Capacitive operating unit which can be operated in a translational manner and which has defined switching points

Abstract

The invention relates to a capacitive operating unit (1) with a closed separating wall (10) which runs on a plane and at least one capacitive sensor (11). The separating wall (10) has a rear face and a visible face, and the visible face of the separating wall (10) is equipped with a stationary central element (20) and an operating element (30) which can be moved relative to the central element (20) parallel to the plane, wherein the central element (20) and the operating element (30) have at least one specified common contact point (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2) and are designed to produce a local change in an electric field in the event of an electric contact at the at least one contact point (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2), said electric contact being produced by a movement of the operating element (30) parallel to the plane. The at least one capacitive sensor (11) is arranged on the rear face of the separating wall (10) and is designed to detect the respective local change in the electric field and assign the respective local change to a respective position on the visible face of the separating wall (10).

Description

[0001] Translator-operated capacitive control unit with defined switching points

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a translationally operable capacitive operating unit, in which an operating element can be moved at least by a translational movement relative to a fixed central element and can be brought into electrical contact with the latter at predetermined contact points, wherein the contact causes a local change in an electric field, which can be detected by a capacitive sensor spatially and in particular by a partition wall separated to trigger an associated function.

[0004] A variety of control units are known from the state of the art, but they are only suitable for specific applications or have various disadvantages. Mechanical switches and buttons, for example, as they are used in

[0005] US 11,012,069 B2, for example, do not allow complete spatial separation between the operating unit and a circuit that detects an operation.

[0006] Capacitive touchscreens often do not provide immediate haptic feedback or usually require direct visual contact for precise control.

[0007] Other capacitive switches, such as those often used in keyboards and as known from US 2021 / 0320659 A1, usually only allow a single actuation to be detected per capacitive sensor, with the additional disadvantage that only movements or actuations that are orthogonal to a partition wall that spatially separates the sensor can be detected.

[0008] The operating unit according to document DE 10 2006 043 619 A1 also provides a partition wall spatially separating the capacitive sensor, wherein the operating element on the side of the partition wall facing away from the sensor is freely movable along a single predetermined movement path, so that on the one hand no actuations along different movement paths are possible or recognizable and on the other hand no defined switching or actuation points are determined or haptically detectable.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing an operating unit that, on the one hand, enables a spatial separation of the operating element and a unit that detects the operation and, on the other hand, provides defined switching points, particularly along at least one movement path or axis. This object is achieved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0010] According to the invention, a capacitive operating unit with a closed, single-plane partition and at least one capacitive sensor is therefore proposed. The partition has a rear side and a visible side, which is particularly defined by being accessible to an operator during intended use, whereas the rear side is preferably not accessible to the operator or faces away from the operator. Arranged on the visible side of the partition is a central element that is fixed with respect to the partition and an operating element that is movable relative to the central element parallel to the plane, and in particular exclusively parallel to the plane. The central element can be formed integrally or in one piece with the partition or fixed to it.If the central element is provided separately from the partition wall, the central element can be designed in one piece or in multiple parts, wherein the individual parts in a multi-part design can be spaced apart from one another and indirectly connected via the partition wall or an intermediate element. The central element and the operating element have at least one predetermined common contact point and are designed to bring about a local change in an electric field at at least one contact point when electrical contact is established by a movement of the operating element parallel to the plane, ie a translational or rotational movement. In this case, a contact point can be understood as a defined switching point.The at least one capacitive sensor is also arranged on the rear side of the partition and is designed to detect the respective local change in the electric field and to assign a respective position on the visible side of the partition to the respective local change. The closed partition enables complete spatial separation between the sensor arranged on the rear side and the control element arranged on the visible side, whereby the control element can be sensed and actuated haptically. The control element can be mechanically moved to the defined switching or contact points, at which stops can also be provided to limit the movement of the control element.

[0011] As a result, a switching action is sensed or detected contactlessly by means of the capacitive sensor on a capacitive basis through a closed surface formed by the partition wall, so that a function assigned to the respective contact point can be triggered.

[0012] Since the partition is a closed wall, preferably no elements, and in particular the central element, extend to the rear of the partition. Furthermore, preferably no other elements, and in particular no conductive elements or electrical components that are functionally connected to the control unit, extend through the partition.

[0013] An advantageous development provides that the operating element encompasses the central element and encloses it on multiple sides. The central element is, in particular, completely enclosed by a housing formed by the operating element and the partition. Preferably, the partition forms one side of the housing, with the other sides of the housing being formed by the operating element.

[0014] In an advantageous variant, the operating element is also held on the central element in a spring-return manner by at least one non-conductive connector and is thereby preferably fixed to the partition wall. The connector is designed in particular as an elastically deformable dome and is made of silicone, for example. A dome or silicone dome is to be understood as a bell-shaped or cylindrical geometry which has an interior space that is open, in particular, on one side. By means of the non-conductive connectors or the spring return function achieved by them, the operating element can also be held on the central element in a neutral basic position in which no contact is established at any contact point. Starting from the basic position, the operating element can then be deflected in such a way that contact is established at at least one contact point.

[0015] Furthermore, a contact pin extending from the central element to the operating element, in particular a pin, can extend from the at least one contact point. The contact pin or contact pin is designed to establish an electrical connection between the central element and the operating element at the contact point upon contact established by the movement of the operating element, causing a local change in the electric field. Preferably, the contact pin is electrically connected to the central element on its side facing the central element.

[0016] A contact body, particularly designed as a contact cap or snap-action disc, can also be arranged between the contact pin and the operating element, via which the electrical connection to the operating element can be established. The contact pin is designed to act or press directly on the contact body when contact is established by the movement of the operating element, which in turn is pressed against the operating element, establishing the electrical contact.

[0017] According to an advantageous variant, the non-conductive connector is designed as an elastically deformable dome that surrounds the contact pin, which is designed as a pin, in its circumferential direction and holds the contact body, i.e., the contact cap or snap-action disc, adjacent to an end of the contact pin on the operating element side. A contact surface formed by the contact pin is provided on the connector toward the central element, and a contact surface formed by the contact body is provided toward the operating element.

[0018] Since the contact pins are a preferably rigid body arranged between the operating element and the central element, the contact pins can, if necessary, together with the contact bodies and elastic connectors, form integral stops for mechanically limiting the movement of the operating element relative to the central element.

[0019] Preferably, the central element also comprises electrically conductive elements and is designed, in particular, as a printed circuit board extending orthogonally to the plane. The central element can be formed as a single piece or as a multi-piece structure, so that, for example, several printed circuit boards each extending orthogonally to the plane can form the central element.

[0020] To influence or change the electric field, the control element can be made of an electrically conductive material.

[0021] Alternatively, the operating element can have electrically conductive elements on its inner surface facing the central element, with which electrically conductive contact with the central element can be established, for example via the contact pin and / or the contact body.

[0022] Alternatively, the operating element may have an electrically conductive coating on its inner surface facing the central element.

[0023] The central element and the operating element preferably have at least one pair of contact points. The contact point pair consists of exactly one first contact point and one second contact point, which are located opposite one another on the central element. The first contact point is designed to bring about a first local change in the electric field when electrical contact is established at the first contact point by a first movement of the operating element along a movement axis parallel to the plane, and the second contact point is designed to bring about a second local change in the electric field when electrical contact is established at the second contact point by a second movement of the operating element along the movement axis parallel to the plane and opposite the first movement along the movement axis.

[0024] Accordingly, the at least one capacitive sensor can detect the first change and the second change, wherein the first change can be assigned to the position of the first contact point and the second change can be assigned to the position of the second contact point of the respective contact point pair.

[0025] Since the two contact points are located opposite each other on the central element and along a movement axis, it follows that they cannot be actuated simultaneously, but rather depending on the direction of movement or the force applied to the operating element.

[0026] Several pairs of contact elements can also be provided, wherein preferably each pair is assigned a movement axis and the movement axes differ from one another.

[0027] If at least two non-opposing contact points, and preferably at least three contact points or two pairs of contact points, are provided, a movement with a rotational component can also be detected, in which the control element is tilted relative to its neutral home position. Although solutions with one capacitive sensor per contact point are also possible, an advantageous variant provides for the capacitive sensor to be an area sensor, which is arranged at least in the area of ​​the contact points on the rear side of the partition wall, so that contact between different contact points and also simultaneous contact at different contact points can be detected by the area sensor.

[0028] Furthermore, it can be provided that the operating unit has evaluation electronics connected to the capacitive sensor, which are designed to trigger a respective function to be switched assigned to the position. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the evaluation electronics determine a direction and / or type of movement of the operating element from the local changes in the electric field at the respective contact point detected by the at least one capacitive sensor and / or from the positions of the changes in the electric field determined by the at least one capacitive sensor. Accordingly, the evaluation electronics can determine the direction in which the operating element was moved from its neutral home position and whether the operating element was tilted, so that a distinction can also be made between translational and rotational actuation.Based on the direction of actuation or a translational or rotational actuation of the control element or the position of the change in the electric field, the evaluation electronics can trigger an assigned function.

[0029] The evaluation electronics can also be designed integrally with the sensor.

[0030] In one variant of the control unit, it can be provided, for example, for operating a seating position in a vehicle. In such an application, it is preferably provided that the central element has an angled basic shape comprising a plurality of legs and covers a corresponding angled area on the partition wall. On a first leg, at least one contact point and in particular two contact points opposite one another on the central element, i.e. a contact point pair, are provided. Furthermore, on a second leg, at least one contact point and in particular two contact points opposite one another on the central element, i.e. likewise a contact point pair, are provided.Furthermore, the central element has an end face on at least one of its legs, on which at least one contact point is provided, to which a second corresponding contact point can be provided on one of the legs, so that they can form a further contact point pair.

[0031] Each leg can be assigned to a specific area of ​​the vehicle seat and the area of ​​the vehicle seat can be adjusted and moved by a motor by moving the control element accordingly.

[0032] The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0033] Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below, together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. They show:

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a first variant of an operating unit in basic position;

[0035] Fig. 2 the first variant of the control unit in an actuated position;

[0036] Fig. 3 a second variant of an operating unit.

[0037] The figures are schematic examples. Like reference numerals in the figures indicate like functional and / or structural features. Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a simplified control unit 1 with only one pair of contact points A1, A2, with Figure 1 depicting the control unit 1 in an unactuated position or a neutral home position, and Figure 2 depicting the control unit 1 in an actuated position.

[0038] The capacitive operating unit 1 is shown in a plan view, so that the plane in which the partition wall 10 runs corresponds to the representation plane, with the visible side of the partition wall 10 facing the viewer and the back of the partition wall 10 facing away from the viewer.

[0039] Arranged on the visible side of the partition 10 is the central element 20, which is fixed to the partition 10 and is immobile with respect to its position relative to the partition 10. Furthermore, arranged on the visible side of the partition 10 is the operating element 30, which is movably held on the central element 20 via the contact pins 41 and the connectors 40, and is thus movable parallel to the plane or parallel to the partition 10.

[0040] In the present case, the central element 20 and the operating element 30 have two common contact points A1, A2, which lie opposite one another on the central element 20 on a common first movement axis A. In the unactuated position shown in Figure 1, there is no electrically conductive contact between the central element 20 and the operating element 30 at any of the contact points A1, A2, so that an electrical field (not shown) is unaffected or unchanged. If the operating element 30 is subjected to a force or moved along the movement axis A, an electrical contact occurs at one of the contact points A1, A2, depending on the direction of movement, and thus the electrical field is influenced or changed.

[0041] In the actuated position shown in Figure 2, the operating element 30 is subjected to a force F from below in the plane of representation, whereby the operating element 30 is displaced upwards along the movement axis A, so that contact occurs between the operating element 30 and the central element 20 at the second contact point A2.

[0042] The electrical contact is established at the second contact point A2 by the contact pin 41 formed by a pin and the contact body 42 formed as a contact pill, so that the central element 20 and the operating element 30 are electrically connected and a change in the electrical field occurs.

[0043] Separated from the visible side of the partition 10 and the components arranged thereon, a capacitive sensor 11 is provided on the rear side of the partition 10. This sensor 11 is concealed in the figures and therefore shown in dashed lines. The sensor 11 is designed as an area sensor and covers the area on the rear side of the partition 10 where the contact points A1, A2 are located on the visible side of the partition 10.

[0044] If the electrical contact at contact points A1, A2 causes a change in the electric field, this change is detected by the capacitive sensor 11 and the position of the change is recorded, so that it can be determined whether the electrical contact occurred at the first contact point A1 or the second contact point A2. Accordingly, a function associated with the respective contact point A1, A2 or the movement leading to the respective contact can be triggered.

[0045] With reference to the simplified embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control element can, for example, operate an electrically adjustable window, which is raised when contact is made at the second contact point A2 and lowered when contact is made at the first contact point A1. The central element 20 is embodied here as a circuit board or printed circuit board, which provides contacts in the area of ​​the contact pins 41, to which the contact pins 41 can be fixed.

[0046] To change the electric field, the operating element 30 can be made of a conductive material and / or have a conductive coating or electrical components on its inner surface 31 facing the central element 20.

[0047] The connectors 40 are designed as silicone domes that encircle the contact pins 41 in their circumferential direction and hold the contact body 42 between the respective contact pin 41 and the operating element 30. The contact bodies 42 do not necessarily have to be arranged directly on the operating element 30 in the basic position, but can also have a distance from it, which is only reduced in the actuated position and at the contact point that establishes contact.

[0048] If the operating element 30 is subjected to force along the movement axis A and is thereby displaced, the connector 40 is elastically deformed so that contact can occur between the contact pin 41 and the contact body 42.

[0049] If the force leading to the movement is removed, the spring-elastically deformed silicone dome or connector 40 relaxes and returns the operating element 30 to its initial position, so that the operating element 30 is spring-returned to its neutral basic position shown in Figure 1.

[0050] In Figure 2, no rotation or tilting of the operating element 30 is detectable, although this can still be permitted. Alternatively, however, additional guide elements (not shown) can be provided and, for example, arranged on the partition wall 10 or formed integrally through the central element 20, which prevent rotation or tilting of the operating element 30 and guide the operating element 30 parallel to the movement axis A.

[0051] The operating unit 1 shown in Figure 3 is preferably used to operate an electrically adjustable vehicle seat, wherein the operating element 30 and the central element 20 are modeled on the angled shape of a seat.

[0052] The description of Figures 1 and 2 is analogous and also applies to the variant according to Figure 3.

[0053] The central element 20 has two legs 21, 22, which are arranged at an angle to one another, so that the central element 20 has an angled basic shape modeled on the shape of the seat. In this case, the two legs 21, 22 are each arranged individually on the partition wall 10, whereby the legs 21, 22 can also be connected directly to one another or via a common intermediate element.

[0054] Furthermore, a further section 23 of the central element 20 is provided on the front side of the first leg 21.

[0055] To operate the vehicle seat, the control unit shown in Figure 3 has three pairs of contact points A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, each of whose two contact points are located opposite each other on a respective movement axis A, B, C.

[0056] For example, the vehicle seat can be moved up or down by a first pair of contact points A1, A2, which detect a movement or application of force along the first movement axis A. The second pair of contact points B1, B2 is designed to detect a movement or application of force along the second movement axis B in a manner detectable by the sensor 11, and thereby adjust the inclination of a backrest of the seat.

[0057] Furthermore, the third pair of contact points C1, C2 is designed to detect a movement or force application along the third movement axis C and thereby move the vehicle seat forward or backward in the vehicle. This can also result in contact at the second contact point B2 of the second contact point pair B1, B2, whereby the operating request can still be correctly detected due to the contact at contact point C2.

[0058] The operating element 30 can be moved or tilted not only purely translationally, but also to a small extent rotationally.

[0059] If, for example, the operating element 30 is subjected to force exclusively at a point lying along the second movement axis B, the operating element 30 is rotated with respect to its illustrated neutral basic position and contact is made exclusively at the second contact point B2 of the second pair of contact points B1, B2.

[0060] * * * * *

Claims

Claims: Capacitive control unit (1) with a closed partition (10) extending in a plane and at least one capacitive sensor (11), wherein the partition (10) has a back side and a visible side, wherein a fixed central element (20) and a control element (30) movable relative to the central element (20) parallel to the plane are arranged on the visible side of the partition (10), wherein the central element (20) and the control element (30) have at least one predetermined common contact point (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2) and are configured to cause a local change in an electric field at the at least one contact point (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2) when an electrical contact is made at the control element (30) by a movement parallel to the plane, wherein the at least one capacitive sensor (11) is arranged and configured on the back side of the partition (10).to detect the respective local change in the electric field and to assign a respective position on the visible side of the partition (10) to the respective local change. Control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control element (30) encompasses and encloses the central element (20) on several sides, wherein the central element (20) is in particular completely enclosed by a housing formed by the control element (30) and the partition (10). Control unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control element (30) is held by at least one non-conductive connector (40) in a spring-loaded manner on the central element (20), which is in particular designed as an elastically deformable dome.

4. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at the at least one contact point (A1 , B1 , C1 , A2, B2, C2) a contact pin (41) extending from the central element (20) to the control element (30) and in particular designed as a pin extends, which is designed to establish an electrical connection between the central element (20) and the control element (30) when the contact is made by the movement of the control element (30), causing a local change in the electric field.

5. Control unit according to the preceding claim, wherein a contact body (42), in particular designed as a contact pill or a snap disc, is arranged between the contact pin (41) and the control element (30), via which the electrical connection with the control element (30) can be established, and wherein the contact pin (41) is designed to press directly onto the contact body (42) when contact is made by the movement of the control element (30).

6. Control unit according to the three preceding claims, wherein the non-conductive connector (40) is designed as an elastically deformable dome which surrounds the contact pin (41) designed as a pin in its circumferential direction and holds the contact body (42) adjacent to a control-element-side end of the contact pin (41), wherein on the connector (40) on the center element side a contact surface formed by the contact pin (41) and on the control-element side a The contact surface formed by the contact body (42) is provided. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (20) has electrically conductive elements and is in particular designed as a printed circuit board extending orthogonally to the plane. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control element (30) is made of a conductive material or is conductive on its inner surface facing the central element (20). (31) has electrically conductive elements or an electrically conductive coating on its inner surface (31) facing the central element (20).Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (20) and the control element (30) have at least one pair of contact points, wherein the pair has exactly one first contact point (A1, B1, C1) and one second contact point (A2, B2, C2) which are opposite each other on the central element (20), wherein the first contact point (A1, B1, C1) is configured to cause a first local change in the electric field when an electrical contact is made at the first contact point (A1, B1, C1) by a first movement of the control element (30) parallel to the plane along an axis of movement (A, B, C), and wherein the second contact point (A2, B2, C2) is configured to cause an electrical contact at the second contact point when an electrical contact is made at the second contact point by a second movement of the control element (30) along the axis of movement (A, B, C) parallel to the plane and opposite to the first movement along the axis of movement (A, B, C). (A2, B2, C2) to cause a second local change in the electric field. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitive sensor (11) is an area sensor which is arranged at least in the area of ​​the contact points (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2) on the rear side of the partition (10). Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (20) has an angled basic shape having several legs (21, 22) and covers a corresponding angled area on the partition (10), wherein at least one contact point (A1, A2) is provided on a first leg (21), wherein at least one contact point (B1, B2, C2) is provided on a second leg (22), and wherein at least one contact point (C1) is provided on an end face of at least one of the legs (21, 22). * * * * *

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