Haptic control devices in motor vehicles

Abstract

In a haptic operating device in a motor vehicle, in which an input unit (100, 104) can be moved by an actuator unit (200, 204) coupled to the input unit (100, 104), wherein the input unit (100, 104) has a surface, which an operator's input member (F) can touch, it is provided that the input unit (100, 104) and the actuator unit (200, 204) are supported so as to be movable relative to the motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a haptic operating device in a motor vehicle, wherein an input unit can be moved by at least one actuator coupled to the input unit, wherein the input unit has a surface and wherein the surface can be touched by an input member of an operator. The prior art discloses such so-called haptic operating devices, in which inputs can be made on a so-called touchpad or touchscreen by means of an input member (e.g., the operator's finger), and the operator receives tactile feedback at their finger by moving the surface of the touchpad or touchscreen perpendicularly or parallel to the surface thereof and making this movement perceptible to the finger. Thus, the operator receives feedback that the operating device has detected a touch on the touchpad or touchscreen, without the operator having to look at the touchscreen or touchpad and, therefore, being less distracted from their actual driving task in the motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the course of development, touchpads or touch screens have become larger and larger, so that when using larger touchpads or touch screens, movement of the touchpad or touch screen causes an undesirable rolling motion of the motor vehicle and a muffled sound may be heard due to the sudden movement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a haptic operating device for a motor vehicle in which, even when relatively large touchpads or touchscreens are moved, there are no rocking movements or clacking sounds.

[0004] This object is achieved in that the input unit and the at least one actuator are mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the motor vehicle.

[0005] This has the effect that the impulses that occur are not introduced into the motor vehicle and, since the actuator unit and the input unit act in opposite directions, their impulses at least partially cancel each other out.

[0006] If the actuator unit and the input unit have the same resonance frequency, the impulses can better cancel each other out.

[0007] If the input unit is supported by a first spring device and the actuator unit is supported by a second spring device, the resonance frequencies of the input unit and the actuator unit can be matched to one another particularly well.

[0008] The resonant frequencies are particularly well matched when the following applies:

[0009] Stiffness of the first spring device / mass of the input unit=stiffness of the second spring device / mass of the actuator unit.

[0010] If the input unit has a display, the input unit can be used to operate various programs, program parts and / or values, and the operator can simultaneously be informed of the currently selectable programs, program parts and / or values ​​and is informed where he must touch on the display in order to obtain the desired specific reaction of the electrical or electronic device controlled by the operating unit.

[0011] If the display is an electro-optical display, it is particularly simple and inexpensive. However, an electromechanical display or an unmodifiable display can also be provided. An unmodifiable display can be implemented, for example, by printing or otherwise coating the surface of the input unit.

[0012] If the input unit can be moved perpendicularly to its surface, such movement can be easily detected by a human finger by using a tactile manipulation device.

[0013] If the input unit can be moved parallel to its surface, in some cases a simpler solution can be found for the mechanical structure of the tactile manipulation device than for vertical movement. With only small movements, the fingertip cannot determine whether the input unit is moved perpendicularly or parallel to its surface.

[0014] If the haptic operating device is additionally supported by a bearing, the extent of movement of the operating unit can be precisely defined. The bearing can be designed, for example, as a roller bearing, a ball bearing or a sliding bearing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows a cross section of a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, and a possible operator's finger of a tactile manipulation device;

[0017] Figure 2 shows a cross section of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, and a possible operator's finger of a haptic manipulation device;

[0018] Figure 3 shows a cross section of a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, and a possible operator's finger of a tactile manipulation device;

[0019] Figure 4 A cross section of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown, together with a possible operator's finger of the haptic manipulation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] exist Figure 1, a first exemplary embodiment of a haptic manipulation device according to the present invention is shown. The device comprises an input unit 100, an actuator unit 200 coupled to the input unit 100, two first spring elements 300, a second spring element 400, and a housing 600. The input unit 100 comprises a coupling component 111. The actuator unit 200 comprises a single actuator, which is coupled to the input unit 100 via the coupling component 111. Furthermore, the actuator unit 200 is coupled to the housing 600 via the second spring element 400. The input unit 100 is also coupled to the housing 600 via the two first spring elements 300. Optionally, additional supports for the input unit 100 may be omitted. Alternatively, one or more supports may be provided between the input unit 100 and the housing 600 to prevent lateral movement of the input unit 100. These supports may be designed, for example, as sliding supports, ball bearings, or roller bearings. A finger F of an operator (other than those shown) of the manipulation device touches the surface of the input unit 100. A sensor system (not shown) detects and evaluates this touch and activates actuator unit 200, causing it to move input unit 100 via coupling component 111. Actuator unit 200 and input unit 100 move in opposite directions, canceling out their momentum. Actuator unit 200 can attract or repel input unit 100 via coupling component 111. As shown, coupling component 111 may be designed as part of operating unit 100. However, it may also be designed as a separate component connected to input unit 100. As shown, housing 600 may be a separate housing for installation in the body of a motor vehicle. However, housing 600 may also be part of the motor vehicle's body structure; alternative configurations of the housing are not shown. The first spring element 300 and the second spring element 400 are advantageously designed so that they satisfy the following condition: stiffness of the first spring device / mass of the input unit = stiffness of the second spring device / mass of the actuator unit. A display (not shown) of input unit 100, perceivable by a potential operator, may be located within input unit 100. Such a display can, for example, consist of a print on the surface of the input unit 100. An electro-optical display is particularly advantageous, since different selectable programs, subroutines and / or values ​​can be displayed and set using the operating unit. The input unit 100 and the actuator unit 200 are advantageously supported in each case in such a way that they are movable in the functional direction of the actuator 200 and fixed in the other directions. The bearing (not shown) can be designed, for example, as a ball bearing, roller bearing or sliding bearing. This also applies to the Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment of Figure 1The exemplary embodiment in FIG is different in that the actuator unit 200 has two actuators and two second spring elements 400. In addition, the input unit 100 has two coupling members 112 so that the input unit 100 is moved by two actuators. The movement sequence of the input unit 100 and the actuator unit 200 is as described above with respect to FIG. Figure 1 Descriptive.

[0022] Figure 3 The exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 differs in that the coupling element 113 is not as Figure 2 The arrangement of the actuators of the actuator unit 200 is changed. Because the forces of the actuators of the actuator unit 200 in the lateral direction cancel each other out, the input unit 100 moves perpendicular to the surface of the input unit 100. The advantage of this structure is that it is different from the structure according to Figure 2 Compared with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , this structure is flatter overall. The movement sequence of the input unit 100 and the actuator unit 200 is as described above with respect to FIG. Figure 1 Descriptive.

[0023] exist Figure 4 , the input unit 104 having the coupling part 114, the actuator unit 204, the first spring element 304, the second spring element 404, and the housing 600 can be seen. The input unit 104 is connected to the housing 600 via the first spring element 304, and the actuator 204 is connected to the housing 600 via the second spring element 404. In addition, the input unit 104 and the actuator unit 204 are supported by a support member not shown. When the actuator unit 204 is actuated, the actuator unit attracts the input unit 104 or repels the input unit, so that the input unit 104 moves parallel to its surface, i.e., in the direction of the rotation of the actuator unit 204. Figure 4 The input unit 104 and the actuator unit 204 move to the right or left. The impulses generated by the input unit 104 and the actuator unit 204 cancel each other out, so that with the exemplary embodiment of the operating device according to the present invention, the impulses are not introduced into the housing 600 and no muffled sound is generated. The support member (not shown) can be designed as a ball support member, a roller support member, or a sliding support member, for example. The input unit 104 and the actuator 204 are each supported in such a manner that they are movable in the direction of movement of the actuator 204 and are fixed in other directions. The input unit 100 is advantageously supported in such a manner that it is movable in the direction of movement of the input unit 100 and is fixed in other directions.

Claims

1. A tactile control device in a motor vehicle, wherein: The input unit (100) can be moved by an actuator unit (200) connected to the input unit (100), wherein the input unit (100) has a surface, wherein the operator's input member (F) can touch the surface, characterized in that the input unit (100) and the actuator unit (200) are supported so as to be movable relative to the motor vehicle, the actuator unit (200) and the input unit (100) acting in opposite directions so that their impulses at least partially cancel each other out, wherein the actuator unit (200) has two actuators, each actuator being connected to the input unit (100) by a respective coupling part (113), the two coupling parts (113) being arranged at an acute angle to the input unit (100), so that the two actuators are arranged so that the forces in the lateral direction cancel each other out.

2. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that The actuator unit (200) and the input unit (100) have the same resonance frequency.

3. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The input unit (100) is supported by a first spring device (300), and the actuator unit (200) is supported by a second spring device (400).

4. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first spring device has at least one first spring element (300), and the second spring device has at least one second spring element (400).

5. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that The following formula applies: Stiffness of the first spring device / mass of the input unit=stiffness of the second spring device / mass of the actuator unit.

6. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The input unit (100) has a display.

7. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 6, characterized in that The display is designed as an electro-optical display.

8. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The input unit (100) is movable perpendicularly to its surface.

9. The tactile manipulation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The input unit (100) is additionally supported via a support element.

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