Control unit with rocker switch for a vehicle interior

Abstract

The present invention relates to an operating device (10) for a vehicle interior. The operating device (10) comprises a first switching element (21), a second switching element (22) spaced apart from the first switching element (22) along a longitudinal direction (X), a common rocker switch (30) for selectively operating the switching elements (21, 22) by mechanically actuating the rocker switch (30), a kinematic device, wherein the kinematic device is configured to activate a pivot point for the rocker switch (30) as required at a first position (X1) and to activate a pivot point for the rocker switch (30) as required at a second position (X2), and a detection device (50), wherein the detection device (50) is configured to detect an actuation position on an upper surface of the rocker switch (30) when the rocker switch (30) is mechanically actuated, wherein the kinematic device is configured todepending on the actuation position detected by the detection device (50), to activate the pivot point at the first position (X1) and / or the pivot point at the second position (X2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device with a rocker switch for a vehicle interior.

[0002] Commonly found controls in a vehicle interior include a switch for the electric windows, a start / stop button for starting the engine / drive, a button for operating the seat heating, or for selecting a driving mode such as Sport, Comfort, or Eco. Even though modern vehicles increasingly offer touch-based control options via virtual buttons—digitally generated on a display, for example, in a central control system—mechanical controls remain important, especially when an emotional connection with the user is desired. Mechanical controls are frequently found, for instance, integrated into the steering wheel.Furthermore, mechanical operating devices have the advantage that the position of the operating devices can be recognized haptically, meaning that the driver of the motor vehicle does not have to take his eyes off the traffic situation in order to perceive the position of the operating device.

[0003] Various mechanical operating devices are known from the prior art. For example, there are operating devices with a rocker switch, often also referred to as a rocker button or rocker switch. In this type of operating device, the rocker is mounted on a fixed pivot point and is therefore rotatable. A switching element, often designed as a haptic element, is located at each of the rocker's edges and can be actuated by means of the rocker switch. The switching elements can be, for example, microswitches or silicone contact pads. To provide haptic feedback, the switching elements can incorporate metallic snap discs or spring elements. One advantage of an operating device with a rocker switch is that two switching elements can be operated with a single rocker switch.In contrast to operating two control elements with separate buttons, a gap required for individual buttons can be eliminated. This enhances the visual appeal of the control unit. The tactile feel is also typically superior with a rocker switch, as the rocker switch's bearing play is generally less than that of individual buttons.

[0004] A disadvantage of operating devices with a rotary rocker switch and fixed pivot point is that, when actuated, the unactuated side swings out, which can negatively affect the visual appearance. Furthermore, the required actuation force is highly dependent on the position of the rocker switch along its length.

[0005] DE 10 2006 056 270 A1 discloses an electrical switch comprising a housing, a pivoting rocker switch, and at least two switching elements actuated by the rocker switch. Two parallel pivot axes are intended to reduce the pivot angle of the rocker switch. DE 10 2011 011 299 A1, DE 10 2015 006 575 A1, and DE 10 051 163 A1 disclose further prior art.

[0006] So-called pseudo-rocker switches are also known. These also consist of a control rocker and two switching elements. However, these pseudo-rocker switches lack a fixed pivot point and therefore no rotary bearing. A linear guide is used for the control rocker. The switching elements represent situational pivot points. Depending on where the user touches or presses the control rocker, it tilts or rotates via one of the two switching elements. With this design, however, there is the problem of unintentional double activation, meaning the unintentional activation of both the first and second switching elements (either simultaneously or sequentially). This can result in an audible and / or tactile "double-click," which can be irritating for the user. The closer to the center of the control rocker is activated, the greater the risk of unintentional double activation.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an operating device with a rocker switch which is characterized by high operating safety with high haptic and high visual appeal.

[0008] This problem is solved by the object that has the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments.

[0009] The operating device according to the invention is an operating device for a vehicle interior, for example, for a steering wheel. The operating device comprises a first switching element and a second switching element arranged at a distance from the first switching element along a longitudinal direction. The operating device includes a common rocker switch for selectively operating the switching elements by mechanically actuating the rocker switch. Selective operation, in this context, is understood to mean in particular that, depending on the type, and especially the location, of the actuation of the rocker switch, either the first switching element or the second switching element can be operated via the common rocker switch.

[0010] The operating device comprises a kinematic mechanism, the kinematic mechanism being configured to activate a pivot point for the rocker switch as needed at a first position and as needed at a second position. "As needed" in this context means, in particular, that the pivot point is not constantly present, i.e., not permanently engaged, but only when activated by the kinematic mechanism. If the corresponding pivot point is not engaged, i.e., inactive, the rocker switch does not interact with this pivot point.

[0011] The operating device comprises a detection device, the detection device being configured to detect an actuation position, for example, the position of a finger, on the upper side of the rocker arm when the rocker arm is mechanically actuated. The kinematic device is configured to activate the pivot point at the first position and / or the pivot point at the second position, depending on the actuation position detected by the detection device. Thus, the operating device according to the invention offers the possibility, based on the detected actuation position, of activating the pivot point suitable for actuating the switching element that the user wishes to actuate based on the actuation position. For example, the pivot point at the first position and the pivot point at the second position can engage opposite ends of the rocker arm and thus actuate at the first end and / or the second end, respectively.A pivot point can be provided at the second end as needed. For example, if an actuation is detected at one end, the pivot point at the other end can be activated. When actuated, the rocker switch rotates via the active pivot point at the other end. This prevents unwanted double actuation if the switching element at the other end is unintentionally actuated sequentially. Furthermore, this design has the advantage that, unlike a fixed pivot point in the middle between the two switching elements, it reduces the tendency of the unactuated end of the rocker switch to pivot outwards.

[0012] It is considered particularly advantageous if the activated pivot point is deactivated again after the actuation process has ended. The end of an actuation process can be detected, for example, by means of the sensing device. For instance, it can be assumed that the actuation process has ended when the sensing device no longer detects an actuation position on the top of the rocker switch.

[0013] The switching elements are specifically designed to perform opposing functions, such as raising and lowering a vehicle window.

[0014] The control device may, for example, be configured to trigger one or more of the following functions: locking and unlocking a vehicle door; performing a gear change; changing the volume of an audio output device.

[0015] It is quite conceivable that the kinematic device has an electronic control unit for activating and deactivating the pivot points.

[0016] This is especially true if the respective switching element includes a collapsible element to generate haptic and / or acoustic feedback when it is operated.

[0017] It is considered particularly advantageous if the switching elements are designed as mechanical microswitches. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the switching elements could be microswitches or silicone switching mats.

[0018] It is quite conceivable that the respective switching element is configured to emit a signal when operated, triggering a function assigned to that switching element. This signal could be optical or electrical.

[0019] It is considered particularly advantageous if the operating device has a bearing receptacle, with the operating rocker arm being mounted in the bearing receptacle. It is considered especially advantageous if the operating rocker arm is floatingly mounted in the bearing receptacle. It is quite conceivable that, in the unactuated state, the operating rocker arm rests on the switching elements or is supported from behind by the switching elements.

[0020] Preferably, the control device is a control device for a multifunction steering wheel.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the rocker switch has one or more touch-sensitive sensors on its upper side, wherein the one or more touch-sensitive sensors form part of the detection device.

[0022] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the touch-sensitive sensors include capacitive sensors.

[0023] However, it is also quite conceivable that the touch-sensitive sensors have a capacitively and / or resistively and / or inductively and / or optically evaluated contact layer, whereby the contact layer is connected to an evaluation unit for determining the actuation position.

[0024] It is considered advantageous if the operating device has a bearing receptacle, wherein the operating rocker is mounted in the bearing receptacle, preferably in a floating manner, and wherein the detection device has a sensor for detecting the geometric position of the operating rocker in the bearing receptacle, and wherein the detection device is configured to determine the actuation position based on the detected geometric position of the operating rocker in the bearing receptacle or a change in the detected geometric position of the operating rocker in the bearing receptacle. Thus, in this embodiment, the actuation position is detected indirectly. The detection of the geometric position can be carried out, for example, by means of one or more displacement sensors.

[0025] It is considered particularly advantageous if the kinematic device has a first pivot element, wherein the first pivot element can be moved from an active position to an inactive position and vice versa, wherein the first pivot element in the active position provides the pivot point at the first position, the first position being closer along the longitudinal direction to the second switching element than to the first switching element, and wherein the kinematic device has a second pivot element, wherein the second pivot element can be moved from an active position to an inactive position and vice versa, wherein the second pivot element in the active position provides the pivot point at the second position, the second position being closer along the longitudinal direction to the first switching element than to the second switching element.This design results in a relatively small increase in the required actuation force for operating the corresponding switching element along the longitudinal direction of the rocker switch. Furthermore, this prevents unintentional double operation, i.e., the activation of the other switching element.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first pivot element and / or the second pivot element are each formed by a support element, wherein, in the active position of the respective pivot element, the rocker arm rests against the respective support element with its rear side opposite the top surface. In such a design, the support element essentially forms a tilting edge for the rocker arm.

[0027] The respective pivot point element or support element can be a movable element, in particular a linearly movable element. The movement of the respective element can be effected, for example, by means of a drive, such as an electric motor.

[0028] It is considered particularly advantageous if the kinematic device has a first drive that interacts with the first pivot element to move the first pivot element from the active position to the inactive position and vice versa, and / or if the kinematic device has a second drive that interacts with the second pivot element to move the second pivot element from the active position to the inactive position and vice versa. For example, an actuator motor can serve as the drive. The actuator motor can be a rotary actuator motor. It is considered particularly advantageous if the kinematic device has a rotary actuator motor with an eccentric, the eccentric forming the corresponding stop element.

[0029] In principle, it is conceivable that one and the same actuator motor could be used to move both the first and the second pivot point elements. For example, it is conceivable that the rotary actuator motor has an axis, whereby the axis has at least two eccentricities that differ in their angular position.

[0030] The drive for the respective pivot element could also be an electric linear motor, an electric rotary motor with gearbox, or an electromagnetic linear actuator. It is also quite conceivable that the drive incorporates a remagnetizable hybrid magnetic system.

[0031] It is considered particularly advantageous if the pivot point at the first position is such that when the rocker switch is rotated about the pivot point at the first position, only the first switching element and not the second switching element can be operated by the rocker switch, and wherein the pivot point at the second position is such that when the rocker switch is rotated about the pivot point at the second position, only the second switching element and not the first switching element can be operated by the rocker switch.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper surface of the rocker switch has a first actuation zone and a second actuation zone, wherein the first actuation zone is assigned to the operation of the first switching element and the second actuation zone is assigned to the operation of the second switching element, wherein the kinematic device is configured such that, if the detected actuation position is within the first actuation zone, the pivot point at the first position is activated, and if the detected actuation position is within the second actuation zone, the pivot point at the second position is activated.The kinematic device can preferably also be configured so that, if the detected actuation position is within the first actuation zone, the pivot point at the second position is deactivated, and if the detected actuation position is within the second actuation zone, the pivot point at the first position is deactivated.

[0033] It is considered particularly advantageous if the upper surface of the rocker switch has a third actuation zone, wherein the third actuation zone is formed along the longitudinal direction between the first actuation zone and the second actuation zone, and wherein the kinematic device is configured such that, if the detected actuation position lies within the third actuation zone, both the pivot point at the first position and the pivot point at the second position are activated, thus preventing the operation of the switching elements by blocking the rocker switch. For example, if a user's finger is located in the third actuation zone and the user exerts pressure on the rocker switch, the user recognizes, due to the rocker switch being blocked, that actuation of the rocker switch is not possible in this area.Accordingly, when pressure is applied in the third actuation zone, the rocker switch has a rigid and therefore particularly high-quality feel. In particular, when actuated in the third actuation zone, the rocker switch is locked, preventing any movement at all. A further advantage of this design is that the user does not experience an increase in operating force required to operate the switches in the area between the two switching elements, or between the first and second actuation zones. This is unlike a rocker switch with a fixed pivot point, where, because both pivot points are active, operation in the third actuation zone is impossible.

[0034] It is considered particularly advantageous if the third actuation zone lies along the longitudinal direction between the first position and the second position.

[0035] It is considered particularly advantageous if the pivot point at the second position interacts with a first end section of the rocker switch that projects along its longitudinal direction relative to the first switching element, and / or if the pivot point at the first position interacts with a second end section of the rocker switch that projects along its longitudinal direction relative to the second switching element. This allows the pivoting of the respective end section to be kept to a minimum.

[0036] It is considered particularly advantageous if the operating device has a bearing mount for the operating rocker, wherein the bearing mount has a linear guide for the operating rocker.

[0037] The following figures explain the invention in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, without being limited to these. They show: Fig. 1 a multifunction steering wheel of a motor vehicle with a control device, Fig. 2 a sub-area of Fig. 1 in an enlarged view, Fig. 3 a first embodiment of an operating device according to the invention in a schematic representation, Fig. 4 a second embodiment of the operating device according to the invention in a schematic representation

[0038] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a multifunction steering wheel 1 of a motor vehicle. The multifunction steering wheel 1 has, in addition to other operating elements, an operating device 10 according to the invention. This operating device 10 is located in the Fig. 2 is indicated by the border 2.

[0039] The operating device 10 according to the invention is an operating device 10 with a rocker switch 30 for selectively operating two switching elements 21, 22 spaced apart in a longitudinal direction X. The operating device 10 can, for example, be used to operate an on-board computer, whereby a menu change can be effected via the operating device 10. A first switching element 21 of the two switching elements 21, 22 can, for example, be used to switch to a previous menu, whereas the second switching element 22 of the two switching elements 21, 22 can be used to switch to a subsequent menu. The operating device 10 has a bearing receptacle 40, wherein the rocker switch 30 is floatingly mounted in the bearing receptacle 30.The bearing housing provides guidance in the vertical direction Z, with this guidance having play in the longitudinal direction X to allow rocking, and thus rotation, of the operating rocker 30 in the bearing housing 40. The selective operation of the switching elements 21 and 22 is effected via the common operating rocker 30 by mechanical actuation, namely pressing, of the operating rocker 30. Depending on the range in which the operating rocker 30 is actuated or pressed, either the first switching element 21 or the second switching element 22 is operated.

[0040] To increase ease of use and prevent incorrect operation, such as unintentional activation of both switching elements 21, 22 (i.e., a double-click), the operating device 10 according to the invention comprises a kinematic device for providing an adaptive pivot point and a detection device 50. The kinematic device is configured to activate a pivot point for the rocker switch 30 as needed, either at a first position X1, or at a second position X2, or to activate the pivot point at the first position X1 and at the second position X2. The two positions X1, X2 are mutually opposed in the longitudinal direction X. This is, for example, Fig. 3. The pivot points at the first position X1 and at the second position X2 are each provided by a separate pivot element 61, 62 that can be moved in the vertical direction Z.

[0041] The detection device 50 is configured to detect an actuation position on the upper surface of the rocker switch 30 when the rocker switch 30 is mechanically actuated. Touch-sensitive sensors are mounted on the upper surface of the rocker switch 30, with the touch-sensitive sensors having a capacitive contact layer for spatially resolved detection of the actuation position. The upper surface of the rocker switch 30 is divided into three actuation zones 31, 32, and 33. A first actuation zone 31 is assigned to the operation of the first switching element 21 and is accordingly located at the end of the rocker switch 30 above the first switching element 21. A second actuation zone 32 is assigned to the second switching element 22 and is accordingly located at the other end of the rocker switch 30 and above the second switching element 22.A third operating zone 33 extends between the first operating zone 31 and the second operating zone 32.

[0042] The kinematic device is configured to activate the pivot point at the first position X1 and / or the pivot point at the second position X2, depending on the actuation position detected by the sensing device 50. The first pivot element 61 can move from an active position to an inactive position and vice versa. In the active position, the first pivot element 61 is in its upper end position in the vertical direction Z. In the upper end position, the end of the pivot element 61 is located above the second switching element 22 in the vertical direction Z and forms a stop for the rocker switch 30. When the rocker switch 30 comes into contact with the pivot element 61 during actuation in the first actuation zone 31, the pivot element 61 forms a tilting edge for the rocker switch 30 and thus the pivot point at the first position X1.In the active position of the second pivot element 62, the second pivot element 62 is in the upper position and, in the same way as the first pivot element 61, provides the pivot point at the second position X2 in the form of a stop for the control element 30 when actuated in the second actuation zone 32.

[0043] The kinematic device includes a control unit 63 for controlling linear motors (not shown) for the pivot elements 61 and 62. If the detected actuation position lies within the first actuation zone 31, the actuator of the first pivot element 61 is controlled such that the pivot point at the first position X1 is activated by moving the first pivot element 61 to the upper position. The pivot point at the second position X2, on the other hand, is inactive or deactivated by the control unit 63 controlling the actuator of the second pivot element 62 such that the second pivot element 62 is moved downwards.

[0044] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a situation where the actuation position lies within the third actuation zone 33. In this case, both the pivot point at the first position X1 and the pivot point at the second position X2 are activated, and accordingly, the two pivot elements 61 and 62 are moved upwards. The upward movement of the pivot elements 61 and 62 prevents the switching elements 21 and 22 from being operated by blocking the rocker switch 30. The inactive lower position of the first pivot element 61 is indicated by a dashed outline of the pivot element 61 in the Fig. Figure 3 shows the same. The same applies to the second pivot element 62.

[0045] The embodiment according to the Fig. 4 differs from the embodiment according to the Fig. 3 essentially by the design of the pivot elements 61, 62 and the type of mechanical activation and deactivation. The drive for adjusting the respective pivot element 61, 62 for the purpose of activating and deactivating the respective pivot point is designed as a rotary actuator 65, 66, the axis of rotation of which is connected to an eccentric. The respective eccentric forms the respective pivot element 61, 62.

[0046] In contrast to the Fig. 3 shows the Fig.4. A situation in which the actuation position lies within the first actuation zone 31. Accordingly, the first pivot element 61 is in the active position, in which the pivot element 61 forms a stop for the rocker switch 30 at the first position X1 and thus a pivot point at the first position X1. In contrast, the second pivot element 63 is in the inactive position, whereby the eccentric is pivoted downwards in the inactive position. Reference symbol list 1 Multifunction steering wheel 2 Border 10 Control unit 21 first switching element 22 second switching element 30 rocker switch 31 first activity zone 32 second activity zone 33 third activity zone 40 Bearing intake 50 recording device 61 first pivot element 62 second pivot element 63 Control unit 65 Drive 66 Drive X Longitudinal direction X1 first position X2 second position Z Upward direction

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