Tactile feedback based on electroadhesion to the 3D surface of the user control device.

Abstract

A user control device with tactile feedback to a three-dimensional touch surface is provided. The control device includes a three-dimensional touch surface to be touched by a user, on which an electrode structure is at least partially disposed. The electrode structure is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user based on electrical adhesion between the user and the control device. The user control device with tactile feedback to the three-dimensional touch surface is electrically contacted using a contact surface having an anisotropic conductive film layer and a flexible printed circuit disposed thereon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various examples generally relate to user control devices with tactile feedback, i.e., human-machine interfaces (HMIs), particularly user control devices with tactile feedback to a three-dimensional touch surface based on electroadhesion. Further provided are corresponding methods, control panels, and vehicles comprising at least one control device for contacting a user control device with tactile feedback according to the present disclosure.

Background Art

[0002] An electronic system such as a vehicle system, an air conditioning system, or an audio system may be controlled by a user using a knob or button that operates mechanically specifically for controlling the electronic system. A conventional control panel may also comprise a touch screen interface for receiving user touch inputs. For example, in current systems with context knobs, mechanical detents are used for tactile feedback based on user input. These detents are arranged at predetermined positions based on mechanical design. A digital decoder is required to measure the position of the knob. Disadvantages of such systems are the high cost of the system, the large mechanical dimensions, and the reduced ease of use due to the fixed detent configuration.

[0003] Thus, the idea of the presented approach is to provide an advanced user control device with tactile feedback that overcomes or mitigates at least some of the limitations and disadvantages identified above, and a method for contacting such a user control device.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This is done by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous features are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The solutions provided in this disclosure relate to the user control device described in the claims and the method for making contact with the user control device described in the claims. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments described herein may be assigned to other claimed subjects, and vice versa. In other words, claims relating to the method for making contact with the user control device may be improved by features described or claimed in the context of the user control device, and claims relating to the user control device may be improved by features described or claimed in the context of the method.

[0006] A user control device, or user interface (HMI), is an element that the user touches and is used to provide user input to an electronic system. Haptic feedback is provided on the three-dimensional touch surface of the control device and may correspond, for example, to the tactile characteristics of the control device that the user may experience when touching the control device. Such haptic feedback may be static or may be dynamically modifiable in response to the control context or user input. The control device includes a three-dimensional touch surface that will be touched by the user, on which an electrode structure is at least partially positioned. The electrode structure is configured to provide haptic feedback to the user based on electrostatic adhesion between the user and the control device, that is, based on the electrostatic force between the user and the control device at the contact surface caused by charges within the electrode structure, in other words, based on electrostatically changing friction between the user and the three-dimensional touch surface.

[0007] The technique described herein eliminates the need for kinematic components in the control device, thus avoiding age-related degradation due to mechanical operation of components and potentially extending the service life of the control device. Furthermore, the reduced number of components required for the control device lowers manufacturing costs. A further advantage is that haptic feedback on the touch surface can be freely programmable in response to the context of the control device and user input. In the example of a context knob, the advantage of this disclosure is the detent that can be programmed according to the UX context. The electro-adhesion system is silent, which can improve the user experience and create a quiet environment. In addition, it eliminates the need for encoders to detect the mechanical position of the control device, potentially minimizing the mechanical installation space.

[0008] In various examples, additional sensor structures may be placed on the control device, for example, at least partially on a three-dimensional touch surface, which may be used to detect the position of the user context relative to the control device and thus to detect user input to the control device, and haptic feedback may be based on the detected user input.

[0009] In various examples, the control device may further comprise a contact surface. An electrode structure may be brought into contact with the contact surface, and the contact surface may be a region connected to the touch surface along the outer shape of the touch surface, for example, along at least 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent of the overall contour of the touch surface. The electrode structure may extend from the touch surface onto the contact surface and may have open contacts on the contact surface. In this way, the contact surface may provide sufficient space for a number of electrical contacts, and a fine grid of electrodes, i.e., high-density electrodes, may be provided by the electrode structure on the touch surface. The contact surface may be substantially planar or have a small curvature so that a flexible connector, such as a flexible printed circuit, can be fitted to the contact surface.

[0010] In various examples, the control device may be a knob, such as a context knob, and its top surface may face the user on the side opposite the base plane / ground plane of the control device, and may have a display used to show contextual information to the user. The three-dimensional touch surface may be a cylindrical side or a semi-conical side, and the user can touch the cylindrical side and rotate their finger around the cylindrical surface to provide touch input. There, the axis of rotation of the cylindrical side may coincide with the axis of rotation of the user's finger around the knob. The user can also slide their finger, for example, from top to bottom, i.e., from the top surface of the knob to the ground plane.

[0011] Haptic feedback can be freely programmable to provide haptic feedback in any direction of the touch surface. In such examples, the contact surface may be a ring-shaped surface at the bottom of a knob, or it may be in a plane substantially perpendicular to the touch surface and completely surrounding it, such as the brim of a hat.

[0012] In various examples, the electrode structure can extend from a cylindrical surface onto a contact surface, where it is electrically contacted by placing a conductive interlayer, which may be adhesive, preferably an anisotropic conductive film layer on the electrode structure on the contact surface, and further placing a connector having conductive wires, such as a foil with a conductive path, preferably a flexible printed circuit, or a thin PCB, on the anisotropic conductive film layer. It should be understood that the materials used in the stack can be changed based on the specific application of the control device.

[0013] The flexible printed circuit may further include a chip-on-foil electrically connected between at least a portion of the contacts to the electrode structure and the output terminal of a connector that can be connected to an electrical system.

[0014] A method for providing or making a user control device accessible includes the following steps: In one step, a user control device is provided having a three-dimensional touch surface on which an electrode structure is arranged. In another step, an electronically conductive interface layer, such as an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) layer, is arranged on at least a portion of the electrode structure. In yet another step, a connector having multiple conductive paths and conductive wires, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit (FCP), is arranged on the electronically conductive interface layer. The electrode structure may extend over the contact surface, which is not used for user touch and may be located, for example, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the touch surface and / or in a plane parallel to the main PCB of the control panel. In some embodiments, the contact surface may be curved.

[0015] An electronic device or system, a control panel, and a vehicle include at least one user control device as provided in this disclosure.

[0016] In such methods, electronic devices, control panels, and vehicles, technical effects corresponding to those described for control devices may be achieved.

[0017] It should be understood that the features described above and the features not described below can be used not only in each of the combinations shown, but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The features of the above embodiments and models may be combined with each other in other embodiments.

[0018] Therefore, the above summary is intended only to provide a brief description of some embodiments and some features of those embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting. Other embodiments may include features other than those described above. This specification also provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) A user control device (1) for an electrical system, - A three-dimensional touch surface (2) that will be touched by the user to provide user input, - An electrode structure (3) at least partially disposed on the three-dimensional touch surface (2), wherein the electrode structure (3) is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user, The user control device (1) comprises the following: (Item 2) The control device (1) according to item 1, wherein the tactile feedback is achieved by electrostatic force between the user and the electrode structure (3). (Item 3) The control device (1) according to item 1 of the preceding paragraph, wherein an additional sensor structure is arranged in the control device (1) to detect the user input, and the tactile feedback is at least partially based on the detected user input. (Item 4) The control device according to item 3, wherein the additional sensor structure is at least partially arranged on the three-dimensional touch surface (2). (Item 5) The control device (1) according to item 1 of the preceding item, further comprising a contact surface (5) for the electrode structure (3), wherein the contact surface (5) is positioned at least partially adjacent to the three-dimensional touch surface (2) at an angle greater than 45°, and the electrode structure (3) extends on the contact surface (5). (Item 6) The control device (1) according to item 5, wherein the contact surface (5) extends along at least 75% of the outer edge of the three-dimensional touch surface (2). (Item 7) The control device (1) according to item 5 or item 6, wherein the contact surface (5) is substantially in a plane. (Item 8) The control device (1) described in item 1 of the preceding item, wherein the control device (1) is a context knob having a side surface higher than 1 mm, and the upper surface (6) of the context knob is equipped with a display (7). (Item 9) The control device (1) according to item 8, wherein the three-dimensional touch surface (2) is a cylindrical surface, and the contact surface (5) is a closed annular plane surrounding the three-dimensional touch surface (2) and is substantially perpendicular to the three-dimensional touch surface (2). (Item 10) The electrode structure (3) is electrically contacted by arranging an anisotropic conductive film layer (8) on the electrode structure (3) on the contact surface (5), and by arranging a flexible printed circuit (9) on the anisotropic conductive film layer (8), as described in item 5 to 9, item 1. (Item 11) The control device (1) according to item 1 of the preceding paragraph, wherein the flexible printed circuit (9) further comprises a chip-on-foil (10) electrically disposed between at least a portion of the contacts to the electrode structure (3) and the output terminal (4) of the flexible printed circuit (9). (Item 12) The control device (1) described in item 1 of the preceding paragraph is inoperable with respect to the user and cannot be operated by the user. (Item 13) A method for making a user control device (1) touch a user control device with haptic feedback, - A user control device comprising a three-dimensional touch surface (2) to be touched by a user to provide user input, wherein an electrode structure (3) is at least partially disposed on the three-dimensional touch surface (2), the electrode structure (3) is configured to provide haptic feedback to the user, the control device (1) further comprising a contact surface (5) for the electrode structure (3), the contact surface (5) being at least partially disposed along the side surface of the three-dimensional touch surface (2), and the electrode structure (3) extending on the contact surface (5), to provide the user control device, - An anisotropic conductive film (ACF-) layer is placed on the electrode structure (3) on the contact surface (5), - Arranging a flexible printed circuit (FPC) on the ACF layer, The method, including the method described above. (Item 14) A control panel for an electronic system comprising at least one user control device (1) as described in item 1 to 12. (Item 15) A vehicle equipped with at least one control panel as described in item 14.

[0019] The foregoing additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional user control device with tactile feedback to the sides, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic side view of the control device shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 3] The electrical contacts of the user control device according to the embodiments of this disclosure are schematically shown. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of a flexible printed connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical contacts of the user control device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 6] A schematic representation of the method for electrically contacting a user control device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The above and other elements, features, steps, and concepts of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description by exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, which are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It should be understood that the following description of embodiments is not to be construed as restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited by the embodiments or drawings described below, which are said to be illustrative of the general concept of the invention. Unless otherwise noted, features of various embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0023] While this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular control device using a particular number of particular surfaces having a particular shape and size, it should be understood that any suitable device having any suitable number of any suitable surfaces having any suitable shape and any suitable size may be used to carry out the disclosed technology.

[0024] The drawings should be considered as schematic representations, and the elements illustrated within the drawings are not necessarily proportional to actual size. Rather, the various elements are depicted in a way that makes their function and general purpose clear to those skilled in the art. The user control device of the embodiment may be a human-machine interface in an automotive environment, specifically in a vehicle, or a handheld communication device, or a device having a touch input display operated by a user, and the user control device is not limited to use in such devices.

[0025] The following provides a detailed description of an improved user control device with tactile feedback to a three-dimensional surface, and a method for providing tactile feedback to the improved user control device, according to aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] The following describes a context knob with tactile feedback based on electroadhesive. An electrode structure is arranged around the cylindrical surface of the context knob. In some embodiments, the electrode structure may further function as an electronic sensor structure to detect user input. The wiring of this structure needs to be electrically connected to the main PCB of the electronic system. The challenge lies in the numerous connections within the limited space of the cylindrical knob shape. The touch surface is positioned perpendicular to the main PCB.

[0027] While various examples illustrate control devices in the form of circular context knobs with cylindrical sides, it should be understood that the described techniques can be applied to any control device of any shape, including any three-dimensional touch surface of any shape.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically shows a three-dimensional user control device 1 with haptic feedback to a three-dimensional side touch surface 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] The user control device 1, in the form of a knob, has substantially cylindrical external dimensions. The cylindrical side corresponds to a three-dimensional touch surface 2, to which tactile feedback is provided. An electrode structure 3 is provided on the cylindrical side, which generates electrostatic adhesion for tactile feedback.

[0030] A contact surface 5 is located below the control device 1, or on the ground plane / base plane. The contact surface 5 is substantially within or parallel to the ground plane, and the three-dimensional touch surface 2 having the electrode structure 3 is substantially perpendicular to the ground plane.

[0031] A ring-shaped flexible printed circuit (FPC) 9 with a chip-on-foil is positioned on a contact surface 5 to make electrical contact with an electrode structure 3, and the ends 4 of the FPC are electrically connected to an electronic system and adapted to receive user input and provide haptic feedback.

[0032] Electroadhesion provides tactile feedback by transferring the electric charge at the user's fingertip. The electrode structure 3 of the control device is arranged on a three-dimensional surface and can be used to track finger movements and the movement of electric charge at the fingertip. The electrode structure can be, for example, applied by screen printing of silver paste and an insulating layer, but is not limited to this technique. As is known in the art, any other technique can be employed to deposit an electrode matrix or array, electrically insulate it, and cover it with a thin, contactable dielectric layer.

[0033] The control device 1 may have a display integrated into its upper surface 6, which can serve, for example, as a context knob for controlling an electronic system within a vehicle. In one example, an OLED display may be installed within the metal housing of the knob.

[0034] Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of the control device 1 of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the ring-shaped FPC 9 is substantially aligned with the ring-shaped contact surface 5 and extends around the cylindrical body of the control device 1. The electrode structure 3, located on the cylindrical side that will be touched by the user, extends to the contact surface 5. The ring shape of the contact surface 5 around the context knob, and the extension of the electrode structure onto the contact surface 5, create a sufficiently large contact area, so that a large number of electrical contacts can be realized, and tactile feedback, i.e., the electrode structure 3, can be implemented in a fine grid.

[0036] As further shown in Figure 2, the control device 1 may have a z dimension perpendicular to the xy ground plane, in other words, the height of the touch surface 2, and the height of the touch surface 2 is at least 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, or 10 mm higher than the ground plane, so that when the control device is mechanically fixed to the control panel, the control device protrudes above the ground plane and can be mechanically gripped and pressed by the user from any side.

[0037] A key advantage of a control device via a touch display is that, when extended in the z-direction from the ground plane, a context display can be realized on the top surface, and the user can operate the control device with haptic feedback without needing to look at it, by firmly gripping the control device with the side touch surfaces. The disclosed electrical connection technique allows for freely programmable haptic feedback to be provided on the three-dimensional surface of the context knob.

[0038] This describes an electrical connection system for context knob 1 with tactile feedback based on electro-adhesion. This connection system allows for the connection of numerous contacts or control panels on the main PCB board of a control device in a limited space.

[0039] Figure 3 schematically shows the electrical contacts of the user control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the context knob 1 is formed as a cylindrical metal knob 1 having a cylindrical side surface that is a three-dimensional touch surface 2.

[0041] An electrode structure 3 is positioned on the 3D touch surface 2, extending onto the flat, ring-shaped contact surface 5 on the underside of the knob. A display 7 is positioned on the upper surface 6 of the knob to display contextual information to the user.

[0042] An intermediate contact layer 8, which may be formed by an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) layer, is arranged to make contact with the electrode structure 3 on the contact surface 5. On the ACF layer 9, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 9, which is substantially ring-shaped, is arranged as the ASF layer and the contact surface 5. To reduce the number of electrical contacts on the FPC's connection terminal 4, a chip-on-foil is incorporated into the FPC, and the connection terminal 4 may be connected to an electrical system that will be controlled using a knob.

[0043] The disclosed technique provides a human-machine interface (HMI) through a rotational motion in which the user slides across an electrode structure 3 on a cylindrical surface 2. The knob remains mechanically fixed and does not rotate. The user experiences a distinct sensation of rotation through electro-adhesion. The tactile feedback of the knob is freely programmable via software.

[0044] Figure 4 schematically shows a flexible printed connector (FPC) 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the FPC has a ring-forming region which can be positioned on the ACF layer and contact surface around the knob 1, a chip-on-foil 10, and a connection end 4 to the electrical main system. It should be understood that any suitable form of FPC can be used to contact the electrode structure of the three-dimensional touch surface.

[0046] Figure 5 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical contacts of the user control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] An electrode structure 3, which may include an electrical sensor structure and a tactile feedback structure, is positioned around the cylindrical surface 2 of the context knob 1. The wiring of this electrode structure 3 must be electrically connected to the PCB of the control device. The challenge lies in the numerous connections in the limited space of the cylindrical knob shape, as the knob surface is positioned substantially perpendicular to the PCB. In some embodiments, the touch surface may have an angle greater than 20°, 30°, 45°, or 60° with respect to the base plane or ground plane and / or the main PCB.

[0048] The layered stack includes an electrode structure 3 on a contact surface 5, an anisotropic conductive film 8, and a flexible circuit board 9. The end of the cylindrical knob 1 facing the PCB is shaped like a cap brim, forming the contact surface 5 for the electrode structure 3. The connection of the electrode structure 3 is made along the surface of the modified cylinder. This circular projection provides an area that allows for a contact surface 5 large enough to position the contacts at a sufficient distance, thereby increasing acceptable manufacturing tolerances and reducing manufacturing costs. A loop-shaped contact flexible printed connector 9 is positioned opposite the contact surface and is electrically connected to the electrode structure 3 by an anisotropic conductive foil 8.

[0049] Figure 6 schematically shows a method for electrically contacting a user control device 1 equipped with tactile feedback according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] This method begins in step S10. In step S20, a user control device is provided having a three-dimensional touch surface on which an electrode structure 3 is provided. In step S30, a conductive layer and / or adhesive layer, such as an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) layer, is placed on the electrode structure 3. In step S40, a flexible circuit board (FPC) is placed on the ACF layer, thereby creating an electrical contact between the electrode structure 3 and the FPC. This method ends in step S50.

[0051] From the above, we can draw several general conclusions.

[0052] The disclosed techniques can be implemented for any conventional mechanically movable user input element, such as a rotatable and / or push-pull knob or a slide switch that slides along the direction of movement. Haptic feedback may be freely programmable for user contacts sliding along each touch surface, depending on the state of the control device. For example, rasterization along the direction of movement may be provided.

[0053] In various examples, a user control device or user interface may correspond to a part or area of ​​a control panel used to control an electronic system by receiving user input and / or providing tactile feedback to the user. The control device may be operated by the user, for example, by touching and / or grasping the control device, thereby interacting with the control device and providing user input to the control device, which may be detected by one or more additional sensors of the control device. The control device may be mechanically fixed to the base panel, for example, so as not to act against the base panel. The control device may have an xy ground plane, which may be on the underside and located within the control panel when fixed, and may have a z dimension or height extending from the ground plane such that the control device has side walls that are higher than 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, or 10 mm so that it can be grasped by the user. In this way, the control device may have a flat top surface substantially higher than the ground plane, and the touch surface for tactile feedback may have side walls. However, the control device is not limited to this and may have a freeform three-dimensional touch surface including the top surface.

[0054] In various examples, a control device may have a tactile characteristic shape, such as an external shape like a circular knob or a rectangular slide switch, or other shapes such as a rectangular, triangular, cuboid, conical, cylindrical, or freeform external surface, and / or a shape that can protrude from the surface of the control panel so that the user can touch or grasp it. In this way, it can be tactilely distinguished from other control devices. The control device may be touched or grasped by the user with their hand, and the position of the user's hand on the control device may provide user input to the electronic system. The touch surface may receive the user's touch input and provide tactile feedback, and may be a surface substantially perpendicular to the side of such a control device, for example, the top surface. The top surface may be formed with a display such as an LCD or OLED display, or may include a display such as an LCD or OLED display, to provide the user with contextual information about the control device.

[0055] For example, a three-dimensional touch surface may correspond to a three-dimensional surface of a control device that a user can touch to provide input to an electronic system. Such a surface may be a knob, button, or any other shape that a user can touch or grasp. Such a user control device may be implemented in the form of a feature mechanically protruding from a flat control panel surface, and the user control device may have at least one three-dimensional surface that is at least partially touched by the user to provide input. The electrode structure allows the control device to provide the user with feedback that changes dynamically based on user input, or static tactile feedback, based on electroadhesive, for any time the user is touching the control device. The control device may protrude from the control panel by more than 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, or 10 mm, and the outer shape constituting the touch surface may be raised higher than the ground panel or ground plane so that the user can easily grasp the control device.

[0056] In various examples, the three-dimensional touch surface according to this disclosure may differ from conventional touch displays in that the touch surface does not include a display, and the carrier material may be made from an opaque material such as metal or plastic. For example, the carrier material may be injection molded or integrally formed with the control panel. For example, the control device may be mechanically fixed to the control panel or base system so that it cannot be moved by the user.

[0057] In various examples, such a control device may have at least one closed, i.e., ring-shaped, cylindrical or freeform outer touch surface, and / or a freeform curved touch surface having two touch surface areas, and / or two separate touch surfaces that can substantially face each other, and the user can embrace or grasp the control device. In such a way, the control device may be embraced or pressed by the user with substantially opposite mechanical forces greater than, for example, 1N, 2N, or 5N, so that the user's hand can be fixed to the control device while operating the control device. Parts of the control device may be mechanically adapted to accommodate the user's fingers, and / or other touch surfaces may be adapted to the anatomical structure of the user's hand so that one or more fingers can slide along the touch surfaces, and in other examples, all user contact with the control device may slide, for example, around the rotation axis or along the translation axis of the control device.

[0058] In various examples, a context knob may include a cylindrical outer touch surface and a flat or curved top surface containing a display used to show context to the user, in which case the knob can now be manipulated to receive user input. The context knob may have an axis of rotation passing through its center and substantially perpendicular to the control surface, and / or an axis of rotation pointing toward the user. Replacing a mechanically rotating knob with a mechanically fixed knob saves space, in particular, as the user's finger rotates on the cylindrical surface and receives haptic feedback. That is, the contour and dimensions of the control device may remain the same, and the input mode may not change significantly for the user.

[0059] Due to the distinctive protruding shape of the control device and the tactile feedback on the touch surface, the described three-dimensional control surface with tactile feedback may be advantageous compared to a touchscreen for controlling electronic systems even while the vehicle is in operation.

[0060] Haptic feedback can be influenced by electrostatic forces between the user and the electrode structure on the touch surface, also known as electroadhesion. In this way, the haptic experience from the user touching a three-dimensional structure can be combined with haptic feedback by increasing friction between the user and the three-dimensional structure. Furthermore, dynamically changing haptic feedback can be used for the user while touching a control device and when not moving relative to the control device.

[0061] Haptic feedback may be provided solely by electroadhesion, in which case the control device may not be movable relative to the control panel or the electrical system. In various examples, the control device may be immobile relative to user touch, i.e., it may be mechanically fixed so as not to vibrate during haptic feedback.

[0062] In summary, an improved user control device is provided by offering haptic feedback based on electro-adhesion on a three-dimensionally freeform surface of the user control device, such as a context knob. Since freely programmable haptic feedback is provided to the touch surface of the control device element without mechanically moving the control device, this can lead to extended service life and reduced production costs.

[0063] While this disclosure has shown and described certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to recall equivalents and modifications by reading and understanding this specification. This disclosure includes all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A user control device (1) for an electrical system, - A three-dimensional touch surface (2) that will be touched by the user to provide user input, - An electrode structure (3) at least partially arranged on the outer surface of the three-dimensional touch surface (2), wherein the electrode structure (3) is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user, - A contact surface (5) for electrically contacting the electrode structure (3), wherein the contact surface (5) is positioned at least partially adjacent to the three-dimensional touch surface (2) at an angle exceeding 45°, the contact surface extends outward from the user control device, and the electrode structure (3) extends from the three-dimensional touch surface (2) onto the contact surface (5), Equipped with, The electrode structure (3) is electrically contacted by arranging an anisotropic conductive film layer (8) on the electrode structure (3) on the contact surface (5), and by arranging a flexible printed circuit (9) on the anisotropic conductive film layer (8), thereby providing a user control device (1).

2. The control device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback is achieved by electrostatic force between the user and the electrode structure (3).

3. The control device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an additional sensor structure is arranged in the control device (1) to detect the user input, and the tactile feedback is at least partially based on the detected user input.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the additional sensor structure is at least partially arranged on the three-dimensional touch surface (2).

5. The control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact surface (5) extends along at least 75% of the outer edge of the three-dimensional touch surface (2).

6. The control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact surface (5) is substantially in a plane.

7. The control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device (1) is a context knob having a side surface higher than 1 mm, and the upper surface (6) of the context knob is equipped with a display (7).

8. The control device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the three-dimensional touch surface (2) is a cylindrical surface, and the contact surface (5) is a closed annular plane surrounding the three-dimensional touch surface (2) and is substantially perpendicular to the three-dimensional touch surface (2).

9. The control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flexible printed circuit (9) further comprises a chip-on-foil (10) electrically disposed between at least a portion of the contacts to the electrode structure (3) and the output terminal (4) of the flexible printed circuit (9).

10. The control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the three-dimensional touch surface (2) is immovable to the user and cannot be operated by the user.

11. A method of making contact with a user control device (1) with haptic feedback, - To provide a user control device comprising a three-dimensional touch surface (2) to be touched by a user to provide user input, wherein an electrode structure (3) is at least partially disposed on the outer surface of the three-dimensional touch surface (2), the electrode structure (3) is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user, the control device (1) further comprises a contact surface (5) for electrically contacting the electrode structure (3), the contact surface (5) is at least partially disposed along the side surface of the three-dimensional touch surface (2), the contact surface extends outward from the user control device, and the electrode structure (3) extends from the three-dimensional touch surface (2) onto the contact surface (5), - An anisotropic conductive film (ACF-) layer is placed on the electrode structure (3) on the contact surface (5), - Arranging a flexible printed circuit (FPC) on the ACF layer, Methods that include...

12. A control panel for an electronic system comprising at least one user control device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A vehicle comprising at least one control panel as described in claim 12.

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