Control element and motor vehicle with the control element

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element 100 for controlling at least two drive devices, provided with a control device configured to detect a drive actuation and a selection actuation of the operating element 100. Upon detection of a selection actuation of the operating element 100, the control device is configured to add one or more drive devices corresponding to the selection actuation from the at least two drive devices as selected drive device(s) to a selection list or to remove them from this selection list. Furthermore, upon detection of a drive actuation, the control device is configured to activate each selected drive device in the selection list in accordance with the drive actuation.In addition, the control device is configured to detect a drive actuation upon detection of a displacement of the operating element 100 along a longitudinal axis of the operating element 100.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating element for controlling at least two drive devices according to the preamble of patent claim 1. It further relates to a motor vehicle with at least one respective operating element. State of the art

[0002] In a motor vehicle with multiple electric windows, a control element is usually located in an armrest for a seat, such as the driver's seat, which is arranged in a door. This control element is used to instruct the opening and closing of one or more windows using the electric window regulator(s). Several individual window regulator controls are usually arranged near the driver's seat for each window to be opened. These classic window regulator controls are easy to use, safe, and have a good feel. One disadvantage, however, is that they take up a relatively large amount of space and are usually arranged in a recess and / or in a carrier panel. Therefore, a frame for the controls is usually necessary and there may be gaps and slots between the controls, carrier panel, and frame. This can be disadvantageous because dirt and dust can collect in these gaps and slots.In addition, they often look cluttered, or these control elements usually have a complex design, which is associated with high costs.

[0003] While traditional window regulator controls can be raised or lowered, there are now efforts to install so-called slider controls that can be pushed forward or backward. However, these sliders or sliding switches can have the disadvantage of being unsafe to operate, and even a slight accidental touch can cause the windows to open or close. This is dangerous in cases where, for example, a body part is in the window opening.

[0004] However, with both the classic controls and the sliders, each window has to be operated individually and it is easy to confuse front and rear controls.

[0005] Small window regulator rockers also have the disadvantage that they are usually not easy to operate, that they are mechanically less stable due to their small size, that they still require a cover and that the risk of incorrect operation is even greater than with classic window regulator switches.

[0006] In this regard, document DE 10 2020 200 954 A1 discloses an operating element for operating at least two drive devices. The operating element comprises a cover layer with a front and a back, at least two contact surfaces for selecting one of the at least two drive devices, a capacitive layer for detecting touch signals, and a switch for actuating one or both of the at least two drive devices. The operating element is characterized by at least one pressure sensor for detecting a pressure acting on the cover layer. However, the risk of incorrect operation remains high, and the user must look at the operating element to operate the windows safely.

[0007] Furthermore, the document DE 103 15 841 A1 discloses an operating device with haptic feedback, wherein the operating device comprises at least one actuating element, at least one switching device, and at least one adjusting device. The at least one actuating element is displaceable in at least one degree of freedom, the at least one actuating element comprises at least one number of the devices, and a force can be exerted on the at least one actuating element by means of the one adjusting device. However, the actuating element is small and therefore difficult to operate.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide an operating element for controlling drive devices which has a novel operating concept and is easy and safe to operate.

[0009] The core of the invention is to provide a control element that can be pushed or displaced forwards and backwards as a single piece to actuate the selected drive devices or window lifters. One or more drive devices can be selected or deselected by means of a tilting movement. The control element can also have additional actuation options to initiate additional functionalities.

[0010] The object of the invention is solved by the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments are disclosed in the dependent patent claims of the following description and the figures.

[0011] The invention provides an operating element for controlling at least two drive devices, comprising a control device configured to detect a drive actuation and a selection actuation of the operating element. Upon detection of a selection actuation of the operating element, the control device is configured to add one or more drive devices from the at least two drive devices corresponding to the selection actuation to a selection list as selected drive device(s) or to remove them from this selection list. Furthermore, upon detection of a drive actuation, the control device is configured to activate each selected drive device in the selection list in accordance with the drive actuation. Furthermore, the control device is configured to detect a drive actuation upon detection of a displacement of the operating element along a longitudinal axis of the operating element.

[0012] For example, the control element can be used to control at least two drive devices such as windows, roller blinds or darkening mechanisms. The detection of the drive actuation or the selection actuation of the control element can be carried out by means of one or more sensor devices, which can for example be integrated in the control element. Upon detection of a predetermined actuation of the control element, which can be detected as a selection actuation, one or more drive devices can be added to or removed from a selection list, i.e. can be selected or deselected. The drive devices listed in the selection list are also referred to as selected drive devices. In this case, actuation means use and operation of the control element by a user of the control element, who is preferably a vehicle occupant.

[0013] Upon detection of a drive actuation, each selected drive device in the selection list is activated, triggered, or initiated accordingly, according to the drive actuation. This means that, for example, upon movement of the entire control element (the control element can, for example, have a one-piece cap that can be moved or shifted forwards and backwards) forwards (or in the forward direction of the vehicle), a predetermined drive direction of the drive device can be activated. Upon detection of movement of the control element in an opposite direction (i.e., an opposite drive actuation, for example, in a reverse direction of the vehicle), an opposite drive direction of the drive device can be activated.For the example of a window, this can mean that, for example, the selected windows can be opened upon a forward actuation or forward movement of the control element, or the selected windows can be closed upon a backward actuation or backward actuation or backward movement of the control element. This can also mean that a drive actuation can be detected upon a forward or backward displacement of the control element along a longitudinal axis of the control element, which can usually be a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle in which the control element is installed. Alternatively, merely the application of a force (for example by one or more pressure sensors integrated in the control element) along the longitudinal axis or longitudinal direction of the control element can be detected as a drive actuation.

[0014] The invention has the advantage that excellent usability, safety, and haptics can be achieved using the individual control element. A selection operation of the control element can, for example, be a tap on the control element or a tap on the corners of the control element. Other possible selection operations are described below.

[0015] In addition, the control element according to the invention requires less installation space and less visible surface area. Furthermore, no recess is required, and the control element can be arranged, for example, in an armrest without the provision of a panel or frame. If, for example, all four windows of a conventional motor vehicle are selected by the selection operation, these four windows can subsequently be operated simultaneously. Furthermore, there are no visible joints in which dirt could collect. As a further advantage, the control element can be illuminated, as well as an arrangement of display devices that can visualize a selection of respective drive devices or, for example, an operating mode by displaying various pictograms.Furthermore, it is possible to enable control of further drive devices or further motor vehicle functions by detecting further actuation directions of the control element.

[0016] The invention also includes further embodiments which result in additional advantages.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to detect a selection operation if a torque is exerted on the operating element about an axis perpendicular to a vertical axis of the operating element and / or if the operating element is rotated about this perpendicular axis. In other words, a selection operation can be detected if the operating element is tilted forwards, backwards, right, or left, or if the operating element is tilted, for example, in one of the diagonal directions such as front left, front right, rear left, or rear right.Detecting a selection operation by detecting a tilt or torque on the control element about an axis perpendicular to a vertical axis of the control element allows the control element to be further assigned additional functions. For example, when the control element is tilted to the left (viewed in the forward direction of the vehicle), both drive devices of the window lift mechanisms of a front left window and a rear left window can be selected. Furthermore, for example, only one window can be selected if the control element is tilted in one of the diagonal directions toward the window to be selected.Furthermore, it is also possible to detect a further actuation possibility, such as a selective selection of only the drive device of the respective assigned selected window, by detecting a temporally extended actuation (for example a long press lasting for one to two seconds).

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to detect a selection operation upon detection of a predetermined touch or predetermined actuation of the operating element by a user. In other words, a selection operation can be detected even if only a predetermined touch of a corner of the operating element or an edge of the operating element is detected (for example, a tap). Furthermore, an actuation can be detected by touching a particular position or a selection actuation area. In addition, it is possible, for example, to arrange switches in the corners of the operating element, which can enable the selection of specific (respectively assigned) drive devices instead of a tilting movement of the entire operating element.

[0019] Using simple touch detection, it is possible to simplify the kinematics of the control element and completely eliminate a gap between the control element and the armrest. Furthermore, operation of the control element can be made even more intuitive. This design also allows for the detection of additional selection operations.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control element has a plurality of display devices which are designed to signal that a respective drive device belongs to the selection list. In other words, a display device (or an indicator) can be present for each drive device which can be controlled with the control element, which display device (or indicator) can be illuminated or activated, for example, when the respective drive device belongs to the selection list and can be deactivated or switched off when the respective drive device is deselected or removed from the selection list. Thus, a user can immediately and easily see which drive devices are selected, for example with a quick glance at the control element.

[0021] This enables simple and safe visualization or display of the selected drive devices.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the display devices mentioned above are evenly distributed over the length of an edge of the control element and / or are arranged symmetrically to a control element axis and in particular to a motor vehicle longitudinal axis. In other words, the display devices are advantageously arranged symmetrically and are located at positions with respect to the control element that correspond to the positions of the respective associated drive devices with respect to the motor vehicle. For example, the display devices are located on a surface of the control element (which may, for example, be rectangular in shape) in a front left corner, a front right corner, a rear left corner and a rear right corner (each viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction). This enables, among other things, particularly simple and intuitive operation of the control element.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the control device is configured to detect a selection operation upon detection of a touch operation of one of the aforementioned display devices of the operating element by a user. This means that the control device can be configured to detect a selection operation, for example, upon detection of a touch operation in one of the aforementioned corners of the operating element. If the control device can detect detection of a left, right, front, or rear edge, it is additionally possible, for example, to activate or deactivate two drive devices corresponding to the respective edge. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to activate or deactivate all drive devices, in particular all four drive devices, of the motor vehicle upon a central touch of the operating element.This can also mean, for example, that a previously existing selection of individual drive devices is ignored and all drive devices are activated or deactivated together. Furthermore, it can also be provided that if all drive devices are deselected, a predetermined preselection is automatically activated or selected. In summary, this means that, depending on a touch position on the control element, the control device can detect a selection of various drive devices. This configuration also enables particularly simple and intuitive operation of the control element.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to reset the selection list to a predetermined fallback list after a predetermined period of time has elapsed following completion of the last operation (by a user). For example, at a front left seating position of the motor vehicle, the corresponding control element can be configured to deactivate all drive devices except the front left drive device (when viewed in the forward direction of the motor vehicle) after completion of the last operation and expiration of a predetermined period of time. An existing display device of the control element is activated or deactivated according to the selection, i.e., the fallback list.This enables particularly simple and safe operation, since after a predetermined period of time, a user can assume that a certain selection (the fallback list) has been set. This prevents windows not included in the predetermined fallback list from being accidentally activated after a longer waiting period. The waiting time can be set such that a normal user assumes no temporal connection with a previous operation of the control element, for example, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes. This waiting time can also be adjustable, for example, in a vehicle's infotainment system.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to provide the user with visual, acoustic, and / or haptic feedback upon detection of a selection operation. This means that the operating element can comprise, for example, an actuator or a sound generator, and the control device is configured to provide the user with feedback by means of this actuator upon detection of a selection operation. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to output a signal to a motor vehicle control device, which, for example, triggers activation of a loudspeaker for acoustic feedback. This embodiment has the advantage of enabling particularly simple and intuitive operation of the operating element.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to detect a window darkening operation upon a predetermined actuation of the operating element, in particular upon rotation of the operating element about a motor vehicle vertical axis and / or upon detection of a torque on the operating element about the motor vehicle vertical axis. Optionally, in addition to or alternatively to a window darkening operation, a darkening state of the respective window(s) in the selection list can be controlled depending on the window darkening operation. In other words, a further functionality such as window darkening can be activated or controlled by means of a rotation of the operating element or by detection of a torque on the operating element about the motor vehicle vertical axis.Alternatively, it is possible to detect a darkening operation, for example, if the control element is tilted to the left or right around the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This design also offers the advantage of enabling additional functionality and a particularly intuitive and simple operation of the control element.

[0027] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0028] The invention also includes the control device for the motor vehicle. The control device can have a data processing device or a processor device that is configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device can have 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 (Graphical Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code that is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device.The processor device can be based, for example, on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0029] The invention also includes further developments of the method according to the invention that have features already described in connection with the further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0030] 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.

[0031] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated on the Internet, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code may 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).

[0032] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Fig. 1 possible operations of a control element; Fig. 2 possible operations of the control element; Fig. 3a further operating options for the control element; Fig. 3b further operating options for the control element; Fig. 4 a further design option for the control element; and Fig. 5 a representation of window lifter control switches in the prior art.

[0034] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0035] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote elements with the same function.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a control element 100, which can be mounted, for example, on an armrest 120 in a motor vehicle. The control element 100 can be moved or displaced in one of two directions 130 of a longitudinal axis of the control element 100, which can be parallel to a motor vehicle longitudinal axis, for example. By means of the control element 100, at least two drive devices can be controlled, such as two or more windows, two or more blinds, or two or more darkening devices. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 1, four display devices 110 are shown, of which, for example, one display device 112 can be activated. The display devices can each represent a side window. The operating element is configured to be moved or displaced in a forward or backward direction 130. A control device (not shown) detects this displacement or relocation as a drive actuation, wherein the control device is configured, upon detection of a drive actuation, to activate each selected drive device in a selection list in accordance with the drive actuation. For example, pushing forward in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle can cause the selected drive devices to open.Furthermore, it is possible to detect a selection operation of the operating element, and the control device is configured to add one or more drive devices of the at least two drive devices corresponding to the selection operation to a selection list as selected drive device(s) or to remove them from this selection list or to select or deselect them upon detection of a selection operation of the operating element.

[0037] The control element can, for example, be rectangular, round, or polygonal. To ensure easy operation, the control element protrudes from the armrest 120 to a height in the range of, for example, 0.5 cm to 2 cm, and advantageously in the range of 1 cm to 1.5 cm, to ensure easy operation and, on the other hand, not protrude too little or too much, which would increase the risk of incorrect operation. The control element 100 can be connected to a mechanism and / or sensor system for detecting actuations through an opening in the armrest 120. Since this opening can be located below the control element 100, the opening is particularly well protected against contamination by, for example, dust, crumbs, and / or dirt.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, the control device can detect a long press of the entire control element 100, which can cause all drive devices to be selected as described above.

[0039] In addition, a control element 100 can be arranged on several doors, in particular on each door, whereby, for example, the assignment of a fallback list can be changed. This allows a passenger to select and activate each window. However, a child safety lock may be necessary to prevent the windows from being opened accidentally. For example, a functionality of additional or only the rear control elements 100 can be activated or deactivated, for example, by pressing and holding the control element 100 on the driver's door.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows possible activations of the control element 100, which can be, for example, selection activations. In Fig. 2, for example, shows tilting about an axis 160, which is an axis perpendicular to a vertical axis (not shown) of the control element 100. The axis 160 can, for example, run diagonally through the control element 100. If a user presses the control element 100 in the front left corner (as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle), for example, the front left drive device can be activated or deactivated, or selected or deselected.

[0041] Fig. 3a shows further possible actuations of the operating element 100. In this case, a rotation of the operating element 100 about a vertical axis 140 can be detected as a further actuation of the operating element 100 by the control device. The vertical axis 140 can, for example, be parallel to a motor vehicle vertical axis. For example, a darkening actuation can be detected, so that a clockwise rotation about the vertical axis 140 of the operating element 100 can cause a darkening of selected darkening devices. For example, windows can be darkened using a polarization filter, in particular by means of an electrical polarization rotation of a liquid crystal layer, or photochromatically. Furthermore, a left-hand rotation or a counterclockwise rotation about the vertical axis 140 of the operating element 100 can cause or initiate a darkening.

[0042] Fig. 3b shows further actuation possibilities of the control element 100. Here, a transverse axis 150 of the control element 100 is shown, which can be parallel to a motor vehicle transverse axis, and tilting the control element about the transverse axis 150 can, for example, cause detection of a selection actuation of, for example, the two front drive devices or the two rear drive devices. Thus, it is possible to select or deselect several drive devices simultaneously with a single selection actuation. The transverse axis 150 is also an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis 140. In the same way as in the situation according to Fig. 3b, a right or left tilting of the control panel about a longitudinal axis 130 can be detected and also recorded as a selection operation.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of an operating element 100 according to the invention. Here, the corners of the operating element can be activated individually and are provided with individual switches, so that a selection operation can be detected by pressing a corner 170 of the operating element 100. As described above, the operating element 100 is configured to detect a drive operation by sliding it forward or backward.

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 shows a representation of prior art window lift switches 51. Several window lift switches 51 are arranged in a recess 53, each of which is assigned to a respective window of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, a child safety switch 52 is arranged in the recess 53, which allows deactivation of the rear window lifts, for example. The recess 53 is arranged in an armrest 54.

[0045] Overall, the examples show how a control element or a motor vehicle with the control element can be provided. List of reference symbols: 51 Window lifter switch 52 Parental Controls 53 trough 54 Armrest 100 control elements 110 Display device 112 activated display device 120 armrest 130 Forward / Reverse direction 140 vertical axis 150 transverse axis 160 axle 170 corner 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] DE 10 2020 200 954 A1

[0006] DE 103 15 841 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Operating element (100) for controlling at least two drive devices with a control device which is designed to detect a drive actuation and a selection actuation of the operating element (100), characterized by that the control device is designed to - upon detection of a selection operation of the operating element (100), to add one or more drive devices of the at least two drive devices corresponding to the selection operation as selected drive device(s) to a selection list or to remove them from this selection list, - when a drive operation is detected, to activate each selected drive device in the selection list according to the drive operation, and - to detect a drive actuation upon detection of a displacement of the operating element (100) along a longitudinal axis of the operating element (100). [2] Control element (100) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the control device is designed to detect a selection actuation if a torque is exerted on the operating element (100) about an axis (150, 160) perpendicular to a vertical axis (140) of the operating element (100) and / or if the operating element (100) is rotated about this perpendicular axis (150, 160). [3] Control element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control device is configured to detect a selection operation upon detection of a predetermined touch or predetermined actuation of the operating element (100) by a user. [4] Control element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operating element (100) has a plurality of display devices (110, 112) which are designed to signal the membership of a respective drive device in the selection list. [5] Control element (100) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the display devices (110, 112) are evenly distributed over the length of an edge of the operating element (100) and / or are arranged symmetrically to the operating element axis and in particular to a motor vehicle longitudinal axis. [6] Control element (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the control device is configured to detect a selection operation upon detection of a touch operation of one of the display devices (110, 112) of the operating element (100) by a user. [7] Control element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control device is designed to reset the selection list to a predetermined fallback list after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the last actuation. [8] Control element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the control device is designed to provide the user with optical, acoustic and / or haptic feedback upon detection of a selection operation. [9] Control element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the control device is designed to detect a window darkening actuation upon a predetermined actuation of the operating element (100), in particular upon rotation of the operating element (100) about a vertical axis (140) and / or upon detection of a torque on the operating element (100) about the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, and to control a darkening state of respective windows in the selection list in dependence on the window darkening actuation upon a window darkening actuation. [10] Motor vehicle with at least one operating element (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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