OPERATING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] This patent application claims priority from German patent application 10 2018 110 871.0 of 7 May 2018.

[0002] The invention relates to an operating device for a vehicle, for example for a vehicle component such as an air conditioning system, an infotainment system or a navigation system and, more generally, to a human-machine interface.

[0003] The use of displays in vehicles that also serve as input elements in the form of touch surfaces is becoming increasingly widespread. These touch displays, which are triggered by even the lightest touch, can sometimes be accidentally activated. This can be problematic if this triggers safety-relevant functions or leads to other unintentional adjustments to a vehicle function. In such cases, additional sensors are required to detect or determine the force with which the operator presses on the corresponding area of ​​the control panel. This prevents triggering simply by placing a button on the display. Since a rigid user interface is often required, the sensors used primarily consist of force-sensitive resistors, strain gauges, optical, or capacitive sensors.The sensors typically measure the distance traveled by the user interface relative to a rigid part of the component via the deflection of a spring element. For this purpose, the display surface is usually mounted in a movable manner within the housing.

[0004] The principles described above require a complex mechanism that allows the display to move relative to a rigid housing. Furthermore, one or more spring elements are required, which increases the cost of the overall system.

[0005] WO-A-2017 / 172461 and US-A-2014 / 168153 each disclose an operating device in which a local deformation of a display is optoelectrically detected when it is manually operated with a certain pressing force.

[0006] EP-A-3 040 826 and EP-A-3 229 117 each disclose an operating device in which a local deformation of a display is capacitively detected when it is manually actuated with a certain pressing force.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an operating device for a vehicle, the construction of which is simplified for measuring the triggering force during manual operation of the display.

[0008] To achieve this object, the invention provides an operating device for a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Individual objects of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] Accordingly, the invention proposes that the display be arranged on a holding device of the operating device in a deflectable manner. Due to the reversible deflection mounting of the display, it moves upon manual actuation, i.e., manual action on the display with a pressing force. Even with a comparatively stiff but nevertheless elastic mounting of the display, exerting a pressing force on the display operating surface results in a "deflection", i.e., a local change in the distance of the display or a component of the display from a reference plane or a reference point. The greater the distance traveled by the display as a result of its elastic connection to the holding device, the greater the pressing force acting on the display. If a minimum distance is detected during a deflection of the display, a valid, i.e.The intended actuation of the display for the purpose of entering a command can be decided. Determining the magnitude of the pressing force by distance measurement, as provided by the invention, is significantly less complex than determining the deflection of the display using optoelectric sensors according to the prior art.

[0010] Advantageously, in addition to a display unit, the display is provided with a cover plate to which the display unit is firmly connected and which projects laterally beyond the display unit at least in the areas of the support elements, wherein the cover plate rests on the support elements in these projecting areas and is fixed there (e.g. by gluing). The stiffness with which the display is elastically mounted on the holding device can be determined by the thickness of the cover plate, its material and the length and width of the projecting areas. The cover plate, which generally serves to mechanically protect the display unit of the display, therefore experiences deflection when force is exerted on the display during manual actuation. This deflection, as described above, is detected by the actuation sensor, for example as the distance traveled by the display due to the deflection.The cover plate projects laterally beyond the display unit, at least in those areas where the display rests on the support elements. The supporting support elements can form the edge sections of a frame of the holding device that surrounds the display on all sides. In this case, the cover plate would rest on the holding device or its support elements along its entire circumferential edge and be fixed there (e.g., by gluing). However, it is also conceivable for the cover plate to project beyond the display unit only at two, in particular opposite, edges of the display unit and to be mounted on the holding device.

[0011] The actuation sensor is expediently a displacement or force sensor. Using a displacement sensor, it is possible to determine the force exerted on the display when it is manually actuated. Knowing the stiffness, i.e., the spring elasticity, with which the display is attached to the mounting device, the force can then be determined from the distance the display is displaced. The use of one or more strain gauges or force-sensitive resistors is also possible according to the invention.

[0012] Optical, capacitive, inductive, and / or resistive sensors are particularly suitable as actuation sensors. The actuation sensor is preferably designed as a microelectromechanical or microoptoelectromechanical element (MEMS, MOEMS).

[0013] In other words, the subject matter of the invention is a system that measures the deflection of the display assembly triggered by finger pressure at one or more points. For this purpose, one or more sensors are mounted, e.g., on a component carrier, which measure the deflection of the display assembly at several locations. The stiffness of the display assembly can thus be used to determine the force acting on the display surface for a predefined number of local areas of the display (e.g., for the display's control panels). This allows the respective "path pattern" to be defined in advance for almost any number of positions on the display from the individual minimum displacement paths of the display assembly assigned to the sensors. This pattern must be present during subsequent manual operation of the display so that the operation is recognized as a valid operation.

[0014] The display assembly consists of a cover glass that protects the actual display and is connected to a housing. This is usually done by adhesive bonding. The display is attached to the back of the cover glass using an optically transparent adhesive (so-called optical bonding). This display typically consists of elements of a liquid crystal layer and the backlight (backlighting unit).

[0015] If pressure is applied to the cover glass in this arrangement, it deforms slightly. This deformation is transferred to a certain extent to the remaining components. This results in a displacement relative to the housing, which can be measured using the sensors. This deformation depends heavily on where the force is applied to the cover glass and how strong this force is. The position of the force application is determined using the touch sensor, which is either part of the display or is attached as a separate sensor layer between the display and the cover glass. By knowing the display deformation under different forces and positions, the force can be determined using one or more displacement sensors. Since the display components and the cover glass have a certain rigidity, the deformation is very small and not noticeable to the user. The sensors must therefore be highly sensitive.Depending on the number of force sensors, multiple force inputs can be measured across multiple fingers.

[0016] The invention assumes that the backlighting unit of the display is fixed and immovable in the mounting device. This has the advantage that the elastically connected mass is reduced and now essentially consists of the masses of the display itself, i.e., the display device, the touch panel, and the cover glass.

[0017] The backlight unit can be connected to the display through optical bonding. Instead of optical bonding, however, the backlight unit is usually connected to the display or the back of the display through a circumferential elastic sealing strip. This circumferential sealing strip seals the space between the light-emitting side of the backlight unit and the back of the display to prevent backlight light from escaping.

[0018] If the backlighting unit is now arranged stationary in the holding device, the elastic sealing strip allows the display to continue to bend when mechanical pressure is exerted on the display, as is the case when the display is manually actuated. According to the invention, the actuation sensor detects a change in the distance between the display and the backlighting unit. In this case, it is possible for the actuation sensor to be an integral component of the sealing strip and thus to infer whether the display has deflected based on compression of the sealing strip, which is detected at several points along the course of the sealing strip. Here, too, the compression pattern to which the sealing strip is exposed when the display is actuated provides information about where on the display surface pressure was applied and with what force.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the operating device is provided with haptic feedback. This increases ease of use if the user is signaled that valid operation of the control panel has been detected. This is particularly advantageously achieved through tactile feedback. Such haptic feedback can be implemented, for example, mechanically, electromechanically, or electrically. According to the invention, the display is elastically connected to the holding device. Mechanical tactile feedback can thus be implemented by mechanically stimulating the display in the direction of the elastic connection using an actuator. This can be achieved, for example, by the display being moved in a pulsed manner towards the bottom of the holding device and / or in the opposite direction using the actuator.Another possibility for implementing haptic feedback is to induce bending waves into the display or the display cover glass. Another possibility for implementing haptic feedback is a purely electrical variant using locally generated electric fields.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In detail, the drawing shows: Fig. 1 a representation of an elastically suspended display of an operating device according to an embodiment not according to the invention in the rest position, Fig. 2 the display according to Fig. 1in the state of its deflection when the display is actuated, the degree of deflection being shown greatly exaggerated to illustrate the functional principle of the invention, Fig. 3 shows a representation of an elastically suspended display of an operating device according to a second embodiment of the invention in the rest position and Fig. 4 shows the display according to Fig. 3 in the state of its deflection when the display is activated, the degree of deflection being shown greatly exaggerated to illustrate the functional principle of the invention,

[0021] Fig. 1shows schematically a first exemplary embodiment of an operating device 10 for a vehicle (for example, in use as a central input device arranged in the center console or in the instrument panel). The operating device 10 has a display 12, which has a display unit 14, for example, implemented using LCD technology, and a backlight unit 16. Furthermore, the display 12 comprises a cover plate 18, which, as in Fig. 1 shown, protrudes beyond the display unit 14 at at least two opposite edges or ends. In these projecting areas 20, the cover plate 18 rests on support elements 22 of a holding device 24, which in this exemplary embodiment is provided with a bottom wall as the bottom side 25, from which the support elements 22 protrude at at least two opposite edge sections 26.

[0022] Due to the construction described above, the display spans the free space 28 of the holding device 24 defined by the support elements 22.

[0023] The holding device 24 does not necessarily require a continuous bottom wall; the bottom side 25 can also be designed as an opening and thus as an open bottom side of the holding device 24.

[0024] In any case, below the display 12, for example on a circuit board or similar carrier plate 30, there is a displacement or force sensor in the form of preferably several actuation sensors 32, which operate in particular optically, capacitively, inductively, and / or resistively.

[0025] The cover plate 18 is attached (e.g., by adhesive bonding) to flanges 34 of the support elements 22. The display unit 14 is expediently firmly connected to the underside of the cover plate 18 by a transparent adhesive (so-called optical bonding). The display 12 also has a touch sensor 36 (e.g., touch panel).

[0026] Now, as in Fig. 2If, as indicated, pressure is exerted on the cover plate 18, as is the case when the display 12 is manually actuated, the projecting areas 20 of the cover plate 18 experience a deflection in their areas between the support elements 22 and the display unit 14. As a result, the display 12 moves towards the bottom side 25 of the holding device 24, so that the manual actuation of the display 12 is detected by a change in distance (ie, in this case, by a reduction in distance). This change in distance is different at the multiple locations at which it is detected by the multiple actuation sensors 32, depending on the manually applied pressure force and the location on the cover plate 18, i.e., on the display 12, at which it is exerted.

[0027] The touch sensors 36 and the actuation sensors 32 supply their data to an evaluation unit 38, in which it can now be evaluated whether the display 12 at the actuation point located by the touch sensors 36 (see in Fig. 2 at 40) the force required for a valid, i.e., intentional, actuation of the display 12 is manually applied. This force is reached when the actuation sensors 32 detect corresponding movements at the "measuring points" of the display 12 assigned to them.

[0028] In the previously described embodiment, the backlighting unit 16 "hangs" beneath the display unit 14, i.e., on the rear side 42 of the display 12. The backlighting unit 16 has a light exit side 44 facing the rear side 42. Between the light exit side 44 and the rear side 42, there is usually a gap 46 that is optically sealed to the outside by an elastic sealing strip 48. As a result, backlighting light from the backlighting unit 16 cannot escape laterally from the gap 46.

[0029] This elastic connection of the backlighting unit 16 to the display 12 via the sealing strip 48 can, if the backlighting unit 16 hangs below the display 12 without being supported by the holding device 24, start to move unintentionally due to vibrations acting from outside.

[0030] In a second embodiment of the invention, which is shown in the Figs. 3 and 4 As shown, the operating device 10' is therefore modified with regard to the arrangement and mounting of the backlight unit 16. Insofar as the elements of the operating device 10' are structurally and functionally identical to the elements of the operating device 10 of the Figs. 1 and 2 are, they are in the Figs. 3 and 4 provided with the same reference numerals as in the case of the operating device 10.

[0031] In the embodiment of the operating device 10' according to the Figs. 3 and 4The backlighting unit 16 is now mounted on the bottom side 25 of the holding device 24 and is thus essentially immobile. If, for example, a force is exerted on the display 12 at point 40, the display 12 moves, compressing the sealing strip 48. The resulting displacement or offset of the display 12 relative to the light exit side 44 of the backlighting unit 16 is detected. The actuation sensor system is integrated into the sealing strip 48. This can be achieved, for example, by resistively detecting a compression (possibly locally) of the sealing strip 48. The sealing strip 48 can also be provided with several measuring points. Instead of resistively operating sensors, capacitive sensors (the sealing strip 48 acts, for example, as a dielectric that changes upon compression) or inductive sensors can also be used.

[0032] The inventive concept operates without complex spring mechanisms. The elastic yet rigid connection is achieved in a simple manner solely by "suspending" the display 12 via the cover plate 18, which spans the free space 28 of the holding device 24 and thus experiences deflections in the protrusion areas overlooking the display unit 14 when force is applied to the display 12. The associated deflection can be detected, and the applied force can be deduced from it. If the minimum contact force is reached or exceeded, the display has been intentionally actuated. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0033] 10 Operating device 12 Display 14 Display unit 16 Backlight unit 18 Display cover plate 20 Cover plate projections 22 Supporting elements of the holding device 24 Holding device 25 Bottom of the holding device 26 Bottom edge sections 28 Free space in the holding device 30 Supporting plate 32 Actuation sensor 34 Supporting element flanges 36 Display touch sensor 38 Evaluation unit 40 Pressure application point on the display 42 Back of the display 44 Light exit side of the backlight unit 46 Space between the display and the backlight unit 48 Sealing tape

Claims

1. An operating device (10) for a vehicle, comprising - a display (12) with a touch sensor system (36) for a manual actuation of the display (12) with a predeterminable minimum pressing force, for inputting a command, - a retaining device (24) which retains the display (12), - the retaining device (24) comprising a bottom side (25) with edge portions and support elements (22) protruding from at least opposite edge portions (26) of the bottom side and define a free space between them, and - the display (12) being retained only by the support elements (22) of the retaining device (24) and bridging the free space (28) while maintaining a distance from the bottom side (25) of the retaining device (24), - at least one actuation sensor (32) for sensing a bending of the display (12) upon manual actuation thereof, - the at least one actuation sensor (32) sensing a change in a distance of the display (12) from a reference plane or a change in a distance of a part of the display (12) from a reference plane, the change in distance being due to a bending of the display upon manual actuation thereof with the predeterminable minimum pressing force, and - an evaluation unit (38) connected to the touch sensor system (36) and the at least one actuation sensor (32), for the evaluation of the signals of the touch sensor system (36) and the at least one actuation sensor (32) for the purpose of deciding, whether, upon a manual actuation of the display (12), the force acting on the display is at least the minimum pressing force, - a backlight unit (16) comprising a light emitting side (44), which unit is arranged on the bottom side (25) of the retaining device (24) and faces the rear side (42) of the display (12) by its light emitting side (44), - a space (46) existing between the light emitting side (44) of the light emitting unit (16) and the rear side (42) of the display (12), which space is sealed to the outside by an elastic sealing strip (48) to prevent backlight leakage, - the actuation sensor (32) sensing a change in the distance of the rear side (42) of the display (12) from the light emitting side (44) of the backlight unit (16), and - the actuation sensor being formed as a part of the sealing strip and sensing a change in the distance between the rear side (42) of the display (32) and the light emitting side (44) of the backlight unit (16), based on the compression of the strip upon a manual actuation of the display.

2. The operating device (10) of claim 1, wherein the display (12) comprises a display unit (14) and a cover plate (18) with which the display unit (14) is fixedly connected and which protrudes laterally beyond the display unit (14) at least in the regions of the support elements (22), and wherein the cover plate (18) rests on the support elements (22) in these protrusion regions (20).

3. The operating device (10) of claims 1 or 2, wherein the actuation sensor (32) is a path or force sensor and / or operates optically, capacitively, inductively and / or resistively and / or is configured as a micro-electromechanical or micro-optoelectromechanical element.

4. The operating device (10) of one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an electric or electromechanics or electromagnetic feedback unit for a tactile feedback of a valid manual actuation of the display (12).