OPERATING UNIT FOR ONE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating unit for a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such an operating unit.

[0002] Force detection in today's touchscreens is typically accomplished through transparent sensors or separate components. However, these separate components represent high additional costs and require additional space for generating a stroke.

[0003] EP 2635957 B1 discloses a system comprising a touchscreen and a housing. The touchscreen is arranged on the housing and has an LCD display. Furthermore, the system has force sensors arranged around the LCD display between the housing and the touchscreen. The force sensors are arranged on the housing and the LCD display. The force sensors are glued to the housing and the LCD display.

[0004] EP 2465019 B1 discloses a printed force sensor in a touchscreen. Here, the force sensor is integrated into a multilayer touchscreen and bonded with optically clear adhesive.

[0005] DE 10 2010 040164 A1 relates to capacitive control panels. In particular, DE 10 2010 040164 A1 relates to capacitive control panels that include touch-sensitive and force-sensitive input devices. EP 2 416 231 A1 describes an information input device configured to enable the input of information in response to a user's pressing of a control panel element and in accordance with the pressing force. EP 2 416 231 A1 also relates to a pressure detection unit for use in the information input device.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved operating unit, such as a touch display.

[0007] This object is achieved by an operating unit having the features of claim 1, an operating unit having the features of claim 2, an operating unit having the features of claim 3, and a vehicle having the features of claim 12.

[0008] The subclaims list further advantageous measures which can be combined with each other as desired to achieve further advantages.

[0009] A control unit for a vehicle includes: a receiving housing for receiving a display module, wherein the receiving housing has a receiving edge, a front cover with at least one transparent touch-sensitive control panel for operating the display module, at least one force sensor assigned to the front cover for measuring a force exerted on the control panel of the front cover, wherein the receiving edge has recesses, wherein at least one force sensor is arranged in each of the recesses, wherein the front cover is at least partially connected circumferentially to the receiving edge, wherein the receiving housing comprises a rear wall and a pair of oppositely arranged side walls, and wherein the side walls are arranged on the rear wall for receiving the display module and the receiving edge is the end of the side walls.

[0010] Such a control unit could be, for example, the vehicle display. A display module is the component that generates and displays the information. Such a display module is connected, for example, to a control circuit via which the display module is controlled, via a cable or a conductor track.

[0011] The control panel can preferably be designed as a touchscreen and be movable, i.e., deformable. The front cover can also be designed entirely as a control panel, for example, as a touchscreen, and be movable, i.e., the front cover moves or deforms when pressure is applied by the user.

[0012] A force sensor is a sensor for measuring the force exerted by the user, for example a resistance sensor.

[0013] By integrating the force sensor into the recess, the pressure or distance between the rigid component of the control unit, here the housing, and the movable or deformable front cover can be easily measured.

[0014] Additional components are eliminated. Furthermore, the force sensors can be fully integrated into the recess, for example, if they have an elongated shape. This eliminates the need for a transparent or clear design of the force sensors. The control unit can be used, for example, as a touchscreen in a vehicle. The invention thus enables the cost- and space-optimized integration of at least one force sensor into a control unit.

[0015] Preferably, at least three force sensors are arranged in corresponding recesses in the mounting edge. These can be evenly distributed, allowing good resolution to be achieved.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a deformable adhesive material with elastic properties is arranged between the front cover and the receiving edge, as well as between the at least one force sensor and the receiving edge for connecting the receiving housing and the force sensor to the front cover, such that when a force is exerted on at least the control panel, the force is transmitted to the force sensor by deformation of the deformable adhesive material. When the force exerted on the control panel is released, the material regains its deformation, whereby no further force is exerted on the force sensor. The elastic connecting material has permanent deformability, such that the user's operating force is transmitted to the force sensor via the deformable material. The control panel is thus deformed by the user's force.

[0017] This deformation is detected by force sensors in the recesses. The elastic connection, preferably adhesive, also allows for easy connection of the housing to the front cover.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a deformable adhesive material with elastic properties is arranged between the front cover and the receiving edge, as well as between the at least one force sensor and the front cover for connecting the receiving housing and the force sensor to the front cover. Such that, when a force is exerted on at least the control panel, the force is transmitted to the force sensor by deformation of the deformable adhesive material. When the force applied to the control panel is released, the material recovers its deformation, whereby no further force is exerted on the force sensor.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a deformable adhesive material with elastic properties is arranged between the front cover and the receiving edge for connecting the receiving housing to the front cover, wherein the force sensor is designed as a capacitive pressure sensor. The capacitive pressure sensor comprises two electrodes. The deformable adhesive material with elastic properties is arranged between the two electrodes. The elastic material thus serves as a dielectric between the electrodes. This means that the elastic material is used as part of the force sensor.

[0020] A capacitive pressure sensor operates based on the change in the electrical capacitance of a single capacitor or a capacitor system. When a force is applied to at least the control panel, the force is transmitted to the capacitive sensor by deforming the deformable adhesive material.

[0021] When the force applied to the control panel is released, the deformable adhesive material recovers its deformation, meaning that no more force is exerted on the capacitive sensor.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the deformable adhesive material with elastic properties is formed as a deformable adhesive material layer. The material layer is thinner in the area of ​​the force sensor than in the areas without the force sensor. This local thinning of the material at the force sensor position increases the resolution of the force sensor.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the deformable adhesive material is designed as a deformable adhesive. The adhesive has elastic properties, so that after the user exerts a force on the control panel, the adhesive returns to its original shape, so that no further force is exerted on the force sensor. Alternatively, or additionally, in the case of multiple force sensors, the deformable adhesive material is designed as an adhesive shape memory alloy. This also has elastic properties and returns to its original shape after the user exerts a force on the control panel, so that no further force is exerted on the force sensor.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, the deformable adhesive material has a lower rigidity than the control panel or the front cover.

[0025] Preferably, the front cover is designed as a touchscreen. The touchscreen is designed to be touch-sensitive and deformable.

[0026] Furthermore, the at least one force sensor is preferably arranged entirely within the recess. As a result, the force sensor no longer needs to be transparent or optically clear. The force sensor is preferably designed in a similar shape for complete insertion into the recess. Alternatively, or in the case of multiple force sensors, additionally, the force sensor can also be designed in a rounded shape or in another form. Preferably, the at least one force sensor is arranged partially within the recess.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one force sensor is designed as a pressure-sensitive resistance sensor, a pressure-intensive piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge. Piezoelectric sensors or piezoelectric sensors operate using the piezoelectric effect and are characterized in particular by their long service life.

[0028] Strain gauges have the advantage that they change their electrical resistance even with slight deformation.

[0029] If several force sensors are available, different sensor types can also be used.

[0030] The object is further achieved by a vehicle with an operating unit as described above, wherein the operating unit has a plurality of force sensors for detecting the pressure exerted on the control panel of the operating unit, wherein the operating unit is connected to an evaluation unit, and wherein the evaluation unit is configured to process the measured pressure. The operating units are preferably used as touch displays in vehicles. Depending on the result of the evaluation unit, various actions can subsequently be triggered.

[0031] Further features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, which schematically show: FIG 1 : a vehicle with an operating unit according to the invention, FIG 2 : a restrictive touchscreen, FIG 3 : a first embodiment of the receiving housing of the invention, FIG 4 : a second embodiment of the receiving housing of the invention, FIG 5 : a detailed embodiment of the invention, FIG 6 : a further detailed embodiment of the invention, FIG 7 : a further detailed embodiment of the invention, FIG 8 : a further detailed embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples. Variations may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

[0033] FIG 1 shows a vehicle 1 with an operating unit 2. The operating unit 2 is preferably installed in the cockpit of the vehicle 1 and is a component of a driver assistance system 9. The operating unit 2 has a display module which is designed for the optical display and operation of variable information. The operating unit 2 has a housing 3 ( FIG 3 ) with a display page 5 ( FIG 3 ) with a receiving edge 4 ( FIG 3 ). The display module is inserted into this housing 3 ( FIG 3 ) in such a way that one display module side is connected to the display side 5 ( FIG 3 ) so that generated information can be seen by the user. Furthermore, the display module and the receiving edge 4 ( FIG 3 ) a front cover 6 ( FIG 3 ) is arranged. The front cover 6 ( FIG 3 ) has a transparent touch-sensitive control panel 8 ( FIG 3 ) The front cover 6 ( FIG 3 ) can be used as a touch-sensitive touchscreen 10 ( FIG 2 ) be designed.

[0034] Such a touchscreen 10 is, for example, in FIG 2 The touchscreen 10 is designed, for example, as a resistive touchscreen 10. Resistive touchscreens 10 are versatile and inexpensive and can be operated with various media. A resistive touchscreen 10 comprises a glass pane 11. A transparent, conductive, first ITO (indium tin oxide) layer 12 is arranged on the glass pane 11.

[0035] A transparent, conductive, second ITO (indium tin oxide) layer 14 is arranged on the ITO (indium tin oxide) layer 12, separated by spacers 13. The second ITO (indium tin oxide) layer 14 is provided with a flexible, resistant, hard-coated outer membrane 15.

[0036] FIG 3 shows a first embodiment of the housing 3. This has a front cover 6 with a control panel 8. The front cover 6 can be used as a touchscreen 10 ( FIG 2 ). The receiving housing 3 has a rear wall 7 and a pair of oppositely arranged side walls 16, wherein the side walls 16 are arranged on the rear wall 7 for receiving the display module. The receiving housing 3 has a receiving edge 4, which faces the front cover 6. The receiving edge 4 thus corresponds virtually to the end of the side walls 16.

[0037] According to the invention, the receiving edge 4 has recesses 17. A force sensor 18 is arranged in each of these recesses 17.

[0038] The recesses 17 can be introduced during the manufacture of the receiving housing 3 or subsequently.

[0039] Preferably, the force sensor 18 has an elongated shape. In this elongated shape, it can be arranged entirely within the recess 17. Thus, the force sensors 18 no longer need to be designed as transparent or translucent sensors.

[0040] Integration into the housing 3 also saves installation space. Furthermore, an additional housing for the force sensor 18 is no longer required. This saves additional costs and the additional installation space required.

[0041] The recesses 17 can be adapted to the shape of the force sensor 18, for example longer or shorter force sensors 18.

[0042] Furthermore, several recesses 17 can be provided to accommodate several force sensors 18.

[0043] The force sensor 18 can be designed as a capacitive displacement sensor. A capacitive sensor operates based on the change in the electrical capacitance of a single capacitor. The capacitive sensor is based on two electrodes forming the plates of an electrical capacitor. Pressure deforms a plate, changing the plate spacing and thus the electrically measurable capacitance. This capacitance change can be measured. Capacitive sensors operate with extremely high resolution.

[0044] The force sensor 18 can also be designed as a pressure-sensitive resistance sensor. This changes its electrical resistance under the influence of force or pressure. A pressure-sensitive resistance sensor can, for example, consist of a sandwich with two plastic films. One is coated on the inside with a graphite-containing semiconducting paste, the other, for example, with two electrically conductive contact grids nested within one another in a comb-like manner. However, the plastic films are electrically insulated from one another. When pressure or force is applied to the sandwich, the contact grids are electrically connected to one another via the graphite-containing semiconducting paste, so that the electrical resistance can be measured. Other designs of a pressure-sensitive resistance sensor are also possible.

[0045] The force sensor 18 can also be designed as a strain gauge. Strain gauges change their electrical resistance even with slight deformations.

[0046] If several force sensors 18 are present, different sensor types can also be used.

[0047] FIG 4 shows a second embodiment of the receiving housing. Here, the receiving housing 3 comprises a rear wall 7 ( FIG 3 ) and two pairs of oppositely arranged side walls 16, wherein the side walls 16 are fixed to the rear wall 7 ( FIG 3 ) are arranged to receive the display module, so that the receiving edge 4 is designed as a circumferential receiving frame.

[0048] Preferably, at least three force sensors 18 are provided in recesses 17, distributed across the receiving edge 4. This allows for good signal resolution. If more than three force sensors 18 are used, a higher signal resolution can be achieved.

[0049] The force sensors 18 are preferably elongated and can be arranged entirely within the respective recesses 17. Alternatively or additionally, all or some of the force sensors 18 can be designed as round force sensors 18, which are only partially arranged within the recesses 17.

[0050] The force sensors 18 are connected to an evaluation unit (not shown) for evaluation. This connection can be made, for example, by means of a cable or conductor track. Thus, the pressure measured by the force sensors 18 and the pressure point on the front cover 6, for example, the touchscreen 10 ( FIG 2 ) can be evaluated using the evaluation unit (not shown).

[0051] Depending on the pressure applied and / or the localized pressure point, different actions can then be triggered.

[0052] FIG 5 shows an embodiment of the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention. Here, a side wall 16 of a receiving housing 3 ( FIG 4 ). This side wall 16 has a recess 17 at the receiving edge 4. A force sensor 18 is integrated into this recess 17.

[0053] Between the front cover 6 and the receiving edge 4 as well as between the force sensor 18 and the receiving edge 4 is for connecting the receiving housing 3 ( FIG 3 ) and the force sensor 18 with the front cover 6, a deformable adhesive material 20 with elastic properties is arranged.

[0054] Thus, when a force is applied to at least the control panel 8 ( FIG 3 ) the force is transmitted to the force sensor 18 by deformation of the deformable adhesive material 20. When the force is released from the control panel 8 ( FIG 3 ), the deformation of the deformable adhesive material 20 is reversed, whereby no more force is exerted on the force sensor 18.

[0055] The deformable adhesive material 20 has a permanent deformability as well as an elastic property, and serves to connect the receiving housing 3 ( FIG 3 ) and front cover 6. The deformable adhesive material 20 with elastic properties allows the user's operating force to be transmitted to the force sensor 18. The elastic properties of the material 20 ensure that when the user releases the pressure, no more pressure is transmitted to the force sensor 18.

[0056] Preferably, the material 20 is designed as an elastic adhesive or as an elastic fastening adhesive tape.

[0057] By inserting the force sensor 18 into the recesses 17, a transparent adhesive can be dispensed with.

[0058] Alternatively, or additionally, if multiple force sensors 18 are present, the deformable adhesive material 20 is designed as an adhesive shape memory alloy. These are special metals that can exist in two different crystal structures.

[0059] Other elastic adhesive materials, such as specially treated rubber, etc., can also be used.

[0060] The deformability of the elastic material 20 preferably has a lower stiffness than that of the front cover 6. Stiffness here refers to the resistance of a body to elastic deformation due to compressive force.

[0061] FIG 6 shows a detailed embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0062] Here, a deformable adhesive material 20 with elastic properties is arranged between the front cover 6 and the receiving edge 4 as well as between the at least one force sensor 18 and the front cover 6 for connecting the receiving housing 3 and the force sensor 18 to the front cover 6.

[0063] When a force is applied to at least the control panel 8, the force is transmitted to the force sensor 18 by deformation of the deformable, adhesive, elastic material 20. When the force applied to the control panel 8 is released, the material 20 recovers its deformation, whereby no more force is exerted on the force sensor 18.

[0064] The elastic material 20 can also be an adhesive, or an adhesive tape, a shape memory alloy or another elastic adhesive material 20.

[0065] FIG 7 shows an embodiment according to the third aspect of the present invention. Here, between the front cover 6 and the receiving edge 4 for connecting the receiving housing 3 ( FIG 3 ) with the front cover 6, a deformable adhesive material 20 with elastic properties is arranged. The force sensor is designed as a capacitive pressure sensor, wherein the capacitive pressure sensor comprises two electrodes 19. The deformable adhesive material 20 with elastic properties is arranged between the two electrodes 19, so that when a force is exerted on at least the control panel 8, the force is transmitted to the capacitive pressure sensor by deformation of the deformable adhesive material 20. When the force exerted on the control panel 8 is released, the material 20 recovers its deformation, whereby no further force is exerted on the capacitive pressure sensor.

[0066] The elastic material 20 serves here as a dielectric between the electrodes 19. This means that the elastic material 20 is used as part of the force sensor.

[0067] The elastic material 20 is designed here, for example, as an adhesive, adhesive layer or adhesive tape, wherein the elastic material 20 is electrically weakly or non-conductive.

[0068] FIG 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The deformable adhesive material 20 with elastic properties is formed here as a deformable adhesive material layer.

[0069] In the area of ​​the force sensor 18, the material layer is thinner than in the areas without the force sensor 18. This allows the resolution of the force sensor 18 to be increased, whereby resolution in the physical context is understood to be the limit of the force sensor 18's ability to separate values ​​for an applied pressure.

[0070] By means of the invention, pressure exerted on a control panel 8 can be detected and, for example, assigned to a function. By using multiple force sensors 18, the center of gravity of the pressure can be precisely determined. The addition of a third variable, referred to here as the z-direction, enables the control of a control panel 8 not only by two-dimensional gestures, here in the x- and y-directions, but also by gestures in the z-direction.

[0071] By arranging them in a recess 17 on the housing 3, additional installation space is eliminated. This saves additional costs. Furthermore, transparent or clear force sensors 18 are no longer required. Furthermore, an additional housing for the force sensors 18 is eliminated.

Claims

1. Operator control unit (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising a receiving housing (3) for receiving a display module, the receiving housing (3) having a receiving edge (4), and comprising a front cover (6) having at least one transparent touch-sensitive operator control panel (8) for operating the display module, at least one force sensor (18), which is associated with the front cover (6), for measuring a force which is exerted on the operator control panel (8) of the front cover (6), the receiving edge (4) having recesses (17), at least one force sensor (18) being arranged in each of the recesses (17), the front cover (6) being at least partially connected to the receiving edge (4) at the periphery, the receiving housing (3) comprising a rear wall (7) and a pair of side walls (16) which are arranged opposite each other, and the side walls (16) being arranged on the rear wall (7) for receiving the display module and the receiving edge (4) being the end of the side walls (16), characterized in that a deformable adhesive material (20) with an elastic property is arranged between the front cover (6) and the receiving edge (4) as well as between the at least one force sensor (18) and the receiving edge (4) for connecting the receiving housing (3) and the force sensor (18) to the front cover (6), so that, when a force is exerted on at least the operator control panel (8) by means of the deformable adhesive material (20), the force is passed on to the force sensor (18) by deformation of the deformable adhesive material (20) and, when the exertion of force on the operator control panel (8) is removed, the deformable adhesive material (20) reverses its deformation, as a result of which force is no longer exerted on the force sensor (18).

2. Operator control unit (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising a receiving housing (3) for receiving a display module, the receiving housing (3) having a receiving edge (4), and comprising a front cover (6) having at least one transparent touch-sensitive operator control panel (8) for operating the display module, at least one force sensor (18), which is associated with the front cover (6), for measuring a force which is exerted on the operator control panel (8) of the front cover (6), the receiving edge (4) having recesses (17), at least one force sensor (18) being arranged in each of the recesses (17), the front cover (6) being at least partially connected to the receiving edge (4) at the periphery, the receiving housing (3) comprising a rear wall (7) and a pair of side walls (16) which are arranged opposite each other, and the side walls (16) being arranged on the rear wall (7) for receiving the display module and the receiving edge (4) being the end of the side walls (16), characterized in that a deformable adhesive material (20) with an elastic property is arranged between the front cover (6) and the receiving edge (4) as well as between the at least one force sensor (18) and the front cover (6) for connecting the receiving housing (3) and the force sensor (18) to the front cover (6), so that, when a force is exerted on at least the operator control panel (8) by means of the deformable adhesive material (20), the force is passed on to the force sensor (18) by deformation of the deformable adhesive material (20) and, when the exertion of force on the operator control panel (8) is removed, the deformable adhesive material (20) reverses its deformation, as a result of which force is no longer exerted on the force sensor (18).

3. Operator control unit (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising a receiving housing (3) for receiving a display module, the receiving housing (3) having a receiving edge (4), and comprising a front cover (6) having at least one transparent touch-sensitive operator control panel (8) for operating the display module, at least one force sensor (18), which is associated with the front cover (6), for measuring a force which is exerted on the operator control panel (8) of the front cover (6), the receiving edge (4) having recesses (17), at least one force sensor (18) being arranged in each of the recesses (17), the front cover (6) being at least partially connected to the receiving edge (4) at the periphery, the receiving housing (3) comprising a rear wall (7) and a pair of side walls (16) which are arranged opposite each other, and the side walls (16) being arranged on the rear wall (7) for receiving the display module and the receiving edge (4) being the end of the side walls (16), characterized in that a deformable adhesive material (20) with an elastic property is arranged between the front cover (6) and the receiving edge (4) for connecting the receiving housing (3) to the front cover (6), the force sensor (18) being designed as a capacitive pressure sensor, the capacitive pressure sensor comprising two electrodes (19) and the deformable adhesive material (20) with an elastic property being arranged between the two electrodes (19), so that, when a force is exerted on at least the operator control panel (8), the force is passed on to the capacitive pressure sensor by deformation of the deformable adhesive material (20) and, when the exertion of force on the operator control panel (8) is removed, the deformable adhesive material (20) reverses its deformation, as a result of which force is no longer exerted on the capacitive pressure sensor.

4. Operator control unit (2) according to any of Claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the receiving housing (3) comprises a rear wall (7) and two pairs of side walls (16) which are arranged opposite each other, the side walls (16) being arranged on the rear wall (7) for receiving the display module, so that the receiving edge (4) is in the form of a peripheral receiving frame.

5. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deformable adhesive material (20) is in the form of a deformable adhesive material layer and the material layer is thinner in the region of the force sensor (18) than in the regions without the force sensor (18).

6. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the deformable adhesive material (20) is in the form of a deformable adhesive.

7. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the deformable adhesive material (20) is in the form of an adhesive shape-memory alloy.

8. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the deformable adhesive material (20) has a lower rigidity than the operator control panel (8).

9. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front cover (6) is in the form of a touchscreen (10).

10. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one force sensor (18) is arranged entirely in the recess (17).

11. Operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one force sensor (18) is in the form of a pressure-sensitive resistance sensor or in the form of a pressure-intensive piezo sensor or in the form of a strain gauge.

12. Vehicle (1) having an operator control unit (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operator control unit (2) has a plurality of force sensors (18) for recording the pressure that is exerted on the operator control panel (8) of the operator control unit (2), the operator control unit (2) being connected to an evaluation unit, and the evaluation unit being designed to process the measured pressure.