Input device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Input device (12) of a motor vehicle, comprising a control unit (13) which is rotatable about a first axis (14) and translational along a second axis (16) for operation, comprising a first sensor (19) configured to detect the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16), and comprising a control unit (20) configured to receive and evaluate a measurement signal from the first sensor (19). The control unit is further configured to provide at least one end stop for the rotational displacement of the control unit (13) about the first axis (14) by controlling an actuator (22) with an electric current which, depending on its control, provides a force or a torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control unit (13).The control unit (20) is further configured to determine, when the rotational movement of the control element (13) is limited by an end stop, a target value for the force opposing the rotational movement of the control element (13) or a target value for the torque opposing the rotational movement of the control element (M), depending on the measurement signal of the first sensor (19), which depends on the translational displacement of the control element (13) along the second axis (16), and to control the actuator (22) with an electrical current dependent on the target value.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an input device of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

[0002] A variety of input devices are installed in the interior of a motor vehicle, for example, on the steering wheel or in the area of ​​a center console. Input devices are known in practice that have a control element which can be rotated around a first axis and moved translationally along a second axis. With such an input device, the user can scroll through a list of possible input parameters by rotating the control element, and then confirm and enter a parameter selected from the list by moving the control element translationally along the second axis.

[0003] DE 10 2021 103 525 A1 discloses an input device with a control element that is rotatably displaceable about a first axis and translationally displaceable along a second axis. The input device includes an actuator for the rotatably displaceable control element, designed as a magnetorheological braking device, to provide a force or torque opposing the rotational movement of the control element. The provided force or torque depends on a magnetic field generated by supplying an electric current to the magnetorheological braking device. The magnitude of the electric current influences the magnetic field and thus the force or torque opposing the rotational movement.

[0004] DE 10 2020 106 335 B3 discloses a magnetorheological braking device.

[0005] If an actuator, such as a magnetorheological braking device, is to provide a force or torque opposing the rotational movement of a rotatably movable control unit, which, in the sense of an end stop, prevents further rotation of the control unit, the actuator is controlled with a fixed electrical current that is large enough to prevent further rotation of the control unit, regardless of any force or torque actually applied to the control unit by the operator.

[0006] For optimal operation of such an input device, it is desirable to determine the electrical current used to control the actuator for providing an end stop as needed. This ensures that the force or torque required to provide the end stop is adapted to the force or torque applied by the operator to the input device's control unit. This saves electrical energy for controlling the actuator. Furthermore, it reduces the so-called "sticking effect" or "sticking delay" of the control unit, which is dependent on the electrical current. The sticking effect or sticking delay refers to the input device's need to recognize when an operator moves the control unit in the opposite direction to its original direction of rotation.Until the input device, namely the control unit, detects this, the force or torque opposing the rotation of the control unit is effective. An operator perceives this as the control unit sticking. A torque sensor, which can measure operator-applied torque, is expensive and requires considerable installation space.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an input device for a motor vehicle that has a control element which can be rotated around a first axis and translationally moved along a second axis, in which the electrical current with which an actuator is controlled to provide an end stop can be determined as required even without a torque sensor.

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a novel input device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such an input device.

[0009] This problem is solved by an input device of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 13.

[0010] The input device according to the invention has a first sensor which is configured to detect the translational displacement of the control element along the second axis.

[0011] The input device according to the invention comprises a control unit which is configured to receive and evaluate a measurement signal from the first sensor, which depends on the translational displacement of the control element along the second axis.

[0012] The control unit is further configured to provide at least one end stop for the control unit for its rotational displacement about the first axis, by controlling an actuator designed as an electromechanical brake, electromagnetic brake or magnetorheological brake with an electric current, wherein the actuator provides, depending on its control by the electric current, a force or a torque opposing the rotational movement of the control unit.

[0013] The control unit is further configured, when the rotational movement of the control unit is limited by a respective end stop, to determine a target value for the force opposing the rotational movement of the control unit or a target value for the torque opposing the rotational movement of the control unit, depending on the measurement signal of the first sensor, which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit along the second axis, and to control the actuator with an electrical current dependent on the target value to provide the force or torque opposing the rotational movement of the control unit.

[0014] The present invention proposes using a first sensor, which is preferably designed as a displacement sensor, to detect the translational displacement of the control element along the second axis. Then, when the rotational movement of the control element is limited by a respective end stop, the electrical current used to actuate the actuator for providing the respective end stop can be determined based on the measurement signal provided by this sensor, which is dependent on the translational displacement of the control element along the second axis. In this way, the electrical current used to actuate an actuator can be determined simply and reliably as needed, without the need for a torque sensor. This saves electrical energy for actuating the actuator. Furthermore, the so-called sticking effect can be eliminated.The so-called adhesive delay of the control unit, which is dependent on the electrical current, is reduced.

[0015] The actuator of the input device is an electromechanical, electromagnetic, or magnetorheological brake. With such actuators, the respective end stop, as well as the force or torque opposing the rotation of the control element, acting in the area of ​​the respective end stop, can be provided particularly advantageously.

[0016] Preferably, the input device has a further or second sensor configured to detect the rotational displacement of the control unit about the first axis. Depending on the detected rotational displacement of the control unit, the control unit is then configured to provide the respective end stop for the control unit by electrically energizing the actuator when the position of the control unit reached by the rotational displacement corresponds to a list end position or setting range end position of a list or setting range searchable by the rotation of the control unit. This allows the respective end stop to be provided particularly advantageously.

[0017] Preferably, a push button interacts with the control unit, wherein the first sensor indirectly detects the translational displacement of the control unit as a function of the displacement of the push button, which in turn depends on the translational displacement of the control unit. The control unit is configured to evaluate the measurement signal of the first sensor such that, if the translational displacement of the push button exceeds a threshold value, the push button is activated to input data, and if the translational displacement of the push button is less than the threshold value, the push button is not activated to input data.The control unit is configured to evaluate the measurement signal of the first sensor such that, when the translational displacement of the button exceeds a limit value, the button is activated to enter a date from the searchable list or from the searchable setting range, which is selected by the position of the control unit reached depending on its rotational displacement. This embodiment of the input device is particularly preferred.

[0018] Preferably, the control unit determines the target value for the force or torque opposing the rotational movement of the control unit based on the measurement signal of the first sensor, which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit along the second axis. This occurs when the translational displacement of the button, and thus of the control unit, along the second axis is less than the limit value, and when, furthermore, the actuator provides a respective end stop for the control unit by supplying it with electrical current, and when the provided end stop prevents the rotational movement of the control unit in the direction of the respective end stop. This allows for demand-based electrical current supply to the actuator when providing the respective end stop for the control unit, thereby reducing the actuator's electrical energy consumption and the sticking effect.The adhesive delay is particularly preferred for the control unit.

[0019] Preferably, the control unit determines the target value for the force or torque opposing the rotational movement of the control unit, and thus the electrical current for controlling the actuator, dependent on the measurement signal of the first sensor, either according to the characteristic curve or map. This is particularly advantageous for providing the actuator with the required electrical current when setting the respective end stop for the control unit, thereby reducing the actuator's electrical energy consumption and the sticking effect or sticking delay for the control unit.

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. The drawing shows: Fig. 1. A section of the interior of a motor vehicle in the area of ​​a steering wheel and an input device installed on the steering wheel; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the input device.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of an interior area 10 of a motor vehicle in the area of ​​a steering wheel 11, wherein an input device 12 according to the invention is installed in the area of ​​the steering wheel 11.

[0022] The input device 12 has a roller-like or cylinder-like control element 13. The control element 13 can be rotated by the operator about a first axis 14 in the direction of the double arrow 15 in different directions of rotation, and also translationally along a second axis 16, wherein the translational displacement of the control element 13 along the second axis 16 in Fig. 2 is visualized by a double arrow 17. Such a control element 13 is also called a thumb roller.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the second axis 16 runs perpendicular to the first axis 14.

[0024] By means of a rotary movement of the control unit 13 on the operator side, it is possible, for example, to scroll through a list of input parameters, for example through a list of stored telephone numbers, or through a setting range for a setting parameter, for example a volume for the playback of music or speech, whereby, for the operator side to confirm or enter an input parameter selected via the rotary scroll movement, the control unit 13 can be moved translationally by a push movement on the operator side along the second axis 16.

[0025] This translational displacement allows, for example, a button 18 installed below or behind the control unit 13 to be activated.

[0026] The input device 12 according to the invention has a first sensor 19 which is configured to detect the translational displacement of the control element 13 in the direction of the second axis 16.

[0027] In Fig. 2 this first sensor 19 is assigned to the button 18, which then detects the translational displacement of the button 18 initiated by the control unit 13 and thus indirectly detects the translational displacement of the control unit 13 via the translational displacement of the button 18.

[0028] The input device 12 according to the invention has a further, second sensor 24, which is configured to detect the rotational displacement of the control element 13 about the first axis 14. This second sensor 24 is in particular an angle sensor, which is also referred to as an angle encoder.

[0029] The input device 12 further includes a control unit 20, which is configured to receive and evaluate a measurement signal 21 from the first sensor 19 and, in particular, a measurement signal 25 from the second sensor 24.

[0030] The control unit 20 is configured to provide a corresponding end stop for the control unit 13, depending on its rotational displacement, when the position of the control unit 13 reached by the rotational displacement corresponds to a list end position or setting range end position of a list or setting range searchable by the rotation of the control unit 13. Such an end stop is also referred to as a variable end stop because it depends on a variable length or width of a list or setting range.

[0031] To provide the variable end stop for the control element 13, the input device 12 according to the invention has an actuator 22. The actuator 22 is designed as an electromechanical brake, an electromagnetic brake, or a magnetorheological brake. The control unit 20 is configured to control the actuator 22 with an electric current to provide the variable end stop for the control element 13, wherein the actuator 22 provides, depending on its control by the electric current, a force or a torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control element 13.

[0032] The control unit 20 of the input device 12 according to the invention is further configured, when the rotational movement of the control element 13 is limited by a respective variable end stop, to determine a target value for the force or torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control element 13, depending on the measuring signal 21 of the first sensor 19, which depends on the translational displacement of the control element 13 along the second axis 16, and to control the actuator 22 with an electrical current dependent on the target value to provide the force or torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control element 13.

[0033] According to the invention, the electric current for the demand-based control of the actuator 22 when providing the variable end stop for the rotary movement of the control element 13 can be determined without the need for a torque sensor, depending on the measurement signal 21 provided by the first sensor 19 via the translational displacement of the control element 13.

[0034] The invention is based on the finding that when the control element 13 is moved in a rotational direction, for example by a finger of an operator, the operator exerts a tangential force F on the one hand. T and on the other hand a normal force F N is applied to the control unit 13. The normal force F N causes a displacement of the control element 13 in a translational direction along the second axis 16, the tangential force F TThis causes a torque applied by the operator and the rotational displacement of the control element 13 about the first axis 14. If the actuator 22 is electrically energized to provide an end stop, the actuator 22 provides a force or a torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control element 13.

[0035] It is a finding of the invention that when actuator 22 is energized, it provides a variable end stop for the control element 13 and the variable end stop prevents the rotational movement of the control element 13 in the direction of the variable end stop, between the normal force F applied by the operator. N and the operator-applied tangential force F T and thus between the normal force F applied by the operator Nand the torque applied by the operator is related, such that depending on the translational displacement of the control element 13 in the direction of the second axis 16, which is primarily determined by the normal force F N This is caused by the tangential force F applied by the operator. Tand the operator-applied torque M can be closed in order to control the actuator 22 with an electrical current as required. This reduces the electrical energy consumption of the actuator 22 and the sticking effect or sticking delay on the control unit 13. The sticking effect or sticking delay refers to the need to detect when an operator moves the input device, namely the control unit 13, in the opposite direction to its original rotation. Until the input device, namely the control unit 20, detects this, the force or torque opposing the rotation of the control unit 13 acts as a brake on the control unit. An operator perceives this as the control unit 13 sticking.The rotation of the control unit 13 in the respective direction of rotation can be detected with the help of the second sensor 24, which provides its measurement signal to the control unit 20.

[0036] It is intended that the control unit 20 determines the target value for the force or torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control unit 13 and thus the electrical current dependent on the target value for controlling the actuator 22, depending on the measurement signal 21 of the first sensor 19, which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit 13 along the second axis 16, in a characteristic map-dependent or characteristic curve-dependent manner.

[0037] For this purpose, a characteristic curve, in particular a non-linear force-displacement curve or a non-linear torque-displacement curve or a non-linear current-displacement curve, of the preferably spring-loaded push button 18 is stored in the control unit 20. The control unit 20 then determines, based on the respective characteristic curve and the measurement signal 21 provided by the first sensor 19, the target value for the force or torque M opposing the rotation of the control element 13, and thus the electrical current dependent on the target value for controlling the actuator 22. A spring in the push button 18 resists its actuation.

[0038] If a force-displacement characteristic curve or a torque-displacement characteristic curve for the translational displacement of the control unit 13 along the first axis 14 is stored in the control unit 20, the control unit 20 determines the target value for the force or torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control unit 13 depending on the respective characteristic curve, in order to then determine the electrical current for controlling the actuator 22 depending on the respective target value.

[0039] If a current-displacement characteristic curve is stored in the control unit 20, the control unit 20 determines the electrical current for controlling the actuator 22 depending on the current-displacement characteristic curve.

[0040] The control unit 20 of the input device 12 according to the invention is therefore configured to provide variable end stops for the control element 13 for its rotational displacement about the first axis 14, by controlling, namely by electrically energizing, the actuator 22. The force or torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control element 13 can be provided via the actuator 22 in order to form the variable end stop.

[0041] For this purpose, the control unit 20 determines a target value for the force or torque M opposing the rotational movement of the control unit 13, depending on the measurement signal 21 of the first sensor 19, namely when the translational displacement of the control unit 13 along the second axis 16 is less than the limit value, and when, furthermore, the actuator 22 provides a variable end stop for the control unit 13 by supplying it with an electrical current, and when the provided variable end stop prevents the rotational movement of the control unit 13 in the direction of the variable end stop. Depending on this, the control unit 20 controls the actuator 22 with the corresponding manipulated variable 23, so that the actuator 22 is then controlled with an electrical current as required.

[0042] If, as a result of the rotary movement of the control unit 13, it is located at the beginning or end of a list or setting range, the control unit 13 should not be rotated beyond either the beginning or the end of the list or setting range. In this case, the beginning or end of the list or setting range corresponds to relative positions of the rotary movement of the control unit 13, at which the variable end stops should be effective in a movement extending beyond the beginning or the end of the list or setting range, thus providing the operator with haptic feedback that the beginning or end of a list or setting range has been reached. The electrical current used to control the actuator 22 is only as high as necessary. This reduces the electrical energy consumption of the actuator 22 and the sticking effect on the control unit 13.

[0043] It is therefore in accordance with the present invention to determine the electrical current for controlling the actuator 22 to provide a variable end stop depending on the translational displacement of the control element 13 in the direction of the second axis 16, in particular indirectly via a corresponding displacement of a push button 18 interacting with the control element 13. This translational displacement of the control element 13 is that displacement which occurs when the respective end stop exhibits a further rotational displacement beyond the end stop. Depending on the translational displacement of the push button 18 detected by the first sensor 19, and thus the translational displacement of the control element 13 detected by the first sensor 19, the control unit 20 determines the electrical current for controlling the actuator 22, in particular depending on characteristic curves or characteristic maps.This enables simple and reliable, demand-based power supply to actuator 22 when providing a variable end stop without the need for a torque sensor. A corresponding characteristic curve or map is empirically determined beforehand and stored in the control unit.

[0044] As explained above, depending on the translational displacement of the button 18 detected by the first sensor 19, and thus the translational displacement of the control unit 13 detected by the first sensor 19, the electrical current for controlling the actuator 22 is determined in order to provide the braking force or braking torque required within the range of a variable end stop to prevent the rotation of the control unit 13 beyond the respective end stop. This braking force or braking torque then provides the operator of the input device 12 with haptic feedback indicating that a respective end stop for the rotation of the control unit 13 has been reached and, consequently, that, for example, a list of input parameters has been scrolled to the beginning or end.

[0045] The control unit 20 can then, when the respective variable end stop for the rotary movement of the control element 13 is reached and a corresponding braking force or braking torque has been built up as haptic feedback, release the braking force or braking torque within a defined time after the braking force or braking torque has been built up, in order to enable an advantageous reversal of the direction of rotation for the rotary actuation of the control element 13.

[0046] The actuator 22, which provides the braking force or torque for the control unit 13, can be an electromechanical brake, an electromagnetic brake, or a magnetorheological brake. The actuator 22 operates passively; its function is to dissipate energy. The braking force or torque provided by the actuator 22 passively opposes the rotational movement of the control unit 13 within the range of a variable end stop. The actuator 22 cannot actively rotate the control unit 13.

Claims

[1] Input device (12) of a motor vehicle, with a control element (13) which can be rotated about a first axis (14) and translationally along a second axis (16) for operation, with a first sensor (19) which is configured to detect the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16), with a control unit (20) which is configured to receive and evaluate a measurement signal from the first sensor (19) which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16), wherein the control unit (20) is further configured to provide at least one end stop for the control element (13) for the rotational displacement of the control element (13) about the first axis (14), by controlling an actuator (22), which is designed as an electromechanical brake or electromagnetic brake or magnetorheological brake, with an electric current, wherein the actuator (22) provides, depending on its control by the electric current, a force or a torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control element (13), wherein the control unit (20) is further configured, when the rotational movement of the control element (13) is limited by a respective end stop, to determine a setpoint for the force or torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control element (13), depending on the measurement signal of the first sensor (19), which depends on the translational displacement of the control element (13) along the second axis (16), and to control the actuator (22) with an electrical current dependent on the setpoint to provide the force or torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control element (13), depending on this. [2] Input device (12) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the same has a further sensor (24) which is configured to detect the rotational displacement of the control unit (13) about the first axis (14), wherein the control unit (20) is configured to provide the respective end stop for the control unit (13) depending on the detected rotational displacement of the control unit (13) when the position of the control unit (13) reached by the rotational displacement of the control unit (13) corresponds to a list end position or setting range end position of a list searchable by the rotation of the control unit (13) or a setting range searchable by the rotation of the control unit (13). [3] Input device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the control unit (20) determines the target value for the force or torque (M) opposing the rotation of the control unit (13) depending on the measurement signal of the first sensor (19), which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16), when the actuator (22) provides the respective end stop for the control unit (13) by electrically energizing it, and when the respective end stop prevents the rotation of the control unit (13) in the direction of the respective end stop. [4] Input device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the second axis (16) runs perpendicular to the first axis (14). [5] Input device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that a button (18) interacts with the control unit (13), wherein the first sensor (19) indirectly detects the translational displacement of the control unit (13) depending on the displacement of the button (18), which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit (13). [6] Input device (12) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the first sensor (19) is configured to detect the displacement of the button (18), wherein the control unit (20) is configured to evaluate the measurement signal of the first sensor (19) such that, if the translational displacement of the button (18) is greater than a limit value, the button (18) is actuated as such for input of data, and that, if the translational displacement of the button (18) is less than the limit value, the button (18) is not actuated as such for input of data. [7] Input device (12) according to claims 2 and 6, characterized by, that the control unit (20) is configured to evaluate the measurement signal of the first sensor (19) in such a way that, when the translational displacement of the button (18) is greater than a limit value, the button (18) is activated to enter a date from the searchable list or from the searchable setting range, which is selected by the position of the control unit (13) reached depending on the rotational displacement of the control unit (13). [8] Input device (12) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by, that the control unit (20) determines the target value for the force or torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control unit (13) depending on the measurement signal of the first sensor (19), which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16), when the translational displacement of the button (18) and thus of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16) is less than the limit value, and when, furthermore, the actuator (22) provides a respective end stop for the control unit (13) by electrically energizing it, and when the provided respective end stop prevents the rotational movement of the control unit (13) in the direction of the respective end stop. [9] Input device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the control unit (20) determines the setpoint for the force or torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control unit (13) and thus the electrical current dependent on the setpoint for controlling the actuator (22) depending on the measurement signal of the first sensor (19), which depends on the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the second axis (16), in a characteristic curve or characteristic map-dependent manner. [10] Input device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that a force-displacement characteristic curve or a torque-displacement characteristic curve for the translational displacement of the control unit (13) along the first axis (14) is stored in the control unit (20), and that the control unit (20) determines the setpoint for the force or torque (M) opposing the rotational movement of the control unit (13) and thus the electrical current for controlling the actuator (22) depending on the respective characteristic curve. [11] Input device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that a current-displacement characteristic curve is stored in the control unit (20), and that the control unit (20) determines the electrical current for controlling the actuator (22) depending on the current-displacement characteristic curve. [12] Input device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the same is installed in an interior area (10) of a motor vehicle. [13] Motor vehicle, with at least one input device (12) installed in an interior area (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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