Method and device for providing feedback for the operation of an operating station of a mechatronically moved part

Abstract

The inventive method for providing feedback for an operation at an operating point of a mechatronically movable part, which is movable by an actuator, comprises the steps - Operation of the operating station by an operator, and - Confirmation of successful operation by a micro-movement of the mechatronically movable part using the actuator, which is already present.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for providing feedback for the operation of an operating point of a mechatronically moved part, in particular on a motor vehicle, wherein the moved part is, for example, a body flap.

[0002] It is known, for example, to operate an electrically driven tailgate of a passenger vehicle using a control element in the form of a switch or button. After pressing the button, which is located on the inside of the tailgate, the tailgate is closed electrically. Furthermore, it is known to use the button to store a maximum opening position of the tailgate, so that the tailgate will only open to this position the next time it is opened. This prevents the tailgate from hitting an obstacle, such as in a parking space, when opening. This is particularly useful for vehicles with a hatchback or sloping rear, such as station wagons, SUVs, compact cars, etc.This is advantageous because their tailgates pivot upwards around an axis located in the area of ​​the vehicle roof and can therefore swing open far above the roofline, which can lead to damage to the tailgate in parking spaces with limited height. To save the desired maximum opening position, the button is held down for a longer period, for example, three seconds. After this period, the operator receives an acoustic signal as confirmation that the desired maximum opening position has been successfully saved. A speaker is provided for this purpose in the area of ​​the tailgate. It is also known to equip the corresponding button with a vibration actuator to provide haptic feedback through vibration of the button.

[0003] Both the known acoustic feedback and the known haptic feedback require appropriate devices for the acoustic signal, in particular a loudspeaker, or the vibration, in particular the vibration drive.

[0004] DE 10 2023 207 375 A1 relates to a door or flap drive for a motor vehicle, in which the influence of environmental factors is to be reliably distinguished from the presence of an operator command in order to prevent false activation of a door or flap drive. A switching device is provided for the pressure actuation of a front panel arranged on the flap. The front panel can output micro-movements as feedback to a user.

[0005] Furthermore, WO 2024 / 115 343 A1 relates to a method for operating an input device of a motor vehicle, in particular a door handle, which comprises an inductive sensor with a movable control element and an actuator operatively connected to the control element. In a first operating mode, movement of the control element is detected by means of the inductive sensor, and depending on this, the control element is subsequently moved by means of the actuator.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2023 210 902 A1 describes a method for operating an adjustment device for detecting a driving request for a motor vehicle, with an actuating element that can be operated by a driver of the motor vehicle, wherein the actuating element is assigned at least one controllable actuator for generating haptic feedback to the driver.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for providing feedback for the operation of an operating point of a mechatronically moved part, wherein the feedback is simplified and can be implemented more cost-effectively.

[0008] This problem is solved by a method comprising the combination of features of claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved by a device comprising the combination of features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The inventive method for providing, in particular, haptic feedback for operation at an operating point of a mechatronically movable part that is movable by an actuator comprises the steps - Operation of the operating station by an operator, and - Confirmation of successful operation by a micro-movement of the mechatronically movable part using the actuator, which is already present.

[0010] The step of confirming can also be described as giving feedback.

[0011] A micro-movement is a small or very small movement of the moving part. Advantageously, this small movement is at least large enough for the operator to perceive it. Perception means that the operator can see and / or feel the small movement. If necessary, the operator may also perceive the small movement audibly. On the other hand, the movement is advantageously not insignificantly larger than what is required for the operator to perceive it. A micro-movement can be a movement of the moving part that is no larger than a few millimeters and is at most, for example, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, or 10 mm. Such a micro-movement advantageously requires less energy and is completed more quickly. Furthermore, for a micro-movement, it is not necessary to check whether there are obstacles in a macro-movement range, i.e.,a significantly larger range of motion of the movable part.

[0012] According to the invention, the small movement or micro-movement is carried out by the actuator, which is already present to change the position of the mechatronically movable part, i.e., to move it. In other words, in normal operation, the actuator serves to move the movable part from a first position to a different second position, whereby, advantageously, a macro-movement, i.e., a larger movement of the movable part, is carried out instead of a micro-movement.

[0013] The actuator can be a drive, servo motor or the like, in particular an electric motor.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the micro-movement of the mechatronically movable part is carried out such that the mechatronically movable part returns to its initial position after the micro-movement. In other words, a movement in one direction is performed, followed by a corresponding movement in the opposite direction, so that the movable part is back in its initial position at the end of the micro-movement.

[0015] This is advantageous insofar as the movement can be perceived by the operator, but as a result there is no change in the position of the mechatronically movable part.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the micro-movement is generated by a pulse-duration modulation signal, particularly a short one, from a control unit of the actuator. The duration of the pulse-duration modulation signal can be adjustable.

[0017] This makes controlling the actuator particularly easy, and it is especially easy to set a barely perceptible micro-movement.

[0018] Particularly advantageous is the pulse duration modulation signal being applied in opposite directions, i.e. first in one direction, then in the opposite direction, so that the mechatronically movable part is back in its starting position after the micro-movement.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the operating point can be a manual, i.e., manually actuated, push button or switch. Operation is thus achieved by manually pressing the push button or switch.

[0020] The operating unit can alternatively or additionally feature a touch-sensitive control panel or a proximity sensor.

[0021] The operating point is advantageously located on the mechatronically movable part. Alternatively or additionally, the operating point can be located near the mechatronically movable part.

[0022] This positions the operator close to the moving part, allowing them to perceive even the smallest movements with exceptional precision. This also enables the micro-movements to be as minimal as possible.

[0023] The control point can also be a mobile or portable control element. The mobile control element could be, for example, a car key, a mobile phone, or a smartphone.

[0024] This would also eliminate the need for a separately installed button, switch or control panel, thus saving costs.

[0025] The inventive method also advantageously includes the step of detecting the position of the movable part during or after the step of operating the control point.

[0026] Additionally, the method according to the invention can include the step of saving the position of the movable part as the target position.

[0027] The target position is therefore advantageously stored for subsequent operations of the movable part. In particular, the target position is stored until a new target position is stored.

[0028] According to the invention, the method can further include the step of operating the control point by means of a long press by the operator.

[0029] A long press is an operation of the control unit for a specific minimum period. This period can be, for example, more than two, more than three, or even more than four seconds.

[0030] The operating unit can have multiple operating functions, i.e., in addition to storing a target position, the operating unit can include an operating function in which a movement, i.e., a macro movement, of the moved part is started or stopped by means of the actuator through operation of the operating unit.

[0031] The mechatronically movable part can be a pivoting body panel of a motor vehicle. This body panel can be a side door, a tailgate, or a front panel. If the tailgate pivots upwards, a target opening height can be set. For a side door that pivots to the side, a maximum lateral opening angle can be set. Similarly, for a side door that pivots upwards, a maximum target opening height can be set, analogous to the tailgate.

[0032] Similarly, the mechatronically movable part can be a swiveling vehicle seat component of a motor vehicle. This vehicle seat component could, for example, be a backrest whose target swivel angle range is thus adjustable.

[0033] Setting a target swivel angle range for a backrest can be advantageous if there is a temporary or permanent obstacle in the possible swivel range of the backrest.

[0034] The method according to the invention can also be applied to mechatronic movable parts outside of automotive engineering.

[0035] The aforementioned features can be combined in any way possible and where appropriate.

[0036] A brief description of the characters follows. Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle with an open, mechatronically movable tailgate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a flowchart for setting a desired maximum target opening height of the tailgate of the motor vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] An embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the figures.

[0038] In Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle 1, in particular a passenger car with a hatchback. A tailgate 3, as a mechatronically movable part, is shown in an open position. A push button 5, serving as an operating point for the tailgate 3, is arranged on a lower area of ​​an inner surface of the tailgate 3. The tailgate 3 has an electric drive 7, i.e., an actuator according to the invention, with an electrically driven spindle, so that the tailgate 3 can be opened and closed electrically. The tailgate 3 can generally be opened to a maximum height, in which Fig. 1. Line 13, openable. However, the opening of the tailgate 3 can also be limited to a lower maximum target height, for example, if the opening height is limited in a parking space, so that the tailgate 3 does not hit an obstacle when opening. An example of a lower maximum target height is in Fig. 1 represented by line 11.

[0039] A simple press of button 5 initiates the closing process of the tailgate 3, and the electric drive 7 closes the tailgate 3. Button 5 also has another function. If the tailgate 3 is at its maximum target height 11, the operator can save this maximum target height 11 by pressing and holding button 5 for, for example, three seconds. This ensures that on subsequent opening operations, the tailgate 3 will only open to the maximum target height 11. If a different maximum target height is desired, the operator can overwrite the saved maximum target height 11 at any time using the same saving procedure.

[0040] Upon successful storage of the maximum target height 11, the electric drive 7 is briefly activated in one direction and then in the opposite direction, causing the tailgate 3 to perform a brief micro-movement, but ultimately remaining in the same position. The operator can perceive this micro-movement and thus recognizes that the storage process was successful. The drive 7 is controlled by opposite-polarity pulse-width modulation signals or pulse-duration modulation signals.

[0041] This utilizes the existing electric drive 7 of the tailgate 3 to provide the operator with feedback confirming that the desired storage of the maximum target height 11 by pressing and holding button 5 has been successful. This eliminates the need for a device to output an acoustic signal, such as a loudspeaker, as feedback. Similarly, a vibration actuator for haptic feedback at button 5 can be omitted as an alternative to acoustic feedback. Overall, this provides a cost-effective way to deliver feedback on the successful storage of the maximum target height 11, since the actuator 7 is already present and is simply controlled by the controller as described.

[0042] Below is a method according to the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2 shown, is described.

[0043] In step S1, the tailgate is positioned at the maximum target height 11. This is done either manually by the operator or the operator stops the tailgate opening at the desired maximum target height 11 using a remote control integrated into a vehicle key.

[0044] In the following step S2, the operator operates button 5 by long-pressing, i.e., by pressing button 5 for three seconds.

[0045] In step S3, which is carried out subsequently or simultaneously with step S2, a position of the tailgate 3 or a position of the drive of the tailgate 3 is determined.

[0046] In a subsequent step S4, after a long press, the maximum target height 11 is stored in a control unit.

[0047] In a subsequent step S5, the control unit activates the electric drive 7 with the opposite polarity, causing the tailgate 3 to perform a micro-movement, but ultimately remaining in the position of maximum target height 11. This perceptible micro-movement of the tailgate 3 provides the operator with feedback that the storage of the maximum target height 11 was successful.

[0048] During the subsequent opening processes of the tailgate 3, the control unit then stops the drive 7 at the maximum target height 11.

[0049] The maximum target height of 11 remains stored until the process is executed again.

Claims

[1] Method for providing feedback for an operation at an operator station (5) on a mechatronically movable part (3), wherein the mechatronically movable part has an actuator (7) which is provided to change the position of the mechatronically movable part, comprising the steps - Operation (S2) of the operating station (5) by an operator, and - Confirmation (S5) of successful operation by a micro-movement of the mechatronically movable part (3) by means of the actuator (7). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the micro-movement of the mechatronically movable part (3) is carried out in such a way that the mechatronically movable part (3) is in its starting position again after the micro-movement. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the micro-movement is generated by a pulse duration modulation signal of a control of the actuator (7), and wherein in particular a duration of the pulse duration modulation signal is adjustable. [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein the pulse duration modulation signal is opposite in polarity, so that the mechatronically movable part (3) is in its starting position after the micro-movement. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating point (5) is a manual push button (switch) and / or a touch-sensitive control panel, wherein the operating point (5) is formed in particular on the mechatronically movable part (3) and / or near the mechatronically movable part (3). [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operating point (5) is formed on a mobile or portable operating element (5). [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps - Detecting (S3) a position (11) of the moving part (3) during or after the step of operating (S2) the operating station (5) and / or - Saving (S4) the position (11) of the moving part (3). [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the step of operating (S2) the operating station (5) is carried out by a long press by the operator, [9] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mechatronically moved part (3) is a pivoting body flap of a motor vehicle, in particular a side door or a tailgate, or a pivoting vehicle seat part of a motor vehicle, in particular a backrest. [10] Device for providing feedback for operation at an operating point (5) on a mechatronically moved part (5) for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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