Rotary switch with tactile marking

Abstract

Rotary switch for operating at least one electrical device, - with a manually rotatable rotary switch (2) which is rotatable about a rotary axis (3) between at least three different angular positions assigned to switching positions (4) designed as detents, - wherein the rotary control (2) must be turned from the respective switching position (4) against a torque (M) which increases in magnitude with the angle of rotation (a) to switch between adjacent switching positions (4) until a predetermined switching torque (M1) is overcome, from which the rotary control (2) automatically turns into the next switching position (4), - wherein at least one of the switching positions (4) has a haptic marking such that in one direction of rotation the switching torque (M2) to be overcome to reach this switching position (4) is greater than the switching torque (M1) to be overcome to reach one of the other switching positions (4), - in order to realize the haptic marking, a gradient (G2) determining the magnitude of the increase in torque (M) with the angle of rotation (α) is also chosen to be larger until the increased switching torque (M2) is reached than in the other switching positions (4), characterized by the fact that the increased gradient (G2) is provided up to the point of reaching the increased switching torque (M2) in one direction of rotation is and the lower gradient (G1) of the other switching positions is provided to achieve the increased switching torque (M2) in the opposite direction of rotation, where the increased gradient (G2) associated with the haptic marking enables a predetermined rotation angle greater than 0° until the increased switching torque (M2) is reached.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rotary switch for operating at least one electrical device in a motor vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Rotary switches can be used in a variety of areas, such as vehicles, household appliances, and home entertainment, for switching various functions on and off, such as lighting in a vehicle, as well as for setting parameter values ​​such as volume or temperature. The individual functions or settings are often assigned to discrete switch positions, the so-called detent points of the switch. In order to move the rotary switch between adjacent switch positions, i.e. from one detent point to the next, the user must apply a certain amount of force or torque. This creates a kinesthetic perception in the user through receptors in the joints, muscles, and tendons, which leads to a perceived haptic sensation of the rotary switch. Technically, this haptic sensation of the rotary switch can be described using a torque-angle diagram.The decisive parameters for haptic perception are the rotation angle distance between adjacent detent points, a switching torque at which switching between adjacent detent points is possible, and a torque gradient that represents the increase in torque depending on the rotation angle when turning the rotary switch.

[0003] If the detents of a rotary switch and the associated functions or settings are of equal importance, then it is advisable for all detents to have the same haptic design. However, cases are conceivable in which individual detents of a rotary switch are assigned functions or settings that differ in meaning from the other functions or settings of the rotary switch. This could, for example, be a particularly important function or setting, a safety-relevant function, or a rarely used function. To ensure increased operating safety, the detents assigned to special functions or settings should be separated from the other detents by a so-called haptic marking.This means that when the user moves from a normal to a special rest point, he or she experiences a haptic sensation that is different from the haptic sensation that occurs when moving between two normal rest points.

[0004] A rotary switch with such a haptic marking is known from DE 42 05 875 A1. This comprises a manually operated rotary actuator that can be rotated about a rotation axis between at least three different switching positions configured as detent points, each assigned to a different angle of rotation. To switch between adjacent switching positions, the rotary actuator must be rotated from the respective switching position against a torque that increases with the angle of rotation until a predetermined switching torque is overcome. From this switching torque, the rotary actuator then automatically rotates to the next switching position.At least one of the switching positions has a haptic marking such that, at least in one direction of rotation, the switching torque that must be overcome to reach this special switching position is greater than the switching torque that must be overcome to reach the other or normal switching positions. At the same time, with the known rotary switch, the rotational angle distance in the direction of rotation in which the haptic marking is effective between the normal switching position and the special switching position is greater than between two normal switching positions. When switching, the user recognizes that a special switching position has been reached due to the overall greater switching torque and the overall increased rotational angle, i.e. they notice the haptic marking.However, the user notices this relatively late, namely when the rotary switch has already been operated with an unexpectedly high torque and over an unexpectedly large angle. This can potentially lead to incorrect operation with the conventional rotary switch. With the conventional rotary switch, the gradient is the same for all switching positions.

[0005] From DE 103 23 544 A1 a locking device for a rotary adjustable switching element is known, wherein a spring is inserted into tooth gaps of the locking disc to generate a switching torque.

[0006] DE 196 10 700 A1 discloses an operating device that provides haptic feedback to a user upon actuation. The force build-up for the translational actuation of an element is configured differently depending on the direction of movement.

[0007] From DE 196 46 226 A1 an operating device is known with a disc comprising a locking contour, wherein different switching moments can be set via a ball which can be pressed against the locking contour with different forces.

[0008] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved embodiment for a rotary switch of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in particular by the fact that it enables increased operating comfort for the rotary switch as well as increased operating safety.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​also changing the torque gradient to implement the haptic marking. To this end, the invention proposes making the gradient effective for transferring the rotary actuator from a normal switching position to the special switching position greater than the gradient effective when transferring the rotary actuator between two normal switching positions. This way, the user immediately feels increased rotational resistance upon leaving the normal switching position toward the special switching position. This means that the haptic marking can be felt much sooner. Accordingly, the operating safety of the rotary switch according to the invention can be increased. The risk of incorrect operation can thus be reduced.

[0011] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the increased gradient associated with the haptic marking is selected such that it allows a predetermined angle of rotation greater than 0° for the rotary actuation of the rotary actuator before the increased switching torque is reached. This means that the gradient is selected such that the rotary actuator must and can be moved in order to overcome the increased switching torque to reach the special switching position. This intuitively signals to the user that a further switching position follows, so that they can continue to turn despite the increased torque if they wish to set the special switching position. In principle, however, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the gradient is virtually infinite, i.e.In order to move the rotary actuator from the normal switching position to the adjacent special switching position, the increased switching torque must be immediately overcome to even cause the rotary actuator to rotate. With this infinite gradient, the haptic marking acts like an end stop. While such a haptic marking is clearly recognizable to the user, it can also lead to confusion because it can be interpreted as an end stop.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment, it can now be provided that the rotational angle distance in the at least one rotational direction in which the haptic marking is effective, between the normal switching position, from which the rotary actuator can be rotated into the haptically marked special switching position, and this special switching position is greater than between two other or normal switching positions. It has been shown that the increased gradient in conjunction with the increased switching torque and in combination with the increased rotational angle distance, a kinesthetically optimized haptic marking can be realized which is characterized by a special balance between operating safety and operating comfort. Due to the increased gradient, the user immediately recognizes that he is controlling a special switching position.The increased switching torque, combined with the increased rotation angle, gives the operator sufficient time to evaluate the haptic marking and decide accordingly whether or not the rotary actuator should actually be moved to the specific switching position. Furthermore, an optional finite gradient can further reduce the risk of confusion with an end stop.

[0013] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0014] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below are applicable not only in the combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0016] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 is a simplified plan view of a rotary switch according to the invention, Fig. 2 a simplified side view of the rotary switch according to the invention, Fig. 3 a rotation angle-torque diagram of a first embodiment of the rotary switch, Fig. 4 a rotation angle-torque diagram of a second embodiment of the rotary switch.

[0017] Accordingly Fig. 1, a rotary switch 1 comprises a manually operated rotary actuator 2. The rotary actuator 2 can be switched about a rotation axis 3 between at least three switching positions 4. The switching positions 4 are in Fig. 1 are represented by black dots and are assigned to different rotational angle positions of the rotary actuator 2. Furthermore, the switching positions 4 are designed as detent points. Such a detent point is comparable to a stable neutral position of a spring, from which the rotary actuator must be rotated against a resistance and into which the rotary actuator 2 can automatically return upon small deflections.

[0018] In the example shown, rotary switch 1 in a vehicle is used to control various lighting functions. Accordingly, rotary switch 1 is designed as a vehicle lighting rotary switch. The individual switch positions 4 are assigned to different lighting functions of the vehicle. For example, the following switch positions 4 are indicated here: Switch position PL corresponds to the “left parking light” function, switch position PR corresponds to the “right parking light” light function, switch position O corresponds to the “all lights off” light function, switch position A corresponds to the “automatic” light function (the automatic function works in conjunction with a light sensor), switch position SL corresponds to the “parking light” light function, and switch position AL corresponds to the “dipped beam” light function.As can be seen, a first rotational angle distance 5 is provided between the switching positions PL and PR on the one hand, and between the switching positions O, A, A, SL, and SL and AL on the other hand, which is constant. In contrast, a second rotational angle distance 6 is provided between the switching positions PR and O, which is greater than the first rotational angle distance 5.

[0019] Accordingly Fig. 2, the rotary actuator 2 can be coupled to a torque generator 8 via a shaft 7. The torque generator 8 realizes a torque against which the rotary actuator 2 must be turned in order to switch the rotary actuator 2 between two adjacent switching positions 4. At the same time, the torque generator 8 generates an associated gradient, i.e. the dependence of the torque on the angle of rotation. In principle, such a torque generator 8 can be realized purely mechanically, for example in the manner of a spring-locking mechanism. However, the embodiment shown here is preferred, in which the torque generator 8 is formed by an electromotive actuator that communicates with a suitable controller 9. In the example, the torque generator 8 is also equipped with a position sensor 10, which is also coupled to the controller 9.As a result, the controller 9 knows the current rotational position of the rotary actuator 2 and can accordingly generate the torque dependent on the rotational angle or the gradient dependent on the rotational angle via a suitable control of the torque generator 8. In . Fig. 2, 11 denotes a wall through which the shaft 7 passes, in which optical signal transmitters can be arranged in a manner known per se, which display information corresponding to the individual switching positions 4.

[0020] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each show a rotation angle-torque diagram that can be realized using the rotary switch 1. The ordinate contains the torque M, while the abscissa carries the rotation angle α. Fig. 4 shows a diagram that corresponds to the Fig. 1 shown embodiment, in which the rotation angle distance 6 between the switching positions PR and O is greater than the rotation angle distance 5 between the other switching positions. In contrast, Fig. 3 the diagram for a variant in which the same (first) rotation angle distance 5 always exists between adjacent switching positions 4.

[0021] The diagrams of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 thus give the relationship between a rotary adjustment of the respective rotary actuator 2 and the torque M acting on it. This torque curve is shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is designated 12. The individual switching positions 4 are characterized in the respective diagram by zero crossings of the curve 12, i.e. by the intersection points of the curve 12 with the zero line of the ordinate, so that in principle the torque M in the respective switching position 4 has the value 0. The increase in the torque M as a function of the angle of rotation α occurs with a predetermined gradient G1, which is represented in the curve 12 by the respective gradient.

[0022] If the rotary actuator 2 is to be moved from one of the switching positions 4 to an adjacent switching position 4, the rotary actuator 2 must be rotated from the respective switching position 4 against a torque M, the magnitude of which increases with the angle of rotation α. ​​For example, the rotary actuator 2 is to be moved from the switching position A to the switching position O. As can be seen, with increasing angle of rotation α, the torque M increases linearly until it reaches a first switching torque M1. This first switching torque M1 corresponds to an unstable rotational position of the rotary actuator 2. From this rotational position, or upon overcoming this first switching torque M1, the rotary actuator 2 automatically rotates to the next switching position, in this case to the switching position O. This results in the function of the detent points for the switching positions 4.

[0023] Switching in one direction of rotation, for example from right to left or counterclockwise, can be implemented with the same haptic characteristics between the switch positions AL, SL, A and O as well as between the switch positions PR and PL. Likewise, switching in the other direction of rotation, i.e. from left to right or clockwise, can be implemented with the same haptic characteristics between the switch positions PL and PR as well as between the switch positions O, A, SL and AL. In addition, Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the transition from the switching position PR to the switching position O can also be haptically identical to the previously mentioned ones. Accordingly, the switching positions mentioned, in combination with the respective direction of rotation, represent normal rotary movements or switching positions that are not specifically marked by haptics. This is achieved by implementing the same rotation angle distances 5, the same switching torques M1, and the same gradients G1.

[0024] The torques M and the gradients G in the diagrams are positive or negative depending on the direction of rotation. The first switching torques M1 and the first gradients G1 are equal in magnitude for different directions of rotation.

[0025] In the rotary switch 1, at least one of the switching positions, here the switching position PR, is provided with a haptic marking in at least one direction of rotation, here from right to left or counterclockwise. This is characterized by a second switching torque M2, which is greater in magnitude than the first switching torque M1. According to the invention, the haptic marking is also characterized by a second gradient G2, which is greater than the first gradient G1. In addition, in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the rotation angle distance between the switching positions O and PR is greater than between the other switching positions 4.

[0026] The haptic marking is perceptible to the user because, when operating the rotary knob 2, a rapidly increasing and overall greater torque must be applied to switch between the switch positions O and PR in order to effect a switching operation. This intuitively allows the user to recognize that a different switching operation is taking place than between the other, normal switch positions 4. This attracts the user's attention, which correspondingly increases the operating safety of the rotary switch 1.

[0027] At the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the larger second gradient G2 is selected to be so large that its value is virtually infinite. This means that for a rotational adjustment of the rotary actuator 2 from the switching position O to the switching position PR, the increased second switching torque M2 must be immediately overcome in order to be able to rotate the rotary actuator 2 at all. This results in a haptic sensation corresponding to an end stop. The end stops are shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is symbolized by rectangular bars 13. Such a haptic marking is always recognized by the user, but is not necessarily highly comfortable. In contrast, Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment in which the increased second gradient G2 is finite, i.e., has a finite value. Consequently, the second gradient G2 enables a rotational adjustment of the rotary actuator 2 from the switching position O toward the marked special switching position PR by a predetermined angle of rotation, which is in any case greater than 0°. Only when the user has adjusted the rotary actuator 2 by the predetermined angle of rotation does he or she reach the second switching torque M2, whereby the rotary actuator 2 then automatically reaches the special switching position. This relationship is shown in Fig. 4 is indicated by a further beam 14, which is supported by a symbolic spring 15. This is intended to indicate that although an increased rotational resistance is realized here, it nevertheless yields elastically.

[0028] In the examples shown, only the switching position PR is marked haptically by an increased switching torque M2 and an increased gradient G2 in the specified direction of rotation, i.e., starting from the switching position O. In the opposite direction of rotation, the same switching torques M1 and the same gradients G1 are effective as in the other normal switching positions 4. Only in the variant according to Fig. 4, a different rotation angle distance 6 is effective, which is not noticed by the user, however, since the first switching torque M1 is reached in terms of amount at the same rotation angle as in all other normal switching positions, from which the rotary actuator 2 then automatically jumps to the switching position O, i.e. does not have to be actively turned by the user.

[0029] The enlarged second rotation angle distance 6, which is assigned to the haptically marked switching position PR, can, according to preferred embodiments, be approximately 1.3 to approximately 2.0 times greater than the normal first rotation angle distance 5, which is assigned to the other, normal switching positions 4. In the example, the second rotation angle distance 4 is essentially twice as large as the first rotation angle distance 5. In the example shown of a vehicle light rotary switch, the normal or first rotation angle distance 5 between two normal switching positions 4 can be approximately 20° to approximately 30°. Of course, this rotation angle distance 5 also depends on the number of switching positions 4 to be switched.

[0030] The second switching torque M2, which is assigned to the haptically marked switching position PR, can be approximately 1.5 to approximately 3.0 times greater than the first switching torque M1, which is assigned to the normal switching positions 4. In the examples shown, the second switching torque M2 is more than twice as large as the first switching torque M1. It is noteworthy at this point that the Fig. 4 shown variant, the second switching torque M2 is smaller in magnitude than that used in the Fig. 3 shown variant.

[0031] Furthermore, the second gradient G2, which is assigned to the haptically marked switching position PR, can be approximately two to approximately six times greater than the first gradient G1, which is assigned to the normal switching positions 4.

Claims

[1] Rotary switch for operating at least one electrical device, - with a manually operated rotary actuator (2) which is rotatably adjustable about a rotation axis (3) between at least three different rotation angle positions assigned to switching positions (4) designed as locking points, - wherein the rotary actuator (2) must be rotated from the respective switching position (4) against a torque (M) increasing in magnitude with the angle of rotation (a) in order to switch between adjacent switching positions (4) until a predetermined switching torque (M1) is overcome, from which the rotary actuator (2) automatically rotates to the next switching position (4), - wherein at least one of the switching positions (4) has a haptic marking such that, in one direction of rotation, the switching torque (M2) to be overcome to reach this switching position (4) is greater than the switching torque (M1) to be overcome to reach one of the other switching positions (4), - wherein, in order to realize the haptic marking, a gradient (G2) determining the absolute increase of the torque (M) with the angle of rotation (α) until the increased switching torque (M2) is reached is selected to be greater than in the other switching positions (4), characterized by , that the increased gradient (G2) is provided until the increased switching torque (M2) is reached in one direction of rotation and the lower gradient (G1) of the other switching positions is provided to achieve the increased switching torque (M2) in the opposite direction of rotation, wherein the increased gradient (G2) associated with the haptic marking enables a predetermined angle of rotation greater than 0° until the increased switching torque (M2) is reached. [2] Rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the increased gradient (G2) associated with the haptic marking is finite. [3] Rotary switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the rotation angle distance (6) in the at least one rotation direction in which the haptic marking is effective, between the switching position (4) from which the rotary actuator (2) can be rotated into the haptically marked switching position (4) and the haptically marked switching position (4) is greater than between two other switching positions (4). [4] Rotary switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the rotation angle distance (6) assigned to the haptically marked switching position (4) is approximately 1.3 to approximately 2 times greater than the rotation angle distance (5) assigned to the other switching position(s) (4). [5] Rotary switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the angle of rotation distance (5) between two other switching positions (4) is approximately 20° to approximately 30°. [6] Rotary switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the switching torque (M2) assigned to the haptic marking is approximately 1.5 to approximately 3 times greater than the switching torque (M1) assigned to the other switching position(s) (4). [7] Rotary switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the gradient (G2) assigned to the haptic marking is approximately 2 to approximately 6 times greater than the gradient (G1) assigned to the other switching position(s) (4). [8] Rotary switch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that a torque generator (8) coupled to the rotary actuator (2) is provided to realize the torque (M) and the gradient (G). [9] Rotary switch according to claim 8, characterized by that the torque generator (8) is an electromotive actuator. [10] Rotary switch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the rotary switch (1) is designed as a vehicle light rotary switch, the switching positions (4) of which are assigned to different light functions (PL, PR, O, A, SL, AL) of the vehicle.

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