DE102020201251A1 - Control device for controlling vehicle functions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (10) for controlling functions of a vehicle. The operating device (10) according to the invention is intended to take account of the changing requirements of vehicle occupants when traveling in autonomous vehicles, which are reflected, among other things, in the equipment of vehicles and the operation of vehicle functions ) is formed with a control unit (20) and a base station (30). The operating part (20) has at least one permanent magnet (22), the base station (30) a field of electromagnets (32) and at least one Hall sensor (36). The magnetic field generated by the electromagnets (32) causes magnetic levitation of the operating part (20), which is kept stable by an active field control of a control device interacting with the operating device (10) and a movement of the operating part (20 ) allowed in the magnetic field.

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for controlling functions in a vehicle with an operating part and a base station, wherein the operating part can be held and / or moved in a floating state above the base station by means of magnetic levitation.

The increasing development of autonomous driving constantly creates new challenges. As the automation of driving progresses, there are also new requirements for the equipment and operation of vehicles.

In vehicles that drive fully automatically and no longer require any intervention by a driver, i.e. vehicles with so-called autonomy level 5, the vehicle occupants want to use the time for a wide variety of activities, especially over long journeys. This can be reading a book or consuming various media such as music or films. Other occupants want to use the time during the journey to sleep. And other occupants use the opportunity to have conversations while driving.

All of these scenarios require adapted equipment and interior fittings of the vehicle as well as an adaptation of the associated operating concepts and operating devices. There is therefore a need for operating devices that can be used simply and intuitively. In addition, such operating devices should be accessible to all occupants of a vehicle as far as possible.

These operating devices should preferably also include use in which the other occupants are not disturbed, for example when one occupant wants to operate a function of the vehicle and another occupant is sleeping. In addition to accessibility and intuitive operation, discreet use is also playing an increasingly important role.

Finally, situations also arise in which operation is to be made possible even with restricted vision, for example because an occupant has taken off his contact lenses or glasses for the journey during which he wants to sleep.

In the prior art, operating devices are known which allow individual functions of a vehicle to be operated in the sense of a remote control. However, these are often large and quite complex to use, but above all, none of the known solutions allow discreet operation or operation with restricted vision.

It is therefore the object of the invention to propose an operating device which enables intuitive, simple and discrete operation. In particular, the operating device should be designed in such a way that it can control as many functions as possible without being too complex itself.

The object of the invention is achieved by an operating device according to claim 1. Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the other features mentioned in the subclaims.

• • die Steuereinrichtung mittels des mindestens einen Hall-Sensors die Position des Bedienteils bestimmt,
• • das Bedienteil mittels magnetischer Levitation zwischen dem mindestens einen Dauermagneten des Bedienteils und dem Feld aus Elektromagneten der Basisstation in einem Schwebezustand über der Basisstation zu halten und/oder zu bewegen ist, und
• • eine Steuerung der Funktionen des Fahrzeugs durch eine Interaktion eines Benutzers mit dem Bedienteil erfolgt.

An operating device according to the invention for controlling functions in a vehicle is formed with an operating part and a base station, the operating part having at least one permanent magnet and the base station having a field of electromagnets and at least one Hall sensor and the operating device interacting with a control device in such a way that

• • the control device determines the position of the control panel by means of the at least one Hall sensor,
• • the operating part is to be held and / or moved in a floating state above the base station by means of magnetic levitation between the at least one permanent magnet of the operating part and the field of electromagnets of the base station, and
• • the functions of the vehicle are controlled by an interaction of a user with the control unit.

Functions to be controlled in a vehicle can be, for example, the playback of media, the adaptation of the interior lighting or the interior temperature in a vehicle, the adjustment of vehicle seats and the like. These each have functional parameters that can be changed or adapted. In the example of media playback, this can include the volume.

The term control means the selection or actuation of one or more functional parameters, which are then transmitted to the device of the vehicle to be controlled and there lead to an adaptation or influencing of the function or functional parameters.

It goes without saying that the operating device according to the invention and in particular the operating part at least with suitable electronics, in particular a transmission and Receiving device, at least one energy storage device, preferably at least one rechargeable energy storage device and / or a control device should be designed to detect an operating action and transmit it to the vehicle or a vehicle-own control device in order to implement the intended input in the selected function. The operator action is preferably transmitted wirelessly.

The operating device thus acts like a remote control for various functions of a vehicle and can be used as an alternative or in addition to the operating elements provided in the vehicle. The control part can have its own control elements in order to control functions of the vehicle. As an alternative or in addition, vehicle functions can also be controlled solely through interaction between a user and the control panel, which will be explained below. Any mobile operating parts or mobile input devices for controlling functions in a vehicle can be designed or further developed according to the invention, regardless of their further configuration with regard to their operating elements and operating concepts.

As already stated, the operating device has an operating part and this in turn has at least one permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is arranged in or on the control panel. The electronics of the operating part are preferably shielded from the at least one permanent magnet in order to avoid interference with the electronics. The control panel is used to select the function to be controlled and / or to adapt function parameters. The user, who is usually a vehicle occupant, transmits his desired changes or adaptations by means of the control unit.

Furthermore, the operating device has a base station, which in turn has a field of electromagnets and at least one Hall sensor. A field of electromagnets means a flat arrangement of electromagnets. The smallest embodiment comprises three electromagnets which, with regard to their arrangement, form the corner points of a triangle. Another, small embodiment is a field of four electromagnets, which are arranged in a 2x2 matrix. The size of the field and thus the number of electromagnets as well as their arrangement with respect to one another depends on the planned application and the number is open at the top. It is important that the electromagnets are arranged in an area, that is, in the x-direction and y-direction, and not just linearly. This is used to position the control unit in a floating state, as described below, and to actively compensate for the levitation.

A Hall sensor is a sensor that uses the so-called Hall effect to measure magnetic fields. Hall sensors are known per se and differ, among other things, in that they can measure or detect magnetic fields in one or more axes. The latter includes so-called 3D Hall sensors that can detect the three-dimensional vector of the magnetic flux density. According to the invention it is provided that at least one Hall sensor is arranged in the base station. This is used to determine the position of the control unit relative to the base station. One or more 3D Hall sensors can preferably be used for this purpose. As an alternative or in addition, the position of the operating part can also be determined using a large number of Hall sensors that can detect the magnetic field in a uniaxial manner.

The operating device also interacts with a control device. It can have its own control device, which is designed to implement the processes and functionalities described below, or it can be coupled to a control device of the vehicle in such a way that it implements the processes and functionalities described below. An interaction includes the transmission of the relevant data from the at least one Hall sensor, their evaluation and the control of the functions operated by the user. It also includes the transmission of control signals or commands to the operating device itself, for example in order to transmit feedback to the user.

The control device interacts with the operating device in such a way that it can determine the position of the operating part with the at least one permanent magnet relative to the base station based on the magnetic field detected by means of the at least one Hall sensor or the changes that have taken place or take place therein. For this purpose, the data from the at least one Hall sensor are transmitted to the control device and evaluated.

The control panel should be able to be held in a floating state and / or moved in this state by means of magnetic levitation between the control panel and the base station, i.e. the at least one permanent magnet of the control panel and the field of electromagnets of the base station. Levitation describes the free floating of an object. For this purpose, the acting weight is compensated with the help of a force and an object is positioned in the room, whereby no direct contact with the floor or solid objects exists or does not have to exist. This requires knowledge of the position of the control unit necessary, as well as an active field regulation of the base station electromagnets by the control device. An active field control adjusts the field based on the detected position of the levitated element, in this case the control unit, so that disturbances are compensated and a stable floating state can be brought about.

The field generated by the electromagnet, in interaction with the at least one permanent magnet of the control panel, ensures repulsion, which enables the control panel to remain in suspension. A suitable control of the individual electromagnets of the field in the base station can also cause the operating part to move relative to the base station in the x-direction and y-direction, the x-direction and the y-direction in the plane of the field of the electromagnets lie. The radius of movement or the distance over which the control unit can be moved is dependent on the size of the field of electromagnets and their arrangement. These influencing variables also influence, among other things, the accuracy with which the control unit can be moved relative to the base station.

The z-direction runs perpendicular to the x-y-plane. By adapting the intensity of the magnetic field of the electromagnets, the distance at which the control panel hovers over the base station, i.e. the position of the control panel in the z-direction, can be set and changed.

The vehicle functions are controlled by the user interacting with the control panel. If the control panel has control elements such as buttons, sliders or the like, it can therefore perform these control actions on the control panel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an operating action can also be implemented by means of a movement of the operating part initiated by a user and detected by the at least one Hall sensor. If the operating part and thus the at least one permanent magnet arranged therein or on it is moved in the magnetic field generated by the field of the electromagnets, the at least one Hall sensor detects the changes in the field. Through an arrangement of the at least one Hall sensor inclined relative to the xy plane and / or the arrangement of several Hall sensors, the position of the operating part in the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction can also be determined, and thus also the Direction of movement and the distance traveled by the movement. By evaluating the data from the Hall sensor or sensors, the movement carried out, that is to say its course, can be determined. In connection with such a configuration of the operating device, gestures, that is to say sequences of movements of the operating part, can be established which correspond to operating actions. If the at least one Hall sensor detects a movement of the operating part which corresponds to such a predefined gesture, the operating action specified for this is carried out. This can be, for example, the selection of a function, but also the control of a parameter within the selected function. For example, a user can rotate the control panel around the z-axis and thus decrease or increase the volume of media playback. The deflection of the operating part from its position or a tapping of the operating part by the user also cause a movement that is detected by the at least one Hall sensor and can be converted into a control of an assigned vehicle function by the control device.

Optionally, the control device can control the field of electromagnets in such a way that a restoring force prevents the operating part from moving. If the user tries to move the operating part in a direction in which such a restoring force acts, the user feels that the movement is blocked and / or cannot move the operating part in this direction. Interaction of the user with the operating element can thus be restricted so that only directions of movement and / or sequences of movements are released which correspond to the predefined gestures that have already been carried out. In addition, the control unit can also be moved back to its original position in this way.

Alternatively or additionally, the operating part can have a device for determining a movement of the operating part. In this way, too, gesture control can be implemented on the basis of the detected and evaluated movement of the operating part. Such a device for determining a movement of the operating part can in particular be an inertial measurement unit (IMU). These usually have a spatial combination of inertial sensors, such as acceleration and rotation rate sensors. A movement of the control unit can thus be detected. In particular, this can be done in addition to the position and movement determination by means of the at least one Hall sensor in order to specify and / or verify the positions and / or movements of the operating part determined in this process relative to the base station. In addition, the use of a device for determining a movement of the operating part also makes it possible to detect its position and / or movements when it has been moved out of the range of the at least one Hall sensor. With regard to the evaluation of the determined by means of the device for determining a movement of the operating part Positions and / or movements, what has been said above also applies to this embodiment.

A next embodiment of the operating device according to the invention provides that the base station furthermore has at least one permanent magnet. This is to be arranged in addition to the electromagnets within their flat arrangement and / or on their edge. The use of one or more permanent magnets within the field of electromagnets and / or at their edge serves primarily to relieve the electromagnets or to supplement the field, so that the electromagnets in the sequence essentially for the active control of the magnetic field and thus the maintenance of a stable state in the magnetic levitation of the control unit and / or can be controlled for its movement relative to the base station. The essential magnetic repulsive force to cause the operating part to float can be achieved in this embodiment via the at least one permanent magnet in the base station.

Another preferred embodiment is when the operating part has at least two flat permanent magnets. A flat arrangement means that the at least two permanent magnets are arranged essentially in one plane. This plane is essentially parallel to the plane that is spanned by the electromagnets of the base station. The areal distribution of the permanent magnets in or on the operating part creates points of attack, so that a rotation of the operating part about the z-axis can be achieved by suitable control of the electromagnets in the base station. In the simplest case, the operating part is designed with a first permanent magnet for generating the magnetic levitation in interaction with the base station and a further, preferably a smaller permanent magnet in the same plane. If the magnetic field of the base station is controlled in such a way that individual electromagnets repel and / or attract this smaller magnet, the rotation around the z-axis is effected. Here, too, the position and the movement of the operating part relative to the base station are detected by the at least one Hall sensor and evaluated by means of the control device, so that targeted activation can take place. However, at least two permanent magnets of the same size or approximately the same size or a combination of the same and different sizes of permanent magnets can also be used.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the operating part has at least four spatially arranged permanent magnets. A spatial arrangement provides an arrangement of the permanent magnets in the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction. An exemplary variant is the arrangement of four permanent magnets in a tetrahedron, that is to say a three-sided pyramid, at each of the corners of which a permanent magnet is arranged. As a result, the control panel with at least four permanent magnets spatially distributed therein or on it can be rotated around the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis by suitable control of the electromagnets of the base station. The individual permanent magnets serve both to achieve magnetic levitation, i.e. also as points of application for forces acting from the electromagnets, which, as already explained above, cause a rotation through attraction and / or repulsion, now also around the x-axis and the y-axis, effect.

A spherical, i.e. approximately spherical, arrangement of the at least four permanent magnets in or on the control panel is extremely preferred, because here a largely even distribution of the permanent magnets on or in the control panel is achieved and thus there is always at least one point of attack for triggering a rotation of the control panel in the immediate area of influence the base station electromagnet is located. In addition, a more precise control and therefore rotation of the control unit is possible.

Due to the spatial arrangement of permanent magnets in or on the control panel, this is now movable in all six degrees of freedom: a shift in the x-direction and y-direction can be achieved by a suitable control of individual electromagnets of the base station, a movement in the z-direction by the Variation of the intensity of the magnetic field of the electromagnet can be achieved. Both have already been explained. The rotation around the z-axis requires a two-dimensional arrangement of at least two permanent magnets of the control part, but this can also be achieved in a spatial arrangement of at least four permanent magnets in or on the control part. This means that rotations around all three axes are also possible.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is when the control device controls the field of electromagnets in such a way that the operating part executes a movement pattern in order to transmit information and / or feedback to a user. It has already been explained in sufficient detail that the control device can bring about a movement of the levitated operating part by suitable activation of the electromagnets of the base station. Depending on the design of the operating part with regard to the number and alignment of permanent magnets, a number of possible directions of movement and / or movement sequences result. Similar to the predetermined movement sequences, by means of which operating actions can be carried out, movement sequences can be defined which provide the user with information and / or can submit feedback. Thus, a slow rotation of the operating part around its z-axis could convey its readiness to receive operator actions. Moving up and down can signal the arrival of new messages to a user via a communication device in his vehicle. If the control panel is designed with a length or surface area that is clearly distinguishable from the other dimensions, a continuous erection of the control panel during the journey can indicate an approach to the destination selected in a navigation device of the vehicle. A feedback can include that the successful actuation or the successful completion of an operating action is indicated to the user by a predefined movement of the operating part. The restoring force already described, which can restrict a movement of the operating part, can also be such a feedback, since it indicates that no operating action is caused by this movement. The transmission of information and / or feedback to the user implemented in this way is discreet, since it can take place without additional visual aids and / or acoustic feedback. The feedback can also be determined haptically for the user, i.e. perceptible, and can therefore also be perceived in the dark or with limited vision.

In addition, the detection and determination of the position and movement of the control unit relative to the base station and the movement of the control unit generated by the control device using the electromagnets of the base station can bring about a reciprocal interaction between the control unit as part of the control device and the user. This makes it possible to set up an intuitive and simple operation of functions in a vehicle, in that the user cannot control vehicle functions, or not only via the usual operating elements of a control unit, but also by interacting with the control unit as a whole.

The operating device advantageously detects an approach of a user and changes to a standby state. An approach of a user can be detected in various ways. For this purpose, the operating device, and in particular the operating part, can be designed with proximity sensors which detect an approach of a hand of the user. Alternatively or additionally, monitoring data from the interior of the vehicle, which are recorded by the vehicle's own sensor system, can be used to infer that a user is approaching the operating device or the operating part. This can include, for example, the use of cameras in the vehicle interior. If a user wears a so-called wearable, i.e. a computer system that is usually personal and worn on the body, which registers and processes data related to the user or his environment, such as so-called smartwatches and fitness trackers, his position can also be monitored by the vehicle's own sensors and based on this position, the position of the user can be deduced. In particular, the position of one or both hands of the user and their approach to the operating device or the operating element is relevant, since an approach of one or both hands to the operating element indicates that the user would like to interact with it in order to perform an operating action. In this case, detection of the position of a wearable worn on the arm is a good indicator of the position of the user's hand. The data that are determined by the vehicle's own monitoring of the interior are transmitted to the control device, which interacts with the operating device, and can be used there to put the operating device into a standby state.

The standby state should be a state in which the operating device can detect and process operating actions by the user. In this standby state, the operating part preferably adopts a hovering state above the base station and can be moved above the base station if necessary.

In addition, an idle state can be provided. An idle state should be a state in which the operating device is not used or actuated. This can be the case when the vehicle is parked and unused or after a predetermined time has elapsed after it has been used or operated. However, the operating device is not switched off, but can detect the (re-) resumption of use and react to inputs. One could therefore best compare the idle state with a standby mode of electrical appliances. In this idle state, the control unit can rest on or in the base station, for example, without being levitated.

If it is now detected, as explained above, that a user is approaching the operating device and in particular the operating part, the operating part can at least be put into the floating state by activating the electromagnets of the base station. In addition, the control unit can move back to the user that the standby mode has been assumed. This has already been explained above. However, it can also be provided that the operating part is at least within the range of the magnetic field through which the levitation is realized approaches the user or his hand by changing the position of the control panel above the base station in the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction by suitably controlling the base station's electromagnets. This refinement makes it possible for the control panel to be activated only when use is foreseeable. The rest of the time it can remain in a dormant state. This saves the energy and computing power that would be required to generate and maintain magnetic levitation and a stable state therein.

In a likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating device, starting from the base station, has further electromagnets, Hall sensors and / or permanent magnets in order to form a transfer path for moving the operating part in the vehicle. A transfer path is intended to be an area in the vehicle along which the operating element can be moved from one location to another location within the vehicle during magnetic levitation. The transfer area starts from the base station, so begins there, and can also branch out in the further course. In this way, it should be possible to move the operating part by a corresponding control of the electromagnets of the base station and along the transfer path, for example from the base station to a table of the vehicle or between two vehicle seats.

Electromagnets are arranged along the transfer path in order to effect the magnetic levitation and the movement of the control unit. In order to relieve the electromagnets, permanent magnets can also be arranged along the transfer path. In order to ensure a stable floating state and precise movement of the operating part, it is advantageous to arrange further Hall sensors along the transfer path in order to determine the respective position of the operating part. As with the base station, the electromagnets and / or permanent magnets should be arranged over a large area in order to keep the position of the control unit stable and to be able to readjust it actively. The number and spacing of the electromagnets and / or permanent magnets depends on the length and extent of the transfer path and the range of the magnetic field of the electromagnets and / or the permanent magnets. The same applies to the additional Hall sensors: here, their measuring range in relation to the extent of the transfer path and its course must be taken into account when determining the number and position within the transfer path.

In order to initiate a movement of the operating part along the transfer path, for example to a user, various solutions can be pursued. For example, an operating element can be provided along the transfer path and operated in order to “call” the operating element to the user. The actuation of the operating element on the transfer path is transmitted to the control device with which the operating device interacts, so that it can trigger the movement of the operating part. Another example is the camera-based monitoring of the interior of the vehicle, so that by means of previously defined gestures by the user that are recorded by one or more cameras, it can be transmitted that the control panel is at a predetermined location and / or to the user performing the gestures should be transferred. However, it can also be provided that the control unit, when it changes to a standby state, is transferred to a user and / or a predefined location that is different from the base station.

The operating device expediently has a device for inductive charging of the operating part. Inductive charging is a type of wireless energy transmission and uses electromagnetic induction to supply mobile devices with energy, in particular to charge their energy storage devices. Inductive charging is already known from household appliances, cell phones and the like. For this purpose, a charging station is usually provided, in the vicinity of which the device to be supplied with energy is positioned. A precise alignment of the mobile device to be supplied with energy in relation to the charging station and / or an electrical contact with the base station is generally not required.

In this embodiment, the base station corresponds to the operating device of the charging station and the operating part corresponds to the mobile device to be supplied with energy. If the control unit is in the immediate vicinity of the base station and an energy storage device of the control unit needs to be charged, this can now be done by means of inductive charging. In particular, this can take place when the operating device is in an idle state. This refinement enables a discrete and reliable supply of energy to the operating part of the operating device.

The operating device according to the invention can be activated or switched on when a user approaches the vehicle, when the vehicle is opened and / or when the vehicle is started, so that it is available for use by the vehicle occupants at the earliest possible point in time. In the same way, the operating device can be switched off when the vehicle is parked, when the vehicle is locked or when a user is removed from the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally can be provided to use the control panel as a vehicle key for opening and closing the vehicle.

With the operating device according to the invention, an intuitive, simple and discrete possibility is now proposed to control the functions of a vehicle and to receive feedback regarding the operation. The feedback is discreet due to the movement pattern of the control unit and does not require any special visual and / or acoustic support. The proposed operating device can be flexibly adapted to the area of application, inter alia through the number and configuration of the movement patterns of the operating part for controlling functions and / or for transmitting information and / or feedback. Any mobile operating parts or mobile input devices for controlling functions in a vehicle can be trained or further developed according to the invention. Of course, such an operating device is not limited to use in a vehicle, but can also provide function-based control of environmental functions in other environments.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in the individual case.

• 1 beispielhafte Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der erfindungsgemäßen Bedienvorrichtung,
• 2 eine beispielhafte Ausgestaltung des Feldes von Elektromagneten der Basisstation,
• 3 beispielhafte Ausgestaltungen der Dauermagneten des Bedienteils, und
• 4 eine weitere beispielhafte Ausgestaltung der Dauermagnete des Bedienteils.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 exemplary application possibilities of the operating device according to the invention,
• 2 an exemplary embodiment of the field of electromagnets of the base station,
• 3 exemplary configurations of the permanent magnets of the control panel, and
• 4th Another exemplary embodiment of the permanent magnets of the control unit.

1 shows application areas and scenarios of the operating device according to the invention 10 in a vehicle. In 1a a section of an armrest 54 seen in a vehicle with a control panel above it 20th floats. The control unit 20th has an approximately oval shape in its surface area with a recess in the middle, the length expansion being significantly greater than the expansion in width.

In the 1a illustrated armrest 54 could also be a center console or another area of the vehicle. A representation with an armrest 54 between two vehicle seats 50 and the operating device 10 based on 1a is in 1b shown.

In the armrest 54 is the base station 30th the control device 10 integrated and indicated by a dashed line. With regard to the design of the base station 30th and the control unit 20th itself will be on the subsequent 2 until 4th referenced.

The control unit 20th is in a standby state in which it is by means of magnetic levitation over the base station 30th floats. It can perform small up and down movements to make it clear to a user that the control unit 20th is ready to receive operator actions. Will be the control panel 20th not required, takes the control device 10 a state of rest in which no magnetic levitation is effective and the control panel 20th on the armrest 54 or the area of the base station 30th rests. This can be done in the armrest 54 in the area of the base station 30th a recess may be formed around the control panel 20th secure against slipping while driving. Is the control device 10 In this case, designed with a device for inductive charging of the control panel, charging of an energy store in the control panel can now be initiated.

The operating device according to the invention 10 can also, as in 1c shown in or on a seat 52 a vehicle seat 50 be realized. This is the base station 30th in the seat 52 integrated and the control panel 20th hovers over it by means of magnetic levitation.

the 1d and 1e show the interaction of a user 60 with the control device 10 and especially the control panel 20th . So in 1d by means of an in-vehicle interior monitoring system using a camera, that the user 60 his hand on the control panel 20th moved and this then put into a standby state. As shown by the arrow, the hand of the user hovers 60 counteract by increasing the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the base station 30th is generated, is slowly increased. The magnetic field generated by means of electromagnets is symbolized by a horseshoe-shaped magnet with a lightning bolt.

In 1e the user interacts 60 with the control unit 20th . As the arrow shows, it pulls it towards itself, for example to make a selection in a control menu for vehicle functions. Controllable functions in a vehicle can be, for example, the interior climate, the playback of media, the setting of vehicle seats 50 , opening and closing windows, controlling interior lighting and the like. Indicates the keypad 20th does not have its own control elements, the control can be controlled solely by interacting with the control unit 20th respectively.

This interaction with the keypad 20th during magnetic levitation is carried out by at least one in the base station 30th provided Hall sensor detected and through the with the control device 10 cooperating control device evaluated (both in 1 Not shown). Is that of a user 60 executed movement of the control unit 20th Correlated with an operator action, this is then implemented by a corresponding activation by the control device.

In addition to the detection of a movement of the operating element initiated by a user 20th such a movement can also be carried out by an optional in the control panel 20th intended inertial measuring unit (IMU) can be detected in order to specify and verify the determination of the movement. In addition, it is also possible to determine the movements of the control unit 20th outside the range of the at least one Hall sensor of the base station 30th possible.

2 shows in simplified form the mode of operation of the operating device according to the invention 10 on an exemplary embodiment of the base station 30th and control unit 20th . A coordinate system is drawn in for orientation in order to display the course of the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction. In addition, only the arrangement of the electromagnets is for clarity 32 and the permanent magnets 34 the field as well as the permanent magnet 22nd of the control unit 20th shown. According to the invention, the control panel 20th at least one permanent magnet 22nd exhibit. The base station 30th exhibits a field of electromagnets 32 in a flat arrangement, between which to relieve the electromagnet 32 occasional permanent magnets 34 are arranged. Their number and position depends on the specific design of the operating device 10 and the levitation parameters to be realized. In addition, there is at least one Hall sensor in the field of the electromagnet 32 provided, but not shown in this illustration for the sake of clarity.

The operating device 10 cooperates with a control device. This evaluates the data from the at least one Hall sensor and uses this to determine the position of the permanent magnet 22nd of the control unit 20th . Through active regulation in the activation of the electromagnets 32 the base station 30th becomes a stable state of magnetic levitation of the permanent magnet 22nd set. It can also cause the permanent magnet to move 22nd in the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction are effected by the electromagnet 32 be controlled in such a way that they are the permanent magnets 22nd of the control unit 20th attract or repel.

3a and 3b show various planar arrangements of permanent magnets 22, 22.2 ( 3a) or 22 ( 3b) of the control unit 20th that are in magnetic levitation over the electromagnet 32 of the control unit 20th hover. As in 2 can use some of the electromagnets 32 be replaced by permanent magnets. Hall sensors are also symbolic 36 in the field of electromagnets 32 arranged. Their number and position also depends on the specific design of the operating device 10 and the levitation parameters to be realized.

In 3a is the control panel 20th formed with a large, central permanent magnet 22 and six smaller, circularly arranged permanent magnets 22. Here, too, a coordinate system shows the course of the axes. By means of the permanent magnet 22, the levitation of the operating part 20th be effected. The smaller permanent magnets 22 primarily form anchor points to allow rotation of the control panel 20th to be able to realize the z-axis. The electromagnets 32 of the field are controlled individually in such a way that they attract or repel one or more of the permanent magnets 22 while the permanent magnet 22 is held in its position. This is done by the control device in conjunction with the Hall sensors 36 monitored and readjusted based on your data.

An alternative embodiment to this is shown 3b , in which a ring of permanent magnets 22nd in the control panel 20th is provided. This also applies to the flat arrangement of the permanent magnets 22nd of the control unit 20th and allows the control unit to rotate 20th around the z-axis.

In 4a The permanent magnets are also shown with a coordinate system to represent the x-direction, y-direction and z-direction 22nd of the control unit 20th spatially, and in particular spherically, in or on the control panel 20th arranged. This makes it possible to rotate the control panel 20th to effect the x-axis and / or the y-axis. The procedure corresponds to that for a rotation around the z-axis. In addition, as in the 2 and 3 already shown permanent magnets 34 the field of the electromagnets 32 complement and / or hall sensors 36 be arranged in the field.

Now the control device can 10 be moved in all six degrees of freedom: a shift in the x-direction and / or y-direction ( 4b) , a rotation around the x-axis and / or the y-axis ( 4c ) and a rotation around the z-axis ( 4d ), where in 4d the control panel 20th is erected so that its length extends in the vertical direction.

With these possibilities of movement of the control unit 20th the control device 10 can a user 60 various information and / or feedback are transmitted, with an interaction with the control panel at the same time 20th is possible in itself. Movements of the control unit 20th are controlled by an individual control of the electromagnet 32 the base station 30th effected by the control device and by means of the at least one Hall sensor 36 monitored so that the magnetic levitation is kept stable. In the 4d shown, upright position of the control panel 20th can, for example, indicate that the vehicle is its destination, that of the control device of the operating device 10 transmitted by the navigation system is almost reached. Starting from the horizontal position as in 4b As the closer you get closer to the target, you can do this slowly by appropriately controlling the electromagnets 32 erect.

The interaction of the user with the control unit can include, for example, a rotation about one of the axes, which in this case, however, is triggered by the user. This can be used, for example, to regulate the volume of the media playback or to change the light color in the interior lighting of the vehicle. Is the control panel 20th in a stable state of suspension, a function to be controlled can be selected by deflecting the control unit from this position. This can only be done through the control panel 20th , through a suitable design of the control unit 20th with operating elements and possibly display elements and / or in cooperation with a display element of the vehicle in which a menu selection is displayed. In the same way, tapping the control panel 20th can be achieved at opposite ends to control a functional parameter, for example to increase or decrease the volume of a media playback or to increase or decrease the intensity of lighting in the interior of the vehicle.

It is not shown, but it is an advantageous further development when starting from the base station 30th a band or strip, within which further electromagnets and Hall sensors are arranged, runs in the direction of other seats in the vehicle. This band or this strip forms a transfer path, so that the control panel 20th by activating the electromagnets along the transfer path, brought about by the control device of the operating device 10 , can be moved.

List of reference symbols

10

Control device

20th

Control panel

22nd

Permanent magnet in the control panel

30th

Base station

32

Electromagnet

34

Permanent magnet in the base station

36

Hall sensor

50

Vehicle seat

52

Seat

54

armrest

60

user

Claims (10)

Control device (10) for controlling functions in a vehicle with a control part (20) and a base station (30), the control part (20) having at least one permanent magnet (22) and the base station (30) a field of electromagnets (32) and has at least one Hall sensor (36) and the operating device (10) interacts with a control device in such a way that • the control device determines the position of the operating part (20) by means of the at least one Hall sensor (36), • to hold and / or close the control part (20) by means of magnetic levitation between the at least one permanent magnet (22) of the control part (20) and the field of electromagnets (32) of the base station (30) in a suspended state above the base station (30) move is, and • the functions of the vehicle are controlled by an interaction of a user (60) with the control unit (20). Control device (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that a function of the vehicle is controlled by means of a movement of the operating part (20) initiated by a user (60) and detected by the at least one Hall sensor (36). Control device (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the operating part (20) has a device for determining a movement of the operating part (20). Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base station (30) furthermore has at least one permanent magnet (34). Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating part (20) has at least two flat permanent magnets (22). Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating part (20) has at least four spatially arranged permanent magnets (22). Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device controls the field of electromagnets (32) in such a way that the operating part (20) executes a movement pattern in order to provide information and / or feedback to a user (60) to transfer. Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating device (10) detects an approach of a user (60) and changes to a standby state. Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating device (10), starting from the base station (30), has further electromagnets, Hall sensors and / or permanent magnets in order to create a transfer path for a movement of the operating part (20) in the Train vehicle. Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating device (10) has a device for inductive charging of the operating part (20).

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