WO2023274608A1

WO2023274608A1 - Operating element with holographic function display for visualizing the switch function paired with the operating element and/or the respective switch state thereof, and corresponding assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2023274608A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/062151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes DÜNNINGER
Original assignee: Preh Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2022-05-05
Publication date: 2023-01-05
Also published as: DE102021116880B3

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element (1) having: an input part (2) which forms an input surface (3) that is translucent or transparent at least in some regions; a support (12) for securing the operating element to an external structure, in particular a motor vehicle component; a detection device (13, 18, 19) which is designed to detect an actuation and/or a contact of the input surface (3) by a user (B); a transparent light guide (4) which is arranged below the input surface (3) so as to be out of view of the user (B) and is secured to the support (12) and which has an upper boundary surface (G) facing the input surface (3) and a lower boundary surface (G') facing away from the input surface (3); at least one light source (5) which is designed to couple an optical reproduction wave field (L) into the light guide (4) via a light inlet surface (S); and a first holographic image carrier (8) which contains a first reflection hologram and which is arranged adjacently to the lower boundary surface (G') of the light guide (4), wherein the reproduction wave field (L) coupled into the light guide (4) reaches the first holographic image carrier (8) from the light inlet surface (S) on the basis of a light propagation produced by an internal reflection in the light guide (4), the reproduction wave field (L) is transformed into an image wave field (L') by the first holographic image carrier (8), and the image wave field (L') is coupled out of the holographic image carrier (8) in the direction of the user (B) by the light guide (4) in order to display the first reflection hologram (6) stored in the first holographic image carrier (8) to the user (B) in the form of a virtual image which visually symbolizes a switch functionality paired with the operating element (1) and/or an acute switch state.

Description

Operating element with holographic function display for visualizing the switching function assigned to the operating element and/or its respective switching state and associated arrangement

The invention relates to an operating element with a holographic function display. Function displays are required, for example, in the case of a multifunctional operating element for visualizing the switching functionalities and/or switching states connected to the operating element. Electronic pixel matrix displays are regularly used for this purpose. However, these are comparatively expensive and, due to their mostly rectangular shape, restrict the design and placement. In addition, electronic pixel matrix displays often tend to "burn in" when displaying static display content, i.e. the display content remains permanently and undesirably visible even when the display is switched off due to optically perceptible damage to the imaging layers of the display. In addition, the power consumption of such electronic pixel matrix displays is comparatively high. In certain applications, the use of conventional electronic pixel matrix displays is also prohibited due to the risk of injury, for example in the event of a head impact.Holographic image carriers are therefore an alternative to pixel matrix displays, since they allow image information to be displayed in a highly integrated form in an image carrier, which can be a film or a film layer structure and selectively make the image information contained therein visible to the viewer by means of appropriate lighting. In the German patent application DE 10 2016 117 969 A1 describes devices in which holographic image carriers, luminous signatures, in particular so-called volume holograms are generated. It describes the use of holographic image carriers containing both reflection holograms and transmission holograms. In transmission holograms, the hologram is illuminated from one half-space of the hologram (ie, from one side of the hologram) and viewed from the other half-space (from the other side of the hologram). In the case of reflection holograms, on the other hand, the illumination takes place from the same side as the observation. This can be difficult to implement if little installation space is available. On the other hand, reflection holograms have the advantage of being generally stronger wavelength-selective work as transmission holograms, ie only light of a narrow wavelength range is imaged as a luminous signature. As a result, even when using a relatively broadband light source such as a red light-emitting diode, the light signature generated always appears with essentially the same wavelength. This is desirable because due to small deviations in the spectral sensitivity of red and green color receptors in the eye, even small wavelength changes between about 550 nm and 640 nm lead to a significant spatial shift in the perceived color, which affects the image signature, ie the hologram. In addition, the problem of so-called overmodulation can occur with transmission volume holograms, which essentially means that an optimal layer thickness of the transmission hologram for a given geometry and given refractive index modulation by the hologram depends on the wavelength, which can lead to color shifts. Thus, while the holographic image carriers containing the reflection hologram have advantages in terms of the choice of illumination, the lighting direction of the reflection hologram that is necessary in terms of construction represents a technical obstacle to its use in an operating element.

The design challenge is further increased by the fact that the surface of such a control element is exposed to visual impairments due to dirt. Furthermore, such a control element, in particular the user interface, should also have haptic elements for haptic orientation, which generally have production tolerances that do not meet the optical requirements of the holographic system. It has been shown that the operating safety of controls with holographic displays in the vehicle can be significantly increased by haptic elements. However, dirt and haptic elements have a significant effect on the optical properties of the input surface and can therefore have a negative impact on the quality of the visualization generated by the hologram.

Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to provide a control element which creates the possibility of using a reflection hologram with its technical advantages, such as small structural volume with a comparatively high image information density for a control element To make visualization of the switching function assigned to the control element and/or its respective switching state usable, the visualization being impaired neither by dirt nor by haptic elements on the surface. This object is achieved by an operating element of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims. It should be pointed out that the features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and show further refinements of the invention. The description, in particular in connection with the figures, additionally characterizes and specifies the invention.

The invention relates to an operating element with an input part forming an input surface that is at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent. It also has a carrier for fixing the operating element to an external structure, in particular a motor vehicle component such as a dashboard, a center console, a steering wheel or the like. According to the invention, a detection device is provided which is designed to detect an actuation and/or a touch of the input surface by an operator. Actuation is understood to mean a displacement of the input surface that goes beyond touching the input surface and follows an actuating force acting on the input surface when it is actuated. Accordingly, in the case of a touch, for example, the extent to which the input surface is approached will be decisive for the positive determination of a touch, while in the case of actuation, the measured displacement or the measured actuation force, for example, are the decisive variables for the positive determination of an actuation. According to the invention, a transparent light guide is provided which is arranged below the input surface from the perspective of the operator and is fixed to the carrier, which has an upper boundary surface facing the input surface and a lower boundary surface facing away from the input surface. The light guide is made, for example, from a transparent thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). For example, the light guide is produced in a thermal shaping process, for example as an injection molding or by thermal extrusion, for example as a film. The upper boundary surface and the lower boundary surface are preferably aligned parallel to one another. According to the invention, at least one light source is provided, which is aligned in such a way that an optical reproduction wave field is coupled into the light guide via a light entry surface.

According to the invention, a first holographic image carrier containing a first reflection hologram is provided, which is arranged adjacent to the lower boundary surface of the light guide. The playback wave field coupled into the light guide and generated by the light source passes from the light entry surface due to light propagation caused by internal reflections, preferably total reflections, in the light guide via the lower boundary surface into the first holographic image carrier, where it is preferably caused by phase and/or amplitude interference from the Playback wave field is transformed into an image wave field containing the first reflex hologram as image information, which is coupled out of the first holographic image carrier through the light guide in the direction of the operator in order to display the first reflection hologram stored in the first holographic BTIdträger as a virtual image to the operator. The first reflection hologram visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the operating element and/or an acute switching state. The invention is not restricted with regard to the first and second, holographic image carrier, which will also be mentioned below, and with regard to the first and second hologram or reflection hologram, which will also be mentioned below. In principle, any layer interfering with the playback wave field is suitable that is capable of impressing the image information contained in the layer on the reflected image wave field by phase modulation and/or amplitude modulation through locally selective diffraction interference of the playback wave field. The term optical reproduction wave field is intended to express that the light to be used is to be adjusted to the respective holographic image carrier in a suitable manner for the reproduction of the hologram, for example with regard to spectral composition and angle of incidence, since it is an inherent prerequisite of the holographic image carrier for the visualization of the containing hologram and its optical quality It is therefore up to the specialist to take the necessary measures here. In general, holograms can be divided into volume and area holograms as well as amplitude and phase holograms according to the properties of the holographic memory. Depending on the colors that occur during the reconstruction of the hologram, a distinction is made between white-light holograms and holograms that cannot be reconstructed under white light, as well as true-color holograms.

Volume holograms are located on a film layer of the holographic image carrier, the thickness of which is also used to store holographic image information. Volume holograms can be wave holograms because, because of the Bragg condition, there is interference selective for the wavelengths of the light in this case. Only if the Bragg equation n·λ=2d·sin(a) is satisfied, the playback wave field with the wavelength λ incident at the angle a can be reflected at the film layer with the lattice spacing d. With white light reflection holograms, therefore, the color of the hologram depends on the angle of incidence of the light on the film.

Amplitude holograms are on film layers that have different blackenings. This changes the brightness of the transmitted light in such a way that an image is created by superimposing the light waves with different amplitudes and phases. In contrast, the film layers of the phase holograms have the same transparency everywhere. The interference pattern that creates the holographic images is then only caused by the different phases of the electromagnetic waves. Phase holograms can therefore be formed from surface reliefs, ie from a pattern of pits and bumps. The light rays then cover different paths in the film material, which usually consists of plastic film. The speed of light propagation in the film is slower than in air, so different light paths covered in the film lead to phase differences. The interference in phase holdgrams is based on this. Phase holograms are often embossed holograms in which the indentations are pressed into the material with a stamp; however, depressions can also occur with special films due to different exposures. In addition to the possibility of Phase modulation by surface reliefs can modulate a phase hologram by a local modulation of the refractive index, e.g. B. in silver halide films, in order to provide the person skilled in the art with a non-exhaustive number of possible embodiments according to the invention relating to the holographic image carrier.

The solution according to the invention thus allows a control element with an associated function display to be implemented in a space-saving manner, which selectively displays at least one symbol by activating a light source. The "optical separation" of light guide and input surface also ensures that the optical system for generating the virtual image is not impaired by dirt and/or haptic elements on the input surface. The complete image information can be integrated in the first holographic image carrier and remains so also reliably invisible to the operator in the event of external light due to the transparent input surface, so that incorrect information can be largely avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment, a second light source is provided, with the first holographic image carrier also containing a second reflection hologram and the light guide having a second light entry surface, the placement of which differs from the first, previously mentioned light entry surface on the light guide, with the second light source having a second Reproduction wave field is generated, which also reaches the first holographic image carrier from the light entry surface due to a second light propagation caused by internal reflections, preferably total reflections, in the light guide via the lower boundary surface, and there preferably by phase and/or amplitude interference from the second reproduction wave field into a one second reflection hologram is transformed as image information containing second image wave field, which is decoupled from the holographic image carrier through the light guide in the direction of the operator to the operator in the first holographic image carrier stored to display second reflex tone hologram as a virtual image. By changing the light source and thus the direction of incidence of the playback wave field, several different reflection holograms can be visualized for the operator. This allows the different switching states of the control element by different Visualize reflection holograms to the operator.

According to a preferred embodiment, an air gap is provided between the light guide and the input part, so that the playback wave field coupled into the light guide and generated by the light source can be seen from the light entry surface due to one or more total reflections at the upper or lower boundary surface and thus due to the light propagation remaining in the light guide up to the area of the first holographic image carrier, in order to then penetrate there, due to the boundary surface conditions present there, via the lower boundary surface into the first holographic image carrier. The air gap thus prevents the playback wave field from being coupled out unintentionally into the input part.

According to a preferred embodiment, the input part is designed to be elastically deformable under the action of an actuating force on the input surface in the direction of the light guide or is mounted so that it can be displaced in an elastically restoring manner relative to the carrier in the direction of the light guide, in order to enable detectable actuation of the input surface, and at least in the area below the Input surface is provided an air gap between the light guide and the input part. The visualization with a first holographic image carrier containing a first reflection hologram has the advantage that the air gap required for the actuation does not impair the holographic imaging, or at least impairs it insignificantly. For example, the input part is made of an elastically yielding material, such as a thermoplastic or an elastomer, at least in the area surrounding the input surface. In one embodiment, a restoring displacement results from a spring-loaded translational mounting of the input part on the carrier.

The input part can preferably be deformed and/or displaced independently of the light guide, for example by the input part only being fastened or mounted on the carrier. This means that the optical system is not affected when it is actuated.

An actuation sensor is preferably located between the input part and the carrier, for example a force sensor or a mechanical switch. This is preferably arranged in such a way that the flow of force exerted when it is actuated does not go from the input surface to the force sensor via the light guide.

In a preferred embodiment of the operating element, an optical element such as a mirror or a lens is provided for generating a collimated playback wave field, for example the light entry surface is designed as an optical element. One or more optical elements are preferably arranged between the light entry surface of the light guide and the light source in order to improve the display quality of the first reflection hologram.

The first holographic image carrier is preferably designed as a film layer structure and, for example, in addition to the film layer containing the first reflex tone hologram, which is a photopolymer layer, for example, has at least one adhesive layer and a rear substrate layer, which can be, for example, a thermoplastic film such as a PC, PET or TAC film is. For example, the thickness of the photopolymer layer is in the range from 1 μm to 70 μm. The holographic image information is introduced into it by embossing, for example.

The first holographic image carrier and the light guide are preferably bonded to one another. For example, the integral connection is achieved in that an adhesive layer is provided between the first holographic image carrier and the light guide. The integral connection is preferably effected by back-injection molding or laminating the first holographic image carrier with a transparent thermoplastic forming the light guide in a thermally shaping process step.

According to a preferred embodiment, the operating element also has a second holographic image carrier containing a second hologram, which is arranged downstream of the first holographic image carrier with regard to the propagation of light and is visible to the operator through the input surface and the light guide in order to show the operator the second holographic image carrier Image carrier stored to display second hologram. The second holographic image carrier includes, for example, a transmission hologram and is, for example, like this arranged to be transmitted by the reproducing optical wave field, which is transmitted at the lower interface without penetrating into the first holographic image carrier. Like the first holographic image carrier, the second holographic image carrier preferably contains a second reflection hologram here and is also arranged adjacent to the lower boundary surface, with the playback wave field reaching the second holographic image carrier via the lower boundary surface, there preferably by phase and/or amplitude interference from the Playback wave field is transformed into an image wave field containing the second reflex hologram as image information, which is coupled out of the second holographic image carrier through the light guide in the direction of the operator, in order ultimately to also show the operator the second reflective hologram stored in the second holographic image carrier as a virtual image, for example laterally offset from the Display image of the first holographic image carrier.

The control element preferably also has a third holographic image carrier, which is arranged upstream of the first holographic image carrier with regard to light propagation in order to generate the playback wave field directed onto the first holographic image carrier, for example by suitable phase and/or amplitude interference.

Preferably, the second holographic image carrier and/or the third holographic image carrier are each designed as a reflection-holographic image carrier and are each arranged adjacent to the upper or lower boundary surface.

The light guide is preferably of essentially flat design, with the upper boundary surface and the lower boundary surface each forming a main surface and an end face connecting the main surfaces forming the light entry surface of the light guide. The main surfaces are understood to be the surfaces of the light guide with the largest surface area. The main surfaces are preferably flat and aligned parallel to one another.

A main propagation direction of the light source is preferably aligned at an angle to the upper boundary surface. The light entry surface is preferably arranged laterally and/or offset to the rear, as seen from the operator, with respect to the first holographic image carrier.

In order to improve the transmission of the playback wave field, the light guide has a cross-sectional widening along its course; cross-sectional widening is provided in particular where a change of direction in the light propagation is required.

According to a preferred embodiment, the light guide has a first light guide section having the light entry surface and a second light guide section having the upper boundary surface and lower boundary surface, which merge into one another in a transition section, and the first light conductor section, the second light conductor section and the transition section are designed in this way , that the light entry surface from the perspective of the viewer is arranged offset to the rear and laterally to the lower boundary surface. For example, a cross section of the light guide that is orthogonal to the upper boundary surface and orthogonal to the light entry surface is essentially L-shaped, with the first light guide section and the second light guide section each forming a leg of the “L”. The transition section preferably forms the aforementioned widening of the cross section.

The transition section preferably has at least one reflection surface inclined to the upper boundary surface in order to reflect the reproduction optical wave field from the first light guide section by internal reflection at the reflection surface into the second light guide section.

The input part is preferably bonded to the carrier and/or the light guide, for example by ultrasonic welding. Welding by means of ultrasound allows a clearance between the input part and the light guide, for example an air gap, to be produced with a small size and precise alignment. The clearance between the light guide and the input part is preferably less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm.

Due to the very stable and permanent attachment In this embodiment it is possible that the light guide is mechanically displaced together with the input part when it is actuated. In this case, the light source is preferably also attached to the input part, which in turn is mounted on the carrier.

The control element preferably has a transparent electrode or a transparent electrode array, each of which is fixed to the input part in the area of the input surface. The operating element also has an evaluation unit, which is electrically conductively connected to the electrode or the electrodes of the electrode array, for capacitive, preferably spatially resolved, touch detection. An electromechanical switching element or a force sensor, such as a capacitive force sensor, can be provided for actuation detection, which are arranged, for example, in each case between the carrier and the input part.

An actuator for generating active haptic feedback is preferably provided in order to haptically convey an input confirmation to the operator. For example, a vibration or force exciter that is fixed exclusively to the input part or acts between the input part and the carrier is provided, for example an electrodynamic, electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator, which, if a touch is positively determined by the detection device, such as when a predetermined touch duration is exceeded, or at positive detection of an actuation by the detection device, such as when a predetermined actuation force is exceeded, causes active haptic feedback by excitation of vibrations, excitation of impacts of the input part.

The vibration or force exciter, the carrier and the input part are preferably arranged in such a way that the haptic excitation of the actuator is mainly transmitted to the panel and not to the optical system. For example, an elastic element and/or a damping element is arranged between the carrier and the input part and/or between the carrier and the light guide and/or between the input part and the light guide, so that the vibration or force excitation is only transmitted to the light guide to a reduced extent. For example, the elastic element and/or the damping element consists of a soft component that is produced in an injection molding process and is molded onto the carrier and/or the input part and/or the light guide. For example the soft components consist of a thermoplastic elastomer.

The invention also relates to an arrangement of a plurality of operating elements in one of the configurations described above, the input parts and/or the carrier being formed in one piece. The arrangement preferably has at least two input surfaces which are offset parallel to one another or aligned antiparallel to one another, ie are not coplanar. More preferably, all of the input surfaces are non-coplanar. Thus, the individual input areas are haptically recognizable by a user.

At least one indentation or elevation arranged in one of the input surfaces or delimiting one of the input surfaces is preferably provided for haptic orientation, also referred to as a feeler aid.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be pointed out that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, but this is not limited to this. They show schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement according to the invention, which contains a plurality of operating elements 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the arrangement according to the invention from FIG. 1, which contains a plurality of operating elements 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a further arrangement according to the invention, which contains a plurality of control elements 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of yet another arrangement according to the invention, which contains a plurality of operating elements 1 according to the invention in a third embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an operating element 1 according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a control element 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of an arrangement 10 according to the invention, which contains a plurality of operating elements 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. Figure 2 is a sectional view thereof. The arrangement 10 comprises several operating elements 1 according to the invention, each of which has an input part 2 made of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ( ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The input parts 2 of all the operating elements 1 belonging to the arrangement 10 are designed in one piece and form a closed visible surface. Each control element 1 has an input surface 3 that is at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent, which is also a display surface for the symbol 6 visible underneath, which, as described below, is visible to the operator when a light source assigned to the control element 1 is activated. At least two of the input surfaces 3 are preferably arranged in a non-coplanar manner. The input areas 3 have elevations 14 arranged in the respective input area 3 or surrounding the respective input area 3 as haptic orientation aids. The structure of a first embodiment of the operating elements 1 according to the invention is explained with reference to FIG. Each of the operating elements 1 of the arrangement has an input part 1 forming an input surface 3 that is at least partially translucent or transparent. It also has a carrier 12 for fixing the operating element 1 to an external structure (not shown), in particular a motor vehicle component such as a dashboard, a center console, a steering wheel or the like. Like the input parts 2, the carrier 12 of all the operating elements 1 belonging to the arrangement 10 is designed in one piece. Each of the operating elements 1 has a detection device 13 which is designed to detect when the operator B touches the input surface 3 . The detection device 13 used in the first embodiment shown has one or more transparent electrodes, which are fixed on the side of the input part 2 facing away from the operator B under the input surface 3 on the input part 2 in order to use an evaluation unit, not shown, for capacitive proximity detection to be carried out in order to thus capacitively detect the degree of an approach to the input surface 3 and then positively determine a touch on the corresponding input surface 3 when a predetermined degree of proximity is exceeded. As can be seen from Figure 2, each control element 1 has a transparent light guide 4 which is arranged below the input surface 3 from the point of view of the operator B and is fixed to the carrier 12 has a lower boundary surface G′ facing away from the input surface 3 or the operator B. An air gap 15 is provided between the upper boundary surface G and the area of the input part 2 provided with the input surface 3 .

The light guide 4 is made, for example, from a transparent thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). . For example, the light guide 4 is produced in a thermal shaping process, for example as an injection molding or by thermal extrusion, for example as a film. The upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' are aligned parallel to each other. In the first embodiments of the operating elements 1 shown in Figure 2, the light guide 4 is of essentially two-dimensional design, with the upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' each forming a main surface of the light guide 4 and an end face connecting the main surfaces forming a light entry surface S of the light guide 4 trains. The main surfaces are understood to be the surfaces of the light guide 4 with the largest surface area. The main surfaces, ie the upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' are level and aligned parallel to one another.

The operating elements 1 each have a light source 5, here in the form of a light-emitting diode designed in SMD construction, which is soldered to a printed circuit board 11 fixed to the carrier. The light source 5 is directed with its main emission direction H onto the light entry surface S in such a way that the main emission direction H is inclined to the upper boundary surface G and an optical reproduction wave field L is coupled into the light guide 4 via the light entry surface S. To generate a collimated light-containing playback wave field L, an optical element 7, which is shown here only symbolically in the form of a semi-convex lens, is in each case between the Light entry surface S of the light guide 4 and the light source 5 is provided.

Each operating element 1 of the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a first holographic image carrier 8 containing a first reflection hologram, which is arranged adjacent to the lower boundary surface G of the light guide 4 The reproducing wave field L generated reaches the first holographic image carrier 8 from the light entry surface S, which from the point of view of the observer B is arranged laterally with respect to the first holographic image carrier 8, due to light propagation caused by total reflections in the light guide 4 via the lower boundary surface G', is preferred there transformed by phase and/or amplitude interference from the playback wave field L into an image wave field L' containing the first reflex hologram as image information, which is coupled out of the holographic image carrier 8 through the optical fiber 4 in the direction of the operator B in order to show the operator B the image in the holographic image to display the first reflection hologram stored on the carrier as a virtual image in the form of the symbol 6 shown in FIG. In this case, the first reflection hologram visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the respective control element 1 and/or a current switching state. The first holographic image carrier 8 is designed as a film layer structure and, in addition to the film layer containing the first reflection hologram, which is a photopolymer layer here, has an adhesive layer (not shown in detail) and a rear substrate layer 9, which can be, for example, a thermoplastic film such as a PC, PET or TAC -Foil is. For example, the thickness of the photopolymer layer is in the range from 1 μm to 70 μm. The holographic image information is introduced into it by embossing, for example. The first holographic image carrier 8 and the light guide 4 are cohesively connected via the adhesive layer. According to an alternative embodiment, the integral connection between the first holographic image carrier 8 and the light guide 4 is brought about by back-injection molding of the holographic image carrier 8 with a transparent thermoplastic forming the light guide 4 in a thermally shaping process step.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a further arrangement according to the invention, which has several control elements 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment contains. Here, too, the arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of control elements 1 according to the invention, each of which has an input part 2 made of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile-butadiene Have styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The input parts 2 of all the operating elements 1 belonging to the further arrangement 10 are designed in one piece and form a closed visible surface. Each operating element 1 has a transparent input surface 3, which is at the same time a display surface for the symbol visible underneath, which, as described below, becomes visible to the operator B when a light source 5 assigned to the operating element 1 is activated. At least two of the input surfaces 3 of the further arrangement are not arranged in a coplanar manner. The input areas 3 have elevations 14 arranged in the respective input area 3 or surrounding the respective input area 3 as haptic orientation aids. Each of the operating elements 1 of the further arrangement 10 has an input part 1 forming a transparent input surface 3 . It also has a carrier 12 for fixing the operating element 1 to an external structure that is not shown, in particular a motor vehicle component such as a dashboard, a center console, a steering wheel or the like. Like the input parts 2, the carrier 12 of all the operating elements 1 belonging to the further arrangement 10 is designed in one piece. In the second embodiment shown, the input parts 2 are each mounted on the carrier 12 in an elastically yielding and restoring manner via an elastomer element 16, so that the input part 2 can be actuated beyond touch, in which an actuating force applied by the operator B causes a displacement following the actuating force of the input surface 3 against the restoring force acting from the elastomer element in the direction of the light guide 4.

Each of the operating elements 1 has a detection device 13, 18, which is designed here not only to detect when the operator B touches the input surface 3, but also to detect positive actuation by means of a capacitive force sensor 18 when the measured actuation force exceeds a predetermined force value. The force sensor 18 is shown here symbolically and for reasons of clarity only in the extreme left operating element 1 . The ones shown in the second The detection device 13, 18 used in the embodiment has one or more transparent electrodes for touch detection, which are fixed on the input part 2 on the side of the input part 2 facing away from the operator B under the input surface 3, in order to carry out a capacitive approach detection using an evaluation unit, not shown, in order to thus to detect capacitively the degree of an approach to the input surface 3 and then positively to determine a touch of the corresponding input surface 3 when a predetermined degree of proximity is exceeded.

In addition, an actuator 17 that generates active haptic feedback is fixed to the input part 2 . For example, the actuator 17 is an electrodynamic, electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator which, when the detection device 13, 18 positively detects a touch, such as when a predetermined touch duration is exceeded, and/or when the detection device 13, 18 positively detects an actuation, such as when a predetermined actuating force is exceeded, an active haptic feedback is caused by excitation of vibrations, excitation of impact of the input part 2 .

As can be seen from Figure 3, each control element 1 has a transparent light guide 4 which is arranged below the input surface 3 from the point of view of the operator B and is fixed to the carrier 12 has a lower boundary surface G′ facing away from the input surface 3 or the operator B. An air gap 15 is provided between the upper boundary surface G and the area of the input part 2 provided with the input surface 3 .

The light guide 4 is made, for example, from a transparent thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). . For example, the light guide 4 is produced in a thermoforming process, for example as an injection molding or by thermal extrusion, for example as a film. The upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' are aligned parallel to each other. The second embodiment of the control elements 1 shown in FIG. 2 is also The light guide 4 is essentially flat, with the upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G′ each forming a main surface of the light guide 4 and an end face connecting the main surfaces forming a light entry surface S of the light guide 4 . The main surfaces are understood to be the surfaces of the light guide 4 with the largest surface area. The main surfaces, ie the upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' are level and aligned parallel to one another.

The operating elements 1 each have a light source 5, here in the form of a light-emitting diode designed in SMD construction, which is soldered to a printed circuit board 11 fixed to the carrier. The light source 5 is directed with its main emission direction H onto the light entry surface S in such a way that the main emission direction H is inclined to the upper boundary surface G and an optical reproduction wave field L is coupled into the light guide 4 via the light entry surface S. An optical element 7 is provided between the light entry surface S of the light guide 4 and the light source 5 in order to generate a playback wave field L containing collimated light.

Each operating element 1 of the further arrangement 10 shown in FIG. The playback wave field L coupled into the light guide 4 and generated by the light source 5 passes from the light entry surface S, which from the point of view of the viewer B is arranged laterally with respect to the first holographic image carrier 8, due to light propagation caused by total reflections in the light guide 4 via the lower boundary surface G ' into the first holographic image carrier 8, is transformed there preferably by phase and/or amplitude interference from the playback wave field L into an image wave field L' containing the first reflex hologram as image information, which is transmitted from the holographic image carrier 8 through the light guide 4 in the direction of the operator B is decoupled in order to show the operator B the first reflection hologram stored in the first holographic image carrier as a virtual image in the form of the symbol 6 shown in FIG. The first reflection hologram visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the respective operating element 1 and/or an acute switching state. The first holographic image carrier 8 is designed as a film layer structure and has next the film layer containing the first reflection hologram, which is a photopolymer layer here, an adhesive layer (not shown) and a rear substrate layer 9, which is, for example, a thermoplastic film such as a PC, PET or TAC film. For example, the thickness of the photopolymer layer is in the range from 1 μm to 70 μm. The holographic image information is introduced into it by embossing, for example. The holographic image carrier 8 and the light guide 4 are cohesively connected via the adhesive layer. According to an alternative embodiment, the integral connection between the first holographic image carrier 8 and the light guide 4 is effected by back-injecting the first holographic image carrier 8 with a transparent thermoplastic forming the light guide 4 in a thermally shaping process step.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a further arrangement according to the invention, which contains several operating elements 1 according to the invention in a third embodiment. Here, too, the arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of operating elements 1 according to the invention, each of which has an input part 2 made from a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile-butadiene Have styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The input parts 2 of all the operating elements 1 belonging to the further arrangement 10 are designed in one piece and form a closed visible surface. Each operating element 1 has a transparent input surface 3, which is at the same time a display surface for the symbol visible underneath, which, as described below, becomes visible to the operator B when a light source 5 assigned to the operating element 1 is activated. At least two of the input surfaces 3 of the further arrangement are not arranged in a coplanar manner. The input areas 3 have elevations 14 arranged in the respective input area 3 or surrounding the respective input area 3 as haptic orientation aids. Each of the operating elements 1 of the further arrangement 10 has an input part 1 forming a transparent input surface 3 . It also has a carrier 12 for fixing the operating element 1 to an external structure (not shown), in particular a motor vehicle component such as a dashboard, a center console, a steering wheel or the like. Like the input parts 2, the carrier 12 of all the operating elements 1 belonging to the further arrangement 10 is designed in one piece. the In the third embodiment shown, input points 2 are mounted on carrier 12 such that they can be displaced by means of bearing means 20, which are only indicated schematically, so that actuation of input part 2 that goes beyond touch is possible, in which an actuating force applied by operator B causes the input surface to be displaced following the actuating force 3 against the restoring force acting from an electromechanical switching element 19 in the direction of the light guide 4.

Each of the operating elements 1 has a detection device 13, 19, which is designed here not only to detect when the operator B touches the input surface 3, but also to positively detect an actuation by means of the electromechanical switching element 19 when the measured actuation force a switching state change of the switching element 19 causes. In addition, the electromechanical switch 19 is provided to generate passive haptic feedback. The electromechanical switching element 19 is shown here symbolically and for reasons of clarity only in the extreme left operating element 1 .

The detection device 13, 19 used in the third embodiment of the control elements 1 shown has one or more transparent electrodes for touch detection, which are fixed on the side of the input part 2 facing away from the operator B under the input surface 3 on the input part 2 in order to be Evaluation unit to carry out a capacitive approach detection in order to detect capacitively the degree of an approach to the input surface 3 and then positively determine a touch of the corresponding input surface 3 when a predetermined degree of proximity is exceeded.

As can be seen from Figure 4, each control element 1 has a transparent light guide 4 which is arranged below the input surface 3 from the point of view of the operator B and is fixed to the carrier 12 has a lower boundary surface G′ facing away from the input surface 3 or the operator B. An air gap 15 is provided between the upper boundary surface G and the area of the input part 2 provided with the input surface 3 . The light guide 4 is made, for example, from a transparent thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). . For example, the light guide 4 is produced in a thermal shaping process, for example as an injection molding or by thermal extrusion, for example as a film. The upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G′ are aligned parallel to one another. In the third embodiments of the operating elements 1 shown in Figure 4, the light guide 4 is also essentially two-dimensional, with the upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' each forming a main surface of the light guide 4 and a front surface connecting the main surfaces forming a light entry surface S of the Light guide 4 forms. The main surfaces are understood to be the surfaces of the light guide 4 with the largest surface area. The main surfaces, ie the upper boundary surface G and the lower boundary surface G' are level and aligned parallel to one another.

Each operating element 1 of the further arrangement 10 shown in FIG. The playback wave field L coupled into the light guide 4 and generated by the light source 5 passes from the light entry surface S, which from the point of view of the viewer B is arranged laterally with respect to the first holographic image carrier 8, due to light propagation caused by total reflections in the light guide 4 via the lower boundary surface G ' in the first holographic Image carrier 8 is transformed there, preferably by phase and/or amplitude interference, from the playback wave field L into an image wave field L' containing the first reflex hologram as image information, which is coupled out of the holographic image carrier 8 through the light guide 4 in the direction of the operator B in order to Operator B to display the first reflection hologram stored in the first holographic image carrier as a virtual image in the form of the symbol 6 shown in FIG. The first reflection hologram visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the respective operating element 1 and/or an acute switching state. The first holographic image carrier 8 is designed as a film layer structure and, in addition to the film layer containing the first reflection hologram, which is a photopolymer layer here, has an adhesive layer (not shown in detail) and a rear substrate layer 9, which can be, for example, a thermoplastic film such as a PC, PET or TAC -Foil is. For example, the thickness of the photopolymer layer is in the range from 1 μm to 70 μm. The holographic image information is introduced into it by embossing, for example. The first holographic image carrier 8 and the light guide 4 are cohesively connected via the adhesive layer. According to an alternative embodiment, the integral connection between the first holographic image carrier 8 and the light guide 4 is effected by back-injecting the first holographic image carrier 8 with a transparent thermoplastic forming the light guide 4 in a thermally shaping process step.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the control element 1, which can be combined with several other control elements 1 configured in one of the previously described embodiments or other control elements 1 to form an arrangement according to the invention, but is configured here as a single control element. The operating element 1 has an input part 2 made of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) on. The operating element 1 has a transparent input surface 3 formed by an operating part 2, which is also a display surface for the symbol visible underneath, which, as described below, becomes visible to the operator B when a light source 5 assigned to the operating element 1 is activated. The input area 3 has in the Input surface 3 arranged and / or the respective input surface 3 surrounding surveys 14 as a haptic guide. It also has a carrier 12 for fixing the operating element 1 to an external structure (not shown), in particular a motor vehicle component such as a dashboard, a center console, a steering wheel or the like. In the fourth embodiment shown, the input part 2 is mounted on the carrier 12 in a translationally displaceable manner in a direction X perpendicular to the input surface 3 by means of bearing means 20, which are only indicated schematically, so that an actuation of the input part 2 that goes beyond touching is possible, in which an operator B applied actuating force causes a displacement of the input surface 3 following the actuating force against the restoring force acting by an electromechanical switching element 19 in the direction of the light guide 4 .

The operating element 1 has a detection device 13 which is designed here to detect when the operator B touches the input surface 3 . For this purpose, the detection device 13 used in the fourth embodiment of the control element 1 has a transparent electrode array, which is fixed on the side of the input part 2 facing away from the operator B under the input surface 3 on the input part 2 in order to use an evaluation unit (not shown) for spatially resolved, capacitive proximity detection to thus capacitively detect the location and the degree of an approach to the input surface 3 and then positively determine a touch on the corresponding input surface 3 when a predetermined degree of proximity is exceeded and a corresponding touch location is detected.

As can be seen from Figure 5, the operating element 1 has a transparent light guide 4 which is arranged below the input surface 3 from the point of view of the operator B and is fixed to the carrier 12 has a lower boundary surface G′ facing away from the input surface 3 or the operator B. An air gap 15 is provided between the upper boundary surface G and the area of the input part 2 provided with the input surface 3 . The light guide 4 is made, for example, from a transparent thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). . For example, the light guide 4 is produced in a thermal shaping process, for example as an injection molding, in one piece or in multiple pieces.

The control element 1 has a light source 5 , here in the form of a light-emitting diode designed in an SMD design, which is soldered to a printed circuit board 11 fixed to the carrier 12 . The light source 5 is directed with its main emission direction H onto the light entry surface S in such a way that the main emission direction H is perpendicular to the upper boundary surface G and an optical reproduction wave field L is coupled into the light guide 4 via the light entry surface S. To generate a reproduced wave field L containing collimated light, an optical element 7 is provided between the light entry surface S of the light guide 4 and the light source 5 .

The operating element 1 has a first holographic image carrier 8 containing a first reflection hologram, which is arranged adjacent to the lower boundary surface G of the light guide 4 .

The light guide 4 has a first light guide section 4' having the light entry surface S, a second light guide section 4" having the upper boundary surface G and lower boundary surface G', and a transition section 4"' connecting the first and second light guide sections. The first light guide section 4', the second light guide section 4" and the transition section 4"' are designed in such a way that, from the perspective of the observer B, the light entry surface S is offset to the rear and to the side of the lower boundary surface G' and thus to the lower boundary surface G 'Adjacent, first, holographic image carrier 8 is arranged. As shown, a cross section of the light guide 4 orthogonal to the upper boundary surface G and orthogonal to the light entry surface S is essentially L-shaped, with the first light guide section 4' and the second light guide section 4" each forming a leg of the "L". The transition section forms 4 '" by a wedge-shaped extension of a cross-sectional expansion of the light guide 4 along its course, so that the To allow change of direction in the light propagation from the first light guide section 4 'to the second light guide section 4' with the lowest possible losses.

In order to bring about the change in direction, the transition section 4'" forms a reflection surface R inclined towards the upper boundary surface G in order to reflect the optical playback wave field L from the first light guide section 4' by internal reflection at the reflection surface R into the second light guide section 4".

The operating element 1 has a first holographic image carrier 8 containing a first reflection hologram and a second holographic image carrier 8 ′ containing a second reflection hologram, both of which are arranged adjacent to the lower boundary surface G of the light guide 4 .

The playback wave field L coupled into the light guide 4 and generated by the light source 5 passes from the light entry surface S due to light propagation caused by total reflections in the light guide 4 via the lower boundary surface G' into the first holographic image carrier 8, where it is preferred by phase and/or Amplitude interference from the playback wave field L is transformed into a picture wave field L' containing the first reflex hologram as image information, which is coupled out of the holographic image carrier 8 through the light guide 4 in the direction of the operator B in order to present the operator B with the first reflexion hologram stored in the first holographic image carrier as to display a virtual image in the form of the symbol 6 shown in FIG. The first reflection hologram visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the respective operating element 1 and/or an acute switching state. The second holographic image carrier 8' containing a second reflection hologram is arranged downstream of the first holographic image carrier 8 in terms of light propagation and is arranged adjacent to the light guide 4 in order to display the second reflection hologram stored in the second holographic image carrier 8' to the operator B. Here, the playback wave field L, which did not reach the first holographic image carrier 8 and instead reaches the second holographic image carrier 8' by total reflection at the lower boundary surface G' and at the upper boundary surface G, in order to be reflected there by phase and/or Amplitude interference from the playback wave field L into one the second To be transformed into a reflex hologram as an image wave field L" containing image information, which is then coupled out of the second holographic image carrier 8' through the light guide 4 in the direction of the operator B, in order ultimately to also provide the operator B with the second reflection hologram stored in the second holographic image carrier 8' as a virtual Image, for example laterally offset to the image of the first holographic image carrier 8 to display.

The first holographic image carrier 8 and the second holographic image carrier 8' are designed as a film layer structure and, in addition to the film layer containing the first or second reflective hologram, which is a photopolymer layer here, have an adhesive layer (not shown in detail) and a rear substrate layer 9, which, for example, has a Thermoplastic film such as PC, PET or TAC film. For example, the thickness of the photopolymer layer is in the range from 1 μm to 70 μm. The holographic image information is introduced into this, for example by embossing. The first or second holographic image carrier 8, 8' and the light guide 4 are materially connected via the adhesive layer. According to an alternative embodiment, the integral connection between the first or second holographic image carrier 8, 8' and the light guide 4 is made by back-injecting the first or second holographic image carrier 8, 8' with a transparent thermoplastic forming the light guide 4 in a thermoforming Process step causes.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the operating element 1, which can be combined with several other operating elements 1 configured in one of the previously described embodiments or other similarly configured operating elements to form an arrangement according to the invention, but is configured here as a single operating element. The operating element 1 has an input part 2 made of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) on. The operating element 1 has a transparent input surface 3 formed by an operating part 2, which is also a display surface for the symbol visible underneath, which, as described below, becomes visible to the operator B when a light source 5 assigned to the operating element 1 is activated. The input area 3 has areas arranged in the input area 3 and/or surrounding the respective input area 3 Surveys 14 as a haptic guide. It also has a carrier 12 for fixing the operating element 1 to an external structure (not shown), in particular a motor vehicle component such as a dashboard, a center console, a steering wheel or the like. In the fifth embodiment shown, the input part 2 is fixed to the carrier 12 via the light guide 4 described below. An operator input is limited here to a touch input by touching the input surface 3.

As can also be seen from Figure 6, the operating element 1 is provided with a transparent light guide 4, which is arranged below the input surface 3 from the perspective of the operator B and is fixed to the carrier 12, which has an upper boundary surface G facing the input surface 3 or the operator B and a lower boundary surface G′ facing away from the input surface 3 or the operator B. An air gap 15 is provided between the upper boundary surface G and the area of the input part 2 provided with the input surface 3 .

The light guide 4 is made, for example, from a transparent thermoplastic such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). . For example, the light guide 4 is produced in a thermal shaping process, for example as an injection molding, in one piece or in multiple pieces. The light guide 4 is essentially flat and is welded to the input part by ultrasonic welding. For this purpose, the light guide 4 forms so-called energy directors 21 on its outermost flanks of the upper boundary surface G, at which there is a cohesive connection between the light guide 4 and the input part 2 .

The control element 1 has a light source 5 , here in the form of a light-emitting diode designed in SMD construction, which is soldered to a printed circuit board 11 fixed to the carrier 12 . The light source 5 is directed with its main emission direction H onto the light entry surface S in such a way that the main emission direction H is perpendicular to the upper boundary surface G and an optical playback wave field L is coupled into the light guide 4 via the light entry surface S. An optical element was dispensed with in favor of a third holographic image carrier 8", which here takes over the shaping of the playback wave field L and is arranged upstream of the first holographic image carrier 8, which contains a first reflection hologram, in terms of light propagation and is arranged adjacent to the upper boundary layer G of the light guide 4 .

The playback wave field L coupled into the light guide 4, generated by the light source 5 and influenced by the third holographic image carrier 8" by amplitude and/or phase interference, passes from the third holographic image carrier 8" via the lower boundary surface G' into the first holographic image carrier 8 , is preferably transformed there by phase and/or amplitude interference from the playback wave field L into an image wave field L' containing the first reflex hologram as image information, which is coupled out of the holographic image carrier 8 through the light guide 4 in the direction of the operator B in order to give the operator B to display the first reflection hologram stored in the first holographic image carrier as a virtual image in the form of the symbol 6 shown in FIG. The first reflection hologram visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the respective operating element 1 and/or an acute switching state. The first holographic image carrier 8 and the third holographic image carrier 8" are designed as a film layer structure and, in addition to the holographic film layer, which is a photopolymer layer here, have an adhesive layer (not shown in detail) and a rear substrate layer 9, which can be a thermoplastic film, such as a PC , PET or TAC film. For example, the thickness of the photopolymer layer is in the range from 1 μm to 70 μm. The holographic image information is introduced into it by embossing, for example. The first or third holographic image carrier 8, 8′ and the light guide 4 are each materially connected via the adhesive layer.

Claims

Expectations:

1. Operating element (1), comprising: an input part (2) forming an at least partially translucent or at least partially transparent input surface (3); a carrier (12) for fixing the operating element to an external structure, in particular a motor vehicle component; a detection device (13, 18, 19) which is designed to detect an actuation and/or a touch on the input surface (3) by an operator (B); a transparent light guide (4) arranged below the input surface (3) from the point of view of the operator (B) and fixed to the carrier (12), which has an upper boundary surface (G) facing the input surface (3) and one of the input surface (3) facing away from the lower boundary surface (G'); at least one light source (5) which is arranged to couple an optical reproduction wave field (L) into the light guide (4) via a light entry surface (S); a first holographic image carrier (8) containing a first reflection hologram, which is arranged adjacent to the lower boundary surface (G') of the light guide (4), the playback wave field (L) coupled into the light guide (4) being transmitted from the light entry surface (S ) reaches the first holographic image carrier (8) due to light leakage caused by internal reflection in the light guide (4), the playback wave field (L) is transformed by the first holographic image carrier (8) into an image wave field (L') and the image wave field (L ') is coupled out of the holographic image carrier (8) by the light guide (4) in the direction of the operator (B) in order to display the first reflection hologram (6) stored in the first holographic image carrier (8) as a virtual image to the operator (B), which visually symbolizes a switching functionality assigned to the operating element (1) and/or an acute switching state.

2. Operating element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein an air gap (15) between the light guide (4) and the input part (2) is provided at least in the area below the input surface (3).

3. Control element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input part (2) under the action of an actuating force on the input surface (3) in the direction of the light guide (4) elastically deformable is designed or is mounted elastically restoring displaceable relative to the carrier (12) in the direction of the light guide (4) in order to enable a detectable actuation of the input surface (3).

4. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an optical element (7) for generating a collimated playback wave field is provided, which is preferably arranged between the light entry surface (S) of the light guide (4) and the light source (5).

5. Operating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first holographic image carrier (8) has a film layer structure.

6. Operating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first holographic image carrier (8) and the light guide (4) are integrally connected.

7. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second holographic image carrier (8') containing a second hologram, which is downstream of the first holographic image carrier (8) with regard to light propagation and for the operator (B) by the Input surface (3) and the light guide (4) is arranged visible to the operator (B) stored in the second holographic image carrier (8 '), second hologram display.

8. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a third holographic image carrier (8"), which is arranged upstream of the first holographic image carrier (8) with regard to light propagation in order to reproduce the wave field directed onto the first holographic image carrier (8). (L') to influence.

9. Operating element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second holographic image carrier (8') and/or the third holographic image carrier (8") are each designed as a reflection holographic image carrier and are adjacent to the upper boundary surface (G) or lower boundary surface ( G') are arranged.

10. Operating element (l) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the light guide is of essentially flat design, with the upper boundary surface (G) and the lower boundary surface (G') each forming a main surface and a front surface connecting the main surfaces forming the light entry surface (S ) of the light guide (4) forms.

11. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a main propagation direction (H) of the light source (5) is aligned inclined to the upper boundary surface (G).

12. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (4) is designed such that the light entry surface (S), seen from the operator (B), is offset laterally and/or to the rear with respect to the first holographic image carrier (8). is.

13.Control element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (4) has a cross-sectional widening along its course.

14. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (4) has a first light guide section (4') having the light entry surface (S) and a second light guide section forming the upper boundary surface (G) and lower boundary surface (G'). has a light guide section (4") which merge into one another in a transition section (4"'), the first light guide section (4'), the second light guide section (4") and the transition section (4"') being designed in such a way that the light entry surface (S) from the perspective of the observer (B) is arranged offset to the rear and laterally to the lower boundary surface (G').

15. Operating element (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transition section (4"') has at least one reflection surface (R) inclined towards the upper boundary surface (G) in order to transmit the playback wave field (L) from the first light guide section (4'). to reflect internal reflection at the reflection surface (R) in the second light guide section (4").

16. Operating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input part (2) is cohesively connected to the carrier (12) and/or the light guide (4).

17.Control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transparent electrode (13) or a transparent electrode array is fixed to the input part (2) in the area of the input surface (3), and the control element (1) has an electrode ( 13) or the electrodes of the electrode array electrically conductively connected evaluation unit for capacitive, preferably spatially resolved, touch detection

18. Arrangement (10) of several operating elements (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input parts (2) and / or the carrier (12) are integrally formed.

19. Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two input surfaces (3) are parallel offset or aligned anti-parallel to each other.

20. Arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one in one of the input surfaces (3) arranged or delimiting one of the input surfaces (2) indentation or elevation (14) for haptic orientation.