Method for generating haptic and / or acoustic feedback, use of a vibration sensor to carry out the method and vehicle with a vibration sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for generating haptic and / or acoustic feedback within a vehicle by subjecting at least one vehicle component to a vibration sensor at the resonant frequency of the vehicle component. The invention further relates to the use of at least one vibration sensor for carrying out the method and / or a vehicle with at least one vibration sensor configured for carrying out the method and for the aforementioned use. To propose a method, a use, and a vehicle with which vibration-based feedback can be implemented with minimal effort and in a cost-effective manner, the vibration sensor is designed to be a vehicle component configured to fulfill a primary function and a secondary function, the secondary function being the subjecting of the vehicle component to its resonant frequency.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for generating haptic and / or acoustic feedback on at least one component of a vehicle by subjecting the at least one vehicle component to a resonance frequency of the vehicle component by means of at least one vibration sensor.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of at least one vibration sensor for carrying out the method.

[0003] Finally, the invention relates to a vehicle with at least one vibration sensor, which is equipped for carrying out the method and for the aforementioned use.

[0004] Modern vehicles offer users a wide range of options for inputting control commands or other information into the vehicle's peripheral devices. To confirm a successful input, the user receives feedback, informing them immediately whether the input was successful, needs correction, or must be repeated. This feedback is typically provided via acoustic signals generated by a speaker or as vibrations produced by a vibration generator. Conventional vibration generators are complex to manufacture, maintain, install, and, in the event of a malfunction, service or replacement. Furthermore, the vibration generators must be connected to the vehicle's power supply and control unit, making the generation of the desired feedback using separate vibration generators very complex and therefore expensive.

[0005] Vehicles with separate vibration generators to produce feedback are known from EP 3410265 A1, WO 2018 / 013557 A1 and WO 2018 / 219832 A1.

[0006] Starting from this premise, the object of the present invention is to propose a method, a use and a vehicle with which vibration-based feedback can be implemented with minimal effort and in a cost-effective manner.

[0007] This problem is solved by the method according to claim 1, the use according to claim 9 and the vehicle according to claim 10.

[0008] According to the invention, the vibration sensor is a vehicle component designed to fulfill a primary function and a secondary function, the secondary function being to subject the vehicle component to its resonant frequency.

[0009] The vibration sensor is permanently attached to the vehicle. The vibrations generated by the sensor propagate as structure-borne sound along all vehicle components, so that all vehicle components are subjected to the sensor's vibrations. However, these vibrations have such a low amplitude that they are only perceptible on those vehicle components that are subjected to the component's own resonant frequency, because resonance produces a vibration with a comparatively high and perceptible amplitude. The single vibration sensor thus fulfills several functions, namely the primary and secondary functions, eliminating the need for separate vibration generators.This eliminates the need to manufacture, store, assemble, maintain, replace, and integrate separate vibration generators into a vehicle's power supply and control system, thus saving the associated costs. Furthermore, vehicle components that previously could not be vibrated due to limited installation space can now be functionalized as touch interfaces.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified below and in the dependent claims.

[0011] Preferably, the vehicle component is subjected to its resonant frequency in response to a control input, particularly in response to a control input from a vehicle-integrated peripheral device. The vehicle-integrated peripheral device can be, in particular, a navigation system, an infotainment system, or a climate control system. Furthermore, the vehicle-integrated peripheral device can also be a peripheral device that is controlled from outside the vehicle or at least has an effect outside the vehicle. In this sense, the peripheral device can, for example, be a device for opening the trunk lid, whereby the trunk lid vibrates when opened. In this context, the vibrating trunk lid acts as a touch interface that is also designed to detect vibrations from outside the vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the vehicle component is at least one rotating component that, for the intended fulfillment of its primary function, rotates at a speed that does not subject the vehicle component to its resonant frequency. For the secondary function, however, the rotating vehicle component is designed to rotate at a speed that does subject the vehicle component to its resonant frequency. The rotational speed of the component can be increased or decreased depending on the speed required for the intended fulfillment of the primary function and the resonant frequency. The primary function of the vibration sensor continues to be fulfilled regardless of the change in rotational speed, so that the affected vehicle components are essentially unaffected by the fulfillment of the secondary function.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rotational speeds of several rotating components are coordinated such that the vehicle component is subjected to its resonant frequency. By superimposing the vibrations of several vibration sensors, the resonant spectrum can be filled, and several vibration sensors interact in such a way that a perceptible vibration is generated.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vehicle component is a fan, such that the primary function of the vehicle component relates to the generation of an airflow. In particular, it is provided that the fan is designed as an engine fan, a fan of an air conditioning system, or a fan of vehicle lighting.

[0015] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the vehicle component that is subjected to the resonant frequency is - a part of the vehicle body, in particular a side door, a tailgate or a vehicle roof, or - a part of the interior trim, especially a door panel or headliner, or - a control element for controlling vehicle-specific peripheral devices, in particular a push button, a pressure switch, a slide switch, a rotary switch or a touch display.

[0016] In all these cases, the duration of the feedback, in the form of perceptible and / or audible vibrations, is arbitrary and adaptable to the desired function. Besides individual, defined impulses lasting less than 1 second, sequences of signals (patterns) are also possible, which can differ not only in their duration but also in their intensity. In this way, different rhythms can be generated.

[0017] A specific embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1. A flowchart of a process and Fig. 2 a partially cutaway top view of a vehicle.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a procedure 100 for generating 50 haptic and acoustic feedback. Fig. Figure 2 shows the use 200 of a vibration sensor 10 for carrying out the procedure 100 and a partially cutaway top view of a vehicle 300 with the vibration sensor 10, which is set up for carrying out the procedure 100 and for the intended use 200.

[0019] The vehicle 300 has several vibration sensors 10 in the form of components 11, each designed to fulfill a primary function 51 and a secondary function 52. In the illustrated embodiment, rotating components 12 are shown as vibration sensors 10, designed in the form of fans 13. Specifically, fans 13 are installed in the form of an engine fan 131, a fan 132 of an air conditioning unit 14, and fans 133 of the front vehicle lighting 151, 152. When fulfilling their respective primary functions 51, the fans 13 rotate at a speed that, on the one hand, provides the required heat dissipation (cooling) and, on the other hand, does not subject any component of the vehicle 300 to its resonant frequency, thereby preventing disruptive noise and vibration.For this purpose, the fans 13 are connected to a control unit 16 in which the relevant resonance frequencies of all vehicle components are stored and can be retrieved, so that resonance-free operation of the fans 13 is controlled.

[0020] In fulfilling the secondary function 52 of the fans 13, the rotational speed of at least one fan 13 is changed such that a desired vehicle component 17, in the illustrated embodiment a side door 1711, is subjected to its resonant frequency 53. For this purpose, the fan 13 of the left-side vehicle lighting 151 is rotated at a speed that subjects the side door 1711 to its resonant frequency 53. Alternatively, the vehicle component 17 can also be: - a part of the vehicle body 171, in particular a tailgate 1712 or a vehicle roof 1713, or - a part of the interior trim 172, in particular a door trim 1721 or a headliner 1722, or - a control element 173 for controlling vehicle-owned peripheral devices 18.

[0021] The selection of the fans 13, which are controlled to fulfill the secondary function 52, is carried out by the control unit 16, in which the relevant resonance frequencies of all vehicle components 17 are stored and can be retrieved. By selecting the specific fan 13 to be controlled, or by selecting several specifically controlled fans 13 that together impinge a vehicle component 17 with its resonance frequency, the amplitude of the natural oscillation can be varied. In the case of particularly strong resonances, these are also acoustically perceptible, so that the resonance vibrations of the excited vehicle component 17 represent both acoustic and visual feedback. Reference symbol list 100 procedures 200 uses 300 vehicles 10 vibration sensors 11 Component 12 rotating component 13 Fan 131 Motor fans 132 fans of an air conditioning system 133 fans of a vehicle lighting system 14 Air conditioning unit 151 Vehicle lighting 152 Vehicle lighting 16 Control unit 17 Vehicle components 171 Vehicle body 1711 Side door 1712 Tailgate 1713 Vehicle roof 172 Interior trim 1721 Door trim 1722 Headliner 173 Control element 18 Peripheral device 50 Generating feedback 51 Fulfilling a primary function 52 Fulfilling a secondary function 52 Applying a resonant frequency QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 3410265 A1

[0005] WO 2018 / 013557 A1

[0005] WO 2018 / 219832 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Method (100) for generating (50) a haptic and / or acoustic feedback on at least one component (17) of a vehicle (300), in which the at least one vehicle component (17) is subjected to a resonance frequency of the vehicle component (17) by means of at least one vibration generator (10), characterized by that the vibration generator (10) is a vehicle component (11) which is designed to fulfil (51) a primary function and to fulfil (52) a secondary function, wherein the secondary function is the application (53) of its resonance frequency to the vehicle component (17). [2] Method (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the application (53) of its resonant frequency to the vehicle component (17) occurs in response to a control input, in particular in response to a control input in a vehicle's own peripheral device (18). [3] Method (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the vehicle component (11) is at least one rotating vehicle component (12) which, in order to fulfil (51) the primary function as intended, rotates at a speed which does not subject the vehicle component (17) to its resonant frequency. [4] Method (100) according to claim 3, characterized by that the rotating vehicle component (12) rotates at a speed to fulfill (52) the secondary function, which applies its resonance frequency to the vehicle component (17). [5] Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the rotational speeds of several rotating components (12) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the vehicle component is subjected to its resonance frequency. [6] Method (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the rotating vehicle component (12) is a fan (13). [7] Method (100) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the fan (13) is designed to fulfil (51) the primary function as an engine fan (131), fan (132) of an air conditioning device (14) or fan (133) of a vehicle lighting system (151, 152). [8] Method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the vehicle component (17) - is a part of the vehicle body (171), in particular a side door (1711), a tailgate (1712) or a vehicle roof (1713); - is a part of the interior trim (172), in particular a door trim (1721) or a headliner (1722); - an operating element (173) for controlling vehicle-specific peripheral devices (18), in particular a push-button switch, a pressure switch, a slide switch, a rotary switch or a touch display. [9] Use (200) of at least one vibration generator (10) for carrying out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vibration generator (10) is a vehicle component (11) which is designed to fulfil (51) the primary function and to fulfil (52) the secondary function, wherein the secondary function is the application (53) of its resonant frequency to the vehicle component (17). [10] Vehicle (300) with at least one vibration generator (10) which is designed to carry out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or for use (200) according to claim 9, wherein the vibration generator (10) is a vehicle component (11) which is designed to fulfil (51) the primary function and to fulfil (52) the secondary function, wherein the secondary function is the application (53) of its resonant frequency to the vehicle component (17).

Images