Assembly including electronic pixel matrix display and rotary adjuster

Abstract

The present application relates to a component including an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator, comprising: a rotary regulator having a base, an operating component and a device for detecting a rotational position, wherein the rotary regulator has an interruption in the center; an electronic pixel matrix display including a display surface and a transparent outer layer covering the display surface, wherein the base is fixed on the transparent outer layer; an optical element formed of a transparent material, which is arranged in the central interruption and has a back side facing the display surface, a visible surface facing an operator and a side facing the base, wherein the optical element is arranged so that the operator can see a portion of the display surface of the electronic pixel matrix display located below the interruption; wherein the optical element with its visible surface at least partially protrudes beyond the base and the operating component in a direction axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display, wherein the optical element is fixed to the base by a material-fitting connection or a connecting device that acts together in a shape-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a component, which comprises a rotary controller having a device for detecting a rotational position and an electronic pixel matrix display having a display surface and an outer transparent layer covering the display surface. The rotary controller has an operating part, which is supported on the transparent layer by means of a supporting device in a manner that it can rotate around a rotation axis and has an interruption in the center, which is used to see through the display surface covering a substantial part of the rotary controller. Background Art

[0002] Such components as a combination of a mechanical rotary adjuster and an electronic pixel matrix display are becoming more and more popular, because on the one hand, due to the flexible display possibilities of the electronic pixel matrix display, a variety of functions and function prompts can be associated with the rotary adjuster, and on the other hand, the rotary adjuster can provide the usual tactile feedback with its rotatable operating parts and can be felt by the driver without visual contact. Since the rotary adjuster is arranged on a transparent layer of the electric display that is generally horizontal or at most tilted relative to the gravitational field, there is the problem that the perspective of the display surface is insufficient when not viewed vertically. Therefore, it is convenient to arrange an optical element within the interruption, and the optical element should fill the interruption as completely as possible. Permanently fixing the optical element is problematic here, especially when its visible surface facing the operator at least partially exceeds the surrounding rotary adjuster in the direction away from the electronic pixel matrix display in the axial direction (in order to improve the lateral observation of the display surface located below the interruption) and is thus exposed to frequent contact by the operator. The lever forces acting here can easily cause the optical element (which is usually only fixed to the transparent layer of the electronic pixel matrix display via a transparent adhesive layer to achieve better optical coupling) to be pried loose, rotated when the operating parts are manually twisted, or completely lost and thus affect the optical display. Utility Model Content

[0003] In this context, a component is needed in which the risk of damage, in particular due to the loss of optical elements and / or due to adverse effects on the optical coupling of optical elements to electronic pixel matrix displays, is reduced. This object is achieved by the component according to the present application. Likewise advantageous uses are the subject of the use claims. The features detailed in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in any technically meaningful way and present other designs of the present application. The description additionally characterizes and describes the present application in detail, in particular in conjunction with the drawings.

[0004] The present application relates to an assembly formed by a rotary regulator, an electronic pixel matrix display and an optical element. The rotary regulator has a base, an annular operating component supported at the base in a manner that can rotate around a rotation axis by means of a supporting device, and a device for detecting a rotational position, and the operating component is used for rotation input by an operator. The supporting device includes, for example, a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing. According to the present application, the rotary regulator has an interruption in the center, such as an interruption with a circular cross section. Preferably, the optical element is formed rotationally symmetrically about an axis coinciding with the rotation axis. According to the present application, an electronic pixel matrix display is provided, and the electronic pixel matrix display includes a display surface and a transparent outer layer covering the display surface. The electronic pixel matrix display can be, for example, a backlit liquid crystal display, such as a TFT structure, or a display in an OLED structure. In one design scheme, the electronic pixel matrix display is formed in a touch-sensitive manner and preferably has a transparent electrode structure for positioning capacitive touch detection.

[0005] The device for detecting the rotational position is, for example, formed to detect the position in a contactless manner, such as capacitively or optically. For example, a rotation positioner is fixed to the operating part, which acts capacitively with a plurality of electrodes fixed to the base or to the electronic pixel matrix display. The electrodes are, for example, part of a transparent electrode structure provided on the transparent outer side of the electronic pixel matrix display for positioning capacitive touch detection.

[0006] The base is arranged on the outer layer of the electronic pixel matrix display and is fixed to the electronic pixel matrix display. The base is, for example, formed in a ring shape. For example, the inner bearing of the support device is fixed to the base, and the outer bearing of the support device is fixed to the operating part. The transparent outer layer is, for example, a plastic layer, preferably a surface-hardened plastic layer, for example in order to protect the electrode structure of the capacitive sensor device located thereunder or the polarization layer of the electric display from damage. Still more preferably, the transparent outer layer is a layer formed of a glass material.

[0007] According to the present application, an optical element formed of a transparent material is arranged in the central interruption and has a back side facing the display surface, a visible side facing the operator and a side facing the base. The transparent material of the optical element is, for example, a glass material, in particular borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass or soda-lime float glass, or a thermoplastic transparent material. Preferably, the transparent material has a refractive index n>1. The optical element is prepared, for example, as a preform by a forming method.

[0008] According to the present application, the optical element is arranged at the interruption so that the operator can see the portion of the display surface of the electronic pixel matrix display located below the interruption. Here, the optical element, with its visible surface, at least partially extends beyond the base and the operating parts of the rotary adjuster in the direction pointing away from the electronic pixel matrix display in the axial direction, so as to make it easier to observe the portion of the display surface of the electronic pixel matrix display located below the interruption from the side. In order to improve the fixation of the optical element and / or to prevent the optical element from rotating along with it, in particular when a strong lever force is generated when touching the exposed visible surface, according to the present application, the optical element is fixed to the base by a material-fitting connection, such as an adhesive connection, or by a connecting device that acts together in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0009] The connecting device is preferably formed by one or more (e.g., outwardly or inwardly directed) protrusions extending in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis and corresponding recessed portions that receive the corresponding protrusions in a corresponding shape-fitting manner. According to a preferred design scheme, additionally or alternatively, the electronic pixel matrix display is fixed via a transparent adhesive layer arranged between the optical element and the transparent outer layer in the area of ​​the back side. For example, the adhesive layer has a refractive index n>1. Compared with an air gap, the adhesive layer can reduce reflections and improve the optical coupling of the optical element and the transparent layer of the electronic pixel matrix display.

[0010] The connection device preferably has a plurality of projections which are arranged uniformly distributed along the circumference of the optical element with respect to the rotation axis, so that the optical element is centered by the projections, for example forced into a coaxial position with the rotation axis of the rotary actuator. The projections preferably each protrude from the optical element in a direction pointing radially outwards.

[0011] A coating formed of an anti-reflective material and / or an opaque material and / or a metallic material is preferably applied to the side surface. This improves the appearance of the optical element and also improves the optical effect of the optical element so that the display content of the portion of the display surface located in the interruption can be visualized. For example, a coating formed of a thermoplastic is applied to the side surface by front injection molding or back injection molding. For example, a metal coating is applied by vapor deposition on the side surface.

[0012] Parts of the connection device, such as the projections, are preferably formed by a coating, in particular when the coating is formed by a thermoplastic material.

[0013] The coating is preferably formed so that it extends beyond the support device in a direction axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display and / or in a direction radially outwardly so that the latter is not visible in appearance, which makes the visual impression of the component more pleasant and does not divert the observer's line of sight away from the display content in the interruption.

[0014] Preferably, the side surface does not extend beyond the base and does not extend beyond the operating component in a direction axially pointing away from the electronic pixel matrix display.

[0015] The optical element is preferably formed such that, at least for a section of the side surface, the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis increases with increasing distance from the electronic pixel matrix display. For example, the optical element widens in the direction of its visible surface, for example, the side surface has an outer portion corresponding to the cone side surface of an inverted truncated cone.

[0016] The base is preferably formed substantially annularly and is provided with at least one fluid conducting channel to connect the interruption with the area surrounding the rotary adjuster. The fluid conducting channel is, for example, provided to facilitate the distribution and optionally degassing of an introduced liquid adhesive for forming the adhesive layer between the optical element and the transparent layer. The fluid conducting channel may also be provided to be able to drain away infiltrated unwanted liquids, such as cleaning liquids.

[0017] For example, at least one fluid conducting channel is formed between the base and the side surface of the optical element. For example, at least one fluid conducting channel is formed parallel to the display surface, preferably between the transparent outer layer and the base.

[0018] The visible surface is preferably larger than the rear surface, which is, for example, flat. The visible surface is preferably formed to be convexly curved.

[0019] The application furthermore relates to the use of an assembly according to one of the above-described embodiments in a motor vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present application is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are to be understood as being merely exemplary and represent only preferred implementation variants. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an embodiment of an assembly according to the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 Shown with Figure 1 Related cross-sectional diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present application relates to an assembly 1 formed by a rotary controller 2, an electronic pixel matrix display 3 and an optical element 4, such as in Figure 1 As shown in . The electronic pixel matrix display 3 has a display surface A and a transparent outer layer 3a covering the display surface A. The electronic pixel matrix display can be, for example, a liquid crystal display with backlighting, such as a TFT structure, or a display in an OLED structure. The electronic pixel matrix display 3 can be formed to be touch-sensitive and then, for example, have a transparent electrode structure not shown for positioning capacitive touch detection. The transparent outer layer 3a is, for example, a plastic layer, preferably a surface-hardened plastic layer, for example, in order to protect the electrode structure of the capacitive sensing device located thereunder or the polarization layer of the electric pixel matrix display 3 from damage. Still more preferably, the transparent outer layer is a layer formed of a glass material. The optical element 4 formed of a transparent material is arranged in the interruption 9 of the rotary adjuster 2, so that the operator B can see the portion of the display surface A of the electronic pixel matrix display 3 located below the interruption 9, so that the portion of the display located below the interruption can be visualized. For example, the display content outside the rotary controller 2 and the display content below the interruption 9 complement each other, so that the preselected temperature is displayed below the interruption 9, while the scale marking for indicating the adjustment direction of the rotary controller 2 is displayed outside the rotary controller. Figure 2 The structure of the assembly 1, in particular the rotary adjuster 2, is shown in detail. The rotary adjuster 2 has a base 2b, an annular operating part 2a supported at the base 2b in a manner that can rotate around the rotation axis D by means of a supporting device 2c, and a device for detecting the rotation position that is not shown. The operating part is used for rotation input by an operator B. The supporting device 2c is formed as a rolling bearing. As shown, the inner bearing of the supporting device 2c is fixed to the base 2b, and the outer bearing of the supporting device 2c is fixed to the operating part 2a. The base 2b is arranged and fixed on the transparent outer layer 3a of the electronic pixel matrix display 3. The base 2b is formed in a ring shape, for example.

[0024] The device for detecting the rotational position, not shown, is designed, for example, to detect the position in a contactless manner, such as capacitively or optically. For example, the rotary positioner is attached to the operating part 2a which interacts capacitively with a plurality of electrodes, which are part of a transparent electrode structure which is provided for positioning capacitive touch detection on the transparent outer layer 3a of the electronic pixel matrix display 3.

[0025] The optical element 4 arranged in the central interruption 9 has a back side 4b facing the display surface A, a visible surface 4a facing the operator B and a side 4c facing the base 2b. The transparent material of the optical element 4 is, for example, a glass material, in particular borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass or soda-lime float glass, or a thermoplastic transparent material. Preferably, the transparent material has a refractive index n>1. The optical element 4 is prepared, for example, as a blank by a forming method. The optical element 4 is fixed to the electronic pixel matrix display 3 via a transparent adhesive layer 5 arranged between the optical element 4 and the transparent outer layer 3a in the area of ​​the back side 4b. For example, the adhesive layer 5 has a refractive index n>1. Compared with the air gap, the adhesive layer 5 can reduce reflections and improve the optical coupling between the optical element 4 and the transparent layer 3a of the electronic pixel matrix display 3.

[0026] As from Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the optical element 4 extends with its visible surface 4a beyond the base 2b and the operating part 2a of the rotary adjuster 2 in a direction axially pointing away from the electronic pixel matrix display 3, so as to make it easier to view the part of the display surface A of the electronic pixel matrix display 3 located below the interruption 9 from the side, wherein the visible surface 4a is larger than the back surface 4b, wherein the visible surface 4a is formed to be convexly curved, so as to achieve a magnification effect, as indicated by the beam path L.

[0027] In order to improve the fixation of the optical element 4 and / or to prevent the optical element 4 from rotating concomitantly, in particular when a stronger lever force is generated when touching the exposed visible surface 4a, the optical element 4 is fixed to the base 2b according to the present application by a material-fitting connection, such as an adhesive connection, or as shown by a connecting device 10 that acts together in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0028] Here, the connection device 10 comprises projections pointing outward in a direction extending radially with respect to the rotation axis D and a plurality of recesses correspondingly receiving the corresponding projections in a form-fitting manner. The connection devices 10 are arranged evenly distributed along the circumference of the optical element 4 with respect to the rotation axis D, so that the optical element 4 is centered by the projections, for example, it is forced into a position coaxial with the rotation axis D of the rotary adjuster 2.

[0029] In addition, as Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a coating 6 formed of an anti-reflective material and / or an opaque material and / or a metal material is preferably applied to the side 4c. This improves the appearance of the optical element 4 and also improves the optical effect of the optical element 4 so as to visualize the display content of the portion of the display surface A located in the interruption 9. For example, the coating 6 formed of thermoplastic is applied to the side 4c by front injection molding or back injection molding. For example, the metal coating 6 is applied by vapor deposition on the side 4c.

[0030] The coating 6 is formed in this case so that it projects beyond the support device 2c in a direction pointing axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display 3 and / or in a direction pointing radially outwards, so that the latter is not visible in appearance, which makes the visual impression of the component 1 more pleasant and does not divert the viewer B's line of sight from the display content in the interruption 9. It is also provided that the side surface 4c does not project beyond the base 2b and does not project beyond the operating part 2a in a direction pointing axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display 3, so that a minimum gap dimension between the rotary adjuster 2 and the optical element 4 can be maintained.

[0031] In order to improve the lateral viewing of observer B, the optical element 4 is formed so that, at least for the outer section of the side 4c, the cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis D increases continuously with increasing distance from the electronic pixel matrix display 3, so that the optical element 4 widens in the form of an inverted truncated cone in the direction of its visible surface 4a.

[0032] The base 2b is formed substantially annularly and is provided with a plurality of fluid conducting channels 7, 8 in order to connect the interruption 9 with the area surrounding the rotary adjuster 2. The channels 7, 8 are provided, for example, respectively, to facilitate the distribution and optional degassing of the introduced liquid adhesive used to form the adhesive layer 5 between the optical element 4 and the transparent layer 5. The fluid conducting channels 7, 8 can also be provided to be able to discharge the infiltrated unwanted liquid such as cleaning liquid. Thus, a first fluid conducting channel 7 is formed between the base 2b and the side 2c of the optical element 4. In addition, a second fluid conducting channel 8 is formed parallel to the display surface A between the transparent outer layer 3a and the base 2b.

Claims

1. An assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator, characterized in that include: A rotary regulator (2), comprising a base (2b), an annular operating component (2a) supported on the base (2b) by means of a supporting device (2c) so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (D), and a device for detecting a rotational position, wherein the operating component is used for a rotation input by an operator (B), wherein the rotary regulator (2) has an interruption (9) in the center; An electronic pixel matrix display (3), comprising a display surface (A) and a transparent outer layer (3a) covering the display surface (A); wherein the base (2b) is arranged to be fixed on the transparent outer layer (3a) of the electronic pixel matrix display (3); An optical element (4) formed of a transparent material, the optical element is arranged in the interruption (9) and has a back side (4b) facing the display surface (A), a visible surface (4a) facing the operator (B) and a side surface (4c) facing the base (2b), wherein the optical element (4) is arranged so that the operator (B) can see through the portion of the display surface (A) of the electronic pixel matrix display (3) located below the interruption (9); wherein the optical element (4) at least partially extends with its visible surface (4a) axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display (3) in a direction extending beyond the base (2b) and the operating component (2a), wherein the optical element (4) is fixed to the base (2b) by a material-fit connection or a connecting device (10) that acts in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

2. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical element (4) is also fixed to the electronic pixel matrix display (3) via a transparent adhesive layer (5) arranged between the optical element (4) and the transparent outer layer (3a) in the region of the back side (4b).

3. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting device (10) has at least one projection extending in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis (D) and a corresponding recess receiving the projection in a form-fitting manner.

4. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 3, characterized in that The connecting device (10) has a plurality of protrusions which are evenly distributed along the periphery of the optical element (4) with respect to the rotation axis (D).

5. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 4, characterized in that The projection of the connecting device (10) projects from the optical element (4) in a direction pointing radially outward.

6. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 5, characterized in that A coating (6) formed of an anti-reflection material and / or an opaque material and / or a metal material is applied to the side surface (4c).

7. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 6, characterized in that The raised portion of the connecting device (10) is formed by the coating.

8. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 7, characterized in that The coating (6) projects beyond the support device (2c) in a direction pointing axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display (3) and / or in a direction pointing radially outwards.

9. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical element (4) is arranged so that its side surface (4c) does not extend beyond the base (2b) and the operating component (2a) in a direction pointing axially away from the electronic pixel matrix display (3).

10. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical element (4) is formed rotationally symmetrically about an axis coinciding with the rotation axis.

11. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical element (4) is formed such that, at least for a section of the side surface (4c), a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D) increases continuously with increasing distance from the electronic pixel matrix display (3).

12. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The base (2b) is formed in an annular shape and is provided with at least one fluid conducting channel (7, 8) to connect the interruption portion (9) with a region surrounding the rotary adjuster (2).

13. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 12, characterized in that At least one fluid conducting channel (7) is formed between the base (2b) and the side surface (4c) of the optical element (4).

14. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 12, characterized in that At least one fluid conducting channel (8) is formed between the transparent outer layer (3a) and the base (2b) in parallel with the display surface (A).

15. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The visible surface (4a) is larger than the back surface (4b).

16. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The visible surface (4a) is formed to be convexly curved.

17. The assembly (1) comprising an electronic pixel matrix display and a rotary regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that The transparent material of the optical element (4) has a refractive index n>1.

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