Operating device for multi-axis operating input

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (1) for a multi-axis operating input, having a support element (60) for a stationary fixation on a surface (21) and having a frame element (50) encompassing the support element (60), wherein the frame element (50) is movable relative to the support element (60) along and / or about at least two axes (X, Y, Z); at least two switch assemblies (10, 10A, 10B, 10C), each of which has two switch contacts (40), are provided on the support element (60) and / or the frame element (50), the respective switch contacts (40) of the switch assemblies being actuatable in opposite actuation directions; a switch web (52) is provided on each of the switch contacts (40), said switch web being designed to actuate the respective switch contact (40) when the frame element (50) moves in the respective actuation direction; the frame element (50) rests against the support element (60) via the switch webs (52) and is mounted on the support element (60) in a neutral central position by means of the switch webs (52); and at least one bridge element (53), which passes through the support element (60), is provided on the frame element (50), said bridge element forming a guide for the frame element (50) on the support element (60).

Description

[0001] Operating device for multi-axis user input

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to an operating device for multi-axis user input.

[0004] The applicant's applications DE 10 2022 115 051 .8 and DE 10 2024 107 893.6 also deal with operating devices, in particular for arrangement on closed surfaces. The content of the two aforementioned documents is hereby incorporated into the disclosure of the present application.

[0005] Various other operating devices are known from the prior art and, for example, from documents DE 196 31 950 A1, WO 2018 / 137 944 A1, DE 10 2011 006733 A1 and EP 3 355 474 A1. Regardless of the fact that the aforementioned documents primarily deal with the basic structure of operating devices, the operating devices implemented are multi-part and complex, and therefore costly and expensive to manufacture.

[0006] This is also particularly due to the fact that the storage and guidance of the components that can be moved by the operator is often very intricate compared to the stationary components and allows only small tolerances in order to enable simple and smooth operation.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing a simple operating device for multi-axis user input that is easy to construct and easy to manufacture.

[0008] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, an operating device for multi-axis input is therefore proposed. Such an operating device can, in particular, be an operating device for a vehicle seat or a seat adjustment switch, by which a vehicle seat can be adjusted along different axes or about different axes. The operating device proposed according to the invention comprises a support element for fixed mounting, and in particular without penetration, on a surface that is preferably closed in the area of ​​the operating device and, more preferably, completely closed, and a frame element encompassing the support element, which preferably surrounds the frame element on several sides and in a plane parallel to the surface, and more preferably completely.A non-penetrating fixing is understood to mean that neither the support element nor any other fastening elements penetrate the surface, so that a side facing the operating device and a side facing away from it are hermetically separated by a cover element that forms part of the surface. For this purpose, the support element can, for example, be glued directly or indirectly to the surface via an adapter element. Furthermore, the frame element is movable relative to the support element along and / or about at least two axes, preferably being rotatable about a Z-axis perpendicular to the surface and movable (i.e., displaceable) along an X-axis and a Y-axis, which are orthogonal to each other and to the Z-axis. Although the axes are orthogonal to each other, the frame element can be moved simultaneously along or about multiple axes.The support element and / or the frame element also includes at least two switching arrangements, each with two switching contacts. These switching contacts can be actuated in opposite directions by a force applied by an operator. A switching bridge is arranged on each switching contact, preferably formed by the frame element or the support element. The respective switching bridge is designed to actuate the corresponding switching contact when the frame element moves in the respective direction of actuation, i.e., to act upon it in such a way that it is actuated or switched. Furthermore, the frame element rests against the support element via the switching bridges and is mounted on the support element in a neutral central position by the switching bridges, from which it preferably moves along or...The frame element can be deflected around the axes into the switching positions in which at least one of the switching contacts is actuated. According to the invention, at least one bridge body is provided on the frame element, which extends through the support element and forms a guide for the frame element along and / or around the axes on the support element, so that the movement of the frame element relative to the support element is limited and guided.Particularly advantageously, the inner surfaces of the frame element facing the support element, and especially those together with the bridge element, can act as a stop to limit movement, whereby a distance between the inner surface of the frame element and the corresponding outer surface of the support element, as well as a distance between an outer surface of the bridge element and the corresponding outer surface of the support element, determine and limit a maximum path along which the frame element can be moved relative to the support element when the switching arrangements or their switching contacts are actuated.

[0010] Preferably, the bridge body is designed as a pin, particularly a metallic one, which can, for example, be inserted into the frame element on both sides. Furthermore, the bridge body or the pin can connect two opposing walls of the frame element. The bridge body or the pin can also pass through an elongated recess provided in the support element, the shape and length of which define a space of movement for the pin or the bridge body, thus determining the mobility of the frame element relative to the support element. The length of the elongated recess is preferably determined in a plane orthogonal to the Z-axis, so that the elongated recess allows movement along the X- and / or Y-axis.The recess is also completely closed, at least in sections, around the bridge body in the circumferential direction, whereby the recess can abut the bridge body, particularly along the Z-axis, so that the frame element is only displaceable in a plane orthogonal to the Z-axis or parallel to the surface and accordingly along the X- and / or Y-axis, and rotatable about the Z-axis. Two switching bridges, which are assigned to the two switching contacts of a switching arrangement, can also form a pivot bearing for supporting the frame element on the support element about one of the axes with two opposing bearing bridges offset from the switching bridges. This can, in particular, be a non-rotating bearing, which accordingly establishes not a fixed, but only a loose connection between the frame element and the support element.

[0011] In principle, a guide surface can be provided on each switching contact, along which the respective switching web can be moved when the frame element moves relative to the support element, without actuating the switching contact, provided the movement does not occur in the direction of actuation of the switching contact or orthogonally to it. However, it is preferably provided that the guide surface is designed such that the switching contact can be actuated by the switching web even at the maximum permissible displacement of the frame element relative to the support element.

[0012] If the bearing webs, in particular integral ones, are formed by the frame element, corresponding guide surfaces are provided on the support element, so that the switching webs and guide webs of the rotary bearing can slide on their respective guide surfaces and thereby guide a rotational movement of the frame element around the support element.

[0013] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the frame element is movable relative to the support element about the Z-axis and along the X-axis and Y-axis, preferably including movement about the Z-axis and / or simultaneously along the X-axis and / or simultaneously along the Y-axis. Here, three switching arrangements, each with two switching contacts, are provided on the support element and / or the frame element, but preferably on the support element. The switching contacts of a first switching arrangement can be actuated by moving the frame element along the X-axis. Preferably, the switching tabs of the first switching arrangement, together with two bearing tabs, form a rotary or non-rotating bearing, as described above.Furthermore, the switching contacts of a second switching arrangement and / or a third switching arrangement can be actuated by moving the frame element along the Y-axis, such that when the frame element is moved along the Y-axis, a switching contact of one of the second or third switching arrangements, or one switching contact of each of the second and third switching arrangements, is actuated. Additionally, a single switching contact of the second and third switching arrangements, and / or one switching contact of each of the second and third switching arrangements, can be actuated by moving the frame element around the Z-axis.

[0014] To reduce the number of parts, the support element is preferably formed in one piece. The frame element can also be formed in one piece. The at least one bridge body is preferably inserted into the frame element or formed integrally with the frame element.

[0015] Furthermore, the operating device can have a control element that encompasses the frame element, particularly on several sides, and which forms a viewing surface on a side facing away from the support element. This viewing surface preferably serves as a gripping surface for interaction with an operator. The control element is fixed to the frame element, and the frame element and control element can also be integrally formed or formed as a single piece.

[0016] Insofar as the control element is not formed integrally with the frame element, it is advantageous that the control element can be changed in its design without having to change the frame element, so that the same frame elements can be used even for different variants of the control device.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment of the operating device provides that at least one of the switching arrangements has a circuit carrier with a switching contact arranged on each of its opposite sides. Alternatively, at least one of the switching arrangements can also have two spaced-apart circuit carriers with a switching contact arranged on either their opposite or their facing sides.

[0018] The circuit carriers of the switching arrangements can be connected to each other via a central circuit carrier arranged on the frame element.

[0019] The switching contacts are preferably configured to generate a switching signal upon actuation and / or to detectably influence a magnetic field for an inductive sensor and / or to detectably influence an electric field for a capacitive sensor. Accordingly, it can be provided that an inductive sensor for detecting an electric field or a capacitive sensor for detecting a capacitive field is arranged on a side of the surface facing away from the operating device or the support element, wherein, in particular, a capacitive sensor can be provided as a touchscreen, so that switching of the switching contacts can be detected without physical contact through the surface.

[0020] The features disclosed above can be combined in any way, provided this is technically feasible and they do not contradict each other. Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below with reference to the figures, together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The figures show:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows an operating device in a longitudinal section;

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a section-by-section operating device in perspective view;

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a section-by-section operating device in longitudinal section;

[0024] Fig. 4 shows an operating device in a first cross-section;

[0025] Fig. 5 shows an operating device in a second cross-section in neutral orientation.

[0026] middle position;

[0027] Fig. 6 shows the operating device according to Figure 5 in an actuated position.

[0028] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0029] The operating device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is preferably a single operating device 1, which may correspond to the operating device 1 shown in simplified form in Figures 4 to 6. However, the operating devices 1 shown do not necessarily have to be identical.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a section of an operating device 1 orthogonal to the Z-axis, revealing a portion of the device that can be mounted on a surface 21. The operating device 1 has a support element 60, which allows it to be fixed to the surface 21. A frame element 50, movable relative to the support element 60, is arranged around the Z-axis. The frame element 50 is surrounded by an operating element 70, which provides a viewing and gripping surface 71 for interaction with an operator. The frame element 50 and the operating element 70 can also be formed integrally as a single piece.

[0031] The carrier element 60 incorporates several, and in this case three, switching arrangements 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, each consisting of two switching contacts 40. The frame element 50 integrally forms a switching bridge 52 for each switching contact 40, which extends to and preferably rests against the respective switching contact 40. This allows a switching operation to be triggered, or the respective switching contact 40 to be actuated, when the switching bridge 52 moves towards the respective switching contact 40.

[0032] The switching bridges 52 of a first switching arrangement 10A together with two bearing bridges 54 form a non-rotating bearing around the Z-axis, so that the frame element 50 with the operating element 70 arranged on it is supported around the Z-axis by the non-rotating bearing.

[0033] However, because the non-rotating bearing has two switching webs 52 which interact with switching contacts 40 opposite each other along the X-axis, the frame element 50 is still movable along the X-axis.

[0034] Furthermore, the frame element 40 can also be designed to be resilient in sections and especially in the area of ​​the bearing webs 54, so that movement along the Y-axis is also possible.

[0035] Without guidance and movement limitation, the frame element 50 could unintentionally detach from the support element 50 or damage the switching contacts 40. Therefore, the inner surfaces of the frame element 40 facing the support element 50 form a stop to limit movement, which can abut corresponding outer surfaces of the support element 50. Furthermore, two bridge elements 53 are provided, which—as can be seen particularly in Figure 2—are designed as pins and are inserted into the frame element 50, so that the pins 53 connect two opposing walls of the frame element 50. The pins 53 can be held in the frame element 50 by an interference fit or glued in place. The operating element 70 can also serve as a double-sided cap for the pins 53, preventing them from being pushed out of the frame element 50.

[0036] As can be seen particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the pins 53 each pass through elongated recesses 61 in the support element 60, the walls of which bear directly against the pins 53 along the Z-axis, so that the frame element 50 with the control element 70 can be rotated orthogonally to the Z-axis, but movement along the Z-axis is blocked. The length of the recesses 61 simultaneously limits the rotation about the Z-axis and also the movement or displacement along the X- and Y-axes.

[0037] Regarding possible operating procedures, it can be stated that the operating element 70 can be moved along the X-axis so that - depending on the direction of actuation along the X-axis - one of the two switching contacts 40 of the first switching arrangement 10A is actuated.

[0038] If the control element 70 is moved along the Y-axis, depending again on the direction of actuation along the Y-axis, at least one switching contact 40 of the second and third switching arrangement 10B, 10C is actuated, preferably one switching contact 40 of the second switching arrangement 10B and one switching contact 40 of the third switching arrangement 10C are actuated, which are located on the same side of the respective circuit carrier 18.

[0039] When the control element 70 is rotated around the Z-axis, two switching contacts 40 are actuated - depending on the direction of rotation - whereby one switching contact 40 of the second switching arrangement 10B and one switching contact 40 of the third switching arrangement 10C are actuated, which are located on opposite sides of the respective circuit carrier 18.

[0040] To illustrate the operating principle, switching with the operating device 1 using its switching contacts 40 is shown and explained in more detail in Figures 5 and 6. For this purpose, the operating device 1 is designed as a capacitive control unit 1, which essentially comprises a capacitive sensor element 30, several switching arrangements 10 (of which one switching arrangement 10, in particular the third switching arrangement 10C, is visible in the cross-section of Figures 5 and 6), and a cover element 20 separating them. The sensor element 30 is arranged and fixed on a rear surface 23 of the cover element 20, and the switching arrangement 10 is located on a visible surface 21 of the cover element 20. It should be noted for clarification that the operating element 70 is not shown in Figures 4 to 6, but the surrounding frame element 50 may be present.

[0041] The cover element 20 completely separates the switching arrangement 10 (or the operating device 1) and the sensor element 30 from each other and makes them independent of each other, so that, apart from the indirect connection via the cover element 20, there is only a functional connection via an electric field. For this purpose, the sensor element 30 is designed to generate an electric field and to detect any change in the electric field as well as the corresponding position of that change. The switching arrangement 10 is designed to cause a change in the electric field when actuated by an operator, which is then detected by the sensor element 30.

[0042] For this purpose, the switching arrangement 10 has a coupling electrode 11 coupled to the electric field, in this case two switching elements or

[0043] -contacts 40 and each switching contact 40, i.e. two sensor electrodes 12 assigned to a predetermined position 13, 14, which are electrically connected to the coupling electrode 11 via the respective switching contact 40 by electrical conductors 15.

[0044] If the frame element 50, which can be integrally formed with the operating element 70 or take over its function, is deflected from the neutral center position according to Figure 5 by a force K applied by the operator along the first actuation path W or in a first actuation direction into a first actuated position according to Figure 6, a first switching contact 40, which can also be described as a switching element, is actuated by the frame element 50, so that at the associated first position 13, a change in the electric field is generated by the electric field coupled via the associated sensor electrode 12, the electrical lines 15 and the coupling electrode 11, which is detected by the sensor element 30. It should be clarified here that the positions at which the sensor electrodes 12 are provided on the cover element 20 or on a base plate 16 do not have to be fixed.The base plate 16 can be a central circuit carrier to which the circuit carriers 18 of the switching arrangements 10, 10A, 10B, 10C can be connected. Accordingly, the sensor electrodes 12 can be flexibly positioned on the base plate 16 and / or the cover element 20, depending, for example, on the specific application.

[0045] When a deflection occurs in the direction opposite to the actuation path W due to a correspondingly opposite force, a second switching element 40 opposite the circuit carrier 18 is actuated by the frame element 50, so that at the associated second position 14 a change in the electric field is generated at the second position 14 by the electric field coupled via the associated sensor electrode 12, the electrical lines 15 and the coupling electrode 11, which is detected by the sensor element 30.

[0046] For this purpose, the switching arrangement 10 is arranged on the base plate 16 or the central switching carrier 16, which is fixed to the visible surface 21 of the cover element 20 by an adhesive layer 2. The sensor electrodes 12 are arranged on the base plate 16 or between the base plate 16 and the visible surface 21 of the cover element 20. A frame 17, functioning as a coupling electrode 11, is provided around the base plate 16. In this case, the frame can be integrally formed as part of the carrier element 60 and is fixed to the base plate 16 and / or also to the visible surface 21 of the cover element 20.

[0047] From the base plate 16, a circuit carrier 18, which can be designated as a central support, extends orthogonally to the visible surface 21 of the cover element 20. The two switching contacts 40 are held on this carrier on two opposite sides. Furthermore, the frame element 50, whose outer surface 51 can serve directly as a gripping surface for the operator or be incorporated into the operating element 70, is spring-loaded to a neutral central position by spring elements 19, the spring elements 19 being formed directly by the switching contacts 40.Preferably, the switching contacts 40 for the switchable connection of the coupling electrode 11 with the sensor electrode 12 have a movable electrically conductive contact body 41, which is enclosed by an electrically non-conductive housing 42, so that projections 52 provided on an inside of the operating element 50 can act on the housing 42 to establish the electrical connection.

[0048] Regarding the spring return of the operating element 50 to the neutral center position, it is preferably provided that the two switching contacts 40 are spring-returned to an open, i.e., unactuated, home position, with the frame element 50, for example, in its neutral center position, bearing directly against the switching elements 40 via the projections 52. If one of the switching contacts 40 is spring-returned from an actuated position to its unactuated home position, the frame element 50 is spring-returned simultaneously.

[0049] * * * * *

Claims

Patent claims 1. Operating device (1) for multi-axis input comprising a carrier element (60) for fixed mounting on a surface (21) and a frame element (50) encompassing the carrier element (60), wherein the frame element (50) is movable relative to the carrier element (60) along and / or about at least two axes (X, Y, Z), wherein at least two switching arrangements (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) with two switching contacts (40) each are provided on the carrier element (60) and / or the frame element (50), the switching contacts (40) of which can each be actuated in opposite directions, wherein a switching bridge (52) is arranged on each of the switching contacts (40), which is designed to actuate the respective switching contact (40) when the frame element (50) is moved in the respective direction of actuation.wherein the frame element (50) rests against the support element (60) via the switching webs (52) and is mounted in a neutral central position on the support element (60) by the switching webs (52), and wherein at least one bridge body (53) extending through the support element (60) is provided on the frame element (50), which forms a guide for the frame element (50) on the support element (60).

2. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the bridge body (53) is designed as a pin and / or connects two opposing walls of the frame element (50) and / or passes through an elongated recess (61) provided in the support element (60), which at least is completely closed section by section in circumferential direction around the bridge body (53).

3. Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two switching bridges (52) which are assigned to the two switching contacts (40) of a switching arrangement (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) form a rotary bearing with two opposing bearing bridges (54) offset to the switching bridges (52) for supporting the frame element (50) on the support element (60) about one of the axes (Z).

4. Operating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotary bearing is a non-rotating bearing.

5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame element (50) is movable relative to the support element (60) about a Z-axis and along an X-axis and a Y-axis, wherein three switching arrangements (10A, 10B, 10C) with two switching contacts (40) each are provided on the support element (60) and / or the frame element (50), wherein the switching contacts (40) of a first switching arrangement (I OA) can be actuated by moving the frame element (50) along the X-axis, wherein the switching contacts (40) of a second switching arrangement (1 OB) and / or a third switching arrangement (10C) can be actuated by moving the frame element (50) along the Y-axis, and wherein a single switching contact (40) of the second switching arrangement (10B) and the third switching arrangement (10C) and / or a switching contact (40) of the second switching arrangement (1 OB) and the third switching arrangement (10C) can be actuated by moving the frame element (50) around the Z-axis.

6. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (60) is formed in one piece and / or wherein the frame element (50) is formed in one piece and / or wherein the at least one bridge body (53) is inserted into the frame element (50) or formed in one piece with the frame element (50).

7. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an operating element (70) encompassing the frame element (50), wherein the operating element (70) is fixed to the frame element (50) and has a viewing surface (71) on its outer surface facing away from the frame element (50).

8. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the switching arrangements (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) has a circuit carrier (18) on whose opposite sides a switching contact (40) is arranged and / or wherein at least one of the switching arrangements (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) has two spaced-apart circuit carriers (18) on whose opposite sides or on whose opposite sides a switching contact (40) is arranged.

9. Operating device according to the preceding claim, wherein the circuit carriers (18) of the switching arrangements (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) are connected to each other via a central circuit carrier (16) arranged on the frame element (50).

10. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching contacts (40) are each configured as follows: Actuation to generate a respective switching signal and / or to detectably influence a magnetic field for an inductive sensor and / or to detectably influence an electric field for a capacitive sensor.

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