WO2020099610A1

WO2020099610A1 - Device for engaging a gear for an automatic gearbox in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020099610A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/081418
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vitali FRIBUS; Karsten Straßburg; Andreas Peukert
Original assignee: Zf Friedrichshafen Ag
Priority date: 2018-11-15
Filing date: 2019-11-15
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Also published as: DE102018219555A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (110) for engaging a gear for an automatic gearbox (105) in a vehicle (100). The device (110) has a selection sensor unit (115) with at least two selection regions (125, 126), each for one gear. The selection sensor unit (115) is designed to provide a selection signal (130) in response to a force exerted on one of the at least two selection regions (125, 126). The selection signal (130) represents a selected gear of the at least two gears. The device (110) is characterized by a safety sensor unit (120) with at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) spaced from each other. The safety sensor unit (120) is designed, independently of the selection sensor unit (115), to sense the force (605) exerted on one of the at least two selection regions (125, 126) and to provide a safety signal (140). The safety signal (140) represents the force exerted (605). The gear is engaged using the selection signal (130) and the safety signal (140).

Description

Device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission

of a vehicle

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission of a vehicle.

It is possible to set a gear stage of an electronic transmission by means of an actuating device that responds to touch gestures, for example by means of a predefined wiping gesture within a touch-sensitive operating element, or by moving a displayed image into a predetermined area.

DE102016200020A1 describes such an actuating device for selecting an operating mode of an electronic transmission for a motor vehicle.

Against this background, the present invention provides an improved device and an improved method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments result from the subclaims and the following description. The present invention also relates to a control unit and a computer program.

The approach presented here is based on the knowledge that a drive level of an automatic transmission can be set by means of a touch-sensitive and a force-sensitive sensor by manual input. During manual input, both the touch and a force exerted by the touch are sensed, which is advantageous for safe operation and prevents incorrect input due to external influences, such as a liquid dripping onto the touch-sensitive control element. A manual entry is thus advantageously checked twice, which not only increases safety, but is also convenient and time-saving for a user, since only one touch, for example of a correspondingly shaped touch-sensitive button, is required in order to select and set the drive level. A device for setting a speed level for an automatic transmission of a vehicle comprises a selection sensor unit with at least two selection areas for each speed level and a safety sensor unit with at least two safety sensor elements arranged at a distance from one another. The selection sensor unit is designed to provide a selection signal in response to a force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas. The selection signal represents a selected speed level of the at least two speed levels. The safety sensor unit is designed to sense the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas independently of the selection sensor unit. In addition, the safety sensor unit is designed to provide a safety signal. The safety signal represents the force exerted. The drive level is set using the selection signal and the safety signal.

The device can be, for example, an operating element with an interface to a control device of the vehicle, which is arranged in the vehicle instead of a selector lever. The vehicle can, for example, be designed as a motor vehicle, also as a motor vehicle with automated ferry operation, or as a bus, rail vehicle or aircraft. The automatic transmission can be understood to mean an electronic transmission, for example an automated transmission, or a transmission with mechanical and additionally or alternatively electrical actuators. The selection sensor unit can include, for example, a touch-sensitive element for each speed level and accordingly for each selection area, for example with a capacitive sensor system. The selection unit includes the at least two selection areas, but can also include four selection areas for a classic automatic transmission, for example, each of the selection areas having one of the drive stages P (parking), R (reverse gear), N (neutral) or D (forward gear) ) assigned. The force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas can be understood to mean a force caused by a manual operating input, for example placing or pressing a finger, that is to say a force exerted by a finger. Using the sensed force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas, the selection signal can be provided that represents the selected driving step. The safety sensor unit comprises the at least two safety sensor elements, which for example may include capacitive electrodes. The at least two safety sensor elements can be spaced apart from one another, that is to say they can be spatially separated. In addition, the at least two safety sensor elements can also be arranged at a distance from the at least two selection areas. The selected driving stage can be set using the selection signal and the safety signal. For this purpose, the device can, for example, be connected to the control unit of the vehicle in a manner capable of signal transmission, or the device can be designed to control the setting of the driving level.

According to one embodiment, the at least two selection areas can be designed as capacitive sensors. Additionally or alternatively, the at least two safety sensor elements can be designed as capacitive sensors. The force exerted can advantageously be recorded efficiently and quickly in this way. In addition, the device can thereby advantageously be implemented in a compact design.

According to one embodiment, the at least two safety sensor elements can also comprise two electrodes separated from one another by a deformable layer. In this case, the safety sensor unit can be designed to provide the safety signal as a function of a force triggering threshold exceeded by the force exerted. For this purpose, the at least two safety sensor elements can each comprise, for example, a receiver electrode and a passive electrode, which are separated from one another by the deformable layer, for example an elastic substrate such as foam material. The force release threshold can be reached or exceeded, for example, by changing the intrinsic capacity of one of the at least two safety sensor elements by compressing the deformable layer, which can be brought about by the force exerted. A thickness or a possibility of compression of the deformable layer can define the force release threshold. This can advantageously prevent, for example, an unintentional selection of a gear step by accidentally touching a selection area.

In addition, according to one embodiment, the at least two selection areas and the at least two safety sensor elements cannot overlap or spatially be arranged separately from each other. This is advantageous in terms of a clear delimitation of the speed levels, each of which is assigned to one of the at least two selection areas, when selecting one of the speed levels, and in relation to a detection of the force exerted by the at least two safety elements, since this also means one Localization of the force exerted can take place, for example, via a proximity of the force exerted to one of the at least two safety sensor elements.

According to one embodiment, the safety sensor unit can also be designed to provide a haptically perceptible confirmation signal in response to the safety signal. The haptically perceptible confirmation signal can be, for example, a feedback of the sensed exerted force for a user of the device, also called haptic feedback or active haptics. The confirmation signal can be generated, for example, using an unbalance motor, a magnetic coil or a piezo. Advantageously, the user can thus recognize through the haptic perception that his selection of the driving step has been recognized, which increases the safety for the user.

Furthermore, the at least two safety sensor elements can be designed as piezo elements according to an embodiment. The execution of the at least two safety sensor elements as piezo elements advantageously enables a reversible deformation in response to the force exerted. In addition, the piezo elements can advantageously be used both for the force sensing of the force exerted and for the optional generation of haptic feedback

According to one embodiment, the at least two safety sensor elements can also be arranged on opposite sides of the device. Additionally or alternatively, the at least two safety sensor elements can be arranged in corner areas of the device. The arrangement of the at least two security elements can be a detection of the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas or both of the at least two selection areas by one of the at least two security elements or both of the at least two security areas. enable security elements. Advantageously, the arrangement of the at least two safety sensor elements on the opposite sides and additionally or alternatively in the corner areas enables a compact construction of the device.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the selection sensor unit can comprise at least one further selection area which represents a further driving step. Additionally or alternatively, the safety sensor unit can have at least one further safety sensor element arranged at a distance from the at least two safety sensor elements. Advantageously, the selection sensor unit and, additionally or alternatively, the safety sensor unit can thus comprise further sensor elements in accordance with an embodiment of the automatic transmission and a number of possible driving stages.

According to one embodiment, the device can also include a protective element. The protective element can be formed as a closed layer. In addition, the protective element can be designed to cover the at least two selection areas and the at least two safety sensor elements from at least one side. The protective element can, for example, be designed as a cover and can be designed to protect the device and in particular the selection areas and safety sensor elements from external influences. The protective element can cover an operating surface, for example, in the assembled state of the device.

In addition, according to one embodiment, the device can comprise a control device. The control unit can also be referred to as a touch control unit, as a “touch controller”. The control unit can be designed to control the setting of the selected speed level when the selection signal and the safety signal meet a predetermined criterion. The predetermined criterion can be understood, for example, as the force triggering threshold, which can also be combined, for example, with a signal stroke triggering threshold. The signal lift trigger threshold can be, for example, a minimal touch of one of the at least two selection areas to be detected with an operating element or a finger represent. Advantageously, by fulfilling the predetermined criterion, the security of the setting of the selected speed level can be increased by means of the device.

With this approach, a method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission is also presented using an embodiment of the above-mentioned device. The method has a step of providing, a step of sensing and a step of actuation. In the step of providing, a selection signal is provided in response to the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas. The selection signal represents a selected speed level of the at least two speed levels, which are represented by the at least two selection ranges of the device. In the sensing step, the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas is sensed and the safety signal is provided. The safety signal represents the force exerted. In the actuation step, the automatic transmission is activated using the selection signal and the safety signal in order to set the selected gear stage on the automatic transmission.

There is also presented a control device which is set up to carry out the steps of the above-mentioned method in corresponding units and to control them additionally or alternatively. The control device can be an electrical device that processes electrical signals, for example sensor signals, and outputs control signals as a function thereof. The control device can have one or more suitable interfaces, which can be designed as hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware configuration, the interfaces can be part of an integrated circuit, for example, in which functions of the control device are implemented. The interfaces can also be separate integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In the case of software-based training, the interfaces can be software modules which are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

A computer program product with program code, which is stored on a machine-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk Memory or an optical memory can be stored and is used to carry out the method according to one of the above-described embodiments when the program is executed on a computer or a control device.

The invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle with an automatic transmission and with a device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of part of a device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

3 shows a schematic illustration of a selection area of a selection sensor unit of a device for setting a drive level for the automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a device for setting a driving stage for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment;

5 is a schematic illustration of a safety sensor element of an on device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment;

6 is a schematic illustration of a safety sensor element of an on device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a device for setting a driving stage for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment;

8 shows a schematic illustration of part of a device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

9 shows a flowchart of a method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram of a method for setting a speed level for an automatic transmission using a device according to an exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 11 is a block diagram of a method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission using a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements which have a similar effect and which are shown in the various figures, a repeated description of these elements being dispensed with.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 100 with an automatic transmission 105 and with a device 110 for setting a drive level for the automatic transmission 105 according to an embodiment. A motor vehicle is shown here by way of example as vehicle 100. The device 110 comprises a selection sensor unit 115 and a safety sensor unit 120. The selection sensor unit 115 comprises at least two selection areas 125, 126 for each gear stage of the automatic transmission 105. In addition, the selection sensor unit 115 is designed in response to one of the at least two selection areas 125, 126 exerted force to provide a selection signal 130. The selection signal 130 represents a selected speed level of the at least two speed levels. The safety sensor unit 120 comprises at least two spaced-apart arranged safety sensor elements 135, 136. In addition, the safety sensor unit 120 is designed to sense the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas 125, 126 independently of the selection sensor unit 115. The safety sensor unit 120 is also trained to provide a safety signal 140 that represents the force exerted. The device 110 is also designed to set the drive level using the selection signal 130 and the safety signal 140.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the device 110 comprises a control device 145. The control device 140 is designed to read in the selection signal 130 and the safety signal 140 and, using the selection signal 130 and the safety signal 140, a setting signal 150 for setting the selected gear stage on the automatic transmission 105 to provide. According to the shown embodiment, the control unit 145 is designed to provide the setting signal 150 to the automatic transmission 105.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the control unit 145 is designed to control the setting of the selected driving stage when the selection signal 130 and the safety signal 140 meet a predetermined criterion. For this purpose, the selection signal 130 and the safety signal 140 include, for example, a specific value, and the predetermined criterion is met if this value reaches or is exceeded. In the case of the selection signal 130, the value can be, for example, a specific capacitance which is sensed by means of the selection sensor unit 115, which optionally includes a capacitive sensor for each selection area. In the case of the safety signal 140, this value is, for example, a specific force to be exerted which lies above a force triggering threshold.

The device 110 shown here can thus be used and operated with a force that can be exerted by a finger, by means of the touch- and force-sensitive elements of the device: the at least two selection areas 125, 126 and the at least two safety sensor elements 135, 136. Advantageously, there is no predefined one ned sequence of gestures required, which saves time for a user and also allows design freedom and a compact design of the device 110. Accordingly, the device 110 can also be referred to as “automatic gear selection using touch-sensitive and pressure-sensitive buttons”.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of part of a device for setting a driving stage len for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment.

The selection sensor unit 115 and the control unit 145 are shown here as part of the device; the safety sensor unit is shown in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. The selection sensor unit 115 here includes, for example, a cover and the at least two selection areas 125, 126, which are designed here as touch-sensitive keys.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the selection sensor unit 115 also has two further selection areas 205, 206, each of which has a further driving stage of the Represent automatic transmissions. As an example, one of the driving stages P (parking), R (reverse gear), N (neutral) or D (forward gear) is assigned to the at least two selection areas 125, 126 and the two further selection areas 205, 206. Each of the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 has a receiver electrode (Rx electrode) 210, 211, 212, 213. In addition, the selection sensor unit 115 comprises a passive electrode 215 for all selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206. The receiver electrodes 210, 211, 212, 213 and the passive electrode 215 are connected via a plug 220, for example a flexible printed circuit board ( FCB) connected to the control unit 145. The plug 220 and the control device 145 are arranged on a printed circuit board 225. The control unit is designed here as a "touch controller" with five channels for capacitive sensor electrodes to cover the touch functionality. Four of the channels are the individual receiver electrodes 210,

211, 212, 213, and a channel of the passive electrode 215.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a selection area 125, 126 of a selection sensor unit of a device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment. A cross section through one of the at least two selection areas 125, 126 is shown, which illustrates the structure of the selection area 125, 126. As an example, the selection area 125, 126 is designed here as a touch-sensitive button (touch button) with capacitive sensor technology (self-capacitance sensor technology). The selection area 125 shown here,

126 resembles or corresponds to a selection area 125, 126 described with reference to the preceding figures. The optional at least one further selection area can also be carried out in a comparable manner.

The selection area 125, 126 shown here has a cover 305 as the top layer. The receiver electrode 210, 211 and the passive electrode 215 are arranged under the cover and are separated from one another, for example, by an insulation layer. The selection area 125, 126 is arranged on a carrier layer 310, a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FCB) on a solid base 315. The cover 305 is designed to protect the selection area 125, 126 from external influences such as liquids or other media. The cover 305 can be implemented as a closed layer, for example se as part of the protective element, which is shown with reference to Fig. 4, and example realizable from plastic, leather, or fabric.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a device 110 for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 110 shown here is similar or corresponds to the device described with reference to FIG. 1 and accordingly comprises the selection sensor unit 115, the security sensor unit 120 and the control unit 145. The selection sensor unit comprises, by way of example as described with reference to FIG. 2, the at least two selection ranges 125, 126 and two further selection areas 205, 206. The safety sensor unit 120 comprises the at least two safety sensor elements 135, 136. In addition, according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the safety sensor unit 120 comprises two further safety sensor elements 405, 406, which are similar to the safety sensor elements 135, 136 or correspond.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 and the safety sensor elements 135, 136, 405, 406 are formed as capacitive sensors. Correspondingly, the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 each include one of the receiver electrodes 210, 211, 212, 213 and the passive electrode 215. The safety sensor elements 135, 136, 405, 406 also each have a receiver electrode 410, 411, 412, 413 and are each connected to a passive electrode 415. An exemplary construction of the safety sensor elements 135, 136, 405, 406 as capacitive sensors is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In addition, the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 and the security sensor elements 135, 136, 405, 406 according to the exemplary embodiment shown here are not overlapping, they are spatially separated from one another. For this purpose, the safety sensor elements 135, 136, 405, 406 according to the exemplary embodiment shown here are arranged in corner areas of the device 110, here in the corner areas of the selection sensor unit 215. This advantageously enables precise detection of an exerted force, for example by finger pressure at a measure input, with simultaneous spatial separation of the different driving levels of representative selection areas 125, 126, 405, 406, which facilitates input for the user.

This capacitive sensor technology of the touch buttons, i.e. the selection areas 125, 126, 405, 406, is not enough on its own to generate a sufficiently safe signal to engage an automatic transmission gear, since external influences such as liquids or other media are possible here generate the same signal swing as a finger resting on one of the selection areas 125, 126, 405, 406. For this reason, additional information is required that further secures the presence of a real finger: the security signal that is provided by means of the security sensor unit 120. By means of the safety sensor elements 135,

136, 405, 406, it is possible to detect and evaluate the force exerted by the finger on one of the selection areas 125, 126, 405, 406.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the device 110 also has a protective element 420. The protective element 420 is formed as a closed layer. In addition, the protective element 420 is designed to cover the selection areas 125, 126, 405, 406 and the safety sensor elements 135, 136, 405, 406 from one side in order to protect them from external influences such as liquids. The protective element is designed, for example, as a cover for a surface of the device 110 or a part of a surface of the device 110 which is shaped as a user surface. Here, the protective element 420 is formed, the force exerted hardly or not influenced, for this purpose the protective element is formed, for example, from a thin plastic layer or from leather.

5 shows a schematic illustration of a safety sensor element 135,

136 of a device for setting a gear stage for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. The safety sensor element 135, 136 shown here is similar or corresponds to the safety sensor element described with reference to the previous figures. A cross-section is shown here to illustrate an exemplary structure of the security sensor element 135, 136. The safety sensor element 135, 136 is designed as a capacitive sensor, which is designed to determine a force. The optional at least one further security sensor element can also be carried out in a comparable manner.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the safety sensor element 135, 136 comprises two electrodes separated from one another by a deformable layer 505, the receiver electrode 410, 411 and the passive electrode 415. The safety sensor unit is designed to make the safety signal dependent on a force triggering threshold to provide exerted force. The security sensor element 135, 136 is arranged on the carrier layer 310, the printed circuit board (PCB) or flexible printed circuit board (FCB) on the solid base 315 and has the cover 305. No force is exerted on the safety sensor element 135, 136 shown here, therefore the deformable layer 505 is not compressed here, which is shown by way of example by its thickness 510. The deformable layer 505 can be made from an elastic material as an elastic substrate, for example from a foam. The deformable layer 505 is arranged with a defined layer thickness d1, the thickness 510, between the receiver electrode 410, 411 and the passive electrode 415. Upon application of a force to cover 305, deformable layer 505 is compressed, as shown in FIG. 6.

6 shows a schematic illustration of a safety sensor element 135.

136 of a device for setting a gear stage for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. A further state of the safety sensor element 135, 136 described with reference to FIG. 5 is shown. A force 605 is exerted on the cover 305 here, for example by manual operator input, such as placing a finger, which is also referred to below as exerted force 605. The exerted force 605 leads to a compression of the elastic material, the deformable layer 505 arranged between the receiver electrode 410, 411 and the passive electrode 415. The defined thickness d1 of the deformable layer 505 is increased to a further thickness d2, which is compressed Thickness 610 compresses, which leads to a change in the capacitance of the safety sensor element 135, 136. A certain force release threshold can thus be defined. Through the The safety signal can be provided by the safety sensor unit to change the own capacity.

Two signals are required to select the speed level of the automatic transmission, the selection signal and the safety signal. When a finger is placed by a user on the respective touch button, the selection area, a signal swing of the resting finger is detected with a signal swing trigger threshold. If the signal stroke trigger threshold is reached or exceeded by the force 605 exerted by the finger, the selection signal is provided. The force 605 exerted can also be determined by means of the safety sensor element 135, 136 shown here:

The arrow stands for the force exerted 605.

When the force release threshold is reached or exceeded, the safety signal is then provided.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a device 110 for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 110 shown here is essentially similar to the device described with reference to FIG. 4, with the exception of the configuration of the safety sensor unit 120 with the at least two safety sensor elements 135, 136. Accordingly, the device 110 comprises the control unit 145 and the selection sensor unit 115 with the four selection areas described 125, 126, 205, 206, each having a receiver electrode 210, 211, 212, 213 and the passive electrode 215.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the at least two safety sensor elements 135, 136 of the safety sensor unit 120 are arranged here on opposite sides of the device 110, on the selection sensor unit 115. The selection sensor unit 120 has the protective element 420 which, as a cover, Protection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 and the safety sensor elements 135, 136 protects and forms a closed surface.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the security sensor unit 120 is designed to provide a haptically perceptible confirmation signal in response to the security signal. For this purpose, the confirmation signal is provided, for example, as haptic feedback on that of the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 on which the force is exerted, that is to say on the selection area 125, 126, 205, 206 of the selected driving step.

The at least two safety sensor elements 135, 136 are formed as piezo elements in accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown here. An exemplary construction of the selection sensor unit 120 with safety sensor elements 135, 136 arranged on opposite sides, which are designed as piezo elements, is described below with reference to FIG. 8.

The device 110 shown here correspondingly comprises an operating element with a closed surface, the protective element 420, and an active haptic. The active haptic is generated as haptic feedback as a function of a force applied with the finger to one of the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206, for example with an actuator such as an unbalance motor, a magnetic coil, or as in the exemplary embodiment shown here one of the safety sensor elements 135, 136 designed as piezo elements. The safety sensor elements 135, 136 as piezo elements are designed to sense a force exerted on one of the selection areas 125, 126, 205, 206 and also to generate haptic feedback.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a part of a device for setting a driving stage for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment.

As part of the device, a cross section through the selection sensor unit 115 described with reference to FIG. 7 is shown here, on which the selection areas and the at least two security sensor elements 135, 136 arranged on opposite sides are arranged. The safety sensor elements 135 shown here 136 are designed as a piezo element as described with reference to FIG. 7. The cross section through the selection sensor unit here shows the cover 305 as the upper layer. The receiver electrode 410, 411 and the passive electrode 415 and the carrier layer 310 are arranged on the solid base 315 below the cover 305. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the solid base 315 almost completely encloses the receiver electrode 210, 211, 212, 213, the passive electrode 215 and the carrier layer 310 on three sides. On the remaining side, the safety sensor element 135, 136 is covered by the cover 305. Between the cover 305 and the solid base 315, the two safety sensor elements 135, 136 are arranged on two opposite sides, which are designed as multi-layer piezo actuators (multi-layer piezo actuators).

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method 900 for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 900 can be carried out using an exemplary embodiment of the above-described device. The method 900 has a step 905 of providing, a step 910 of sensing and a step 915 of driving. In step 905 of providing, a selection signal is provided in response to the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas. The selection signal represents a selected speed level of the at least two speed levels, which are represented by the at least two selection areas of the device. In step 910 of sensing, the force exerted on one of the at least two selection areas is sensed and the safety signal is provided. The safety signal represents the force exerted. In step 915 of actuation, the automatic transmission is actuated using the selection signal and the safety signal in order to set the selected drive level on the automatic transmission.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of a method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission using a device according to an exemplary embodiment. Shown is a use of the device for functions with a criticality ASIL B, using a processor 1001. A diversity 1002 of the device is shown using a capacitive sensor system 1004 and a force sensor. Sorik 1006 shown. Starting from the capacitive sensor system 1004, the capacitance measurement 1008 is prepared in order to sense the presence of the finger 1010. This is followed by an analysis and evaluation 1012 and a CAN output preparation 1014. Starting from the force sensor system 1006, the force measurement 1016 is prepared in order to sense whether a force threshold 1018 has been exceeded. If the force threshold is exceeded, the analysis and evaluation 1012 and the CAN output preparation 1014 also take place here. Based on the presence of the finger 1010, the force threshold exceeded 1018 and a result of a calculation 1020 of the analysis and evaluation 1012, a function monitoring 1022 takes place Error handling 1024 takes place with the following input variables: a result of a comparison 1023 of the function monitoring 1022, a “capacity range check” of the signal preparation for the capacity measurement 1008, a “force range check” of the signal preparation for the force measurement 1016 and diagnoses 1026 of a plurality of tests, a RAM test 1028, a ROM test 1030, an ADC test 1032, an EEPROM test 1034, a CORE test 1036, IO tests 1038, a voltage control (voltagecontrol) 1040, a watchdog & test 1042 and a CAN monitor (CRC, Alive, Timeout) 1044. Optionally, 1024 is also used as an additional input variable for error handling n Reset command 1046 based on CAN reception data 1048 used. The error handling 1024 is designed to provide an error message 1050 to the CAN output preparation 1014. In addition, HW CAN deactivation (safe status) 1052 takes place based on error handling 1024. Based on the CAN output preparation 1014, a CAN message (speed level and status) 1054 takes place, with user data, CR, errors, an integrity and a result of the function monitoring 1022 as input variables.

Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of a method for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission using a device according to an exemplary embodiment. The embodiment shown here is similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 10, all the variable legs and processes mentioned in FIG. 10 also take place here. In the present figure, however, use of the device for functions with a criticality ASIL C is shown, whereby a second processor, a processor 1101, is additionally used. Using the CAN reception data 1048 is carried out by the second processor 1101, a challenge response 1105, a logical program sequence monitoring. The challenge response 1105 is used for the signal preparation of the capacitance measurement 1008 in order to sense the presence of the finger 1010, and for the subsequent analysis and evaluation 1012. In addition, the challenge response 1105 is used for the signal preparation of the force measurement 1016 in order to to sense whether the force threshold has been exceeded 1018. If the force threshold is exceeded, the analysis and evaluation 1012 also takes place here. Based on the analysis and evaluation 1012, the CAN output preparation 1014 then takes place, with CRC, checksum and alive c.

The exemplary embodiments described and shown in the figures are selected only in a playful manner. Different exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another completely or with regard to individual features. An exemplary embodiment can also be supplemented by features of a further exemplary embodiment.

Furthermore, method steps according to the invention can be repeated and carried out in a sequence other than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this can be read in such a way that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to a further embodiment either only that has the first feature or only the second feature.

Reference vehicle

Automatic transmission

Device for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission

Vehicle

Selection sensor unit

Safety sensor unit

one of the at least two selection areas

Selection signal

one of the at least two safety sensor elements

Security signal

Control unit

Setting signal for further selection range

further selection area

Receiver electrode one of the selection areas

Passive electrode of the selection areas

plug

Printed circuit board with the control unit cover

Carrier layer

solid surface further safety sensor element

additional safety sensor element 410 Receiver electrode of one of the safety sensor elements

411 receiver electrode of one of the safety sensor elements

412 Receiver electrode of one of the safety sensor elements

413 Receiver electrode of one of the safety sensor elements

415 Passive electrode of the safety sensor elements

420 protection element

505 deformable layer of one of the safety sensor elements

510 defined thickness of the deformable layer

605 force applied

610 compressed thickness of the deformable layer

900 procedures

905 Deployment step

910 step of sensing

915 step of activation

1001 processor

1002 diversity

1004 capacitive sensors

1006 force sensors

1008 Signal preparation for capacitance measurement

1010 presence of a finger

1012 analysis and evaluation

1014 CAN expenditure processing

1016 Signal preparation for force measurement

1018 Force threshold exceeded

1020 Result of a calculation of the analysis and evaluation

1022 function monitoring

1023 Result of a comparison of the function monitoring

1024 error handling

1026 diagnoses 1028 RAM test

1030 ROM test

1032 ADC test

1034 EEPROM test

1036 CORE test

1038 IO tests

1040 voltage control

1042 Watchdog & test

1044 CAN monitoring

1046 Reset command

1048 CAN reception data

1050 error message

1052 Deactivate HW CAN

1054 CAN message

1101 second processor 1105 challenge response

Claims

1. Device (110) for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission (105) of a vehicle (100), the device (110) having a selection sensor unit (115) with at least two selection areas (125, 126) for each drive level, where the selection sensor unit (115) is designed to provide a selection signal (130) in response to a force (605) exerted on one of the at least two selection areas (125, 126), the selection signal (130) representing a selected driving stage of the at least two Represents driving steps, characterized in that the device (110) has a safety sensor unit (120) with at least two spaced-apart safety sensor elements (135, 136), where the safety sensor unit (120) is formed, regardless of the selection sensor unit (115) to sense the force (605) exerted on one of the at least two selection areas (125, 126) and to provide a safety signal (140), the Si safety signal (140) represents the force exerted (605), the driving step being set using the selection signal (130) and the safety signal (140).

2. Device (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two selection areas (125, 126) and / or the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) are designed as capacitive sensors.

3. Device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) comprise two electrodes (410, 411, 412, 413, 415) separated from one another by a deformable layer (505), wherein the safety sensor unit (120) is designed to provide the safety signal (140) as a function of a force tripping threshold that has been exceeded by the force (605) exerted.

4. Device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two selection areas (125, 126) and the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) are not arranged overlapping and / or spatially separated from one another.

5. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety sensor unit (120) is designed to provide a haptically perceptible confirmation signal in response to the safety signal (140).

6. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) are formed as piezo elements.

7. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) are arranged on opposite sides of the device (110) and / or in corner regions of the device (110).

8. The device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selection sensor unit (115) comprises at least one further selection area (205, 206) which represents a further driving step and / or wherein the safety sensor unit (120) at least one from the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) spaced further safety sensor element (405, 406).

9. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a protective element (420) which is formed as a closed layer and is shaped for this purpose, the at least two selection areas (125, 126) and the at least two safety sensor elements (135, 136) at least from to cover one side.

10. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control unit (145) which is designed to control the setting of the selected driving stage when the selection signal (130) and the safety signal (140) meet a predetermined criterion .

11. The method (900) for setting a drive level for an automatic transmission (105) using a device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method (900) comprises at least the following steps:

Providing (905) a selection signal (130) in response to the force (605) exerted on one of the at least two selection areas (125, 126), the selection signal (130) representing a selected speed level of the at least two speed levels;

Sensing (910) the force (605) exerted on one of the at least two selection areas (125, 126) and providing the safety signal (140) which represents the exerted force (605); and

Actuation (915) of the automatic transmission (105) using the selection signal (130) and the safety signal (140) in order to set the selected gear stage on the automatic transmission (105).

12. Control device (145) which is set up to execute and / or to control the steps of the method (900) according to claim 11 in corresponding units.

13. Computer program which is set up to execute and / or to control the steps of the method (900) according to claim 11.

14. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 13 is stored.