ACTUATOR, PARTICULARLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention is based on an actuator according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Such actuators, such as electrical and / or electronic switching devices designed in the manner of a joystick and / or cursor switch, are used for manually controlling and / or triggering functions in a motor vehicle. Among other things, such switching devices are used for a user to input data for an electrical device, for example, in car radios, navigation devices, on-board computers, or similar devices in a motor vehicle. In particular, such an actuator can be used in a door control panel, for example, for a mirror adjustment switch in a motor vehicle.

[0003] Such an actuator has a handle, which can be designed, for example, as an actuating lever or actuating button. The handle can be moved manually by the user and interacts with a displacement mechanism. Due to this interaction of the handle with the displacement mechanism, the handle can be displaced in a displacement plane in at least one direction from a neutral position to a displacement position. For the purpose of ergonomic operation of the handle for the user, a haptic element can be provided for the handle, which is formed by mechanical means, for example, a ball detent. Such a mechanical haptic element is complex.

[0004] Comparable actuators without a haptic generated according to the invention are known, for example, from the documents WO 2005 / 015592 A2, JP 2012 066666 A, US 2016 / 195937 A1 and DE 10 2014 001630 A1.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing an actuator with a simply designed haptic element. In particular, an actuator with a magnetic haptic element is to be created.

[0006] This object is achieved in a generic actuator by the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0007] The actuator according to the invention comprises a magnet and a magnetizable element. The magnet interacts with the magnetizable element in such a way that, when the displacement means is displaced, the magnetic force between the magnet and the magnetizable element generates a haptic response toward the displacement position and / or a restoring force toward the neutral position for the handle. Advantageously, a special ergonomic design for the actuator is achieved using simple means. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] In a simple further embodiment, the displacement means, in the displacement position, can act on an electrical switching element, a sensor, or the like to generate a signal. The signal, which acts in particular in the form of a switching signal, can be used to control and / or trigger the associated functions.

[0009] In a compact design, the displacement means is designed like a slide, and a plunger is movably mounted in the displacement means. The magnet is also arranged in the plunger, facing the magnetizable element.

[0010] Conveniently, the magnet is fixed at one end of the plunger in such a way that the magnet protrudes from the plunger. The protruding part of the magnet rests easily on the magnetizable element. The plunger, in turn, is held tiltably by its other end in an opening in the displacement means.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the magnet can be prismatic with a rectangular cross-section, preferably cube-shaped with a square cross-section. The magnetizable element can be simply formed as a strip-shaped sheet metal. Such a design advantageously allows the haptic force and / or the restoring force to be generated in two mutually perpendicular directions for the movement of the handle.

[0012] A housing can be provided to protect against external, negative influences such as dust, dirt, water, etc. Conveniently, the handle can protrude from the housing in a manually accessible manner and / or the displacement means can be located inside the housing. Furthermore, the magnetizable element can be immovably arranged inside the housing.

[0013] To expand the functionality of the actuator, the handle can be designed to rotate using a rotating mechanism, allowing the user to perform additional functions by rotating the handle. For the sake of compactness and cost-effectiveness, at least part of the rotating mechanism can then be integrated into the displacement mechanism.

[0014] The following can be stated for a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0015] The invention proposes a slide switch with magnetic haptics, specifically using permanent magnets. The magnet is fixed in a plunger, which rests on a magnetizable material. When the switch is moved, the slider, in which the plunger is mounted, is moved. According to the invention, the plunger then tilts over an edge, thereby creating the haptic effect. According to the invention, the resetting is achieved by the attractive force of the magnet. Since the magnet can be square, the haptic effect works when moved in the X and / or Y directions, i.e., in the plus and minus directions.

[0016] As an extension, the slide switch can be configured with an additional rotary motion as a rotary actuator with magnetic haptics for turning and sliding. The rotary motion is enabled by a rotary knob with a continuous rotation to the left or right, which has several detent positions. Once a detent position is selected, the rotary knob can be moved to four positions via a linear XY shift. Both functions are implemented via magnetic haptics.

[0017] In a rotary actuator with magnetic haptics, the magnet is fixed in a plunger for rotation. This plunger rests on a magnetizable material. When pushed, the slider, in which the plunger is mounted, is moved. According to the invention, the plunger then tilts over an edge, thereby creating the haptic effect. According to the invention, the magnet's attractive force is used to reset the actuator. Since the magnet is square, this works in the X and Y directions, as well as in the plus and minus directions.

[0018] In the rotary actuator with magnetic haptics, two magnetic rings, each with 16 poles, are arranged inside each other for sliding. The tightening torque is then applied 16 times, resulting in eight clicks. By arranging more poles, more clicks can be achieved, or fewer poles, fewer clicks can be achieved.

[0019] The advantages achieved by the invention are, in particular, that the permanent magnets enable the creation of a special haptic effect for a sliding and / or tilting function of the handle. Furthermore, the haptic effect is generated contactlessly, allowing the actuator to operate without wear. The actuator offers good ergonomics while still being simple in design, making it cost-effective.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention with various developments and refinements is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Fig. 1 an actuator with a movable and / or rotatable handle in perspective view, Fig. 2 the actuator from Fig. 1 in cutaway view, Fig. 3a a detailed section of Fig. 2 , with the handle in the neutral position, Fig. 3b the detail section according to Fig. 3a , with the handle in the shift position, Fig. 4 another cutaway view of the actuator from Fig. 1 , Fig. 5a a rotating means for the actuator consisting of a stator and a rotor Fig. 4 as a single part, Fig. 5b the rotor Fig. 5a as a single part in perspective view, Fig. 5c Individual parts of the rotor and stator made of Fig. 5a in a principle representation, Fig. 6a a rotating means for the actuator consisting of a stator and a rotor Fig. 4 as a single part according to a further design and Fig. 6b Individual parts of the rotor and stator made of Fig. 6a in a principle representation.

[0021] In Fig. 1 An actuator 1 is shown, which serves to manually control and / or trigger functions in a motor vehicle. For example, the actuator 1 can be a door control unit located in the driver's side door of the motor vehicle, with which the user can adjust the motor vehicle's exterior mirrors using an electric motor.

[0022] The actuator 1 has a housing 2 from which a handle 3 protrudes, which is manually accessible to the user. The manually movable handle 3 acts with a Fig. 2 shown displacement means 4 such that the handle 3 is displaceable in a displacement plane in at least one direction 5 from a neutral position into a displacement position. In the present case, the handle 3 is movable in a further direction 6, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction 5, into further displacement positions, as can be seen from Fig. 1 can be seen.

[0023] How to continue in Fig. 2 As can be seen, a magnet 7 and a magnetizable element 8 are provided for the actuator 1. The magnet 7 interacts with the magnetizable element 8 in such a way that the magnetic force between the magnet 7 and the magnetizable element 8 creates a haptic effect in the direction of the displacement position for the handle 3 when the displacement means 4 is moved. In other words, the user must overcome the magnetic force acting between the magnet 7 and the magnetizable element 8 in the neutral position in order to move the handle 3 into the displacement position, which is perceived by the user as a haptic effect and in a particularly ergonomic way. In addition, when the handle 3 is in the displacement position, the magnetic force acts as a restoring force in the direction 5, 6 of the neutral position, so that the handle 3 released by the user automatically moves back to the neutral position.

[0024] The displacement means 4 acts in the displacement position on a merely schematically in Fig. 4 The electrical switching element 9 shown is used. The switching element 9 is arranged on a circuit board 10 located in the housing 2. In the shifted position, the switching element 9 generates an electrical signal in the form of a switching signal. This signal is then used to control and / or trigger the associated functions in the motor vehicle, for example, to control the electric motor for adjusting the exterior mirror in the corresponding direction. Instead of a switching element 9, a sensor or the like can also be used to generate the switching signal.

[0025] As shown by the Fig. 2 As can be seen, the displacement means 4 is designed in the manner of a slide. A plunger 11 is movably mounted in the displacement means 4. The magnet 7 is arranged in the plunger 11 facing the magnetizable element 8. The magnet 7 is fixed in the plunger 11 at one lower end of the plunger 11 in such a way that the magnet 7 protrudes slightly from the plunger 11. This protruding part of the magnet 7 rests on the magnetizable element 8. Furthermore, the plunger 11 is held tiltably with the other upper end in an opening 12 of the displacement means 4. If the displacement means 4 is moved by means of the handle 3 from the Fig. 3a visible neutral position into the shift position, the plunger 11 tilts with its upper end around the opening 12, as in Fig. 3b can be seen. The lower end of the plunger 11 moves on the magnetizable element 8, whereby, as already mentioned, the magnetic force must be overcome to produce the haptic effect.

[0026] How to Fig. 2 As can be seen, the magnet 7 is prismatic with a rectangular cross-section. Preferably, the magnet 7 is cube-shaped with a square cross-section. The magnetizable element 8 is designed as a strip-shaped sheet. Furthermore, the displacement means 4 is designed symmetrically with respect to the handle 3, so that both on the Fig. 2 A plunger 11 with a magnet 7 and a magnetizable element 8 are located on both the left and right sides of the handle 3, resulting in a particularly ergonomic feel when the handle 3 is moved. In particular, due to the rectangular cross-section of the magnet 7, the feel and / or the restoring force can be generated in two mutually perpendicular directions 5, 6 for the movement of the handle 3. To protect against external influences, the movable displacement means 4 is located inside the housing 2. The magnetizable element 8, on the other hand, is arranged immovably inside the housing 2.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally with regard to the displaceability, the handle 3 can also be designed to be rotatable. For this purpose, a rotating means 13 located inside the housing 2 is provided for the handle 3. Insofar as the rotatability of the handle 3 is provided in addition to its displaceability, at least a part of the rotating means 13 is arranged on the displacement means 4, as shown in Fig. 4 can be seen. In other words, the rotating means 13 is then integrated into the sliding means 4. If the handle 3 is only rotatable, the sliding means 4 is omitted, and if the handle 3 is only displaceable, the rotating means 13 is omitted.

[0028] In the following, the actuator 1 is intended to be used as a rotary encoder in the form of a rotary wheel encoder for manually controlling and / or triggering functions in a motor vehicle using the Fig. 4 be described in more detail. Here, the handle 3 for the actuator 1 is rotated by means of the rotating means 13 in the direction of rotation 16 (see Fig. 1 ) manually rotatable. The handle 3 interacts with the rotating means 13 such that the handle 3 can be rotated into at least one rotational position in the manner of a locking position. Preferably, the handle 3 can be rotated into several consecutive rotational positions.

[0029] To form the rotating means 13, a magnet 14 and a further magnet 15 are provided. Instead of a further magnet 15 or in addition to it, a magnetizable element can also be provided, although this is not shown in detail here. The magnet 14 interacts with the further magnet 15 or the magnet 14 interacts with the magnetizable element in such a way that the magnetic force between the magnet 14 and the further magnet 15 or the magnetic force between the magnet 14 and the magnetizable element, when the rotating means 13 is rotated, generates a haptic effect in the direction of rotation 16 and / or a locking force in the rotational position for the handle 3. When rotating in the direction of rotation 16 in the rotational position, the rotating means 13 acts on an electrical switching element 9 (shown only schematically), a sensor or the like, to generate a signal.The signal then serves as a switching signal to control and / or trigger the associated functions in the motor vehicle, for example to select the corresponding exterior mirror.

[0030] The rotating means 13 comprises a stator 17 and a rotor 18 rotatably arranged on the stator 17. The rotor 18 is connected to the handle 3. The magnet 14 is arranged on the rotor 18, and the further magnet 15 is arranged on the stator 17. Or, the magnet 14 is arranged on the rotor 18 and the magnetizable element is arranged on the stator 17, or the magnetizable element is arranged on the rotor 18 and the magnet 14 is arranged on the stator 17. Furthermore, in a first embodiment, the magnet 14 and / or the further magnet 15 are formed in a ring shape with alternating magnetic poles, as in Fig. 5c shown in principle. The magnet 14 and the further magnet 15 are arranged concentrically to each other. The more detailed arrangement of the magnet 14 on the rotor 18 is shown in Fig. 5b shown. In Fig. 5a Finally, the detailed design of the rotor 18 and stator 17 in conjunction with the magnets 14, 15 can be seen.

[0031] In a further, second embodiment, several magnets 14 are arranged in a circle on the stator 17, as in Fig. 6a The magnetizable element 19 is attached to the rotor 18, which is connected to the handle 3, and is arranged within the stator 17. As will be further shown in FIG. Fig. 6bAs can be seen, the magnets 14 are approximately evenly spaced from one another. The magnetic poles of the magnets 14, each with the same name, are arranged facing the magnetizable element 19. The magnetizable element 19 is ring-shaped and has teeth 20 facing the magnets 14. The number of teeth 20 corresponds to the number of locking positions for the rotatable handle 3.

[0032] The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment. Rather, it also encompasses all expert developments within the scope of the invention defined by the patent claims. In addition to automotive applications, such an actuator 1 can also be advantageously used as an input device for computers, machine tools, household appliances, or the like. Reference symbol list:

[0033] 1: Actuator 2: Housing 3: Handle 4: Displacement means 5,6: Direction (for displacement handle) 7: Magnet (for displacement means) 8: Magnetizable element (for displacement means) 9: Switching element 10: Circuit board 11: Plunger 12: Opening (in displacement means) 13: Rotating means 14: Magnet (for rotating means) 15: (additional) magnet (for rotating means) 16: Direction of rotation 17: Stator 18: Rotor 19: Magnetizable element (for rotating means) 20: Tooth (on magnetizable element)

Claims

1. An actuator having a manually moveable handle (3) and a displacement means (4), wherein the handle (3) cooperates with the displacement means (4) such that the handle (3) is displaceable in a displacement plane in at least one direction (5, 6) from a neutral position to a displacement position, wherein a magnet (7) and a magnetisable element (8) are provided, wherein the magnet (7) is configured to cooperate with the magnetisable element (8) such that upon displacing the displacement means (4) the magnetic force between the magnet (7) and the magnetisable element (8) generates a haptic in the direction of the displacement position and / or a resilience in the direction of the neutral position for the handle (3), characterised in that the displacement means (4) is configured as a slider and a plunger (11) is moveably supported in the displacement means (4), the magnet (7) facing the magnetisable element (8) is disposed in the plunger (11), the magnet (7) is fixed to the one end of the plunger (11) in the plunger (11) such that the magnet (7) projects from the plunger (11), the projecting portion of the magnet (7) abuts onto the magnetisable element (8), the plunger (11) is tiltably held in an opening (12) of the displacement means (4) with the other end, wherein, upon displacing the displacement means (4), the haptic is generatable by tilting the plunger (11) over an edge of the magnet (7) and the resilience is generatable by an attraction force of the magnet (7).

2. The actuator according to claim 1, characterised in that the displacement means (4), when in the displacement position, acts on an electric switching element (9) or a sensor for generation of a signal, in particular in form of a switching signal.

3. The actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein an associated functions is actuatable and / or triggerable by the signal.

4. The actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the magnet (7) is configured to have a prismatic shape with a rectangular cross-section.

5. The actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the magnet (7) is configured to have a cubic shape with a square cross-section.

6. The actuator according to any of the two preceding claims, wherein the magnetisable element (8) is configured as a strip-shaped sheet.

7. The actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the magnetisable element (8) is configured to generate the haptic and / or the resilience in two directions (5, 6) perpendicular to one another for moving the handle (3).

8. The actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a housing (2) is provided.

9. The actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the handle (3) being manually accessible projects from the housing (2).

10. The actuator according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the displacement means (4) is located inside the housing (2).

11. The actuator according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the magnetisable element (8) is fixedly disposed inside the housing (2).

12. The actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the handle (3) is configured to be rotatable via a rotating means (13).

13. The actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the rotating means (13) is disposed on the displacement means (4).