CONTROL DEVICE FOR A SINGLE-TRACK VEHICLE

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for a single-track vehicle, in particular a human-machine interface of a pedelec.

[0002] The invention further relates to a single-track vehicle, in particular a bicycle, with an operating device arranged on a component, in particular a steering component of the vehicle.

[0003] Although applicable to any operating devices of any single-track vehicle in the form of motorcycles, e-bikes, pedelecs or bicycles without driver-assisted drive, the present invention is described with reference to a human-machine interface in pedelecs.

[0004] Human-machine interfaces on pedelecs are used to display information and control pedelec functions. For example, information such as riding speed, assistance level, battery level, distance traveled, and other parameters can be displayed. These human-machine interfaces not only display information but also enable control of the pedelec. For example, the assistance level can be changed using buttons or the screen can be operated.

[0005] EP 0 849 158 A1 discloses an operating device with a first (section 3), a second (section 2), and a third operating area (sections 4, 5). The first operating area has a visual display, the second operating area has a rotary switch 2, and the third operating area has two operating elements (4, 5) for switching the vehicle. The three operating areas have an L-shape when viewed perpendicular to the first operating area (2). Disclosure of the invention

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an operating device for a single-track vehicle, in particular a human-machine interface of a pedelec, comprising a first planar operating area in which an optical display device is arranged, a second operating area in which an optical display device and / or at least one operating button is arranged and which is connected to the first operating area, a third operating area in which an optical display device and / or at least one operating button is arranged and which is connected to the second operating area, wherein the first and second operating areas form a first, non-rectangular angle to one another and wherein the first and third operating areas form a second non-rectangular angle to one another and wherein the three operating areas form an L-shape overall when viewed perpendicular to the first operating area and the angle between the planes of the first and second operating areas is between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, in particular between 20 degrees and 35 degrees, in particular between 30 degrees and 35 degrees.

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a single-track vehicle, in particular a bicycle, with an operating device according to one of claims 1-11 arranged on a component, in particular a steering component of the vehicle.

[0008] One of the advantages achieved is that it enables simple, quick, and reliable readability of the optical display. Another advantage is that it provides ergonomic and comfortable access to control buttons. A further advantage is that it achieves a high level of user experience and operating comfort.

[0009] In other words, good readability for a user and improved operation are made possible by the differently inclined operating levels and the L-shape of the operating device.

[0010] Further features, advantages and further embodiments of the invention are described below or will become apparent thereby.

[0011] According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least one of the control buttons in the second and / or third control area is designed as a rocker button with two functions. The advantage of this is simple, intuitive, and fast operation.

[0012] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, if a rocker switch is arranged in the second operating area, it has a rocking direction in the direction of the connection to the first operating area. This allows the optical display device to be operated intuitively if the rocker switch is designed for operating the optical display device.

[0013] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, if at least one rocker switch is arranged in the second and third operating areas, the rocking directions are perpendicular to each other. The advantage of this is that the operation is easily distinguishable, allowing a vehicle driver to operate the two rocker switches without eye contact. For example, the driver can intuitively increase or decrease a respective driving assistance level using such a rocker switch, which is labeled, for example, with "+" and "-."

[0014] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the second and third operating areas have a different number of operating buttons.

[0015] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the angle between the planes of the first and third operating areas is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, in particular between 35 degrees and 55 degrees, in particular between 36 degrees and 52 degrees. The advantage of this is quick and easy accessibility of the control buttons in the third operating area, for example, using a thumb on the handlebars of a bicycle.

[0016] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the angle between the two legs of the L-shape is between 85 degrees and 95 degrees, in particular between 88 degrees and 92 degrees. This enables even better intuitive operation and accessibility of the control buttons, especially in the third control area.

[0017] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the optical display device has a 2:1 aspect ratio. This provides the advantage of improved information presentation by the optical display device, as well as a larger amount of information that can be displayed simultaneously. Furthermore, an improved arrangement in front of the handlebar or integration into the handlebar is possible, since the handlebar provides sufficient space along the handlebar stem, but little space in the direction of travel.

[0018] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the total length of the third operating area perpendicular to the connecting direction of the first and second operating areas is between 1.5 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm. This ensures good accessibility of the control buttons in the third operating area.

[0019] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a fastening device is provided for securing the operating device to the vehicle. This allows the operating device to be reliably secured to a vehicle, for example, detachably.

[0020] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the fastening device is connected to the operating device in such a way that, when the fastening device is fastened to a corresponding component of the vehicle, in particular a handlebar, the first operating area has an angle of between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, in particular between 10 degrees and 15 degrees, relative to the component. This ensures very good readability of the optical display device.

[0021] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

[0023] It shows in schematic form Fig. 1 shows an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view; Fig. 2 shows the operating device according to Figure 1 in a side view Fig. 3 an operating device according to Figure 1 in a further side view; and Fig. 4 shows a vehicle with an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 shows an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention in plan view, Figure 2 the operating device according to Figure 1 in a first side view and Figure 3the operating device according to Figure 1 in another side view.

[0025] Figure 1 shows an operating device 1 for a bicycle. The operating device 1 has on its right-hand side a first, substantially rectangular operating area 2, which has a display device 2a for information about the bicycle, for example the speed or the like. The display device 2a and thus also the first operating area 2 have a format of 2:1. On one of the two shorter sides of the first operating area 2, a second operating area 3 is arranged, which is provided with a rocker switch 3a. This has a rocking direction 80 in the direction of the first operating area 2. The planes of the second operating area 3 and the first operating area 2 have an angle 90 of 35 degrees.

[0026] Furthermore, a rocker button 4a is arranged in the third operating area 4, which has a rocking direction 81 in the direction of the second operating area 3. The rocking directions 80, 81 of the two rocker buttons 3a, 4a are thus according to Figure 1 substantially perpendicular to one another or have an angle of less than 10 degrees, in particular less than 5 degrees, to one another. Furthermore, in the third operating area 4, above the rocker button 4a, a further button 4b, in particular designed as a confirmation button, is arranged.

[0027] Overall, the arrangement shown in Figure 1 When viewed from above, the first operating area forms an L-shape 5 of the operating device, with the angle 92 of the two legs of the "L", i.e., on the one hand, the first operating area 2, and on the other hand, the second and third operating areas 3, 4, being selected at approximately 80 degrees, but this can also be selected between 75 degrees and 105 degrees.

[0028] Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 additionally show the arrangement of the operating device 1 on a handlebar 101 of a bicycle. The operating device 1 has a fixing device 6, which is designed such that the plane of the optical display device 2a is inclined relative to the extension of the handlebar by an angle 93, here 10 degrees, in the direction of the handlebar 101.

[0029] Figure 3 shows the viewing direction parallel to the axis of the fixing device 6, i.e. in relation to Figure 2 along the handlebar 101, which in Figure 3 is not shown. It can be seen that the angle 91 between the first operating area 2 and the third operating area 4 is almost 50 degrees. However, the angle 91 can also be selected between 20 degrees and 60 degrees. The third operating area 4 can have an extension 70 between 2 cm and 5 cm.

[0030] Figure 4shows a vehicle with an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In Figure 4 A vehicle 100 in the form of a bicycle is shown, more precisely in the area of ​​a front wheel 102, which has mudguards 103. The bicycle 100 has a handlebar with a handlebar 101, which is held by a rider 104 at its two outer grips 101a with his hands 104a, 104b. On the left side of the handlebar 101, in the area of ​​the left hand 104a of the rider 104, an operating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged. The rider 104 can now operate the operating device 1 with his left hand 104a, in particular with his left thumb, at least the third operating area 4, without having to remove his hand from the handlebar 101.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present invention, the arrangement of display and button levels in an "L" shape and a special angle for the user achieves an improved position for both the visibility of the display and the ergonomic operability of the buttons. In other words, the user no longer has to choose between good readability on the one hand and ergonomic operability on the other; instead, the shape and angle of the embodiment enable the user to have both. To this end, improved visibility is achieved by inclining the optical display device, in particular a screen surface, in the user's line of sight. An improved angle for the typical distance between a rider's eye and the handlebar position next to the grip on known frames and handlebars is approximately 10 degrees, which can also be adjusted by up to + / - 5 degrees depending on the respective bicycle type and handlebar width.

[0033] In the embodiments of the present invention, the levels of the control buttons are "drawn down" relative to the display surface of the optical display device to make them easier to reach. The length of the button leg depends in particular on the handlebar distance and the number of buttons and can be between 2 and 5 cm to allow accessibility within a single thumb rotation movement of the rider. The control button level can be aligned with the thumb depending on the handlebar distance. The greater the distance from the handlebar center, the greater the inclination of the button level to the left, towards the thumb. The inclination is between 10 degrees and 15 degrees, with the button inclination being smaller with a shorter handlebar distance.

[0034] Furthermore, the control buttons are rotated downwards at an angle of 91° relative to the display level, so that the thumb doesn't have to be turned so far forward to operate them. The rotation depends on the distance from the handlebar.

[0035] In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the invention has at least one of the following advantages and / or at least one of the following features: Ergonomic operation and readability. A superior user experience. Increased comfort.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways.

Claims

1. Operating device (1) for a single-track vehicle, in particular a man-machine interface of a pedelec, comprising a first planar operating region (2), in which an optical display device (2a) is arranged, a second operating region (3), in which an optical display device and / or at least one operating button (3a) are / is arranged and which is connected to the first operating region (2), a third operating region (4), in which an optical display device and / or at least one operating button (4a) are / is arranged and which is connected to the second operating region (3), wherein the first and second operating regions (2, 3) form a first angle (90) with respect to each other which is not a right angle, and wherein the first and third operating regions (3, 4) form a second angle (91) with respect to each other which is not a right angle, and wherein the three operating regions (2, 3, 4) form an L-shape (5) when viewed perpendicularly with respect to the first operating region (2), characterized in that the angle (90) between the planes of the first and second operating region (2, 3) is configured to be between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, in particular between 20 degrees and 35 degrees, in particular between 30 degrees and 35 degrees.

2. Operating device according to Claim 1, wherein at least one of the operating buttons (3a, 4a) in the second and / or third operating region (3, 4) is configured as a rocker button with two functions.

3. Operating device according to either of Claims 1-2, wherein, when a rocker button (3a) is arranged in the second operating region (3), it has a rocking direction (80) in the direction of the connection to the first operating region (2).

4. Operating device according to Claim 3, wherein, when at least one rocker button (3a, 4a) is arranged in the second and third operating region (3, 4), the rocking directions (80, 81) are perpendicular with respect to each other.

5. Operating device according to one of Claims 1-4, wherein the angle (91) between the planes of the first and third operating region (2, 4) is configured to be between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, in particular between 35 degrees and 55 degrees, in particular between 36 degrees and 52 degrees.

6. Operating device according to one of Claims 1-5, wherein the angle (92) between the two legs of the L-shape (5) is between 85 degrees and 95 degrees, in particular between 88 degrees and 92 degrees.

7. Operating device according to one of Claims 1-6, wherein an optical display device (2a) has a format of 2:1.

8. Operating device according to one of Claims 1-7, wherein the total length (70) of the third operating region (3, 4) perpendicularly with respect to the connection direction of the first and second operating region (2, 3) is between 1.5 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm.

9. Operating device according to one of Claims 1-8, wherein a fixing device (6) is arranged, for fixing the operating device (1) on the vehicle.

10. Operating device according to Claim 9, wherein the fixing device (6) is connected to the operating device (1) in such a way that, when the fixing device (6) is fixed on a corresponding component (101) of the vehicle (100), in particular a handlebar, the first operating region (2) has an angle (93) with respect to the component (101) of between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, in particular between 10 degrees and 15 degrees.

11. Operating device according to one of Claims 1-10, wherein the second and third operating region (3, 4) have a different number of operating buttons (3a, 4a).

12. Single-track vehicle (100), in particular a bicycle, having an operating device (1) according to any one of Claims 1-11 arranged on a component, in particular a steering component (101), of the vehicle (100).