EP2708971B1 - Push and slide switch for a vehicle and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a vehicle, comprising an operable by an operator control element, which can be pressed from an initial position into an actuating position, and comprising an electronic switching element which can be actuated by pressing the operating element. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with such an operating device.

Operating devices with pressure switches are already known from the prior art in a variety of configurations. An operating device is z. B. from the document DE 10 2010 021 966 A1 known. Here, transmission means are used which serve for transmitting the actuating pressure from the operating element to the switch. These transmission means comprise a fluid via which the actuating pressure is transmitted from the operating element to the switch.

For the realization of a pressure switch relatively much space behind the control element is required in the prior art. However, this height is not always available, in particular for vehicles, because, for example, electronic functional components are located behind the user interface. On the other hand, those pressure switches, which have a low overall height in the direction perpendicular to the user interface, are mechanically less stable and thus less robust overall.

From the DE 195 07 952 A1 is an operating device for a vehicle with a control element known that can be pressed from an initial position into an actuating position and triggers an electronic switching element when pressing. The operating element is pivotally mounted, and is pivoted when pressing about a pivot axis.

It is an object of the invention to provide an operating device with a pressure switch, which has a low overall height and thus a small extent in the direction perpendicular to the user interface.

This object is achieved by an operating device and by a motor vehicle with the features according to the respective independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

In an inventive operating device with an operating element which can be pressed from an initial position into an operating position by an operator, and with an electronic switching element which is actuated by pressing the operating element, the operating element is pivotally mounted on a support member and is pressed or pivoted by pressing from the starting position to the operating position about a pivot axis.

The printing function of the control element is thus realized by a pivot bearing or pivot bearing, so that when pressing the control element from the starting position into the actuating position same control element is pivoted about a pivot axis on the support member and thus relative to the support member. By such a pivotal mounting of the operating element, the operating device can be constructed overall with a very small overall depth, and it can thus be created overall in a direction perpendicular to the user interface particularly compact and space-saving control device. At the same time, the operating device is also particularly stable and robust due to the pivotal mounting. The pivot axis is preferably located in a common plane with the operating element (in the starting position), which is arranged parallel to the user interface and thus perpendicular to the pressing direction of the operating element.

The pivotable mounting of the operating element on the carrier part can be realized directly or indirectly. In an immediate storage, the control element is directly and pivotally mounted on the support part. In contrast, it is provided in an indirect storage, that the operating element via an intermediate piece, in particular a rocker part, is pivotally mounted on the support part. Overall, it is thus provided that the operating element is at least indirectly pivotally mounted on the support part.

In the present case, the support part is understood to mean a part opposite which the operating element is moved. This carrier part may comprise, for example, a total of a housing and / or a printed circuit board. The support member is thus a fixed overall and thus relative to the user interface, in particular relative to the vehicle, immovable part.

According to the invention the control element is additionally designed as a slide switch and slidably mounted in a sliding direction. The sliding direction can be linear and thus oriented in a straight line. Preferably, the sliding direction also runs perpendicular to the pressing direction of the operating element. The operating device according to the invention comprises a detection device, by means of which the displacement of the operating element is detected. Thus, an operating device is provided, which is multifunctional and has a push and push switch, which can be pressed both as
is also movable. In this way, a plurality of functions can be triggered with one and the same operating element, which proves to be particularly advantageous when used in a motor vehicle. The sliding and push switch has a very low height and thus takes up very little space in the direction perpendicular to the user interface or perpendicular to the sliding direction. Thus, the operating device can also be used particularly advantageously for example on a center console in a motor vehicle.

The detection device preferably detects the current position of the operating element in the sliding direction. The detection device can then generate an electronic signal which characterizes the current position of the operating element relative to the starting position. For example, an optical and / or mechanical and / or electrical and / or capacitive and / or magnetic device can be used as detection device. For example, a potentiometer or a Hall sensor can be used as the detection device.

As already stated, the operating element can be indirectly mounted pivotably on the carrier part. In one embodiment, it is provided that the operating element is displaceably mounted on a rocker part, which in turn is pivotally mounted on the support part about the pivot axis. Thus, the control element via the rocker member indirectly on the support member is pivotally mounted. In this way, a mechanical decoupling of the sliding function on the one hand and the printing function on the other hand allows, which additionally increases the robustness of the operating device. It also makes it possible to block the shift function and / or move the print function without much effort when pressed.

Preferably, the rocker part is arranged in an opening of the carrier part, in particular in an opening of the printed circuit board, and thus preferably lies in a plane defined by this opening. In this case, the rocker part can have an extension or a nose over which the rocker part is supported in the actuation position on an edge of the opening and thus on the support part, in particular on the printed circuit board. By providing such an extension, which forms a stop, it is prevented that an excessive actuating force is applied to the switching element below the operating element. As a result, destruction of the switching element can be prevented. In addition, such an extension allows a defined movement of the rocker part and thus a defined movement of the operating element in the pressing direction. If this extension is brought into contact with the edge of the opening, then is the control in the operating position and thus in the depressed position.

Preferably blocking means are provided, which in the operating position of the operating element (operating element pressed) mechanically prevent or block the displacement of the operating element in the sliding direction. This prevents the printing function and the sliding function from being executed simultaneously. If the operating element is pressed, the blocking means prevent an additional displacement of the operating element in the sliding direction.

Preferably, additionally or alternatively, blocking means are also provided which then mechanically prevent the operating element from being pressed when the operating element is in a position shifted in the sliding direction in relation to the starting position. Thus, the pressing of the control element is only possible when the control element is in its initial position and thus is not moved in the sliding direction.

The blocking of the two functions, namely the printing function on the one hand and the sliding function on the other hand, preferably takes place by means of blocking means, which are integrally formed. The same blocking agents can thus block both one function and the other function.

To block at least one of the functions, the blocking means may have a recess formed in a bottom of the operating element, into which a web-shaped extension of the carrier part, in particular the printed circuit board, is received in the operating position of the operating element. The width of this recess is preferably adapted to the width of the web-shaped extension, so that the width of the recess is slightly larger than the width of the extension. The recess is preferably formed in the form of a rectangular indentation or depression, in which a rectangular in cross section extension of the support member, in particular the circuit board, can be added. By such an embodiment of the blocking means blocking of both the printing function and the shift function can be realized. Namely, is the control element in the operating position, so that the extension is in the recess, the sliding function of the control element is blocked. If, however, the operating element is in a position shifted in the sliding direction relative to the starting position, then the recess of the operating element no longer overlaps or

Cover with the web-shaped extension, so that the printing function of the operating element is blocked. With the same measures can thus be reliably realized blocking the printing function on the one hand and the sliding function on the other hand.

In the initial position of the control element, the recess is preferably arranged in register with the web-shaped extension of the carrier part. If the operating element is displaced in the sliding direction, then the recess outside the overlap and thus arranged offset to the extension.

Preferably, the switching element is arranged on the web-shaped extension. Thus, this switching element can be reliably operated when pressing the operating element, and the height of the operating device can be further reduced.

In one embodiment, the operating device comprises at least one haptic element, in particular separate from the detection device, by means of which a force and thus a haptic feedback is applied to the operating element in at least one position of the operating element which is shifted in the sliding direction relative to the starting position. The operator is thus informed about the achievement of this position of the control element with a haptic feedback, and it is the operator gives the impression as if the control element engage in a detent opening. The at least one haptic element can, for. B. in the form of a switching mat, which is pressed when moving the operating element by means of the operating element and in this case generates a force pulse on the operating element in at least one position of the operating element. The detection of the current position of the operating element in the sliding direction is preferably carried out separately with the aid of the above-mentioned detection device.

Preferably, the at least one haptic element is arranged on the rocker part, which is mounted pivotably directly on the support part. Thus, the at least one haptic moves when pressing the control element together with this control. A relative movement between the control element and Haptikelement is possible only when moving the operating element in the sliding direction.

A motor vehicle according to the invention comprises an operating device according to the invention.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. All the features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone.

The invention will now be explained with reference to a preferred embodiment, as well as with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

in schematischer und perspektivischer Darstellung eine Bedieneinrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Darstellung eine Schnittansicht durch die Bedieneinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

in schematischer Darstellung eine Schnittansicht durch ein Bedienelement der Bedieneinrichtung, wobei die Blockierung einer Druckfunktion näher erläutert wird; und

Fig. 4

in schematischer Darstellung eine Schnittansicht durch das Bedienelement, wobei die Blockierung einer Schiebefunktion näher erläutert wird.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic and perspective view of an operating device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2

in a schematic representation of a sectional view through the operating device according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a sectional view through an operating element of the operating device, wherein the blocking of a printing function is explained in more detail; and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a sectional view through the operating element, wherein the blocking of a sliding function is explained in detail.

One in the Fig. 1 and 2 Operating device 1 shown is intended for use in a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger car, and designed, for example, for setting operating parameters of a functional component of the motor vehicle. The operating device 1 comprises an operating element 2, which can be actuated by an operator. The operating element 2 is designed as a push and push switch and can be pressed on the one hand in a pressing direction 3 and on the other hand moved in a sliding direction 4 in both directions. The pressing takes place perpendicular to a user interface, which is defined parallel to the surface 5 of the operating element 2. In contrast, this is done Moving the control element 2 perpendicular to the pressing direction 3 and thus parallel to the surface. 5

The operating element 2 has a cuboid base body 6, which forms the actual actuating element and can be touched by the operator. From the main body 6 are on opposite sides of the control element 2 respective wings 7, 8, which are plate-shaped and extend parallel to the frontal surface 5. How out Fig. 2 shows, the base body 6 of the control element 2 also has a bottom 9, in which - approximately centrally in the sliding direction 4 - a recess 10 is formed in the form of a rectangular recess or depression. The function of this recess 10 will be explained in more detail below.

The operating element 2 is mounted displaceably guided on a rocker part 11 in the sliding direction 4. This storage takes place via a guide element 12 (see Fig. 1 ) of the operating element 2, wherein the guide element 12 can be stored for example in a guided groove, not shown in the figures of the rocker part 11. As in particular from Fig. 2 shows, the rocker member 11 has a plate-shaped, flat bottom 13, on which the bottom 9 of the control element 2 is slidably movable. On one end of the elongated rocker part 11, a bearing 14 with two laterally projecting bearing pin 15, 16 is arranged, which define a pivot axis 17 and over which the entire rocker member 11 and thus indirectly the operating element 2 can be pivotally mounted on a support member. The support part includes on the one hand in the figure, not shown housing or a support on which the rocker member 11 is pivotally mounted, and on the other hand, a printed circuit board 18, on which the electronic elements of the operating device 1 are arranged.

The rocker part 11 lies within an opening 19 which is formed in the printed circuit board 18. In this case, the bottom 13 of the rocker part 11 in the plane of the circuit board 18. The bottom 13 of the rocker member 11 also has a rectangular recess 20 for a web-shaped extension 21 of the circuit board 18. At this strip-shaped extension 21, an electronic switching element 22 is arranged, which is actuated when pressing the operating element 2 in the pressing direction from the starting position into an actuating position. In addition to the switching function, this switching element also has a haptic function, so that a haptic force is applied to the operating element 2 in the actuating position.

The indentation 20 in the bottom 13 of the rocker part 11 is deeper than the recess 10, which is formed in the bottom 9 of the control element 2. In the starting position of the operating element, the bottom 13 of the rocker part 11 lies in the plane of the printed circuit board 18, so that the extension 21 of the printed circuit board 18 closes the opening of the indentation 20 or the recess 20.

At an end of the rocker part 11 opposite the bearing 14, the rocker part 11 has a web or a wall 23, which is arranged perpendicular to the bottom 13. From this web 23 is an extension 24 to the outside, which forms a stop which is supported when pressing the operating element 2 in the operating position at an edge 25 of the opening 19 of the circuit board 18. The projection 24 is thus brought into abutment with the circuit board 18 in the operating position of the operating element 2.

On the rocker part 11 also two haptic elements 26, 27 are arranged, which preferably follow directly to the bearing 14. These haptic elements 26, 27 are arranged between a first wall 28 of the rocker part 11 running perpendicular to the floor 13 on the one hand and a second wall 29 extending parallel to the first wall 28 on the other hand, in which the bearing 14 is integrated. The two haptic elements 26, 27 are thus arranged in a sandwich construction in a space between the two walls 28, 29. In turn, there is an actuating element 30 between the haptic elements 26, 27 alone, which is connected in one piece to the main body 6 of the operating element 2. Consequently, when the operating element 2 is moved in the sliding direction 4, the actuating element 30 also moves in the direction of the haptic element 26 and on the other hand toward the haptic element 27. The two haptic elements 26, 27 generate a force respectively in at least one position of the operating element 2. a haptic feedback to the actuator 30 and thus to the control element 2. For example, two positions can be provided for each direction, in which a haptic feedback is generated. When moving the operating element 2 in the sliding direction 4 to the left, the haptic element 26 is actuated, while the other haptic element 27 is actuated when moving the operating element 2 to the right. The two haptic elements 26, 27 may for example be designed in the form of switching mats, which is designed to provide the haptic feedback.

The haptic elements 26, 27 are preferably used exclusively for generating a haptic force, but not for detecting the current position of the operating element 2 in the sliding direction 4. For this purpose, preferably a separate detection device 31 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) used, which z. B, as a potentiometer can be performed. A gear 32 of the detection device 31 is engaged with a linear tooth structure of a plate 33 of the operating element 2, so that a linear and rectilinear movement of the operating element 2 in the sliding direction 4 causes a rotational movement of the rotary wheel 32 by an angle α. This angle α is then electronically and / or optically and / or magnetically and / or capacitively detected and depending on this angle α is then deduced the current position of the control element.

The rocker part 11 is preferably in one piece and preferably made of plastic. Additionally or alternatively, the control element 2 in one piece and z. B. be formed of plastic. This means that the main body 6, the wings 7, 8, the actuator 30 and the plate 33 are preferably formed integrally with each other.

The rocker part 11 is hinged together with the operating element 2 via the bearing 14 on the support part, so that the rocker part 11 is pivotally mounted on the support part about the pivot axis 17. The operating element 2 can be pressed from the starting position into an actuating position in which the switching element 22 is actuated. The pressing of the control element 2 is effected by pivoting the rocker part 11 about the pivot axis 17. Here, the control element from the initial position, in which the bottom 13 is in the plane of the circuit board 18, spent in the operating position, in which the bottom 13 with the circuit board 18 includes an angle greater than 0 °. The rocker part 11 or the operating element 2 is thus pivoted relative to the printed circuit board 18. When pressing the control element 2 while the switching element 22 is actuated, which can then exert a restoring force on the control element 2 to spend the control element 2 back to the starting position. In the operating position of the operating element 2, the web-shaped extension 21 of the printed circuit board 18 is also received in the recess 10 of the bottom 9 of the operating element 2. In the starting position of the operating element 2, however, the extension 21 is located outside the recess 10.

When moving the operating element 2 along the sliding direction 4, however, the operating element 2 is moved relative to the rocker part 11 alone. Because the recess 10 and the indentation 20 are arranged side by side in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction 4, a sliding movement of the operating element 2 on the rocker part 11 is possible. When moving the operating element 2 along the sliding direction 4 while the recess 10 is moved relative to the extension 21 of the circuit board 18. Only in the initial position of the operating element 2 is the recess 10 in complete overlap with the extension 21 and thus over the extension 21. If the operating element 2 is displaced in the sliding direction 4, then complete overlapping is no longer guaranteed.

By such an embodiment of the operating element 2 with the recess 10 on the one hand and by an embodiment of the printed circuit board 18 with the extension 21 on the other hand blocking means 34 are provided, which on the one hand prevent movement of the operating element 2 in the pressing direction 3 when the operating element 2 in the sliding direction 4 off the starting position is shifted, and on the other hand also mechanically block a displacement of the operating element 2 in the sliding direction 4 when the operating element 2 is pressed from the starting position.

These two situations are in the 3 and 4 shown in more detail. In Fig. 3 In this case, a position of the operating element 2 is shown, which is linearly displaced relative to the starting position in the sliding direction 4. The recess 10 of the bottom 9 is thus offset relative to the extension 21 of the printed circuit board 18, and the inclusion of the extension 21 in the recess 10 is not possible. Thus, the control element 2 can not be pressed in the pressing direction 3. In contrast, in Fig. 4 the operating position of the operating element 2 is shown, in which the switching element 22 is actuated. Here, the extension 21 is in the recess 10, so that a displacement of the operating element in the sliding direction 4 is not possible. Namely, the walls of the recess 10 block movement relative to the extension 21.

Claims (10)

1. Operator control device (1) for a vehicle, having an operator control element (2) which can be operated by an operator and which can be pressed from a home position into an activation position, and having an electronic switching element (22) which can be activated by pressing the operator control element (2),
   wherein the operator control element (2) is pivotably mounted on a carrier part, and if pressing out of the home position into the activation position occurs it can be pivoted about a pivoting axis (17),
   characterized in that
   the operator control element (2) is additionally embodied as a slide switch and is mounted so as to be capable of sliding in a sliding direction (4), wherein the operator control device (1) has a detection device (31) by means of which the sliding of the operator control element (2) can be detected.
2. Operator control device (1) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the operator control element (2) is slidably mounted on a rocker part (11) which is mounted on the carrier part so as to be capable of pivoting about the pivoting axis (17) .
3. Operator control device (1) according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the rocker part (11) is arranged in an opening (19) in the carrier part and has a projection (24), by means of which the rocker part (11) is supported on an edge (25) of the opening (19) in the activation position of the operator control element (2).
4. Operator control device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the operator control device (1) comprises blocking means (34) which, in the activation position of the operator control element (2), mechanically block the sliding of the operator control element (2) in the sliding direction (4) .
5. Operator control device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the operator control device (1) comprises blocking means (34) which mechanically block the pressing of the operator control element (2) in a position of the operator control element (2) which is slid in the sliding direction (4) with respect to the home position.
6. Operator control device (1) according to Claim 4 or 5,
   characterized in that
   the blocking means (34) have a cutout (10) which is formed in a base (10) of the operator control element (2) and in which a web-shaped projection (21) of the carrier part, in particular of a circuit board (18), is accommodated in the activation position of the operator control element (2).
7. Operator control device (1) according to Claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the switching element (22) is arranged on the web-shaped projection (21) .
8. Operator control device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that
   the operator control device (1) has at least one haptic element (26, 27), which is, in particular, separate from the detection device (31) and by means of which a force can be applied to the operator control element (2) in at least one position of the operator control element (2) which is slid in the sliding direction (4) with respect to the home position.
9. Operator control device (1) according to Claims 2 and 8,
   characterized in that
   the at least one haptic element (26, 27) is arranged on the rocker part (11).
10. Motor vehicle having an operator control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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