Input device having pressure sensor, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an input device (1) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising: a control surface (3) for actuating the input device (1); a detection device (4) for detecting and locating instances of the control surface (3) being touched in an active state of the detection device (4); and an activation device (5) for shifting the detection device (4) from a passive state, in which the detection device (4) is deactivated, into the active state. The activation device (5) comprises a first pressure sensor (6), the first pressure sensor (6) being designed to detect a predefined first pressure exerted on the control surface (3) and / or a housing (7) of the input device (1), the activation device (5) being designed to prompt switching of the detection device (4) from the passive state into the active state when a predefined first pressure is detected. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (2) having an input device (1) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Input device with pressure sensor and motor vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to an input device for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such an input device.

[0004] Input devices for motor vehicles are known in which an operator can transmit input commands by touching a screen. Such input devices are also referred to as "touchscreens." To reduce power consumption, such touchscreens are often coupled to an on-board power system in such a way that input can only be made when the on-board power system is activated. Alternatively, separate switches or buttons can be provided to activate or deactivate the input device.

[0005] Document US 2022 / 388677 A1 discloses a safety system for an aircraft that monitors the presence of a pilot via seat sensors and activates a touch display depending on the pilot's presence and the operating status of the safety system. The pilot sitting in the seat therefore has no further influence on the activation of the touch display. The documents

[0006] US 2020 / 298782 A1 and US 2021 / 339703 A1 disclose touchscreen input devices that are coupled to a driver's seat of a motor vehicle via seat sensors. By detecting pressure on the seat, it is possible to determine whether a child or an adult is sitting in the driver's seat and react accordingly, for example, by issuing a warning.

[0007] Known input devices for motor vehicles have the disadvantage that they are either difficult to activate or have a relatively high power consumption. Furthermore, known input devices can also be easily activated inadvertently, which may result in functions of the motor vehicle, such as seat adjustment, being inadvertently activated. This increases the risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants. By providing switches or buttons for activating the input device, the design freedom of the input device is reduced and the installation space required for the input device is increased. It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate or at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described above in an input device for a motor vehicle.In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an input device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with an input device, which in a simple and cost-effective manner have a reduced installation space requirement and / or have a reduced power consumption and / or reduce the risk of accidental actuation of the input device.

[0008] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. Accordingly, the object is achieved by an input device for a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 10. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the input device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an input device for a motor vehicle. The input device has an operating surface for actuating the input device, a detection device for detecting and locating touches on the operating surface in an active state of the detection device, and an activation device for switching the detection device from a passive state, in which the detection device is deactivated, to the active state. According to the invention, the activation device has a first pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure sensor is designed to detect a predefined first pressure exerted on the operating surface and / or a housing of the input device. The activation device is also designed to cause the detection device to switch from the passive state to the active state upon detection of the predefined first pressure.

[0010] The operating surface is designed to operate the input device. Within the scope of the invention, this means that a user of the input device can transmit a control command to the input device by touching the operating surface. The contact can be made, for example, by tapping, pressing, pulling, or the like. The operating surface preferably has a plurality of regions which are preferably designed to be variable in shape and / or size and / or position and / or sensitivity to touch. The regions can thus be assigned to different commands statically or flexibly. The operating surface is preferably plate-shaped. Alternatively or additionally, the operating surface can also be convex and / or concave within the scope of the invention.According to the invention, the operating surface can be provided with a backlight, for example, for general illumination of the operating surface and / or for optically highlighting the areas or different input commands. According to the invention, information such as text, symbols, values, or the like can be applied to the operating surface, for example by printing, or can be displayed, for example by a display device.

[0011] The detection device can be switched between the active state and the passive state. In the active state, the detection device is designed to detect and localize touches on the operating surface, such as preferably tapping, pressing, pulling, or the like. Thus, in the active state, it can be detected, for example, that an operator touches a specific area of ​​the operating surface briefly or for a longer period of time or performs a pulling movement from a first area of ​​the operating surface to a second area of ​​the operating surface. In the active state, a control device of the detection device is active, so that power consumption is higher than in the passive state. The detection device is preferably designed to detect an electrical resistance of a finger as a touch. The detection of a non-conductor is preferably not possible by the detection device.

[0012] In the passive state, the control device of the detection device is inactive. Thus, normal touches on the control surface cannot be detected and localized, as is the case in the active state. The passive state can preferably be activated automatically by switching off the motor vehicle, locking the motor vehicle, a voice command, a touch input via the control surface, a hand gesture in front of a camera in the motor vehicle, or the like. In the passive state, power consumption of the detection device and thus of the input device is significantly reduced, making the passive state particularly preferred, for example, when the motor vehicle is parked.

[0013] The activation device has the first pressure sensor. The first pressure sensor is configured to detect a predefined first pressure exerted on the operating surface and / or the housing of the input device. Preferably, the activation device is configured to detect the predefined first pressure exerted on the operating surface, wherein the exertion of the first pressure on the housing is not detectable. Since the housing completely or at least partially surrounds the operating surface, the risk of accidental activation of the detection device is reduced. The activation device preferably has a lower power consumption than the detection device in the active state.

[0014] A detection accuracy of the pressure sensor is preferably lower than a detection accuracy of the detection device. The first pressure sensor is decoupled from the detection device such that the first pressure can be detected by the pressure sensor when the detection device is in the passive state. According to the invention, the activation device can be configured to detect the first pressure by the pressure sensor even when the detection device is in the active state. Alternatively, the activation device can be configured to enter a power-saving mode in which power consumption is reduced when the detection device is in the active state.

[0015] According to the invention, the first pressure is understood to mean at least one pressure level. The first pressure can also be defined by a predefined combination and / or a predefined local sequence of pressures. A possible local sequence is, for example, a pressure on a left-hand area of ​​the operating surface followed by a pressure on a right-hand area of ​​the operating surface or the like. Alternatively, the invention can also provide that the first pressure is exerted on a specific, predefined area of ​​the input device, for example, a partial area on the operating surface, in order to be detectable as such by the activation device.

[0016] Furthermore, the activation device is designed to cause the detection device to switch from the passive state to the active state when the predefined first pressure is detected via the pressure sensor. The activation device is preferably designed to localize the first pressure on the operating surface and / or the housing, so that in addition to activating the detection device, further, in particular different functions can be provided depending on a position of the touch on the input device, such as an emergency stop or the like. A further advantage of a pressure sensor is that pressure is detected, so that it makes no difference, for example, whether the pressure is applied by a bare finger, via a glove, or another object acting on the input device, in particular at a specific point.An input device according to the invention has the advantage over conventional input devices that a passive state can be set using simple means and in a cost-effective manner, in which the power consumption of the input device is reduced. Furthermore, the detection device can be activated using simple means by generating the first pressure, so that no additional switches or buttons are required to activate the detection device. This increases the design freedom of the input device and advantageously reduces the space required for the input device.

[0017] According to a preferred further development of the invention, an input device can be provided with the activation device having a second pressure sensor, wherein the second pressure sensor is designed to detect a predefined second pressure on the operating surface and / or the housing, wherein the activation device is designed to switch the detection device from the passive state to the active state upon detection of the predefined second pressure. The second pressure sensor, for example, creates redundancy, which ensures simple activation of the detection device even if the first pressure sensor is defective. The second pressure can correspond in magnitude to the first pressure. According to the invention, further pressure sensors can be provided, so that the activation device has a total of, for example, three, four, six, eight or more pressure sensors.This has the advantage that the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device are improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0018] According to the invention, it is preferred that the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are arranged at spaced-apart locations on the input device. The first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are preferably arranged on the operating surface in such a way that localization of a first pressure and / or second pressure on the operating surface is ensured by evaluating the pressures detected by the first pressure sensor and second pressure sensor. According to the invention, further such pressure sensors can be provided, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the pressure level and the pressure position. The pressure sensors are preferably arranged evenly distributed over the input device, preferably over the operating device. Thus, the pressures detected by multiple pressure sensors can be used to more precisely localize and quantitatively detect a touch of the operating device.For example, multiple pressure sensors can be used to create a touchscreen that has a coarser resolution than the detection device when the detection device is in the passive state. This allows operating functions of the input device to be implemented even when the detection device is in the passive state. This has the advantage of improving the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device using simple and cost-effective means.

[0019] Further preferably, the predefined first pressure is greater than a required minimum pressure for the detection device to detect and localize touches on the operating surface. This means that normal actuation of the operating surface with the detection device in the passive state is not sufficient to switch the detection device to the active state. This means that to activate the detection device, pressure on the input device, for example on the operating surface, is required, which differs from conventional operation of the input device with the detection device activated. This reduces, for example, the risk of inadvertent activation of the detection device, for example due to inadvertent contact when boarding.This has the advantage that the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device are improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the predefined first pressure is between 4 N and 10 N. Such a first pressure is thus higher than the pressure exerted on the operating surface during a normal touch when activating the input device when the detection device is in the active state. This prevents even a light touch from causing the detection device to enter the active state. This has the advantage of improving the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0021] The operating surface is preferably designed as part of a display device for displaying operating elements and / or information. Accordingly, it is preferred according to the invention for the display device, together with the detection device, to form a touchscreen. The display device is preferably designed to display objects, such as images, pictograms, letters, numbers, or the like, in accordance with a monitor, so that individual pixels can be displayed in different contrast levels and / or colors. In this way, different objects can be displayed on the same areas of the display device at different times. This has the advantage that the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device are improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first pressure sensor is designed to detect a predefined third pressure on the input device, wherein the third pressure is less than the first pressure, wherein the activation device is designed to cause the display device to display operating elements and / or information upon detection of the predefined third pressure. The predefined third pressure is preferably greater than the required minimum pressure for the detection device to detect and localize touches on the operating surface. In this way, it is possible to prevent the display device from being caused to display objects by even a light touch. This has the advantage that the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device are improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the activation device is designed to detect the predefined third pressure exerted on the operating surface and / or the housing. Preferably, the activation device is designed to detect the predefined third pressure exerted on the operating surface, wherein the exertion of the third pressure on the housing is not detectable. Since the housing completely or at least partially surrounds the operating surface, the risk of accidental activation of the display device is thus reduced. Further preferably, the activation device is designed to detect the predefined third pressure at any point on the operating surface, since the display device is inactive before the third pressure is exerted and the user may therefore not know where to exert the third pressure in order to display the operating elements.This has the advantage that the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device are improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner.

[0024] According to the invention, it is preferred that the predefined third pressure is between 1 N and 4 N. Such a third pressure is thus higher than the pressure exerted on the operating surface during a normal touch when actuating the input device when the display device displays operating elements and / or information. In this way, it is possible to prevent the display device from being put into a display state by even a light touch. This has the advantage that the reliability and energy efficiency of the input device are improved using simple means and in a cost-effective manner. According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a control device for providing various functions of the motor vehicle and an on-board power system for supplying the control device with electrical energy.According to the invention, the motor vehicle has an input device according to the invention for actuating the control device. The input device is electrically coupled to the control device.

[0025] The motor vehicle according to the invention provides all of the advantages already described for an input device for a motor vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the motor vehicle according to the invention has the advantage over conventional motor vehicles that a passive state can be set using simple means and in a cost-effective manner, in which the power consumption of the input device is reduced. Furthermore, the detection device can be activated using simple means by generating the first pressure, so that no additional switches or buttons are required to activate the detection device. This increases the design freedom of the input device and advantageously reduces the installation space required for the input device.

[0026] An input device for a motor vehicle according to the invention and a motor vehicle according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show schematically:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a plan view of an input device according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a plan view of an input device according to a preferred second embodiment of the invention,

[0029] Figure 3 shows a plan view of an input device according to a preferred third embodiment of the invention,

[0030] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of an arrangement of a first pressure sensor of an input device according to the invention, Figure 5 shows a plan view of a circuit of a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor for an input device according to the invention, and

[0031] Figure 6 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0032] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals in Figures 1 to 6.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an input device 1 according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention. The input device 1 has a housing 7 in which an operating surface 3 of a display device 9 is held. A detection device 4 is arranged on the operating surface 3. The detection device 4 is designed to be switchable between an active state and a passive state. In the active state, the detection device 4 is designed to detect and localize touches on the operating surface 3. In the passive state, the detection device 4 is in a power-saving mode in which detection and localization of touches on the operating surface 3 by the detection device 4 is not guaranteed.

[0034] A first pressure sensor 6 and a second pressure sensor 8 of an activation device 5 are mechanically coupled to the operating surface 3 such that pressure exerted on the operating surface 3, for example, by a user's finger, can be detected by the first pressure sensor 6 and the second pressure sensor 8. By evaluating the magnitude of the detected pressure, a position on the operating surface 3 at which the pressure is exerted can be approximately determined. By means of the activation device 5, the detection device 4 can be switched from the passive state to the active state when the pressure exerted on the operating surface 3 corresponds in terms of magnitude and preferably in terms of position to a predefined activation criterion.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows an input device 1 according to a preferred second embodiment of the invention, schematically in a plan view. The input device 1 according to the preferred second embodiment of the invention differs from the input device 1 according to the preferred first embodiment of the invention in a design of the activation device 5. The activation device 5 additionally has a third pressure sensor 12, which is arranged with the first pressure sensor 6 and the second pressure sensor 8 on a central axis of the input device 1. The second pressure sensor 8 is arranged in the middle between the first pressure sensor 6 and the third pressure sensor 12. The first pressure sensor 6 defines a first zone 13 in which a pressure from the first pressure sensor 6 is registered most strongly. The second pressure sensor 8 defines a second zone 14 in which a pressure from the second pressure sensor 8 is registered most strongly.The third pressure sensor 12 defines a third zone 15 in which a pressure from the third pressure sensor 12 is registered at its strongest.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an input device 1 according to a preferred third embodiment of the invention. The input device 1 according to the preferred third embodiment of the invention differs from the input device 1 according to the preferred second embodiment of the invention in a design of the activation device 5. The activation device 5 additionally has a fourth pressure sensor 16, a fifth pressure sensor 17 and a sixth pressure sensor 18. The fourth pressure sensor 16 defines a fourth zone 19 in which a pressure is most strongly registered by the fourth pressure sensor 16. The fifth pressure sensor 17 defines a fifth zone 20 in which a pressure is most strongly registered by the fifth pressure sensor 17. The sixth pressure sensor 18 defines a sixth zone 21 in which a pressure is most strongly registered by the sixth pressure sensor 18.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of a first pressure sensor 6 of an input device 1 according to the invention. The first pressure sensor 6 of the activation device 5 is arranged such that pressure on the operating surface 3 can be detected by the first pressure sensor 6. For this purpose, the first pressure sensor 6 contacts the detection device 4 arranged below the operating surface 3.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of the interconnection of a first pressure sensor 6 and a second pressure sensor 8 for an input device 1 according to the invention. The first pressure sensor 6 and the second pressure sensor 8 are arranged spaced apart from one another on a flexible conductor track 22.

[0039] Fig. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention, schematically in a side view. The motor vehicle 2 has a control device 10 for providing various functions of the motor vehicle 2, such as seat adjustment, an entertainment system, an air conditioning system, a navigation system, or the like. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 2 has an on-board power system 11 for supplying the control device 10 with electrical energy. For storing and providing the electrical energy, the on-board power system 11 has a traction battery 23. For actuating the control device 10, the motor vehicle 2 has a plurality of input devices 1 according to the invention, which are electronically coupled to the control device 10.

[0040] List of reference symbols

[0041] Input device Motor vehicle Control surface Detection device Activation device First pressure sensor Housing Second pressure sensor Display device Control device On-board power supply Third pressure sensor First zone Second zone Third zone Fourth pressure sensor Fifth pressure sensor Sixth pressure sensor Fourth zone Fifth zone Sixth zone Conductor track

[0042] Traction battery

Claims

Patent claims 1. Input device (1) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising an operating surface (3) for actuating the input device (1), a detection device (4) for detecting and localizing touches on the operating surface (3) in an active state of the detection device (4), and an activation device (5) for switching the detection device (4) from a passive state, in which the detection device (4) is deactivated, to the active state, characterized in that the activation device (5) has a first pressure sensor (6), wherein the first pressure sensor (6) is designed to detect a predefined first pressure exerted on the operating surface (3) and / or a housing (7) of the input device (1), wherein the activation device (5) is designed to cause the detection device (4) to switch from the passive state to the active state upon detection of the predefined first pressure.

2. Input device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation device (5) has a second pressure sensor (8), wherein the second pressure sensor (8) is designed to detect a predefined second pressure on the operating surface (3) and / or the housing (7), wherein the activation device (5) is designed to switch the detection device (4) from the passive state to the active state upon detection of the predefined second pressure.

3. Input device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pressure sensor (6) and the second pressure sensor (8) are arranged at spaced-apart locations of the input device (1).

4. Input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the predefined first pressure is greater than a required minimum pressure for the detection device (4) for detecting and localizing touches on the operating surface (3).

5. Input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined first pressure is between 4 N and 10 N.

6. Input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating surface (3) is designed as part of a display device (9) for displaying operating elements and / or information.

7. Input device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first pressure sensor (6) is designed to detect a predefined third pressure on the input device (1), wherein the third pressure is smaller than the first pressure, wherein the activation device (5) is designed to cause the display device (9) to display operating elements and / or information upon detection of the predefined third pressure.

8. Input device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the activation device (5) is designed to detect the predefined third pressure exerted on the operating surface (3) and / or the housing (7).

9. Input device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the predefined third pressure is between 1 N and 4 N.

10. Motor vehicle (2), comprising a control device (10) for providing different functions of the motor vehicle (2) and an on-board power system (11) for supplying the control device (10) with electrical energy, characterized in that the motor vehicle (2) has an input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for actuating the control device (10).

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