SLIDING SWITCH FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a slide switch for a motor vehicle, comprising a slide element and a base body through which a guide is formed. The slide element can be moved along the guide from an initial position in at least one direction of movement. The slide switch comprises a haptic device for outputting haptic feedback to an operator when the slide element is moved. The haptic device has at least one pressure piece, which is guided along a guide track of the slide switch when the slide element is moved.

[0002] US 6,998,546 B1 describes a switch for adjusting an electrically adjustable vehicle seat. By pressing a control button of the switch, a seat occupant can move a switching module arranged between two guide rails of the switch. The switching module has a through-hole extending perpendicular to the direction of movement, in which two pressure pieces are arranged. The pressure pieces are pressed into V-shaped guide tracks by a compression spring. In a neutral position of the switching module, the pressure pieces are located in the region of an apex of the respective guide tracks. EP 2 759 380 A1 discloses a slide switch according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A disadvantage here is the fact that, due to the design, the thrust pieces are arranged in the through-hole with a certain amount of radial play. This means that in the neutral or home position of the switching module, the switching module can be moved slightly in the respective displacement directions. Such "wobbling" of the switching module in the neutral position is undesirable. The operator may find such play in the neutral position confusing or disruptive when handling the switch.

[0004] In addition, the design-related play of the switching module in the neutral position leads to undesirable noise when handling the control knob. Furthermore, providing the pressure pads as separate parts to be installed in the through-hole also results in increased costs, including in terms of assembly.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to create a slide switch of the type mentioned at the outset which is particularly simple in construction and particularly functional.

[0006] This object is achieved by a slide switch having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0007] The slide switch according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a slide element and a base body. The base body forms a guide along which the slide element can be moved from an initial position in at least one direction of movement. The slide switch comprises a haptic device for outputting haptic feedback to an operator when the slide element is moved. The haptic device has at least one pressure piece, which is guided along a guide track of the slide switch when the slide element is moved. The at least one pressure piece is formed integrally with an arm, which is arranged on the slide element. The pressure piece is therefore an integral part of the at least one arm. Consequently, the at least one pressure piece does not need to be provided as a separate component.This also eliminates the play that exists between the pressure piece and a guide in which the separately designed pressure piece can be moved when the pressure piece is pressed against the guideway, which is present when the pressure piece is designed separately.

[0008] The integral design of the pressure piece or guide cam with the arm therefore means that the slide element, even in the initial position or zero position or neutral position, cannot be displaced relative to the at least one pressure piece in at least one displacement direction. Consequently, the noise associated with such relative mobility is also eliminated when the operator actuates the slide element.

[0009] Furthermore, the functionality of the slide switch is increased. This is because the operator is not disturbed or confused by play in the starting position of the slide element. This is particularly advantageous because the slide switch is intended for use in a motor vehicle, for example, to cause the movement of a motor vehicle component such as a sunroof, a seat, a window pane, or the like. When using the slide switch in this way in the motor vehicle, it is advantageous if the operator is not confused by operating the slide switch. This is because there is then no risk of distraction from the traffic.

[0010] The integral, or one-piece, design of the pressure piece with the at least one arm also results in a particularly simple and cost-effective construction of the slide switch. This is especially true because the at least one pressure piece is not designed as a separate part, which would thus entail increased costs and increased assembly effort.

[0011] Preferably, the arm is mounted on the slide element so that it can rotate about a pivot axis. This makes it particularly easy to ensure that the pusher is guided along the guide track or within the guide track when the slide element is moved. For example, the arm can be connected to the slide element via a pivot joint.

[0012] Preferably, the rotation axis is provided by a film hinge, via which the arm is connected to the slide element. The film hinge, which has no bearing play, makes it particularly easy to ensure that no relative movement is possible between the slide element and the pressure piece in the initial position of the slide element. Furthermore, the film hinge allows the arm to be connected to the slide element in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0013] The arm can be designed as a spring element that applies a force to the pressure piece, pressing it against the guideway. This allows for a particularly simple design of the slide switch.

[0014] According to the invention, the slide switch comprises at least one spring element that applies a force to the arm, pressing the pressure piece against the guide rail. Such a separate spring element can ensure, in particular, that the pressure piece is pressed against the guide rail with a substantially constant force over a very wide temperature range. If, in contrast, only a spring force of the arm itself is used to press the pressure piece into the guide rail, the mobility of the arm is comparatively strongly dependent on the temperature to which the slide switch, and thus also the arm, is exposed. This applies in particular if the arm is made of a plastic.

[0015] If, in contrast, at least one separate spring element, in particular made of metal, is provided, which applies the force pressing the pressure piece against the guide track to the arm, a substantially constant force application to the at least one arm can be ensured by means of the separate spring element over a particularly wide temperature range.

[0016] It is particularly simple, functionally reliable, and cost-effective for the at least one spring element to be designed as a helical spring according to the invention. The helical spring can be made, in particular, of metal.

[0017] It has also been shown to be advantageous for the arm to have a projection aligned with the thrust piece, which is encompassed by an end region of the coil spring. In other words, the projection can be inserted into the end region of the coil spring. This allows for a particularly precise installation position of the coil spring. Accordingly, a very precise application of the force pressing the thrust piece into the guideway to at least one arm is achievable.

[0018] Viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the slide switch, which coincides with the sliding direction, a base plate of the slide element can have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. An end region of the arm is arranged at one of these ends of the base plate, and a portion of the arm extends from this end of the base plate toward the pressure piece. In other words, the at least one pressure piece is arranged offset from the base plate relative to one of the ends of the base plate in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0019] This means that at least one arm does not need to be positioned laterally next to the base plate, but rather extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis, essentially as an extension of the base plate. This allows for a particularly narrow design of the slide switch perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, a separate spring element, which can be used to apply a force to the arm that presses the pressure piece against the guide track, is not disruptive. This is because such a spring element is also arranged offset from the base plate in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0020] An actuating element can be arranged on the base plate of the slide element, which can be moved by the operator together with the base plate in at least one displacement direction to displace the slide element. By providing such an actuating element, in particular a cuboid-shaped one, the operability of the slide switch by the operator can be improved.

[0021] Preferably, at least one light source is integrated into the actuating element, by means of which at least one symbol formed on the actuating element can be illuminated. The at least one symbol can, in particular, indicate the at least one displacement direction and / or a function of the slide switch. Illuminating the at least one symbol facilitates operation of the slide switch even under unfavorable lighting conditions. The at least one light source can, in particular, be designed as a light-emitting diode.

[0022] Particularly when the actuating element has at least one light source, it is advantageous to arrange the separate spring element, which applies the force pressing the pressure piece against the guide track to the arm, offset from the actuating element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the slide switch. This is because the separate spring element then does not need to be passed through the actuating element. This makes integrating the at least one light source into the actuating element particularly simple.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one pressure piece and the arm are formed from a plastic material, which also forms a base plate of the slide element. In other words, the base plate of the slide element, the arm, and the pressure piece can be formed integrally from the plastic material. This makes the provision of the at least one pressure piece particularly inexpensive. Polyoxymethylene (POM) can be used, in particular, as the plastic material.

[0024] Preferably, the guide track has at least one change in pitch or one point of discontinuity, wherein the haptic feedback can be output upon the at least one pressure piece reaching the at least one change in pitch or the point of discontinuity. For example, the guide track can have an indentation and / or a step and / or a projection or the like as the at least one change in pitch or point of discontinuity. If the pressure piece then reaches this change in pitch or the point of discontinuity when displacing the slide element, a corresponding jolt is felt by the operator, and consequently, haptic feedback is output to the operator. In this way, the operator can be informed, in particular, that an end position of the slide element has been reached or will shortly be reached. This makes operating the slide switch particularly intuitive.The slide element can be moved from the starting position into the at least one end position by moving the slide element from the starting position in the at least one displacement direction.

[0025] Preferably, the slide element can be moved from its initial position either in a first direction of movement or in a second direction of movement opposite the first direction of movement. This makes it particularly easy to track possible movements of a motor vehicle component to be moved by actuating the slide switch. This applies in particular if the motor vehicle component can be moved into an open position by moving it in the first direction of movement and into a closed position by moving it in the second direction of movement.

[0026] A particularly compact and simple design of the slide switch is beneficial if the guide track is formed by the base body of the slide switch. For example, the base body can have at least one leg in which the guide track is formed.

[0027] Finally, it has proven advantageous for the haptic device to have two pressure pieces, which are guided along respective guideways when the slider element is moved. The guideways are designed symmetrically to a longitudinal axis of the slide switch, which coincides with the at least one direction of movement. The pressure pieces are formed integrally with respective arms arranged on the slider element. By providing two guideways and pressure pieces pressed against the respective guideways, particularly clearly perceptible haptic feedback can be achieved.

[0028] Furthermore, by providing two pressure pieces pressed against the two guideways, a highly reliable guide of the slide element along the guide formed by the base body can be achieved particularly easily. In particular, this prevents the slide element from being subjected to a torque due to the force pressing the pressure piece against the guideway, which could then promote tilting of the slide element in the guide formed by the base body.

[0029] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate feature combinations from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and feature combinations are also to be considered disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed, in particular by the embodiments set out above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the reliances of the claims.

[0030] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. These show: Fig. 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle with a roof module on which a sliding switch is arranged, whereby the sliding switch can be used to open and close a sliding roof of the motor vehicle; Fig. 2 the sliding switch according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 3 in an enlarged plan view the slide switch according to Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4the slide switch according to Fig. 2 , wherein a slide element of the slide switch is in a starting position or zero position; Fig. 5 the slide switch according to Fig. 2 , wherein the slide element is maximally displaced in a first displacement direction; and Fig. 6 the slide switch according to Fig. 2 , wherein the slide element is maximally displaced in a second displacement direction.

[0031] In Fig. 1 A motor vehicle 10 is shown in a highly schematic manner, which has a roof module 12. A slide switch 14 is arranged in the roof module 12. By actuating the slide switch 14, for example, the opening and closing of a sunroof of the motor vehicle 10 can be effected. Fig. 2 Components of the slide switch 14 are shown in perspective. The slide switch 14 comprises a slide element 16 and a base body 18. The base body 18 forms a guide along which the slide element 16 is guided from a Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown starting position in the respective directions of movement. The directions of movement are shown in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 illustrated by a double arrow 20.

[0032] Guideways 22, 24, or cam tracks, are formed through the base body 18. Two pressure pieces 26, 28, or tappet caps or guide cams, move along these guideways 22, 24 when the slide element 16 is moved. The movement of the pressure pieces 26, 28 along the guideways 22, 24 provides haptic feedback to an operator, who moves the slide element 16 in one of the directions indicated by the double arrow 20.

[0033] Through the interaction of the pressure pieces 26, 28 with the guide tracks 22, 24 against which the pressure pieces 26, 28 are pressed, a passive haptic device 30 of the slide switch 14 is provided. In particular, Fig. 3 In this regard, it is evident that the respective guideways 22, 24 can have changes in pitch, for example in the form of indentations 32, 34. If the pressure pieces 26, 28 enter these indentations 32, 34 due to the displacement of the slide element 16, this can be perceived haptically by the operator.

[0034] In the present case, the respective pressure piece 26, 28 is formed in one piece with a respective arm 36, 38. Thus, Fig. 2 left pressure piece 26 with the Fig. 2 left arm 36 is formed in one piece, and the Fig. 2 right pressure piece 28 is connected to the Fig. 2 The right arm 38 is formed in one piece. The arms 36, 38 are connected to the slide element 16 via a respective film hinge 40, 42. Thus, the pressure pieces 26, 28 are also an integral part of the slide element 16.

[0035] Furthermore, the pressure pieces 26, 28 are flexibly mounted. In the area of the film hinges 40, 42, respective axes of rotation are provided. The respective arm 36, 38 is rotatably held on the slide element 16 about these axes of rotation. Due to the connection of the pressure pieces 26, 28 via the respective arms 36, 38 to the slide element 16, there is no mobility of the slide element 16 relative to the pressure pieces 26, 28. Such a relative movement would, however, occur if the pressure pieces 26, 28 or tappet caps were designed as separate components, which are mounted with play in respective guides. The relative mobility then also leads to the fact that in the Fig. 2 In the starting position shown, the slide element 16 can be moved minimally in the respective displacement directions. This results in undesirable noise generation. However, this is avoided in the present case. Consequently, the slide switch 14 engages without play and with low noise, both upon reaching the respective indentations 32, 34 and in the starting position. Furthermore, the effort required to provide pressure pieces or tappet caps, for example, designed as separate metal caps, is eliminated because the pressure pieces 26, 28 are formed integrally with the respective arm 36, 38.

[0036] A force with which the respective pressure piece 26, 28 is pressed against the respective guide track 22, 24 can be applied at least partially by the respective arms 36, 38 themselves, in that the arms 36, 38 are designed as spring arms or spring elements. In the present case, however, to provide the force which presses the pressure pieces 26, 28 in the direction of the slide tracks or guide tracks 22, 24, a further, separate spring element is additionally provided, which can be designed, for example, as a Fig. 2 shown coil spring 44 can be formed. If such a separate spring element is provided, which presses the arms 36, 38 against the guide track 22, 24 corresponding to the respective pressure piece 26, 28, a corresponding spring force of the spring element is to a particularly large extent independent of the temperatures prevailing in the environment of the slide switch 14.

[0037] In particular from Fig. 3 It is clearly visible that the respective arm 36, 38 has a projection 46, 48 aligned with the pressure piece 26, 28 of the respective arm 36, 38. This projection 46, 48 is encompassed by a respective end region of the coil spring 44. In other words, one projection 46 is inserted into a first end region of the coil spring 44, and the other projection 48 is inserted into the opposite end region of the coil spring 44.

[0038] In Fig. 3 Furthermore, a longitudinal axis 50 of the slide switch 14 is shown, which coincides with the direction of displacement indicated by the double arrow 20. Viewed in the direction of this longitudinal axis 50, a base plate 52 of the slide element 16, which in this case is rectangular, has a first end 54 and a second end 56 opposite the first end 54. In the present case, respective end regions 58 of the arms 36, 38 are arranged at the first end 54 of the base plate 52. The arms 36, 38 therefore protrude from the first end 54 of the base plate 52 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 50. In particular, the arms 36, 38 are formed integrally with the base plate 52, which in this case is made of a plastic.

[0039] Due to the protrusion of the arms 36, 38 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 50 from the base plate 52, the helical spring 44 and the pressure pieces 26, 28 are not located in the area of a cuboid-shaped actuating element 60 or actuating part of the slide element 16. The operator can grip the slide element 16 on the actuating element 60, which is designed in the manner of a block, in order to move the pressure pieces 26, 28 together with the slide element 16 in the respective displacement direction.

[0040] Arranging the arms 36, 38 at the frontal first end 54 of the base plate 52 is particularly advantageous if (as preferred here) at least one light source 62, indicated only schematically in this case, is integrated into the actuating element 60. During operation of the light source 62, symbols 64 formed on the actuating element 60 are illuminated, which can, for example, illustrate the sunroof of the motor vehicle 10 and / or the different displacement directions. In this case, the displacement directions are illustrated by symbols 64 formed as arrows.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment of the slide switch 14, there are tabs 66 (see Fig. 3 ) in guide slots 68 which are formed in the base body 18 (compare Fig. 2 ). In the present case, the guide of the base body 18 for the slide element 16 is formed or provided by these guide slots 68.

[0042] Based on the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown initial position or zero position of the slide element 16, the slide element 16 and consequently together with it the pressure pieces 26, 28 can be moved into a first end position, which in Fig. 5 Here, the pressure pieces 26, 28 move along the guideways 22, 24 in a first displacement direction 69, which Fig. 5 is illustrated by an arrow. If the slider element 16 is moved in the first displacement direction 69, this causes the sunroof to open.

[0043] Legs 70, 72 of the base body 18, in which the respective guideways 22, 24 are formed, have a very wide V-shape. The pressure pieces 26, 28 are located in the region of a respective apex 74 of this flat V-shape when the slide element 16 is returned to its initial position (see Fig. 4 ) is spent.

[0044] Consequently, in the Fig. 5 shown first end position of the slide element 16, the pressure pieces 26, 28 guided in the guide tracks 22, 24 are moved further towards each other than when the slide element 16 is in the starting position (compare Fig. 4 ). Accordingly, the coil spring 44 is also more strongly compressed than when the slide element 16 is in the Fig. 4 shown starting position. The force-displacement curve is therefore determined by the shape of the slide tracks or guideways 22, 24 and the spring force of the coil spring 44.

[0045] In Fig. 6 The slide element 16 of the slide switch 14 is shown displaced into a second end position. A corresponding second displacement direction 76, which is opposite to the first displacement direction 69, is shown in Fig. 6 illustrated by another arrow. Due to the V-shape of the legs 70, 72, the distance between the pressure pieces 26, 28 is also smaller in this end position of the slide element 16 than when the slide element 16 is in its initial position. Consequently, the coil spring 44 is also more strongly compressed here than in the Fig. 4 shown starting position of the slide element 16.

[0046] The V-shape of the guideways 22, 24, together with the force of the coil spring 44, also causes the slide element 16 to move back or return from the respective end positions to the starting position. Consequently, a restoring force increasing in the respective displacement directions 69, 76 is also perceptible to the operator as haptic feedback from the passive haptic device 30.

Claims

1. Sliding switch (14) for a motor vehicle (10), having a slider element (16) and a main body (18), by which a guide is formed, along which the slider element (16) can be moved from a starting position in at least one direction of movement (20), and with a haptic device (30) for outputting haptic feedback to an operator when the slider element (16) is moved, wherein the haptic device (30) has at least one pressure piece (26, 28) which is guided along a guide track (22, 24) of the sliding switch (14) when the slider element (16) is moved, wherein the at least one pressure piece (26, 28) is formed in one piece with an arm (36, 38) which is arranged on the slider element (16), wherein the haptic device (30) has two pressure pieces (26, 28) which are guided along respective guide tracks (22, 24) during the movement of the slider element (16), wherein the guide tracks (22, 24) are symmetrically formed with respect to a longitudinal axis (50) of the sliding switch (14), which coincides with the at least one movement direction (20), and wherein the pressure pieces (26, 28) are formed in one piece with respective arms (36, 38) which are arranged on the slider element (16), wherein the sliding switch (14) comprises a spring element (44) which loads the arms (36, 38) with a force which presses the pressure piece (26, 28) against the guide track (22, 24), characterized in that the at least one spring element is formed as a coil spring (44) and the arm (36, 38) has a projection (46, 48) which is aligned with the pressure piece (26, 28) and is surrounded by an end portion of the coil spring (44).

2. Sliding switch (14) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arm (36, 38) is held on the slider element (16) rotatably about a rotational axis.

3. Sliding switch (14) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the rotational axis is provided by an integral hinge (40, 42), via which the arm (36, 38) is connected to the slider element (16).

4. Sliding switch (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the arm (36, 38) is formed as a spring element which loads the pressure piece (26, 28) with a force which presses the pressure piece (26, 28) against the guide track (22, 24).

5. Sliding switch (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, as viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis (50) of the sliding switch (14), which coincides with the movement direction (20), a base plate (52) of the slider element (16) has a first end (54) and a second end (56) lying opposite the first end (54), wherein an end region (58) of the arm (36, 38) is arranged at one of these ends (54, 56) of the base plate (52), and wherein a portion of the arm (36, 38) extends from this end (54) of the base plate (52) to the pressure piece (26, 28).

6. Sliding switch (14) according to Claim 5, characterized in that an actuating element (60) is arranged on the base plate (52) of the slider element (16), which actuating element is movable for the movement of the slider element (16) together with the base plate (52) by the operator in the at least one movement direction (20).

7. Sliding switch (14) according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least one light source (62) is integrated into the actuating element (60), by means of which light source at least one symbol (64) formed on the actuating element (60) can be illuminated.

8. Sliding switch (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one pressure piece (26, 28) and the arm (36, 38) are formed from a plastic, from which a base plate (52) of the slider element (16) is also formed.

9. Sliding switch (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide track (22, 24) has at least one gradient change (32, 34) or a point of discontinuity, wherein the outputting of the haptic feedback can be effected due to the at least one gradient change (32, 34) or the point of discontinuity being reached by the at least one pressure piece (26, 28).

10. Sliding switch (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the slider element (16) can be moved from the starting position either in a first movement direction (69) or in a second movement direction (76) opposite to the first movement direction (69).

11. Sliding switch (14) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the guide track (22, 24) is formed by the main body (18) of the sliding switch (14).