DE102015008571B4 - Motor vehicle operating device with movable user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

Operating device (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - an actuating element (4) which is movably mounted relative to a housing (5) of the operating device (3) and has a contact surface (6) for a user (26), an actuator device (12) having an electromagnet (14) as a first magnetic element and a permanent magnet (13) as a second magnetic element, wherein one of the two magnetic elements with respect to the actuating element (4) and the other of the two magnetic elements with respect to the housing (5) fixed - a sensor device (8) for generating a sensor signal (30) in response to a user-side touch of the Berühroberfläche (6), - a control device (18) which is adapted such that it depends on the sensor signal (30) a control signal (31) for at least one device (2) of the motor vehicle (1) is generated only if an active state of the operator by a predetermined activation signal (22) Device (3) is set, characterized in that the control device (18) is arranged such that it acts on the electromagnet (14) in response to the activation signal (22) with an electric current (I1), through which the electromagnet (14 ) the permanent magnet (13) with a magnetic force (23) which deflects the actuating element (4) from a rest position (S1) in a functional position (S2) and there during the active state in by the user (26) untouched actuator (4) holds, so that the actuating element (4) is moved or adjusted in the active state and by the user on the basis of the position of the actuating element (4), the active state of the operating device can be seen.

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle. The operating device has an actuating element, which can be designed, for example, as a button. A sensor device detects an actuation of the button and then a control device generates a control signal for a device of the motor vehicle, for example an infotainment system (information entertainment system). The operating device further comprises an actuator device, by means of which the actuating element can be moved, for example, to generate a haptic feedback (feedback) on the actuating element. The invention also includes a motor vehicle with the device according to the invention.

An operating device of the type mentioned is for example from the US 2011/0037546 A1 known. As an actuating element, a plate is provided which is clamped between two elastic regions, namely a sealing region and a support region. By means of electromagnets and permanent magnets can be caused in the plate vibration, thereby providing a haptic feedback to a user. For detecting an actuation or operation of the plate by a user, a detection device may be provided, which generates an actuation signal only if the user exerts an operating force on the plate with the finger, which is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

An operating device with haptic feedback is also from the US 2014/0218324 A1 known. An actuator device in this case has two actuators, namely, on the one hand, a piezoelectric element and, on the other hand, a combination of electrical coil and permanent magnet. Due to the two actuators, it is possible to cause superimposed vibration signals in an actuator.

From the DE 10 2008 035 907 A1 an operating device with a resiliently mounted actuating element is known. By applying the actuating element with an operating force, this elastic deflects yielding, which in turn is measured by a sensor, so that this results in a total of a pressure sensor arrangement.

To prevent the accidental triggering of a control signal for a device by touching the operating device, the operating device is usually disabled in a motor vehicle until it is switched by an activation signal in an active state. When the operating device is deactivated, this does not respond to a touch or a pressing of the actuating element. Only in the active state of the operating device, the control signal for at least one device of the motor vehicle is actually generated in response to an actuation of the actuating element. It is difficult now to convey to a user of the operating device when the operating device is ready to receive an operating action, that is, when the operating device is in the active state. The provision of additional signal lights is technically complex and makes the operating device expensive to manufacture.

From the WO 2014/019801 A1 For example, a touch screen is known on which an actuator is provided to generate a vibration.

In the WO 2013/148641 A1 a device is described with a floating disc, wherein for the floating bearing the disc is held in a magnetic field of permanent magnets.

From the US 6,118,435 A an operating device with movably mounted touch screen is known, which can bring the touch screen by means of an electric actuator to vibrate, thereby generating a haptic feedback signal. The activation of the actuator is provided in the event that a user touches the touch screen.

The invention is based on the object to signal in a motor vehicle to the user the active state of the operating device.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are given by the features of the dependent claims.

The invention provides an operating device for a motor vehicle. It has the known structure known per se. An actuator, such as a button, is movably supported relative to a housing of the actuator and has a touch surface for the user. An actuator device has an electromagnet as the first magnetic element and a permanent magnet as the second magnetic element. One of the two magnetic elements is fixedly mounted with respect to the actuating element and the other of the two magnetic elements with respect to the housing. The actuator device can be provided, for example, for generating a haptic feedback. Furthermore, a sensor device is provided for generating a sensor signal as a function of a user-side contact of the contact surface. Accordingly, a control device, for example a microcontroller or a microprocessor, is set up such that the control device depends on the Sensor signal generates a control signal for at least one device of the motor vehicle. The control signal is only generated if an active state of the operating device is set by a predetermined activation signal. In other words, the activation signal switches the operating device between an inactive state and an active state, as has already been described.

In order to now signal to the user that the operating device is in the active state, the control device is furthermore set up in such a way that, in response to the activation signal, it applies an electric current to the electromagnet of the actuator device, through which the electromagnet applies a magnetic force to the permanent magnet which deflects the actuating element, for example the key, from a rest position into a functional position and holds it there during the active state if the actuating element is unaffected by the user. In other words, the actuator is moved or adjusted. The user thus recognizes the active state of the operating device on the basis of the position or position of the actuating element.

The invention has the advantage that by means of an actuator device, which can also be used for example for generating a haptic feedback, now also the active state of the operating device is signaled or visualized. Thus, no additional signaling element, such as lighting, is needed to illustrate or visualize the active state.

The invention also includes optional developments, by the characteristics of which additional benefits.

According to a development, the actuating element is guided guided by a guide device between the rest position and the functional position. For example, the actuating element may for this purpose have an undercut or a slotted guide into which a part of the housing engages, for example a rod or an extension. In this case, the actuating element is arranged in the guide device such that it is moved out of the functional position towards the rest position as a function of an operating force of the user acting on the operating surface. In other words, the actuating element is held in the active state of the operating device by means of the magnetic force of the electromagnet while in the functional position, but deviates upon application of the actuating element with an operating force of this operating force toward the rest position out when the operating force is greater than a predetermined threshold. In other words, the actuating element floats in the functional position and is deflected from it, if the user acts on the actuating element with the operating force. This results in the advantage that the actuating element is held resiliently or elastically or mechanically movable in the functional position and, for example, a mechanical, movable key can be realized thereby.

According to one embodiment, an elastically deformable configured restoring device is provided, which presses or pulls the actuating element with a restoring force to the rest position. This results in the advantage that after switching off the current to terminate the active phase and thus to change to the inactive phase, the actuating element is moved back by the restoring device in the rest position. In particular, the actuating element is held in the rest position with inactive or switched off current, so that it z. B. does not rattle in the operating device. The restoring device can have, for example, a spring element or a plurality of spring elements, which can be realized, for example, in each case by a spiral spring or a leaf spring or a plate spring. As an alternative to a restoring device, it is also possible to provide a holding device which keeps the actuating element bistable in the rest position and in the functional position. For example, a bistable spring can be used for this purpose. A bistable spring results, for example, in that an elastic metal strip is clamped in the housing or the actuating element in such a way that it is permanently elastically bent or bent. A bistable holding device can also be provided on the basis of permanent magnets, wherein a permanent magnet is designed to hold the actuating element in the rest position and another permanent magnet to hold the actuating element in the functional position. When providing a bistable holding device can be adjusted by reversing the current, the actuator targeted from the functional position back to the rest position, thereby signaling the end of the active state of the operating device.

According to one embodiment, a stroke of the user interface is greater than 5 mm when changing between the rest position and the functional position. In other words, the actuator is moved by more than 5 mm. This results in the advantage that the change between the rest position and the functional position and thus the change between the inactive state and the active state can be detected reliably by the user both visually and haptically. In particular, the stroke is less than 3 centimeters.

According to a development, the control device is set up such that it has a Amplitude of the electrical current from receiving the activation signal continuously or stepped increased to a final value and thereby moves the actuator from the rest position to the functional position at a speed that is less than 3 cm per second. The speed is an average value from the rest position to the functional position. In other words, the actuating element is moved from the rest position into the functional position. In this case, the actuator moves sufficiently slowly, so that the user can perceive or distinguish the movement. In particular, the method takes from the rest position into the functional position for at least 1 second, in particular at least 2 seconds. This has the advantage that the transition to the active state over a longer period of time is observable. Thus, it is not only the visual distinctions between the rest position and the functional position that are important, but the animation or movement of the actuating element itself also signals the state transition. Preferably, the state transition from the functional position back to the rest position is also animated in one of the ways described.

According to a development, at least one mechanical stop element is provided for adjusting or holding or stopping the actuating element in the functional position against the magnetic force. In other words, the magnetic force presses the actuating element against the at least one stop element. This results in the advantage that the actuating element can be held motionless in the functional position, without this necessitating a complex control mechanism for the current intensity profile of the current. In addition, a haptic feedback movement can be stopped abruptly, which in particular provides a clearly defined time feedback. A swinging of the actuator to the functional position around is prevented.

According to a development, the control device is set up in such a way that it also modulates a current intensity profile of the current when generating the control signal for the device and as a result a vibration and / or a shock is generated by the actuator device on the user interface. This results in the advantage that the user senses on the user interface, for example, with his finger when the control signal has been sent successfully to the device. This results in a haptic feedback of the operating device to the user. In particular, the vibration has a frequency greater than 1 hertz. The shock is a one-time deflection or vibration of the actuating element, which is caused by the actuator device. In particular, the actuating element is deflected out of the functional position. The shock is in particular shorter than 500 milliseconds, in particular shorter than 300 milliseconds. For example, the power for half of this period can be turned off, so that the actuator moves from the functional position back to the rest position and then forced or moved back to the functional position by switching the power back on. A movement stroke of the user interface due to the vibration and / or the impact is preferably less than 2 mm.

The actuator need not be a single key. According to a development, the actuating element has a plurality of key areas or key fields, and the sensor device is set up to signal by means of the sensor signal which of the key fields touches the user. Each keypad may be formed, for example, by a keycap or key dummy. As a result of the further development, there is the advantage that a plurality of keypads can be moved in the manner described with a single actuator device in order to signalize the active state of the operating device.

According to a development, a force sensor is provided, which generates a force signal which is correlated with an operating force with which the actuating element is acted upon. The control device is set up such that it only generates the control signal if the force signal signals an operating force greater than a predetermined threshold value. The threshold is in particular in a range between 2 Newton and 5 Newton. The force sensor or pressure sensor has the advantage that an accidental contact, which exerts or causes an operating force smaller than the threshold value on the operating surface, does not cause a generation of the control signal. In other words, accidental operations are avoided due to a touch of the user interface.

As already stated, the invention also includes a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, which is provided for operating at least one device of the motor vehicle. The operating device is for this purpose coupled to the at least one device and designed to emit the control signal to the at least one device.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car.

In the following an embodiment of the invention is described. This shows:

1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention with an operating device in an inactive state; and

2 the motor vehicle of 1 with the operating device in the active state.

The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also each independently further develop the invention and thus also individually or in a different combination than the one shown as part of the invention. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a motor vehicle 1 which may be a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car. Shown are a device 2 and an operating device 3 for the device 2 , The operating device 3 is with the device 2 coupled, for example via a CAN bus (CAN - Controller Area Network). The device 2 may be, for example, an infotainment system, air conditioning, a telephone system, a suspension control. The operating device 3 can also be paired with multiple devices. To operate the device 2 has the operating device 3 an actuator 4 on, the movable in a housing 5 at the operating device 3 is arranged. The actuator 4 can be realized for example by a plastic plate or another plastic body. The actuator 4 is from a user interface 6 formed on which, for example, switch dummies or switch surfaces 7 can be arranged. A sensor device 8th may be configured to detect which of the switch surfaces 7 was touched. The sensor device 8th can do this, for example, for each switch surface 7 a sensor 9 provide, for example, a capacitive proximity sensor or a switch.

In 1 the actuating element is shown a rest position S1, in which the actuating element 4 on at least one stop element 10 of the housing 5 is applied. The actuator 4 For example, a guide device 11 have, which can be realized for example by an undercut or a groove or a slotted guide. At least the stop element 10 can engage the guide device 11 stand. A stop element 10 can z. B. be designed as a rod or extension. In the management facility 11 can the at least stop element 10 be moved, so that thereby the actuating element 4 can be moved out of the rest position S11.

To move the actuator 4 has the operating device 3 an actuator device 12 on, which is a permanent magnet 13 and an electromagnet 14 includes. The electromagnet 14 for example, by an iron core 15 and an electric coil 16 be formed. The electromagnet 14 can also without iron core 15 only the coil 16 exhibit. The sink 16 can in this case, for example, by traces of a circuit board 17 be formed, which is an electronic circuit of a control device 18 can have. In the example shown, the permanent magnet 17 firmly with the actuator 4 and the electromagnet 14 firmly with the housing 5 connected. Conversely, it may be provided that the permanent magnet 13 with the housing 5 and the electromagnet 14 with the actuating element 4 is firmly connected.

The actuator 4 is by a reset device 19 with electroless or switched off electromagnet 14 kept in the rest position S1. The reset device 19 For this purpose, for example, at least one spring element, for example, in each case a spiral spring having.

The actuator 4 is in the rest position S1, while the operating device 3 is inactive, ie switched off or in a stand-by mode (standby mode). The operating device 3 then does not respond to an actuation of the buttons 7 , The operating device 3 to activate or switch to an active state, the operating device 3 a control input 21 have, with the control device 18 can be coupled. Upon receiving a predetermined activation signal 22 can the operating device 3 by the control device 18 be switched to the active state.

2 shows the operating device 3 in the active state. By receiving the activation signal 22 turns on the controller 18 a current I1 in the coil 16 one. This produces the electromagnet 14 a magnetic force 23 , which on the permanent magnet 13 acts. The permanent magnet 13 transfers the force to the actuator 4 which is thereby displaced or moved from the rest position into a functional position S2. In the example shown, this leads to the actuating element 4 an outward movement 24 toward a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle 1 out. The at least one stop element 10 this can be the movement of the actuator 4 in the leadership facility 11 to limit that the actuator 4 in the functional position S2 on the stop element 10 is applied. This is the actuating element 4 also in the functional position S2 still, without requiring a complex control of the current intensity of the current I1 is necessary.

In the active state with the functional position S2, the operating device reacts 3 on an actuation of one of the buttons 7 by a user 26 , From the user 26 is in 2 only one hand 27 with a finger 28 shown. By the user 26 with your finger 27 an operator 29 on one of the switch fields 7 Exercises, the touch is through the finger 28 at the switch box 7 through its sensor 9 the sensor device 8th detected and a sensor signal 30 to the controller 18 output. Based on the sensor signal 30 is indicated which switch box 7 was touched.

The control device 18 may depend on the transmission signal 7 a control signal 31 to the device 2 through which a function of the device 2 , which of the touched switch surface 7 is assigned, is activated.

In addition, it can be provided that in the operating device 3 a force sensor 32 is provided, which is a force signal 33 generated with an amount of operating force 29 correlated. It can be provided that the control device 18 the control signal 31 only generated if by the force signal 33 an operator 29 is signal whose amount is greater than a predetermined threshold. The force sensor 15 may be formed, for example, on the basis of a force-variable resistor or have a plate spring, which at an operating force 16 greater than the threshold closes or opens a contact.

The operating device 3 can by a deactivation signal 34 at the control entrance 21 be deactivated, causing the control device 18 turns off the current I1 and thereby the actuator 4 from the reset device 19 moved back to the rest position S1. The control device 18 then deactivates the operating device 3 ie it switches the operating device 18 z. B. in a stand-by mode.

Through the movement 24 when activating the operating device 3 there is an initiation of the actuating element 4 That is, the actuator comes to the user 26 or approach the user 26 , According to the invention, this is an actuator device 24 which is also used to generate a haptic signal on the user interface 6 is used by the current I1 is modulated in its current over time, for example, if the control signal 31 is produced. The actuator device 24 must have only a permanent magnet, so that this combination can also be used to the user interface 6 of the actuating element 4 in the case 5 seem to float or float.

As a basic structure, this results in an actuator 4 , with an active feel provided by the actuator device 14 is provided. In this arrangement is the user interface 6 with not activated electromagnet 14 in the quiet location S1. Here, the user interface 6 either by the own weight of the actuator 4 or by the return device 19 be brought into the rest position S1, for example by means of spring elements. Will now be the electromagnet 14 energized / activated, this is the user interface 6 placed in the functional position S2 and / or kept there. Here, different effects can arise and be used to advantage. The user 26 has the impression, so whether the user interface 6 would float and / or move towards him. This allows the actuator 4 in the motor vehicle 1 be especially initiated to the user 26 the active state of the operating device 3 to signal.

Overall, the example shows how the invention can provide an operating device with active feel and a floating user interface.

Claims (10)

Operating device ( 3 ) for a motor vehicle ( 1 ), comprising: - an actuating element ( 4 ) relating to a housing ( 5 ) of the operating device ( 3 ) is movably mounted and a Berühroberfläche ( 6 ) for a user ( 26 ), - an actuator device ( 12 ), which has an electromagnet ( 14 ) as the first magnetic element and a permanent magnet ( 13 ) as a second magnetic element, wherein one of the two magnetic elements with respect to the actuating element ( 4 ) and the other of the two magnetic elements with respect to the housing ( 5 ) is firmly mounted, - a sensor device ( 8th ) for generating a sensor signal ( 30 ) in response to a user-side touch of the touch surface ( 6 ), - a control device ( 18 ), which is set up in such a way that it depends on the sensor signal ( 30 ) a control signal ( 31 ) for at least one device ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is only generated if by a predetermined activation signal ( 22 ) an active state of the operating device ( 3 ), characterized in that the control device ( 18 ) is set up in such a way that it depends on the activation signal ( 22 ) the electromagnet ( 14 ) is supplied with an electric current (I1), through which the electromagnet ( 14 ) the permanent magnet ( 13 ) with a magnetic force ( 23 ), which the actuating element ( 4 ) deflects from a rest position (S1) into a functional position (S2) and there during the active state in by the user ( 26 ) untouched actuator ( 4 ) holds, so that the actuating element ( 4 ) is moved or adjusted in the active state and by the user on the basis of the position of the actuating element ( 4 ) the active state of the operating device is recognizable. Operating device ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element ( 4 ) by a guide device ( 11 ) between the rest position (S1) and the functional position (S2) is guided and the actuating element ( 4 ) in the guide device ( 11 ) is arranged so that it depends on a on the user interface ( 6 ) acting operator ( 29 ) of the user ( 26 ) is movable from the functional position (S2) to the rest position (S1). Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an elastically deformable resetting device ( 19 ) the actuating element ( 4 ) with a restoring force to the rest position (S1) presses or pulls or wherein the actuating element ( 4 ) is held bistable by a holding device in the rest position (S1) and the functional position (S2). Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a hub of the user interface ( 6 ) is greater than 5 millimeters at a change between the rest position (S1) and the functional position (S2). Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 18 ) is arranged to receive an amplitude of the electric current (I1) from receiving the activation signal (I1) 22 ) continuously or stepped up to a final value and thereby the actuating element ( 4 ) is moved from the rest position (S1) to the functional attitude (S2) at a speed that is less than 3 centimeters per second. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one mechanical stop element ( 10 ) for stopping the actuating element ( 4 ) is provided in the functional position (S2) against the magnetic force. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 18 ) is set up in such a way that when generating the control signal ( 31 ) modulates a current intensity profile of the current (I1) and thereby by the actuator device ( 14 ) on the user interface ( 6 ) a vibration and / or a shock is generated. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element ( 4 ) several keypads ( 7 ) and the sensor device ( 8th ) is set up by means of the sensor signal ( 30 ) to indicate which of the keypads ( 7 ) the user ( 26 ) touched. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a force sensor ( 32 ), which generates a force signal ( 44 ) generated by an operator ( 29 ), with which the actuating element ( 4 ) is correlated, and wherein the control device ( 18 ) is arranged to receive the control signal ( 31 ) only if the force signal ( 33 ) an operator ( 29 ) is signaled greater than a predetermined threshold. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with at least one device ( 2 ) and with an operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device ( 3 ) with the at least one device ( 2 ) and is adapted to receive the control signal ( 31 ) to the at least one device ( 2 ).

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