Operating part with panel and holder and sensor foil arranged therebetween for capacitive touch detection, related use and installation method

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element (1), comprising: a panel (2) which forms a visible surface (S) facing an observer (B); a holder (3) arranged on a side of the panel (2) facing away from the observer (B); the invention relates to a sensor foil (4) for capacitive touch detection, which is arranged between a support (3) and a panel (2) and which forms lugs (4a) at at least two opposite edges, the lugs (4a) each passing through an interruption (3a) formed at the support (3) or the panel (2) in a longitudinal extension of the lug (4a) and engaging with the free end (4e) thereof from behind, and / or the lug (4a) interacts with the interruption (3a) in a form-fitting manner in order to fix the sensor foil (4) to the panel (2) or the holder (3), respectively; the invention also relates to an associated use and installation method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an operating component which is essentially composed of three components: a panel, a sensor foil and a support. Background Art

[0002] While the task of the panel is to provide a visually attractive visible surface with a decoration, for example produced by a decorative coating of a decorative foil as a substrate, with symbols, with one or more tactilely perceptible orientation aids and / or with a display surface to be backlit, the task of the sensor foil, which can be constructed as a foil layer, is in particular to provide one or more electrodes or electrode arrays for a capacitive touch sensor, in order to detect, for example, the approach of a finger or an input device to a sensing area or a touch area located within the visible surface or its touch. The capacitive touch sensor can be formed, for example, to detect in a spatially resolved manner, wherein the sensor foil has an array formed by mutually intersecting, mutually insulated electrode strips. The task of the bracket is to fasten the operating component, for example, at a load-bearing component of a motor vehicle, such as an instrument panel, a center console, etc. The bracket is also formed to fix the sensor foil between the panel and the bracket and is in particular used to support the sensor foil in a planar manner. In the case of a touch-sensitive operating component, this depends on a reliable and precise positioning of the sensor foil, because the touch sensor responds sensitively to deviations of the sensor foil from a predetermined distance of the visible surface in a direction orthogonal to the visible surface. However, this also depends on a reliable and reproducible positioning of the sensor foil in a direction parallel to the visible surface, since otherwise any optical or tactile features for marking or defining the relevant touch area no longer match the arrangement of the sensor foil and the sensitivity that varies with location due to positioning errors. In order to avoid this problem, the sensor foil is partially connected to the panel or the support by a material fit, for example by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding to one of them. This makes the design of the installation of the entire operating component difficult and complicated, since in particular the energy director for the ultrasonic welding cannot be freely positioned in the design of the support or the panel and in particular the optical properties of the translucent or transparent panel or the light guide belonging to the support are affected by this material fit. Summary of the invention

[0003] Against this background, a solution is needed for an operating component with a panel and a support and a sensor foil arranged therebetween, which can be easily installed, but in which a secure fixation and reproducible positioning of the sensor foil are also ensured. This object is achieved by an operating component according to claim 1. Likewise advantageous uses and corresponding mounting methods are the subject matter of parallel claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of dependent claims. It should be noted that the features specified individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful way and represent other embodiments of the invention. The description additionally characterizes and explains the invention in detail, in particular in conjunction with the drawings.

[0004] The present invention relates to an operating component with a panel, which forms a visible surface facing an observer. The panel is, for example, formed to be at least partially transparent or translucent. The panel can be formed in one piece or in multiple pieces and, for example, in addition to a panel subcomponent, also has a transparent covering layer connected to the panel subcomponent in a material-matching manner, the covering layer is preferably formed of a transparent thermoplastic and forms a visible surface facing the observer. In addition, the panel can, for example, have a thermoplastic decorative foil connected to the covering layer in a material-matching manner, the decorative foil being coated, for example, printed, with a decorative coating on one of its main surfaces, in particular on the main surface facing the decorative layer. The decorative foil preferably has a transparent foil substrate, which is partially coated in a translucent to opaque manner when forming a decorative coating.

[0005] The term "visible surface" used with respect to the surface of the panel facing the observer should be interpreted broadly: the visible surface may be at least partially a decorative surface designed for simple observation, or at least partially a touch surface or an actuation surface facing the observer, the touch surface or the actuation surface being formed to perform operation input by touch and / or actuation, so that the operating component becomes a qualified human-machine interface input device. In one design, the visible surface forms a touch-sensitive touch surface array. In addition, the visible surface may also include a display surface with backlighting. The display surface and the touch surface or the actuation surface may also be arranged congruently.

[0006] The operating component according to the invention also has a support arranged on the side of the panel facing away from the observer. The support is formed, for example, from thermoplastic and, for example, serves, on the one hand, to fasten the operating component to a load-bearing component of a motor vehicle. A circuit board is provided, for example, on the support, which serves to fasten and electrically contact an illumination device provided for backlighting the display surface and for electrically actuating a sensor foil described below. In one embodiment, the support also has an optical conductor, which is provided for light distribution and / or backlighting of the at least one display surface.

[0007] According to the invention, a sensor foil for capacitive touch detection is provided, which is arranged between the support and the panel, and which forms lugs at at least two opposite edges, wherein the lugs respectively penetrate and engage in a preferably groove-shaped interruption formed at the support or the panel in the longitudinal extension of the lugs and the lugs engage the interruption from behind with their free ends, and / or the lugs cooperate with this interruption in a form-fitting manner in order to fix the sensor foil at the panel or the support, respectively. Preferably, the sensor foil here abuts not only the support but also the panel. For example, the lugs respectively form strip-shaped foil sections of the sensor foil that protrude from a substantially rectangular base surface of the sensor foil.

[0008] The support and the panel are fixed to each other, for example, by force fit, form fit and / or material fit connection. Preferably, the connection between the support and the panel is releasable. In most cases, preferably, the support and the panel are connected to each other only by cooperating snap-fit ​​devices formed at the support and the panel.

[0009] The term "sensor foil" should be understood as a foil layer structure comprising one foil or a plurality of foils arranged in a stack, wherein at least one layer formed of a conductive material is provided, which forms one or more electrodes arranged electrically insulated from each other for capacitive touch detection. Here, these electrodes, together with the environment or in pairs, generate a measurement electric field penetrating the touch surface, which forms a measurement capacitance, and when the touch surface is approached or touched with a finger or an input device, the measurement capacitance undergoes a measurement capacitance change, which can be detected by an analysis unit electrically connected to this or these electrodes of the sensor foil. Preferably, the lug is uncoated. Fixing the sensor foil by connecting the lug-interruption simplifies installation. At the same time, this is also used to achieve accurate and reproducible positioning of the sensor foil. According to a preferred design, the fixing of the sensor foil at the bracket or panel is formed to be releasable, that is, according to the present invention, the material connection of the sensor foil to the bracket or panel is omitted, so that the components of the sensor foil can be replaced in a non-destructive manner. In one embodiment, the sensor foil further comprises a mask formed by an opaque coating, so that the sensor foil is transparent or translucent only in regions in order to display symbols or optical markings as a display surface within the visible surface when backlit.

[0010] Preferably, the interruption for the lug is formed only at the bracket.

[0011] Preferably, in the transverse extension of the lug perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the free end of the lug has an enlarged portion relative to the maximum clear space of the interruption. Such that the free ends of the lugs engage the corresponding interruption at least from behind.

[0012] In order to simplify the introduction of the lug, at its outermost end, the lug preferably has a reduction in the maximum clear space relative to the interruption, wherein the lug narrows continuously in the lateral extension at its free end towards its outermost end (for example in the shape of an arrow).

[0013] According to a preferred design scheme, the lugs respectively have undercut portions at their opposite longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal extension portion, and the sizes of the undercut portions are jointly determined so that the lugs are received in the interruption portion in a shape-fitting manner so as to fix the lugs in the interruption portion as free of gaps as possible.

[0014] Preferably, the support and / or the panel form a contact surface for contacting the sensor foil, wherein the contact surface forms at least one projection, which respectively engages in an associated interruption of the sensor foil that matches the cross section of the projection in at least one direction. This is used, for example, during installation to pre-position the sensor foil on the contact surface before the lug is introduced. The contact surface preferably extends in each case parallel to the visible surface. In most cases, it is preferred that the visible surface and the contact surface are each formed to be curved in parallel in at least one direction.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, as mentioned above, the holder has an optical waveguide which is bridged, for example, by the sensor foil which is fixed to the holder by means of the lugs in order to thereby fix the optical waveguide to the holder.

[0016] The invention furthermore relates to the use of an operating element in one of the above-described embodiments in a motor vehicle.

[0017] The invention further relates to a method for mounting an operating component, the method comprising the following steps:

[0018] In the providing step, a panel is provided, which forms a visible surface facing the observer. The provided panel is, for example, formed to be at least partially transparent or translucent. The panel can be formed in one piece or in multiple pieces and, for example, in addition to the panel subcomponent, also has a transparent covering layer connected to the panel subcomponent materially, the covering layer is preferably formed by a transparent thermoplastic and forms a visible surface facing the observer. In addition, the provided panel can, for example, have a thermoplastic decorative foil connected to the covering layer materially, the decorative foil is coated with, for example, printed with a decorative coating on one of its main surfaces, especially on the main surface facing the decorative layer. The decorative foil preferably has a transparent foil substrate, which is partially coated with a translucent to opaque coating when forming a decorative coating. The term "visible surface" should be interpreted broadly: the visible surface can be at least partially a decorative surface designed for simple observation, or at least partially a touch surface or actuation surface facing the observer, the touch surface or actuation surface being formed to perform operation input by touch and / or actuation, so that the operating component becomes a qualified human-machine interface input device. In one design solution, the visible surface forms a touch-sensitive touch surface array. In addition, the visible surface may also include a backlit display surface. The display surface and the touch surface or actuation surface may also be arranged congruently.

[0019] In a further provision step, a support is provided. The provided support is formed, for example, from thermoplastic and, for example, serves, on the one hand, to fasten the operating component to a load-bearing component of a motor vehicle. A circuit board is arranged or fixed on the support, for example, for fastening and electrically contacting an illumination device provided for backlighting the display surface and for electrically actuating a sensor foil described below. In one embodiment, the provided support also has an optical waveguide, which is provided for light distribution and / or backlighting of the at least one display surface.

[0020] In a further provision step of the mounting method according to the invention, a sensor foil for inductive touch detection is provided, which sensor foil forms lugs at at least two opposite edges. The term "sensor foil" is to be understood as a foil layer construction comprising one foil or a plurality of foils arranged in a stack, wherein at least one layer of electrically conductive material is provided, which forms one or more electrodes arranged electrically insulated from one another for capacitive touch detection. Here, these electrodes, together with the environment or in pairs, generate a measurement electric field penetrating the touch surface, the measurement electric field having a measurement capacitance, which undergoes a measurement capacitance change when the touch surface is approached or touched with a finger or an input device, which measurement capacitance change can be detected by an analysis unit electrically connected to this or these electrodes of the sensor foil.

[0021] In the fastening step of the mounting method according to the invention, the sensor foil is fastened to the support or the panel by introducing the lugs into the relevant interruptions formed at the support or the panel, respectively, so that the lugs respectively penetrate and engage the interruptions formed at the support or the panel in the longitudinal extension of the lugs and the lugs engage the interruptions from behind with their free ends, and / or the lugs cooperate with this interruption in a form-fitting manner to fix the sensor foil to the panel or the support.

[0022] In the mating step, the panel and the support are mated so that the sensor foil is arranged between the panel and the support and the support is arranged on the side of the panel facing away from the observer. Preferably, the support and the panel are combined together only by the engagement of cooperating engagement means formed at the support and the panel. Fixing the sensor foil to the support or the panel by means of a lug-interruption connection simplifies the installation. At the same time, this also serves to achieve an accurate and reproducible positioning of the sensor foil. According to a preferred design solution, the fixing of the sensor foil to the support or the panel is formed to be releasable, that is to say, according to the present invention, the material-fit connection of the sensor foil to the support or the panel is omitted as a whole, so that in particular, components of the sensor foil can be replaced non-destructively.

[0023] According to a preferred variant of the mounting method according to the invention, the interruption is formed only at the bracket.

[0024] According to a preferred variant of the mounting method according to the invention, in the transverse extension of the lug perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the free end of the lug has an enlargement relative to the maximum clear space of the interruption, so that the free end of the lug engages the corresponding interruption at least from the rear.

[0025] According to a preferred variant of the mounting method according to the invention, in order to simplify the introduction of the lug, at its outermost end the lug has a reduction in the maximum clear space relative to the interruption, wherein the lug narrows continuously in the lateral extension at its free end towards its outermost end (for example in the shape of an arrow).

[0026] According to a preferred design of the installation method of the present invention, the lug has an undercut portion at its opposite longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal extension portion, and the size of the undercut portion is determined so that the lug is received in the interruption portion in a shape-fitting manner so as to fix the lug in the interruption portion as free of gap as possible.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the mounting method according to the invention, the support and / or the panel forms a contact surface for contacting the sensor foil, wherein the contact surface forms at least one projection which engages in a respective interruption of the sensor foil which matches the cross section of the projection in at least one direction, at the latest before or simultaneously with the introduction of the last of the projections. This is used, for example, during mounting to pre-position the sensor foil on the contact surface before the introduction of the projections in the fastening step.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the holder has an optical waveguide which is bridged, for example, by the sensor foil which is fixed to the holder by means of the lugs in order to thereby fix the optical waveguide to the holder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention is explained in detail with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are to be understood as being merely exemplary and represent only preferred embodiments. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an embodiment of the operating member 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 The operating part 1 of the present invention is shown Figure 1 A top view of the sensor foil 4 applied to the support 3 of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0032] Figure 3 The operating part 1 of the present invention is shown Figure 1 Detailed illustration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , in particular lug 4 a of sensor foil 4 interacting with interruption 3 a of carrier 3 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1An embodiment of an operating component 1 of the present invention is shown. The operating component 1 has a panel 2, a bracket 3 and a sensor foil 4 arranged between the panel 2 and the bracket 3. The panel 2 forms a visible surface S facing the observer B and is bent in a U-shape here. The panel 2 is formed to be substantially transparent or translucent. As shown here, the panel 2 can be formed in multiple parts and, in addition to the panel subcomponent 2b, also has a transparent covering layer 2a connected to the panel subcomponent 2b in a materially fitting manner, the covering layer being formed of a transparent thermoplastic and forming the visible surface S facing the observer B. In addition, the panel 2 can, for example, have a thermoplastic decorative foil that is not shown in detail and is connected to the covering layer 2a in a materially fitting manner, the decorative foil being coated with, for example, printed with, a decorative coating on one of its main surfaces, in particular on the main surface facing the decorative layer 2a. The term "visible surface" S should be interpreted broadly: the visible surface can be at least partially a decorative surface designed for simple observation, or at least partially a touch surface or an actuation surface facing the observer B, wherein the touch surface or the actuation surface is formed to perform operation input by touch and / or actuation, so that the operating component 1 becomes a qualified human-machine interface input device. In the design shown here, the visible surface S also includes a plurality of backlit display surfaces, as described below with reference to Figure 2 The display surface and the touch surface or actuation surface can also be arranged congruently.

[0034] The operating component 1 according to the invention also has a support 3 arranged on the side of the front panel 2 facing away from the observer B. The support is formed, for example, from thermoplastic and serves, for example, to fasten the operating component 1 to a load-bearing component of a motor vehicle and, on the other hand, to support the sensor foil 4 in a planar manner. A circuit board (not shown) is also provided on the support 3, for example, which serves to fasten and electrically contact an illumination device provided for backlighting the display surface and to electrically actuate the sensor foil 4 described below. The sensor foil is Figure 2 , in which the sensor foil 4 is fastened to the support 3. The support 3 also has an optical waveguide 3a, which is provided for light distribution and / or backlighting of a plurality of display surfaces 4b.

[0035] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2As can be seen in the figure, the previously mentioned sensor foil 4 is arranged between the support 3 and the panel 2 and is formed for capacitive touch detection. Here, the sensor foil 4 is adjacent not only to the support 3 but also to the panel 2. The term "sensor foil" 4 should be understood as a foil layer structure including one foil or a plurality of foils arranged in a stack, wherein at least one layer formed of a conductive material, not shown in detail, is provided, and the layers form one or more electrodes for capacitive touch detection that are arranged electrically insulated from each other. Here, these electrodes, together with the environment or in pairs, generate a measurement electric field that penetrates the touch surface, and the measurement electric field forms a measurement capacitance. When the touch surface is approached or touched with a finger or an input device, the measurement capacitance undergoes a measurement capacitance change, and the measurement capacitance change can be detected by an analysis unit, not shown in detail, which is electrically connected to this or these electrodes of the sensor foil 4.

[0036] The sensor foil 4 forms lugs 4a at at least two opposite edges (four in total). Here, the lugs each form a strip-shaped foil section of the sensor foil 4 that protrudes from the substantially rectangular base surface of the sensor foil 4. The lugs each have no conductive coating. The lugs 4a each penetrate and engage the interruption 3a formed on the support 3 in the longitudinal extension of the lugs 4a, which is formed in the shape of a groove, and as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in detail in FIG. 4 , here the lug not only engages with its free end 4e from behind the interruption 3a, but the lug 4a also cooperates with this interruption 3a in a form-fitting manner in order to fix the sensor foil 4 on the holder 3. For engaging from behind, in a transverse extension of the lug 4a perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the free end 4e of the lug 4a has an enlargement 4g relative to the maximum clearance of the interruption 3a. In order to simplify the introduction of the lug 4a, at the outermost end 4f of the lug 4a, the lug 4a also has a reduction relative to the maximum clearance of the interruption 3a, wherein the lug 4a continuously narrows at its free end 4e in the transverse extension towards its outermost end 4f (here in the shape of an arrow). In order to work together in a form-fitting manner, the lug 4a has a respective undercut portion 4d at its opposite longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal extension, the dimensions of which are jointly determined so that the lug 4a is received in the interruption portion 3a in a form-fitting manner so as to fix the lug 4a in the interruption portion 3a as free of gaps as possible.

[0037] Instead, the support 3 and the panel 2 are connected to each other only by means of cooperating snap-fitting means 5 formed at the support 3 and the panel 2, such as Figure 1 , in which the snap-in device 5 is formed here to clamp the sensor foil 4 between the carrier 3 and the panel 2 .

[0038] The fastening of the sensor foil 4 by means of the lug-interruption connection simplifies the installation. At the same time, this also ensures accurate and reproducible positioning of the sensor foil 4. In addition, the fastening of the sensor foil 4 to the holder 3 is designed to be releasable, that is, a material connection of the sensor foil 4 to the holder 3 is omitted, thus enabling non-destructive replacement. Figure 2 As shown, the sensor foil 4 also has a mask formed by an opaque coating, so that the sensor foil 4 is only partially transparent or translucent in order to display symbols or optical markings 4b as a backlit display surface within the visible surface when backlit. For light guidance and light distribution, the support 3 has an optical waveguide 3b, which is bridged by the sensor foil 4 fixed to the support 3 by means of lugs 4a, in order to thereby fix the optical waveguide 3b on the support 3 during pre-assembly, in particular as a fall-off protection device.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the support 3, in particular its optical waveguide 3b, forms a contact surface which, after the mounting of the operating part 1, extends parallel to the visible surface S in order to abut against the sensor foil 4, wherein the contact surface forms two projections 3c which respectively engage in associated interruptions 4c of the sensor foil 4 which are matched in at least one direction to the cross section of the projections 3c. This serves, for example, during mounting to reliably and reproducibly pre-position the sensor foil 4 on the contact surface before the lugs 4a are introduced.

Claims

1. An operating component (1), comprising: a panel (2) forming a visible surface (S) facing an observer (B); A support (3) arranged on the side of the panel (2) facing away from the observer (B); A sensor foil (4) for capacitive touch detection is arranged between the support (3) and the panel (2), and the sensor foil forms lugs (4a) at at least two opposite edges of the sensor foil (4), wherein the lugs (4a) respectively penetrate and engage with interruptions (3a) formed at the support (3) or the panel (2) in the longitudinal extension of the lugs (4a) and the lugs engage the interruptions from behind with their free ends (4e), and / or the lugs (4a) cooperate with this interruption (3a) in a form-fitting manner to fix the sensor foil (4) at the panel (2) or the support (3), respectively.

2. The operating member (1) according to claim 1, wherein the interruption portion (3a) is formed in a groove shape.

3. The operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the interruption (3a) is formed only at the bracket (3).

4. An operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the transverse extension of the lug (4a) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the free end (4e) of the lug (4a) has an enlarged portion (4g) relative to the maximum clear space of the interruption (3a), so that the free end (4e) engages the corresponding interruption (3a) at least from the rear.

5. An operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at the outermost end (4f) of the lug (4a), the lug (4a) has a reduction in the maximum clear space relative to the interruption (3a), and the lug (4a) continuously narrows in the lateral extension at its free end (4e) towards its outermost end (4f).

6. An operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lug (4a) has an undercut portion (4d) at its opposite longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal extension portion, and the size of the undercut portion is determined so that the lug (4a) is received in the interruption portion (3a) in a shape-fitting manner.

7. An operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (3) and / or the panel (2) forms a contact surface for abutting the sensor foil (4) and the contact surface forms at least one protrusion (3c), which is respectively engaged in a corresponding interruption (4c) of the sensor foil (4) that matches the cross-section of the protrusion (3c) in at least one direction.

8. The operating element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the support (3) has an optical conductor (3b).

9. Operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor foil (4) is arranged adjacent to the support (3) and the panel (2).

10. The operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor foil (4) can be releasably fastened to the carrier (3) and / or to the panel (2).

11. Use of an operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle.

12. A method for installing an operating component (1), the method comprising the following steps: Providing a panel (2) forming a visible surface (S) facing an observer (B); Providing a bracket (3); Providing a sensor foil (4) for capacitive touch detection, the sensor foil forming lugs (4a) at at least two opposite edges; The sensor foil (4) is fastened to the support (3) or the panel (2) by introducing the lug (4a) into the associated interruption (3a) formed on the support (3) or the panel (2), respectively, so that the lug (4a) respectively engages through the interruption (3a) formed on the support (3) or the panel (2) in the longitudinal extension of the lug (4a) and the lug engages the interruption (3a) from behind with its free end (4e), and / or the lug (4a) cooperates with this interruption (3a) in a form-fitting manner to fix the sensor foil (4) to the panel (2) or the support (3); The panel (2) and the support (3) are matched so that the sensor foil (4) is arranged between the panel (2) and the support (3) and the support (3) is arranged on the side of the panel (2) facing away from the observer (B).

13. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the provided bracket (3) and / or the provided panel (2) forms a contact surface for contacting the sensor foil (4) and the contact surface forms at least one protrusion (3c), which is respectively engaged in a corresponding interruption (4c) of the sensor foil (4) that matches the cross-section of the protrusion (3c) in at least one direction, at the latest before or simultaneously with the introduction of the last lug among the lugs (4a).

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