OPERATING UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

Control unit (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising - a translucent carrier part (12); - a translucent decorative layer (14) arranged at least indirectly on the carrier part (12), which has at least one tactile projection (18) on its visible side facing away from the carrier part (12) for the purpose of marking at least one operating area (16); - a lighting device arranged below the carrier part (12), which is designed to illuminate the decorative layer (14) from the back; - a template (22) arranged between the decorative layer (14) and the lighting device (20), which has opaque areas (24) and at least one translucent area (26) arranged below the at least one operating area (16) for illuminating the at least one operating area (16), wherein at least one haptic element (28) is arranged below the decorative layer (14), which is visible at least as a part of the projection (18) on the visible side of the decorative layer (14).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit for a motor vehicle. State of the art

[0002] The range of functions in motor vehicles is constantly increasing. Particularly in the interior, a challenge lies in making the operation of these diverse functions as simple as possible for vehicle occupants. At the same time, there are often efforts to avoid visually cluttering the interior of motor vehicles, even with numerous necessary controls, while still maintaining an appealing design.

[0003] DE 20 2019 005 292 U1 discloses a vehicle trim part with integrated display and operating functions. The trim part comprises a rear support element for attaching the trim part to a vehicle and, opposite it, a transparent protective layer, which forms an outer surface of the trim part and, in intended use, a visible side of the trim part facing away from the support element. Between the protective layer and the support element, a translucent decorative layer, a masking layer, a transparent sensor layer, and an illumination layer are arranged in a sandwich structure, starting from the protective layer. The masking layer has transparent areas. The illumination layer includes illumination elements. The illumination elements are designed to illuminate the transparent sensor layer and the transparent areas of the masking layer towards the protective layer.The sensor layer is designed to detect a touch applied to the protective layer from the viewing side, so that the display function can be provided by illuminating the masking layer with the lighting elements and the operating function can be provided by detecting the touch with the sensor layer.

[0004] German patent application DE 11 2012 004 717 T5 discloses a user interface comprising a light emitter and a pressure-sensitive material. The pressure-sensitive material has electrical properties configured to vary in relation to the pressure applied to it. The light emitter is coupled to the pressure-sensitive material, such that a variation in the electrical properties of the pressure-sensitive material causes a variation in at least one illumination property of the light emitter.

[0005] In some cases, control areas or elements are deliberately concealed behind a surface, for example, behind decorative layers. Using capacitive or pressure-sensitive sensors, users can activate these control areas or elements to trigger or control various functions. However, with such controls or elements hidden behind a surface, locating them can be difficult. Description of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an operating unit for a motor vehicle which, despite operating areas being concealed behind a surface, can be easily operated by a user.

[0007] This problem is solved by a control unit for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in particular in the dependent claims.

[0008] The control unit according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a translucent carrier part. A translucent decorative layer is arranged at least indirectly on the carrier part, which has at least one tactile projection on its visible side facing away from the carrier part for marking at least one operating area of ​​the control unit. Alternatively or additionally to the projection, the translucent decorative layer may have at least one tactile recess. The control unit further comprises a lighting device arranged below the carrier part, which is designed to illuminate the decorative layer from the back. The control unit further comprises a template arranged between the decorative layer and the lighting device, which has translucent areas and at least one translucent area arranged below at least one operating area for illuminating the at least one operating area.The control unit can also be installed in textiles, aircraft, other land vehicles, watercraft, furniture and home interior applications, for example.

[0009] It is also possible to omit the stencil, allowing the decorative layer to be fully backlit. The stencil can also be applied to the substrate or lighting unit, e.g., a screen, in the form of a layer of paint, lacquer, and / or film. All types of sharp-edged and / or soft masking are possible.

[0010] The carrier part does not need to be completely translucent. It may suffice if the carrier part is translucent at least in the area where the at least one operating area is provided. The visible side of the decorative layer can be an interior or exterior surface. For example, the operating unit can be located in a vehicle interior, with the visible side of the decorative layer being located, for instance, in the area of ​​a center console, a dashboard, or any other area within the vehicle interior. With appropriate material selection for the decorative layer, it is also possible for the visible side of the decorative layer to form an exterior surface of the vehicle in question.

[0011] Because at least one operating area of ​​the control unit is haptically identifiable by a perceptible protrusion and / or indentation, it is easy for a user to locate and operate at least one operating area even when the lighting device is deactivated. In particular, the control unit can have multiple operating areas, with the decorative layer on its visible side facing away from the substrate having at least one perceptible protrusion and / or indentation for each of these areas. If the control unit has multiple such operating areas, the stencil is designed accordingly. This means that the stencil has a translucent area below each operating area for illumination of that area. The protrusions and / or indentations can have a wide variety of shapes.exhibit geometries.

[0012] The control unit is thus divided into at least one translucent area and an otherwise non-translucent area. Particularly where translucent light can pass through, the control unit exhibits tactile and, in particular, visible height differences from the visible side, formed by the aforementioned protrusion and / or recess. The decorative layer can, in particular, be seamlessly applied across the entire surface of the control unit. The at least one tactile control area can therefore be provided on a continuous surface, whereby, due to the at least one tactile protrusion and / or the at least one tactile recess, the at least one control area can be easily identified by a user without any striking visual demarcation being immediately apparent on the surface material, i.e., on the visible side of the decorative layer.For example, the control unit can be integrated into the interior of the vehicle in question with a particularly calm and visually appealing appearance.

[0013] In the control unit according to the invention, the decorative layer can extend over the entire carrier part and is not interrupted, for example, by seams, cutouts, component separations, or separate operating elements. A three-dimensional surface structure is thus formed on the visible side of the decorative layer for haptic and / or optical identification of the operating area(s). When the lighting unit is activated, any desired lighting scenario can, in principle, be dynamically created, covering the entire surface, partially, or depending on the situation, so that at least one operating area, several operating areas, or even other areas of the control unit can be backlit and thus illuminated. When the lighting unit is deactivated, however, the aforementioned uniform surface appearance of the control unit is achieved.

[0014] The control unit according to the invention can be used particularly well, for example, in autonomous driving situations where the vehicle can serve as a kind of living space, which can increasingly feature lighting functions and concealed switching mechanisms. The control unit also makes it easy to display different states of various functions, i.e., active or inactive. Traditional as well as novel surfaces can be combined with a wide variety of electrical and electronic components. The decorative layer can be, for example, a textile, leather, plastic, or the like. It is essential that the decorative layer is translucent, at least where the at least one control area is provided. There are essentially no limits to the choice of material for the decorative layer, as long as this translucency can be achieved.

[0015] According to the invention, at least one haptic element is arranged beneath the decorative layer, which is visible on the visible side of the decorative layer as at least a portion of the projection. The decorative layer thus spans the haptic element in such a way that the haptic element is visible as a height difference on the visible side of the decorative layer. In this way, it is very easy to provide a tactilely perceptible marking of the at least one operating area. For example, the haptic element can be bonded to the decorative layer so that the decorative layer conforms particularly well to the haptic element. However, other bonding methods can also be used. An adhesive layer used to fix the haptic element can be translucent, as can the entire haptic element or at least parts of it.

[0016] It is also possible for the entire surface of the support component to be covered with the haptic element, where the tactile control areas are additionally raised or recessed. These additional areas can either be separately glued onto the entire haptic element, or the haptic element can acquire the raised / recessed areas through molding or manual processing. Therefore, a haptic element can also be multi-layered, for example, in seating areas with foam padding.

[0017] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the haptic element comprises a spacer fabric, a foam, and / or a plastic plate. In particular, the haptic element can include a soft component, so that a user can press down the decorative layer at the location where the haptic element is arranged, almost like a switch or a button.

[0018] According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, the carrier part has at least one depression on a side facing the decorative layer, which is visible as at least a partial area of ​​the depression. This allows the tactile depression to be easily created on the visible side of the decorative layer. The decorative layer conforms to the carrier part, particularly in the area of ​​the depression, so that the depression is formed on the visible side of the decorative layer.

[0019] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the projection and / or the recess is formed at least partially by a local variation in the thickness of the decorative layer. Thus, by locally varying the thickness of the decorative layer, it is possible to create at least one projection and / or at least one recess, which serves to make the at least one operating area particularly perceptible by touch. Projections and / or recesses can be easily created by local variations in the thickness of the decorative layer, for example, by locally compressing the decorative layer or by other methods.

[0020] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the control unit has a capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection device designed to detect actions of the at least one control area. The capacitive detection device can, for example, be a capacitive film designed to detect operating actions or actions on the at least one control area. Alternatively or additionally, pressure sensors and the like can also be provided on the at least one control area by means of which pressure can be detected. Using the capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection device, it is possible to easily detect operating actions on the at least one control area and, for example, to transmit them to a control unit of the motor vehicle, which then triggers the corresponding functions.

[0021] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the stencil is arranged on either the upper surface facing the decorative layer or the underside of the carrier part facing away from the decorative layer. If the stencil is arranged on the upper surface of the carrier part, the advantage may arise that less light scattering occurs when passing through the translucent areas of the stencil. This allows at least one operating area to be backlit or illuminated with particular precision. If, on the other hand, the decorative layer is arranged on the underside of the carrier part, the assembly or application of the decorative layer to the upper surface of the carrier part may be easier.

[0022] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the template and the support part are designed as a single component. In this case, the template does not need to be attached and arranged on the support part in a complex process. For example, the support part can be a two-component part, in particular a two-component injection-molded part, wherein the template is made from a first component and the rest of the support part from a second component. The first component can be completely opaque, while the second component can, for example, be completely transparent. Particularly in the two-component injection molding process, it is possible to produce the template and the support part in high volumes as a single component quickly and cost-effectively.

[0023] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the stencil is applied to the carrier part as a coating. The stencil can, for example, be printed onto the carrier part. Alternatively, the stencil can also be a film bonded to the carrier part. If the stencil and the carrier part thus form separate components or layers, the carrier part can, for example, be manufactured in particularly large quantities, independent of the variant. The stencil can then be individually adapted for different lighting functions by providing appropriate cutouts, depending on where the light transmission is to occur. In this way, the entire component assembly of stencil and carrier part does not need to be adapted for each variant.

[0024] Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that the lighting device is designed to display at least one symbol and / or at least one character which, when the lighting device is activated, is optically visible on the visible side of the decorative layer, at least in part of the at least one operating area. The lighting device can, for example, be a display. It is possible, for instance, to use an OLED display, which can be very thin. If the lighting device is a display, various symbols, characters, or other elements can be displayed in various locations to backlight and illuminate the at least one operating area or other operating areas of the control unit.In that case, it is also possible to adjust the symbols, characters, or the like to be displayed depending on the operating situation or, for example, by means of software updates.

[0025] According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, the carrier part and / or the stencil has at least one symbol and / or at least one character which, when the lighting device is activated, is optically visible on the visible side of the decorative layer, at least in part of the at least one operating area. The symbols and / or characters can, for example, be opaque masks, in which case the symbols and / or characters appear as dark areas when the lighting device is activated. Alternatively, the symbols and / or characters can, for example, be transparent areas. In this case, the symbols and / or characters appear as illuminated or backlit areas when the lighting device is activated.For example, it may be intended that only the carrier part and / or only the stencil is responsible for displaying different types of symbols, characters, and the like in at least one operating area. In this case, the lighting device can be designed to be particularly simple; ultimately, it only needs to be a light source without having to display symbols, characters, or the like. It is also possible to distribute the display of symbols, characters, or the like between the lighting device and the carrier part and / or the stencil.

[0026] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Brief character description

[0027] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1: a perspective view of an operating unit for a motor vehicle, comprising a translucent carrier part on which a translucent decorative layer is arranged on the upper side, which has several tactile protrusions on its visible side facing away from the carrier part for the purpose of marking several operating areas, wherein a template and a lighting device are arranged below the carrier part for controlling a translucent illumination of the operating areas; Fig. 2: another perspective view of the control unit; Fig. 3: A top view of the control unit in an unlit state; Fig. 4: A top view of the control unit in its illuminated state.

[0028] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0029] A control unit 10 for a motor vehicle is shown in a perspective view in Fig. Figure 1 shows the control unit 10 in its partially assembled state, so that its layered structure becomes clear. The control unit 10 has a carrier part 12 that is at least partially translucent. A translucent decorative layer 14 is arranged on the carrier part 12, which has tactile projections 18 on its visible side facing away from the carrier part to identify several operating areas 16. A schematically indicated lighting device 20 is arranged below the carrier part 12, which is designed to illuminate the decorative layer 14 from the back.

[0030] Between the decorative layer 14 and the lighting device 20, a template 22 is also arranged, which has opaque areas 24 and translucent areas 26. The translucent areas 26 are provided below the respective operating areas 16, so that these can be backlit or illuminated by the lighting device 20. The translucent areas 26 do not always have to be the same size as the operating areas 16. In particular, the translucent areas 26 can be smaller than the respective operating areas 16.

[0031] The decorative layer 14 can be made, for example, of a textile, leather, plastic (especially a soft-touch surface), sheet material, wood, metal, or the like. A key feature of the decorative layer 14 is that it is translucent, at least where the control areas 16 are located. Micro-perforation allows even materials that are not inherently translucent to be fully or partially illuminated. In the present case, the control unit 10 is an interior trim component. The decorative layer 14 can be located, for example, in the area of ​​a center console, on an interior door panel, on a dashboard, or at any other location in a vehicle interior. It is also possible for the visible side of the decorative layer 14 to form an exterior surface of a motor vehicle.In this case, the control unit 10 is designed to withstand the elements without any problems.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the control unit 10 again in a perspective view, in which the layered structure of the control unit 10 becomes clear. Haptic elements 28, arranged beneath the decorative layer 14, are visible for the first time. These haptic elements 28 are characterized by the protrusions 18 (see Figure 2). Fig. 1) on the visible side of the decorative layer 14. The haptic elements 28 can, in particular, be made of a type of soft component, so that they are flexible and a user can compress the haptic elements 28 slightly when applying pressure to the operating areas 16. The haptic elements 28 can, for example, comprise a spacer fabric, a foam and / or a plastic plate.

[0033] Alternatively or in addition to the haptic elements 28, the carrier part 12 can, contrary to the present illustration, have, for example, depressions and / or raised areas on one side facing the decorative layer 14, which can then be visible as depressions or raised areas on the decorative layer 14 in the area of ​​the operating zones 16. It is also possible to create protrusions and / or depressions at the locations where the operating zones 16 are provided by locally varying the material thickness of the decorative layer 14.

[0034] The control unit 10 can include a capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection device (not shown here) designed to detect the respective actuations of the operating areas 16. For example, a capacitive film and / or a pressure-sensitive film can be attached to the underside of the decorative layer 14 to detect user actions on the respective operating areas 16. It is also possible to provide heating elements and / or a heating layer. The heating elements and / or a heating layer can be arranged, for example, above or below the carrier part 12.

[0035] In the present case, the stencil 22 is arranged below the carrier part 12. However, the stencil 22 can just as easily be arranged above the carrier part 12, i.e., between it and the decorative layer 14. In this case, the stencil 22 is designed as a separate layer or component. Alternatively, it is also possible that the stencil 22 and the carrier part 12 are designed as a single component, i.e., the stencil 22 is an integral part of the carrier part 12. For example, the carrier part 12 can be a two-component injection-molded part, with the stencil 22 being made from a first opaque component and the rest of the carrier part 12 from a second translucent component. The stencil 22 can also be applied to the carrier part 12, for example, as a coating. For instance, the stencil 22 can be printed onto the carrier part 12.It is also possible that the template 22 is a foil connected to the carrier part 12.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view of the control unit 10, with the lighting device 20 (not visible here) deactivated. The operating areas 16 are tactilely defined on the visible side of the decorative layer 14 by the projections 18. Nevertheless, a continuous or uniform surface appearance can be achieved for the control unit 10, since the decorative layer 14 has no seams, recesses, component separations, or separate operating elements that would interrupt the visual appearance of the control unit 10.

[0037] In Fig.Figure 4 shows the control unit 10 in a further top view, with the lighting device 20 (not visible here) now activated. This backlights and thus illuminates the respective control areas 16. Other translucent areas 30 may also be provided, which are not located within the control area 16. The lighting device 20 may, for example, be designed to display various symbols, characters, or the like, which, when the lighting device 20 is activated, are visually visible on the visible side of the decorative layer 14 and, in particular, on the control areas 16. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier part 12 and / or the stencil 22 may have symbols, characters, or the like, which, when the lighting device 20 is activated, are visible on the visible side of the decorative layer 14, at least in the respective control areas 16.This makes it possible to generate a variety of lighting scenarios in different ways, which can be dynamic, full-surface, partial, and / or situation-dependent. The individual control areas 16 become visible through backlighting or illumination, and ambient lighting in a vehicle interior, for example, can also be achieved by backlighting other areas 30. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 Control unit 12 Carrier part 14 decorative layer 16 control areas 18 protrusions 20 Lighting equipment 22 Template 24 opaque areas of the stencil 26 translucent areas of the stencil 28 haptic elements 30 additional areas of the decorative layer that can be X-rayed

Claims

[1] Operating unit (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising - a translucent support member (12); - a translucent decorative layer (14) arranged at least indirectly on the carrier part (12), which has at least one tactile projection (18) on its visible side facing away from the carrier part (12) for identifying at least one operating area (16); - a lighting device arranged below the carrier part (12), which is designed to illuminate the decorative layer (14) from the back; - a template (22) arranged between the decorative layer (14) and the lighting device (20), which has opaque regions (24) and at least one translucent region (26) arranged below the at least one operating region (16) for translucently illuminating the at least one operating region (16), wherein at least one haptic element (28) is arranged below the decorative layer (14), which haptic element is visible at least as a partial region of the projection (18) on the visible side of the decorative layer (14). [2] Control unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the visible side of the decorative layer (14) is an interior surface or an exterior surface. [3] Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the haptic element (28) comprises a spacer fabric, a foam and / or a plastic plate. [4] Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the carrier part (12) has at least one recess on a side facing the decorative layer (14), which recess is defined at least as a partial region of the recess. [5] Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the projection (18) and / or the recess is formed at least partially by a local change in a material thickness of the decorative layer (14). [6] Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operating unit (10) has a capacitive and / or pressure-sensitive detection device which is designed to detect actuations of the at least one operating area (16). [7] Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the template (22) is arranged on an upper side facing the decorative layer (14) or on an underside of the carrier part (12) facing away from the decorative layer (14). [8] Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the template (22) and the carrier part (12) are designed as a one-piece component. [9] Control unit (10) according to claim 8, characterized by that the carrier part (12) is a two-component part, in particular a two-component injection-molded part, wherein the template (22) is made from a first component and the remaining carrier part (12) is made from a second component. [10] Operating unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the stencil (22) is applied as a coating to the carrier part (12), [11] Control unit (10) according to claim 10, characterized by that the stencil (22) is printed on the carrier part (12) or is a film connected to the carrier part (12). [12] Operating unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lighting device (20) is designed to display at least one symbol and / or at least one character which, when the lighting device (20) is activated, is optically visible on the visible side of the decorative layer (14) at least in a part of the at least one operating area (16). [13] Operating unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carrier part (12) and / or the stencil (22) has at least one symbol and / or at least one character which, when the lighting device (20) is activated, is optically visible on the visible side of the decorative layer (14) at least in part of the at least one operating area (16).

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