Removable control element for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Removable control element (1,2) for a motor vehicle (3), wherein the removable operating element (1, 2) can be inserted into a complementary, motor vehicle-side holding device (4) and can be held reversibly and detachably therein, wherein the removable operating element (1, 2) comprises release information for a drive power of the motor vehicle (3) which can be read out by means of the holding device (4), characterized in that the removable operating element (1,2) comprises a holding magnet (5), by means of which the removable operating element (1, 2) can be reversibly and detachably fastened to the holding device (4), and that the removable operating element (1, 2) comprises a storage magnet (6) by means of which the release information for the holding device (4) is stored on the removable operating element (1, 2) in a readable manner, a magnet or a set of magnets forming both the storage magnet (6) and the holding magnet (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a removable operating element for a motor vehicle, a release unit with such a removable operating element for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles, especially production vehicles, with very high drive power can overwhelm the driver. For example, vehicle handling and dealing with acceleration require a high level of skill and safety.

[0003] US 6,122,580A discloses a system for driver-specific adjustment of vehicle devices. The system comprises a key encoded with a personal identifier and a key decoder connected to a local processor for transmitting the identifier. The local processor stores the identifier and the associated adjustment parameter data sets. The vehicle devices have sensors that send feedback signals to the local processor.

[0004] US 2003 / 0 189 482 A1 discloses a system and method for enabling different levels of authorized access for users of a vehicle within a vehicle fleet. Each user has a radio transmitter coupled to an ignition key and stores data indicating authorized access to the vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2016 103 462 A1 discloses a device for storing a key in the interior of a vehicle. The key is placed in a receptacle, within which a holding element is located, for fixed positioning. The device comprises a coupling device that places the key in a captive position.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of at least partially overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features of the invention are derived from the independent claims, for which advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically reasonable manner, whereby the explanations from the following description as well as features from the figures, which comprise additional embodiments of the invention, can also be consulted for this purpose.

[0007] The invention relates to a removable control element for a motor vehicle, wherein the removable control element can be inserted into a complementary, motor vehicle-side holding device and can be held in this in a reversibly detachable manner.

[0008] The removable control element comprises release information for a drive power of the motor vehicle that can be read out by means of the holding device.

[0009] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, ordinal numbers used in the preceding and following descriptions serve only to clearly distinguish them and do not reflect the order or ranking of the designated components. An ordinal number greater than one does not necessarily imply that another such component must be present.

[0010] A removable control element for a motor vehicle is proposed here. Such a removable control element is designed, for example, similar to a key. For example, the removable control element is a rotary switch or a toggle switch.

[0011] The operating element preferably has an insertion section, and particularly preferably also a holding section. For example, the insertion section is pin-shaped. The insertion section can preferably be inserted into a complementary insertion receptacle in a vehicle instrument panel. For example, the insertion depth is limited by the holding section. For example, the insertion section and the insertion receptacle form a pivot bearing for the removable operating element in the holding device.

[0012] The removable operating element is designed to be inserted into a complementary, vehicle-side holding device of the motor vehicle, for example by means of the insertion section and the holding section described above.

[0013] The holding device is preferably arranged in a dashboard of the motor vehicle, preferably in a position easily accessible to a person driving the vehicle. For example, the holding device is arranged to the side of or below a steering wheel or in a center console.

[0014] The removable control element can be reversibly removed from the holder.

[0015] The removable control element includes release information for a drive power of the motor vehicle. In other words, the release information is stored on the removable control element. The release information is stored on the removable control element in such a way that it can be read by the holding device, for example, by means of a sensor element in the holding device.

[0016] Based on the release information, a drive power of the motor vehicle can be released. For example, the motor vehicle comprises at least two, or even more, releasable drive powers, which can be released based on the release information readable from the removable control element.

[0017] For example, a first releasable drive power is a maximum drive power, at which the drive power available from the motor vehicle is fully available. For example, a second releasable drive power is a reduced drive power, at which the drive power available from the motor vehicle is only partially available, for example, at 50% (fifty percent) or 80% (eighty percent).

[0018] Preferably, sets of removable control elements are provided, which are assigned, for example, to a motor vehicle. Such a set of removable control elements comprises at least two removable control elements each with different release information for enabling different drive power levels.

[0019] For example, the removable control elements serve as vehicle keys and are assigned to different drivers. For example, one driver might be a racing enthusiast, an experienced driver, and another driver using the same vehicle might be inexperienced, less confident, less secure, or not wanting to utilize the full power for other reasons. Thus, each driver can use their removable control element to enable the desired level of drive power.

[0020] For example, a person has several removable controls, one removable control being intended for driving on race tracks and one removable control being intended for regular road traffic.

[0021] The removable control element comprises a holding magnet by means of which the removable control element can be reversibly and detachably attached to the holding device.

[0022] Accordingly, the removable control element has a holding magnet. The holding magnet allows the removable control element to be reversibly attached or secured to the holding device.

[0023] For example, the holding magnet is part of a magnet pairing, for example consisting of a holding magnet and a complementary vehicle-side counter magnet and / or a vehicle-side ferromagnetic holding element.

[0024] The removable control element preferably has a plurality of such holding magnets. For example, the holding magnets are arranged in the holding section of the removable control element.

[0025] The holding magnets are preferably permanent magnets.

[0026] The removable control element comprises a storage magnet by means of which the release information for the holding device is stored on the removable control element in a readable manner.

[0027] Accordingly, the control element has a storage magnet. The release information is stored on the removable control element by means of the storage magnet. For example, the release information is stored on the removable control element by means of the orientation and / or magnetic field strength of the magnetic field of the storage magnet or the arrangement, orientation, and / or strength of the storage magnet.

[0028] The storage magnet is preferably a permanent magnet. For example, the storage magnet is arranged in the insertion section and / or the holding section.

[0029] In an unclaimed embodiment, the storage magnet is a separate magnet from the holding magnet. In the claimed embodiment, one magnet or a set of magnets forms both the storage magnet and the holding magnet.

[0030] It is further proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the removable operating element that the removable operating element can be rotatably received in the holding device, and has a plurality of holding magnets which, in interaction with a complementary, vehicle-side opposite side of a magnet pair, provide a detent for the rotation of the removable operating element in the holding device.

[0031] Accordingly, the removable control element can be accommodated in the holding device in a rotationally rotatable manner. For example, at least one contact surface with the holding device, the insertion section, and / or the entire removable control element are rotationally symmetrical.

[0032] The removable operating element preferably has a plurality of holding magnets. For example, the holding magnets are arranged in the holding section. For example, the holding magnets are arranged equidistant from one another along a circumferential direction, for example, around a cylinder axis of the removable operating element. The cylinder axis is preferably arranged parallel to a direction of insertion of the removable operating element into the holding device.

[0033] When inserted, the holding magnets of the removable control element thus form a locking mechanism with a complementary, vehicle-side counterpart of a magnet pair. The magnet pair thus comprises the holding magnets of the removable control element and ferromagnetic holding elements and / or counter magnets in the holding device.

[0034] By distributing the counter magnets and / or ferromagnetic holding elements along the circumferential direction, a locking mechanism for the rotation of the removable control element can be provided. This allows the removable control element to be haptically locked into the holding device in several predefined rotational positions.

[0035] According to a further aspect, a release unit for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising at least the following components: - a first removable control element according to an embodiment as described above with first release information; - a second removable control element according to an embodiment as described above with second release information different from the first release information of the first removable control element; - a holding device which is designed to receive the first removable operating element and the second removable operating element and to hold them in a reversibly releasable manner, wherein the holding device has a sensor element for reading out the release information.

[0036] A release unit for a motor vehicle is proposed here. Such a release unit comprises a first removable control element, a second removable control element, and a holding device.

[0037] By means of such a release unit, different drive powers of the motor vehicle can be adjusted depending on the removable control element currently inserted into the holding device.

[0038] For this purpose, the first removable control element and the second removable control element have different release information. The first removable control element has a first release information, and the second control element has a second release information.

[0039] As already explained, the release information is stored, for example, by means of the arrangement or strength of storage magnets in the removable control elements. Thus, the first removable control element and the second removable control element have differently aligned, arranged, and / or strong storage magnets.

[0040] The removable operating elements are preferably designed to be visually distinguishable. For example, the removable operating elements have different colors and / or are designed differently on a side facing away from the holding device. For example, a removable operating element for enabling a higher drive power has a larger operating handle than a removable operating element for enabling a lower drive power.

[0041] The holding device is designed to receive and reversibly hold the first removable control element and the second removable control element. For example, at least the receiving contours of the two removable control elements and / or the entire removable control elements are geometrically identical.

[0042] Only one of the removable control elements can be accommodated by the holding device at a time. For example, as already explained above, the holding device has a slot into which the slotted section of the removable control elements can be accommodated.

[0043] The holding device now has a sensor element for reading the release information which is stored on the removable operating elements.

[0044] It is further proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the release unit that the sensor element is a magnetic field sensor, by means of which a magnetic field orientation and / or magnetic field strength of the storage magnet can be read out.

[0045] Accordingly, the sensor element is a sensor element for detecting a magnetic field strength and / or magnetic field direction, for example a Hall sensor.

[0046] It is further proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the release unit that the holding device has one or more ferromagnetic holding elements and / or one or more complementary counter magnets to the holding magnets of the removable operating elements in order to form a magnet pairing for holding the operating elements in the holding device, wherein a detent for rotational positions of the removable operating elements is preferably formed in the holding device by means of the magnet pairing.

[0047] Accordingly, the holding device has a counter-side to the holding magnets of the removable control elements to form a magnetic pair. Such a counter-side is formed by ferromagnetic holding elements and / or vehicle-mounted counter-magnets.

[0048] Preferably, a locking mechanism is formed by the magnet pairing. This locking mechanism allows the removable operating elements to be haptically locked into the holding device in multiple rotational positions and to be rotated further or backward only against increased force.

[0049] It is further proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the release unit that a start-stop function of the motor vehicle can be operated by means of a rotational position of the removable operating elements in the holding device.

[0050] For example, when starting a motor vehicle there are several states which can be adjusted by rotating the removable control element.

[0051] For example, the release unit comprises at least one, preferably several of the following states of a start-stop function, which can be set by means of the rotational position of the removable control elements: - a locked state, which is, for example, the initial position in which the removable control element can be inserted into the holder and removed. Preferably, in this rotational position, the steering wheel and ignition are locked, and most electrical systems are switched off; - ACC (Accessory) mode, in which the vehicle's electrical systems, such as the radio, power windows, and interior lights, are switched on, but the engine is switched off. This position allows accessories to be used without starting the engine. - ON state (switched on), in which the ignition and the vehicle's electrical systems are switched on. This is the position in which most of the vehicle's electrical systems, such as the instrument panel, air conditioning, and engine control, are activated. However, the engine has not yet started. - START state (starting), in which the prime mover is started. For example, the removable control element is rotated to the start position and returned to the ON position after the prime mover has started, for example, by not providing a detent in this position. In this position, for example, the starter is activated to start the prime mover; and - Auto mode, in which the engine is automatically switched off and started, for example to save fuel.

[0052] It is further proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the release unit that the first removable operating element and the second removable operating element have holding magnets with different magnetic field strengths in order to provide a different locking strength in the rotational positions.

[0053] Accordingly, the first removable control element and the second removable control element have holding magnets with different magnetic field strengths, in other words, holding magnets of different strengths. Thus, for example, a different resistance force can be provided for a locking mechanism as described above.

[0054] Preferably, the removable control element which enables a higher drive power has holding magnets with a stronger magnetic field strength than the removable control element which enables a lower drive power.

[0055] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a release unit according to an embodiment as described above.

[0056] Such a motor vehicle has a drive motor for providing a drive torque and at least one drive wheel connected to the drive motor in a torque-transmitting manner.

[0057] Preferably, the motor vehicle has four wheels, two or four of which are designed as drive wheels.

[0058] Here, the motor vehicle further comprises a release unit according to the above description, by means of which different drive powers of the drive engine can be released on the basis of the removable operating element inserted into the holding device.

[0059] The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, whereby it should be noted that the drawings are not to scale and are not suitable for defining proportions. It is shown in Fig. 1: a release unit with a removable control element; Fig. 2: a release unit with a removable operating element in an alternative embodiment; Fig. 3: a holding device of the removable control element in a front view; and Fig. 4: a motor vehicle with a release unit.

[0060] In Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a release unit 7 for a motor vehicle 3 with a removable operating element 1 and a holding device 4. The holding device 4 is arranged in an instrument panel of the motor vehicle 3 (see Fig. 4).

[0061] The removable operating element 1 comprises a plurality of holding magnets 5, which, when the removable operating element 1 is arranged within the holding device 4, each form a magnet pair with complementary counter magnets 10 of the holding device 4. The holding device 4 here comprises complementary counter magnets 10 to the holding magnets 5 of the removable operating element 1, so that the removable operating element 1 is reversibly and detachably held on the holding device 4.

[0062] The removable operating element 1 comprises an insertion section 11 and a holding section 12. The holding section 12 has a larger diameter than the insertion section 11, wherein, as shown, the holding magnets 5 are arranged within the holding section 12 and the holding section 12 forms an axial stop with the corresponding opposite side of the holding device 4.

[0063] As shown, the insertion section 11 is inserted into a insertion receptacle 14 within the holding device 4, wherein one cylinder axis of the insertion section 11 represents the axis of rotation of the removable operating element 1.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the removable operating element 1 comprises a storage magnet 6, which contains release information, at the left end of the insertion section 11 (as shown). The release information can be read by a sensor element 8 within the holding device 4. The sensor element 8 is designed as a magnetic field sensor and is configured to read the magnetic field strength and / or magnetic field orientation and is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the storage magnet 6 within the holding device 4.

[0065] For example, the storage magnet 6 represents the release information through its orientation and / or magnetic field strength.

[0066] The release information can be read out accordingly by means of the sensor element 8 in order to enable power for the motor vehicle 3. Depending on which removable control element 1 is arranged in the holding device 4 and which release information it contains, the full drive power of the motor vehicle 3 or a reduced drive power can be enabled for travel.

[0067] By rotating the removable control element 1, for example, a start-stop function of the motor vehicle 3 can be controlled.

[0068] The removable control element 1 shown is a first removable control element 1 from a set of two removable control elements 1, 2. The second removable control element 2 (not shown here) has a different magnetic field of the storage magnet 6 than the first removable control element 1. Preferably, the polarity of the second removable control element 2 is reversed with respect to the polarity of the first removable control element 1.

[0069] In Fig. 2 shows a release unit 7 with a removable operating element 1 in a holding device 4 of a motor vehicle 3 in an alternative embodiment in a schematic sectional view. The alternative embodiment shown here is largely similar to the embodiment in Fig. 1 is identical, so please refer to the description there and only the differences are described below.

[0070] In this alternative embodiment, the storage magnets 6 are formed by the holding magnets 5. The sensor element 8 is therefore arranged closer to the holding section 12 of the removable operating element 1, so that release information of the removable operating element 1 can still be read out unambiguously.

[0071] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a front view of a holding device 4 for the removable control element 1. The holding device 4 represents a possible alternative to the holding devices 4 shown in the preceding figures.

[0072] The holding device 4 comprises in this embodiment, in contrast to Fig. 2, ferromagnetic holding elements 9. The holding elements 9 are designed here as three circular segments arranged around the insertion receptacle 14 of the removable control element 1. The sensor element 8 is arranged here as a concealed component behind the ferromagnetic holding elements 9. For example, the ferromagnetic holding elements 9 and the sensor element 8 are arranged in a plastic housing.

[0073] The ferromagnetic holding elements 9 enable the function of a detent for different rotational positions of the removable operating element 1. The holding magnets 5 of the removable operating element 1 (not shown here) are accordingly in a detent position or a locked rotational position when they are arranged in alignment with the ferromagnetic holding elements 9.

[0074] In order to rotate the removable operating element 1 into the next rotational position, the magnetic attraction force of a magnet pairing of ferromagnetic holding elements 9 in the holding device 4 and holding magnets 5 in the removable operating element 1 must first be overcome.

[0075] In the same way as the ferromagnetic holding elements 9 shown here, the counter magnets 10 are also designed, for example according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 can be arranged in the holding device 4.

[0076] In Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle 3 with a release unit 7. The motor vehicle 3 comprises two drive wheels 13 and a drive motor. The drive motor is designed to provide a drive torque and thus also a drive power. The release unit 7 according to Fig. 1 to Fig.3 comprises a holding device 4 and two operating elements 1, 2, each of which contains a release information item. The operating elements 1, 2 can each be inserted into the holding device 4 of the motor vehicle 3. Within the holding device 4, the release information can be read by means of a sensor element 8.

[0077] Based on the release information, drive power can be released to the drive motor. In this exemplary embodiment, the first control element 1 comprises a first release information item, which provides a reduced drive power compared to the maximum drive power when the release information is read. Here, the second control element 2 comprises a second release information item, which provides the maximum drive power of the drive motor when the release information is read. As shown, the release information is provided by holding magnets 5 of different sizes with magnetic fields of different strengths.

[0078] Here, a removable control element for power release in a motor vehicle is proposed. List of reference symbols 1 first removable control element 2 second removable control element 3 Motor vehicle 4 Holding device 5 Holding magnet 6 storage magnet 7 Release unit 8 Sensor element 9 Holding element 10 Counter magnet 11 Insert section 12 stopping section 13 Drive wheel 14 Insert holder

Claims

[1] Removable control element (1,2) for a motor vehicle (3), wherein the removable operating element (1, 2) can be inserted into a complementary, motor vehicle-side holding device (4) and can be held reversibly and detachably therein, wherein the removable operating element (1, 2) comprises release information for a drive power of the motor vehicle (3) which can be read out by means of the holding device (4), characterized by , that the removable operating element (1, 2) comprises a holding magnet (5) by means of which the removable operating element (1, 2) can be reversibly and detachably fastened to the holding device (4), and that the removable operating element (1, 2) comprises a storage magnet (6) by means of which the release information for the holding device (4) is stored on the removable operating element (1, 2) in a readable manner, a magnet or a set of magnets forming both the storage magnet (6) and the holding magnet (5). [2] Removable control element (1, 2) according to claim 1, wherein the removable operating elements (1, 2) can be rotatably received in the holding device (4), and a plurality of holding magnets (5) which, in interaction with a complementary, vehicle-side opposite side of a magnet pair, provide a detent for the rotation of the removable operating element (1, 2) in the holding device (4). [3] Release unit (7) for a motor vehicle (3), comprising at least the following components: - a first removable operating element (1) according to one of claim 1 or claim 2 with first release information; - a second removable operating element (2) according to one of Claim 1 or Claim 2 with second release information different from the first release information of the first removable operating element (1); - a holding device (4) which is designed to receive the first removable operating element (1) and the second removable operating element (2) and to hold them in a reversibly releasable manner, wherein the holding device (4) has a sensor element (8) for reading out the release information. [4] Release unit (7) according to claim 3, wherein the sensor element (8) is a magnetic field sensor by means of which a magnetic field orientation and / or magnetic field strength of the storage magnet (6) can be read out. [5] Release unit (7) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the holding device (4) has one or more ferromagnetic holding elements (9) and / or one or more complementary counter magnets (10) to the holding magnets (5) of the removable operating elements (1, 2) in order to form a magnet pairing for holding the operating elements (1, 2) in the holding device (4). [6] Release unit (7) according to one of claim 3 to claim 5, wherein a start-stop function of the motor vehicle (3) can be operated by means of a rotational position of the removable operating elements (1, 2) in the holding device (4). [7] Release unit (7) according to one of claim 3 to claim 6, wherein the first removable operating element (1) and the second removable operating element (2) have holding magnets (5) with different magnetic field strengths in order to provide a different locking strength in the rotational positions. [8] Motor vehicle (3), comprising a release unit (7) according to one of claim 3 to claim 7.

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