Adjusting device

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustment device having a flat plate-like component (1) with a cover layer (3) having at least one cover layer section (11) which can be adjusted in a lifting manner by means of a pneumatic adjustment unit (18). According to the invention, the pneumatic adjustment unit (18) has a diaphragm (13) acting as a lift pad, which diaphragm delimits a pressure chamber (15) that can be loaded with compressed air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an adjusting device according to the preamble of claim 1 with a flat plate-shaped component. Background Art

[0002] Such an adjustment device can be used in any application area and can be installed, for example, in the interior area and / or in the exterior area. The adjustment device can optionally be equipped with different additional functions, such as display functions and / or operating functions for operating various functional elements.

[0003] An adjusting device of this type has a flat plate-shaped component with a cover layer, which is formed at least with a cover layer section. The cover layer section can be lifted and adjusted by means of a pneumatic adjusting unit.

[0004] The pneumatic adjusting units known from the prior art are of complex construction and component-intensive and can therefore be produced in large quantities only to a very limited extent.

[0005] EP 3 144 770 A1 discloses a system and method for providing a tactile effect, ie in response to a deformation of a cover of an electronic device. EP 3 285 144 B1 discloses a system for tactile interaction with a virtual object. WO 2014 / 164274 A1 discloses an interactive display. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic adjusting unit which has a simpler construction and is constructed with fewer components than in the prior art.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention proceeds from an adjustment device for a plate-shaped component with a surface. The component is constructed with a covering layer, which has at least a covering layer section. The covering layer section can be lifted and adjusted by means of a pneumatic adjustment unit. According to the characterizing part of claim 1, the pneumatic adjustment unit has a diaphragm that acts as a lifting pad. The diaphragm limits a pressure chamber that can be loaded with compressed air. When the pressure chamber is loaded with pressure, the diaphragm can lift the covering layer section until it reaches its lifted position. Conversely, when the pressure chamber is unloaded, the covering layer section can be transferred to its starting position.

[0009] The diaphragm can be made of an elastomeric material and, when pressure is applied, it elastically flexes and expands under the condition of an increase in cross section. Conversely, when pressure is unloaded, the diaphragm contracts back to its starting position.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cover layer can have a segment zone consisting of a plurality of cover layer segments. Each of these cover layer segments is respectively associated with a membrane that acts as a lifting pad. With the aid of the segment zone, the cover layer segments can be pneumatically controlled in different ways in order to generate different surface patterns or surface geometries in the surface of the component, for example.

[0011] By means of targeted pneumatic manipulation of the segment area, the surface shape and / or surface structure of the component can be deformed in a targeted manner. Due to the pneumatic manipulation, for example, a wave-shaped deformed component surface can be generated. Alternatively and / or additionally, the segment area can also be equipped with different additional functions, such as display functions and / or operating functions for operating various functional elements. In another embodiment variant, the plate-shaped component can be mounted on a free-formed surface (e.g., an instrument panel).

[0012] The component can preferably have a multilayer structure in which the individual layers are joined together in an adhesive connection (e.g. by bonding). By way of example, the multilayer structure can consist of an upper cover layer, a subsequent diaphragm and a functional carrier layer. The functional carrier layer can delimit the pressure chamber together with the diaphragm. During the manufacturing process, the individual layers can be applied one on top of the other in an additive manner. In addition, different additional functional layers can also be integrated into the multilayer structure.

[0013] The plate-shaped component is not limited to a rigid and planar shape of the component. Instead, the plate-shaped component can also be implemented in a fully deformable manner. In this case, the plate-shaped component can be mounted on any free-formed surface.

[0014] Advantageously from a production technology perspective, the membrane of the cover layer section is a component of the elastomer layer of uniform material. The elastomer layer can be arranged between the cover layer and the functional carrier layer. Furthermore, the elastomer layer can be firmly adhesively connected not only to the cover layer but also to the functional carrier layer. In such a layer structure, the corresponding membrane can be an elastomer layer section that is not connected (i.e. has no adhesive connection) to the functional carrier layer.

[0015] In order to increase the functionality, it is advantageous if each of the pressure chambers in the segment region of the component is respectively associated with its own pressure line. The pressure line connects the external pressure source to the respective pressure chamber. In order to increase the degree of freedom in the construction when arranging the covering layer segments in the segment region, it is advantageous if the pressure lines are arranged on the lower side of the functional carrier layer opposite the covering layer. In this case, each of the pressure lines is connected to the pressure chamber via a flow passage formed in the functional carrier layer. By arranging the pressure lines on the lower side of the functional carrier layer, these pressure lines can be laid independently of the position of the membrane on the upper side of the functional carrier layer.

[0016] The component according to the invention is therefore designed in the manner of a circuit board or printed circuit board, in which the cover layer sections can be controlled in a targeted manner via pressure conductor tracks, i.e. via pressure lines. However, in contrast to the circuit board, according to the invention the pressure conductor tracks are not arranged on the same component side as the pneumatic adjustment unit, but on the opposite component side. This results in significantly greater freedom in the design and positioning of the cover layer sections and the pressure conductor tracks.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the pressure lines can be processed as a groove-shaped recess in the bottom side of the functional carrier layer. In this way, on the one hand, a simple construction of the pressure lines is achieved, and on the other hand, a relatively reduced component thickness of the multilayer structure is achieved. Preferably, the groove-shaped recess can be covered with a further covering layer, in particular an elastomer layer.

[0018] In terms of functional expansion, it is preferred that the component has a light-emitting element, in particular an LED, in the region of the cover layer section. The light-emitting element can be activated at least in the cover layer section in the raised position in order to optically emphasize the raised position of the cover layer section. In an embodiment variant that is preferred in terms of production technology, the light-emitting element can be arranged at the bottom side of the functional carrier layer. In this case, the light-emitting element can be optically connected to the top side of the functional carrier layer via a light passage formed in the functional carrier layer.

[0019] In terms of component reduction, it is preferred that the covering layer section is a material-uniform and / or one-piece component of the covering layer. In a first embodiment variant, the covering layer section can be inserted into the covering layer in a closed-surface manner. Alternatively, in a second embodiment variant, the covering layer section can be formed from a free cutout in the covering layer base body. In this case, the covering layer section can be connected to the covering layer base body, for example, via a folding axis. Thus, in the raised position, the covering layer is open to the outside with a gap.

[0020] The cover layer can be made of metal, plastic or textile, for example. In addition, the functional carrier layer can be made of an elastically flexible and / or simply deformable material, such as an elastomeric material, for example.

[0021] The resetting of the cover layer section can be achieved, for example, by applying negative pressure to the pressure chamber. Alternatively and / or additionally, the resetting of the cover layer section from its raised position to its starting position can be achieved by a resetting force that is built up during pressure application.

[0022] In another embodiment variant, the membrane can be designed to be light-transmissive. Thus, when the light-emitting element is activated, light escapes through the open gaps in the cover layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] in:

[0025] Figures 1 to 3b Different views of the adjustment device according to the invention are shown;

[0026] Figure 4 A partial side view shows the component with a cover layer section in a pressurized raised position; and

[0027] Figure 5 With Figure 4 The corresponding figures show the cover layer section in a pressure-free starting position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] exist Figures 1 to 5 In the embodiment, the adjustment device has a flat plate-shaped component 1, which is manufactured as a multilayer structure and can have a component thickness s (3 to 5 mm) of 3 to 5 mm. Figure 2 or Figure 5 ). The component 1 consists of an upper covering layer 3, followed by an elastomer layer 5, a functional carrier layer 7, a further elastomer layer 9 and finally a lower LED layer 10. All individual layers 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 of the component 1 are materially connected to one another by means of an adhesive connection (e.g. bonding). The covering layer 3 can be, for example, a decorative layer in the interior area of ​​a vehicle. The covering layer 3 can be formed, for example, from a thin sheet metal part or from a wood veneer. Alternatively to this, the covering layer 3 can also be constructed from a more flexible material (e.g. a textile layer) or from leather. The functional carrier layer 7 can also be made of an elastomeric material like the two elastomer layers 5, 9.

[0029] As from Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3a As further known in the literature, the cover layer 3 has a plurality of cover layer segments 11, which are grouped into segment areas 12 ( Figure 1 The covering layer segments 11 are each cut out from the covering layer base body 16 by means of a free cutout 14. The segment area 13 can be used, for example, as a tactile display and / or operating area, in which the individual covering layer segments 11 can be moved in a pressure-free starting position ( Figure 5 ) and the lifting position of pressure loading ( Figure 4 Here, each of the cover layer sections 11 can be pivotally adjusted between a starting position and a raised position in a foldable manner.

[0030] Each of the cover layer segments 11 is assigned its own pneumatic adjustment unit 18, which has a membrane 13 that acts as a lifting pad. Figure 4 or Figure 5The diaphragm 13 is constructed as a section of the elastomer layer 5 made of a uniform material and in one piece. The diaphragm 13 is not connected to the functional carrier layer 7 (i.e., there is no adhesive connection or bonding connection), so that the diaphragm 13 can expand freely when the pressure chamber 15 is loaded with pressure. Figure 3b As can be seen in FIG. 1 , a plurality of pressure lines 17 are arranged on the underside of the functional carrier layer 7. Each of these pressure lines 17 connects the pressure chamber to a compressed gas source (not shown). In the assembled state, the pressure lines 17 lead to an air connection strip 19. The air connection strip 19 is fastened to the back strip 22 ( Figure 2 or Figure 3a ) At. In addition, the air connection strip 19 has an air connection element 20, which can be connected to a compressed air source (not shown).

[0031] The pressure chambers 15 of the coating segments 11 can be pressurized in any desired manner via a control unit (not shown). The coating segments 11 can thus be pneumatically controlled independently of one another in any desired combination in order to generate various surface geometries or patterns in the coating 3 of the component 1 , for example.

[0032] The core of the invention is that the pressure line 17 is arranged on the bottom side of the functional carrier layer 7 and the diaphragm 13 together with the pressure chamber 15 is arranged on the opposite top side of the functional carrier layer 7. In this way, the pressure line 17 can be laid on the bottom side of the functional carrier layer 7 in any desired line pattern without interfering with the pressure chamber 15. In order to be simple in terms of production technology and save construction space, the pressure line 17 is processed into the bottom side of the functional carrier layer 7 as a groove-shaped recess. The groove-shaped recess is covered by the lower elastomer layer 9. In addition, the groove-shaped recess is connected to the associated pressure chamber 15 via a corresponding flow passage 21 formed in the functional carrier layer 7.

[0033] according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the LED layer 11 is made of individual LEDs 23 injected into the elastomer material 25 of the LED layer 11. Each of the pneumatic adjustment units 18 is respectively associated with an LED 23. The LED 23 is arranged flush with the membrane 13 when viewed in the thickness direction. In addition, the LED 23 is optically connected to the upper side of the functional carrier layer 7 via a light passage 27 formed in the functional carrier layer 7.

[0034] exist Figure 5 1 shows the pneumatic adjustment unit 18 in the pressure-free state. Accordingly, the cover layer section 11 is in its horizontal starting position, in which the cover layer section 11 ends flush with the surrounding cover layer base body 16. The flexible membrane 13 is arranged in a recess 29 machined into the upper side of the functional carrier layer 7 and acting as a storage space.

[0035] exist Figure 4 1 shows the pneumatic adjustment unit 18 in the pressure-loaded state. Accordingly, the pressure chamber 15 of the diaphragm 13 is loaded with compressed air, whereby the diaphragm 13 is stretched. The stretched diaphragm 13 moves the cover layer section 11 from its starting position ( Figure 5 ) is flipped up to its raised position. In the raised position, the cover layer 3 is open to the outside via the gap 31, and the light generated by the LED 23 can be emitted through the gap. For such light emission, the two elastomer layers 5, 9 are respectively implemented to be light-transmissive.

[0036] The component 1 according to the invention can provide an adaptive surface that can react actively or reactively. In addition, the component 1 is designed with a reduced component weight and a reduced component thickness. In addition, the component 1 can be designed not to be flexurally rigid but to be deformable, thereby increasing the installation possibilities of the component 1 (compared to flexurally rigid components).

[0037] Reference numerals list

[0038] 1 Component

[0039] 3 Covering layer

[0040] 5 Upper elastomer layer

[0041] 7 Functional carrier layer

[0042] 9 Lower elastomer layer

[0043] 10 LED layers

[0044] 11 Covering layer section

[0045] 12 Section Area

[0046] 13 Diaphragm

[0047] 14 Free cutting department

[0048] 15 Pressure chamber

[0049] 16 Covering layer substrate

[0050] 17 Pressure lines

[0051] 18 Pneumatic adjustment unit

[0052] 19 Air connection strip

[0053] 21 Flow through

[0054] 23LED

[0055] 25 Elastomer materials

[0056] 27 Light penetration

[0057] 29 recess

[0058] 31 Gap

[0059] s Component thickness.

Claims

1. An adjustment device having a flat plate-shaped component (1), the component having a covering layer (3), the covering layer having at least one covering layer section (11), the covering layer section being able to be lifted and adjusted by means of a pneumatic adjustment unit (18), characterized in that: The pneumatic adjustment unit (18) has a membrane (13) which acts as a lifting cushion, which delimits a pressure chamber (15) which can be acted upon with compressed air and, in particular, when the pressure chamber (15) is acted upon with pressure, the membrane (13) lifts the cover layer section (11) into a raised position.

2. The adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The covering layer (3) has a segment area (12) with a plurality of covering layer segments (11), each of which is assigned a membrane (13) that functions as a lifting pad.

3. The adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The component (1) has a multilayer structure, namely, consists of an upper cover layer (3), followed by the membrane (13) and a functional carrier layer (7), and in particular the functional carrier layer (7) delimits the pressure chamber (15) together with the membrane (13).

4. The adjustment device according to claim 3, characterized in that An elastomer layer (5) is arranged between the covering layer (3) and the functional carrier layer (7), the elastomer layer being adhesively connected to the functional carrier layer (7), and in particular the diaphragm (13) is a material-uniform and one-piece section of the elastomer layer (5), which has no connection, i.e. no adhesive connection, with respect to the functional carrier layer (7).

5. Adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pressure chamber (15) of the diaphragm (13) acting as a lifting pad is fluidly connected to a pressure source via a pressure line (17), and in particular the pressure line (17) is arranged on the lower side of the functional carrier layer (7) opposite to the covering layer (3), and / or the pressure line (17) is connected to the pressure chamber (15) via a flow passage (21) constructed in the functional carrier layer (7).

6. The adjusting device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that Each of the pressure chambers (15) in the section region (12) of the component (1) can be connected to the pressure source by means of its own pressure line (17), so that the pressure chambers (15) can preferably be pneumatically actuated independently of one another.

7. The adjusting device according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that The pressure line (17) is introduced as a groove-shaped recess into the underside of the functional carrier layer (7), and in particular the groove-shaped recess is covered with a further covering layer (9), in particular an elastomer layer.

8. Adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The component (1) has a light-emitting element (23), in particular an LED, in the region of the covering layer section (11), and in particular the light-emitting element (23) is activated at least for the covering layer section (11) in a raised position, and in particular the light-emitting element (23) is arranged at the bottom side of the functional carrier layer (7) and is optically connected to the top side of the functional carrier layer (7) via a light passage (27) formed in the functional carrier layer (7).

9. Adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The covering layer section (11) is a component of the covering layer (3) made of uniform material and in one piece, and / or the covering layer section (11) is connected to the covering layer (3) in a closed-surface manner, or the covering layer section (11) is constructed from a free cutout (14) in a covering layer base body (16), so that the covering layer section (11) transitions into the covering layer base body (16) in a folded manner, so that in the raised position the covering layer (3) is opened outwardly via a gap (31).

10. Adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover layer (3) is made of metal, plastic, leather or textile.

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