Transparent touch-sensitive operating element with projected operating symbols

Abstract

The invention relates to a transparent operating element, in particular for installation in a vehicle, comprising:-an amorphous transparent main body having a plurality of side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another, which side surfaces individually or individually form a front side, a rear side and an edge side of the user side of the main body; and-a symbol generation device which is arranged on the side of the edge side and is designed to generate therein at least one operating symbol which irradiates inwards into the main body, the back side being designed to reflect light, which originates from the at least one operating symbol, in the main body to the front side, and the front side being designed to reflect light, which originates from the at least one operating symbol, into the main body. The front side is configured to output and couple the light from the main body towards the direction of the user, so that each operation symbol appears to the user as a virtual projection; and-the front side is substantially transparent and is designed in a touch-sensitive manner such that each projected operating symbol can be operated in a targeted manner by touching the position of the operating symbol in the front side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating element that can be operated by touch, which is particularly suitable for installation in a vehicle. The vehicle can be a motor vehicle or any other land, air, or water vehicle. The present invention also relates to a corresponding manufacturing method and a vehicle equipped with the operating element. Background Art

[0002] Crystal glass, known for its gloss, has so far been used in vehicles only as decorative material or coverings, for example as keycaps or as levers or inserts for rotary controls. Technically, crystal glass therefore lacks functionality beyond its mechanical strength and optical transparency. Other amorphous, transparent bodies made of glass or plastic are typically simply fitted onto existing operating elements during the production of operating elements. All technical functions required for operation must be implemented in the operating element itself, which is covered by the transparent body, using additional components such as sensor films, light guides, and lacquer. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to specify an alternative and / or improved design for an operating element, in particular for use in a vehicle.

[0004] This object is achieved by a transparent operating element according to claim 1 and by a method for producing the operating element and a vehicle equipped with the operating element according to the coordinated claim. Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims. All further features and effects mentioned in the claims and the subsequent description for the operating element also apply to the method for producing the operating element and the vehicle, and vice versa.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a transparent operating element is provided, which can be designed, in particular, for installation in a vehicle. The vehicle can be a motor vehicle, but can also be any other land, air or water vehicle.

[0006] The operating element includes an amorphous, transparent body having a plurality of side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another, wherein the side surfaces individually or in combination form a front side of the body facing the user, a back side facing away from the user, and an edge side connecting the front side and the back side. A symbol generating device is provided (or fastened) on at least one of the side surfaces forming the edge side of the body, and is configured to generate at least one operating symbol on the side surface(s) that is irradiated inwardly into the body.

[0007] The transparent rear side of the main body is designed to reflect light originating from the at least one operating symbol within the main body to the front side with minimal losses, for example, by total internal reflection and / or by a reflective coating transparent to the user (e.g., in the form of a very thin metal layer, etc.). The front side is designed to couple this light out of the main body toward the user, so that each operating symbol appears to the user via its virtual projection at a corresponding predetermined position on the front side.

[0008] The front side is also substantially transparent and is touch-sensitive in this case so that each control symbol projected in this way can be specifically operated by touching the position of the control symbol on the front side. If a plurality of different control symbols are provided for activating corresponding different functions (e.g. "+" to cause a change to a higher radio frequency; "-" to cause a change to a lower radio frequency; "OK" to confirm another input; etc., see Figure 2 ), the operating symbols can be touched individually, ie independently of one another, and thus selected or activated.

[0009] The body can be made of, for example, colorless or slightly tinted glass or plastic, particularly also crystal glass, which is as transparent as possible to the light emanating from the operating symbols. All, at least one, or some of the side surfaces of the body can (but not necessarily) be flat.

[0010] Therefore, one idea in the control element presented here is to reflect illuminated or illuminated control symbols into a specially shaped body, such as a crystal glass. By touching the front side of the body at the location of the reflected symbol, the operation of the associated function can be electrically detected by the touch sensitivity of the front side, which can have a special selective coating for this purpose, and can be forwarded to the corresponding evaluation electronics, for example, via laser-structured conductor tracks on the 3D surface of the body.

[0011] The result is a functional, transparent body that, through its complete transparency (because its front and back sides are also transparent) combined with the operating symbols virtually reflected through the back side, creates a "magic technology" effect. This can significantly contribute to a quiet interior space, including "mysterious" hidden light sources and evaluation electronics. Such operating elements can be manufactured from high-quality materials, which further emphasizes their magical effect. Suitable areas of application include all operating elements in which the depth of the projection plane can be effectively "hidden" in this way, for example, in a steering wheel or center console.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the front side of the main body is faceted, consisting of a plurality of side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another. Adjacent side surfaces directly adjoin one another and merge continuously into one another, forming facet edges perceptible to the user's sense of touch (and optionally also visually). These facet edges can, for example, contribute to tactile orientation on the front side of the main body during intended use of the operating element. At least two of the projected operating symbols (or their positions on the front side) can be located on different sides of such a facet edge.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the symbol generating device comprises one or more light sources and a light mask illuminated thereby on at least one side surface, wherein the illuminated operating symbol is generated in the side surface. Furthermore, the light-proof light mask has openings in the shape of the operating symbol to be generated, so that light from the light sources penetrates through these openings into the interior of the body and thereby generates the illuminated operating symbol in the side surface.

[0014] The symbol generator can be mounted, in particular, on a housing fastened to the side surface, for example, which is also light-proof. The evaluation electronics described here can also be located in the housing. The light source can, in principle, be of any design. For reasons of space and energy conservation, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are suitable, for example, which can generate white, monochromatic, or multi-colored light. A light shield made of a light-absorbing or reflective material can be deposited, applied, glued, or otherwise formed on the side surface, for example, as a layer or film.

[0015] The front side can be designed, in particular, to be touch-sensitive, i.e., it has a largely transparent, positionally structured, electrically conductive layer or coating, at least from the user's perspective. The layer or coating includes structures and conductor paths configured according to the position of each individually projected control symbol, which lead to associated evaluation electronics. At least a portion of the evaluation electronics can be designed, for example, on the same side as the symbol generator, which triggers the desired function of the corresponding control symbol when touched by the user. The evaluation electronics can also be accommodated in a common housing with the symbol generator.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the transparent operating element presented here is designed as a component of a switch module on the steering wheel or steering column of a vehicle. In these application examples, the transparent operating element can be fastened / fastened to the steering wheel or steering column or to the switch module formed thereon with its edge side, in particular in the area of ​​its side surface (on which the symbol generating device is arranged), so that the rest of the transparent body together with the projected operating symbol is directly suspended in the air in the driver's field of vision. In this way, the above-mentioned advantages of the operating symbol ("magic technology") can be demonstrated particularly well. When installed on the steering wheel, the projected operating symbol forms a steering wheel button.

[0017] According to another aspect, a method for producing the operating element described herein is provided. The method comprises: providing the aforementioned amorphous, transparent body; forming, arranging, or fastening the aforementioned symbol generating device on at least one of the side surfaces at the edge of the body; and forming a substantially transparent, touch-sensitive layer or coating in or on the front side of the body, so that each projected operating symbol can be specifically operated by touching it in the front side.

[0018] According to one embodiment, to create the touch-sensitive coating, the front side of the body is coated with a conductive material (especially a metal) of constant layer thickness, which remains as transparent as possible from the user's perspective. Subsequently, to create the touch sensitivity, the conductive layer is structured at suitable locations by removing the material in a location-dependent manner (e.g., using a laser). This results in a transparent printed circuit board. Depending on the technology used (e.g., resistor, capacitor, etc.) and the specific embodiment used to create the touch sensitivity, one, two, or more superimposed conductive layers (including the dielectric therebetween) can be produced. The coating can also be performed by vapor deposition or PVD (physical vapor deposition).

[0019] Alternatively to this embodiment, a corresponding conductive layer can also be produced immediately with the structure providing the touch-sensitive functionality. Different coating technologies can also be used for this purpose, including PVD.

[0020] According to another aspect, the above-mentioned vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is provided. The vehicle has a passenger compartment in which one or more transparent operating elements of the type proposed here are arranged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above-mentioned aspects of the invention as well as their embodiments and special embodiments are further explained below with reference to the examples depicted in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1The drawings generally serve as purely schematic illustrations of the basic construction and functional principles. The drawings can, however, not necessarily be understood as illustrations to scale of exemplary specific embodiments. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing a transparent operating element according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] Figure 2 A perspective view of a transparent operating element according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown from the user's perspective. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] All the various embodiments, variants and special design features of the transparent operating element, the method for its production and the means of transport according to the above-mentioned aspects of the invention mentioned above in the description and in the subsequent claims can be Figure 1 and 2 In the example shown in FIG, in particular also alternatively or in addition to the features shown therein. Therefore, all of them will not be repeated again later. The same applies accordingly to the above already given about Figure 1-2 The term definitions and functions of each feature shown in .

[0025] Figure 1 A transparent operating element 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view. The operating element comprises an amorphous, transparent body 2 with a plurality of side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another. Figure 1 In the cross-sectional view, only three of the side faces are visible. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the first side forms the front side 3 (also called the end side) of the body 2 on the user side, the second side forms the back side 4 of the body 2 facing away from the user, and the third side forms the edge side 5 of the body 2, which connects the front side 3 to the back side 4 and is not visible to the user in this example. These three side surfaces are designed to be flat (i.e. planar) purely by way of example, so that the body 2 has a triangular cross section. The user is Figure 1 It is only indicated by its approximate viewing direction B.

[0026] exist Figure 1A symbol generator 6 is arranged on a side surface forming an edge 5 of the main body 2. The symbol generator 6 is designed to generate at least one operating symbol in this side surface, which is illuminated inwardly into the main body 2. In this example, the symbol generator 6 comprises a plurality of light sources (not shown), such as LEDs, and a film-coated light mask 7 illuminated by the light sources, which is formed on the side surface and has an opening (not shown) in the shape of an operating symbol. In this example, the light source is accommodated in a housing 8 fastened to the side surface of the main body 2. The evaluation electronics described here are also accommodated in the same housing 8.

[0027] The back side 4 of the main body 2, which is transparent to the user, is designed and arranged so that it reflects light L emitted from the illuminated operating symbols within the main body 2 to the main body's front side 3 as losslessly as possible. At the front side 3, this light L emerges from the main body 2 in the direction of the user, whereby each operating symbol appears to the user as a virtual projection S of the operating symbol at a corresponding position P on the front side 3. The front side 3 is touch-sensitive due to a conductive, transparent surface coating 9, so that each projected operating symbol S can be operated by touching the position P of the operating symbol on the front side 3. For this purpose, conductor paths are also formed in the conductive coating 9, which lead to evaluation electronics accommodated in the housing 8, in which the desired functionality of the corresponding projected operating symbol S is implemented.

[0028] Figure 2 From the user's viewing direction B (reference Figure 1 ) shows a perspective view of a transparent operating element 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure and function correspond to Figure 1 , so that in order to avoid repetition, only the reference Figure 1 Additional details have been described.

[0029] In this example, the operating element 1 is designed to be mounted as a switch module on a steering wheel (not shown) of a motor vehicle. The transparent operating element 1 can be fastened with its edge side 5 to the steering wheel in such a way that the transparent body 2 with its transparent front and back sides 3, 4 hangs directly in the air in the field of vision of its user (in this case the driver), while the housing 8 (in which the symbol generator 6 and the evaluation electronics are accommodated, see FIG. 1 ) is located. Figure 1 ) is hidden in the steering wheel. This makes the above-mentioned advantages of the operating element 1 ("magic technology") apparent.

[0030] In this example, the projected control symbols S form steering wheel buttons that can be activated at the following locations (position P, reference Figure 1 ) to operate by touching the front side 3, at which the user / driver sees the operating symbols. Thus, "+" can, for example, cause a change to a higher radio transmission frequency, "-" can, for example, be used to change to a lower radio transmission frequency, "OK" can, for example, confirm another input; and many more, as in Figure 2 Symbolically represented in.

[0031] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the front side 3 of the main body 2 is faceted and consists of a plurality of planar side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another. Adjacent side surfaces are directly adjacent to one another and merge continuously into one another, forming facet edges 10 that are tactilely and also visually perceptible to the user. These facet edges 10 contribute to the tactile orientation of the front side 3 during the intended use of the operating element 1. Some of the projected operating symbols S are thus Figure 2 are located on different sides of such a faceted edge 10 .

[0032] Reference Signs List

[0033] 1Transparent operating element

[0034] 2Amorphous transparent body

[0035] 3Front side of user side

[0036] 4 dorsal

[0037] 5 Edge side

[0038] 6 Symbol Generator

[0039] 7 Mask

[0040] 8 shell

[0041] 9Conductive transparent surface coating

[0042] 10 faceted edges

[0043] L light

[0044] B Observation direction

[0045] S is the virtual projection of the operating symbol or the virtual projection of the operating symbol

[0046] P The position of the virtual projection in the front side

Claims

1. A transparent operating element (1), in particular for installation in a vehicle, comprising: - an amorphous, transparent body (2) comprising a plurality of side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another, said side surfaces forming, individually or in plurality, a front side (3) of the body (2) on the user side, a back side (4) facing away from the user, and an edge side (5) connecting the front side (3) to the back side (4); and a symbol generating device (6) arranged on at least one of the side surfaces at the edge of the main body (2) and configured to generate therein at least one operating symbol that is projected inwardly into the main body (2); wherein the back side (4) is designed to reflect light (L) originating from the at least one operating symbol within the body (2) to the front side (3), the front side being designed to couple the light (L) out of the body (2) in the direction of a user, so that each operating symbol appears to the user as a virtual projection (S) of the operating symbol at a corresponding predetermined position (P) in the front side (3); and The front side (3) is essentially transparent and is touch-sensitive, so that each projected operating symbol (S) can be specifically operated by touching the position (P) of the operating symbol in the front side (3).

2. The operating element (1) according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the side surfaces of the main body (2) is flat.

3. An operating element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The front side (3) is faceted and consists of a plurality of side faces arranged at an angle to one another, wherein: At least two of the projected operating symbols (S) are located on different sides of at least one facet edge (10) formed thereby.

4. The operating element (1) according to claim 1, wherein - The symbol generating device (6) comprises at least one light source and a light shield (7) formed on the side, the light shield having openings in the shape of the at least one operating symbol, so that the light (L) generated by the at least one light source penetrates into the interior of the body (2) through these openings.

5. The operating element (1) according to claim 1, wherein The front side (3) is touch-sensitive in that it has at least one essentially transparent, position-dependently structured electrically conductive layer or coating (9), which comprises a conductor path formed according to the position (P) of each individually projected operating symbol (S), which leads to the associated evaluation electronics.

6. The operating element (1) according to claim 5, wherein The evaluation electronics are formed on at least one side that is the same as the at least one side on which the symbol generating device (6) is arranged, and / or the evaluation electronics are arranged in a common housing (8) with the symbol generating device.

7. The operating element (1) according to claim 1, which is designed as a component of a switch module on a steering wheel or on a steering column of a vehicle.

8. Method for producing an operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - providing an amorphous, transparent body (2) having a plurality of side surfaces arranged at an angle to one another, said side surfaces forming, individually or in plurality, a front side (3) of the body (2) on the user side, a back side (4) facing away from the user, and an edge side (5) connecting the front side (3) to the back side (4); - a symbol generating device (6) is formed, arranged or fastened on at least one of the side surfaces at the edge of the main body (2), the symbol generating device being configured to generate at least one operating symbol in this / these side surfaces, which is irradiated inwardly into the main body (2); -in, The back side (4) is designed to reflect light (L) originating from the at least one operating symbol within the body (2) to the front side (3), and the front side is designed to couple the light (L) out of the body (2) in the direction of a user, so that the at least one operating symbol appears to the user as a virtual projection (S) of the operating symbol at a corresponding predetermined position (P) in the front side (3); and A substantially transparent, touch-sensitive layer or coating (9) is formed in or on the front side (3) of the body (2), so that each projected operating symbol (S) can be specifically operated by touching the position (P) of the operating symbol in the front side (3).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein - when producing the touch-sensitive coating (9), the front side (3) of the body (2) is first coated with a conductive material of a constant layer thickness, at which the material remains substantially transparent from the user's perspective; and The coating is subsequently structured by location-dependent removal of the material in order to produce the touch sensitivity of the coating.

10. A means of transport, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising: - Passenger space; as well as One or more transparent operating elements (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 are integrated therein.

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