Operating device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Actuating device for actuating a function on a motor vehicle, with - a support (1) to be attached to the vehicle, - a touch surface (10) for actuation by a user, wherein the touch surface (10) is arranged to be movable between two end positions relative to the carrier (1), wherein the touch surface (10) can be moved from the first end position to the second end position under the action of pressure, - elastic return means (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) arranged between the touch surface (10) and the support (1) and urging the touch surface (10) into the first, unactuated end position, - a contact switch (2) arranged between the touch surface (10) and the support (1) and operable in the second end position by the action of the touch surface (10), wherein means for limiting the end position (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the movement of the touch surface (10) into the first end position are formed, wherein the touch surface (10) projects beyond the contact switch (2) in a plane transverse to its actuation direction, characterized in that the touch surface (10) and the support (1) have cooperating guide means on the sides facing each other, which guide the touch surface (10) in its movement between the end positions when actuated, where each guide means - a guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and - has a guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and wherein an inner contour of an inner opening of the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) in an insertion direction of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) has at least one section with a minimum diameter and at least one section with a larger diameter, so that when the touch surface (10) moves, the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is movable in the axial direction in the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and is secured against lateral movement in the region of the section with the minimum diameter, and tilting of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) in the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) about a pivot point in the section with the minimum diameter is possible.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a pushbutton switch that can be arranged in the exterior of the vehicle, for example, in the area of ​​a vehicle's tailgate. Such pushbutton switches are used, for example, for opening a vehicle cover.

[0002] EP 1 808 877 A2, for example, discloses a pushbutton switch for motor vehicles, in which a pushbutton is pivotably connected to a housing. A microswitch is used to actuate a lock, and several snap discs are provided to increase the actuation force for the microswitch.

[0003] WO 2012 / 097 791 A1 discloses a housing for a pushbutton switch. This switch includes a support on which a pushbutton surface is pivotably mounted. Furthermore, at least one spring element is attached to the support to provide a minimum actuation force for the pushbutton in order to increase the actuation force relative to the return force of the microswitch.

[0004] DE 10 2004 006 939 B3 features a pushbutton with a spring-loaded contact surface. It proposes that the spring function of the contact surface be used to impart the switching spring to the switch.

[0005] Document US 2005 / 0 274 ​​593 A1 describes a pushbutton switch system that minimizes the generation of impact noise when an actuating element returns to its home position. The switch comprises a housing with guide structures for the actuating element, movable and fixed contacts, return means such as a spring and a click rubber component, and a V-shaped regulating structure that positions the element and reduces noise through controlled deceleration. An innovative combination of conical and stepped surfaces enables precise guidance and positioning.

[0006] Document US 4,489,227 A relates to a backlit membrane keyboard that combines tactile feedback and illumination. The keyboard uses a transparent backplate with integrated light guides that transmit light to the keys. Flexible membrane layers are arranged above these light guides, separated by foam spacers and supported by an overtravel cushion. Key movements close the switches by compressing the membrane layers.

[0007] One problem with existing switching devices is that increasingly large touch surfaces are required for safe and convenient operation, whereby the actuating force must be redirected to the switch located beneath the touch surfaces. In particular, for motor vehicles, touch surfaces that are integrated, for example, into the manufacturer's emblem on the rear of the vehicle are desired for both comfort and design reasons. The manufacturer's emblem then also has a touch function, but is usually considerably larger than an underlying touch switch, such as a microswitch. The object of the invention is to enable reliable actuation of a switch via a large touch surface.

[0008] The invention is achieved by an actuating device having the features of patent claim 1.

[0009] A support is to be attached to a vehicle, and a touch surface for actuation by a user is arranged on the support. The touch surface is arranged so that it can move relative to the support between two end positions, whereby the touch surface can be moved from the first end position to the second end position under the action of pressure. Elastic return means arranged between the touch surface and the support urge the touch surface to the first, non-actuated end position.

[0010] A contact switch is arranged between the touch surface and the support and can be actuated in the second end position by the action of the touch surface. Means for limiting the movement of the touch surface to the first end position are provided on the support and / or touch surface. The touch surface projects beyond the contact switch in a plane perpendicular to its actuation direction, resulting in a touch surface that is larger than the switch.

[0011] The sensing surface and carrier have interacting guide means on the sides facing each other, which guide the sensing surface in its movement between the end positions when actuated. Each guide means has a guide sleeve and a guide pin, and the inner contour of the inner opening of the guide sleeve in the insertion direction of the guide pin has at least one section with a minimum diameter and at least one section with a larger diameter, so that when the sensing surface moves, the guide pin can be moved axially in the guide sleeve and is secured against lateral movement in the area of ​​the section with the minimum diameter, and tilting of the guide pin in the guide sleeve about a pivot point in the section with the minimum diameter is possible.

[0012] According to the invention, it is essential to guide the touch surface during its actuation. For this purpose, the touch surface has guide elements on a side facing away from the user, which is opposite a support surface on the vehicle. The support and the touch surface are coupled via these guide elements. Furthermore, return elements are provided which push the touch surface away from the support surface into a non-actuated position. Finally, switching elements, for example a microswitch, are arranged between the touch surface and the support surface, so that the touch surface acts on the microswitch when actuated, triggering a switching operation.

[0013] If the button were actuated exclusively centrally and evenly, guide means in the form of simple cylindrical guide sleeves and guide pins could ensure a certain guidance of the enlarged touch surface and a corresponding movement of the touch surface on the underlying switch. According to the invention, however, decentralized actuation, for example offset to the right or left, should also be possible with enlarged buttons. Conventional guides would lead to tilting of the switch in such an actuation. According to the invention, the guide sleeves of the guide means are therefore designed such that an area with a minimum diameter is formed in the inner opening of the guide sleeve. This area with a minimum diameter is adapted to the outer diameter of a guide pin which penetrates into the guide sleeve, so that lateral movements are prevented by the pin coming into contact with the area of ​​the minimum diameter.For this purpose, the minimum diameter can be selected so that a permissible lateral tolerance, e.g. 1-3 mm, remains to the guide pin diameter.

[0014] However, it is essential for the invention that, in addition to the area of ​​the minimum diameter, at least one area with a diameter larger than the minimum diameter is provided in the inner opening of the guide sleeve. This prevents excessive lateral movement of the touch surface at all times and ensures guidance in this plane, i.e., transverse to the actuation direction, while still allowing jam-free tilting of the guide pin in the guide sleeve when the touch surface is actuated in a decentralized manner.

[0015] If an enlarged touch surface is actuated from one side, this leads to a movement of the directly actuated section of the touch surface towards the carrier. The unloaded areas of the touch surface are moved due to the integral design of the touch surface, but there is a lesser axial movement of the touch surface sections towards the carrier. Instead, the touch surface is tilted by the effect of the pressure force and the counteraction of the return means. However, thanks to the special design of the guide means, it is possible to accommodate this inclined position of the touch surface in the guide during one-sided actuation without the guide pins becoming jammed in the guide sleeves. The switch is arranged below the touch surface in such a way that even with a tilted touch surface, i.e. one-sided actuation, the distance between the touch surface and the switch is reduced so that the switch is actuated.

[0016] Accordingly, the guide according to the invention, consisting of guide sleeves and guide pins, is suitable for accommodating tilting of the touch surface, preventing jamming of the guide pins in the guide sleeves, and ensuring reliable actuation of a switch located beneath the touch surface. In the event of tilting, the area of ​​minimum diameter in the guide sleeve acts as a contact point for the immersed guide pins to execute the tilting movement.

[0017] It is possible to attach the guide sleeves to the touch surface and the immersing pins to the carrier or vice versa, i.e. with guide sleeves on the carrier and pins on the touch surface or a mixed attachment.

[0018] Preferably, the guide sleeve has a constriction with the minimum diameter in a central axial region of the guide sleeve opening in the insertion direction of the guide pin.

[0019] In this design, the guide pin first plunges into an area with an expanded diameter, then into an area with a reduced diameter, before the plunge area widens again below this constriction.

[0020] The guide pin can then be guided in an inclined position and tilted both above and below the constriction in the extended area.

[0021] It is advantageous if the minimum diameter of the guide sleeve opening is at least 5% larger, preferably 10% larger, than the diameter of the associated guide pin.

[0022] In this case, despite safeguarding against excessive translation in a transverse direction, sufficient tolerance is left for manufacturing deviations.

[0023] Preferably, the inner contour of the guide sleeve is formed in the axial direction according to a rolling curve of the outer contour of the guide pin when the guide pin is tilted.

[0024] If the inner contour of the guide sleeve is precisely adapted to the outer contour of the pin during a tilting movement, the pin can be ensured to rest against the inner contour at all times, even when tilted. This prevents unwanted play when actuating the button.

[0025] It is further advantageous if the inner contour of the guide sleeve is designed such that tilting of the guide pin is limited to a predetermined angular range, e.g., to a maximum of 30°, preferably to a maximum of 20° relative to the insertion direction of the guide pin. Excessive tilting of the switch and the resulting blockage are thus prevented. Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of an actuating device according to the invention without a touch surface; Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the first embodiment of an actuating device with a touch surface according to the invention; Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b show a sectional view of the first embodiment in the unactuated and actuated state, respectively; Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the guide;

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of an actuating device according to the invention. This illustration shows a plan view of a support 1 with a surrounding frame and a recessed, rectangular interior. A contact switch 2 is centrally arranged in the interior. In the illustration from Fig. 1, the touch surface is not shown in order not to cover the elements arranged in the carrier 1.

[0027] Guide sleeves 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are arranged around the contact switch 2. In the illustrated embodiment, these guide sleeves are designed with a circular-cylindrical outer circumference and an inner opening. In the area of ​​each of the guide sleeves, an elastic return means 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d is also arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, these return means are designed as elastomer components. Furthermore, end-position limiting means 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are formed, which extend as hook-shaped structures from the carrier 1, namely from its recessed base.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement with the elements from Fig. 1, but with a touch surface 10 inserted into the recess with the depression of the carrier 1. Hook sections 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are arranged on the rear surface of the touch surface 10, which interact with the hooks 5a to 5d to ensure an end position limitation of the touch surface 10, as will become clear below.

[0029] The return means 4a to 4d rest against the touch surface and push it into the secured end position, i.e., toward the touch user. Furthermore, guide pins 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are arranged on the touch surface, which engage the inner openings of the guide sleeves 3a to 3d.

[0030] The illustration also shows that actuation of the touch surface must, in principle, be possible across the entire area of ​​the touch surface. However, contact switch 2, in this example a microswitch, is located centrally below the touch surface, so that movement of the touch surface toward the support must also lead to actuation of switch 2. Conventional guides either do not provide sufficient lateral support, meaning the touch surface is not adequately protected against lateral displacement, or they tend to tilt, so that when the touch surface is subjected to one-sided loading, the guides significantly impede the key travel or completely block it.

[0031] The Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show the button from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a schematic side sectional view, the section being made through the guide means 3b and 3d.

[0032] Views of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in conjunction with the Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b it is evident that the touch surface is pressed into its end position by the return means 4a to 4d, is secured there by the end stops 5a to 5d and 6a to 6d and the guide pins 7a to 7d together with the guide sleeves 3a to 3d secure the touch surface in its position.

[0033] The guide pins 7b and 7d are immersed in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b into their respective guide sleeves 3b and 3d. In the example shown, the guide sleeves 3b and 3d are formed integrally with the carrier 1.

[0034] It is further shown that the inner contour of the guide sleeve is designed such that a section with a minimum diameter secures a respective immersing guide pin against translation transverse to the immersion direction. On the other hand, when the sensing surface is loaded, as in Fig. 3b, ensures that the pin cannot become jammed in the guide sleeve.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the inner contour of the guide sleeve provides sufficient space to allow the guide pin to tilt while simultaneously locking it laterally. It can be seen that even if the guide pin tilts, further insertion is possible, while the guide pin still rests in contact with or close to the surface of the inner contour of the guide sleeve at all times. The inner contour of the guide sleeve is also designed to allow the guide pin to slide within the contour, particularly with smooth and rounded surfaces.

[0036] Back and with reference to Fig.3b clearly shows that an inclined position of the touch surface and actuation of the microswitch 2 is possible even with absolutely one-sided actuation. The insertion depth of the guide pin 7b is significantly greater with this lateral actuation than that of the guide pin 7d, which leads to an inclined position of the touch surface 10 relative to the holder 1. However, since the guide pins do not become jammed in the guide sleeves, the return means can move the touch surface 10 back to the end position secured by the end position limiting means 6 after the actuating force is removed.

[0037] Essential to the invention is that the inner contour and inner opening of the guide sleeves allow the guide pins to tilt and engage in a tilted position within the guide sleeves. For this purpose, the inner contour can, for example, be shaped like a rolling curve of the guide pins, so that lateral guidance is always provided, but an inclined position of the guide pins is also possible at any time.

[0038] Within the scope of the invention, the means shown can be modified as desired. In particular, it is possible to arrange fewer than the four shown, e.g., three, or even more than four guide means around a switching element. Furthermore, the end position limitations in the exemplary embodiment are only shown as examples. Instead of the hook combinations shown, projections with an elastic expanding head can also be arranged on the touch surface, which insert into a corresponding receptacle on the carrier. The touch surface is then clipped into these holders during assembly, and a corresponding movable end position fixation is ensured by the clipped expanding heads in the receptacles.

[0039] Furthermore, the return elements can also be formed from entirely different elements. In particular, spring tongues can be used to return the touch surface relative to the support surface. Such spring tongues can be molded from plastic directly onto the support, with a soft component optionally injected behind the spring tongue to ensure improved return. Furthermore, various spring elements can be combined, such as plastic spring tongues and metal spring elements.

Claims

[1] Actuating device for actuating a function on a motor vehicle, with - a support (1) to be attached to the vehicle, - a touch surface (10) for actuation by a user, wherein the touch surface (10) is arranged to be movable relative to the support (1) between two end positions, wherein the touch surface (10) can be moved from the first end position to the second end position under the action of pressure, - elastic return means (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) arranged between the touch surface (10) and the support (1) and urging the touch surface (10) into the first, unactuated end position, - a contact switch (2) arranged between the touch surface (10) and the support (1) and operable in the second end position by the action of the touch surface (10), wherein means for limiting the end position (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the movement of the touch surface (10) into the first end position are formed, wherein the touch surface (10) projects beyond the contact switch (2) in a plane transverse to its actuation direction, characterized by , that the touch surface (10) and the support (1) have cooperating guide means on the sides facing each other, which guide the touch surface (10) in its movement between the end positions when actuated, where each guide means - a guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and - has a guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and wherein an inner contour of an inner opening of the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) in an insertion direction of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) has at least one section with a minimum diameter and at least one section with a larger diameter, so that when the touch surface (10) moves, the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is movable in the axial direction in the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and is secured against lateral movement in the region of the section with the minimum diameter, and tilting of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) in the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) about a pivot point in the section with the minimum diameter is possible. [2] Actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) has a constriction with the minimum diameter in a central axial region of the guide sleeve opening in the immersion direction of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). [3] Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum diameter is at least 5% larger, preferably 10% larger, than the diameter of the associated guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). [4] Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the minimum diameter is at most 50% larger than the diameter of the associated guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). [5] Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner contour of the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is formed in the axial direction according to a rolling curve of the outer contour of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) when the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is tilted. [6] Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner contour of the guide sleeve (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is designed such that tilting of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is limited to a predetermined angular range. [7] Actuating device according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined angular range is limited to a maximum of 30°, preferably to a maximum of 20° relative to the immersion direction of the guide pin (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d).

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