Control device for a motor vehicle

DE102019220067B4Active Publication Date: 2025-02-27VOLKSWAGEN AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102019220067
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2018-12-18
Filing Date
2019-12-18
Publication Date
2025-02-27
Estimated Expiration
2039-12-18

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Abstract

Operating device (5), in particular for a motor vehicle (1), in particular for operating a function of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the operating device (5) comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged side by side and a fiber optic (51) arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein a computing device (57) is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected as a result of an operating action onto a side of the fiber optic (51) facing away from the plurality of LEDs and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the fiber optic (51) comprises a magnifying group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, the cross-section of which tapers towards the (plural of) LEDs.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, in particular for operating a function, in particular of the motor vehicle, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of LEDs, e.g., arranged next to one another in a matrix-like manner, wherein a computing device is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected and / or radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs as a result of an operating action. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with an operating device. The invention also relates to a method for operating an operating device.

[0002] US 9,207,851 B1 discloses a matrix of LEDs arranged behind the liquid crystal layer of an LCD device. For example, the matrix of LEDs may be a matrix of white LEDs. Such a matrix may include one or more rows and one or more columns, each containing one or more LEDs configured to emit white light. The matrix of white LEDs is optically and mechanically configured to act as a backlight for the LCD device, while also electrically configured to operate its LEDs in both light-emitting mode and light-detecting mode.

[0003] US 2006 / 0 086 896 A1 discloses an array of red-green-blue LEDs with three chips in a matrix row / column configuration. Each LED may have a common cathode and three separate anodes. Instead of a single row driver for each row, three may be provided, e.g., one for the anode of each red, green, and blue chip. The common cathodes for all LEDs in a given column may be connected together to drivers. Each row may have a row sense amplifier, which may be connected to a red anode bus of an amplifier. A sensing procedure may be performed sequentially, e.g., one column at a time. All blue row drivers may be enabled, while all red and green row drivers may be disabled. This causes only the blue chips in the LEDs to act as emitters and generate light. The red chips may be used as detectors by the sense amplifier of each row.When a finger touches one of the LEDs in such a column, light can be reflected from the finger and received by the red chips. After a short delay (e.g., one microsecond) to allow the amplifiers to adjust, an ADC can perform a conversion for each input channel, and the results can be stored.

[0004] DE 10 2010 021 032 A1 discloses a display device for a motor vehicle, which comprises a digital display element with an image surface for digitally displaying information relating to the motor vehicle. A plurality of optical fibers are attached to the image surface of the display element.

[0005] The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the operation of a motor vehicle.

[0006] The above object is achieved by an operating device for a motor vehicle, in particular a function of the motor vehicle, according to claim 1, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of (in particular substantially, in particular matrix-like, in particular) adjacently arranged (in particular matrix-like) LEDs and a fiber optic arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein a computing device is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected due to an operating action onto a side of the fiber optic facing away from the plurality of adjacently arranged LEDs and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the fiber optic - comprises a magnifying group of adjacent light-conducting fibers whose cross-section tapers towards the (majority of) LEDs, and / or - comprises a reduction group of adjacent light-conducting fibers whose cross-section tapers towards the side facing away from the (plurality of) LEDs, wherein it can be provided that the fiber optic comprises a further group of adjacent light-conducting fibers.

[0007] The first LED is thus an LED in light emission mode and the second LED is an LED in light detection mode. These two modes can be switched between quickly, at a speed such that the switch is invisible to the human eye. Similar to the teachings disclosed in US 9 207 851 B1 or US 2006 / 0 086 896 A1, the LEDs switch between light emission mode and light detection mode at such a high frequency that this switch is imperceptible to the human eye. In the simplest case, the mode / state of the LED changes in such a way that it is determined whether light from the second LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected into and / or radiated into the first LED of the plurality of LEDs.Then, the first LED of the plurality of LEDs is used to radiate light into a fiber of the fiber optics, and the second LED of the plurality of LEDs is used to check whether this light beam is reflected and radiated through a fiber of the fiber optics into the second LED. However, it can also be provided that different LEDs are alternated, so that, for example, a third LED or another LED of the plurality of LEDs subsequently radiates light in the direction of the first LED or the second LED.

[0008] A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular an optical component which consists of many parallel arranged transparent fibers, in particular glass fibers, as light guides (TIR), which are fused together, for example as a support plate, to form a mechanically homogeneous block. Transparent within the meaning of this disclosure can mean and / or include translucent. A transparent fiber within the meaning of this disclosure can have an opaque coating or can include or have an opaque cladding surface in order to avoid scattered light. An opaque cladding surface of a fiber can, for example, be black. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can also be referred to as fiber optics or fused fiber optics. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can include a plurality of light guides which are arranged (essentially) perpendicularly ororthogonal to the side of the fiber optics facing the majority of LEDs or to the plane in which the majority of LEDs are arranged. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can be designed as a fiber bundle, as a fiber bundle with partial fiber bundles, or as a fiber plate. In one embodiment of the fiber optics within the meaning of this disclosure, light guides are used that are not fused together, but consist of loosely arranged, flexible individual fibers that are only geometrically strictly ordered and firmly enclosed on the input and output sides. The distance between the individual pixels is, for example, 4-10 µm. The fiber plate or fiber optic can be a one-piece component or a composite structural component. A light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure consists of or comprises, for example, PE, PMMA, or glass. Each individual fiber consists, for example,as in a light guide consisting of a core glass and an enveloping cladding glass with a low refractive index. Between these, for example, additional strands of black (absorbing) glass are arranged to retain stray scattered light. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can have magnification or reduction properties (taper). The cylindrical block (fiber optic) created after fusion is then heated and drawn again, tapers in the middle, and can be separated at the resulting waist. In this way, a taper, i.e., a fiber optic for a reduction or magnification deviating from the 1:1 scale, can be produced. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can be coated with a semitransparent layer.

[0009] A light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure has, in particular, a round, in particular circular, cross-section. However, it can also be provided that a light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure has a rectangular, square, or hexagonal cross-section.

[0010] A group of adjacent light-conducting fibers comprises, in particular, at least nine fibers, in particular at least 25 fibers. A group of adjacent light-conducting fibers within the meaning of this disclosure comprises, in particular, three fibers in a first direction orthogonal to the fiber axis or the axis of the fibers or the optical axis of the fibers or an axis through the fibers, and at least three adjacent light-conducting fibers in a second direction orthogonal to the fiber axis or the axis of the fibers or the optical axis of the fibers or an axis through the fibers, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

[0011] A function of a motor vehicle within the meaning of this disclosure can be an infotainment system, a navigation system, a telephone or a telephone interface, a window lifter, operating elements for a side mirror, a sunroof, etc. An operating action within the meaning of this disclosure can, in particular, be touching, in particular with a finger, an operating surface of the fiber optic system provided for operation. An arrangement above the plurality of LEDs within the meaning of this disclosure means, in particular, that the fiber optic systems or the fibers of the fiber optic systems are configured such that the LEDs radiate light into the fibers of the fiber optic system.

[0012] An LED within the meaning of this disclosure can also be an LED with a color filter or an LED that includes a color filter. It is particularly intended that an LED within the meaning of this disclosure also includes an OLED. An LED within the meaning of this disclosure can also be a QDOT or a laser. It is particularly intended that the color white is generated using phosphor.

[0013] A computing device within the meaning of this disclosure can, for example, comprise circuits or evaluation circuits as disclosed in US Pat. No. 9,207,851 B1 and US Pat. No. 2006 / 0 086 896 A1. A computing device within the meaning of this disclosure particularly comprises an interface to a vehicle bus, such as a CAN interface.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic comprises a side facing the plurality of LEDs and a side facing away from the plurality of LEDs (the side facing a user of the operating device), wherein the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs and / or the side facing the plurality of LEDs comprises a curved region, a freeform, discontinuities, or kinks. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic is, at least in part, curved. The curvature can be convex and / or concave.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the average diameter of fibers in one group of adjacent light-conducting fibers differs from the average diameter of fibers in another group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. The average diameter in the aforementioned sense refers to the mean value of the diameters of each fiber.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the average diameter of a group of adjacent optical fibers differs from the average diameter of another group of adjacent optical fibers. The average diameter refers to an average value across all fibers in the group, i.e., in this case, to the average diameter across all fibers.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the average diameter of a group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, relative to the thickness of the fiber optics, differs from the average diameter of another group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, relative to the thickness of the fiber optics. "Relative to the thickness" means divided by the thickness of the fiber optics.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the average diameter of a group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, relative to the thickness of the fiber optics, differs from the average diameter of another group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, relative to the thickness of the fiber optics. Thus, in particular, the value ∑j=1n∑i=1mDiameterijm⋅n⋅D at least for two groups, where m is the number of determined values ​​for the diameter of a fiber, where n is the number of fibers in a group and where D is the average thickness of the fiber optics in the region of the group.

[0019] The diameters of the fibers can also be used in particular to optimize the usability of the operating device depending on the dimensions and / or the properties of the LEDs.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operation of an individual function of the motor vehicle is assigned to the magnification group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a display function of the motor vehicle is assigned to the reduction group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure relates in particular to operation and functions that can be operated via a bus system. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular an infotainment system and / or a navigation system and / or a telephone. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure uses, for example, a bus interface of the computing device. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular a function or a plurality of functions that depend on what is displayed.A display function within the meaning of this disclosure is, in particular, menu-guided operation. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure can also include a plurality of apps that can be operated or accessed when displayed.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic comprises a side facing the plurality of LEDs and a side facing away from the plurality of LEDs, wherein the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs comprises a curved region.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first LED has a first light emission spectrum, for example predominantly in the infrared range, and the second LED has a second light emission spectrum, wherein the first light emission spectrum differs from the second light emission spectrum.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating device has at least one third LED with a third light emission spectrum and at least one fourth LED with a fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the at least first light emission spectrum differs from the at least third light emission spectrum and from the at least fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the at least second light emission spectrum differs from the at least third light emission spectrum and from the at least fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the at least third light emission spectrum differs from the at least fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the computing device is designed to determine whether light from the at least first LED is reflected and / or radiated into the at least second LED, the at least third and / or the at least fourth LED as a result of an operating action.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the LEDs or a group of LEDs form a color display. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second group of LEDs forms a color display. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the LEDs of the majority of the LEDs are designed as a color display (for displaying different color image content). In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display shows the function of the operating device, for example in the form of an icon or a symbol. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display is part of a, in particular multi-touch, HMI, for example an encapsulated HMI, as in Fig. 6, Fig. 7, and Fig. 8 of EP 1 764 674 B1, but the touchscreen 11 is omitted and the transparent part 17 of the housing is or is replaced by a fiber optic system within the meaning of this disclosure. Thus, the location of a touch is also determined in the encapsulated area, namely in the already encapsulated display. This creates a particularly robust display and operating system that is multi-touch capable and optionally features haptic feedback, particularly one that is also well-suited for outdoor use.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for operating an operating device, in particular for operating the aforementioned operating device, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of LEDs, wherein a fiber optic is arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein the fiber optic comprises at least one magnification group of adjacent light-conducting fibers and / or at least one reduction group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, wherein a first LED of the plurality of LEDs radiates light into a first fiber of the adjacent light-conducting fibers, which light is reflected several times in the first fiber and exits from the surface of the fiber optic and / or the first fiber facing away from the first LED, wherein a finger of an operator touches or almost touches the fiber optic on the surface of the fiber optic facing away from the first LED for the purpose of operating the operating device,wherein light emerging from the surface of the fiber optic or fiber facing away from the first LED, which is reflected (diffusely) by the finger and thereby radiated into the fiber of the fiber optic and / or into one or more directly or indirectly adjacent fiber(s) of the fiber optic, is guided by this to a currently non-illuminated LED of the plurality of LEDs, so that the second LED provides a signal on the basis of which it is decided whether an operation of the operating device has been carried out.

[0026] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the aforementioned operating device. A motor vehicle within the meaning of the invention is, in particular, a land vehicle that can be used individually in road traffic. Motor vehicles within the meaning of the invention are, in particular, not limited to land vehicles with internal combustion engines. A motor vehicle within the meaning of this disclosure can also be understood to mean a motor-driven vehicle, for example, a vehicle for 3D mobility.

[0027] Further advantages and details are revealed in the following description of exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a motor vehicle in an interior view, Fig. 2 a schematic view of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a basic design of an operating device according to the invention in the form of an embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 5 an exemplary plan view of the operating device according to Fig. 4, where a display function is implemented, Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 7 an exemplary plan view of the operating device according to Fig. 6, where a single function is implemented, Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 9 an exemplary plan view of the operating device according to Fig. 8, where a display function and two individual functions are implemented. Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 11 an exemplary plan view of the operating device according to Fig. 10, wherein a display function and a single function are implemented, wherein the single function comprises switching the hazard warning light WBL on and off, Fig. 12 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of an operating device, Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of an operating device and Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of an operating device,

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an interior view of a motor vehicle 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a steering wheel, and reference numeral 3 denotes an HMI. Reference numeral 4 denotes a door, and reference numeral 5 denotes an operating device in the center console of the motor vehicle 1.

[0029] The motor vehicle 1 according to Fig. 2 comprises an HMI designated by reference numeral 3, which comprises a display 12 controlled by a display and operating control 10, as well as an operating arrangement 11 assigned to the display 12 and by means of which the display 12 or the information shown thereon can be influenced via the display and operating control 10. The operating arrangement 11 can, for example, be or comprise a touchscreen arranged in front of the display 12. Non-safety-critical functions of the motor vehicle 1, such as the telephone interface 14 for the mobile phone MT, an automatic climate control system 15, a navigation system 16, an infotainment system 17, or other functions, can be controlled by means of the operating arrangement 11.For this purpose, the telephone interface 14, the automatic climate control 15, the navigation system 16, the infotainment system 17 and other non-safety-critical functions are connected to the display and operating control 10 of the HMI 3 by means of a bus system B1. Other non-safety-critical functions of the motor vehicle 1 can be, for example, a WLAN interface 18, a Bluetooth interface or, for example, a USB interface 19. The motor vehicle 1 also comprises safety-relevant functions such as an engine control system 31, an ESP 32 or a transmission control system 33. Reference numerals 34, 35, 36 designate further safety-relevant functions or modules of the motor vehicle 1. The safety-relevant modules of the motor vehicle 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 are coupled by means of a bus system B2, which is coupled to the bus system B1 via a gateway 100.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows the basic design of an operating device 5 according to the invention. An LED 501 of the LED arrangement 50 configured as a display emits light, which is reflected multiple times in a fiber 511 of the fiber optic 51 and exits from the side of the fiber optic 51 facing away from the LED arrangement 50. If the finger F of an operator is located on the surface of the fiber optic 51 facing away from the LED arrangement 50 for the purpose of operating the operating device 5, the light exiting the surface is reflected (diffusely) into the fiber 511 of the fiber optic 51 and / or into one or more directly or indirectly adjacent fibers, and from there is guided to a currently non-illuminated LED 502, by means of which a computing device 57 can decide that a touch operation of the corresponding operating element of the operating device 5 has been performed.The computing device 57 of the operating device 5 communicates with the functions of the motor vehicle 1 that are to be operated or controlled.

[0031] Fig. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5A, which comprises an LED array 150 and a reduction group 151 of adjacent light-conducting fibers. Fig. The operating device 5A shown in Figure 4 serves to implement a display function 160 as shown in Fig. 5 is shown as an example.

[0032] Fig. Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5B, wherein the operating device 5B comprises an LED arrangement 250 and a magnification group 251 of adjacent light-conducting fibers. The operating device 5B serves to implement a Fig. 7 shown individual function 260.

[0033] Fig. Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5C, wherein a fiber optic 351 is arranged on an LED array 350. The fiber optic 351 comprises a magnification group 252 of adjacent light-conducting fibers and a reduction group 253 of adjacent light-conducting fibers. The reduction group 253 serves to implement a display function 360 as in Fig. 9. The magnification group 352 is used to implement two individual functions 353 and 352, which are Fig. 9 are shown with reference number 361. Fig. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5D, which comprises an LED arrangement 350 and a fiber optic 351. The fiber optic 451 comprises a magnification group 452 of adjacent light-conducting fibers and a group 453 of adjacent light-conducting fibers separated by a number 454 of non-functional light-conducting fibers. The operating device 5D serves, as in Fig. 11, the implementation of a display function 460 by means of the group 453 of adjacent light-conducting fibers and an individual function 461 for operating the hazard warning system WBL by means of the magnification group 452 of adjacent light-conducting fibers.

[0034] Fig. 12 shows an operating device 5D according to Fig. 10 alternative embodiment 5E, wherein an LED arrangement 450A and an LED arrangement 450B are provided instead of the LED arrangement 451.

[0035] It is envisaged that the LEDs 450B form a TFT or another form of matrix display for displaying variable information and high resolution. In contrast, the LEDs of group 450A are designed with a lower resolution than the LEDs of group 450B. Furthermore, it can be envisaged that the LEDs of group 450A are individual LEDs, as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 9,207,801 B1.

[0036] Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5F, wherein a fiber optic system 551 is arranged on an LED arrangement 550. The fiber optic system comprises a group 552 of adjacent light-conducting structures and a magnification group 553 of adjacent light-conducting fibers. The group 552 and the magnification group 553 are positioned next to each other, but with their optical axes inclined relative to each other. At the transition from the group 552 to the magnification group 553, a bend is provided on the operating surface side, which enables haptic orientation between the two groups and thus the potentially differentiated functionality.

[0037] Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5G, wherein this comprises an LED arrangement 650 corresponding to the LED arrangement 550 as well as a group 652 corresponding to the group 552 and a magnification group 653 corresponding to the magnification group 553. Deviating from the design of the fiber optic 551 according to Fig. 13 is the operating surface of the fiber optic 651 of the operating device according to Fig. 14 convexly curved.

[0038] Fig. Figure 15 shows a further embodiment of an operating device 5H, wherein a fiber optic system 751 is arranged on an LED array 750, which comprises a magnification group 752 of adjacent light-conducting fibers, a group 753 of adjacent light-conducting fibers, and a magnification group 754 of adjacent light-conducting fibers. Magnification group 752 touches group 753, and this group 753 in turn touches magnification group 754, so that the optical axes of magnification groups 752 and 754, as well as of group 753, are not parallel. The dashed lines in Fig. 15 indicate a possible course of the surface of the center console in which the control device is embedded.

[0039] Fig. 16 shows a control device 5H in Fig. 15 shows a modified operating device 5I, wherein an LED arrangement 850 corresponding to the LED arrangement 750 is provided. A fiber optic 851 is arranged on the LED arrangement 850, which differs from the fiber optic 751 in that the side of the fiber optic 851 facing away from the LED arrangement 850, which comprises a magnification group 852 of adjacent light-conducting fibers, a group 853 of adjacent light-conducting fibers, and a magnification group 854, is modified in that the side of the fiber optic 851 facing away from the LED arrangement 850 is convexly curved. The dashed lines in Fig. 16, like the dashed lines in Fig. 15 a possible surface of the center console into which the control device according to Fig. 16 can be installed.

[0040] Deviating from the design of the operating device according to Fig. 15, the operating device according to Fig. 16, a side of the fiber optic 851 facing away from the LED arrangement 850 has a convexly curved surface. Viewed three-dimensionally, the fiber optic 851 can, for example, form a spherical segment, an asphere, or a cylindrical segment, or be configured accordingly. In a configuration as a spherical segment or asphere, it can, for example, be provided that the individual functions are arranged around a display function and can, under certain circumstances, be rotated by a swiping motion. Instead of a round base surface of the fiber optic 851 in a configuration as an asphere or spherical segment, a hexagonal base surface can also be provided. This applies in particular with regard to the operating device according to Fig. 15.

[0041] The display functions are used in particular to operate the infotainment system and the telephone interface. Display functions can also include the operation of Internet applications, which can be accessed via a WLAN interface with the WLAN interface 18. A display function can also include the operating screen for a navigation system. The individual functions can, for example, relate to switching an ESP on and off and switching a sport mode. This individual function is accessed via the bus system, a gateway, and another bus system. Other individual functions can be accessed directly, such as hazard warning lights. It can also be provided that the HMI 3 is designed in a similar manner to, for example, the operating device 5H according to Fig. 15 or the operating device 5K according to Fig. 16.

[0042] The elements and fibers in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 6, Fig. 8, Fig. 10, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 are drawn for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements or fibers are significantly exaggerated relative to others in order to enhance understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] The invention allows for adaptive adjustment of the fiber plate or fiber optics to the necessary conditions of the geometry of the existing LED matrix and the required functions. Adaptation to an uneven surface is also possible. Furthermore, the sensitivity of each area can be adjusted. It is also expedient to implement some areas of the fiber optics or fiber plate without any function in order to ensure a closed surface. In particular, the combination of the different LEDs into a holistic display allows for cost advantages. Furthermore, the invention allows for flexible and new approaches to the design of operating devices, whereby haptic orientation can be implemented, particularly through the shape of the surface, so that an operator can orient themselves on the operating device even without looking.

Claims

[1] Operating device (5), in particular for a motor vehicle (1), in particular for operating a function of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the operating device (5) comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged next to one another and a fiber optic system (51) arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein a computing device (57) is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected, as a result of an operating action, onto a side of the fiber optic system (51) facing away from the plurality of LEDs arranged next to one another and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the fiber optic system (51) comprises a magnification group of adjacent light-conducting fibers whose cross-section tapers in the direction of the (plurality of) LEDs. [2] Operating device (5) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the fiber optic (51) comprises a reduction group of adjacent light-conducting fibers whose cross-section tapers towards the side facing away from the (the majority of) LEDs. [3] Operating device (5), in particular for a motor vehicle (1), in particular for operating a function of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the operating device (5) comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged next to one another and a fiber optic system (51) arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein a computing device (57) is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected, as a result of an operating action, onto a side of the fiber optic system (51) facing away from the plurality of LEDs arranged next to one another and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the fiber optic system (51) comprises a reduction group of adjacent light-conducting fibers whose cross-section tapers in the direction of the side facing away from the (the plurality of) LEDs. [4] Operating device (5) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized bythat the fiber optic (51) comprises a further group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. [5] Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mean diameter, the averaged mean diameter, the mean diameter related to the thickness of the fiber optic (51) and / or the averaged mean diameter related to the thickness of the fiber optic (51) of a group of adjacent light-conducting fibers differs from the mean diameter, the averaged mean diameter, the mean diameter related to the thickness of the fiber optic (51) and / or the averaged mean diameter related to the thickness of the fiber optic (51) of another group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. [6] Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fiber optic (51) comprises adjacent light-conducting fibers without an operating function. [7] Motor vehicle (1), characterized by that it comprises an operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the magnification group is assigned the operation of an individual function of the motor vehicle (1). [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the second reduction group is assigned a display function of the motor vehicle (1). [10] Method for operating an operating device (5), in particular for operating an operating device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operating device (5) comprises a plurality of LEDs, wherein a fiber optic (51) is arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein the fiber optic comprises at least one magnification group of adjacent light-conducting fibers and / or at least one reduction group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, wherein a first LED (501) of the plurality of LEDs radiates light into a first fiber (511) of the adjacent light-conducting fibers, which light is reflected several times in the first fiber (511) and emerges from the surface of the fiber optic (51) and / or the first fiber (511) facing away from the first LED (501), wherein a finger (F) of an operator, for the purpose of operating the operating device (5), touches or almost touches the fiber optic (51) on the surface of the fiber optic (51) facing away from the first LED (501). touched,wherein light emerging from the surface of the fiber optic (51) or the fiber (511) facing away from the first LED (501), which is reflected (diffusely) by the finger (F) and thereby radiated into the fiber (511) of the fiber optic (51) and / or into one or more directly or indirectly adjacent fiber(s) of the fiber optic (51), is guided by the latter to a currently non-illuminated LED (502) of the plurality of LEDs, so that the second LED (502) delivers a signal on the basis of which it is decided whether an operation of the operating device (5) has been carried out.

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