permeable to the backlight light and the function feedback light conductive plastic material. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls ( 25 ) and the front wall ( 22 ) of the key body ( 14 ) are formed as one-piece two-component plastic injection molded component. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls ( 25 ), the front wall ( 22 ) and the Lichtabschottelement ( 36 ) of the key body ( 14 ) are formed as one-piece two-component plastic injection molded part. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bottom wall ( 24 ) on its front wall ( 22 ) of the key body ( 14 ) facing inside ( 72 ) a survey ( 70 ) for receiving the front wall ( 22 ) of the key body ( 14 ) opposite end ( 68 ) of Lichtabschottelements ( 36 ) having. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light guide ( 34 ) has two separate optical fiber elements, of which a first optical fiber element ( 78 ) in one piece with the bottom wall ( 24 ) and a second optical fiber element ( 80 ) with the front wall ( 22 ), that both light guide elements ( 78 . 80 ) each have a light entry end ( 64 . 82 ) and a light exit end ( 66 . 84 ) and that the function return light of the at least one function feedback light source ( 46 ) in the light entry end ( 64 ) of the first light guide element ( 78 ) and from the light exit end ( 66 ) and into the light entry end ( 64 ) of the second light guide element ( 80 ), whose light emission end ( 66 ) the function back light ( 32 ) on the front wall ( 22 ) of the key body ( 14 ). Control unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the side walls ( 25 ), the front wall ( 22 ) and the second optical fiber element ( 80 ) of the key body ( 14 ) are formed as one-piece multi-component plastic injection molded part. Control unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the side walls ( 25 ), the front wall ( 22 ), the Lichtabschottende and the second light guide element ( 80 ) of the key body ( 14 ) are formed as one-piece multi-component plastic injection molded part. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that of the support element ( 44 ) and the at least one backlighting light source ( 42 ) and the at least one functional feedback light source ( 46 ) around and / or flexible and / or elastic light guide shafts ( 60 . 62 ), which extend to the contact with the support element ( 44 ) facing Outside ( 56 ) the bottom wall ( 24 ) of the key body ( 14 ). Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the light entry end ( 64 ) of the light guide ( 34 ) or the light entry end ( 64 ) of the first light guide element ( 78 ) with the support element ( 44 ) facing outside ( 56 ) the bottom wall ( 24 ) of the key body ( 14 ) is aligned or via this in the direction of the support element ( 44 ) protrudes. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom wall ( 24 ) in the region in which backlighting light of the at least one backlighting light source ( 42 ) the bottom wall ( 24 ), an optical element ( 74 ), in particular a lens ( 76 ), for widening the backlighting light within the key body ( 14 ) having.

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