Device for the operation of vehicle functions

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the operation of functions in a vehicle, with a control panel (1) which is arranged in a locally movable manner in the vehicle. The device according to the invention is characterized in that a drive for moving the control panel (1) is provided which is connected to a controller (2), the controller (2) furthermore being connected to a touch- and / or approach-sensitive adjustment element (3), wherein the controller (2) is designed to activate the drive in the event of an approach towards or touching of the adjustment element (3) and, when there is a change in the position of the approach or touching, to move the control panel (1) analogously thereto.

Description

[0001] Device for operating vehicle functions

[0002] The invention relates to a device for operating functions in a vehicle according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] To operate vehicle functions, vehicles are equipped with a wide variety of input devices, such as dials, sliders, knobs, buttons, touch-sensitive displays, and the like. Depending on the vehicle's geometric design, the user's body size, and the seating position, individual input devices may be easily or less accessible.

[0004] Particularly in the context of automated and autonomous driving, continuous monitoring of traffic conditions and vehicle control by the driver is no longer required. This also allows the driver to assume a more comfortable seating position, such as a reclining position. In such a seating position, input devices mounted on a dashboard, such as a central display of the head unit, or input devices mounted on the front section of a vehicle door, such as power windows or buttons for adjusting the seat, are generally no longer accessible. Accordingly, these input devices can no longer be used to perform any control actions. This creates the need to provide means to solve this problem.

[0005] DE 10 2005 014 939 A1 discloses a control element and an interface for a vehicle computer. The control element is designed like a computer mouse. Guides are provided to restrict the freedom of movement of the control element, for example, preventing it from falling off a surface. To improve accessibility, the control element can be moved in its position along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. For this purpose, locking means are provided, which can be actuated to manually move the control element.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 202 932 A1 discloses a door panel with a longitudinally displaceable support, comprising a mounting device for a mobile device. The support can be moved using muscle power. The support can also include a display. The display can be designed as a touchscreen for operating a vehicle function, such as the air conditioning system.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 103 24 918 A1 discloses a control device and operating device for the control device of an adjustment device of a motor vehicle. The document describes a touch-sensitive operating surface for detecting operating actions. The adjustment device can be controlled via the operating surface. For example, a window lifter and / or a movable exterior mirror can be controlled as an adjustment device. An operating distance and an adjustment distance, or an operating position and an adjustment position, correlate with each other. The operating surface is integrated into the front area of ​​a vehicle door, facing the vehicle interior.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2016 212 813 A1 discloses a vehicle with an operating and display device and a method for operating such a vehicle. The display device can form part of a side window of the vehicle. A detection device determines the position of a vehicle occupant, and the display content of the display device is displayed at the position of the vehicle occupant relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The display content on the display device can be scrolled by touching a light strip integrated into the vehicle door below the side window.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 10 2020 209 072 A1 discloses a vehicle door with a multifunctional operating element. The operating element comprises a first operable component for operating a first vehicle function, for example, a window operating function, and can be manually moved relative to the vehicle door to operate a second vehicle function, for example, a door operating function. Furthermore, DE 10 2020 005 333 A1 discloses a method for generating haptic feedback on a touch-sensitive operating surface. In this process, a friction coefficient between a finger and the operating surface is adjusted depending on the location.

[0010] Furthermore, DE 10 2018 222 869 A1 discloses an operating system for a vehicle and a method for operating the operating system. The operating system comprises a seat position detection unit, an operating unit, and a control unit. The operating unit has a first and a second detection area. The control unit controls the operating unit to provide the first or second detection area depending on a user's seat position.

[0011] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 019 125 A1 discloses a control system for a device that depends on the seat inclination. The document describes the automatic tilting of a display integrated into the armrest of a vehicle seat depending on the seat back's inclination.

[0012] Furthermore, CN 1 12 498 189 A discloses a vehicle seat linking control system. This system describes linking a vehicle seat position to a control element position.

[0013] In addition, CN 1 10 853 187 A discloses a method and a device for unlocking a vehicle door as well as a storage medium and a vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, CN 1 03 526 991 A discloses a vehicle door lock control system and a method for its operation.

[0015] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved device for operating functions in a vehicle, which can be reliably reached in a particularly convenient manner in various situations.

[0016] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device for operating functions in a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0017] A generic device for operating functions in a vehicle with a control panel which is arranged so as to be spatially displaceable in the vehicle is further developed according to the invention in that a drive is provided for displacing the control panel, which drive is connected to a controller, wherein the controller is further connected to a touch- and / or proximity-sensitive adjusting element, wherein the controller is designed to activate the drive in the event of an approach or contact of the adjusting element and to displace the control panel analogously, i.e. accordingly, in the event of a change in the position of the approach or contact. The adjusting element is designed to be separate from the control panel and is arranged in the vehicle in such a way that the adjusting element can be reached from any seating position merely by raising the user's arm.

[0018] The device according to the invention enables a user to operate functions in the vehicle particularly conveniently, regardless of the user's relative orientation to the control panel. This allows the user to flexibly adapt the position of the control panel in the vehicle to their situation-specific preferences using the adjustment element. The adjustment is carried out automatically via the actuator, eliminating the need to manually move the control panel. Only the adjustment element needs to be operated. The use of a touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive adjustment element ensures a particularly convenient user experience. Inputs made via the adjustment element are processed by the controller and used to activate the drive.

[0019] The control unit, referred to as the controller, is configured to control output means such as the drive for moving the control panel. The control unit is a hardware device with a processor, preferably embodied as an integrated circuit, which performs computing operations with the aid of data and / or programs stored, for example, in a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or FlashROM memory. The data output by the adjustment element is buffered as required in a memory of the control unit and retrieved and processed by the processor via an internal bus system. The output data for moving the control panel calculated by the processor on the basis of the adjustment element is output to the drive via an output circuit of the control unit.

[0020] By changing the position of the original touch or approach of the operating element, referred to as the adjustment element, for analogue displacement of the control panel, a particularly intuitive displacement is ensured. In other words, the change in the position of the approach is to be understood as the distance covered by an operating element, for example a finger, which is detected as having approached or touched. A change in position is brought about by the operating element, after a detected approach or touch, being moved to a further position without lifting the hand, i.e. without interrupting the approach or touch. In the present case, the analogue displacement comprises a displacement that corresponds entirely to the change in position and / or a displacement scaled to the change in position, which in a sense maps the sensitivity of the adjustment element.When a finger approaches or touches the adjustment element, the control panel moves exactly in line with the change in position. With scaled movement, the control panel is moved by a position change multiplied by a scaling factor of less than or greater than 1. Thus, the change in position caused by the touch or approach of the adjustment element corresponds to the movement sequence or the direction in which the control panel is moved. This reliably and conveniently prevents the control panel from being accidentally moved in the wrong direction, which could easily happen if a knob or switch were used as the adjustment element.

[0021] To make the adjustment element touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive, one or more sensors can be integrated into the adjustment element, such as capacitive touch sensors, so-called surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, and / or force sensors, for example based on microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMMS). This enables precise position detection of a user's finger used for operation. Furthermore, it also makes it possible to differentiate between a localized touch or approach to the adjustment element, for example, using a finger, and a large-area touch or approach, for example, using the entire hand.

[0022] The controller comprises or is designed as a control unit, which is a hardware device with a processor, preferably embodied as an integrated circuit, which performs computing operations with the aid of data and / or programs stored, for example, in a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or FlashROM memory. The data output by the touch- and / or proximity-sensitive adjustment element is temporarily stored in a memory of the control unit as required and retrieved and processed by the processor via an internal bus system. The output data determined by the processor for moving the control panel is output to the drive via an output circuit of the control unit.

[0023] As already described, the adjustment element is designed to be separate from the control panel. In this context, "separate" means that the adjustment element is designed in two parts, forming a separate control panel, and is positioned at a certain distance from it in the vehicle. Using the adjustment element, the control panel can be translated so that the control panel is easily accessible to the user. Accordingly, the adjustment element should be easily accessible from the user's current seating position, allowing the control panel to be brought closer to the user. By arranging the control panel and adjustment element separately and at a distance from each other, this can be reliably ensured for a wide variety of vehicle configurations.

[0024] The adjustment element is arranged in the vehicle in such a way that it is itself easily accessible in a seating configuration in which the control panel is typically not easily accessible by a user, for example in normal ferry operation.

[0025] An advantageous development of the device provides that the drive is designed as a linear drive for moving the control panel in a longitudinal direction essentially parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Typically, the person driving the vehicle will be able to comfortably reach control elements located in the front area of ​​the vehicle, for example control elements installed on or in the dashboard or control elements installed in the front area of ​​a vehicle door, from a typical sitting position. In this context, "comfortable" means in particular that the person driving the vehicle can reach the corresponding control elements simply by raising their arm and thus does not have to bend forward or sideways from their seat, for example. However, if a lying position is assumed, the person driving the vehicle moves backwards away from the dashboard in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis.In such a seating configuration, it is also necessary to move the control panel rearward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. Linear actuators represent a particularly robust, reliable, and cost-effective solution for translating the control panel.

[0026] A further advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the controller is configured to adapt the relationship between the change in the approach or contact of the adjustment element and the adjustment path of the control panel based on a preset value. In other words, a sensitivity for the adjustment element can be set. The sensitivity can be used to define how far the control panel is to be translated, depending on a fixed change in position of the approach or contact of the adjustment element. With a low sensitivity, the control panel is only moved 2 cm or 4 cm for a position change of, for example, 5 cm, and with a high sensitivity, the movement is increased by, for example, 8 cm or 12 cm.

[0027] To adjust the sensitivity, various options can be provided, such as a (step-based) high, medium, and low sensitivity. The sensitivity can also be continuously adjusted using a slider.

[0028] Various user settings can be stored in the vehicle, for example in a submenu of an infotainment system. The user settings can be assigned to a user profile. A user can be recognized, for example, via biometric features such as an iris scan, a fingerprint scan, voice analysis, a facial scan, or the like. A user can also be recognized by logging in using a username and password or by recognizing an object carried, such as a specific transponder, vehicle key, or even a mobile device, such as the user's smartphone, which can be identified by its unique Bluetooth ID or MAC address. The sensitivity can be saved and assigned to the respective user profile.

[0029] A sensitivity setting that may be preferred by a user can also be derived by the vehicle based on other user settings and / or observed user behavior during operation. For this purpose, artificial intelligence can be executed on a control unit of the vehicle and used to evaluate the user setting or user behavior. For example, if the user has also selected a high sensitivity for other vehicle functions, the artificial intelligence can also select a high sensitivity for moving the control panel. However, this user preference can also be derived from other variables, such as the driving style of the person driving the vehicle. For example, if the person driving the vehicle tends towards a sporty driving style, a high sensitivity can be selected, while a low sensitivity can be selected for a more defensive driving style.

[0030] In particular, the sensitivity can be varied during operation of the adjustment element. For example, if the user moves their finger along the adjustment element at high speed, a high sensitivity and thus a long adjustment range for the control panel is selected. If, on the other hand, the user moves their finger slowly along the adjustment element, the control panel moves more slowly or less far. This feature can be compared, for example, to the so-called "mouse acceleration" of a computer mouse.

[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the adjustment element has lighting, wherein the control system is configured to illuminate the adjustment element differently in the event of an intended actuation due to a detected approach or touch, preferably in conjunction with a change in position, than in the case of a standby state. This can significantly increase user comfort. The adjustment element can have directly visible or hidden lighting elements. Direct lighting can be created using the directly visible lighting elements, and indirect lighting can be created using the hidden lighting elements. The lighting elements can emit white or colored light. Continuous light can be generated, or dynamically variable light can be generated.Using this type of lighting, the adjustment element can be easily located in the vehicle interior, particularly in poor lighting conditions such as at night. The lighting can be changed depending on various boundary conditions. If, for example, the adjustment element is touched, the light pattern generated by the light element(s) can be adjusted. For example, the displayed color can be changed, for example from white to blue, and / or a continuous light can be set to flash at a certain frequency. Changes in color and / or brightness are preferably implemented gradually and, in particular, with animations. If, for example, the user moves their finger along the adjustment element, the adjustment element can light up in the area of ​​the touch or approach surface.During the movement of the finger along the adjustment element, the area touched by the finger and thus illuminated along the adjustment element follows the finger during the movement.

[0032] A further advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the control panel has lighting, wherein the controller is designed to activate the lighting of the control panel and / or to change the type of lighting at least when actuation of the adjustment element has been detected. This also allows user comfort to be further improved. This function allows, for example, a user of the device according to the invention to locate the control panel in the vehicle even more easily. For example, several different control panels can be moved using the same adjustment element, wherein the lighting of exactly the control panel which can be moved translationally by receiving user inputs via the adjustment element is changed. If the user touches the adjustment element orIf the object approaches this point, the control panel's backlight can be activated, for example, or a white backlit control panel can be backlit in a color, such as red, green, or blue. With multiple control panels, the lighting of the control panel intended for movement is then activated, or the adjustment element lights up in a specific color, such as blue, and the control panel intended for movement is illuminated in the same way, also in blue. The control panel not intended for movement then remains dark or lights up in a different color, such as white or yellow.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the adjustment element has force sensors for detecting the contact force in the event of a contact, wherein the control system is configured to only recognize an actuation as an actuation if the contact force exceeds a predetermined threshold. This function helps prevent incorrect operations. For example, during normal driving, the user could accidentally touch the adjustment element. This could result in the control panel being undesirably displaced. However, if a certain amount of force is required to move the control panel, the control system is enabled to ignore such undesirable incorrect contacts. For example, one or more M1 MS sensors can be integrated into the adjustment element to detect the respective contact force.

[0034] A further advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the adjusting element has actuators, in particular piezo actuators, wherein the controller is configured to excite the actuators to oscillate in order to generate haptic feedback in the event of actuation by touch, by changing the friction between the contact point and a finger touching the adjusting element. This also makes it possible to further improve user comfort when operating the device according to the invention. For example, the user may be distracted by the driving situation while driving the vehicle. The haptic feedback can then inform the user that they have actually touched the adjusting element with their finger, meaning they no longer have to take their eyes off the road and can still move the control panel.By using piezo actuators as opposed to, for example, vibrating masses, a particularly natural-feeling haptic experience can be achieved. For this purpose, the individual piezo actuators can be distributed along the adjustment element, for example arranged in a grid or field. Preferably, the control system is also configured to change the friction in such a way that a guide element, a grid and / or stops are simulated. The adjustment element can be designed, for example, as a touch-sensitive slider. The haptic feedback can then be used to communicate the path along which the finger should be moved along the adjustment element in order to move the control panel. For this purpose, for example, a guide element that is continuous along the displacement path can be communicated haptically. This guide element can also be interrupted, in particular at regular intervals, in order to convey the grid.In particular, the spacing between the individual grid elements depends on the sensitivity setting of the adjustment element. For example, if a high sensitivity is selected, these individual grid points are closer together, meaning the distances are shorter. Accordingly, with a low sensitivity, the individual grid elements are further apart. Upon reaching a front and / or rear end of the slider, i.e., the adjustment element, haptic feedback, preferably particularly strong haptic feedback, can also be provided to indicate the user's position. This alerts the user that the respective end of the slider has been reached.

[0035] To design the haptic feedback, a piezo actuator and a control for this piezo actuator, as offered by the company Hap2U, can be used particularly preferably.

[0036] A further advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the controller is configured to preset the position of the control panel and settings of a vehicle seat to which the control panel is assigned, based on a stored or determined body height of a person using the vehicle seat. This allows user comfort to be increased even further. Thus, when the person sits down, the control panel is aligned according to the body measurements, which may eliminate the need to move the control panel again. However, movement using the adjustment element is still possible for fine adjustment or to adjust to a changed seating position. Body height can be entered manually or measured using vehicle-internal sensors, for example pressure sensors integrated into the vehicle seat and / or using an interior camera.The measured dimensions can be assigned to a user profile, eliminating the need to re-record body measurements. Not only the overall height but also the length of individual limbs can be recorded in detail, enabling even more differentiated and therefore more precise alignment.

[0037] As already mentioned, the respective user profile can be selected or activated by capturing a biometric feature, manually selecting it or detecting the presence of a specific mobile device in the vehicle.

[0038] Preferably, the control system is configured to move the associated control panel in the event of an adjustment of the vehicle seat. In other words, the control panel can be moved along with the seat configuration when changing. For example, if the respective vehicle seat is moved rearward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and / or a backrest is tilted to a more inclined position, the control panel also moves rearward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. Thus, moving the control panel via the adjustment element is no longer necessary when adjusting the seat position, although it can still be done for fine adjustment.

[0039] A further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention further provides that the controller is further configured to determine the movement data of a reference area of ​​a backrest of the vehicle seat when the vehicle seat is adjusted, wherein the control panel is displaced analogously to the movement of the reference area. This function achieves a particularly reliable automatic forward displacement of the control panel. If the backrest of the vehicle seat is folded forward or backward, the area accessible by an outstretched arm, and thus the area suitable for providing the control panel, will shift forward or backward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0040] The reference area can thus correspond to a horizontal segment of the vehicle seat backrest at a specific geodetic height. This segment is preferably located at the height where the user's outstretched arm is. This height can also be measured using the vehicle's internal sensors.

[0041] Preferably, the control panel is arranged in a vehicle door, with the reference area corresponding to a region of the vehicle seat backrest at the height of the control panel. When the vehicle seat is adjusted, the reference area thus moves up and down along the backrest. However, relative to the vehicle's vertical axis, the height of the reference area remains constant. Since the user operates the control panel with their outstretched arm, it can also be used directly to determine the position of the reference area along the backrest of the vehicle seat.

[0042] A further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention further provides that the adjustment element is arranged in the area of ​​a door handle of the vehicle door, in particular in a decorative element placed there. The area of ​​the door handle of the vehicle door is particularly easy to reach for the user in the vehicle. In particular, this enables a clear assignment of adjustment element to vehicle seat. If, for example, the adjustment elements for the driver's seat and the front passenger seat are integrated into the center console, this could lead to confusion and, for example, the front passenger accidentally actuating the adjustment element for the driver's seat. In addition, the area of ​​the vehicle door can be reached both in a seat configuration adjusted forwards with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal axis and in a seat configuration adjusted rearwards.

[0043] The adjustment element preferably has an elongated shape in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, wherein a change in the position of the approach or contact can be determined at any point along the adjustment element. Due to the elongated shape, the adjustment element can be designed particularly advantageously as a slide control. The elongated shape thus ensures a comparatively long adjustment range. Furthermore, the adjustment element is particularly easy to reach from different seating configurations. For deriving control commands for moving the control panel, it is irrelevant at which position the adjustment element is initially touched or approached. Only the change in position is relevant for determining the control commands.For example, the adjustment element can be operated starting in the front fifth until half of the adjustment element is reached in relation to its length, or starting in the last third of the adjustment element until its rear end is reached.

[0044] Further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention for operating vehicle functions also emerge from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0045] Showing:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows four schematic representations of a device according to the invention integrated into a vehicle door at different times of an operating sequence;

[0047] Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view through an adjusting element of the device according to the invention;

[0048] Fig. 3 shows three schematic top views of the adjustment element during the output of different haptic feedback; and

[0049] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat with associated control panel in different seat configurations.

[0050] Figure 1 shows an interior view of a vehicle with a view of a vehicle door 13, in this case the passenger door. Visible are a control panel 1 and an adjustment element 3 integrated into a door handle 14 of the vehicle door 13 for translationally displacing the control panel 1 in a longitudinal direction L running along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. User inputs registered via the adjustment element 3 are processed by a controller 2 to derive control commands for controlling an actuator (not shown in detail) for moving the control panel 1. The controller 2 is connected to the actuator, the adjustment element 3, and other vehicle components such as control units or a central on-board computer via a data line 17, such as a CAN bus.

[0051] Figure 1a) shows the control panel 1 and the adjustment element 3 in a resting or standby mode. In particular, lighting elements are integrated into the control panel 1 and the adjustment element 3 to generate direct and / or indirect lighting. In standby mode, for example, a continuous blue glow is emitted from the control panel 1 and the adjustment element 3. The lighting atmosphere thus generated is preferably adapted to other lighting provided in the vehicle, for example, so-called ambient lighting. Using light patterns 16 generated in this way, the control panel 1 and the adjustment element 3 can be particularly easily located within the vehicle interior.

[0052] User inputs can be received via the control panel 1 to operate various vehicle functions. For example, as shown in Figure 1, buttons are integrated into the control panel 1 that can be used to change a seat configuration. This allows, for example, a corresponding vehicle seat 10 (shown in more detail in Figure 4) to be moved forward or backward in the longitudinal direction L, its backrest 12 to be raised or tilted backward, or the entire vehicle seat 10 to be translated in the direction of the vehicle's vertical axis (not shown in more detail).

[0053] If the vehicle seat 10 and / or the backrest 12 are now changed to a retracted seating configuration, a user seated on the vehicle seat 10 may no longer be able to reach the control panel 1. However, by actuating the adjustment element 3, the control panel 1 can be moved backward in the longitudinal direction L toward the user, so that the user can easily reach the control panel 1 again. The corresponding operating procedure is illustrated in sub-figures b), c), and d).

[0054] In Figure 1 b), the user touches the adjustment element 3 with a finger 6 at any position. The adjustment element 3 is preferably designed to be elongated in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, which allows the user to comfortably reach at least one area of ​​the adjustment element 3 regardless of their seating position. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 b), the finger 6 touches the adjustment element 3 at a contact point 5. According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the lighting of the control panel 1 and the adjustment element 3 can then be adjusted. Thus, a light pattern 16 in the manner of direct illumination is emitted via the lighting elements arranged in the adjustment element 3 in the area of ​​the contact point 5. This signals to the user that the adjustment element 3 has detected a touch by the user.To detect touches, the adjustment element 3 can have various sensor elements, such as capacitive touch sensors and / or surface acoustic wave sensors 15 shown in Figure 2.

[0055] The adjustment element 3 can be designed to be touch-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive. For this purpose, the adjustment element 3 can comprise sensors such as radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners, cameras, or the like. In this case, an actuation of the adjustment element 3 can be detected by the controller 2, even if only the approach of the finger 6 to the adjustment element 3 is detected.

[0056] The illumination emitted by the control panel 1 can remain constant or change during operation of the adjustment element 3. For example, a flashing light pattern 16 or a moving light pattern 16 can be emitted, in particular a light pattern 16 that moves in the direction of movement of the finger 6.

[0057] Figure 1c) shows the movement of finger 6 along adjustment element 3. Finger 6 is moved backward in the longitudinal direction L, as indicated by an arrow. It can be seen that the direct illumination emitted at touch point 5 also follows the movement of finger 6. Furthermore, control panel 1 moves analogously with finger 6.

[0058] In Figure 1d), the user removes finger 6 from adjustment element 3, and control panel 1 has reached its desired position. The illumination of control panel 1 and adjustment element 3 is changed back to the illumination output in standby mode to output the corresponding light pattern 16.

[0059] Figure 2 shows an enlarged sectional view of the adjustment element 3. In addition to the surface acoustic wave sensors 15, a plurality of piezo actuators 4 arranged along the adjustment element 3 can be seen. The piezo actuators 4 preferably run not only along the longitudinal extent of the adjustment element 3, but also transversely thereto in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis (not shown in detail), i.e., orthogonal to the plane of the page with respect to the figure. For this purpose, the piezo actuators 4 can be arranged in a grid. Haptic feedback can be output using the piezo actuators 4. This is preferably done analogously to the technology developed by the company Hap2U. Thus, not the entire adjustment element 3 vibrates, but only the section touched by the finger 6 at contact point 5, or certain predefined areas. This is indicated in Figure 2 by the darkly hatched piezo actuators 4.The piezo actuators 4 can vibrate upwards and downwards, sideways, and orthogonally to the plane of the sheet. This specifically changes the friction between the finger 6 and a surface of the adjustment element 3 in the areas affected by the activated piezo actuators 4, simulating certain tactile structures on the surface of the adjustment element 3. This is illustrated in Figure 3.

[0060] Figure 3a) shows a simulated guide element 7 parallel to the direction of extension of the adjustment element 3, here the aforementioned longitudinal direction L. The guide element 7 is perceptible to the user via their finger 6 and feels like a groove or protrusion. This can guide the user as to the direction in which they can move their finger 6 along the surface of the adjustment element 3 to achieve a displacement of the control panel 1.

[0061] Figure 3b) shows a grid 8 simulated by means of the haptic feedback. Preferably, a distance a between the individual grid elements is configured depending on an adjustable sensitivity of the adjustment element 3. For a comparatively high sensitivity, a smaller distance a is selected, and for a comparatively high sensitivity, a larger distance a.

[0062] Figure 3c) shows a plan view of the entire adjustment element 3. In the end areas of the adjustment element 3, a stop 9 is simulated by means of the haptic feedback. In comparison to the individual locking elements of the locking system 8, a particularly strong haptic feedback is preferably output here. This informs the user via the haptic feedback that a respective end of the adjustment element 3 has been reached. The simulated surface structures shown in Figures 3a), b) and c) can also be combined. The control panel 1 can also be moved in the longitudinal direction L depending on a seat adjustment. For this purpose, different seat configurations for different user profiles can be stored. The preferred location of the control panel 1 along its respective displacement path is then also saved in a respective user profile. If the vehicle seat 10 is moved forwards or backwards orIf the backrest 12 is tilted forward or backward, the control panel 1 can be moved analogously. This reduces the effort for the user, as they no longer have to operate the adjustment element 3 to move the control panel 1. However, the adjustment element 3 can still be used for fine adjustment of the position of the control panel 1.

[0063] Particularly preferably, the position of the control panel 1 is adjusted depending on movement data of a reference area 11 of the vehicle seat 10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows a position of the reference area 11 on the backrest 12. The reference area 11 is located on the backrest 12 in a vertical direction, i.e., a direction parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis, at the same geodetic height h as the control panel 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4, the height h relative to a seating surface of the vehicle seat 10 is specified. However, the floor of the vehicle interior or the like could also serve as a reference.

[0064] As can be seen in Figure 4, the reference area 11 is always at the same geodetic height h as the control panel 1. However, the reference area 11 moves up or down along the backrest 12 depending on the inclination of the backrest 12.

[0065] The height h of the control panel 1 is particularly suitable for determining the position of the reference area 11, since the arm or hand of the user for operating the control panel 1 is located at this height h. The control panel 1 then moves analogously to the adjustment speed of the reference area 11 in the longitudinal direction L, which enables a constant distance to be maintained between the control panel 1 and the reference area 11, and thus ensures that the user can easily reach the control panel 1.

Claims

Patent claims Device for operating functions in a vehicle, with a control panel (1) which is arranged so as to be spatially displaceable in the vehicle, characterized in that a drive for displacing the control panel (1) is provided, which drive is connected to a controller (2), wherein the controller (2) is further connected to a touch- and / or proximity-sensitive adjusting element (3), wherein the controller (2) is designed to activate the drive in the event of an approach or contact of the adjusting element (3) and to displace the control panel (1) accordingly in the event of a change in the position of the approach or contact, wherein the adjusting element (3) is designed to be offset from the control panel (1) and is arranged in the vehicle such that the adjusting element (3) can be reached from any sitting position merely by raising the arm of a user.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive is designed as a linear drive for displacing the control panel (1) in a longitudinal direction (L) substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the controller (2) is configured to adapt the relationship between the change in the approach or contact of the adjusting element (3) and the adjustment path of the control panel (1) based on a preset value. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. the adjusting element (3) has an illumination, wherein the controller (2) is configured to illuminate the adjusting element (3) differently in the event of an actuation than in the case of a standby state. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control panel (1) has an illumination, wherein the controller (2) is configured to activate the illumination of the control panel (1) and / or to change the type of illumination at least when an actuation of the adjusting element (3) has been detected. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adjusting element (3) has force sensors for detecting the contact force in the event of a contact, wherein the controller (2) is configured to recognize an actuation as an actuation only if the contact force exceeds a predetermined threshold value.Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the adjusting element (3) has actuators, in particular piezo actuators (4), wherein the controller (2) is configured to excite the actuators to oscillate in order to generate haptic feedback in the event of actuation by touch, in which the friction between the contact point (5) and a finger (6) touching the adjusting element (3) is changed. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the controller (2) is further configured to change the friction in such a way that a guide element (7), a grid (8) and / or stops (9) are simulated. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that. the controller (2) is configured to preset the position of the control panel (1) and settings of a vehicle seat (10), to which the control panel (1) is assigned, based on a stored or determined body size of a person using the vehicle seat (10). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the controller (2) is configured to displace the control panel (1) assigned to the vehicle seat (10) in accordance with the adjustment if the vehicle seat (10) is adjusted. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the controller (2) is further configured to determine the movement data of a reference region (11) of a backrest (12) of the vehicle seat (10) if the vehicle seat (10) is adjusted, wherein the control panel (1) is displaced analogously to the movement of the reference region (11).Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control panel (1) is arranged in a vehicle door (13), wherein the reference region (11) corresponds to a region of the backrest (12) of the vehicle seat (10) located at the height (h) of the control panel (1). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the adjusting element (3) is arranged in the region of a door handle (14) of the vehicle door (13), in particular in a decorative element placed there. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the adjusting element (3) has a shape that is elongated in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, wherein a change in the position of the approach or contact can be determined at any point along the adjusting element (3).

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