Operating device of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Operating device (10) of a motor vehicle, with an operating part (11) which can be pivoted from a rest position in the direction of at least one end stop (12) for operation and which automatically returns to the rest position, with a plunger (14) guided in the operating part (11) which is subjected to a spring force via a first spring element (15) arranged in the operating part (11), with a guide (16) along which the plunger (14) can be displaced when the operating part (11) is pivoted, wherein, depending on the pivoting movement of the operating part (11), the plunger (14) can be displaced further into the operating part (11) against the spring force of the first spring element (15) or further out of the operating part (11) by the spring force of the first spring element (15) and is pressed in the direction of the guide (16) by the first spring element (15), wherein on a section of the a gear (18) is rotatably mounted on the plunger (14),wherein the guide (16) is designed as a rack and pinion, and wherein the gear (18) is pressed into the guide (16) designed as a rack and pinion via the tappet (14) and the first spring element (15) acting on the tappet (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, specifically an operating device with an operating part that can be displaced from a rest position toward at least one end stop for operation and that automatically returns to its rest position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such an operating device.

[0002] It is known that operating devices with a monostable operating element are installed in the interior of a motor vehicle. A monostable operating element can assume multiple positions, but with a monostable operating element, only one position, namely a single rest position, is stable. Starting from the unstable positions, the operating element automatically returns to its stable rest position.

[0003] To provide a particularly high-quality control device, the control element must provide the operator with high-quality haptic feedback when operating the device. This is difficult with existing control devices.

[0004] DE 10 2008 060 256 A1 discloses a control element with adjustable haptics. The haptics are provided by permanent magnets.

[0005] DE 10 2017 120 076 B3 discloses a switching device with magnetic detent. The switching device has an actuating element coupled to a haptic device.

[0006] DE 10 2012 222 237 A1 discloses a control element with magnetic haptics. The control element comprises an operating lever and a driver lever, with a permanent magnet attached to the driver lever. Haptic feedback is generated when the driver lever is pivoted.

[0007] EP 1 679 455 B1 discloses a selector lever assembly for an automatic transmission, comprising a pivotable selector lever for generating a selection movement, connecting means for transmitting the selection movement of the selector lever to the automatic transmission, and a connecting arrangement for transmitting the selection movement from the selector lever to the connecting means. The connecting arrangement, which transmits the selection movement of the selector lever to the connecting means, comprises a planetary gear.

[0008] CN 1 11 765 243 discloses another operating device for a motor vehicle with a selector wheel. The selector wheel has a toothing along a defined circumferential section that engages a toothed gate that can be displaced by the rotation of the selector wheel.

[0009] EP 1 580 461 A2 discloses an operating device of a motor vehicle with a selector lever, wherein the movement of the selector lever is transmitted via intermeshing splined gears.

[0010] DE 10 2015 004 206 A1 discloses an operating device for a vehicle, with at least one operating element pivotable about a pivot axis, with at least one locking curve which has at least one first locking element, with at least one stop for limiting the pivoting of the operating element, with at least one second locking element which is movable at least between the stop and the first locking element when the operating element is pivoted along the locking curve, and with a spring element which applies a spring force to the second locking element.

[0011] DE 20 2005 012 732 U1 discloses an actuating lever with a force arm, wherein the actuating lever is mounted in such a way that it interacts at a pivot point with an element performing a rotary movement.

[0012] There is therefore a need for an operating device of a motor vehicle with an operating part that provides the driver with high-quality haptic feedback about its operation.

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide a novel operating device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such an operating device.

[0014] This object is achieved by an operating device of a motor vehicle according to patent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to patent claim 12.

[0015] The operating device according to the invention comprises an operating part which, for operation, can be pivoted from a rest position toward at least one end stop and which automatically returns to the rest position. A plunger is guided in the operating part, which is subjected to a spring force via a first spring element arranged in the operating part.

[0016] The operating device according to the invention has a guide along which the plunger can be displaced when the operating part is pivoted, wherein, depending on the pivoting movement of the operating part, the plunger can be displaced further into the operating part against the spring force of the first spring element or further out of the operating part by the spring force of the first spring element and is pressed by the first spring element in the direction of the guide.

[0017] According to the invention, a gearwheel is rotatably mounted on a section of the plunger protruding from the operating part, wherein the guide is designed as a rack and pinion link, and wherein the gearwheel is pressed into the guide designed as a rack and pinion link via the plunger and the first spring element acting on the plunger.

[0018] The plunger carries the gear on the section protruding from the guide. This gear is pressed into the rack linkage, so that when the operating element, and thus the plunger, pivots relative to the guide designed as a rack linkage, there is no sliding friction between the plunger and the guide, but rather rolling friction between the gear and the rack linkage. This can improve the feel during the pivoting movement of the operating element.

[0019] Preferably, the plunger has a first locking groove, with a locking body loaded with a spring force via a second spring element being arranged in the operating part. When the operating part is in its rest position, the locking body is pressed into the first locking groove by the second spring element. This can improve the haptics of the operating part in its rest position.

[0020] Preferably, the plunger has a second locking groove, wherein the locking body is pressed into the second locking groove by the second spring element, into an intermediate position between the rest position of the operating element and an end position of the operating element defined by an end stop. This can improve the haptics in the intermediate position of the operating element.

[0021] Preferably, the rack link is contoured with a changing radius of curvature such that the rack link has a maximum radius of curvature in the rest position and a minimum radius of curvature in the end position defined by an end stop. This can further improve the haptics of the operating device.

[0022] Preferably, the gearwheel rotatably mounted on the tappet is a multi-part, backlash-free, spring-loaded gearwheel. This also serves to provide an improved feel for the operating device.

[0023] Preferably, the rack linkage and the gearwheel each have teeth with varying tooth flank geometries and / or varying tooth spacing. This can further improve the haptics of the operating device. Play between the gearwheel and the rack linkage can be avoided in this way.

[0024] 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 highly schematic view of an operating device according to the invention in a first state; Fig. 2 a highly schematic view of an operating device according to the invention in a second state; Fig. 3 a highly schematic view of an operating device according to the invention in a third state; Fig. 4 a detail to illustrate a further development of the operating device according to the invention; Fig. 5 a detail to illustrate a further development of the operating device according to the invention.

[0025] Fig. 1 to 3 show a schematic representation of an operating device 10 of a motor vehicle according to the invention in different states. In the preferred embodiment shown, the operating device 10 has a monostable operating element 11.

[0026] Such a monostable operating part 11 is designed for operation from a rest position, which the operating part 11 in Fig. 1, can be displaced in the direction of at least one, in the embodiment shown two, end stops 12.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows the control unit 11 in a position displaced from the rest position as far as possible in the direction of one of the end stops 12.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows the control unit 11 in an intermediate position between the rest position of the Fig. 1 and the maximum position of the Fig. 3.

[0029] Only the Fig. The rest position of the control unit 11 shown in Figure 1 is stable. The positions of the control unit 11 in the area of ​​the end stops 12 and the intermediate positions are not stable. The control unit 11 automatically returns to its stable rest position of Fig. 1 back.

[0030] According to the Fig. 1 to 3, the operating part 11 is an operating lever which, in the embodiment shown, is pivotably mounted at one end in a joint 13.

[0031] In the Fig. 1 to 3, a plunger 14 is guided into the operating part 11, which is designed as an operating lever. The plunger 14 is subjected to a spring force via a spring element 15. The spring element 15 pushes the plunger 14 out of the operating part 11 against a stop (not shown).

[0032] When moving the control unit 11 from its Fig. 1 in the direction of one of the end stops 12, the plunger 14 is moved together with the operating part 11 along a fixed base body 17 having a guide 16 and, depending on the pivoting movement of the operating part 11, is displaced either further into the operating part 11 against the spring force of the spring element 15 or further out of the operating part 11 in the direction of the guide 16 by the spring force of the spring element 15.

[0033] The plunger 14 carries a gear 18 on a section protruding from the operating part 11. The gear 18 is rotatably mounted on the section of the plunger 14 protruding from the operating part 11. The guide 16 is designed as a rack and pinion. The spring element 14 presses the gear 18 via the plunger 14 into the guide 16, which is designed as a rack and pinion.

[0034] If the operating element 11 is displaced or pivoted about joint 13, a defined rolling movement of the gear 18 occurs within the guide 16, which is designed as a rack and pinion linkage. This prevents sliding friction between the plunger 14 and the guide 16 during the pivoting movement of the operating element 11 and provides rolling friction between the gear 18 and the rack and pinion linkage. This is particularly advantageous for high-quality haptic feedback when the operating element 11 is actuated.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows the operating part 11 of the operating device 10 in its rest position. In this rest position, a locking body 19 arranged in the operating part 11, which is acted upon by a second spring element 20, is pressed into a first locking groove 21 formed on the plunger 14. If the operating part 11 returns to the position shown in Fig. 1, a haptic feedback about reaching the rest position is provided by the locking body 19 being inserted or pressed into the first locking groove 21.

[0036] If the control unit 11 is to be removed from the Fig. 1 and pivot about the joint 13, the locking body 18 must be moved out of the first locking groove 21 against the spring force of the second spring element 20. Haptic feedback is also provided here.

[0037] When the locking body 19 engages in the first locking groove 21 and when the locking body 19 moves out of the first locking groove 21, an acoustic feedback is provided in addition to the haptic feedback.

[0038] If the control unit 11 then reaches the Fig. 2, the locking body 19 is pressed by the spring element 20 into a second locking groove 22 formed on the plunger 14, which in turn provides haptic feedback about reaching the intermediate position. If the operating part 11 is moved further towards the end stop 12 (see Fig. 3), the locking body 19 is moved out of the second locking groove 22. Haptic feedback is also provided here.

[0039] When the locking body 19 engages in the second locking groove 22 and when the locking body 19 moves out of the second locking groove 22, an acoustic feedback is provided in addition to the haptic feedback.

[0040] The first spring element 15, which presses the tappet 14 and, via the tappet 14, the gear 18 in the direction of the rack linkage, is dimensioned in such a way that the spring force of the first spring element 15 is sufficiently large to, when the operating part 11 Fig. 2, to push the locking body 19 out of the second locking groove 22 against the spring force of the second spring element 20 without the driver operating the operating part 11, so that the operating part 11 automatically returns to the rest position of the Fig. 1 can return.

[0041] How best Fig. 4, the guide 16, which is designed as a rack and pinion link, has a curved contour. The radius of curvature r of the guide 16, which is designed as a rack and pinion link, changes over its extent in such a way that the rack and pinion link has a maximum radius of curvature r in the rest position. MAX and in the area of ​​the end stops 12 a minimum radius of curvature r MIN has.

[0042] This is particularly advantageous in order to displace the plunger 14, depending on the direction of movement of the operating part 11, either further into the operating part 11 or further out of it during a rolling movement of the gear wheel 18 in the guide 16 designed as a rack and pinion link.

[0043] The change in the radius of curvature r of the guide 16 designed as a rack and pinion link preferably occurs continuously or steadily.

[0044] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the guide 16 designed as a rack link and the gear 18 each have teeth with changing tooth flank geometries and / or changing tooth spacings. This change in the tooth flank geometries and / or the tooth spacings depends on the change in the radius of curvature r of the guide 16 designed as a rack link, in order to enable particularly advantageous rolling of the gear 18 as it moves along the guide 16 designed as a rack link. The change in the tooth flank geometries and / or the tooth spacings on the guide 16 designed as a rack link is adapted or synchronized with the change in the tooth flank geometries and / or the tooth spacings on the gear 18.

[0045] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the gear 18 rotatably mounted on the tappet 14 is a multi-part, backlash-free preloaded gear.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows a section of such a multi-part gear 18 with two coaxially arranged toothed disks 18a and 18b, each of which is acted upon by a spring element 23.

[0047] The spring element 23 preloads the toothed disks 18a and 18b of the gearwheel 18 against each other, so that in both possible directions of movement of the gearwheel 18 relative to the guide 16 designed as a rack link, the tooth flanks of one of the two toothed disks 18a, 18b rest against the corresponding tooth flanks of the rack link. This compensates for any play between the gearwheel 18 and the guide 16 designed as a rack link, which can further improve the haptic properties when moving the operating element 11, namely when pivoting it about the joint 13.

[0048] The invention allows a particularly advantageous displacement of the operating part 11 relative to the guide 16 by means of the gear 18 engaging the tappet 14 and the guide 16 designed as a rack and pinion.

[0049] When the operating part 11 moves, the gear wheel 18, which is rotatably mounted on the tappet 14, rolls in a defined manner in the guide 16 designed as a rack and pinion, while avoiding sliding friction.

[0050] The haptic feedback can be further improved if, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, the plunger 14 has at least one locking groove 21, 22, into which the locking body 19 is pressed via the second spring element 20 depending on the position of the operating part 11. The locking body 19 is preferably a locking ball.

[0051] The operating lever or operating element 11 is preferably a gear selector lever of an automatic transmission or a direction selector lever, as is common in electric vehicles without a manual transmission. The operating lever is preferably a shift-by-wire operating lever. In a motor vehicle according to the invention, at least one operating device 10 according to the invention is installed in an interior area.

Claims

[1] Operating device (10) of a motor vehicle, with an operating part (11) which can be pivoted from a rest position in the direction of at least one end stop (12) for operation and which automatically returns to the rest position, with a plunger (14) guided in the operating part (11) which is subjected to a spring force via a first spring element (15) arranged in the operating part (11), with a guide (16) along which the plunger (14) can be displaced when the operating part (11) is pivoted, wherein, depending on the pivoting movement of the operating part (11), the plunger (14) can be displaced further into the operating part (11) against the spring force of the first spring element (15) or further out of the operating part (11) by the spring force of the first spring element (15) and is pressed by the first spring element (15) in the direction of the guide (16), wherein a gear (18) is rotatably mounted on a section of the plunger (14) projecting from the operating part (11), wherein the guide (16) is designed as a rack and pinion, wherein the gear wheel (18) is pressed into the guide (16) designed as a rack link via the tappet (14) and the first spring element (15) acting on the tappet (14). [2] Operating device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the plunger (14) has a first locking groove (21), a locking body (19) is arranged in the operating part (11) and is subjected to a spring force via a second spring element (20), the locking body (19) is pressed into the first locking groove (21) by the second spring element (20) in the rest position of the operating part (11). [3] Operating device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the plunger (14) has a second locking groove (22), the locking body (19) is pressed into the second locking groove (22) by the second spring element (20) in an intermediate position between the rest position of the operating part (11) and an end position of the operating part (11) defined by an end stop (12). [4] Operating device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the locking body (19) is a locking ball. [5] Operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the guide (16) designed as a rack and pinion link is curved with a changing radius of curvature in such a way that the rack and pinion link has a maximum radius of curvature in the region of the rest position and a minimum radius of curvature in the region of the end position defined by an end stop (12). [6] Operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the gear (18) rotatably mounted on the tappet (14) is a multi-part, backlash-free, spring-loaded gear. [7] Operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the guide (16) designed as a rack and pinion and the gear (18) each have teeth with changing tooth flank geometries and / or changing tooth spacings. [8] Operating device (10) according to claim 7, characterized by that the change in the tooth flank geometries and / or the tooth spacings on the guide (16) designed as a rack link is adapted to the change in the tooth flank geometries and / or the tooth spacings on the gear wheel (18). [9] Operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the operating part (11) is monostable with a single stable rest position to which the operating part (11) returns automatically. [10] Operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the operating part (11) is an operating lever. [11] Operating device (10) according to claim 10, characterized by that the operating lever is a gear selector lever of an automatic transmission or a direction selector lever, in particular a shift-by-wire operating lever. [12] Motor vehicle, with at least one operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11 installed in an interior area.

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