Input device and motor vehicle

Abstract

Input device (10), comprising a carrier (13), a control element (11) having a user interface (12), wherein the control element (11) is displaceable relative to the carrier (13) when actuated, with means by which the control element (11) is displaceably attached to the carrier (13), with an actuator (14), wherein the actuator (14) is configured to provide, as haptic feedback on the actuation of the control element (11), an active haptic displacement of the control element (11) relative to the carrier (13), wherein the means for displaceable attachment of the control element (11) to the carrier (13) are designed as leaf spring assemblies (15) each consisting of at least two leaf springs (16), wherein an auxiliary actuator (17) cooperates with at least one of the leaf spring assemblies (15), and wherein the auxiliary actuator (17) is configured to reduce the friction or damping of at least one of the to modify leaf spring packs (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an input device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle.

[0002] A multitude of input devices, such as buttons or the like, are installed in the interior of a motor vehicle. Input devices are known that, when the input device is activated on a control panel, provide acoustic, haptic, or visual feedback about the activation.

[0003] Particularly preferred are input devices that provide haptic feedback on the actuation of the operating part of the input device, wherein haptic feedback is in particular a click-like haptic feedback.

[0004] Haptic feedback can be provided passively, i.e., purely mechanically, or actively, i.e., by actuators. An input device with active haptic feedback uses an actuator that requires electrical energy. Such actuators for input devices with haptic feedback can, for example, be electromagnetic actuators.

[0005] Users perceive input devices with active haptic feedback as being of higher quality the shorter the haptic feedback, i.e., the shorter the time required for a movement of the control element of the input device providing the active haptic feedback to come to a standstill. To date, it has been difficult to provide input devices with active haptic feedback whose active haptic movement comes to a standstill within a short period of time.

[0006] DE 10 2022 100 993 A1 discloses an input device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] DE 10 2014 018 636 B4 discloses an input device of a motor vehicle with a loudspeaker for providing acoustic feedback upon actuation of an operating part of the input device.

[0008] DE 10 2017 104 979 A1 discloses an input device which provides active haptic feedback via the actuation of the operating part of the input device.

[0009] DE 10 2016 005 642 A1, DE 10 2020 115 828 B3, DE 10 2018 212 818 A1 and DE 10 2016 101 556 B3 disclose further prior art.

[0010] Based on this, there is a need for an input device whose active haptic movement feedback comes to a standstill within a short time, which is therefore perceived by the user as being of particularly high quality.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a corresponding input device and a motor vehicle with such an input device.

[0012] This object is achieved by an input device according to patent claim 1 and a motor vehicle according to patent claim 10.

[0013] In the input device according to the invention, the means for displaceably fastening the operating element to the support are designed as leaf spring assemblies, each consisting of at least two leaf springs. An auxiliary actuator interacts with at least one of the leaf spring assemblies, wherein the auxiliary actuator is configured to change the friction or damping of at least one of the leaf spring assemblies.

[0014] The input device according to the invention can provide, with simple means, reproducible active haptic feedback over the service life of a motor vehicle, which is perceived by the operator as being of particularly high quality, i.e., in which a haptic movement caused by an actuator used for haptic feedback comes to a standstill within a short period of time after the haptic movement is triggered.

[0015] For this purpose, the input device has means designed as leaf spring assemblies for displaceably fastening the operating part of the input device to the support of the input device, wherein the leaf spring assemblies have an auxiliary actuator which is designed to change the friction or damping in particular between the leaf springs of at least one of the leaf spring assemblies.

[0016] Preferably, the auxiliary actuator is configured to adjust the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly at the start of actuation of the operating part or at the start of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part relative to the support such that the friction or damping is less than a limit value, and subsequently, preferably a defined period of time after the start of actuation of the operating part or after the start of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part relative to the support, the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly is greater than the limit value. This configuration of the input device according to the invention is particularly preferred in order to provide an input device with active haptic feedback that is perceived as being of particularly high quality and whose haptic movement comes to a standstill within a short period of time after it is triggered.

[0017] Preferably, the auxiliary actuator changes the friction or damping, particularly between the leaf springs of the respective leaf spring assembly, electrostatically, electromagnetically, or electromechanically. With such auxiliary actuators, the friction or damping, particularly between the leaf springs of the respective leaf spring assembly, can be changed particularly advantageously.

[0018] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an input device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a section of a first embodiment of the input device according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a section of a second embodiment of the input device according to the invention; Fig. 4 the detail IV of the Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a section of a third embodiment of the input device according to the invention.

[0019] The invention relates to an input device, in particular an input device for a motor vehicle, which is installed in an interior area of ​​the motor vehicle. In particular, the input device is a push-button.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an input device 10 according to the invention. The input device 10 has an operating part 11 with a user interface 12, wherein the operating part 11 is attached to a support 13 so as to be displaceable relative to the support 13. The input device 10 further has an actuator 14, which is configured to provide active-haptic feedback about the actuation of the operating part 11 depending on the actuation of the operating part 11.

[0021] For this purpose, the actuator 14 engages a projection 11a of the operating part 11. If the operating part 12 is actuated, for example, in the direction of arrow X, and this actuation is greater than a limit value, the actuator 14 displaces the operating part 11 in the direction of arrow Y in order to provide the active-haptic feedback, namely a haptic movement feedback, via the actuation of the operating part 11. The displacement of the operating part 12 in the actuation direction X and the displacement thereof for providing the active-haptic feedback in the direction Y preferably run perpendicular to one another.

[0022] As already explained above, the operating part 11 is displaceably attached to the support 13, namely via means which allow the displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the support 13.

[0023] According to the invention, these means for displaceably fastening the operating element 11 to the support 13 are designed as leaf spring assemblies 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring assemblies 15 each comprise two leaf springs 16. A leaf spring assembly 15 may also comprise more than two leaf springs 16.

[0024] The input device 10 according to the invention has at least one auxiliary actuator 17. In Fig. 1 shows two auxiliary actuators 17, one of which interacts with each leaf spring assembly 15. The respective auxiliary actuator 17 is configured to change the friction or damping, in particular between the leaf springs 16 of a respective leaf spring assembly 17.

[0025] In this context, it is provided that the respective auxiliary actuator 17 is configured to adjust the friction or damping, in particular between the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring assembly 15, at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part 11 or at the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13, such that the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly 15 is less than a limit value. Subsequently, the friction or damping, in particular between the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring assembly 15, can be adjusted via the auxiliary actuator 17 such that the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly 15 is greater than the limit value.For this purpose, it is provided in particular that the respective auxiliary actuator 17 is inactive or switched off at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part or at the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13 and is subsequently active or switched on, in particular a defined period of time after the beginning of the actuation of the operating part 11 or after the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows a highly schematic representation of a possible design of such an auxiliary actuator 17, which in Fig. 1 is designed as an electromagnetic auxiliary actuator. Fig. 1 a permanent magnet 18 is assigned to a leaf spring 16 of the leaf spring assembly 15 shown there, and an electromagnet 20 which can be activated via a coil 19 is assigned to the other leaf spring 16 of the leaf spring assembly 15.

[0027] If the coil 19 is not energized, the leaf springs 16 of the leaf spring assembly 15 do not touch each other, providing friction or damping that is less than a threshold value. However, if the coil 20 is energized and the electromagnet 19 is active, the magnets 18, 19 attract each other, and the leaf springs 16 touch each other, at least in the region of their projections 16a, to increase the damping or friction within the respective leaf spring assembly 15, such that the damping or friction between the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring assembly 15 is greater than the threshold value.

[0028] At the beginning of the excitation of the active-haptic feedback and thus the haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13, which is triggered by the actuator 14, the damping or friction between the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring assembly 17 is kept low. A defined period of time after the beginning of the actuator excitation and thus the active-haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13, the friction or damping within the respective leaf spring assembly 15 is increased via the respective auxiliary actuator 17, so that within a short period of time after the beginning of the actuation of the operating part 11 or within a short period of time after the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 12, the active-haptic displacement comes to a standstill.

[0029] While in Fig. 2 the respective auxiliary actuator 17 is designed electromagnetically, show Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 an embodiment in which the auxiliary actuator 17 is designed electromechanically.

[0030] In the example of the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 the leaf springs 16 of the leaf spring assembly 15 shown there are each curved, wherein the leaf springs 16 of the leaf spring assembly 15 shown there do not touch each other when the auxiliary actuator 17 is inactive or switched off, and neither directly nor indirectly, to provide the friction or damping which is less than the limit value.

[0031] In the embodiment of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is the Fig. 3, the left leaf spring 16 of the leaf spring assembly 15 shown therein is movably attached to the carrier 13 via the auxiliary actuator 17 with an end 16b facing the carrier 13, in such a way that, via a rotary movement of a rotary part 18 of the auxiliary actuator 17 receiving the end 16a of the left leaf spring 16, the leaf springs 16 can be brought into contact with one another in sections, in particular directly, to increase the friction or damping of the leaf spring assembly 17. Fig. 4, the rotational movement of the rotating part 18 of the auxiliary actuator 17 is shown with the double arrow R.

[0032] In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the auxiliary actuator 17 is therefore designed electromechanically in order to change the damping between the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring package 15.

[0033] A further electromechanical design of an actuator 17 shows Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, an electromechanically actuated cylinder-piston unit is assigned to one of the leaf springs 16 as an electromechanical auxiliary actuator 17. The cylinder-piston unit has a cylinder 22 mounted on one of the leaf springs 16 and a piston 23 that can be displaced relative to the cylinder 22. When the piston is retracted, the leaf springs 16 do not touch each other, either directly or indirectly. By extending the piston 23 from the cylinder 22, the piston 23 can be brought into contact with the other leaf spring 16, so that the leaf springs 16 then touch each other indirectly via the cylinder-piston unit in order to increase the friction or damping of the leaf spring assembly 15 shown there.

[0034] The examples of the Fig. 2 to 5 is therefore common that the respective auxiliary actuator 17 is set up such that at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part or at the beginning of the active haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13, the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring package 15 do not touch each other, neither directly nor indirectly, and that subsequently, in order to increase the friction or damping, the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring package 15, however, either directly in the sense of the embodiments of the Fig. 2 to 4 or indirectly via the auxiliary actuator 17 in the sense of the embodiment of the Fig. 5 touch.

[0035] It is also possible for the auxiliary actuator 17 to be configured such that both at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part 11 or at the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the same relative to the carrier 13 and subsequently thereto, the leaf springs 16 of the respective leaf spring assembly 15 touch each other directly or indirectly, but with a different level of friction force in order to provide the different frictions or dampings defined above within the respective leaf spring assembly 15.

[0036] Thus, the friction and thus damping between adjacent leaf springs 16 of a respective leaf spring assembly 15 can be influenced by changing the frictional force, whereby the normal force and / or the friction coefficient can be adjusted to change the frictional force.

[0037] The normal force can be increased, for example, electromechanically, electrostatically or electromagnetically.

[0038] The coefficient of friction can be electromagnetically modified in magnetorheological materials. For example, if the leaf springs 16 of a leaf spring assembly 15 are in contact, they can be coated with a magnetorheological elastomer. Alternatively, only one leaf spring 16 of a leaf spring assembly 15 can be coated with a magnetorheological elastomer.

[0039] A magnetorheological material such as a magnetorheological elastomer or a magnetorheological fluid can also be arranged between the leaf springs 16 of a leaf spring assembly 15.

[0040] By applying a magnetic field using the auxiliary actuator, viscoelastic or dynamic-mechanical properties of the magnetorheological material such as the magnetorheological elastomer and thus the friction coefficient can be changed.

[0041] The input device 10 according to the invention accordingly uses leaf spring assemblies 15 for the displaceable attachment of the operating element 11 to the support 13, wherein the friction or damping can be varied via at least one auxiliary actuator 17 on at least one leaf spring assembly 15. This makes it possible to provide an input device with active-haptic feedback regarding the actuation of the operating element 11, wherein the active-haptic displacement of the operating element 11 relative to the support part 13 can be brought to a standstill within a short time after the start of the active-haptic movement via the respective auxiliary actuator 17. Such active-haptic behavior is perceived as particularly high-quality.

[0042] The leaf springs 16 of a leaf spring assembly 15 can be coated, for example, with plastic in the contact area of ​​the leaf springs. This can reduce wear on the leaf springs 16, while also preventing squeaking or other noises perceived as disturbing when providing the active-haptic displacement of the control element relative to the support.

[0043] In particular, the activation of a respective auxiliary actuator 17 after the start of the active haptic displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the carrier 13 takes place in a time-controlled manner, for example a defined period of time after the start of the actuation of the operating part 11 or after the start of the active haptic displacement of the same relative to the carrier 13. This time period can be between 20 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds.

[0044] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with at least one input device 10 according to the invention, which is installed in an interior area of ​​the motor vehicle.

Claims

[1] Input device (10), with a carrier (13), with a control unit (11) having a control surface (12), wherein the operating part (11) is displaceable relative to the support (13) when actuated, with means by which the operating part (11) is attached to the support (13) so as to be displaceable relative to the support (13), with an actuator (14), wherein the actuator (14) is configured to provide an active-haptic displacement of the operating part (11) relative to the support (13) as haptic feedback on the actuation of the operating part (11), depending on the actuation of the operating part (11), the means for displaceably fastening the operating part (11) to the support (13) are designed as leaf spring packages (15) each comprising at least two leaf springs (16), characterized by , that an auxiliary actuator (17) interacts with at least one of the leaf spring assemblies (15), wherein the auxiliary actuator (17) is configured to change a friction or damping of at least one of the leaf spring assemblies (15). [2] Input device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the auxiliary actuator (17) is configured to adjust the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) at the start of the actuation of the operating part (11) or at the start of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part (11) relative to the carrier (13) such that the friction or damping is less than a limit value. [3] Input device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the auxiliary actuator (17) is inactive or switched off at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part or at the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part (11) relative to the carrier (13). [4] Input device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bythat the auxiliary actuator (17) is arranged to subsequently adjust the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) such that the friction or damping is greater than the limit value, preferably a defined period of time after the start of the actuation of the operating part or after the start of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part (11) relative to the carrier (13). [5] Input device (10) according to claim 4, characterized by that the auxiliary actuator (17) is active or switched on for this purpose. [6] Input device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the auxiliary actuator (17) is arranged such that at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part (11) or at the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part (11) relative to the carrier (13), the leaf springs (16) of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) do not touch each other either directly or indirectly, the auxiliary actuator (17) is arranged so that the leaf springs (16) of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) subsequently touch each other either directly or indirectly. [7] Input device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the auxiliary actuator (17) is arranged such that at the beginning of the actuation of the operating part (11) or at the beginning of the active-haptic displacement of the operating part (11) relative to the carrier (13), the leaf springs (16) of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) touch each other either directly or indirectly with a first friction force, the auxiliary actuator (17) is arranged such that the leaf springs (16) of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) subsequently contact each other either directly or indirectly with a second frictional force which is greater than the first frictional force. [8] Input device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the auxiliary actuator (17) changes the friction or damping of the respective leaf spring assembly (15) electrostatically or electromagnetically or electromechanically. [9] Input device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that it is installed in an interior area of ​​a motor vehicle. [10] Motor vehicle, with at least one input device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 installed in an interior area.

Images