Operating device for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle with an operating device and method for operating a vehicle function

Abstract

Control device (10) for a motor vehicle (16), comprising: - a roller control element (12) which is rotatably mounted and has a sensor for detecting a rotary movement of the roller control element (12); - a keycap (14) surrounding the roller control element (14); - a button (20) located below the roller control element (12); - a drive element (22) that couples the keycap (14) to the roller control element (12); and - a control unit (24); - wherein the roller control element (12) and the keycap (14) are pivotably mounted, and the button (20) is arranged such that it can be actuated by pressing the roller control element (12); - wherein the drive element (22) is designed to drive the roller control element (12) to actuate the button (20) when the keycap (14) is pressed and to decouple the roller control element (12) from the keycap (14) when the roller control element (12) is pressed; - wherein the control unit (24) is designed to provide a roller pressure control signal when the button (20) is activated by the roller control element (12); - wherein the keycap (14) has a touch sensor (18) configured to detect a touch input on the keycap (14); and - wherein the control unit (24) is further configured to provide a key control signal when the button (20) is activated and a touch input is simultaneously detected on the keycap (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such an operating device and a method for operating a vehicle function.

[0002] Operating devices featuring a rotating drum for selecting functions or menu items are known. This drum is often surrounded by additional buttons that provide further functions. It is also possible for the drum itself to function as a separate button, meaning it can be pressed. To differentiate between input from the buttons and the drum, multiple pushbuttons are typically provided to detect corresponding pressure signals on the buttons and the drum, respectively. However, a disadvantage of using multiple pushbuttons is the increased space requirement and higher cost of the operating device.

[0003] From DE 10 2013 003 574 A1, a pressure- and rotary-operated control element for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a cylindrical input element rotatably mounted on a bearing block, a rotary sensor for detecting rotary actuations of the input element, the bearing block being supported on at least one monostable spring element arranged on a base surface, which is load-bearing perpendicular to the base surface, and the bearing block being slidably and pivotably mounted about two bearing points, a movement of the bearing block mechanically acting on a web-like transmission element coupled to the spring element, the transmission element being pivotably arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the transmission element is always aligned parallel to the base surface and a pivoting action changes the distance of the transmission element to the base surface, and force-free actuating sensors are provided.can detect the movements of the bearing block caused by pressure actuations of the input element.

[0004] From DE 10 2018 120 561 A1, a multifunctional control element for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a housing with a support element on which an input element with a touch-sensitive user interface having at least one control field, in particular a touchpad or a touch display, is arranged, wherein the support element is movably mounted relative to the housing via at least one return element, wherein the input element, in particular the touch-sensitive user interface, is assigned at least one first touch sensor, which is designed to generate a first touch signal when touched and / or approached in the direction of actuation of the input element by a user and / or an object, wherein at least the first touch sensor is arranged in and / or on the housing, and / or the input element, in particular the touch-sensitive user interface, is assigned at least one first force sensor.which is designed to generate a force signal depending on a force acting in the direction of actuation of the input part, wherein at least the first force sensor is arranged in and / or on the housing, wherein the multifunctional control element comprises at least one mechanical rotary switch for selecting functions on the motor vehicle, wherein a force transmission lever is provided inside the housing which is connected to the rotary switch, wherein, to detect the pressure actuation of the rotary switch, the force transmission lever activates a second force sensor which generates a second force signal when the rotary switch is pressure actuated.

[0005] From DE 103 15 721 A1, an operating device for motor vehicles is known with a display on which menus, functions and function values ​​can be shown and selected by means of a control element.

[0006] From DE 10 2008 049 122 A1, a control element for technical systems in vehicles is known, comprising four separately operable touch elements and a rotatably mounted roller which can be deflected by pressure perpendicular to its axis of rotation, wherein the four touch elements are arranged crosswise and the rotatably mounted roller is located in the middle between the crosswise arranged touch elements, wherein the axis of rotation runs parallel to the plane of the touch elements and the deflectability of the roller is perpendicular to this plane.

[0007] From EP 0 901 262 B1, a navigation key in a menu for a portable telephone is known. A telephone handset has a display with a keypad, the keypad comprising a group of keys for entering alphanumeric characters and a key for navigating a cursor in the display, the navigation key being positioned between the display and the group of alphanumeric keys, and the navigation key comprising a cylindrical cylinder. The display and the keypad are formed on a front surface of the handset, and the cylindrical cylinder extends partially through an opening in the front surface of the telephone and has a length and diameter of the same size as the width of the keys in the group of keys for entering alphanumeric characters.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved operating device for a motor vehicle.

[0009] This problem is solved by the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0010] According to the invention, an operating device for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a roller control element that is rotatably mounted and has sensors for detecting a rotary movement of the roller control element, a keycap surrounding the roller control element, a push button arranged below the roller control element, a drive element that couples the keycap to the roller control element, and a control unit. The roller control element and the keycap are pivotably mounted, and the push button is arranged such that it can be actuated by pressing the roller control element. The drive element is designed to move the roller control element along with it when the keycap is pressed to actuate the push button, and to decouple the roller control element from the keycap when the roller control element is pressed. When the push button is activated by the roller control element, the control unit is designed to provide a roller pressure control signal.The keycap has a touch sensor designed to detect touch input on the keycap, the control unit further being designed to provide a key control signal when the button is activated and touch input is detected on the keycap.

[0011] In other words, an operating device is provided, which is intended in particular for a motor vehicle and can, for example, control vehicle functions. The operating device can have a roller control element and a keycap surrounding the roller control element. The roller control element can protrude at least partially from a surface defined by the keycap, allowing rotary movements to be performed on the roller control element. These rotary movements can be detected by a sensor to adjust a function. The keycap can preferably have one or more markings representing different key functions. Furthermore, the keycap can preferably have a touch sensor that can detect a touch, in particular a touch position, on the keycap.

[0012] A push button, preferably a microswitch, can be arranged below the roller control element. "Below the roller control element" refers to a position that may be located within the housing of the control device, i.e., in a direction / side facing away from the user. When activated or pressed, the push button can be configured to provide haptic and / or acoustic feedback, preferably generated mechanically.

[0013] The roller control element and the keycap can be pivotally mounted, particularly relative to a housing of the control device, so that at least the roller control element can be pressed towards the keypad to activate it. In this configuration, a control unit of the control device can generate a roller rotation control signal when only the keypad is activated, which can be used, for example, to control or select vehicle functions. When the keycap is actuated, it can be provided that it is also pressed downwards, whereby the roller control element is driven along by a follower element, so that the roller control element activates the keypad. The follower element can detachably couple the keycap to the roller control element.This means that when the keycap is pressed, the drive element carries the roller control element and thus presses on the button, and when only the roller control element is pressed, it can be decoupled from the drive element without damage, so that only the roller is pushed downwards.

[0014] When the keycap is pressed, thereby activating the button by moving the roller control element, the control unit can detect this because, in addition to the button activation, a touch input is also received on the touch-sensitive keycap. In this case, the control unit can provide a key control signal that corresponds to the touch input.

[0015] The drive element can be provided as a housing or cage within the operating device, whereby this housing can have a pivotally mounted axis for the roller control element. Furthermore, the housing itself can be pivotally mounted, with the keycap resting on this housing or cage, so that when the keycap is pressed, the entire housing, including the roller control element, can also pivot.

[0016] The invention offers the advantage of saving components and costs, since not every key on the keycap requires its own button.

[0017] The invention also includes embodiments that offer additional advantages.

[0018] One embodiment provides that the keycap's touch sensor is designed to detect a point of contact on the keycap, and the control unit is designed to provide a key control signal dependent on the point of contact. Thus, the activation of different keys on the keycap can be distinguished by means of the point of contact.

[0019] A preferred embodiment provides that the drive element has a force sensor configured to detect a force signal between the keycap and the roller control element when the keycap is pressed, and wherein the control unit is configured to provide the key control signal only when a force signal is also present. In other words, the activation of the keycap can be attributed to the force signal of the force sensor. For this purpose, the force sensor can be located in or on the drive element and measure a force between the roller control element and the keycap. Since the roller control element is decoupled from the drive element when only the keycap is pressed, there is no or only a minimal force between the roller control element and the keycap.However, when the keycap is pressed, the roller control element is moved along by the drive element, resulting in a greater force being exerted between them, which can be detected by the force sensor. This additional force sensor has the advantage of allowing for a more precise distinction between pressing the roller control element and pressing the keycap. In particular, when operating the roller control element, an unintentional additional contact with the keycap can occur, which could lead to a false detection. This can be avoided by measuring the force sensor.

[0020] The force sensor can be implemented as a capacitive force sensor. This means that the applied force can be detected by a change in the sensor's capacitance. Alternatively, the force sensor can be designed as a strain gauge. This means that the force signal can be detected by a deformation of the strain gauge and a change in its electrical resistance.

[0021] Alternatively, the force sensor can be designed as a piezoelectric force sensor. In this case, an electrical voltage can be generated by compressing the piezoelectric force sensor, which then provides the force signal.

[0022] Another embodiment of the operating device provides for a second button located beneath the keycap, with the control unit designed to provide the key control signal only upon additional activation of the second button. This means that, in addition to the activation of the (first) button beneath the roller control element and the touch input on the keycap, a further signal can be provided by the second button before the key control signal is issued. The second button offers the advantage of preventing unintentional touches of the keycap when the roller control element is pressed, as the second button is only activated when the keycap is pressed.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a previously described operating device. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle, the operating device is arranged on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle. This makes the operating device easily accessible while driving the motor vehicle.

[0025] The invention also provides a method for operating a vehicle function, comprising a previously mentioned operating device, wherein a roller rotation control signal is detected by rotating the roller control element, wherein pressing the roller control element decouples the roller control element from the drive element and activates the button, thereby generating a roller pressure control signal, wherein pressing the button cap causes the drive element to move the roller control element towards the button and activate it, wherein an additional touch input on the touch-sensitive button cap provides a button control signal when the button is activated, wherein the vehicle function is operated by the roller rotation control signal, the roller pressure control signal and / or the button control signal. This offers the same advantages and variations as the operating device.

[0026] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0027] The invention also includes the control device for the motor vehicle. The control device can comprise a data processing device or a processor unit configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor unit can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor unit. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor unit.The processor setup can be based on at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0028] The invention also includes further developments of the method according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the operating device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0029] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be located within the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as an app store server and / or cloud server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and / or as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0030] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0031] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1. an operating device; Fig. 2 A schematic diagram of an operating device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0033] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary control device 10, which can be used to operate vehicle functions. The control device 10 can have at least one roller control element 12, which is rotatably mounted to detect inputs via a rotary movement. The roller control element 12 can also be pivotally mounted so that it can be pressed into the control device 10 to provide a roller pressure control signal. Furthermore, the roller control element 12 can be surrounded by a keycap 14, through which one or more additional buttons for the control device 10 can be provided. For example, the keycap 14 can include buttons for voice control, telephony, and / or other vehicle functions.

[0035] The operating device 10 can preferably be provided in a motor vehicle 16, which is shown in a highly schematic way in this figure. Preferably, the operating device 10 can be arranged in a steering wheel (not shown) of the motor vehicle 12.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the operating device 10. In addition to the roller control element 12 and the keycap 14, a touch sensor 18 can be provided which can detect touch inputs on a surface of the keycap 14. Preferably, a contact point on the keycap 14 can thus be determined, which can be assigned to keys on the keycap 14.

[0037] Furthermore, a push button 20 can be provided, which is arranged below the roller control element 12. The push button 20 can preferably be designed as a microswitch that can provide haptic and acoustic feedback when actuated. In addition, the control device 10 can have a drive element 22 that detachably couples the keycap 14 to the roller control element 12.

[0038] In particular, it can be provided that both the roller control element 12 and the keycap 14 are pivotably mounted so that they can be pressed down. The drive element 22 can be designed such that when the keycap 14 is pressed down, the roller control element 12 is driven along and pressed onto the button 20. However, if only the roller control element 12 is pressed, it can be decoupled from the drive element 22, so that only the roller control element 12 is pressed onto the button 20.

[0039] To differentiate between actuation of the roller control element 12 and the keycap 14, a control unit 24 can be provided that evaluates the signals from the push button 20 and the touch sensor 18. For example, if only the push button 20 is pressed without any additional touch input being detected by the touch sensor 18, the input can be attributed to the roller control element 12. In this case, the control unit 24 can provide a roller pressure control signal. If, in addition to the activation of the push button 20, the control unit 24 detects a touch input from the touch sensor 18, an input can be present on the keycap 14, so that a key control signal can be provided by the control unit 24. Preferably, the contact location of a key on the keycap 14 can be assigned so that a corresponding key control signal can be provided.

[0040] Furthermore, the drive element 22 may be provided with a force sensor 26 that can detect a force signal between the keycap 14 and the roller control element 12. The force sensor 26 may, for example, be a capacitive force sensor, a strain gauge, or a piezoelectric force sensor. If only pressure is applied to the roller control element 12, it is decoupled from the drive element 22, and the force between the roller control element 12 and the keycap 14 may be low. However, if the keycap 14 is pressed and the roller control element 12 is driven by the drive element 22, a larger force signal is generated. Therefore, the key control signal may only be generated if the force signal is also present, particularly if it exceeds a predefined threshold.

[0041] Optionally, a second button 28 can also be provided, located below the keycap 14. When the keycap 14 is pressed downwards, the second button 28 is also activated, thus assigning an input to the keycap 14.

[0042] In another example, a roller control element (roller control element 12) is provided with both a push function and a large surrounding keycap 14. The keycap 14 can be equipped with a sensor for finger position detection. A microswitch (switch 20) can be placed under the roller (roller control element 12), and this microswitch 20 can be used to evaluate the push actuation of the roller 12 and keycap 14. The finger position can be detected on the keycap 14, but not on the roller 12. When the keycap 14 is actuated, the roller 12 is driven by a follower (follower element 22), and the push function is executed on the microswitch 20.

[0043] When the reel 12 is activated, the keycap 14 is not moved. With this function, keycap 14 and reel 12 are decoupled.

[0044] This actuator (drive element 22) can now be equipped with a sensor (force sensor 26) that detects a force being applied between keycap 14 and roller 12, for example by means of a capacitive sensor or strain gauge. If this sensor (force sensor 26) does not detect a force being applied and yet the microswitch 20 is actuated, then it can be assumed that the microswitch 20 was actuated via the roller 12 and not via the keycap 14.

[0045] Overall, the examples show how a push function of a roller control unit can be implemented in a button.

Claims

[1] Control device (10) for a motor vehicle (16), comprising: - a roller control element (12) which is rotatably mounted and has a sensor for detecting a rotary movement of the roller control element (12); - a keycap (14) surrounding the roller control element (14); - a button (20) located below the roller control element (12); - a drive element (22) that couples the keycap (14) to the roller control element (12); and - a control unit (24); - wherein the roller control element (12) and the keycap (14) are pivotably mounted, and the button (20) is arranged such that it can be actuated by pressing the roller control element (12); - wherein the drive element (22) is designed to drive the roller control element (12) to actuate the button (20) when the keycap (14) is pressed and to decouple the roller control element (12) from the keycap (14) when the roller control element (12) is pressed; - wherein the control unit (24) is designed to provide a roller pressure control signal when the button (20) is activated by the roller control element (12); - wherein the keycap (14) has a touch sensor (18) configured to detect a touch input on the keycap (14); and - wherein the control unit (24) is further configured to provide a key control signal when the button (20) is activated and a touch input is simultaneously detected on the keycap (14). [2] Operating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor (18) of the keycap (14) is configured to detect a touch location on the keycap (14), and wherein the control unit (24) is configured to provide a key control signal dependent on the touch location. [3] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (22) has a force sensor (26) which is configured to detect a force signal between the keycap (14) and the roller control element (12) when the keycap (14) is pressed, and wherein the control unit (24) is configured to provide the key control signal only if a force signal is also present. [4] Operating device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the force sensor (26) is a capacitive force sensor. [5] Operating device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the force sensor (26) is a strain gauge. [6] Operating device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the force sensor (26) is a piezoelectric force sensor. [7] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second button (28) is arranged under the keycap (14), wherein the control unit (24) is configured to provide the key control signal only when the second button (28) is additionally activated. [8] Motor vehicle (16) with an operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Motor vehicle (16) according to claim 8, wherein the operating device (10) is arranged on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle (16). [10] Method for operating a vehicle function, comprising an operating device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a roller rotation control signal is detected by rotating the roller control element (12), wherein by pressing the roller control element (12) the roller control element (12) is decoupled from the drive element (22) and the button (20) is actuated, thereby generating a roller pressure control signal, wherein by pressing the keycap (14) the drive element (22) moves the roller control element (12) onto the button (20) and activates it, wherein by the additional touch input on the touch-sensitive keycap (14) when the button (20) is activated a key control signal is provided, wherein the vehicle function is operated by the roller rotation control signal, the roller pressure control signal and / or the key control signal.

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