Hybrid controls

Abstract

Hybrid control element (100; 100') in a vehicle, comprising a control component (10; 10') which a user moves manually from a first position to a second position in order to set a technical system (FAS), a drive (30) which configures the technical system (FAS) according to the position of the control component (10; 10'), an interface (20) which converts the movement of the control component (10; 10') into a control signal for the drive (30), wherein the movement of the control component (10; 10') by hand from the first position via the interface (20) activates the drive (30) and the drive (30) causes the setting of the technical system (FAS) corresponding to the second position of the control component (10; 10').

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hybrid control element in a vehicle, comprising a control component which a user moves manually from a first position to a second position in order to adjust a technical system or technical subsystem of the vehicle, a drive which configures the technical system according to the position of the control component, an interface which converts the movement of the control component into a control signal for the drive, wherein the movement of the control component by hand from the first position via the interface activates the drive and the drive effects the adjustment of the technical system corresponding to the second position of the control component.

[0002] The interior of modern vehicles is characterized by a large number of different controls. Examples include controls for adjusting air vents or seat position. In the past, these were typically mechanical controls for adjusting the mechanics. In the vehicle, controls must be able to be operated without having to take one's eyes off the road. This is where the advantages of mechanical controls come into play, providing not only fast and "blind" operation but also haptic feedback.

[0003] Due to increasing technological advances, electrical controls and actuators are increasingly finding their way into vehicle interiors. Electrical controls and actuators offer a number of advantages: for example, it is now possible to save seat positions so that drivers of different heights automatically return to their usual seating position, or to electrically adjust airflows to the desired direction and strength, for example, to fan them. However, these innovations also bring disadvantages: directly operating the electrical controls is often less convenient, less intuitive, often requires eye contact, and the adjustment process (be it adjusting the air outlets or the seat position) often takes more time.

[0004] US 2921 / 0370897 A1 discloses an automatically controlled braking system for a two-wheeler. In one embodiment, the hand-operated brake control element is provided with at least one pressure, motion, or angle sensor operatively connected to a control unit that receives the sensor signals and converts them into actuator signals for an automatic actuator. The actuator can be an electromechanical actuator with an electric motor kinematically connected to a pressure element, for example, for a brake disc of the braking device, to achieve a braking effect.

[0005] CN 113 547 899 concerns an air intake that can be adjusted manually in low-priced vehicles and electrically in high-priced vehicles. The direction of the incoming airflow can be regulated simultaneously in two directions. With the electrical adjustment, two drive motors are located outside the fan housing, which together can adjust the airflow direction. With the manual adjustment, the air guide elements are adjusted directly by hand.

[0006] Since safety in traffic is a high priority, there is a need for a control element that is easy to operate without distracting the driver and that responds quickly to the driver's input.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of combining the advantages of manual operation with the advantages of electrical or electromechanical operation in an operating element of the type mentioned at the outset and of creating a method for using the operating element.

[0008] This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1 and the method steps specified in claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a hybrid control element in a vehicle, comprising a control component that a user moves manually from a first position to a second position in order to adjust a technical system or technical subsystem of the vehicle, such as a driver assistance system or comfort system, an actuator that configures the technical system according to the position of the control component, and an interface that converts a movement of the control component into a control signal for the actuator, wherein the movement of the control component by hand from the first position via the interface activates the actuator and the actuator effects the adjustment of the technical system corresponding to the second position of the control component.

[0010] This means that the hybrid control element combines the advantages of a mechanical control element with those of electrical adjustment mechanisms. With the hybrid control element, the technical system can be adjusted quickly and spontaneously without the application of force. The force for adjusting the components of the technical system to be adjusted is provided by an actuator, such as an electric servomotor, which is coupled or connected to the components to be adjusted.

[0011] The hybrid control element is therefore an adjustable component of the technical system, the mechanical adjustment of which is initiated manually by the user using the control component in the vehicle interior or, as explained later, carried out directly by hand.

[0012] The operating component can be, for example, a toggle lever, a slider, a rotary knob, or a push button. The operating component can also be an operating lever with which a single, several, or all technical systems can be manipulated. In the case that several or all technical systems can be manipulated with the same operating lever, the user can select the technical system desired, for example, by moving the direction of the operating lever, such as up and down, or right and left. If the technical system can be set to several discrete positions, the operating lever can set the technical system from one discrete position to the next discrete position by moving it once as far as it will go in the direction assigned to the technical system, for example, up.This movement can be repeated by the user as often as necessary until the desired setting of the technical system is achieved.

[0013] Moving the control component from a first position to a second position means moving the control component from an actual or current starting position to the next, the next but one, or any other position that is not the starting position. In the simplest design, the control component can only assume two positions and can be moved back and forth between these positions.

[0014] The actuator can, for example, be a servomotor, such as an electric servomotor, that drives the actuator or moves components of the technical system. The actuator can be a force and / or motion transmission element driven by the servomotor. The transmission element can convert a rotary motion of the servomotor into a linear motion or vice versa, and / or increase or decrease the speed of the servomotor. The technical system can comprise multiple actuators that operate in a predetermined sequence or synchronously when the control component is moved.

[0015] The interface can be a controller that receives the first signal when the user grasps the control component and moves it from its initial position. Upon receipt of the first signal, the controller can directly activate the actuator or multiple actuators and, via the actuator(s), the actuator(s), so that the actuator(s) implement the movement of the control component synchronously or at least essentially synchronously, i.e., simultaneously effect the desired setting of the technical system by adjusting the control component.

[0016] When adjusting the control component, the user can experience haptic feedback, for example, a resistance that inhibits movement of the control component in various discrete positions. This allows them to move the control component to the desired position with great certainty, even without visual contact. In the case of the control lever, it can be moved several times in succession in one direction to achieve the desired setting from several discrete positions.

[0017] An override function enables the user to manually manipulate the technical system at any time using the operating component, bypassing the drive. This means that the user can, for example, separate the connection between the operator component, controller and drive by pushing in or pulling out the operating component and operate the technical system directly by hand without activating the actuator(s). The settings for the corresponding components of the technical system are then made directly and exclusively by hand. As soon as the user releases the operating component in the end position, the operating component can be automatically moved back to its original position, for example by a restoring force, where it is reconnected to the interface upon further movement.

[0018] The arrangement of the control component in the vehicle ensures that the user, in particular the vehicle operator or driver, can safely find the control component and operate it without any problem without visual contact.

[0019] If several hybrid control elements are installed next to each other or within close proximity of each other in the vehicle, the shape of the control components ensures that the user can clearly distinguish between the individual control elements without visual contact. This ensures that the user can grasp and operate the control element associated with the desired hybrid control element using buttons. Instead of differing in shape, the multiple control components can also be distinguished by a surface structure or by a different number of notches, for example.

[0020] Because the operating component is shaped and / or has a surface structure that allows it to be safely operated with, for example, one, two or three fingers or the entire hand, it is ensured that the user does not slip off the operating component when moving it and is thus distracted.

[0021] The size and / or arrangement of the control component in the vehicle ensures that the control component is easy to grasp and adjust by hand.

[0022] The technical system may, for example, be a ventilation system for the vehicle interior, a seat adjustment, an air conditioning system, a device for opening / closing a sunroof in several steps or another technical system that is operated by the user while driving in order to change an actual setting of the technical system.

[0023] The component may be an element for opening and closing the air outlets in the vehicle interior, an element for adjusting a fan, an element for adjusting a seat position, or an element for opening / closing a sunroof.

[0024] For example, instead of having to operate and adjust the air vents electrically, the hybrid control element allows the user to manually adjust the air vents using a mechanical-electrical control element. This element resembles a purely mechanical control element, but transmits the movement of the control component via signal to an electric drive. This allows the user to operate the air vents mechanically as usual, while the actual adjustment is carried out electrically.

[0025] Both mechanical and electric adjustment options are available for the driver and front passenger seats. Hybrid controls allow the electric adjustment to be mechanically overridden at any time, enabling quick and intuitive seat position adjustment.

[0026] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a technical system, such as a driver assistance system or a comfort system, of a vehicle with the hybrid control element, which was described in the first aspect.

[0027] In a first method step, the vehicle user grasps the operating component of the hybrid control element for the selected technical system by hand and moves it from the first or starting position to the second or setting position. In a second method step, the movement of the operating component from the first position sends a signal to the interface or the controller. In a third method step, the controller activates the servo motor or actuator for the adjustable components of the technical system and immediately begins to change the current setting of the technical system. In a fourth method step, the actuator sets the technical system synchronously with the movement of the operating component. In a fifth method step, the actuator is deactivated when the operating component is in the second position and the technical system is configured accordingly.

[0028] The shape of the control component, its size and arrangement in the vehicle ensure that the vehicle user can safely grasp the control component without eye contact and move it from the first position to the second position.

[0029] The actuator can, for example, be an electric servo motor that is connected to the adjustable components of the hybrid control element either directly or via a gear.

[0030] All features of the hybrid control element described in the first aspect can also be read into the method, and vice versa.

[0031] A third aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a hybrid control element having the features described in the first aspect.

[0032] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to figures. The invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures, but is defined solely by the claims. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1: an air outlet with hybrid control element; Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b: an air outlet with hybrid control element in an override mode; Fig. 3 a sketchy representation of a method for operating a hybrid control element.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a hybrid control element 100 for a technical system (FAS) of a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the FAS technical system comprises an air outlet 2 with two slats 3, 4, each of which can be pivoted about a pivot axis S1, S2 to close, partially open, or fully open the air outlet 2. The slats 3, 4 are connected to each other via a rigid linkage 5 and are pivoted synchronously.

[0034] The hybrid control element 100 comprises an operating component 10, a controller 20, a servomotor 30, and an actuator 40 driven by the servomotor 30. The servomotor 30 can itself form the actuator 40.

[0035] The operating component 10 comprises a sensor 11, which detects when the operating component 10 is moved and in which direction the operating component 10 is moved relative to the air outlet 2. The sensor 11 is connected to the controller 20 via a line L1. The controller 20, in turn, is connected to the actuator 30 via a line L2. The actuator 40 is connected to the linkage 5 of the air outlet 2. A line is referred to here as any connection, be it a radio connection, a cable connection, or an optical connection.

[0036] If a user now grasps the operating component 10 and moves it in the direction of the double arrow, the sensor 11 sends a signal to the controller 20. The controller 20 receives the signal, converts the received signal into a control signal for the actuator 30, and sends this control signal almost synchronously to the actuator 30. The actuator 30 activates the actuator 40, and the slats 3, 4 of the air outlet 2 are adjusted essentially synchronously with the movement of the operating component 10.

[0037] The Fig. 2 shows another hybrid control element 100'. In contrast to the hybrid control element 100 of Fig. 1, the hybrid control element 100' has an override function that allows the control component 10' to be mechanically connected directly to the slats 3, 4 of the air outlet 2, so that the technical system FAS can be adjusted directly by hand by the user.

[0038] The Fig. Figure 2a shows the hybrid control element 100', which is electrically connected to the control unit 20 via lines L11 and L12. The lines L11 and L12 are separably connected to each other in a switch 60. At the same time, the hybrid control element 100' is connected to the rod 5 of the air outlet 2 via a separable mechanical connection M1, M2. The separable connection comprises a coupling 70 with an engagement element 71 and a counter-engagement element 72. The mechanical connection M1, M2 is in the Fig. 2a is separated, the electrical connection is closed via the switch 60. The hybrid control element 100' of the Fig. 2a is in electric mode and thus corresponds to the hybrid control element 100 of the Fig. 1.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 2b shows the hybrid control element 100' in mechanical mode. The control component 10' has been pressed in the direction of the arrow, causing the engagement element 71 of the coupling 70 to engage with the counter-engagement element 72. The control component can be moved in the directions of the double arrow. By pressing the control component 10', the coupling 70 has been closed, allowing the user to directly adjust the FAS technical system manually. At the same time, the electrical connection L11, L12 in the switch 60 has been disconnected, so that the controller 20 no longer receives a signal from the sensor 21 when the control component 10' is moved. The actuator 30 can no longer drive the actuator 40. The actuator 40 is in freewheel mode and moves when the slats 3, 4 are moved mechanically or the actuator 40 is physically separated from the linkage 5.

[0040] The Fig.3 shows a sketch of a method for setting a technical system FAS with a hybrid control element 100.

[0041] In a first method step I, the user of the vehicle grasps the operating component 10 of a selected hybrid operating element 100 for a selected technical system FAS by hand and moves it from the first or starting position to the second or setting position. In a second method step II, the movement of the operating component 10 from the first position sends a signal to an interface, for example the controller 20. In a third method step III, the controller 20 activates the servo motor 30 and / or actuator 40 for adjusting components 3, 4 of the selected technical system FAS. The actuator 40 immediately begins to change the current setting of the technical system FAS. In a fourth method step IV, the actuator 40 sets the technical system FAS synchronously with the movement of the operating component 10.In a fifth method step V, the actuator 40 is deactivated when the operating component 10 is in the second position and the technical system FAS is configured accordingly.

[0042] Optionally, the user can decide in the first process step I whether the setting of the technical system FAS should be carried out directly by hand or indirectly via the actuator 30, which is, for example, an electric actuator.

[0043] The dashed auxiliary line HL1, which connects the first process step I with the fourth process step IV, represents the adjustment of the FAS technical system directly by hand. The dash-dotted auxiliary line HL2, which connects the second process step II with the fourth process step IV, represents the adjustment of the FAS technical system by means of actuator 40. The fact that the auxiliary line HL1 is connected to the fourth process step IV in the upper half and the auxiliary line HL2 in the lower half is intended to indicate that the adjustment of the FAS technical system by hand can be performed slightly faster than adjustment by means of actuator 40. List of reference symbols 100 hybrid control element 100' hybrid control element 2 air outlet 3 lamella; component 4 lamella; component 5 rods 10 Operating components 10' control component 20 Interface, control 30 Actuator, drive, servo motor 40 Actuator; force and / or motion transmission element 60 switches 70 Coupling 71 engagement element 72 Counter-engagement element I Process step II Process step III Process step IV Process step V Process step FAS technical system HL1 auxiliary line HL2 auxiliary line L1 line L2 line L11 line L12 line M1 connection M2 connection QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2921 / 0370897 A1

[0004] CN 113 547 899

[0005]

Claims

[1] Hybrid control element (100; 100') in a vehicle, with an operating component (10; 10') which a user moves manually from a first position to a second position in order to adjust a technical system (FAS), a drive (30) which configures the technical system (FAS) according to the position of the operating component (10; 10'), an interface (20) which converts the movement of the operating component (10; 10') into a control signal for the drive (30), wherein the movement of the operating component (10; 10') by hand from the first position via the interface (20) activates the drive (30) and the drive (30) effects the setting of the technical system (FAS) corresponding to the second position of the operating component (10; 10'). [2] Operating element according to claim 1, wherein the operating component (10; 10') is a rocker lever, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a push button switch, a rotary knob or an operating lever. [3] Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the user experiences haptic feedback when adjusting the operating component (10; 10'), for example a locking of the operating component (10; 10') in different setting positions. [4] Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (30) adjusts the hybrid operating element (100; 100') directly or via an actuator (40). [5] Operating element according to claim 4, wherein the actuator (40) is a force and / or movement transmission element. [6] Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an override function for the hybrid operating element (100; 100') enables the user at any time to manipulate the technical system (FAS) directly by hand, bypassing the drive (30) with the operating component (10; 10'). [7] Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating component (10; 10') is arranged in the vehicle so that the user can grasp and operate it without visual contact. [8] Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein operating components (10; 10') for different technical systems (FAS) can be clearly identified by touch based on the shape or the surface structure. [9] Operating element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hybrid operating element (100; 100') is an adjustable component of the technical system (FAS), the adjustment of which causes an effect that can be detected by the user. [10] Control element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the technical system (FAS) is a ventilation system for the vehicle interior, a seat adjustment, an air conditioning system or a device for opening / closing a sunroof. [11] Control element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hybrid control element (100; 100') is provided for opening and closing the air outlets into the vehicle interior, for adjusting a fan, for adjusting a seat position or for opening / closing a sunroof. [12] Method for operating a technical system (FAS) of a vehicle with a hybrid operating element (100; 100') according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the operating component (10; 10') of the technical system (FAS) is gripped by hand by a user of the vehicle and moved from the first position to the second position, by moving the operating component (10; 10') from the first position, a signal is sent to the interface (20), an actuator (30; 40) is activated by the interface (20), the technical system (FAS) is adjusted by the actuator (30; 40), so that the technical system (FAS) is configured according to the second position of the operating component (10; 10'). [13] Method according to claim 12, wherein the user of the vehicle grasps the operating component (10; 10') of the hybrid operating element (100; 100') without eye contact and moves it from the first position to the second position. [14] Method according to claim 12, wherein the actuator (30; 40) is an electric servo motor (30) or a force and / or motion transmission element (40). [15] Vehicle with a hybrid control element (100; 100') according to one of claims 1 to 11.

Images