Pressure-actuatable and rotationally actuatable operating element for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure-actuatable and rotationally actuatable operating element for a motor vehicle, in particular a steering wheel operating element, having a roller-shaped input element (4) which is rotatably mounted on a bearing block (3), wherein the bearing block (3) is mounted on a plurality of actuating elements (5, 5b, 5c) which correspond to a plurality of switching elements (6a, 6b, 6c), and a pressure actuation of the input element (4) actuates at least one of the switching elements. The bearing block (3) can be pivoted about two pivot axes (P1, P2) which are oriented perpendicularly to one another and which have a point of intersection (S) outside the input element (4). The bearing block (3) is positioned below the point of intersection (S) of the two pivot axes (P1, P2) on a support platform (15) on the upper face of a support (9) and is pivotably mounted, and the bearing block (3) is movably guided in a guide element (14).

Description

[0001] Push- and turn-operated control element for a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a pressure and rotation actuated control element for a motor vehicle, in particular a steering wheel control element, with a roller-shaped input element rotatably mounted on a bearing block, wherein the bearing block is mounted on a plurality of actuating elements which correspond to a plurality of switching elements, and wherein a pressure actuation of the input element actuates at least one of the switching elements.

[0003] Improving comfort plays a crucial role in HMI interaction in modern vehicles. Operating a multifunction system is often a top priority. A desired menu item is selected using a control device that allows the user to navigate the menu structure.

[0004] Such an operating device is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2018 214 384 A1, in which the operating device comprises a roller-shaped operating element that is rotatable about a pivot axis and embedded in a surface. Such operating rollers, which in particular represent a steering wheel control element, have already proven themselves in many vehicles.

[0005] Developments in the steering wheel switch sector are increasingly showing that more and more functions must be integrated into the steering wheel switch itself, and that in order to reduce costs, these must be kept as low as possible both in terms of the installation space and in the number of components installed.

[0006] Possible approaches for the use of multifunctional control elements that have multiple functions in a single component are disclosed, for example, in DE 102013 003 574 B4. This patent describes a push-button and rotary control element for a motor vehicle, which, in addition to a rotary actuation, also discloses one central and two off-center actuation options, each with an equal actuation force.

[0007] Another push-and-turn operating element of a similar design is known from German patent DE 10 2012 019 387 B4. In this operating element, a bearing block rests on the actuating elements of several switching elements, so that when the input element is actuated by pressure, at least one of the switching elements is actuated. Furthermore, this bearing block is pivotally mounted on a box-shaped support, to which a total of three push-operated switching functions are assigned, and their simultaneous actuation is prevented.

[0008] Finally, German patent DE 102007 038 580 B4 discloses a push-and-turn operating element in which a bearing block rests on two actuating elements designed as switching domes of a dome-shaped switching mat. When the center of the operating element is pressed, both switching domes collapse, thus actuating both switching elements belonging to the switching domes. By applying pressure off-center to the input element, it is also possible to tilt the bearing block slightly, allowing the two switching elements to be actuated independently of each other.

[0009] A disadvantage, however, is that all of the push-and-turn control element concepts mentioned here require very complex and therefore expensive manufacturing, as their design requires the use of additional components, such as additional touch mats or foil conductors, which are often multi-layered. This circumstance also results in a correspondingly large overall height for such a push-and-turn control element.

[0010] The task therefore arose to create a push-and-turn operating element with a push-button switch function in which only a single contact on the circuit carrier is closed, thereby significantly reducing both the manufacturing costs and the additional installation space.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the bearing block is pivotable about two pivot axes aligned perpendicular to one another, which have an intersection point outside the input element, in that the bearing block is arranged and pivotably mounted below the intersection point of the two pivot axes on a support platform on an upper side of a carrier, and in that the bearing block is movably guided in a guide element.

[0012] According to the invention, two support elements are provided, each in the form of a guide element and a support platform. These support elements are each individually molded onto the upper side of the carrier and, together with the bearing block, form the two pivot axes outside the input element.

[0013] The first pivot axis is realized by the pivot bearing on the support platform and the guide element with the bearing block mounted therein. This pivot axis ensures that, of the three actuation options, the central push-button actuation can be carried out according to the invention.

[0014] The second pivot axis, however, is formed by the support platform and the bearing block that can be pivoted to both sides. This design enables lateral actuation of the input element.

[0015] The support platform fulfils the overall function of pivotally supporting the bearing block and the bearing journal formed on it in the guide designed as a journal cross.

[0016] This link, designed as a journal cross, makes it possible for the bearing journal to act as a pivot bearing and, depending on the direction of the force applied, to move the bearing block vertically at the time of a pressure actuation.

[0017] In addition, the pivot bearing point not only has the function of movably supporting the bearing block, but also of limiting its pivoting movements in accordance with the pressed pressure switching function, so that no force sufficient to actuate the switching element there can build up on the non-pressure-actuated side.

[0018] The guide element, on the other hand, serves to movably accommodate the bearing pin molded onto the bearing block. The guide element's mount is also conically shaped, preventing unlimited upward movement while allowing downward movement until an actuating element is applied.

[0019] In particular, when the input element is subjected to central pressure, the support platform with its inventive design has the task of limiting the actuation path of the input element to such an extent that none of the switching elements below the second pivot axis is actuated.

[0020] If, however, pressure is applied to the right or left end section of the input element, the second pivot axis located below the actuation point is acted upon vertically against the actuating elements of switching elements.

[0021] The first pivot axis, which at this point in time is located on the non-pressurized side of the input element, does not experience a sufficiently high force when pressure is applied from the side to actuate the switching element assigned to it, so that pressurizing the input element can only ever trigger at most one of the two lateral switching functions.

[0022] Overall, the bearing block is thus mounted according to the invention on only two support elements, which are movably guided in the guide element and pivotable on the support platform, so that in the event of a possible pressure being applied to the input element, a rotation axis located below the actuation point is vertically acted upon against the actuation elements of switching elements.

[0023] This action in turn triggers switching functions via the switching elements, which allow a user to easily select a desired menu entry.

[0024] The structure and function of an operating element according to the invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment sketched in the drawing. They show:

[0025] Fig. 1 an operating element in an exploded view, Fig. 2 sketch to explain the two support elements, Fig. 3 sketch to explain the two swivel axes,

[0026] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a push-and-turn operating element according to the invention. A circuit carrier 2, which can be designed, for example, as a printed circuit board or a ceramic carrier plate, is arranged on a housing base 1. Switch contact surfaces 8 are provided on the circuit carrier 2 for accommodating the plurality of switching elements 6.

[0027] These switching contact surfaces 8 are electrically connected to one another by switching domes 6a, 6b, 6c of a dome switching mat 7 resting on the circuit carrier 2. As a result, the switching domes 6a, 6b, 6c form electrical switching elements, each of which can be actuated by pressure.

[0028] Furthermore, instead of a switching dome 6a, 6b, 6c, a snap disk or a microswitch can be provided, provided that these or the other change their shape abruptly when a force threshold is reached.

[0029] Overall, the switching elements 4a, 4b, 4c and / or the actuating elements 5a, 5b, 5c are designed to be mechanically and electrically separate from one another, so that simultaneous loading of different switching or actuating elements is excluded and maintenance of these components proves to be particularly simple due to this design.

[0030] In a preferred variant of the invention, the pressure actuation of the switching elements (switching domes) 6a, 6b, 6c is effected via the actuating elements 5a, 5b, 5c (switching plungers). The actuating elements 5a, 5b, 5c are preferably movably mounted as switching plungers inside a guide sleeve 16 and thus form force-locking actuating elements 5a, 5b, 5c for the switching elements 6a, 6b, 6c.

[0031] As Fig. 2 illustrates, these guide sleeves 16 are arranged in one piece on the top side of a square-shaped support 9, which has screw recesses 25 in its edge areas. The screws 12 are used to firmly screw together the essential components of the push-and-turn operating element, such as the housing base 1, the circuit carrier 2, the dome switch mat 7, and the support 9.

[0032] On the upper side of the carrier 9, a bearing block 3 is further mounted on two support elements, the guide element 14 being movable in a leading manner and the support platform 15 being pivotably supported.

[0033] The bearing block 3 itself is preferably essentially rectangular, formed in one piece, with a bearing pin 22 and a bearing journal 23. A shaft 20 is also rotatably mounted on the bearing block 3 by two bearing block supports 17 that are formed integrally with and opposite one another on the bearing block 3. This shaft 20 is also rotationally fixedly connected to a roller-shaped input element 4.

[0034] Also connected to the shaft 19 in a rotationally fixed manner is a cylindrical locking element 21 and a code disk, which is not shown in detail here.

[0035] Furthermore, a locking spring 11 is attached to the bearing block 3, which interacts with the locking element 21 on the shaft 20.

[0036] Finally, the bearing block 3 also has a bearing block cover 18, which has a recess for the input element 4 and which can be pressed together with the input element 4 when it is actuated centrally.

[0037] The housing base 1 is also enclosed by a cover or a cover, which is provided with a housing cover 10. This housing cover 10 similarly has a recess for the bearing block cover 18, through which the actuating element 4 can be actuated.

[0038] As further illustrated in Fig. 2, a bearing pin 22 and a bearing journal 23 are formed on the bearing block 3 for receiving the support elements 14, 15. Both bearing elements are arranged flush with each other on the front side of the bearing block 3.

[0039] It is particularly advantageous if the bearing block 3 also has three identically formed stop elements 19 on its underside. Upon possible pressure actuation of the actuating element 5a, 5b, 5c, each stop element 19 acts on a corresponding actuating element 5a, 5b, 5c, so that a switching contact on the circuit carrier 2 is closed there.

[0040] Furthermore, the invention provides for a guide element 14 and a support platform 15 to be arranged on the upper side of the carrier 9. The support platform 15, with its pivot bearing point 24 designed for the bearing block 3, accommodates the latter within its interior. The pivot bearing point 24 in the support platform 15 is also designed such that the bearing block 3 is pivotably mounted there.

[0041] According to the invention, it is further provided that the bearing pin 23 formed on the bearing block 3 is inserted in a locking manner into the linkage shaped as a cross pin in the pivot bearing point 24. This ensures that the bearing pin 23 can, on the one hand, only be removed upwards from the pivot bearing point 24 with the application of force, but, on the other hand, can also perform the vertical pivoting movements necessary for pressure application on the individual actuating elements. The linkage shaped as a cross pin of the pivot bearing point 24 thus ensures that the push and turn actuation of the actuating element 4 performed by the user can only ever take place individually and never in combination with one another.

[0042] In addition, due to this inventive design of the pivot bearing point, the bearing block 3 cannot be displaced against the support 9, but can only be pivoted, as already described above.

[0043] The guide element 14, on the other hand, has the function of movably receiving the bearing pin 22 formed on the bearing block 3 and, due to its conical design, of preventing an unlimited upward movement of the bearing pin 22.

[0044] Finally, Fig. 2 shows a preferred positioning of the three identical guide sleeves 16 on the carrier 9, which are arranged accordingly depending on the three pressure switching functions (right A, left B, middle C).

[0045] As is particularly clear from Fig. 3, the dashed lines drawn there indicate the position of the two pivot axes (P1, P2), which, according to the invention, are perpendicular to each other and outside the input element 4. Furthermore, the two pivot axes P1 and P2 form a common plane or a common intersection point S on the support platform 15.

[0046] The pivot axis P2 represents the lateral pressure switching function (A, B) of the input element 4, whereas the second pivot axis P1 corresponds to the central pressure switching function (C).

[0047] For example, if the right section of the input element 4 is pressure-activated at actuation point A, the bearing block 3 pivots to the right about its pivot axis P2. Due to this movement, a switching bar 19 formed on the bearing block 3 presses against the switching plunger 5a, which then comes into contact with a switching dome 6a corresponding to this switching plunger 5a on the switching contact surface 8, thereby closing an electrical switching contact. To actuate the left section of the input element 4, the switching plungers 5b and the corresponding switching dome 6b are actuated analogously.

[0048] In the case of a central pressure actuation, in particular, only the switching plunger 5c in the area of ​​the guide element 14 can be actuated downwards by the corresponding stop element 19 of the bearing block 3. In this case, however, the other two switching plungers 5a and 5b are not actuated by the stop elements 19 of the bearing block 3, since the pivot bearing point 24 no longer permits any movement on these two input elements 4. Thus, the two switching plungers 5a and 5b are in the same plane as the pivot bearing point 24 of the support platform 15 when not actuated.

[0049] Overall, such pressure actuation of the input element 4 can be detected both force-free by electrical or electronic sensors, such as light barriers, Hall sensors, capacitive sensors, reed contacts or conventionally via a safety mat or microswitch.

[0050] Finally, it is possible to perform a rotary movement with the input element 4. This rotary actuation can also be carried out completely independently of the push-button actuation function.

[0051] The rotary actuations of the input element 4 are transmitted via a shaft 20 to the code disk (not shown in detail here), which interrupts a light beam at regular angular intervals through a forked light barrier acting as a rotary position sensor. A two-beam design of a forked light barrier can also be used to determine not only the rotational distance but also the rotational direction of the input element upon rotary actuation.

[0052] The electrical connection for the forked light barrier (not shown here) is made via a direct connection to the circuit board 2 or with an electrical connector on the housing base 1. The arrangement of a rotary position sensor required for detecting a rotary actuation on the bearing block 3 enables a particularly simple construction of the rotary sensor system, since the relative arrangement of the code disk and the rotary position sensor is not changed by movements of the bearing block 3 when the input element 4 is pressed.

[0053] Such control elements can preferably be used in motor vehicles and in particular as actuating elements in steering wheel control switches, center consoles and dashboards.

[0054] Reference symbol

[0055] 1 housing base

[0056] 2 circuit carriers

[0057] 3 bearing block

[0058] 4 Input element

[0059] 5a, 5b, 5c Switch plunger (actuating element)

[0060] 6a, 6b, 6c Switch domes (switching elements)

[0061] 7 Dome keypad

[0062] 8 Switch contact surface

[0063] 9 carriers

[0064] 10 Housing cover

[0065] 11 locking spring

[0066] 12 screw

[0067] 13 Switch panel

[0068] 14 Guide element

[0069] 15 Support platform

[0070] 16 guide sleeves

[0071] 17 bearing block supports

[0072] 18 bearing block cover

[0073] 19 stop elements

[0074] 20 Wave

[0075] 21 locking element

[0076] 22 bearing pin

[0077] 23 bearing journals

[0078] 24 pivot bearing point

[0079] 25 screw recess

[0080] P1 Swivel axis (side pressure actuation)

[0081] P2 Swivel axis (medium pressure actuation)

[0082] S intersection point

Claims

Patent claims 1 . A pressure- and rotation-operated control element for a motor vehicle, in particular a steering wheel control element, comprising a roller-shaped input element (4) rotatably mounted on a bearing block (3), wherein the bearing block (3) is mounted on a plurality of actuating elements (5a, 5b, 5c) corresponding to a plurality of switching elements (6a, 6b, 6c), and wherein a pressure actuation of the input element (4) actuates at least one of the switching elements (6a, 6b, 6c), characterized in that the bearing block (3) is pivotable about two pivot axes (P1, P2) aligned perpendicularly to one another, which have an intersection point (S) outside the input element (4), that the bearing block (3) is arranged and pivotably mounted below the intersection point (S) of the two pivot axes (P1, P2) on a support platform (15) on an upper side of a carrier (9), and that the bearing block (3) is arranged in a guide element (14) is movably guided.

2. Operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing block (3) is provided with a molded-on bearing pin (23) in a Support platform (15) is pivotally mounted on a link formed as a pivot cross.

3. Operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing block (3) has at least one molded-on stop element (19) on its underside, and actuates at least one of the actuating elements (5a, 5b, 5c) during a pivoting movement with the stop element (19).

4. Operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing block (3) is rectangular and in one piece and is formed with a bearing pin (22) and a bearing journal (23).

5. Operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching elements (6a, 6b, 6c) and / or the actuating elements (5a, 5b, 5c) are designed to be mechanically and electrically separate from one another.

6. Operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating elements (5) are designed as switching plungers (5a, 5b, 5c) which can act on switching contacts designed as switching domes (6a, 6b, 6c).

7. Operating element according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching elements (6a, 6b 6c) are designed as a snap disc or as a microswitch.

8. Use of an operating element according to one of the preceding claims as an operating handle which is installed in a steering wheel or a dashboard of a motor vehicle.

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