OPERATING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AN ACTUATING CHARACTERISTIC OF AN OPERATING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present approach relates to an operating device for a vehicle according to the preamble of the claim and a method for adjusting an actuation characteristic of an operating device according to the preamble of claim 10.

[0002] An operating device of the type mentioned above is known from JP 2016 218831 A. Magnetorheological elastomers in operating devices are also discussed in EP 2 2065 614 A1 and US 2001 / 052893 A1.

[0003] When a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) is exposed to a magnetic field by energizing a coil, a change in viscosity is induced within the MRF. This makes it possible to implement end stops and detent mechanisms for a component without any mechanical components.

[0004] Against this background, the present approach provides an improved operating device for a vehicle and an improved method for adjusting an actuation characteristic of an operating device according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] The advantages achieved with the presented approach are that an easily mounted operating device is created which is stable and can be locked in place with low wear. The magnetorheological elastomer can be installed quickly and easily. Advantageously, in contrast to a magnetorheological fluid, no seals are required. Furthermore, only minimal abrasion occurs when using a magnetorheological elastomer. To this end, the invention provides that in the idle state, the magnetorheological elastomer is arranged at a distance from the operating element in order to release the actuation without resistance as the first actuation characteristic and to mechanically contact the operating element in the activated state in order to generate a resistance during actuation as the second actuation characteristic.

[0006] An operating device for a vehicle comprises a movable operating element, a housing, a magnetorheological elastomer, and a coil. A first end of the operating element is mounted in the housing. The magnetorheological elastomer is configured to effect a first actuation characteristic for actuating the operating element in a rest state and a second actuation characteristic for actuation in an activated state. The coil is configured to generate a magnetic field configured to effect a transfer of the magnetorheological elastomer between the rest state and the activated state.

[0007] The operating device can be designed to operate any vehicle function. The actuation of the operating element can be carried out manually by a user. A second end of the operating element can be arranged to protrude from the housing to enable actuation. For example, the operating device can be used in the area of ​​a dashboard, gear lever, steering wheel or center console of a vehicle. The rest state of the magnetorheological elastomer can be understood as a state in which no magnetic field acts on the magnetorheological elastomer, i.e. the coil is not energized. The activation state of the magnetorheological elastomer can be understood as a state in which a magnetic field acts on the magnetorheological elastomer, i.e. the coil is energized.By applying an external magnetic field, the viscoelastic or dynamic-mechanical properties of the magnetorheological elastomer can be changed quickly and reversibly, with the magnetorheological elastomer deforming between the resting state and the activated state. The control device can thus be used as a switch, for example, a rotary switch. In the activated state, a user who operates the control element can be given the sensation that the control element is locked into place.

[0008] The use of a magnetorheological elastomer to realize different actuation characteristics for the actuation enables different haptic feedback to the user during actuation and additionally or alternatively a locking function of the control element.

[0009] The magnetorheological elastomer can, for example, comprise a material that expands when exposed to a magnetic field. The magnetorheological elastomer can be deflected or deformed in a defined direction by the magnetic field, thus enabling it to contact the control element or press against the control element in the thus-generated activation state of the magnetorheological elastomer. For this purpose, the magnetorheological elastomer can, for example, comprise a plurality of iron particles.

[0010] In one embodiment, the resistance may make it difficult to operate or even block the operation of the control element.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer can be arranged at a distance from the first end of the operating element in the rest state and can mechanically contact the first end in the activated state. The magnetorheological elastomer can thus also be protected and accommodated in the housing in which the first end is also accommodated. For example, the magnetorheological elastomer can be arranged to contact the first end in the activated state from a side which is opposite another side on which the first end is mounted in the housing. The magnetorheological elastomer can thus enable the first end to be clamped between the magnetorheological elastomer and a bearing. The magnetorheological elastomer can be mounted in the housing.

[0012] The first end can comprise a carrier disk of the operating element. For example, in the activated state, the magnetorheological elastomer can contact an edge portion or peripheral edge of the carrier disk horizontally or vertically. The operating element can be formed in one piece, with the carrier disk extending perpendicular to the second end. The first end of the operating element can be rotatably mounted in the housing. By rotating the second end, the first end can be rotated accordingly.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the coil can enclose the first end and / or the magnetorheological elastomer in a ring-like manner. This allows the coil to be arranged adjacent to the magnetorheological elastomer to enable effective transition between the states. The magnetorheological elastomer can be formed in a ring-like shape. This enables uniform haptic feedback during the second actuation characteristic or particularly stable blocking of the operating element, for example, by contacting an entire circumferential edge of the rotor disk in the activated state.

[0014] It is further advantageous if the operating device further comprises a current source for providing current for energizing the coil for generating the magnetic field.

[0015] A method for adjusting an actuation characteristic of one of the previously described operating devices comprises an activation step and a deactivation step. In the activation step, the coil is activated to generate a magnetic field to cause the magnetorheological elastomer to transition from the rest state to the activation state in order to effect the second actuation characteristic for the actuation. In the activation step, the coil can be energized, for example, by a current source. In the deactivation step, the coil is deactivated to cause the magnetorheological elastomer to transition from the activation state to the rest state in order to effect the first actuation characteristic for the actuation. In the deactivation step, energization of the coil can be deactivated, for example, by a current source.

[0016] This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

[0017] Examples of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 a cross-section of a vehicle with an operating device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 a cross section of an operating device according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 a cross section of an operating device according to an embodiment; and Fig. 4 a flowchart of a method for setting an actuation characteristic of an operating device according to an embodiment.

[0018] In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, whereby a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a purely schematic cross-section of a vehicle 100 with an operating device 105 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to this exemplary embodiment, only one half of the operating device 105 is shown, cut along a section line 107.

[0020] According to this exemplary embodiment, the operating device 105 is accommodated in or on the vehicle 100 and is designed to operate, for example, adjust, any vehicle function of the vehicle 100. For example, the operating device 105 can be manually operated by an occupant of the vehicle 100. According to one exemplary embodiment, the operating device 105 is used to adjust, activate, or deactivate an assistance function or entertainment function of the vehicle 100.

[0021] The operating device 105 has a movable operating element 110, a housing 115, a magnetorheological elastomer 120, and a coil 125. A first end 130 of the operating element 110 is mounted in the housing 115. In this way, the operating element 110 can be moved relative to the housing 115 when actuated by an occupant. The magnetorheological elastomer 120 is configured to effect a first actuation characteristic for actuating the operating element 110 in a rest state 135 and a second actuation characteristic for actuation in an activation state. The coil 125 is configured to generate a magnetic field configured to effect a transfer of the magnetorheological elastomer 120 between the rest state 135 and the activation state.

[0022] According to this exemplary embodiment, the operating element 110 is shaped as a rotary knob. The operating element 110 can be formed in one piece or in multiple pieces. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating element 110 has, for example, a T-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the operating element 110 can also be shaped as a pin with a rectangular cross-section or have an L-shaped cross-section. According to this exemplary embodiment, a second end 140 of the operating element 110 protrudes straight from the housing 115 to enable operation by the occupant. The operating element 110 is mounted relative to the housing 115 via a first bearing 145 and a second bearing 147.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 comprises a material expandable by the magnetic field. According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 comprises a plurality of iron particles. In the rest state 135 shown here, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 is arranged at a distance from the operating element 110 in order to release the actuation without resistance as the first actuation characteristic. In the rest state 135 shown here, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 is arranged at a distance from the operating element 110 in order to release the actuation without resistance as the first actuation characteristic. Fig. 3 In the activation state shown, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 mechanically contacts the operating element 110 to generate a resistance during actuation as the second actuation characteristic.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 is arranged in the rest state 135 at a distance from the first end 130 of the operating element 110. According to an alternative embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 mechanically contacts the first end 130 in the activated state. According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 is accommodated in the housing 115, according to this embodiment on a flatly formed cover element of the housing 115, through which the second end 140 extends out of the housing 115.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 is arranged to contact the first end 130 from a side opposite another side, from which the first end 130 is mounted in the housing 115 by means of the first bearing 145, in the activated state. The magnetorheological elastomer 120 is arranged to clamp the first end 130 between the magnetorheological elastomer 120 and the first bearing 145 in the activated state.

[0026] According to this exemplary embodiment, the first end 130 comprises a carrier disk 150. The carrier disk 150 is thus arranged within the housing 115. The carrier disk 150 forms an annular extension that extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the straight second end 140 of the operating element 110. Thus, the operating element 110 has a larger circumference in the region of the carrier disk 150 than in the region of the second end 140. For example, the carrier disk 150 has a thickness of less than 5 millimeters. The magnetorheological elastomer 120 is designed to vertically contact an edge portion 155 or circumferential edge of the carrier disk 150 in the activated state. According to this exemplary embodiment, the first end 130 is rotatably mounted in the housing 115.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the operating device 105 has a sensor system configured to detect a position, for example, a rotation angle, of the operating element 110. For this purpose, a sensor element is arranged, for example, on the rotor disk 150. Such a sensor element is, for example, a magnet or a mechanical locking element. In this way, a position or actuation of the operating element 110 can be detected, and an electrical signal can be provided that indicates the position or actuation of the operating element 110.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the coil 125 is arranged adjacent to the edge portion 155 and / or the magnetorheological elastomer 120. In this way, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 can be penetrated by a magnetic field generated using the coil 125.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the operating device 105 further comprises a current source configured to provide current for energizing the coil 125 to generate the magnetic field.

[0030] The operating device 105 presented here thus has an operating element 110 that can be programmed by means of a magnetorheological elastomer 120.

[0031] The operating device 105 generates a magnetic field based on the magnetorheological elastomer 120 (MRE) by energizing the coil 125, which causes a change in the shape of the MRE. This allows for end stops and / or detent locking without the need for a mechanism.

[0032] In this case, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 advantageously exhibits no or only minimal abrasion during operation compared to a magnetorheological fluid (MRF). During assembly of the operating device 105, no filling process or sealing of the system is necessary because the magnetorheological elastomer is not liquid.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an operating device 105 according to an embodiment. This can be the Fig. 1 described operating device 105, of which the other half is also shown according to this embodiment.

[0034] According to this exemplary embodiment, the housing is cylindrical and / or box-shaped, with an inlet opening for the passage of the second end of the operating element 110. The second bearing 147 is arranged in the region of the inlet opening in a gap between the operating element 110 and the housing 115. The second bearing 147 annularly surrounds the pin-shaped region of the first end 130. The first bearing 145 is arranged between a bottom section of the housing 115 opposite the inlet opening and the rotor disk 150.

[0035] According to this exemplary embodiment, the coil 125 annularly surrounds the first end and / or the magnetorheological elastomer 120. According to this exemplary embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 is formed annularly. According to this exemplary embodiment, an outer diameter of the magnetorheological elastomer 120 essentially corresponds to an outer diameter of the rotor disk 150.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a cross section of an operating device 105 according to an embodiment. This can be the Fig. 1 or 2 described operating device 105, with the difference that the magnetorheological elastomer 120 according to this embodiment is arranged in the activation state 300.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 contacts the operating element 110 in the activation state 300. According to this embodiment, the resistance generated in the activation state 300 makes it difficult to actuate or even blocks the actuation of the operating element 110. The resistance is generated by the magnetorheological elastomer 120 clamping the rotor disk 150 relative to the housing 115.

[0038] The activation state 300 is brought about by energizing the coil 125 and thus generating a magnetic field. According to this exemplary embodiment, this magnetic field acts on the magnetorheological elastomer 120. Due to iron particles embedded in the magnetorheological elastomer 120, the elastomer expands along the field lines and, according to this exemplary embodiment, exerts a force on the rotor disk 150. This results in a braking torque against a rotation of the control element 110. The coil 125 can be activated and deactivated as desired to effect the process of expanding or shrinking the magnetorheological elastomer 120. Thus, a locking function can be implemented without the otherwise necessary mechanics.

[0039] Depending on the magnitude of the force exerted by the magnetorheological elastomer 120 on the rotor disk 150, the rotor disk 150 may be fixed in the activation state 300 or may be difficult to move from the perspective of an occupant actuating the control element 110. According to one embodiment, different activation states are provided, which differ in the force exerted by the magnetorheological elastomer 120 on the rotor disk 150. This can be achieved by applying different currents to the coil 125.

[0040] As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 can also be arranged at another suitable position. Regardless of the positioning, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 can be realized as a single piece, or the magnetorheological elastomer 120 can be distributed across two or more elements.

[0041] If the operating element 110 is alternatively mounted in the housing 115 for linear movement, the magnetorheological elastomer 120 can be used in a corresponding manner to release or brake a linear movement of the operating element 110.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for setting an actuation characteristic of an operating device according to an embodiment. This can be one of the Figuren 1 bis 3 described operating devices.

[0043] The method 400 comprises an activation step 405 and a deactivation step 410. In activation step 405, the coil is activated to generate a magnetic field to cause the magnetorheological elastomer to transition from the rest state to the activation state in order to effect the second actuation characteristic for actuation. In activation step 405, according to this embodiment, the coil is energized by a current source in order to activate the coil. In deactivation step 410, the coil is deactivated to cause the magnetorheological elastomer to transition from the activation state to the rest state in order to effect the first actuation characteristic for actuation. In deactivation step 410, according to this embodiment, energization of the coil by a current source is deactivated in order to deactivate the coil.

[0044] According to one embodiment, step 405 is executed when the operating element of the operating device has assumed a predetermined position or has been moved a predetermined distance. In this way, a user can be given the feeling that the operating element has locked into place.

[0045] If an embodiment includes an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

1. Operating device (105) for a vehicle (100), wherein the operating device (105) has the following features: a movable control element (110); a housing (115) in which a first end (130) of the control element (110) is mounted; a magnetorheological elastomer (120) which is designed to produce a first actuation characteristic for actuation of the control element (110) in a rest state (135) and a second actuation characteristic for actuation in an activation state (300); and a coil (125) for generating a magnetic field, which is designed to cause the magnetorheological elastomer (120) to be transferred between the rest state (135) and the activation state (300), characterised in that the magnetorheological elastomer (120) is arranged in the rest state (135) at a distance from the operating element (110) in order to release the actuation without resistance as the first actuation characteristic and, in the activation state (300), mechanically contacts the operating element (110) in order to generate resistance during actuation as the second actuation characteristic.

2. Operating device (105) according to claim 1, wherein the magnetorheological elastomer (120) comprises a material that can be expanded by the magnetic field.

3. Operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetorheological elastomer (120) comprises a plurality of iron particles.

4. Operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetorheological elastomer (120) is arranged in the rest state (135) spaced apart from the first end (130) of the actuator element (110) and, in the activation state (300), mechanically contacts the first end (130).

5. Operating device (105) according to claim 4, wherein the first end (130) comprises a rotor disc (150) of the actuator element (110).

6. Operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (130) of the operating element (110) is rotatably mounted in the housing (115).

7. Operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coil (125) surrounds the first end (130) and / or the magnetorheological elastomer (120) in an annular manner.

8. Operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetorheological elastomer (120) is formed in a ring shape.

9. Operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, with a power source for supplying power to the coil (125) to generate the magnetic field.

10. Method (400) for adjusting an actuation characteristic of an operating device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: activating (405) the coil (125) to generate a magnetic field to cause the magnetorheological elastomer (120) to transition from the rest state (135) to the activation state (300) to effect the second operating characteristic for operation; and deactivating (410) the coil (125) to cause the magnetorheological elastomer (120) to transition from the activated state (300) to the rest state (135) to effect the first actuation characteristic for actuation.