Functional element for detecting touch on a three-dimensional, developable surface of an operating device, operating device and method for producing a functional element

Abstract

The invention relates to a functional element (1) for detecting touch on a three-dimensional, developable surface (21) of an operating device (2), wherein the functional element (1) is determined by a flexible circuit carrier (10) which has a flat functional portion (11) in which at least one sensor surface (12) for detecting an operator's touch is formed on the circuit carrier (10), wherein the functional portion (11) is shaped as a planar development of the three-dimensional, developable surface (21), and wherein the functional portion (11) is designed to be able to be brought from the planar development into a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the three-dimensional, developable surface (21) and / or to be arranged on the developable surface (21) so as to cover the developable surface (21).

Description

[0001] Functional element for touch detection on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface of an operating device, operating device and method for producing a functional element

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a functional element for touch detection on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface of an operating device and / or for heating such a surface, an operating device which comprises a functional element within the meaning of the invention, and a method for producing a functional element within the meaning of the invention.

[0004] It should be noted that a developable surface, within the meaning of the present invention, is not understood to mean any surface, but rather a surface that can be transformed, or "unfolded," from Euclidean space into the Euclidean plane without internal distortion. The resulting surface in the plane is then referred to as a development. In other words, a developable surface, within the meaning of the invention, can be laid smoothly on a flat plane as a development without compression or stretching. Examples of such a developable surface include the lateral surfaces of certain three-dimensional bodies such as cylinders, cones, or truncated cones.

[0005] In this case, we also speak of a three-dimensionally shaped surface in order to clearly emphasize that the surface that has not yet been developed - viewed in a spatial Cartesian coordinate system - does not lie in a single plane, but extends out of it, at least in sections.

[0006] In principle, it can be stated that functional elements and in particular functional elements for touch detection for arrangement on three-dimensionally shaped and partly developable surfaces are known from the state of the art.

[0007] These functional elements known in the prior art are usually formed by deep drawing a carrier film, which, however, has a number of disadvantages.

[0008] First of all, it should be noted that deep-drawing can fundamentally lead to overstretching and cracking of the carrier film. If conductor tracks or electrical components were previously applied to the carrier film or, for example, manufactured directly on it, they can be damaged accordingly.

[0009] If circuit paths or components are to be applied to the film after deep-drawing, positioning or, for example, printing is significantly more complex due to the three-dimensional shape, making it prone to errors and expensive. Even subsequent trimming or cutting of the film after deep-drawing, for example, to remove the edges created during the process, is difficult due to the three-dimensional shape.

[0010] Due to technological reasons, deep drawing also involves a comparatively high material consumption.

[0011] If stretchable carrier films are arranged directly on a three-dimensional, developable surface of an operating device to avoid the deep-drawing process, wrinkles and / or bubbles often form on the film, which can also lead to overstretching of the film and cracking.

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and of providing a functional element that can be arranged on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface or an operating device with such a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface and a functional element arranged thereon, as well as a method for producing such a functional element, wherein the functional element is preferably translucent or the operating device is illuminated.

[0013] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to patent claim 1.

[0014] According to the invention, a functional element for touch detection on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface according to the definition already introduced is therefore proposed on an operating device, wherein such a functional element can alternatively or additionally also serve to heat such a surface. The operating device can comprise a particularly rigid base body on which the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface is formed or which has the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface. Alternatively, the base body can also be understood as part of the functional element. The functional element is essentially defined by or comprises a particularly flat and flexible circuit carrier.comprises this, wherein the flexible circuit carrier has a flat functional section in which at least one sensor surface for detecting a touch by an operator and / or at least one heating surface for heating the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface is formed on the circuit carrier. The sensor surface can also be referred to as a touch sensor surface and the functional element as a touch sensor or touch functional element. According to the invention, it is essential that the functional section is shaped as a flat development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface, i.e. lying in a plane has the shape or contour of the development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface.Furthermore, the invention provides that the functional section is designed to be able to be transformed, in particular without distortion and / or cracking, from the flat development into a three-dimensional shape that corresponds to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface. Alternatively or additionally, the functional section can be designed to be arranged on the developable surface and, in particular, to completely cover the developable surface.

[0015] If the functional section is designed to be able to be brought from the flat development into a three-dimensional form, this is to be understood that the functional section can be transformed or wound up from the plane in which the development lies into a three-dimensional form that corresponds to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface of the operating device. It is understood that, due to its physical nature, the circuit carrier cannot be transformed or wound up completely free of distortion under real conditions and idealization. However, the functional section is understood here as a surface or region that can be brought from its flat extension corresponding to the development into the three-dimensional shape corresponding to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface in a substantially distortion- and crack-free manner.

[0016] In this sense, the flexibility of the circuit carrier can also be understood to mean that the circuit carrier is so flexible and / or elastic that the deformation, transformation, or winding of the functional section from a plane in which the functional section is present as a developed surface into the three-dimensional shape corresponding to the three-dimensionally formed, developable surface is possible without distortion or cracks. Any flexibility or elasticity beyond this is not required and, in particular, is not intended.

[0017] The functional element proposed according to the invention allows its functional section to be applied to a corresponding surface, for example, on a conical or truncated cone-shaped base body, which can also be referred to as a cover, without bubbles or wrinkles. This results in significantly lower material consumption than with an otherwise necessary deep-drawing process, which is not required for the production of the functional element proposed according to the invention, thus eliminating the need to cut out the material from an already three-dimensionally formed material. Furthermore, any electrical conductors or components provided on the functional element, and in particular in the functional area, are not unduly stretched, distorted, or destroyed.In particular, for the sensor surfaces and / or the heating surfaces, it also applies that these can be formed continuously or without interruption both in the flat form corresponding to the development and in the three-dimensional form of the functional section corresponding to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface and do not have any expansion cuts interrupting the sensor surface or heating surfaces, as is usually unavoidable in the deep drawing process.

[0018] In addition, it should be noted that - as far as several differently shaped developments of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface are possible - the functional section is preferably designed as the development with the shortest circumference and / or the largest connected areas.

[0019] An advantageous variant of the functional element also provides for the developable surface to be the lateral surface of a cone or truncated cone. This also means that the functional section can be the developed surface of a cone or truncated cone. Likewise, a base body having the developable surface can be truncated or conical. In each case, the cone or cone can also be hollow, and the developable surface can also be provided on the inside of such a hollow body.

[0020] In addition to the functional section, further sections can also be provided on the circuit carrier. Thus, according to one variant, the circuit carrier can have at least one connection section for electrically contacting a circuit arranged in the functional section and / or for electrically contacting electrical components arranged in the functional section and / or for electrically contacting the at least one sensor surface and / or heating surface. The at least one connection section can be arranged adjacent to, and preferably directly adjacent to, the functional section and can extend away from it, enabling electrical contact.

[0021] Furthermore, the circuit carrier can have at least one tab section, which is designed, in particular, to be fixed to the circuit carrier in an overlapping manner with a designated overlap section of the circuit carrier, and to hold the functional section in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the developable surface by the overlapping fixation, whereby the functional section held in this three-dimensional shape can be arranged and held particularly easily on the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface. The at least one tab section can also be arranged adjacent to, and preferably directly adjacent to, the functional section.

[0022] In addition or alternatively to such tab sections, the circuit carrier can also have at least two abutting edges which are designed to be fixed to or with one another in abutting manner and to hold the functional section in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the developable surface by means of the fixing, whereby the functional section held in this three-dimensional shape can in turn be arranged and held particularly easily on the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface. As already applies to a possibly present tab section, the same applies to the two abutting edges that at least one of the abutting edges and preferably both abutting edges can be arranged adjacent to and in particular directly adjacent to the functional section. To fix the abutting edges to one another, they can be connected by a material fit or a form fit, wherein they can in particular be glued or welded to one another.The circuit carrier can be a flexible printed circuit board or a film on which electrical conductors or electrical components can be printed. Such a film can be made of polycarbonate, for example.

[0023] To produce the conductors or electrical components, the flexible printed circuit board or film can be printed with various, particularly electrically conductive, inks, e.g. using screen, pad or inkjet printing processes.

[0024] Furthermore, the circuit carrier is preferably translucent, whereby the conductors or electrical components formed on the circuit carrier can also be translucent, for example, by using appropriate inks. Translucent is understood to mean that the circuit carrier and, if applicable, electrical conductors and / or electrical components are at least translucent, opaque, or preferably transparent.

[0025] In addition, at least one of the sensor surfaces can be integrally formed as a heating surface.

[0026] The at least one heating surface can be printed onto the circuit board as heating tracks, for example, using an ink with a typically high electrical resistance, so that the resulting heating surface heats up when a voltage is applied to the heating tracks. As with the sensor surface, the heating surface can also be translucent and, in particular, transparent, when using transparent inks.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to an operating device with a functional element according to the invention and a particularly rigid base body, which, when used as intended, has a visible side facing an operator and a rear side facing away from it. Furthermore, a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface according to the definition already explained is formed on the base body, which can also be referred to as a cover. For example, the base body or cover can be conical or frustoconical.As already described with regard to the functional element, the functional element is arranged with its functional section in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface of the base body, and the functional element is arranged with its functional section on the base body in such a way that the functional section preferably completely covers the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface on the base body.

[0028] The operating device can be further developed such that the developable surface is formed on the visible side of the base body and the functional element is arranged on the visible side of the base body. Alternatively, the developable surface can be formed on the rear side of the base body and the functional element can be arranged on the rear side of the base body.

[0029] Furthermore, the operating device can further comprise at least one lighting element and / or a display element, which is arranged on the rear side of the base body and / or on the rear side of the circuit carrier and / or is designed to illuminate at least the functional section of the functional element towards the visible side.

[0030] The circuit carrier can also be positively and / or firmly bonded to the base body, particularly in the area of ​​the at least one functional section or in the area of ​​at least one fastening section provided for this purpose. For this purpose, the circuit carrier can be clamped, reinforced, glued, or welded to the base body, for example.

[0031] Furthermore, the base body can also be translucent, ie translucent, opaque or transparent.

[0032] A further aspect of the invention also relates to a method for producing a functional element for touch detection on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface of an operating device, wherein this is in particular the functional element and / or the operating device proposed according to the invention, so that the features described in this regard also apply analogously to the method. The functional element is accordingly formed or defined by a particularly flat and flexible circuit carrier which has a flat functional section, wherein the flat functional section is shaped as a flat development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface.According to the method, at least the following steps are carried out: a) A flexible and flat blank is produced in the form of the flexible circuit carrier with the flat functional section in the form of the development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface from a base material;.

[0033] Alternatively, a flexible and flat blank in the form of the flexible circuit carrier with the flat functional section in the form of the development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface is separated from a flexible and flat base material, for example using a plotter or laser; b) Before step a) or after step a), but preferably before step c), electrical conductors and / or electrical components are applied and / or formed on the base material or on the blank in the area of ​​the functional section to form at least one sensor surface for detecting contact by an operator and / or to form at least one heating surface for heating the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface, wherein the application orForming can be carried out, for example, by a printing process; c) The functional section of the blank, shaped as a development of the developable surface, with the at least one sensor surface and / or the at least one heating surface formed thereon is brought from its flat form, in particular without stretching or overstretching and without distortion or cracking of the blank, into a three-dimensional shape which corresponds to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface of the base body, and is held and / or fixed in this three-dimensional form, for example until it is arranged on the base body, which in turn can be realized, for example, directly by the arrangement on the base body, by the at least one tab section and / or by the at least two abutting edges.

[0034] During the production of the blank according to step a), any further sections that may be present, such as the connecting section, the at least one tab section and corresponding overlap sections, are also taken into account so that the blank is in one piece.

[0035] After step c) or during step c), the circuit carrier thus formed with its functional section brought into the three-dimensional shape can be arranged on the base body or the cover and more precisely on its three-dimensional, developable surface.

[0036] The features disclosed above can be combined in any way, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other. 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:

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a functional element whose functional section is arranged in one plane;

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a functional element whose functional section is transformed from a flat development into a three-dimensional shape corresponding to a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface;

[0039] Fig.3 a basic body of an operating element in section;

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a functional element with a tab section by which the functional section can be held in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the developable surface;

[0041] Fig. 5 shows a functional element with two abutting edges, by means of which the functional section can be held in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the developable surface;

[0042] Fig. 6 a base body and an adjacent functional element for arrangement on the base body;

[0043] Fig. 7 an operating device.

[0044] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference numerals in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0045] In particular, the functional elements 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 as well as 6 can be an identical functional element 1, the functional section 11 of which can be held in a three-dimensional shape both according to the variant shown in Figure 4 and according to the variant shown in Figure 5, which corresponds to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 of a base body 20 of an operating device 2. In addition, such a base body 20 can be the base body 20 as shown in section in Figure 3, so that the functional elements 1 according to at least one of Figures 1, 2 and 6 or their functional sections 11 can be designed for arrangement on the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 of the base body 20 according to Figure 3.Furthermore, the base body 20 shown in section in Figure 3 can be the base body 20 also shown in Figure 6, which together with the functional element 1 according to at least one of Figures 1, 2 or 6 can form an operating element 2 according to Figure 7.

[0046] The basic idea is to provide a functional element 1 which can be arranged on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 of an operating device 2 or a base body 20 of an operating device 2 which can be designated as a panel, as shown for example in Figures 3, 6 and 7.

[0047] Since overstretching and cracking can occur during the deep drawing of a film, a functional element 1 according to Figure 1 is proposed which is initially present as a flat component or in a flat shape and which can be brought at least in sections and preferably with its functional section 11 from this flat shape according to Figure 1 into a three-dimensional shape according to Figure 2, so that the functional section 11 or the three-dimensional shape of the functional section 11 corresponds to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 of the base body 20 or of the operating element 2 or corresponds to this and can be arranged on this.For this purpose, the functional element 1 is defined by a flexible circuit carrier 10 having a planar functional section 11 in which at least one sensor surface 12, and in the present case four sensor surfaces 12, are formed on the circuit carrier 10. In the example illustrated in particular in Figure 7, these sensor surfaces enable an operator to detect contact of the panel or the base body 20 on an outer surface 22 opposite the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 on the visible side. Furthermore, the sensor surfaces 12 in the illustrated variant can integrally have a heating function and can accordingly be integrally designed as heating surfaces.

[0048] Essential to the invention, it is provided that the functional section 11 is shaped as a flat development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 and is designed accordingly starting from this surface 21. In the present example, and as can be seen in particular in Figure 3, the developable surface 21 is frustoconical in shape, so that its development results in the C-shaped functional section 11, as shown in Figure 1. The circuit carrier 10 or its functional section 11 is accordingly defined by two terminating edges 16 forming a free end, which are connected to one another via an inner edge 17 and an outer edge 18. Because the outer edge 18 is longer than the inner edge 17 or because of the ratio of the outer edge 18 to the inner edge 17, the circuit carrier 10 bulges out of the plane in the region of the functional section 11 when the terminating edges 16 are moved towards one another.

[0049] If the end edges 16 simultaneously form the abutting edges 15, as shown in Figure 5, the end edges 16 or the abutting edges 15 can be fixed abutting one another directly, for example by gluing or welding, or indirectly, for example via an additional element. Alternatively, a tab section 14 can be formed in the region of one of the end edges 16, as shown in Figure 4, wherein the tab section 14 does not correspond to the functional section 11 and is consequently free of sensor surfaces 12. In this variant, the end edges 16 are therefore moved towards one another and the tab section 14 is arranged overlapping with the circuit carrier 10 or the functional section 11 on the opposite end edge 16. The tab section 14 is then or is then fixed on the back in a corresponding area on the opposite end edge 16.

[0050] In addition to fixing the abutting edges 15 according to Figure 5 and fixing by means of a tab section 14 according to Figure 4, the functional element 1 or its functional section 11 can also be held in a form-fitting manner in its shape corresponding to the surface 21. For this purpose, the end edges 16 can be moved towards one another and the component thus deformed can be pushed from the rear side R into the base body 20 towards the visible side S and pushed behind a locking edge formed on the surface 21 of the base body 20, but not shown in Figure 3, whereby the functional section 11 is clamped to the surface 21 of the base body 20.

[0051] Figure 6 shows the assembly of the functional element 1 on the base body 20 of the operating device 2 according to Figure 7. The functional element 1 is inserted from the rear side R into a receiving space defined by the hollow base body 20 and arranged on the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21 located in the receiving space, as is also shown, for example, in Figure 3. For this purpose, the functional element 1 or its functional section 11 is brought into a three-dimensional shape according to Figure 2, which corresponds to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface 21. In the present case, a connection section 13 is also provided, to which electrical conductors for contacting the sensor surfaces 12 are led out of the base body. The connection section 13 is arranged - as shown in Figure 1 - on the outer edge 18 of the functional section 11, but can alternatively also be positioned differently, for example, on the inner edge 17.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an operating element 2 formed in this way, on which touches or operating inputs by the operator can be detected on an outer surface 22 by means of the functional element 1 arranged inside.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Functional element (1) for detecting contact on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) of an operating device (2) and / or for heating such a surface (21), wherein the functional element (1) is defined by a flexible circuit carrier (10) having a planar functional section (11) in which at least one sensor surface (12) for detecting contact by an operator and / or at least one heating surface for heating the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) is formed on the circuit carrier (10), wherein the functional section (11) is formed as a planar development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21), and wherein the functional section (11) is designed to be converted from the planar development into a three-dimensionally shaped,developable surface (21) corresponding three-dimensional shape and / or to be arranged on the developable surface (21) covering the developable surface (21).

2. Functional element according to claim 1, wherein the developable surface (21) is the lateral surface of a cone or truncated cone.

3. Functional element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circuit carrier (10) has at least one connection section (13) for electrically contacting a circuit arranged in the functional section (11) and / or for electrically contacting electrical components arranged in the functional section and / or for electrically contacting the at least one sensor surface (12) and / or the at least one heating surface.

4. Functional element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit carrier (10) has at least one tab section (14) which is designed to be fixed to the circuit carrier (10) in an overlapping manner and to hold the functional section (11) in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the developable surface (21) by the overlapping fixation.

5. Functional element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit carrier (10) has at least two abutting edges (15) which are designed to be fixed to one another in abutting relationship and to hold the functional section (11) by the fixing in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the developable surface (21).

6. Functional element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit carrier (10) is translucent and / or the circuit carrier (10) is a flexible printed circuit board and / or the circuit carrier (10) is a film.

7. Functional element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sensor surface (12) for detecting a touch by an operator is integrally formed as a heating surface for heating the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21).

8. Operating device (2) with a functional element (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a base body (20) which has a visible side (S) facing an operator and a rear side (R) facing away therefrom and on which a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) is formed, wherein the functional element (1) is arranged with its functional section (11) in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) of the base body (20) and covering the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) on the base body (20).

9. Operating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the developable surface (21) is formed on the visible side (S) and the functional element (1) is arranged on the visible side (S) or wherein the developable surface (21) is formed on the rear side (R) and the functional element (1) is arranged on the rear side (R).

10. Operating device according to one of the two preceding claims, further comprising at least one lighting element and / or a display element which is arranged on the rear side (R) of the base body (20) and / or on the rear side of the circuit carrier (10) and / or is designed to illuminate at least the functional section (11) of the functional element (1) towards the visible side (S). 11 . Operating device according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the circuit carrier (10) is connected to the base body (20) in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.

12. Method for producing a functional element (1) for touch detection on a three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) of an operating device (2) and / or for heating such a surface (21), wherein the functional element (1) is defined by a flexible circuit carrier (10) with a planar functional section (11) which is designed as a flat development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21 ), and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a. A flexible and flat blank is formed in the form of the flexible circuit carrier (10) with the flat functional section (11) in the form of the development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) is produced from a base material or a flexible and flat blank in the form of the flexible circuit carrier (10) with the flat functional section (11) in the form of the development of the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) is separated from a flexible and flat base material; b. Electrical conductors and / or electrical components are applied to the base material or the blank in the region of the functional section (11) to form at least one sensor surface (12) is applied and / or formed to detect contact by an operator and / or to form at least one heating surface for heating the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21); c. The functional section (11) of the blank, shaped as a development of the developable surface (21), with the at least one sensor surface (12) and / or the at least one heating surface formed thereon, is brought from its planar shape into a three-dimensional shape corresponding to the three-dimensionally shaped, developable surface (21) of the base body (20) and is held and / or fixed in this three-dimensional shape. * * * * *

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