Input method with haptic feedback and ringing suppression and related input device

Abstract

The invention relates to an input device with haptic feedback for detecting a manual input, comprising: an operating element which is mounted in an oscillating manner about a rest position in an oscillating direction, the operating element comprising an intrinsic mode with a first natural frequency; an actuator arranged on the actuating element for acting on the actuating element in a vibration direction in a vibration excitation manner, the actuator having an excitation mass which is mounted on the actuating element in a vibration manner and can be driven by an electrical excitation signal, and the actuator having an actuator intrinsic mode with a second natural frequency; a detection means for detecting at least one start of manual contact and / or actuation of the actuation element; and a control unit electrically connected to the detection means for generating an electrical excitation signal and applying the electrical excitation signal to the actuator during or after the detection of the touch and / or manipulation; the invention further discloses a related input method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input method with improved tactile feedback, as the tactile feedback is more noticeable. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an input device for detecting manual input, the input device comprising an operating element that, upon detecting manual contact and / or operation, vibrates the operating element via an actuator to generate the tactile feedback. Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the input device in a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Input devices of this type are generally known and are described, for example, in DE 2013 007 962 A1. These devices are used to detect manual inputs, typically made by a user, in order to assign an actuation to a switch and / or control function. For this purpose, the input device typically has at least one actuating element that can be manipulated by the user using their hand or fingers. This allows the user to activate and / or deactivate functions or control them in a desired manner. These input devices are widely used in vehicles, such as passenger cars and trucks, for example, to control the vehicle's powertrain.

[0003] It is known to couple an operating element to an actuator in order to generate haptically perceptible feedback, also referred to as haptic feedback, for a user who operates and / or touches the operating element.

[0004] While coupling the operating element to the actuator has proven advantageous, further improvements are still needed in the design and implementation of feedback, particularly with regard to generating noticeable tactile feedback that is limited to a few overshoots of the operating element's rest position and characterized by a rapid, particularly noticeable maximum acceleration and / or a rapid decay of the vibrations after the operating element reaches its maximum deflection, due to the clever energization of the actuator via an electrical excitation signal. It has been shown that excursions that are as short as possible, pulse-like, with rapid deformation and decay, are preferred. This not only provides a high-quality feel for the operator, but also requires a rapid sequence of tactile feedback to allow the operator to respond to the input, which would be impossible if the subsequent tactile feedback were to fall within the decay of the previous tactile feedback (e.g., its ringing). Damping the vibrating support of the operating element is possible. However, this approach compromises the energy input to the vibration system and minimizes the deflections generated with the same excitation energy. Furthermore, mechanical tuning of the vibration system is difficult and poses significant challenges in mass production with reproducible results. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an input method and a related input device in which a vibration system is given a favorable vibration behavior by means of an excitation signal, in particular by avoiding complex mechanical tuning.

[0006] The present invention provides a solution for achieving the aforementioned object by means of an input method according to claim 1, an input device according to the parallel device claim, and a use according to the parallel use claim. Advantageous technical solutions are the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims may be combined with one another in any technically beneficial manner to further illustrate other technical solutions of the present invention. The present invention is supplemented and described in detail in the specification, particularly in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0007] The present invention relates to an input method with tactile feedback, which has the following steps. In the providing step, an operating element is provided that is vibratingly supported in a vibration direction about a rest position, and the operating element corresponds to an eigenmode having a first natural frequency, in particular in the vibration direction. This first natural frequency is generated, for example, based on the support and / or material properties of the operating element. The first natural frequency can be determined, for example, by measuring the deflection when the operating element is excited in a frequency-specific manner and is, for example, mainly generated by the vibrating support of the operating element, for example, by the elasticity or spring constant of at least one reset element that elastically resets the operating element, the mass of the operating element, and a damping constant derived from an optionally provided damping element and / or air resistance. For example, the vibrating support of the operating element is designed so that the operating element is supported essentially perpendicular to the operating direction, preferably parallel to an operating surface constructed on the operating element and arranged for operation. Vibrating support about the rest position refers to a monostable support of the operating element, that is, it is supported in a manner that resets to the rest position.

[0008] The operating element can be formed by a lever, but can also be formed by a switch button, a button head, a touch pad or a touch screen or a combination of the above objects and / or similar objects.

[0009] According to the present invention, in a further provision step, an actuator is provided, which is arranged on the operating element and is configured to act on the operating element in a vibration-exciting manner in a vibration direction and generate haptic feedback. The actuator is, for example, supported solely on the operating element. According to the present invention, the actuator comprises an excitation mass that is supported in a vibration-free manner, preferably in a freely vibrating manner, on the operating element and that can be driven by an electrical excitation signal. Consequently, the actuator also corresponds to an eigenmode, referred to herein as an actuator eigenmode, which has a second natural frequency, particularly in the vibration direction. This second natural frequency can also be measured at the actuator as described above and is essentially generated by the elastic support of the excitation mass (e.g., a spring element that supports the excitation mass in a restoring manner) and a damping constant resulting from an optionally provided damping element and / or air resistance. The actuator is preferably an electrodynamic actuator, in particular an insert coil actuator, also known as a "voice coil actuator."

[0010] For actuators designed as electrodynamic actuators, the second natural frequency is also influenced by the electromagnetic quality factor of its oscillating circuit. Compared to a purely mechanical system, this electromagnetic quality factor not only shifts the second natural frequency but also broadens the resonance curve around the second natural frequency overall, increasing the half-value width of the resonance curve.

[0011] The mounting of the operating element and the mounting of the excitation mass are preferably tuned such that the second natural frequency is higher than the first natural frequency. The first natural frequency is preferably in the range of 50 Hz to 100 Hz. The operating element preferably has a mass in the range of 100 g to 1200 g, preferably in the range of 500 g to 1000 g.

[0012] According to the present invention, detection means are also provided for detecting manual contact with the operating element and / or at least one initiation of manipulation. These detection means can be fully or partially integrated into the operating element. Manual contact refers, for example, to contact with the operator or user's finger or hand, while manipulation refers to the application of a manipulation force on the operating element by the hand or finger.

[0013] These detection components are, for example, capacitive components which detect the change in position of the operating element caused by the contact and / or the actuation or the application of force associated therewith.

[0014] According to the invention, a control unit is also provided which is electrically connected to the detection members and is designed to generate an electrical excitation signal for activating the actuator during or after detection of the contact and / or manipulation by the detection members.

[0015] The input method according to the present invention includes a step of generating tactile feedback by the control unit, specifically by applying an electrical excitation signal to the actuator during or after detection of the contact and / or manipulation, i.e., by the actuator stimulating the manipulation element to move in a vibration direction. "During or after detection" means that the control signal is generated immediately upon detection of the manipulation or is generated subsequently with a time delay relative to the detection.

[0016] According to the invention, the electrical excitation signal corresponds to a continuous, therefore non-discrete, amplitude spectrum obtained, for example, by Fourier transformation. The electrical excitation signal is preferably generated by filtering the pulse width modulated output signal, for example by high-pass and / or low-pass filtering.

[0017] According to the present invention, with respect to the electrical excitation signal, it is provided that an early first amplitude spectrum determined from an early first excitation signal portion of the electrical excitation signal differs from a second amplitude spectrum determined from a slightly later second excitation signal portion, i.e., temporally following the first excitation signal portion, at frequencies associated with their absolute maximums, and that the frequency of the second maximum of the second amplitude spectrum is greater than the frequency of the first maximum of the first amplitude spectrum. Consequently, the slightly later second excitation signal portion, which is higher frequency than the first excitation signal portion, provides more pronounced haptic feedback compared to a uniform excitation signal, since the high-frequency excitation acts on the deflection movement of the operating element in an acceleration-supporting or braking manner, depending on the vibration state of the operating element, when the second excitation signal portion intervenes. This allows for limiting the vibration behavior of the operating element to a few overshoots in the rest position, increasing the maximum acceleration, accelerating the achievement of this particularly pronounced maximum deflection, and / or accelerating the damping of the vibration after reaching the maximum deflection, without requiring intervention in the mechanical tuning of the mounting.

[0018] The second maximum of the second amplitude spectrum is preferably located outside the bandwidth range limited by the first natural frequency and the second natural frequency.

[0019] The second maximum of the second amplitude spectrum preferably corresponds to a frequency which is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least twice, the greater of the two natural frequencies, the first natural frequency and the second natural frequency.

[0020] In order to effectively force the operating element to perform the first excursion movement from the rest position, the frequency of the first maximum of the early amplitude spectrum preferably falls within a bandwidth range whose lower limit is defined by the lower resonant half-width of the minimum of the first and second natural frequencies and whose upper limit is defined by the upper resonant half-width of the maximum of the first and second natural frequencies. More preferably, the frequency of the first maximum falls within the bandwidth bounded by the first and second natural frequencies, or the frequency associated with the second maximum corresponds to the first and / or second natural frequencies.

[0021] The resonance half-value width of the electric actuator associated with the second natural frequency is preferably 5 Hz or more, more preferably 20 Hz or more, and most preferably 50 Hz or more.

[0022] The duration of the entire excitation signal is preferably limited to 30 ms, preferably 25 ms, most preferably 20 ms.

[0023] The excitation signal preferably has a late third excitation signal portion that temporally follows the second excitation signal portion, the late third excitation signal portion having a late third amplitude spectrum, the third maximum of the late third amplitude spectrum falling within a bandwidth limited by the second maximum, preferably upwardly, i.e., in the high-frequency direction, from the first maximum. The third maximum of the late amplitude spectrum more preferably falls within a bandwidth whose lower limit is predetermined by the lower resonant half-value width of the smallest natural frequency of the first and second natural frequencies and whose upper limit is predetermined by the upper resonant half-value width of the largest natural frequency of the first and second natural frequencies. Most preferably, the third maximum falls within the bandwidth limited by the first and second natural frequencies, or the frequency associated with the second maximum corresponds to the first and / or second natural frequencies.

[0024] The transition from the first excitation signal portion to the second excitation signal portion, for example an instantaneous transition or a transition lasting less than 1 ms, preferably precedes the first maximum acceleration of the operating element, thereby increasing the maximum deflection and also accelerating the maximum deflection. The duration of the second excitation signal portion preferably extends until or beyond the second maximum acceleration of the operating element, which is opposite to the first maximum acceleration, in order to reduce the number of overshoots or ringing or deflections that are at least haptically perceptible.

[0025] The electrical excitation signal is preferably de-energized, ie, becomes zero, at a point in time when a deflection smaller than 1 / 10 of the maximum deflection of the operating element occurs for the first time after the maximum deflection is achieved.

[0026] The present invention also relates to an input device with tactile feedback. The input device has an operating element that is vibratingly supported in a vibration direction about a rest position, and the operating element corresponds to an eigenmode having a first natural frequency, in particular in the vibration direction. This first natural frequency is generated, for example, based on the support and / or material properties of the operating element. This first natural frequency can be determined, for example, by measuring the deflection when the operating element is excited in a frequency-specific manner and is, for example, mainly generated by the vibrating support of the operating element, for example, by the elasticity or spring constant of at least one reset element that elastically resets the operating element, the mass of the operating element, and a damping constant derived from an optionally provided damping element and / or air resistance. For example, the vibrating support of the operating element is designed so that the operating element is supported essentially perpendicular to the actuation direction, preferably parallel to an actuation surface constructed on the operating element and arranged for actuation. Vibrating support about the rest position refers to a monostable support of the operating element, i.e., support in a manner that resets to the rest position.

[0027] The operating element can be formed by a lever, but can also be formed by a switch button, a button head, a touch pad or a touch screen or a combination of the above objects and / or similar objects.

[0028] According to the present invention, the input device includes an actuator arranged on the operating element, which is configured to act on the operating element in a vibration-exciting manner in a vibration direction and generate haptic feedback. The actuator is, for example, supported solely on the operating element. According to the present invention, the actuator includes an excitation mass that is supported in a vibration-free manner, preferably in a freely vibrating manner, on the operating element and that can be driven by an electrical excitation signal. Consequently, the actuator also has an eigenmode, referred to herein as an actuator eigenmode, which has a second natural frequency, particularly in the vibration direction. This second natural frequency can also be measured at the actuator as described above and is essentially generated by the elastic support of the excitation mass (e.g., a spring element that supports the excitation mass in a restoring manner) and a damping constant resulting from an optionally provided damping element and / or air resistance. The actuator is preferably an electrodynamic actuator, particularly an insert coil actuator, also known as a "voice coil actuator."

[0029] For actuators designed as electrodynamic actuators, the second natural frequency is also influenced by the electromagnetic quality factor of its oscillating circuit. Compared to a purely mechanical system, this electromagnetic quality factor not only shifts the second natural frequency but also broadens the resonance curve around the second natural frequency overall, increasing the half-value width of the resonance curve.

[0030] The mounting of the operating element and the mounting of the excitation mass are preferably tuned such that the second natural frequency is higher than the first natural frequency. The first natural frequency is preferably in the range of 50 Hz to 100 Hz. The operating element of the input device preferably has a mass in the range of 100 g to 1200 g, preferably in the range of 500 g to 1000 g.

[0031] According to the present invention, detection means are also provided for detecting manual contact with the operating element and / or at least one initiation of manipulation. These detection means can be fully or partially integrated into the operating element. Manual contact refers, for example, to contact with the finger or hand of an operator or user, while manipulation refers to the application of a manipulation force on the operating element by the hand or finger.

[0032] These detection components are, for example, capacitive components which detect the change in position of the operating element caused by the contact and / or the actuation or the application of force associated therewith.

[0033] According to the invention, a control unit is also provided which is electrically connected to the detection members and is designed to generate an electrical excitation signal for activating the actuator during or after detection of the contact and / or manipulation by the detection members.

[0034] The control unit provided according to the present invention is designed to generate tactile feedback by applying an electrical excitation signal to the actuator during or after detection of the contact and / or manipulation, thereby stimulating the manipulation element to move in a vibration direction via the actuator. "During or after detection" means that the control signal is generated immediately upon detection of the manipulation or is generated subsequently with a time delay relative to the detection.

[0035] According to the invention, the electrical excitation signal corresponds to a continuous, therefore non-discrete, amplitude spectrum obtained, for example, by Fourier transformation. The electrical excitation signal is preferably generated by filtering the pulse width modulated output signal, for example by high-pass and / or low-pass filtering.

[0036] According to the present invention, with respect to the electrical excitation signal, it is provided that an early amplitude spectrum determined from an early excitation signal portion of the electrical excitation signal differs from a second amplitude spectrum determined from a slightly later second excitation signal portion, i.e., temporally following the first excitation signal portion, at frequencies associated with the absolute maximum, and that the frequency of the second maximum of the second amplitude spectrum is greater than the frequency of the first maximum of the first amplitude spectrum. Consequently, the slightly later second excitation signal portion, which is higher frequency than the first excitation signal portion, provides more pronounced haptic feedback than a uniform excitation signal, because the high-frequency excitation acts on the deflection movement of the operating element, either in an acceleration-supporting or braking manner, depending on the vibration state of the operating element, when the second excitation signal portion intervenes. This makes it possible to limit the vibration behavior of the operating element to a few overshoots in the rest position, increase the maximum acceleration, accelerate the achievement of this particularly pronounced maximum deflection, and / or accelerate the damping of the vibration after the maximum deflection is achieved, without requiring intervention in the mechanical tuning of the mounting.

[0037] The frequency of the second maximum of the second amplitude spectrum preferably lies outside the bandwidth limited by the first natural frequency and the second natural frequency.

[0038] The second maximum of the second amplitude spectrum preferably corresponds to a frequency which is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least twice, the greater of the two natural frequencies, the first natural frequency and the second natural frequency.

[0039] In order to effectively force the operating element to perform a first excursion movement from the rest position, the first maximum value of the early amplitude spectrum preferably falls within a bandwidth range whose lower limit is defined by the lower resonant half-width of the minimum of the first and second natural frequencies and whose upper limit is defined by the upper resonant half-width of the maximum of the first and second natural frequencies. More preferably, the first maximum value falls within the bandwidth bounded by the first and second natural frequencies, or the frequency associated with the second maximum value corresponds to the first and / or second natural frequencies.

[0040] The resonance half-value width of the electric actuator associated with the second natural frequency is preferably 5 Hz or more, more preferably 20 Hz or more, and most preferably 50 Hz or more.

[0041] The duration of the entire excitation signal is preferably limited to 30 ms, preferably 25 ms, most preferably 20 ms.

[0042] The excitation signal preferably has a late excitation signal portion that temporally follows the second excitation signal portion, the late excitation signal portion having a late third amplitude spectrum, the third maximum of the late third amplitude spectrum falling within a bandwidth limited by the second maximum, preferably upwardly, i.e., in the high-frequency direction, from the first maximum. The third maximum of the late amplitude spectrum more preferably falls within a bandwidth whose lower limit is predetermined by the lower resonant half-value width of the smallest natural frequency of the first and second natural frequencies and whose upper limit is predetermined by the upper resonant half-value width of the largest natural frequency of the first and second natural frequencies. Most preferably, the third maximum falls within the bandwidth limited by the first and second natural frequencies, or the frequency associated with the second maximum corresponds to the first and / or second natural frequencies.

[0043] The transition from the first excitation signal portion to the second excitation signal portion, for example an instantaneous transition or a transition lasting less than 1 ms, preferably precedes the first maximum acceleration of the operating element, thereby increasing the maximum deflection and also accelerating the maximum deflection. The duration of the second excitation signal portion preferably extends until or beyond the second maximum acceleration of the operating element, which is opposite to the first maximum acceleration, in order to reduce the number of overshoots or ringing or deflections that are at least haptically perceptible.

[0044] The electrical excitation signal is preferably de-energized, ie, becomes zero, at a point in time when a deflection smaller than 1 / 10 of the maximum deflection of the operating element occurs for the first time after the maximum deflection is achieved.

[0045] The present invention also relates to the equally advantageous use of an input device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments in a motor vehicle. The input device is, for example, arranged on a steering wheel, for example, on a steering wheel spoke that carries the steering wheel rim. In another embodiment, the input device is attached to the dashboard or interior trim of the motor vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. In this case, these drawings are to be understood only as examples and only show preferred implementation variants. In particular:

[0047] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an input device 1 according to the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 For Figure 1 The acceleration trend measured at the operating element 2 of the input device 1 in relation to the time trend of the electrical excitation signal S(t);

[0049] Figure 3FFT(S1(t)) and FFT(S2(t)) are amplitude spectra obtained from the early first excitation signal portion S1(t) and the slightly late second excitation signal portion S2(t) of the electrical excitation signal S(t), respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Figure 1 An embodiment of an input device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The input device is designed to implement the input method according to the present invention, as described below in conjunction with Figure 2 and Figure 3 As described. The input device 1 according to the present invention comprises a carrier 3 rigidly connected to the inner panel 9 of the vehicle. An operating element 2 is movably supported on the carrier 3 by an elastic return element 7 (e.g., a spring or an elastomeric support). The elastic return element 7 ensures that the operating element 2 is supported in a manner such that it is returned to its rest position along the vibration direction b. The operating element 2 defines an operating surface 10. When an operating force F applied by an operator (not shown) (also referred to as a user) acts on the operating surface 10, the operating element 2 is caused to move toward the carrier 3, opposing the return action of the spring 7 and, in this example, perpendicular to the vibration direction b. Alternatively, other technical solutions may be employed in which the vibration direction b coincides with the operating direction. Detection components 6, 8 in the form of capacitive force sensors 6 (i.e., forming a measuring capacitance) are provided for detecting the operation of the operating element 2. These detection components positively detect the operation when a minimum approximation is exceeded. In the input device 1 according to the present invention, this operation should be confirmed to the operator via tactile feedback. To this end, an electric actuator 4 in the form of an inserted coil actuator is provided. This actuator is mounted solely on the operating element 2 and has a permanent magnet fixed thereto. An excitation mass 5 with an electric coil is immersed in the magnetic field of this permanent magnet and supported by springs 11 to vibrate freely in a direction parallel to the vibration direction b. Applying an electrical excitation signal S(t) generated by a control unit 12 to the electric actuator 4 causes vibration excitation of the excitation mass 5, which is then transmitted to the operating element 2. The actuator 4 is configured to vibrate the operating element 2 in a vibration direction b parallel to the operating surface 10. This vibration is perceived by the operator as tactile feedback and should decay as quickly as possible after the electric actuator 4 is de-energized. To this end, the coil of the actuator 4 is energized by the electrical excitation signal via a control unit 8 disposed on the carrier 3. After an operation is detected by the force sensor 6, the coil of the actuator 4 is energized again to excite the operating element 2 in the vibration direction b. According to the invention, the electrical excitation signal corresponds to a continuous, therefore non-discrete, amplitude spectrum obtained, for example, by Fourier transformation. The electrical excitation signal is preferably generated by filtering the pulse width modulated output signal, for example by high-pass and / or low-pass filtering.

[0051] According to the present invention, with respect to the electrical excitation signal S(t), it is provided that the electrical excitation signal is divided into an early first excitation signal portion S1(t), a slightly later second excitation signal portion S2(t) in time, and an even later third excitation signal portion S3(t) following in time the second excitation signal portion S2(t), wherein the transitions between them are almost instantaneous or at least less than 1 ms, e.g. Figure 2 In this case, in particular, the first excitation signal portion S1(t) and the second excitation signal portion S2(t) differ in the frequency of their maximum values ​​when the associated amplitude spectra are studied, for example, by Fourier transformation. Figure 3 As shown, the frequency f2max of the second maximum value of the second amplitude spectrum FFT (S2(t)) is greater than the frequency f1max of the first maximum value of the first amplitude spectrum FFT (S1(t)). Figure 3 As shown, the frequency f1max of the first maximum value of the first amplitude spectrum FFT (S1(t)) is within the bandwidth limited by the first natural frequency f1 and the second natural frequency f2, while the frequency f2max of the second maximum value of the second amplitude spectrum FFT (S2(t)) is obviously outside the bandwidth and is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least twice, the larger of the two natural frequencies, the first natural frequency f1 and the second natural frequency f2.

[0052] Therefore, the second excitation signal portion S2(t) which is slightly later and has a higher frequency than the first excitation signal portion provides a more pronounced tactile feedback than the uniform excitation signal, because the high-frequency excitation acts on the excursion movement of the operating element 2 in an acceleration-supporting or braking manner when the second excitation signal portion S2(t) intervenes, depending on the vibration state of the operating element 2, thereby achieving the following possibilities: limiting the vibration behavior of the operating element 2 to a few overshoots of the rest position, increasing the maximum excursion, accelerating the achievement of this particularly pronounced maximum excursion and / or accelerating the damping of the vibration after reaching the maximum excursion, without having to intervene in the mechanical tuning of the support of the operating element 2. This effect is Figure 2 This is reflected in the time acceleration behavior a(t) of the second excitation signal portion S2(t) in each case by an "impact" of the second excitation signal portion S2(t) in that the acceleration increases before reaching the maximum acceleration and during the reverse acceleration of the reverse movement.

[0053] In this case, the transition from the first excitation signal portion S1 ( t ) to the second excitation signal portion S2 ( t ) occurs before the operating element 2 reaches the first maximum acceleration a for the first time. max, thereby achieving an enhancement of the maximum deflection and also achieving an accelerated setting of the maximum deflection. In addition, the duration of the second excitation signal portion S2 (t) extends to and exceeds the second maximum acceleration a' of the operating element 2 max , the second maximum acceleration and the first maximum acceleration a max On the contrary, to reduce the number or offset of overshoot or ringing that is at least tactilely perceptible. Figure 2 As shown, before the excitation signal S(t) becomes zero, the second excitation signal portion S2(t) of the excitation signal S(t) is followed by a third excitation signal portion S3(t), so the duration of the entire excitation signal S(t) is limited to 30ms, preferably 25ms, and most preferably 20ms.

[0054] This late third excitation signal portion S3 ( t ) has a late third amplitude spectrum FFT ( S3 ( t ) ) which late third maximum falls within a bandwidth which is limited upwards by the frequency f2max of the second maximum, preferably by the frequency f1max of the first maximum.

Claims

1. An input method with tactile feedback, the input method comprising the following steps: supply an operating element (2) supported in a vibration manner about a rest position in a vibration direction (b), the operating element comprising an eigenmode having a first natural frequency (f1); An actuator (4) is provided, which is arranged on the operating element (2) and is used to act on the operating element (2) in a vibration-exciting manner along a vibration direction (b) and thereby generate the tactile feedback, wherein the actuator has an excitation mass block (5) which is supported in a vibration-like manner on the operating element (2) and can be driven by an electrical excitation signal (S(t)), and the actuator includes an actuator eigenmode having a second natural frequency (f2); Providing a detection member (6, 8) for detecting at least one start of manual contact and / or manipulation of the manipulation element (2); and a control unit (12) electrically connected to the detection member (6, 8) for generating the electrical excitation signal (S(t)); The tactile feedback is generated by applying the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) to the actuator (4) during or after detecting the touch and / or the manipulation, via the control unit (12), wherein the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) corresponds to a continuous amplitude spectrum (FFT(S(t))), wherein an early first amplitude spectrum (FFT(S1(t))) of an early first excitation signal portion (S1(t)) of the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) differs from a second amplitude spectrum (FFT(S2(t))) of a second excitation signal portion (S2(t)) that temporally follows the first excitation signal portion (S1(t)) in terms of the frequency associated with the absolute maximum value, and a frequency (f2max) of a second maximum value of the second amplitude spectrum (FFT(S2(t))) is greater than a frequency (f1max) of a first maximum value of the first amplitude spectrum (FFT(S1(t))).

2. The input method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second maximum value of the second amplitude spectrum (FFT(S2(t))) is located outside the bandwidth range limited by the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2).

3. The input method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second maximum value corresponds to a frequency (f2max) which is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least twice, the greater of the two natural frequencies, the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2).

4. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The actuator (4) is an electric actuator, preferably an insertion coil actuator.

5. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first maximum value of the early first amplitude spectrum (FFT(S1(t))) falls within a bandwidth range, the lower limit of which is predetermined by the lower resonant half-width of the smallest natural frequency among the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2), and the upper limit of which is predetermined by the upper resonant half-width of the largest natural frequency among the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2).

6. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The resonance half-value width of the actuator (4) associated with the second natural frequency (f2) is 5 Hz or more, preferably 20 Hz or more, and most preferably 50 Hz or more.

7. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The duration (t) of the excitation signal (S(t)) D ) is limited to 30ms, preferably 25ms, and most preferably 20ms.

8. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The excitation signal (S(t)) has a late third excitation signal portion (S3(t)) that temporally follows the second excitation signal portion (S2(t)), and the late third excitation signal portion has a late third amplitude spectrum (FFT(S3(t))), the third maximum value of the late third amplitude spectrum falling within a bandwidth range limited upward by the frequency (f2max) of the second maximum value, preferably by the frequency (f1max) of the first maximum value.

9. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The mounting of the actuating element (2) and the mounting of the excitation mass (5) are tuned in such a way that the second natural frequency (f2) is higher than the first natural frequency (f1).

10. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first natural frequency (f1) is in the range of 50 Hz to 100 Hz.

11. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The actuating element (2) has a mass in the range of 100 g to 1200 g, preferably in the range of 500 g to 1000 g.

12. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The transition from the first excitation signal portion (S1(t)) to the second excitation signal portion (S2(t)) occurs before the operating element (2) reaches a first maximum acceleration (a max ).

13. The input method according to claim 12, characterized in that: The duration of the second excitation signal portion (S1(t)) extends to or beyond the time at which the operating element (2) reaches a second maximum acceleration (a') max ), the second maximum acceleration and the first maximum acceleration (a' max )on the contrary.

14. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The electrical excitation signal (S(t)) is de-energized at the time point when a deflection smaller than 1 / 10 of the maximum deflection of the operating component (2) occurs for the first time after the maximum deflection is achieved.

15. The input method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The electrical excitation signal (S(t)) is generated by filtering the pulse width modulated output signal, for example, high pass and / or low pass filtering.

16. An input device (1) for detecting manual input with tactile feedback, the input device comprising: an operating element (2) supported in a vibration manner about a rest position in a vibration direction (b), the operating element comprising an eigenmode having a first natural frequency (f1); an actuator (4) arranged on the operating element (2) for acting on the operating element (2) in a vibration-exciting manner in a vibration direction (b), the actuator having an excitation mass (5) supported in a vibration-like manner on the operating element (2) and drivable by an electrical excitation signal (S(t)), and the actuator comprising an actuator eigenmode having a second natural frequency (f2); Detection means (6, 8) for detecting at least one initiation of manual contact and / or manipulation of the manipulation element (2); and a control unit (12) electrically connected to the detection member (6, 8) for generating the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) and applying the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) to the actuator (4) during or after detecting the touch and / or the manipulation; wherein the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) has a continuous amplitude spectrum (FFT(S(t))), wherein an early first amplitude spectrum (FFT(S1(t))) of an early first excitation signal portion (S1(t)) of the electrical excitation signal (S(t)) differs from a second amplitude spectrum (FFT(S2(t))) of a second excitation signal portion (S2(t)) temporally following the first excitation signal portion (S1(t)) in terms of the frequency associated with the absolute maximum value, and the frequency (f2max) of the second maximum value of the second amplitude spectrum (FFT(S2(t))) is greater than the frequency (f1max) of the first maximum value of the first amplitude spectrum (FFT(S1(t))).

17. The input device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The second maximum value of the second amplitude spectrum (FFT(S2(t))) is located outside the bandwidth range limited by the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2).

18. The input device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that The second maximum value corresponds to a frequency (f2max) which is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least twice, the greater of the two natural frequencies, the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2).

19. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that The actuator (4) is an electric actuator, preferably an insertion coil actuator.

20. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The first maximum value of the early first amplitude spectrum (FFT(S1(t))) falls within a bandwidth range, the lower limit of which is predetermined by the lower resonant half-width of the smallest natural frequency among the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2), and the upper limit of which is predetermined by the upper resonant half-width of the largest natural frequency among the first natural frequency (f1) and the second natural frequency (f2).

21. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that The resonance half-value width of the actuator (4) associated with the second natural frequency (f2) is 5 Hz or more, preferably 20 Hz or more, and most preferably 50 Hz or more.

22. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that The duration (t) of the excitation signal (S(t)) D ) is limited to 30ms, preferably 25ms, and most preferably 20ms.

23. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that The excitation signal (S(t)) has a late third excitation signal portion (S3(t)) that temporally follows the second excitation signal portion (S2(t)), and the late third excitation signal portion has a late third amplitude spectrum (FFT(S3(t))), the third maximum value of the late third amplitude spectrum falling within a bandwidth range limited upward by the frequency (f2max) of the second maximum value, preferably by the frequency (f1max) of the first maximum value.

24. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that The mounting of the actuating element (2) and the mounting of the excitation mass (5) are tuned in such a way that the second natural frequency (f2) is higher than the first natural frequency (f1).

25. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that The first natural frequency (f1) is in the range of 50 Hz to 100 Hz.

26. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 25, characterized in that The actuating element (2) has a mass in the range of 100 g to 1200 g, preferably in the range of 500 g to 1000 g.

27. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that The transition from the first excitation signal portion (S1(t)) to the second excitation signal portion (S2(t)) occurs before the operating element (2) reaches a first maximum acceleration (a max ).

28. The input device (1) according to claim 27, characterized in that The duration of the second excitation signal portion (S1(t)) extends to or beyond the time at which the operating element (2) reaches a second maximum acceleration (a') max ), the second maximum acceleration and the first maximum acceleration (a' max )on the contrary.

29. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 28, characterized in that The electrical excitation signal (S(t)) is de-energized at the time point when a deflection smaller than 1 / 10 of the maximum deflection of the operating component (2) occurs for the first time after the maximum deflection is achieved.

30. The input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 29, characterized in that The electrical excitation signal (S(t)) is generated by filtering the pulse width modulated output signal, for example, high pass and / or low pass filtering.

31. Use of an input device (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 30 in a motor vehicle.

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