Operating unit for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating unit (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a translucent carrier part (12); a translucent decorative layer (14) arranged at least indirectly on the carrier part (12), the decorative layer having at least one tactilely recognizable protrusion (18) and / or tactilely recognizable recess on its visible side facing away from the carrier part (12) for indicating at least one operating area (16); a lighting device arranged below the carrier part (12), which is designed to illuminate the decorative layer (14) from the back; a light shield (22) arranged between the decorative layer (14) and the lighting device (20), the light shield having an opaque area (24) and at least one translucent area (26) arranged below the at least one operating area (16) for illuminating the at least one operating area (16).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating unit for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Prior Art

[0003] In motor vehicles, there is an ever-increasing functional diversity. Thus, especially in the interior area, a challenge lies in allowing the vehicle occupants to operate a wide variety of functions as easily as possible. At the same time, even in the case of a large number of required operating elements, it is often desired that the appearance, especially in the interior of the motor vehicle, is not overly cluttered but still designed attractively.

[0004] Sometimes, there are already operating areas or operating elements that are deliberately hidden behind a surface such as a decorative layer. For example, by means of a capacitive sensor device or a pressure-sensitive sensor device, the user can operate the operating area or operating element to trigger or control a variety of different functions. However, in the case of such operating elements or operating areas hidden behind a surface, it may be difficult to locate the operating element or operating area. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an operating unit for a motor vehicle that can be easily operated by the user, although the operating area is hidden and arranged behind a surface.

[0006] This object is achieved by an operating unit for a motor vehicle. Other possible designs of the present invention are specified in detail especially in the dependent claims.

[0007] The operating unit for a motor vehicle according to the present invention includes a translucent carrier. A translucent decorative layer is provided at least indirectly on the carrier, and the decorative layer has at least one haptically perceptible protrusion and / or haptically perceptible recess on its visible surface facing away from the carrier to mark at least one operating area. The operating unit further includes an illumination device arranged below the carrier and designed to illuminate the decorative layer from the back. The operating unit also includes a light shield disposed between the decorative layer and the illumination device, the light shield having a light-transmissive area and at least one transparent area provided below at least one operating area for transmitting light to illuminate the at least one operating area. The operating unit can also be installed, for example, in textiles, aircraft, other land vehicles, watercraft, furniture, and domestic interior applications.

[0008] It is also possible to omit the light shield, so that the decorative layer can be completely transparent. The light shield can also be a layer of paint film. The paint film and / or film can be applied to, for example, a carrier in the form of a screen or an illumination unit. All types of sharp edges and / or soft shields are possible.

[0009] The carrier portion does not need to be completely transparent. It is sufficient for the carrier portion to be transparently illuminated, at least in the area where the at least one operating area is located. The visible surface of the decorative layer can be an interior or exterior surface. Thus, for example, the operating unit can be located in the interior of a vehicle, with the visible surface of the decorative layer being located, for example, in the center armrest area, the dashboard, or any other vehicle interior area. By appropriately selecting the material for the decorative layer, the visible surface of the decorative layer can also form an exterior surface of the relevant motor vehicle.

[0010] Because at least one operating area of the operating unit is tactilely detectable via tactile projections and / or tactile recesses, the user can easily sense and thus operate the at least one operating area by touch even when the lighting device is deactivated. In particular, the operating unit can have multiple operating areas, wherein the decorative layer, on its visible surface facing away from the carrier, each has at least one tactile projection and / or tactile recess to indicate the respective operating area. If the operating unit has multiple such operating areas, the light shield is designed accordingly. This means that the light shield has a light-permeable area at least below each operating area for illuminating the respective operating area. The projections and / or recesses can have distinct shapes or geometries.

[0011] The operating unit is thus divided into at least one light-permeable area and a remaining, non-light-permeable area. In particular, where light-permeable illumination is possible, the operating unit has a height difference that is tactilely perceptible from the visible surface and, in particular, also visible, and is formed by the projections and / or recesses. In particular, the decorative layer can be formed seamlessly over the entire surface of the operating unit. The at least one tactilely perceptible operating area can thus be provided on a continuous surface, wherein, due to the at least one tactilely perceptible projection and / or the at least one tactilely perceptible recess, the user can easily identify the at least one operating area without requiring a clearly visible demarcation at first glance on the surface material, i.e., on the visible side of the decorative layer. The visually unobtrusive operating unit can thus be integrated, for example, into the interior of the relevant motor vehicle.

[0012] In the operating unit according to the present invention, provision can be made for the decorative layer to extend over the entire carrier portion, without being interrupted by seams, notches, component separations, or individual operating elements. This creates a three-dimensional surface structure on the visible surface of the decorative layer, enabling tactile and / or visual identification of the operating area. When the lighting unit is activated or switched on, any lighting scenario can be generated dynamically, fully, partially, or as needed, so that at least one operating area, multiple operating areas, or other areas of the operating unit can be backlit and thus illuminated. When the lighting is deactivated, the operating unit presents a consistent, continuous surface appearance.

[0013] For example, if the relevant vehicle can be used as a living area, the operating unit of the present invention can be particularly well used in an autonomous driving operation, which can have more and more lighting functions and hidden switching mechanisms. With the operating unit, it is also possible to simply display the different states of different functions, i.e., effective or ineffective. Both traditional and new surfaces can be combined with various different electrical and electronic components. The decorative layer can be, for example, textiles, leather, plastics, etc. It is important that the decorative layer can be illuminated by transmitted light at least where at least one operating area is provided. There is no restriction on the choice of the decorative layer material, provided that such light transmissibility can be achieved.

[0014] One possible design of the present invention provides that at least one tactile element is arranged under the decorative layer, which is presented as at least a partial area of a protrusion on the visible surface of the decorative layer. The decorative layer thus covers the tactile element, such that the tactile element is presented as a height difference on the visible surface of the decorative layer. In this way, it is possible to easily mark the tactile feel of at least one operating area. For example, the tactile element can be bonded to the decorative layer, such that the decorative layer fits particularly well to the tactile element. However, other possible connection means can also be used. The adhesive layer used to fix the tactile element can be light-transmissive, and the entire tactile element or at least a part thereof is also light-transmissive.

[0015] It is also feasible to apply tactile elements to the carrier on the entire surface, where additional raised or recessed areas are additionally provided for the tactilely perceptible operating areas. These additional areas can be individually bonded to the tactile elements on the entire surface, or the tactile elements are provided with protrusions / recesses by molding or manual processing. Therefore, the tactile elements can also be multi-layered, for example, in the seat area with foam material.

[0016] Another possible design of the present invention provides that the tactile element has a spacer fabric, a foam material sheet, and / or a plastic sheet. In particular, the tactile element can include a flexible component, such that the user can press the decorative layer at the point where the tactile element is provided like a switch or a button.

[0017] According to another possible design of the present invention, the carrier has at least one recess presented as at least a partial area of a recess on the side facing the decorative layer. Thereby, it is possible to simply generate a tactilely perceptible recess on the visible surface of the decorative layer. The decorative layer adheres particularly closely to the carrier in its recess area, such that the recess is formed on the visible surface of the decorative layer.

[0018] Another possible design of the present invention provides that the protrusion and / or recess is formed at least in part by locally changing the thickness of the decorative layer material. Thus, a local change in the thickness of the decorative layer can produce at least one protrusion and / or at least one recess for making at least one operating area particularly tactilely perceptible. By locally changing the thickness of the decorative layer, for example by locally compressing the decorative layer or also by other means, the protrusion and / or recess can be produced very simply.

[0019] Another possible design of the present invention provides that the operating unit has a capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection mechanism designed to detect the operation of at least one operating area. The capacitive detection mechanism can be, for example, a capacitive film designed to detect an operating action or actuation action on at least one operating area. Alternatively or additionally, a pressure sensor or the like can also be provided on at least one operating area, whereby pressure application can be detected. With the capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection mechanism, the operating action at at least one operating area can be easily detected and, for example, transferred to a motor vehicle controller, which triggers the respective associated function accordingly.

[0020] In another possible design of the present invention, it is provided that a light shield is provided on the top side of the carrier facing the decorative layer or on its bottom side facing away from the decorative layer. If the light shield is arranged on the top side of the carrier, the advantage of reduced light scattering can be obtained when passing through the light-transmitting area of the light shield. Thus, the at least one operating area can be backlit or transmitted-light illuminated particularly precisely. If the decorative layer is arranged on the bottom side of the carrier, it may be easier to arrange the installation or placement of the decorative layer on the top side of the carrier.

[0021] Another possible design of the present invention provides that the light shield and the carrier are designed as an integral component. In this case, the light shield does not have to be first fixed and arranged on the carrier in a complicated manner. For example, it is possible that the carrier can be a two-component component, especially a two-component injection molded part, where the light shield is made of the first component and the remaining carrier is made of the second component. For example, the first component can be completely light-impermeable, while the second component can be completely light-transmitting, for example. In particular, in the two-component injection molding process, it is possible to mass-produce the light shield and the carrier quickly and inexpensively as a one-piece or integral component.

[0022] Another possible design provision of the present invention provides that the light shield is applied to the carrier part as a coating. For example, the light shield can be printed onto the carrier part. Or it is also feasible that the light shield is a film connected to the carrier part. Thus, if the light shield and the carrier part form separate components or layer films, the carrier part can be produced in large batches, for example, regardless of the variant. Then, the light shield can be individually adjusted for different lighting functions by respectively providing matching notches at the positions corresponding to the light-transmitting areas. Therefore, the entire assembly composed of the light shield and the carrier part does not have to be adjusted for the variant.

[0023] Another possible design provision of the present invention provides that the lighting device is designed to display at least one symbol and / or at least one character, and when the lighting device is activated, the symbol or character is visually presented at least on a part of the visible surface of the decorative layer in at least one operation area. For example, the lighting device can be a display. For example, it is possible that it is an OLED display, which can be designed very thin. If the lighting device is a display, different symbols, characters or other elements can be displayed at different positions to backlight and illuminate at least one operation area or other operation areas of the operation unit. In this case, the symbols, characters, etc. to be displayed can also be adjusted according to the operating conditions or, for example, by means of software updates.

[0024] According to another possible design of the present invention, the carrier part and / or the light shield has at least one symbol and / or at least one character, which is visually presented at least on a part of the visible surface of the decorative layer in at least one operation area when the lighting device is activated. For example, the symbol and / or character can be an opaque mask, and in this case, when the lighting device is activated, the symbol and / or character is visually presented in the form of a dark area. For example, the symbol and / or character can also be a light-transmitting area. In this case, when the lighting device is activated, the symbol and / or character is presented as an illuminated or lit area. For example, it can be provided that only the carrier part and / or only the light shield ensure the display of different types of symbols, characters, etc. in at least one operation area. In this case, the lighting device can be designed particularly simply, and ultimately it only has to be a light source and does not have to be able to ensure the display of symbols, characters, etc. It is also possible to disperse the display of symbols, characters, etc. to the lighting device, the carrier part and / or the light shield.

[0025] Other features of the present invention can be obtained from the following description of the drawings and in combination with the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the figures can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0026] The drawings show:

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of an operating unit for a motor vehicle is shown, which includes a light-transmissive carrier part, on the upper side of which a light-transmissive decorative layer is arranged, and the decorative layer has a plurality of tactilely perceptible protrusions on its visible surface facing away from the carrier part to mark a plurality of operating areas. Among them, a light-shielding plate and a lighting device are arranged below the carrier part to control the illumination of the operating areas;

[0028] Figure 2 Another perspective view of the operating unit is shown;

[0029] Figure 3 A top view of the operating unit in the unilluminated state is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 A top view of the operating unit in the illuminated state is shown. Detailed Description

[0031] In the figures, identical or functionally identical components carry the same reference numerals.

[0032] The operating unit 10 for a motor vehicle is shown in Figure 1 a perspective view. Here, the operating unit 10 is shown in a state where it is not yet fully assembled, so that the layered structure of the operating unit 10 becomes clear. The operating unit 10 has a carrier part 12 that is at least partially light-transmissive. A light-transmissive decorative layer 14 is arranged on the carrier part 12, and the decorative layer has respective tactilely perceptible protrusions 18 on its visible surface facing away from the carrier part to identify a plurality of operating areas 16. The schematically shown lighting device 20 is arranged below the carrier part 12 and is designed to illuminate the decorative layer 14 from the back side.

[0033] In addition, a light-shielding plate 22 is also arranged between the decorative layer 14 and the lighting device 20. The light-shielding plate has light-impermeable areas 24 and light-translucent or light-transmissive areas 26. The light-transmissive areas 26 are arranged below the respective operating areas 16 so that they can be backlit or illuminated by means of the lighting device 20. The light-transmissive areas 26 do not have to always be as large as the operating areas 16. In particular, the light-transmissive areas 26 can be smaller than the respective operating areas 16.

[0034] The decorative layer 14 can for example be made of fabric, leather, plastic, in particular a soft-touch surface, canvas, wood, metal or the like. What is important for the decorative layer 14 is that it can be illuminated by light passing through it, at least at the location where the operating area 16 is located. Through the micropores, it can also be used to fully or partially illuminate materials that are not themselves light-transmissive. In the case shown here, the operating unit 10 is an interior fitting or an interior component. The decorative layer 14 can be arranged, for example, in the central armrest area, at the door lining, on the dashboard or at any other location in the vehicle interior. However, it is also possible that the visible surface of the decorative layer 14 forms the outer surface of the motor vehicle. In this case, the operating unit 10 is designed such that it can withstand weather influences smoothly.

[0035] Figure 2 The operating unit 10 is also shown in a perspective view in which the layered structure of the operating unit 10 becomes clear. In the present case, for the first time, the tactile elements 28 arranged below the decorative layer 14 can be seen. The tactile elements 28 are presented in the form of elevations 18 on the visible surface of the decorative layer 14 (see Figure 1 ). In particular, the tactile elements 28 can be made of a soft material such that they are soft and the user can slightly compress the tactile elements 28 when pressing on the operating area 16. The tactile elements 28 can for example have spacer fabric, foam material sheets and / or plastic sheets.

[0036] As an alternative or supplement to the tactile elements 28, and differently from the illustration here, the carrier 12 can have, for example, recesses and / or elevations on the side facing the decorative layer 14, which can then be presented in the form of recesses or elevations on the decorative layer 14 in the operating area 16. It is also possible to produce elevations and / or recesses at the points where the operating area 16 is provided by locally changing the material thickness of the decorative layer 14.

[0037] The operating unit 10 can have capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection means (not shown here), which are designed to detect the respective operations of the operating area 16. For example, a film having a capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive function can be attached to the underside of the decorative layer 14 to detect the operating actions of the user on the respective operating area 16. It is also possible to provide a heating element and / or a heating layer. For example, the heating element and / or the heating layer can be arranged above or below the carrier 12.

[0038] In the case shown here, the light shield 22 is arranged below the carrier part 12. However, equally, the light shield 22 can also be arranged above the carrier part 12, i.e., between the carrier part and the decorative layer 14. In the present case, the light shield 22 is designed as a separate layer or a separate component. Alternatively, it is also possible that the light shield 22 and the carrier part 12 are designed as an integral component, i.e., the light shield 22 is an integral part of the carrier part 12. For example, the carrier part 12 can be a two-component injection molded part, where the light shield 24 is made of a first light-impermeable component and the remainder of the carrier part 12 is made of a second light-transmissive component. For example, the light shield 22 can also be applied to the carrier part 12 as a coating. For example, the light shield 22 can be printed onto the carrier part 12. It is also possible that the light shield 22 is a film connected to the carrier part 12.

[0039] Figure 3 The operating unit 10 is shown in a top view, where the lighting device 20, which is not visible here, is not enabled. The operating area 16 is "tangibly perceivable" presented on the visible surface of the decorative layer 14 by means of the protrusion 18. However, since the decorative layer 14, for example, has no seams, notches, component separation parts or separate operating elements (which would interrupt the visual appearance of the operating unit 10), a coherent or unified surface appearance can be obtained at the operating unit 10.

[0040] Figure 4 The operating unit 10 is shown in another top view, where the lighting device 20, which is not visible here, is now activated. As a result, the respective operating areas 16 are backlit and thus illuminated. It is also possible to provide other light-transmissive areas 30 that are not located in the operating areas 16. The lighting device 20 can, for example, be designed to display distinct symbols, characters, etc. that are visually presented on the visible surface of the decorative layer 14 and especially in the operating areas 16 when the lighting device 20 is activated. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier part 12 and / or the light shield 22 can have symbols, characters, etc. that are presented on the visible surface of the decorative layer 14 at least in the respective operating areas 16 when the lighting device 20 is activated. It is thus possible to generate different lighting scenarios in distinct ways, which are presented dynamically, comprehensively, partially and / or depending on the situation in different ways. These operating areas 16 then become visible due to backlighting or transmissive lighting, where it is also possible to achieve ambient lighting in the vehicle interior through the backlighting of other areas 30.

[0041] List of reference numerals

[0042] 10 Operating unit

[0043] 12 Carrier part

[0044] 14 Decorative layer

[0045] 16 Operating area

[0046] 18 protrusions

[0047] 20 lighting device

[0048] 22 light shield

[0049] 24 opaque area of the light shield

[0050] 26 transparent area of the light shield

[0051] 28 tactile element

[0052] 30 other illuminable areas of the decorative layer

Claims

1. An operating unit (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a translucent carrier part (12); - a translucent decorative layer (14) arranged at least indirectly on the carrier part (12), the decorative layer having at least one haptically recognizable elevation (18) on its visible side facing away from the carrier part (12) for indicating at least one operating area (16); - at least one haptic element (28) arranged below the decorative layer (14), the at least one haptic element (28) protruding at least as a partial area of the elevation (18) on the visible side of the decorative layer (14), wherein the at least one haptic element (28) is arranged on the surface of the carrier part (12) and is located between the decorative layer (14) and the carrier part (12); - a lighting device arranged below the carrier part (12), which is designed to illuminate the decorative layer (14) from the back; - a light shield (22) arranged between the decorative layer (14) and the lighting device (20), the light shield having an opaque area (24) and at least one translucent area (26) arranged below the at least one operating area (16) for illuminating the at least one operating area (16), and the light shield (22) and the carrier part (12) are formed as an integral component; 2. The operating unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The visible side of the decorative layer (14) is an inner surface or an outer surface.

3. The operating unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The haptic element (28) has a spacer fabric, a foam material sheet and / or a plastic sheet.

4. The operating unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The decorative layer (14) also has at least one haptically recognizable recess on its visible side facing away from the carrier part (12) for indicating the at least one operating area (16).

5. The operating unit (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The carrier part (12) has at least one recess on the side facing the decorative layer (14) that protrudes at least as a partial area of the recess.

6. The operating unit (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elevation (18) and / or the recess are at least partially formed by a local change in the material thickness of the decorative layer (14).

7. The operating unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, characterized in that The operating unit (10) has a capacitive detection mechanism and / or a piezoresistive detection mechanism, which is designed to detect the operation of the at least one operating area (16).

8. The operating unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, characterized in that, The light shield (22) is arranged on the top side of the carrier part (12) facing the decorative layer (14) or on the bottom side of the carrier part facing away from the decorative layer (14).

9. The operating unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The integral component is a two-component part, wherein the light shield (22) is made of a first component and the remaining carrier part (12) is made of a second component.

10. The operating unit (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The integral component is a two-component injection molded part.

11. The operating unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 6 and 9 to 10, characterized in that, The light shield (22) is applied to the carrier part (12) as a coating.

12. The operating unit (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The light shield (22) is printed on the carrier part (12) or on a film connected to the carrier part (12).

13. The operating unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 6, 9 to 10 and 12, characterized in that, The lighting device (20) is designed to display at least one symbol and / or at least one character, and when the lighting device (20) is activated, the symbol or the character is visually presented on at least a part of the visible side of the decorative layer (14) in the at least one operating area (16).

14. The operating unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 6, 9 to 10 and 12, characterized in that, The carrier part (12) and / or the light-shielding plate (22) has at least one symbol and / or at least one character, and when the lighting device (20) is activated, the symbol or the character is visually presented on at least a part of the at least one operating area (16) on the visible surface of the decorative layer (14).

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