Devices for operating vehicle functions

Abstract

To provide an improved device for operating functions in a vehicle that can be reliably reached in a particularly comfortable way in various situations. The present invention relates to a device for operating functions in a vehicle, which includes an operating panel (1) that is movably arranged within the vehicle. The device according to the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a drive device for moving the operating panel (1), the drive device being connected to a control unit (2), which is further connected to a touch-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive adjusting element (3), and the control unit (2) is configured to activate the drive device when the adjusting element (3) approaches or touches the adjusting element (3) and to move the operating panel (1) accordingly when the position of the proximity or contact changes.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a device for operating functions in a vehicle of the kind precisely defined in the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] To operate vehicle functions, vehicles have a variety of input means such as rotary controls, sliders, buttons, keys, touch-sensitive displays, etc. Depending on the vehicle geometry, the user's body size, and seat position, individual input means may be easily or poorly reachable.

[0003] In particular, as a result of automated and autonomous driving, the driver no longer needs to continuously monitor traffic events and control the vehicle. This also allows the driver to adopt a more comfortable seating position, such as a reclined position. However, in such a seating position, input devices such as a center display of a dashboard-mounted head unit and buttons for operating power window lifters or seat adjustments mounted on the front part of the vehicle door are usually out of reach. Accordingly, operating actions via these input devices are also no longer possible. Therefore, a solution to this problem needs to be provided.

[0004] From the document DE 10 02 04 199 A1 an operating element and an interface for a vehicle calculator are known. The operating element is designed like a computer mouse. In this case, guides are provided to limit the freedom of movement of the operating element, for example by preventing it from falling off the support. To make the operating element more accessible, the operating element can be displaced in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis (longitudinal axis). For this purpose, locking means are provided that can be operated to manually displace the operating element.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 below discloses a door trim having a longitudinally movable carrier equipped with a storage device for a mobile terminal device. The carrier can be moved by physical force. Furthermore, the carrier can include a display. The display can be configured as a touch screen for operating vehicle functions such as air conditioning.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 listed below discloses a control device for an adjustment device of a motor vehicle and an operating device for the control device. This document describes a touch-sensitive operating surface for detecting an operating action. The adjustment device can be controlled via the operating surface. For example, a window lifter and / or a movable outer mirror can be controlled as an adjustment device. In this case, there is a correlation between the operating distance and the adjustment distance, or between the operating position and the adjustment position. The operating surface is integrated into the front area of ​​the vehicle door facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 listed below discloses a vehicle equipped with an operating and display device and a method for operating such a vehicle. In this case, the display device can form part of a side window of the vehicle. A recognition device is used to determine 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 longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The display content on the display device can be moved by touching a light strip integrated into the vehicle door below the side window.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 5 below discloses a vehicle door with a multi-function operating element, where the operating element has a first operable component for operating a first vehicle function, such as a window operation function, and can be manually moved relative to the vehicle door for operating a second vehicle function, such as a door operation function.

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 6 below discloses a method for generating tactile feedback on a touch-sensitive operating surface, in which the coefficient of friction between the finger and the operating surface is adapted depending on the location.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Document 7 listed below discloses a vehicle operation system and a method for operating the operation system. The operation system includes a seat position detection unit, an operation unit, and a control unit. The control unit has first and second detection areas. The control unit controls the operation unit to provide the first detection area or the second detection area according to the seat position of the user.

[0011] Furthermore, Patent Document 8 below discloses control of a device according to the tilt of a seat. This document describes how a display built into the armrest of a vehicle seat is automatically tilted according to the tilt of the backrest.

[0012] Furthermore, Patent Document 9 below discloses a vehicle seat link control system, which describes linking a vehicle seat position to an operating element position.

[0013] Furthermore, Patent Document 10 below discloses a method and device for unlocking a vehicle door, a storage medium, and a vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, Patent Document 11 below discloses a vehicle door lock control system and its operating method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2005 014 939 A1 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2013 202 932 A1 [Patent Document 3] DE 103 24 918 A1 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2016 212 813 A1 [Patent Document 5] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2020 209 072 A1 [Patent Document 6] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2020 005 333 A1 [Patent Document 7] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2018 222 869 A1 [Patent Document 8] German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2014 019 125 A1 [Patent Document 9] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 1 12 498 189 A [Patent Document 10] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 1 10 853 187 A [Patent Document 11] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 1 03 526 991 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for operating functions in a vehicle which can be reliably reached in a particularly comfortable way in a variety of situations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a device for operating functions in a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments emerge from the claims dependent on this claim.

[0018] According to the present invention, a standard device for operating functions in a vehicle, which comprises an operating panel that is arranged so that it can be moved within the vehicle, is improved in that a drive device for moving the operating panel is provided, the drive device is connected to a control unit, which is further connected to a touch-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive (touch-sensitive and / or approach-sensitive) adjusting element, the control unit being configured to activate the drive device in the event of approach or contact with the adjusting element and to move the operating panel analogously, i.e., correspondingly, when the position of the approach or contact changes, the adjusting element is configured separate from the operating panel and is arranged in the vehicle in such a way that the adjusting element can be reached from any seat position by simply raising one's arm.

[0019] The device according to the present invention allows a user to operate functions in a vehicle in a particularly comfortable manner, regardless of the user's relative orientation with respect to the operating panel. Thus, the user can flexibly adjust the position of the operating panel in the vehicle by means of the adjustment element to suit their preferences for a particular situation. Since the adjustment is performed automatically by an actuator, there is no need to manually move the operating panel; the adjustment element simply needs to be operated. The use of touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive adjustment elements results in a particularly comfortable user experience. Inputs made via the adjustment element are then processed by a control unit and used to control the drive.

[0020] A control device, called a control unit, is configured to control output means, such as a drive for moving the operating panel. In this case, the control device is a hardware device with a processor, preferably designed as an integrated circuit, that performs calculations using data and / or programs stored in a storage device, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and / or a flash ROM. Data output by the adjustment elements is temporarily stored in the storage device of the control device as needed and is called up and processed by the processor via an internal bus system. Output data for moving the operating panel, calculated by the processor based on the adjustment elements, is output to the drive via an output circuit of the control device.

[0021] A particularly intuitive movement of the operating panel is ensured by changing the position of the initial contact or approach to the operating element, referred to as the adjustment element, to correspondingly move the operating panel. In other words, a change in the position of the approach can be understood as the path traveled by an operating means, e.g., a finger, that is recognized as approaching or contacting. The position change occurs when the operating means is moved to another position without interruption, i.e., without interrupting the approach or contact, after the approach or contact has been recognized in a first position. In this case, the corresponding movement includes a movement that corresponds exactly to the position change and / or is scaled relative to the position change, thereby reproducing the sensitivity of the adjustment element in a certain sense. When the position of the finger approaching or contacting the adjustment element changes, the operating panel moves exactly in response to this position change. If the movement is scaled, the operating panel moves by the position change multiplied by a scaling factor less than or equal to 1. Thus, a change in the position of the contact or approach to the adjustment element corresponds to the movement path or direction in which the operating panel is moved. This makes it possible to reliably and conveniently prevent the operating panel from being accidentally moved in the wrong direction, which can easily happen, for example, when using buttons or switches as adjustment elements.

[0022] To design the adjustment element for touch or proximity sensing, 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 sensor systems, for example based on microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS). This allows for accurate position recognition of the position of the user's fingers used for operation. Furthermore, this also makes it possible to distinguish locally limited contact or proximity of the adjustment element, for example by a finger, from a large-area contact, for example by the entire hand.

[0023] The control unit includes or is designed as a control device, which is a hardware device having a processor, preferably designed as an integrated circuit, that performs operations using data and / or programs stored in a memory device, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and / or a flash ROM. Data output by the contact- and / or proximity-sensing adjustment element is temporarily stored in the memory device of the control device as needed and is called up and processed by the processor via the internal bus system. Output data for moving the operation panel determined by the processor is output to the drive device via an output circuit of the control device.

[0024] As already explained, the adjustment element is arranged separately from the control panel. Separate in this context means that the adjustment element is designed in two parts with the control panel and is arranged at a certain distance from the control panel in the vehicle. The adjustment element can be used to translate the control panel so that the user can easily reach it again. Therefore, the adjustment element must be comfortably reachable for each seat position of the user so that the control panel can be brought towards the user. This can be reliably guaranteed for a wide variety of vehicle configurations if the control panel and the adjustment element are arranged at a distance from each other.

[0025] In this case, the adjustment element is positioned in the vehicle so that the operating panel can be comfortably reached even in a seat configuration in which the adjustment element is not typically reached comfortably by the user, i.e., during normal driving.

[0026] An advantageous development of the device provides for the drive device to be configured as a linear drive device for displacing the control panel in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel. Typically, a driver can comfortably reach control elements attached to the front region of the vehicle, such as control elements installed on the dashboard or in the front region of the vehicle door, from a typical seating position. In this context, "comfortable" means, in particular, that the vehicle driver can reach the corresponding control element simply by raising his or her arms and thus does not have to additionally bend forward or to the side from the seat, for example. However, when assuming a reclined position, the vehicle driver moves rearward from the dashboard in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. In such a seat configuration, the control panel also needs to be displaced rearward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. In this case, a linear drive device is a particularly robust, reliable, and cost-effective solution for translating the control panel.

[0027] Another advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the control unit is configured to adapt the relationship between a change in proximity or contact with the adjustment element and the adjustment movement amount (adjustment path) of the operation panel based on a set value. In other words, the sensitivity of the adjustment element can be set. The sensitivity defines how much the operation panel translates in response to a fixed position change in proximity or contact with the adjustment element. With low sensitivity, for example, a position change of 5 cm will result in a movement of only 2 cm or 4 cm of the operation panel, while with high sensitivity, for example, a movement of 8 cm or 12 cm.

[0028] To set the sensitivity, several options can be specified, for example (step-based) high, medium, low sensitivity, etc. A slide controller also allows for stepless change of sensitivity.

[0029] Various user settings can be stored in the vehicle, for example in a submenu of the infotainment system. The user settings can then be assigned to a user profile. The user can be recognized by biometric features, for example, iris scan, fingerprint scan, voice analysis, face scan, etc. The user can also be recognized by registration with a username and password, or by recognition of a carried object, such as a specific transponder, a vehicle key, or a mobile terminal device, such as the user's smartphone, which can be identified by a unique Bluetooth-ID or Mac address. Sensitivity can be saved and assigned to the respective user profile.

[0030] A user's likely preferred sensitivity setting can be derived from the vehicle based on other user settings made and / or from user behavior observed during driving. For this purpose, artificial intelligence can be implemented on the vehicle's control device and used to evaluate the user settings or behavior. If the user selects high sensitivity for other vehicle functions, for example, the artificial intelligence can also select high sensitivity for movement of the control panel. However, this user preference can also be derived from other criteria, such as the vehicle driver's driving style. For example, if the vehicle driver tends to drive in a sporty manner, a high sensitivity can be selected, whereas a more cautious driving style can select a low sensitivity.

[0031] In particular, the sensitivity can be designed to change during operation of the adjustment element. For example, if the user moves his finger quickly along the adjustment element, a high sensitivity and therefore a long adjustment path for the control panel is selected. In contrast, if the user moves his finger slowly along the adjustment element, the control panel moves correspondingly slower or does not move as far. This function can be compared, for example, to the so-called "mouse acceleration" of a computer mouse.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the adjustment element has a light, and the control unit is configured to light up differently for the intended activation, preferably in connection with a change in position, upon recognition of proximity or contact, and for the standby state of the adjustment element. This significantly improves user comfort. The adjustment element can have directly visible or hidden light-emitting elements. Direct lighting can be created by directly visible light-emitting elements, while indirect lighting can be created by hidden light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements can emit white or colored light. Continuous or dynamically changing light can also be generated. Such lighting makes it easy to locate the adjustment element in the vehicle interior, especially in poor lighting conditions, such as darkness. The lighting can be changed depending on various boundary conditions. For example, when the adjustment element is touched, the generated light pattern can be adapted by one or more light-emitting elements. For example, the displayed color can be changed, for example, from white to blue, and / or the continuous light can be set to flash at a certain frequency. The color and / or brightness change can be performed gradually, especially in an animated manner. For example, when a user moves their finger along the adjustment element, the adjustment element can light up in the area of ​​the contact or approach surface. In that case, during a movement of a finger along the adjustment element, the area along the adjustment element that is touched by the finger and therefore illuminated follows the finger correspondingly during this movement.

[0033] Another advantageous embodiment of the device further contemplates that the control panel has a light, and the control unit is configured to activate the light of the control panel and / or change the type of light when at least the actuation of the adjustment element is recognized. This also further improves user comfort. This function, for example, allows a user of the device according to the present invention to more easily locate the control panel in the vehicle. For example, multiple different control panels can be moved by the same adjustment element, in which case the illumination of the translationally movable control panel is changed by receiving a user input via the adjustment element. For example, when a user touches or approaches this adjustment element, the backlight of the control panel can be activated, or a white-backlit control panel can be illuminated with a colored backlight, for example, red, green, or blue. In the case of multiple control panels, for example, the illumination of the movable control panel can be activated, or the adjustment element can light up in a certain color, for example, blue, and the movable control panel can be illuminated accordingly, i.e., also in blue. In this case, the non-movable control panels can remain dark or light up in another color, for example, white or yellow.

[0034] According to another advantageous embodiment of the device, the adjustment element has a force sensor for detecting the contact force in the event of contact, and the control unit is configured to recognize the contact as activation only when the contact force exceeds a predetermined threshold. This feature helps prevent operational errors. That is, a user may accidentally touch the adjustment element during normal driving, which may cause the control panel to move undesirably. However, if a certain amount of force is required to move the control panel, the control unit can ignore such undesired contacts. For example, one or more MIMS sensors can be integrated into the adjustment element to detect the respective contact force.

[0035] Another advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the adjustment element has an actuator, in particular a piezoelectric actuator, and the control unit is configured to vibrate the actuator in the event of touch activation in order to generate haptic feedback by changing the friction between the contact point and the finger contacting the adjustment element. This also further improves user comfort when operating the device according to the present invention. While driving a vehicle, the user may be distracted, for example, by a driving event. In this case, haptic feedback can inform the user that their finger is actually contacting the adjustment element, allowing the user to keep their eyes on the road and still move the operating panel. Unlike, for example, a vibrating mass, the use of a piezoelectric actuator can achieve a particularly natural tactile sensation. For this purpose, individual piezoelectric actuators, for example, arranged in a grid or field, can be arranged along the adjustment element.

[0036] Preferably, the control unit is further configured to vary the friction so that guide elements, grids, and / or stops are simulated. The adjustment element can be configured, for example, as a touch-sensitive slide controller. In this case, haptic feedback can provide the user with a path along which to move their finger along the adjustment element to move the operating panel. For this purpose, for example, a guide element extending along the movement path can be provided tactilely. To provide the grid, the guide element can also be interrupted at particularly regular intervals. In particular, the distance between the individual grid elements is designed according to the sensitivity of the adjustment element to be set. For example, if a high sensitivity is selected, the individual grid points will be closer to each other, i.e., the spacing will be narrower. Correspondingly, with a low sensitivity, the individual grid elements will be farther apart. When the front and / or rear ends of the slide controller, i.e., the adjustment element, are reached, haptic feedback, preferably a particularly strong haptic feedback, can also be output to indicate the aforementioned stops to the user. This can indicate to the user that the respective ends of the slide controller have been reached.

[0037] To design the haptic feedback, it is particularly preferable to use a piezoelectric actuator system and a control system for this, such as that sold by the company Hap2U.

[0038] Another advantageous embodiment of the device further provides that the control unit is configured to pre-set the position of the control panel and the settings of the vehicle seat to which the control panel is assigned based on the stored or detected body size of the vehicle seat occupant. This further improves user comfort. When a person sits down, the control panel is aligned according to the body dimensions, thereby potentially eliminating the need for further movement of the control panel. However, movement by the adjustment element remains possible for fine adjustment or to adapt to a changed seat position. The body size can be entered manually or measured by a vehicle interior sensor, for example, a pressure sensor integrated into the vehicle seat and / or by an interior camera. The measured dimensions can be assigned to a user profile, thereby eliminating the need for further detection of the body dimensions. In this case, not only the overall body size but also the lengths of individual limbs can be detected in detail and further refined, thus enabling more accurate alignment.

[0039] As already mentioned, the selection or activation of the respective user profile can be achieved by manually selecting or recognizing the presence of a particular mobile terminal device in the vehicle by detecting a biometric characteristic.

[0040] Preferably, the control unit is configured to move the operating panel assigned to the vehicle seat in accordance with the adjustment. In other words, when the seat configuration is changed, the operating panel can be moved accordingly. For example, when the respective vehicle seat is moved rearward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and / or the seat back is reclined to a more inclined position, the operating panel also moves rearward along the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. Thus, when adjusting the seat position, movement of the operating panel by the adjustment element is no longer necessary, but can still be performed in this case for fine adjustments.

[0041] In another advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control unit is further configured to determine movement data of a reference area of ​​the vehicle seat back when adjusting the vehicle seat, and the control panel moves correspondingly to the movement of the reference area. This function achieves a particularly reliable automatic forward movement of the control panel. When the vehicle seat back is tilted forward or backward, the area that can be reached by stretching the arms, and therefore the area considered for the control panel, moves correspondingly forward or backward in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0042] The reference area can therefore correspond to a horizontally extending segment of the vehicle seat back at a particular geodetic height, preferably at the height of the respective user's outstretched arms, which can also be measured using the vehicle interior sensor system.

[0043] Preferably, the control panel is disposed on the vehicle door, and the reference area corresponds to an area of ​​the vehicle seat back that is located at the height of the control panel. Therefore, when adjusting the vehicle seat, the reference area moves up and down along the seat back, but the height of the reference area is constant relative to the vertical axis of the vehicle. Since the user operates the control panel by extending their arm, the control panel can also be used to directly determine the position of the reference area along the vehicle seat back.

[0044] Another advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention further provides that the adjustment element is arranged in the area of ​​the door handle of the vehicle door, in particular in a decorative element arranged there. The area of ​​the door handle of the vehicle door is particularly easily reachable by a user inside the vehicle. Therefore, in particular, it is possible to uniquely assign the adjustment element to the vehicle seat. For example, if adjustment elements for the driver's seat and the passenger seat are integrated into the center console, it is easy for a mix-up to occur, and for example, the passenger in the passenger seat may mistakenly operate the adjustment element for the driver's seat. Furthermore, the area of ​​the vehicle door can be reached both in a seat configuration that is set forward and in a seat configuration that is set backward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0045] Preferably, the adjustment element has an elongated shape in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, allowing changes in the position of approach or contact to be detected at any point along the adjustment element. The elongated shape of the adjustment element makes it particularly advantageous to design it as a slide controller. The elongated shape ensures a relatively long adjustment path. Furthermore, the adjustment element is particularly easy to reach from various seat configurations. In this case, the position at which the adjustment element is first contacted or approached is irrelevant for deriving a control command for moving the operating panel. Only the position change is relevant for determining the control command. For example, the adjustment element can be operated starting from the front fifth of the length of the adjustment element and continuing until it reaches halfway along the adjustment element, or starting from the last third of the length of the adjustment element and continuing until it reaches its rear end.

[0046] Further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention for operating vehicle functions will also become apparent from the exemplary embodiments which are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 4A-4D are four schematic views of a device according to the invention integrated into a vehicle door at different times during the course of its operation. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an adjustment element of a device according to the invention; [Figure 3] 1A-1C are three schematic plan views of the adjustment element while outputting different haptic feedback. [Figure 4] 1A-1C are schematic side views of a vehicle seat with an associated control panel in various seat configurations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] 1 shows a view of the interior of a vehicle, here showing the passenger-side vehicle door 13. Recognizable in FIG. 1 are an operating panel 1 and an adjusting element 3, integrated into the door handle 14 of the vehicle door 13, for translating the operating panel 1 in a longitudinal direction L extending in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. User inputs recorded via the adjusting element 3 are processed by a control unit 2 for deriving control commands for controlling an actuator, not shown, for moving the operating panel 1. The control unit 2 is then connected to the actuator, the adjusting element 3, as well as to other vehicle components, such as a control device or a central on-board computer, via data lines 17, such as a CAN bus.

[0049] FIG. 1a) shows the operating panel 1 and the adjusting elements 3 in their resting or standby mode. In particular, light-emitting elements are integrated in the operating panel 1 and the adjusting elements 3 to generate direct and / or indirect lighting. In standby mode, for example, continuous blue light is emitted from the operating panel 1 and the adjusting elements 3. Preferably, the light ambience thus generated is adapted to other lighting provided in the vehicle, for example so-called ambient lighting. The light pattern 16 thus generated makes it particularly easy to identify the position of the operating panel 1 and the adjusting elements 3 in the vehicle interior.

[0050] User inputs can be obtained via the operation panel 1 to operate various vehicle functions. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, buttons are integrated into the operation panel 1 that can change the seat configuration, for example, to move a corresponding vehicle seat 10, shown in detail in Fig. 4, forward or backward in a longitudinal direction L, to raise or recline its backrest 12, or to translate the entire vehicle seat 10 in the direction of a vertical vehicle axis, not shown in detail.

[0051] If the vehicle seat 10 and / or the seat back 12 are then changed to a retracted seat configuration, the user sitting in the vehicle seat 10 may potentially be unable to reach the operating panel 1. However, by actuation of the adjustment element 3, the operating panel 1 can be moved backwards in the longitudinal direction L towards the user, so that the user can again comfortably reach the operating panel 1. The corresponding operating process is shown in Figures 1b), 1c) and 1d).

[0052] In FIG. 1b), the user touches the adjustment element 3 with his finger 6 in any position. Preferably, the adjustment element 3 is designed to extend longitudinally in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, so that the user can comfortably reach at least one area of ​​the adjustment element 3 regardless of his seat position. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1b), 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 operating panel 1 and the adjustment element 3 can then be adapted. Thus, a light pattern 16 is emitted in the area of ​​the contact point 5 as if illuminated by a light emitting element arranged on the adjustment element 3. This informs the user that the adjustment element 3 has detected the user's touch.

[0053] To detect a touch, the adjustment element 3 can comprise various sensor elements, such as, for example, a capacitive touch sensor and / or a surface acoustic wave sensor 15 as shown in FIG.

[0054] The adjustment element 3 can be configured for touch and / or proximity sensing. For this purpose, the adjustment element 3 can have sensors such as radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners, cameras, etc. In this case, actuation of the adjustment element 3 can be detected by the control unit 2 even if only the proximity of a finger 6 to the adjustment element 3 is recognized.

[0055] The lighting output by the operating panel 1 can remain constant or can vary during operation of the adjustment element 3. For example, a flashing light pattern 16 or a moving light pattern 16 can be output, in particular a light pattern 16 that moves together with the direction of movement of the finger 6.

[0056] FIG. 1c) shows the progression of the movement of the finger 6 along the adjustment element 3. The finger 6 is moved backwards in the longitudinal direction L, as indicated by the arrow. It can be seen that the direct lighting output at the contact point 5 follows the movement of the finger 6. Furthermore, the operating panel 1 moves accordingly along with the finger 6.

[0057] In Fig. 1d), the user releases his finger 6 from the adjustment element 3 and the control panel 1 has reached its desired position. The illumination of the control panel 1 and the adjustment element 3 is changed again to the illumination output in standby mode and the corresponding light pattern 16 is output.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the adjusting element 3. In addition to the surface acoustic wave sensor 15, a number of piezoelectric actuators 4 arranged along the adjusting element 3 can be seen. In this case, the piezoelectric actuators 4 preferably extend not only along the longitudinal extent of the adjusting element 3 but also transversely, in the direction of the vehicle's transverse axis (not shown in detail), i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. For this purpose, the piezoelectric actuators 4 can be arranged in a grid. Haptic feedback can be generated by the piezoelectric actuators 4. Preferably, this is done in accordance with the technology developed by Hap2U. Thus, instead of the entire adjusting element 3, only the part of the contact point 5 touched by the finger 6 or a specific, predefined area vibrates. This is indicated by the heavily hatched piezoelectric actuators 4 in FIG. 2. The piezoelectric actuators 4 can then vibrate vertically, horizontally, and perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. This allows the friction between the finger 6 and the surface of the adjusting element 3 to be precisely altered in the areas affected by the activated piezoelectric actuators 4, thereby creating the illusion of a specific tactile texture on the surface of the adjusting element 3. This is shown in Figure 3.

[0059] For example, Fig. 3a) shows a virtual guide element 7 parallel to the extension direction of the adjustment element 3, here parallel to the above-mentioned longitudinal direction L. The guide element 7 is perceptible by the user with his finger 6 and feels like a groove or a ridge, thereby indicating to the user in which direction he can move his finger 6 along the surface of the adjustment element 3 in order to achieve a movement of the operating panel 1.

[0060] Figure 3b) shows a grid section 8 that is simulated by haptic feedback. The distance a between the individual grid elements is preferably set depending on the adjustable sensitivity of the adjustment element 3. If the sensitivity is relatively high, a small distance a is selected, and if the sensitivity is relatively low, a larger distance a is selected.

[0061] Figure 3c) shows a plan view of the entire adjusting element 3. In the end regions of the adjusting element 3, the tactile feedback creates the illusion of a stop 9 in each case. Compared to the individual grid elements of the grid part 8, a particularly strong tactile feedback is preferably output here. This informs the user by tactile feedback that the respective end of the adjusting element 3 has been reached. The artificial surface structures shown in Figures 3a), 3b) and 3c) can also be combined.

[0062] The control panel 1 can also be moved in the longitudinal direction L depending on the seat adjustment. For this purpose, different seat configurations can be stored for different user profiles. Each user profile then also stores its preferred location along the respective movement path of the control panel 1. When the vehicle seat 10 moves forward or backward or the backrest 12 of the vehicle seat is tilted forward or backward, the control panel 1 can be moved accordingly. This reduces the effort of the user, since it is no longer necessary to actuate the adjustment element 3 to move the control panel 1. However, the adjustment element 3 can still be used for fine-tuning the position of the control panel 1.

[0063] Particularly preferably, the position of the operation panel 1 is adapted according to movement data of a reference area 11 of the vehicle seat 10 shown in Fig. 4. In this case, Fig. 4 shows the position of the reference area 11 on the seat back 12. The reference area 11 is located in the vertical direction on the seat back 12, i.e., in a direction parallel to the vehicle vertical axis, at the same geodetic height h as the position at which the operation panel 1 is located. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the height h to the seat surface of the vehicle seat 10 is shown. However, the floor in the vehicle interior can also be used as the reference.

[0064] As can be seen from Figure 4, the reference area 11 is always at the same geodetic height h as the operating panel 1. However, the reference area 11 moves along the backrest 12, either above or below it, depending on the reclining position of the backrest 12.

[0065] Since the user's arm or hand for operating the control panel 1 is at height h of the control panel 1, this height h is particularly suitable for determining the position of the reference area 11. In that case, the control panel 1 moves in the longitudinal direction L in accordance with the adjustment speed of the reference area 11, which makes it possible to maintain a constant distance between the control panel 1 and the reference area 11 and thus ensures comfortable reach of the user to the control panel 1.

Claims

1. A device for operating functions in a vehicle, comprising an operation panel (1) arranged so as to be movable within the vehicle, A drive device is provided for moving the operation panel (1), The drive device is connected to a control unit (2), the control unit (2) is further connected to a touch-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive adjustment element (3) and is configured to activate the drive device when there is proximity or contact with the adjustment element (3), and to move the operation panel (1) in response to a change in the position of the proximity or contact; The adjustment element (3) is separate from the operation panel (1) and is arranged in the vehicle so that the user can reach the adjustment element (3) from any seat position by simply raising their arm. An apparatus characterized in that

2. The drive device is configured as a linear drive device for moving the operation panel (1) in a longitudinal direction (L) that is substantially parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1.

3. The control unit (2) is configured to adapt the relationship between the change in proximity or contact of the adjustment element (3) and the adjustment movement amount of the operation panel (1) based on a set value.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The adjustment element (3) has lighting, The control unit (2) is configured to light the adjustment element (3) differently in operation and standby mode. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The operation panel (1) has lighting, The control unit (2) is configured to activate the lighting of the operation panel (1) and / or change the type of lighting when at least the actuation of the adjustment element (3) is recognized. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the adjusting element (3) has a force sensor for detecting the contact force in case of contact, The control unit (2) is configured to recognize the contact as an actuation when the contact force exceeds a predetermined threshold. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. said adjusting element (3) having an actuator, in particular a piezoelectric actuator (4), The control unit (2) is configured to vibrate the actuator in case of touch activation in order to generate haptic feedback by varying the friction between a contact point (5) and a finger (6) contacting the adjustment element (3). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The control unit (2) is further configured to vary the friction so that guide elements (7), grid elements (8) and / or stops (9) are simulated.

8. The device according to claim 7.

9. The control unit (2) is configured to preset the position of the operation panel (1) and the settings of the vehicle seat (10) to which the operation panel (1) is assigned based on the stored or detected body size of the user of the vehicle seat (10). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The control unit (2) is configured to, when the vehicle seat (10) is adjusted, move the operation panel (1) assigned to the vehicle seat according to the adjustment.

10. The device of claim 9.

11. The control unit (2) is further configured to determine movement data of a reference area (11) of a seat back (12) of the vehicle seat (10) when the vehicle seat (10) is adjusted, The operation panel (1) moves in accordance with the movement of the reference area (11).

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10.

12. The operation panel (1) is disposed on a vehicle door (13), The reference area (11) corresponds to the area of ​​the backrest (12) of the vehicle seat (10) located at the height (h) of the operation panel (1).

12. The device of claim 11 .

13. The adjusting element (3) is arranged in the area of ​​the door handle (14) of the vehicle door (13), in particular in a decorative element arranged in said area.

13. The device of claim 12.

14. The adjustment element (3) has a shape that extends elongately in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, and a change in the position of approach or contact can be detected at any point along the adjustment element (3). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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