Multifunctional pushbutton device

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to provide a pushbutton concept which has a simple and compact design and at the same time provides a variety of operating possibilities. This is achieved by a pushbutton device having at least one substantially flat cap element (10) with an input surface (11), said first input surface (11) being equipped with at least one first touch-sensitive pushbutton operating surface (12), via which a first operating input can be carried out by detecting a touch of the operating surface by a user, and having a lifting mechanism (13) which is coupled to the cap element (10) in order to carry out a second operating input in such a way that an application of pressure to the input surface (11) of the cap element (10) causes a lifting movement of the cap element (10), wherein the cap element (10) can be brought into a contact position, in which the cap element contacts a contact element (14) of the pushbutton device (100), by means of the lifting movement.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Multifunctional button device

[0003] The invention relates to a push-button device and a vehicle comprising such a push-button device.

[0004] Various pushbutton systems are known from the prior art in which an operating input to a device or device can be performed by applying pressure to a pushbutton surface of a pushbutton element. For example, such pushbutton systems can comprise multiple pushbutton surfaces, each with an associated lifting mechanism, so that when pressure is applied to the pushbutton surface, an electrical contact is closed and the operating input is detectable. Such systems are known, for example, from US 5,424,516 A, US 4,392,037 A, and US 2018 / 0025863 A1.

[0005] These systems are often characterized by a complex design, as each button element must be equipped with a corresponding lifting mechanism. In some cases, the design of the lifting mechanism also has specific requirements regarding how it influences the user's haptic experience when activating the button element or lifting mechanism. A further challenge is being able to implement button concepts in the smallest possible installation space.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a button concept which has a simple and compact design and at the same time creates a variety of operating options.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0008] According to the invention, a push-button device is provided by means of which both a first and a second operating input can advantageously be carried out by a user using a single cap element of the push-button device. This is achieved in that the cap element has at least one first input surface, which is designed as a touch-sensitive tactile operating surface that can be actuated to carry out a first operating input, and the cap element is additionally connected to a lifting mechanism such that the cap element can be actuated by actuating the lifting mechanism to carry out a second operating action. Advantageously, two different tactile operating concepts are thus implemented in one push-button device. This enables the saving of installation space and, at the same time, allows multiple operating functions to be controlled using a push-button device.In the contact position, the cap element can contact the contact element directly or indirectly through another component.

[0009] By means of the operating inputs, a plurality of different functions of a device functionally connected to the push-button device or of a control device of the device can preferably be controlled. For this purpose, the contact element is preferably connected, in particular electrically, to a control device of the device, so that upon detection of an operating input via the touch-sensitive touch control surface and / or upon detection of the cap element in contact with the contact element, an input is detected and a function linked to the respective operating input is executed.

[0010] The touch-sensitive operating surface can preferably be designed as a resistive, capacitive, or inductive input surface. The contact element is preferably designed such that an electrical circuit is closed when the cap element or a component of the lifting mechanism is in contact, thus detecting the operating input.

[0011] A multitude of different functions can be linked to the respective operating input. For example, the first operating input can represent a function selection and the second operating input can represent a function confirmation or a function triggering. A first higher-level operating function can be assigned to the first touch control surface, for example switching on a vehicle function, in particular a driver assistance function such as a parking aid or a distance warning system, or a comfort function such as seat heating or air conditioning. Furthermore, the button device can be arranged on a steering wheel, in particular a multifunction steering wheel, of the vehicle. The type of higher-level operating function - namely the first higher-level operating function - can be recognized via the first operating input without it having already been triggered. The triggering orActivation of the higher-level operating function is preferably only executed upon detection of the second operating input after the first operating input. The higher-level operating function is only actually executed upon detection of the second operating input. This separation of function selection and function triggering is particularly advantageous if additional touch control surfaces are provided on the cap element, each of which is assigned to additional higher-level operating functions, as described below.

[0012] Alternatively, other function assignments to the individual operating actions are also conceivable. For example, a level setting, such as a heating level of a comfort function, could be made via the first operating input, in particular via the duration of touching the first touch control surface, and the level setting could be confirmed or triggered via the second operating input.

[0013] The lifting movement of the cap element, which can be carried out by means of the lifting mechanism, is in particular a substantially linear movement of the cap element in the direction of pressure being applied to the touch-sensitive operating surface. The contact position of the cap element represents, in particular, a maximum actuation travel of the cap element, so that the contact element simultaneously serves as a stop for the lifting movement of the cap element.

[0014] The maximum stroke of the cap element is preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, particularly preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm, and most preferably 0.5 mm. Due to this very small stroke movement of the cap element, it is partially imperceptible to a user. In the event that the second operating input serves to trigger a function selected using the first operating input, the user would not perceive the separation of the operating inputs but would perceive the pressure on the touch control surface as a single operating input, for example, as with a conventional touchscreen. The user experience is not impaired despite the implementation of multiple functions in a single button device.

[0015] Preferably, the lifting mechanism is configured such that applying pressure at any point on the input surface of the cap element causes a substantially linear lifting movement of the cap element across the entire input surface. In other words, the cap element always performs a uniform, linear lifting movement, regardless of where the pressure is applied to the input surface. In particular, the cap element essentially performs no tilting or rotational movement, but is moved by essentially the same stroke distance at every point, viewed across a surface of the cap element. This advantageously results in the user's operating experience being identical at every point on the input surface.For example, if the cap element is actuated in an edge area of ​​the input surface, the cap element is not only tilted in the stroke direction in the edge area, but the cap element is moved completely and evenly in the stroke direction. Preferably, the input surface essentially represents the top side of the cap element.

[0016] The button device preferably comprises at least one second touch-sensitive touch control surface, via which a third operating input can be carried out by detecting a user's touch. In particular, a second higher-level operating function can be assigned to the second touch control surface. In this case, the type of higher-level operating function - namely the second higher-level operating function - can be recognized via the third touch control surface without it having already been triggered. The triggering or switching on of the second higher-level operating function is preferably only carried out upon detection of the second operating input. The higher-level operating function is only actually executed upon detection of the second operating input after the detection of the third operating input.

[0017] The button device preferably has a plurality of touch-sensitive touch control surfaces, wherein the plurality of touch control surfaces are preferably arranged at a distance from one another and / or in a regular pattern on the cap element. A further, i.e. a third, fourth, fifth, etc., operating input can preferably be carried out via each of the further touch control surfaces. In a manner analogous to the second touch control surface, an operating function can be assigned to each further touch control surface. In particular, a higher-level operating function can be assigned to each touch control surface, wherein, after detection of the respective operating input, the respective higher-level operating function is triggered by the second operating input by applying pressure to the cap element and actuating the lifting mechanism.

[0018] Advantageously, several higher-level operating functions can each be assigned to a touch control surface of the cap element or linked to them in terms of control technology, while only a single lifting mechanism is provided to trigger these functions, via which the execution of the respective operating function can be confirmed. For this purpose, in particular, the respective operating inputs of the individual touch control surfaces are linked in terms of control technology to the second operating input, so that the second operating input confirms the function selection that was made immediately beforehand via one of the touch control surfaces. In other words, the second operating input can represent a universal confirmation action that triggers or activates the higher-level operating function that is assigned to the previously actuated touch control surface.

[0019] Preferably, the touch control surfaces or at least one touch control surface are rectangular in shape.

[0020] The touch control surfaces can preferably be designed either as separate touch control surfaces arranged or attached to the cap element. In particular, the touch control surfaces are formed by pushbutton elements or switch elements.

[0021] Alternatively, the touch control surfaces can form regions of a surface of the cap element and be formed substantially integrally with the cap element. For example, the entire surface of the cap element or those regions that have one or more touch control surfaces can be designed to be touch-sensitive, and the touch control surfaces can be formed by subdividing the surface of the cap element.

[0022] Preferably, the touch control surfaces or at least one touch control surface are arranged tactilely on a surface of the cap element. In other words, the touch control surfaces have tactile properties that allow the user to feel the position of the respective touch control surface or to feel an input made on the touch control surface.

[0023] For this purpose, the touch control surfaces, or at least one touch control surface, each comprise a tactile structure. This tactile structure can, for example, be raised or recessed areas or can be provided by selecting different tactile materials for the touch control surface and the other areas of the cap element.

[0024] Preferably, the tactile control surfaces or at least one tactile control surface can be configured to output tactile feedback, in particular a vibration. For this purpose, the button device preferably comprises a vibration or oscillation generator, by means of which the cap element or the tactile control surface can be set into vibration to acknowledge an operating input.

[0025] The lifting mechanism preferably comprises a receiving element arranged in a fixed position in the button device and a lifting element movable relative to the receiving element, wherein the cap element is arranged on the lifting element, and wherein the lifting element is fastened to the receiving element by means of an elastic, in particular flexurally elastic, fastening device so as to be movable in the lifting direction of the cap element. The lifting element is arranged so as to be movable relative to the receiving element and the remaining components, wherein the movement corresponds to the lifting movement of the cap element. The cap element is in particular rigidly fastened to the lifting element. The cap element can be formed separately from the lifting element, or the cap element and the lifting element can be formed integrally.

[0026] The lifting movement is guided in particular by the elastic fastening device, in particular such that applying pressure at any point on the input surface of the cap element causes a substantially linear lifting movement of the cap element with the entire input surface. Furthermore, the fastening device is preferably designed such that the cap element returns from the contact position to its initial position after being subjected to pressure. The fastening device thus serves in particular as a return element.

[0027] Preferably, in the contact position of the lifting mechanism, the lifting element contacts the contact element.

[0028] Preferably, the fastening device comprises a first and a second pair of elastic fastening elements, which are each rigidly fastened on the one hand to the lifting element and which are movably fastened on the other hand to the receiving element, such that by applying pressure to the cap element, the first and the second pair of fastening elements are elastically deformable to effect a lifting movement of the cap element and the lifting element.

[0029] Preferably, the fastening elements of the first fastening element pair are arranged on the receiving element so as to be rotatable about at least one first axis, each arranged perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement, wherein the fastening elements of the second fastening element pair are arranged on the receiving element so as to be rotatable about at least one second axis, each arranged perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement and perpendicular to the first axis. The linear movement of the cap element is effected by the rotation about the different axes. The cap element is rotationally connected to the receiving element via the fastening elements in such a way that the fastening elements always rotate and move the cap element as a whole during the rotation so that a uniform lifting movement occurs across the surface of the cap element.

[0030] Preferably, a first fastening element of the first fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element so as to be rotatable about a first axis arranged perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement, and a second fastening element of the first fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element so as to be rotatable about a third axis arranged parallel to the first axis, and a first fastening element of the second fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element so as to be rotatable about a second axis arranged perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement, and a second fastening element of the second fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element so as to be rotatable about a fourth axis arranged parallel to the second axis.

[0031] Preferably, the first and third axes are arranged at a distance from one another. Furthermore, the second and fourth axes can be arranged at a distance from one another. The provision of multiple axes improves the linear guidance of the cap element in the direction of stroke movement.

[0032] Preferably, the first fastening element pair and the second fastening element pair are arranged in different planes perpendicular to the stroke direction. This advantageously allows the pushbutton device to be designed particularly compactly.

[0033] Preferably, the fastening elements of the first and / or fastening element pair are each fastening brackets, wherein the fastening brackets are rotatably attached to the receiving element by their respective end sections. The fastening brackets of a fastening element pair are preferably arranged in a rest position in a plane perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement.

[0034] The elastic deformation is made possible in particular by two lateral bracket sections which are connected to one another by a central bracket section of the fastening brackets. The lateral bracket sections preferably run perpendicular to the central bracket section. Preferably, only the lateral bracket sections deform. Preferably, the lifting element or the cap element is fastened, in particular rigidly, to the respective fastening bracket in the region of the central bracket section. The fastening brackets of the first and second fastening element pairs are arranged in particular in such a way that the central bracket sections of one fastening pair are arranged above the lateral bracket sections of the other fastening element pair, viewed in the lifting direction.

[0035] The mounting brackets are preferably made of metal.

[0036] Preferably, the pushbutton device, in particular the cap element and the components of the lifting mechanism, are manufactured using a rapid prototyping process, in particular a 3D printing process. This results in a physically bonded body that nevertheless allows kinematic movement of the components relative to one another.

[0037] The object of the invention is further achieved by a vehicle having a push-button device with the aforementioned features. The push-button device is preferably part of the vehicle cockpit.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0039] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a button device,

[0040] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the button device,

[0041] Fig. 3 is a further perspective view of the button device,

[0042] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the button device without cap element, and

[0043] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the button device without the cap element.

[0044] In the figures, the same structural elements have the same reference numerals.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a push-button device 100 comprising a cap element 10. The cap element 10 forms an upper side of the push-button device 100 and comprises a first input surface 11. A push-button element is formed on the upper side of the cap element 10 and comprises a touch-sensitive touch-operating surface 12. The cap element 10 further has a second touch-operating surface 15 and further touch-operating surfaces 16a, 16b, 16c. Each of the touch-operating surfaces 15, 16a, 16b, 16c is touch-sensitive. Both the cap element 10 and the touch-operating surfaces 12, 15, 16a, 16b, 16c each have a rectangular shape.

[0046] The touch control surfaces 12, 15, 16a, 16b, 16c can be used to make operating inputs by touch to select one operating function at a time.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a sectional view through the pushbutton device 100. It depicts the cap element 10, which is coupled to a lifting mechanism 13. The lifting mechanism 13 is designed such that, when pressure is applied to the upper side of the cap element 10, in particular to one of the touch control surfaces 12, 15, 16a, 16b, 16c, a lifting movement in the direction H occurs. The lifting movement allows the lifting mechanism 13 to be transferred into a contact position in which the lifting mechanism 13 contacts a contact element 14. By contacting the contact element 14, a further operating function can be triggered.

[0048] The touch control surfaces 12, 15, 16a, 16b, 16c and the contact element 14 are each connected to a control device (not shown) so that after each operating input has been made, an operating function linked to this can be implemented.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a further view of the pushbutton device 100. Shown are the cap element 10 and the lifting mechanism 13, which comprises a first fastening element pair 19 and a second fastening element pair 20, by means of which a lifting element 18 is fastened to a fixed receiving element 17. The cap element 10 is in turn arranged on the lifting element 18. The cap element 10 is movable together with the lifting element 18 in the lifting direction H by elastic deformation of the fastening elements of the two fastening element pairs 19, 20.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a view of the push-button device 100 without the cap element 10, so that the first and second fastening element pairs 19, 20 can be seen in detail. Both the first and second fastening element pairs 19, 20 each comprise two fastening elements 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b, which are arranged for rotation on the receiving element 17 and rigidly on the lifting element 18. The fastening elements 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b are each designed as fastening brackets. Using the fastening element 19b as an example, it is shown that each of the fastening brackets has two lateral bracket sections 21a, 21b and a central bracket section 22.

[0051] The two lateral bracket sections 21a, 21b of each fastening bracket are rotatably attached to the receiving element 17 by their end regions. The fastening elements 19a, 19b are movable about the two parallel and spaced-apart axes A2 and A4, and the fastening elements 20a, 20b are movable about the two parallel and spaced-apart axes A1 and A3.

[0052] The movement of the fastening elements 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b is enabled by elastic deformation of their lateral bracket sections. Because the lifting element 18 and the cap element 10 are rigidly connected to the fastening elements 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b, the cap element 10 is moved linearly in the stroke direction H by deformation of the bracket sections.

[0053] Figure 5 shows another view of the pushbutton device 100 without the cap element 10. It can be seen that the lifting element 18 comprises a central contacting area 24, which contacts the contact element 14 when the lifting mechanism 13 is in the contact position. The central contacting area 24 is formed by cross-shaped struts. Also shown is a circuit board 25, on which the lifting mechanism 13 and the contact element 14 are arranged. The contact element 14 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) via the circuit board 25. The circuit board 25 is in turn arranged on a base plate 23 of the pushbutton device 100.

[0054] List of reference symbols

[0055] 100 button device

[0056] 10 cap element

[0057] 11 Input area

[0058] 12 touch control surface

[0059] 13 Lifting mechanism

[0060] 14 Contact element

[0061] 15 second touch control surface

[0062] 16a, b, c additional touch control surfaces

[0063] 17 Recording element

[0064] 18 lifting element

[0065] 19 first pair of fasteners

[0066] 19a, 19b Fasteners

[0067] 20 second pair of fasteners

[0068] 20a, 10b Fasteners

[0069] 21a, 21b side bracket sections

[0070] 22 middle bracket section

[0071] 23 Base plate

[0072] 24 central contact section

[0073] 25 boards

[0074] H Stroke direction

[0075] A1 , A2,

[0076] A3, A4 axes

Claims

Patent claims 1. A push-button device (100), comprising at least one substantially flat cap element (10) with an input surface (11), wherein at least one first touch-sensitive touch-operating surface (12) is arranged on the first input surface (11), via which a first operating input can be carried out by detecting a touch by a user, and comprising a lifting mechanism (13) which is coupled to the cap element (10) for activating a second operating input, such that the application of pressure to the input surface (11) of the cap element (10) causes a lifting movement of the cap element (10), wherein the cap element (10) can be brought into a contact position with a contact element (14) of the push-button device (100) by means of the lifting movement.

2. Button device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism (13) is designed such that pressure applied at any point to the input surface (11) of the cap element (10) causes a substantially linear lifting movement of the cap element (10) with the entire input surface (11).

3. Button device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one second touch-sensitive touch control surface (15), via which a third operating input can be activated by detecting a touch of a user.

4. Button device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of touch-sensitive touch control surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein the plurality of touch control surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c) are arranged at a distance from one another and / or in a regular pattern on the cap element (10).

5. Button device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the touch control surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c) or at least one touch control surface (12) are rectangular in shape.

6. Button device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the touch control surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c) or at least one touch control surface (12) are arranged tactilely on a surface of the cap element (10).

7. Button device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the touch control surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c) or at least one touch control surface (12) each comprise a tactile structure.

8. Button device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the touch control surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c) or at least one touch control surface (12) are designed to output tactile feedback, in particular a vibration.

9. Button device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting mechanism (13) comprises a receiving element (17) arranged in a fixed position in the button device (100) and a lifting element (18) movable relative to the receiving element (17), wherein the cap element (10) is arranged on the lifting element (18), and wherein the lifting element (18) is fastened to the receiving element (17) by means of an elastic fastening device so as to be movable in the lifting movement direction (H) of the cap element (10).

10. Button device (100) according to claim 9, wherein in the contact position of the lifting mechanism (13) the lifting element (18) contacts the contact element (14).

11. Button device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the fastening device comprises a first and a second elastic fastening element pair (19a, 19b, 20a, 20b), which are each rigidly fastened on the one hand to the lifting element (18) and which are movably fastened on the other hand to the receiving element (17), such that by applying pressure to the cap element (10), the first and the second fastening element pair (19a, 19b, 20a, 20b) are elastically deformable to effect a lifting movement of the cap element (10) and the lifting element (18).

12. Button device (100) according to claim 11, wherein the fastening elements (19a, 19b) of the first fastening element pair are arranged around at least a first, respectively are arranged rotatably on the receiving element (17) about an axis (A2, A4) arranged perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement, and wherein the fastening elements (20a, 20b) of the second fastening element pair are arranged rotatably on the receiving element (17) about at least a second axis (A1, A3) arranged perpendicular to the direction of stroke movement and perpendicular to the first axis (A2, A4).

13. The push-button device (100) according to claim 12, wherein a first fastening element (19a) of the first fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element (17) so as to be rotatable about a first axis (A4) arranged perpendicular to the stroke movement direction (H), and wherein a second fastening element (19b) of the first fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element (17) so as to be rotatable about a third axis (A2) arranged parallel to the first axis (A4), and wherein a first fastening element (20a) of the second fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element (17) so as to be rotatable about a second axis (A1) arranged perpendicular to the stroke movement direction (H), and wherein a second fastening element (20b) of the second fastening element pair is arranged on the receiving element (17) so as to be rotatable about a fourth axis (A3) arranged parallel to the second axis (A1).

14. Button device (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the fastening elements (19a, 19b, 20a, 20b) of the first and / or fastening element pair are each fastening brackets, wherein the fastening brackets are fastened with their respective end sections to the receiving element (17) in a rotationally movable manner.

15. Vehicle comprising a button device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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