EP3963422A1

EP3963422A1 - Control element

Info

Publication number: EP3963422A1
Application number: EP20710094.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erwin Biegger; Fabian Schrader; Georg TENCKHOFF; Michael Pantke; Joachim Biller
Original assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Current assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Priority date: 2019-04-30
Filing date: 2020-03-04
Publication date: 2022-03-09
Also published as: US20220223358A1; DE102019206229A1; WO2020221494A1; JP2022530642A; CN113711154A

Abstract

A control element comprises an electro-rheological material (12, 13) and at least one driver arrangement (14) for producing a variable magnetic field or electric field. The driver arrangement (14) allows provision of variable haptic feedback for perception by a user.

Description

Control element

The invention relates to a control element, as it is preferably used in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, a rail vehicle, an aircraft or egg nem watercraft.

Numerous operating elements are provided in vehicles, the actuation of which can easily lead to a distraction of the operator. This can result in undesirable reactions or possibly even the risk of an accident.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing an operating element that allows the least possible distraction of a user.

This object is achieved by an operating element comprising an electrorheological material, with at least one driver arrangement for generating a changeable electric field.

The object of the invention is completely achieved in this way.

According to the invention, a change in the haptics of the operating element can be generated by a change in the electrical field. This can be brought about in particular by changing the shape of the control element and / or by changing the rigidity of the control element. In this way, communication with a user of the operating element can be achieved without the user having to look at the operating element himself and thus being distracted.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the electrorheological Ma material has an electrorheological elastomer.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the electrorheological Ma material has an electrorheological fluid. In both cases, the electrorheological property of the material can be used to bring about a change in properties when an electric field is applied to the electrorheological material.

As far as the elastomer is electrorheological, it is an electrically polarizable elastomer. There are some elastomers that are inherently electrically polarizable, such as Polyvinyl chloride, PVC. Other elastomers, however, are hardly polarizable, such as styrene rubber materials, e.g. SEBS / SIBS / SEPS. Polarizable particles can also be dispersed in the elastomer.

If an electrorheological fluid is used, it goes without saying that this must be sealed in a suitable cavity of an elastomer.

While in the case of electrorheological elastomers both a change in shape and a change in stiffness can occur under the influence of an electric field, the effect in the case of an electrorheological fluid is limited to a change in viscosity.

In both cases, however, there is a change in the feel, which can be perceived by a user of the control element.

In the simplest case, the driver arrangement comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, between which an electric field can be applied.

In this case, the driver arrangement preferably has at least one flexible electrode, and the electrorheological material is at least partially arranged between the electrodes.

Since at least one of the electrodes is thus arranged at the end of the body formed by the electrorheological elastomer and the shape, in particular the length or width of the body, can change, the electrode in question is preferably flexible. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the driver arrangement is designed to generate a vibration of the control element, in particular with different frequencies perceptible by the operator, different duration and / or in a terminating output.

In this way it is possible to indicate to the user by means of a vibration that an input has been made correctly, for example.

For example, a vibration could indicate to a user when a correct entry has been made, for example when a telephone number has been entered. Or it could be indicated to a user by different frequencies whether, for example, an input should be made to increase a specific value or to decrease a specific value. Furthermore, different frequencies can be used to give a user specific feedback or specific requirements for an input. In a corresponding manner, different durations and / or intermittent outputs of a frequency can be used in order to communicate with a user.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the driver arrangement is designed to allow at least part of the operating element to protrude from a surface when activated or to sink it into a surface.

In this way, when it is not needed, the control element can, for example, remain sunk in a surface and only be moved out when an input is required.

The operating element is preferably designed as a push button or button.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the operating element comprises a plurality of individual operating elements, each of which has its own driver arrangement. In this way, an entire input field can be implemented, for example for entering a telephone number.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first electrode is designed to actuate an electrical switching device and is at least partially manually movable.

While the operating element can otherwise be part of an electrical switching device, e.g. can be designed as a plunger or rotary knob for actuating a switch, the operating element itself can also be part of an electrical switching device, which is thus actuated directly via the first electrode. For this purpose, the first electrode can preferably have a flexible area over which the actuation takes place.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first electrode is arranged at a first end of the electrorheological elastomer and is designed to make contact with an intermediate electrode during manual activation.

The electrical switching device can thus be implemented between the first electrode and the intermediate electrode. In contrast, the driver arrangement is coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, which is arranged at the other end of the elastomer. The variable haptics are provided by means of the driver arrangement.

In this way, the control element is designed in a particularly simple and compact manner, on the one hand to implement a switching device and, on the other hand, to provide a changeable haptic in order to be able to communicate with a user.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a first electrode is arranged at a first end and the second electrode is arranged at the other end of the elastomer. Both electrodes are coupled to the driver arrangement in order to provide the changeable haptics. The electrical switching device has means for monitoring a change in the capacitance between the first and the second Electrode to register a movement of the first electrode. This allows the electrical switching device to be switched.

In this way, the operating element can be combined with an electrical switching device and galvanically isolated from the driver arrangement.

An operating element according to the invention can preferably be produced using 3D printing.

Almost any shape can be realized in 3D printing, so that the control element can be easily adapted to different applications and requirements.

As already mentioned above, an operating element according to the invention can preferably be used to communicate with an operator, for which purpose a change in the feel of the operating element that can be perceived by an operator is used. Here, for example, a vibration can be used to give an operator feedback on activation of the control element or to prompt the operator to make an entry.

As already mentioned, an operating element according to the invention can preferably be used in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, a rail vehicle, an aircraft or a watercraft.

It goes without saying that the features of the invention mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. Show it: FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a control element according to the invention with an electrorheological elastomer;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an operator control element according to the invention with an electrorheological fluid;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a control element according to the invention, which consists of a plurality of individual electrorheological elements;

Figure 4 is a partial view of an operating element according to the invention, which in a

Surface is sunk in the non-activated state;

FIG. 5 shows a view of the operating element according to FIG. 5 in the activated state, this partially protruding from the surface;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of an operating element consisting of nine individual elements, each individual element additionally having a switching area;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged illustration of a further embodiment of a control element according to the invention, which on the one hand can be used as an electrical switching element and on the other hand has an electrorheological elastomer in order to be able to communicate with a user by changing the feel; and

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged illustration of a further embodiment of a control element according to the invention, which on the one hand can be used as an electrical switching element and on the other hand has an electrorheological elastomer in order to be able to communicate with a user through a changed haptic, the electrical switching element electronically evaluating the change in capacitance to trigger a switching process. In FIG. 1, a schematic representation of an operating element according to the invention is designated as a whole by the number 10. It is an operating element 10 with an electrorheological elastomer 12 in the form of a block, at the two ends of which two electrical electrodes are provided, a first electrode 16 and a second electrode 18. The two electrodes 16, 18 can be connected via a driver arrangement 14 an electrical voltage can be applied. For this purpose, a voltage source indicated only schematically by 20 is provided, as well as a switch 22. It goes without saying that the voltage source 20 is usually an electronic voltage source that emits a direct voltage or a variable direct voltage and that the switch 22 is usually a is an electronic switch that is operated via a suitable controller.

In the electrorheological elastomer 12, polarizable particles are dispersed, which are reversibly polarized when an electric field is applied. This results in a contraction, as indicated by the two arrows 23, 24 in FIG. 1. The elastomer 12 can also already be polarizable by default.

Since the electrodes 16, 18 are arranged at the ends of the elastomer 12, they should be designed to be flexible so that they can take part in a change in shape. Through the driver arrangement 14, which includes the voltage source 20 and the switch 22, a change in length or change in cross section of the elastomer 12 can be achieved and / or a change in the rigidity. A vibration can also be achieved.

It goes without saying that the electrorheological elastomer 12 can be designed not only in block form, as shown, but in almost any shape, which can easily be represented by 3D printing. For example, a hollow structure or a structured hollow structure with the same or different individual elements can be present.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an operating element according to the invention in a schematic representation, which is designated as a whole with 10a. Here will be how too in the following figures, corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding parts.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, instead of an electrorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid 13 is used which is enclosed in a cavity of an elastomer 12.

When an electric field is applied between the electrodes 16, 18, the electrorheological (polarizable) molecules of the fluid align between the electrodes 16, 18 and thus generate an increased rigidity of the arrangement.

The operating element 10 or 10a according to FIG. 1 or 2 can be part of a switching element with which, for example, an electrical switch is operated. The operating element 10 or 10a can thus be part of a mechanical plunger with which an electrical switch is operated. The driver arrangement 14 is used to generate a variable haptic, which can be perceived by an operator, by changing the shape and / or rigidity of the elastomer 12 or the fluid 13.

In this way, feedback can be given to an operator as to whether, for example, the control element has been operated correctly in order to make a specific input. Furthermore, in particular, a vibration of the elastomer 12 can be caused, with different frequencies, a different duration and / or an intermittent output being able to be used in order to exchange certain information with the operator.

Furthermore, the operating element can also consist of a plurality of individual elements, as is shown schematically in FIG.

The control element 10b according to FIG. 3 consists, for example, of nine individual control elements 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, which are arranged in a checkerboard manner. Each individual operating element 26 to 34 has its own driver arrangement 14 and can be controlled individually (connections not shown). In this way, larger input fields can be implemented, for example like a telephone keypad. With each individual operating element 26 to 34 a separate switching process can be implemented and communication with a user can take place in that a change in shape or a change in rigidity and thus a changed haptic is generated which is acceptable to a user.

In Figures 4 and 5, a further embodiment of an operating element according to the invention is shown and designated as a whole with 10d. Here, the operating element 10d is embedded in a surface 45 and is movable within it. When activated, as indicated by way of example in FIG. 5, part of the operating element 10d ′ can protrude outwardly from the surface 45.

FIG. 6 shows a further control element, denoted overall by 10d, which consists of nine individual control elements 26 to 34 arranged in a checkerboard manner. Each individual operating element 26 to 34 also has a switching area 47 which, when manually activated, triggers an electrical switching process. Depending on the specified construction, a certain pressure point characteristic results in the non-activated state, by means of which a switching process can be triggered with manual actuation (fail-safe operation). In the activated state, on the one hand, the switching characteristics can be changed and, on the other hand, communication with the user, as described above, can be achieved.

In Fig. 7, a further control element is shown as an example, which is designated as a whole by 10e. This is an operating element in which, on the one hand, an electrical switching element 50 is implemented with two electrodes 16, 49 and which, on the other hand, is combined with an electrorheological elastomer 12 in order to generate a variable feel.

At a first end of the electrorheological elastomer 12, a first electrode 16 is provided which has a raised, outwardly protruding switching region 47. Adjacent to this is an intermediate electrode 49 which is electrically insulated from the first electrode 16 via an insulating layer 51. If the raised, outwardly protruding switching area 47 is pressed inward, this results finally, a contact with the intermediate electrode 49 below, so that an electrical switching process takes place between the first electrode 16 and the intermediate electrode 49.

The second electrode 18 is arranged at the other end of the electrorheological elastomer 12. An electric field can be applied between the first electrode 16 and the second electrode 18 via a driver arrangement in the manner described above in order to generate a change in shape or length or a variable rigidity.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 7. The operating element designated as a whole by 10f again has a first electrode 16 and a second electrode 18, between which an electrorheological elastomer 12 is enclosed. The first electrode 16 in turn has a raised, outwardly protruding switching area 47 which can be operated manually.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 7, however, the use of an intermediate electrode was dispensed with. Instead, the capacitance between the two electrodes 16, 17 is monitored by means of the switching device 50. If the switching area 47 is pressed in, the switching device 50 registers a change in the capacitance and thus carries out a switching process between the two connections 52, 54. Galvanic separation between the two connections 52, 54 on the one hand and the two electrodes 16, 18 on the other hand can be ensured.

References, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f Control element elastomer

Fluid

Driver arrangement

Kitchen sink

first electrode

second electrode

Voltage source

switch

arrow

Single control element

Single driver arrangement

surface

Switching range Intermediate electrode switching element connection

connection

Claims

1. Control element, comprising an electrorheological material (12, 13) and at least one driver arrangement (14) for generating a variable electrical field.

2. Control element according to claim 1, wherein the electrorheological material comprises an electrorheological elastomer (12).

3. Control element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrorheological Ma material comprises an electrorheological fluid (13).

4. Control element according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the driver arrangement (14) comprises a first electrode (16) and a second electrode (18), between which an electric field can be applied.

5. Control element according to claim 4, in which the driver arrangement (14) has at least one flexible electrode (16, 18) and the electrorheological Ma material (12, 13) is at least partially net angeord between the electrodes (16, 18).

6. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, which is to be formed, a variable haptics for perception by an operator to he testify.

7. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, in which the driver assembly (14) is designed to cause a variable rigidity of the control element (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f).

8. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the driver arrangement (14) is designed to cause a variable shape of the control element (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f).

9. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, in which the driver arrangement (14) for generating a vibration of the control element (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) is designed, in particular with different frequencies perceptible by the operator, different duration and / or intermittent output.

10. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the driver arrangement (14) is designed to let at least part of the control element (10c) emerge from a surface (45) or in a surface (45) when activated sink.

11. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a push button or button.

12. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of individual control elements (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34), each of which has its own driver arrangement (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43).

13. Control element according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the first electrode (16) for actuating an electrical switching device (50) is at least partially manually movable.

14. Control element according to claim 13, with a first electrode (16) at a first end, which is arranged for contacting an intermediate electrode (49) with manual activation in order to realize the electrical switching device (50), and with a second electrode (18), which is arranged at the other end of the elastomer and which, together with the first electrode (16), is coupled to the driver arrangement (14) in order to provide the changeable haptics.

15. Control element according to claim 13, with a first electrode (16) at a first end, and with a second electrode (18) at the other end of the Elastomer is arranged and which is coupled together with the first electrode (16) to the driver arrangement (14) in order to provide the changeable haptics be available, wherein the electrical switching device (50) means for monitoring a change in capacitance between the first and the second Electrode (16, 18) comprises in order to realize an electrical circuit when moving the first electrode (16).

16. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, produced by 3D printing.

17. Use of the operating element (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (10, 10a,

10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) is used to communicate with an operator via a change in the feel of the control element (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) that can be perceived by an operator, in particular by means of a Vibration a response to activation of the control element

(10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f) or to prompt the operator for an input with a vibration.

18. Use of the control element according to claim 17 in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, an aircraft or a water vehicle.