Operating element

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element (10) comprising a carrier (100) and a plurality of image elements each designed as LEDs (110), wherein the plurality of LEDs (110) are arranged in the carrier (100) or on a main surface (101, 102) of the carrier (100). The operating element (10) furthermore comprises a device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations of a surface (107) of the operating element (100) in interaction with a user touching the surface (107).

Description

[0001] CONTROL ELEMENT

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Display or control elements, for example in automotive interiors or in the field of consumer electronics, can be implemented using LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Generally, the search is on for concepts that can provide improved control elements.

[0004] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an improved control element.

[0005] According to the implementation forms, the problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments are defined in the dependent patent claims.

[0006] A control element comprises a carrier and a plurality of image elements, each implemented as an LED, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in the carrier or on a surface of the carrier. The control element further comprises a device for generating mechanical vibrations of a surface of the control element in interaction with a user touching the surface.

[0007] According to the design specifications, the carrier can be transparent, and the surface of the control element can correspond to a first main surface of the transparent carrier. The LEDs can, for example, be arranged on a side of the transparent carrier facing away from the first surface.

[0008] The control element can, according to its design, further include conductor tracks for electrically controlling the LEDs, wherein the conductor tracks are configured to control the device for generating mechanical vibrations.

[0009] For example, the device for generating mechanical vibrations can be arranged on the side of the transparent support facing away from the first main surface.

[0010] According to further embodiments, the control element can also comprise a transparent substrate. A first surface of the transparent substrate can correspond to the surface of the control element. For example, the LEDs are arranged between a side of the transparent substrate facing away from the first surface of the transparent substrate and the carrier.

[0011] According to further embodiments, the support is not present in a first region of the transparent substrate. The device for generating mechanical vibrations can be arranged in the first region on the side of the transparent substrate facing away from the first surface of the transparent substrate.

[0012] The control element may also include a detection device for proving that the user has touched the surface. The detection device may be configured to control the device for generating mechanical vibrations.

[0013] For example, the device for generating mechanical vibrations can be an excitation device configured to generate an acoustic signal. According to the embodiments, the device for generating mechanical vibrations comprises an electrodynamic excitation device.

[0014] According to further embodiments, the device for generating mechanical vibrations includes a piezoelectric element.

[0015] For example, the device for generating mechanical vibrations comprises a multitude of piezoelectric elements arranged in the carrier or on a surface of the carrier and positioned at various locations on the surface of the control element.

[0016] For example, the piezoelectric elements are set up to detect contact with the surface of the control element by the user.

[0017] The control element may also include a control device that is configured to control the piezoelectric elements individually.

[0018] For example, the control device is set up to control the piezoelectric elements in such a way that mechanical vibrations with a predetermined amplitude and phase are generated.

[0019] According to the implementation forms, the control device is set up to control piezoelectric elements in spatial zones where contact has been detected.

[0020] According to further embodiments, the device for generating mechanical vibrations comprises a ferromagnetic film and an electromagnet. For example, the device for generating mechanical vibrations comprises several sections of a ferromagnetic film and several electromagnets.

[0021] The control element may also include a control device that is configured to control the electromagnets individually.

[0022] According to the design specifications, the control device is set up to control the electromagnets in such a way that mechanical vibrations with a predetermined amplitude and phase are generated.

[0023] The control device can be configured to control the electromagnets in spatial zones where contact has been detected.

[0024] The accompanying drawings serve to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings depict these embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain them. Further exemplary embodiments and many of the intended advantages will become apparent from the detailed description below. The elements and structures shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference symbols refer to identical or corresponding elements and structures.

[0025] Fig. 1A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element according to the design forms.

[0026] Fig. 1B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element according to further embodiments. Fig. 10 shows an example of a waveform that can be generated by a device for generating mechanical vibrations.

[0027] Fig. 2A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element according to further implementation forms.

[0028] Fig. 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element according to further implementation forms.

[0029] Fig. 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element with a multitude of separately controllable devices for generating mechanical vibrations.

[0030] Fig. 2D shows an arrangement in which the control element is designed as a loudspeaker.

[0031] Fig. 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element according to further embodiments.

[0032] Fig. 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element according to further embodiments.

[0033] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the disclosure and show specific embodiments for illustrative purposes. In this context, directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "over," "on," "in front," "behind," "front," "back," etc., refers to the orientation of the figures just described. Since the components of the embodiments can be positioned in different orientations, the directional terminology serves only for explanation and is in no way restrictive.

[0034] The description of the exemplary embodiments is not limiting, as other exemplary embodiments exist and structural or logical modifications can be made without deviating from the scope defined by the patent claims. In particular, elements of the exemplary embodiments described below can be combined with elements of other described exemplary embodiments, unless otherwise indicated by the context.

[0035] The term "vertical," as used in this description, is intended to describe an orientation that is essentially perpendicular to the first surface of a substrate or semiconductor body. The vertical direction can, for example, correspond to a growth direction when layers are grown.

[0036] The terms "lateral" and "horizontal", as used in this description, are intended to describe an orientation or alignment that is essentially parallel to a first surface of a substrate or semiconductor body. This could be, for example, the surface of a wafer or a chip (die).

[0037] The horizontal direction can, for example, lie in a plane perpendicular to a growth direction when layers are growing.

[0038] Fig. 1A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element 10 according to embodiments. The control element 10 comprises a carrier 100 and a display device having a plurality of image elements, each implemented as LEDs 110. The plurality of LEDs 110 are arranged in the carrier 100 or on a main surface 101, 102 of the carrier 100. The control element 10 further comprises a device 130, 132 for generating mechanical vibrations of a surface 107 of the control element 10 in interaction with contact of the surface 107 by the user. For example, the display device can reproduce information, such as information on options that can be selected via the control element 10.

[0039] In embodiments where the LEDs 110 are arranged on a side of the carrier 100 facing away from the user, the carrier 100 is constructed of a transparent material. The carrier can be made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or another transparent plastic, for example. According to other embodiments, the carrier can also comprise Plexiglas or a transparent polymer. The carrier can have a thickness ranging from a few tens of µm to approximately 200 µm. For example, the carrier 100 can have a thickness greater than 100 µm. For example, the carrier 100 can be designed as a flexible film.

[0040] The LEDs 110 can be designed as p-LEDs, which have a very small edge length in the range of 1 pm or a few pm up to about 100 gm. The spacing between adjacent LEDs 110 can also be greater than a few gm. The spacing can also be greater than 100 gm, for example, greater than 150 gm. The spacing can also be less than 3 mm. The individual LEDs 110 can be controlled by corresponding conductive traces 111. For example, the conductive traces 111 can be implemented as a network (mesh) or grid of thin wires, for example, copper. According to embodiments, both the conductive traces 111 and the LEDs 110 can be arranged on a second main surface 102 of the carrier, which faces away from a user. According to further embodiments, the LEDs 110 and / or the conductor tracks 111 can be integrated into the carrier 100.

[0041] According to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1A, a first main surface 101 of the carrier corresponds to a surface 107 of the control element 10. If, as shown in Fig. 1A, a finger 125 now touches the first main surface 101 of the carrier 100 or the surface 107 of the control element 10, the device 130 generates mechanical vibrations that cause the surface 107 of the control element 10, i.e., the carrier 100, to vibrate. The user thus receives immediate feedback on their input. In this way, haptic feedback is generated.

[0042] The control element 10 can further include a detection device 140 for detecting contact with the control element 10, for example by a finger 125. For example, the detection device 140 can be configured to detect the contact capacitively or optically. The detection device 140 can, for example, be part of a structured layer, from which the conductor tracks 111 are also structured. According to further embodiments, the detection device 140 can also be part of the conductor track 111. Once the detection device 140 has detected the contact, it can, for example, control the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations via the conductor tracks 111, so that the surface 107 of the control element 10 oscillates. The detection device 140 can also be purely passive.

[0043] According to various embodiments, the device 130 can be controlled by a separate control unit 118 (not shown in Fig. 1A, shown in Fig. 1B), e.g., an electronic circuit. For example, the control unit 118 can receive and evaluate a corresponding signal from the detection device 140. According to other embodiments, the control unit 118 can also receive a capacitive or other measuring signal from the detection device 140, evaluate it, and then control the device 130. For example, the detection device 140 can be positioned at a location opposite the finger 125, for example, on a second main surface 102 of the carrier 100.

[0044] According to all the embodiments described here, the control element 10 can have a variety of detection devices 140. In this way, for example, contact can be detected locally.

[0045] According to the implementation details, conductor tracks for controlling the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations and the LEDs 110 can be located in the same metallization layer. They may, for example, have been produced by common process steps.

[0046] According to further embodiments, the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations can also be configured to generate an acoustic signal 137. This increases the feedback. Furthermore, an optical signal can be generated, for example by appropriately controlling LEDs 110.

[0047] According to embodiments shown in Fig. 1A, the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations can, for example, be realized as an electrodynamic excitation device 132 ("electrodynamic exciter").

[0048] Fig. 1B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element 10 according to further embodiments. According to embodiments shown in Fig. 1B, the control element 10 further comprises a transparent substrate 120. A first surface 121 of the transparent substrate 120 faces the user, and the carrier 100 with the LEDs 110 is arranged on a side of the transparent substrate 120 facing away from the user. For example, the LEDs 110 can be arranged between the transparent substrate 120 and the carrier 100. According to embodiments shown in Fig. 1B, it is possible for the carrier 100 to be made of an opaque material. For example, the carrier 100 can be attached to the transparent substrate 120 with a transparent adhesive 112. Other elements of the control element 10 are similar to those shown in Fig. 1A.

[0049] For example, in the control element 10 shown in Fig. 1B, the carrier 100 may not be present in a first region 123 of the transparent substrate 120. The device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations may be arranged on the side of the transparent substrate 120 facing away from the first surface 121 of the transparent substrate 120 and may directly adjoin this facing surface. For example, the transparent substrate 120 may be part of a housing or a cover of a control element.

[0050] Fig. 1B shows a control device 118, which can, for example, be connected to the detection device 140 or receive signals from the detection device, optionally via an evaluation device (not shown). The control device 118 is configured to control the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations. According to embodiments, the detection device 140 can be attached to the transparent substrate 120, for example, to a second surface 122 of the transparent substrate 120. According to further embodiments, the detection device(s) 140 can also be attached to the carrier 100. The evaluation of signals from one or a plurality of detection devices 140 can be carried out in a separate electronic circuit (not shown). Fig. IC shows an example of a waveform of a vibration of the surface of the control element 10, 107, which can be generated by the device 130.For example, the vibration can start with a very large amplitude and then decrease within a short time, for example, less than 0.5 seconds. In this way, the perception of the vibration in finger 125 is increased.

[0051] Fig. 2A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an operating element 10 according to further embodiments. The elements of Fig. 2A essentially correspond to those shown in Fig. 1A. The difference here is that the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations is implemented by a piezoelectric element 133. With appropriate control, the piezoelectric element 133 can generate a vibration of the surface 107 of the operating element 10. The control signal can be, for example, transmitted via the conductor track 111. This can occur, for instance, as soon as a detection device 140 has detected that a finger 125 has touched the surface 107 of the operating element 10.

[0052] Fig. 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the control element 10, similar to that shown in Fig. 1B. The difference here is that the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations is implemented by a piezoelectric element 133.

[0053] Fig. 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a control element 10 according to further embodiments. Here, the control element 10 can have different zones 1342. A piezoelectric element 133 is arranged in each of these zones. For example, the piezoelectric element 133 can be implemented as a piezoelectric microchip 131, for example, as a semiconductor chip with piezoelectric properties. For example, the material of the semiconductor chip can be piezoelectric. The dimensions of the piezoelectric minichips 131 can be larger than about 1 pm. For example, the dimensions of the piezoelectric minichips 131 can be smaller than about 300 pm or smaller than 100 pm. Accordingly, the piezoelectric minichips 131 have dimensions that can correspond to dimensions of LEDs 110.The piezoelectric minichips 131 can further be configured to locally detect contact with the surface 107 of the control element 10 and, as a consequence, generate a vibration of the surface 107 of the control element 10 at the detected location. According to further embodiments, the piezoelectric microchip 131 can also be designed as a piezoelectric ceramic.

[0054] For example, if contact is detected in one of the zones 1342, 1343 in the embodiments shown in Fig. 20, only the piezoelectric element(s) 133 in the relevant zone are activated. In this way, a local mechanical vibration is generated. Thus, the control element 10 can produce a feedback effect upon contact at different locations.

[0055] Alternatively, even if a touch is detected in only one of the zones 1342, all piezoelectric elements 133 or a multitude of them, for example of neighboring piezoelectric elements 133, can be controlled, so that haptic and / or acoustic feedback is generated.

[0056] For example, the control element 10 can have a control device 118 configured to individually control the LEDs 110 and the piezoelectric elements 133 or piezoelectric minichips 131. For example, the control device 118 can control the individual piezoelectric minichips 131 after detecting contact with the surface 107 of the control element 10. According to further embodiments, the control element 10 can also have a plurality of control devices 118, each controlling a zone 1342, 1342, ...134. n are assigned.

[0057] The configuration with multiple zones as illustrated in Fig. 2B can also be applied to the control element 10 shown in Fig. 2A.

[0058] Fig. 2D shows a further embodiment of the control element 10, which, similar to that shown in Fig. 2C, has different zones 1342, 1343, in each of which a piezoelectric element 133, which can be implemented, for example, as a piezoelectric minichip 131, is located. Additionally, each piezoelectric minichip 131 can be configured to generate an acoustic signal 137. For example, the surface 107 of the control element, i.e., the carrier 100 and / or the transparent substrate 120, can act as a loudspeaker diaphragm.

[0059] Furthermore, the different zones 1342, 1342, 1343 can be arranged and controlled in such a way that acoustic interference occurs. For example, the phase and amplitude of the vibrations in each of zones 1342, 1342, 1343 can be controlled by the control unit 118. In this way, a controllable loudspeaker can be provided. For example, the phase and amplitude can be controlled such that destructive interference is present in zone 138, while constructive interference is present in zone 139. In this way, different acoustic signals can be generated in different zones by the control unit 118. This can be of interest, for example, in automotive applications where the driver and passenger are to receive different acoustic signals, or in multi-user gaming applications, as well as for generating spatial sound impressions.For example, different acoustic signals can be generated when the control element is touched in different zones, for example by different users. Concepts shown in Fig. 2D can also be applied to a control element design as illustrated in Fig. 2A.

[0060] According to embodiments shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the device 130 for generating mechanical vibrations is realized by a ferromagnetic film 135. The mechanical vibrations are generated by the additional use of an electromagnet 136. The electromagnet 136 can be activated as soon as contact with the surface 107 of the control element 10 has been detected.

[0061] According to Fig. 3A, the control element is constructed similarly to the control element 10 in Fig. 1A or 2A. As shown, a film 135 made of a ferromagnetic material, for example iron, nickel, or cobalt, can be applied to a side of the carrier 100 facing the surface 107 of the control element 10. For example, the film 135 made of a ferromagnetic material can be arranged over a conductor track 111, which may be made of copper, for example. For example, the film made of a ferromagnetic material and the conductor track 111 can be manufactured by separate manufacturing steps. According to further embodiments, the ferromagnetic film 135 can be part of metal layers that are also otherwise used to control components of the control element. The ferromagnetic film 135 can be unstructured or structured. For example, the ferromagnetic film 135 can also be part of conductor tracks.Furthermore, the control element 10 can have one or more electromagnets 136. These can, for example, be arranged on the side of the carrier 100 facing away from the surface 107 of the control element 10. According to further embodiments, the electromagnets 136 can also be arranged on the side of the surface 107 of the control element. In this way, with a corresponding arrangement of the electromagnets 136, a vibration of the carrier 100 and thus of the surface 107 of the control element can be generated. As further shown in Fig. 3A, the device for generating mechanical vibrations can have several sections of a ferromagnetic film 135 as well as several electromagnets 136. A spatially controllable loudspeaker can be created by several electromagnets 136, as shown in Fig. 2D.

[0062] According to embodiments shown in Fig. 3B, a transparent substrate 120 can additionally be present, similar to those shown in Fig. 1B or 2B. The first surface 121 of the transparent substrate 120 can represent the surface 107 of the control element. In this case, the ferromagnetic film 135 can be arranged on a surface of the carrier 100 facing the transparent substrate 120. In this way, the combination of the carrier 100 and the substrate 120 can be made to vibrate by appropriate control by a control device 118. Here too, the device for generating mechanical vibrations can have several sections of a ferromagnetic film 135 as well as several electromagnets 136.

[0063] For example, according to embodiments shown in Fig. 3A or 3B, an acoustic signal 137 can additionally be generated. For example, the acoustic signal 137 can be generated locally, similar to what has been described with reference to Fig. 2D. Furthermore, a control device 118 can be provided, which, as described with reference to Fig. 2D, is configured to locally generate a vibration and thus an acoustic signal. In this way, a haptic and / or acoustic signal can be generated in interaction with a touch of the surface by the user. For example, a loudspeaker function can be implemented by the control element.Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the specific embodiments shown and described can be replaced by a multitude of alternative and / or equivalent embodiments without deviating from the scope of protection of the invention. The application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0064] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0065] Control element

[0066] Support first main surface of the support second main surface

[0067] Control surface

[0068] LED

[0069] Transparent adhesive for conductor track

[0070] Control device transparent substrate first surface of the transparent substrate second surface of the transparent substrate first area

[0071] finger

[0072] Device for generating mechanical vibrations of piezoelectric minichips; electrodynamic excitation device; piezoelectric element x , 1342, ...134 n zones of ferromagnetic film

[0073] Electromagnet acoustic signal

[0074] Area of ​​destructive interference

[0075] Area of ​​constructive interference

[0076] Verification facility

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Control element (10) comprising: a display device having a plurality of image elements, each configured as LEDs (110), a carrier (100) wherein the plurality of LEDs (110) are arranged in the carrier (100) or on a main surface (101, 102) of the carrier (100), wherein the surface (107) of the control element (10) corresponds to a first main surface (101) of the carrier (100), a device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations of a surface (107) of the control element (10) in interaction with a touch of the surface (107) by a user.

2. Control element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (100) is transparent and the LEDs (110) are arranged on a side of the transparent carrier (100) facing away from the first main surface (101).

3. Control element (10) according to claim 2, further comprising conductor tracks (111) for electrical control of the LEDs (110), wherein the conductor tracks (111) are arranged to control the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations.

4. Control element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations is arranged on the side of the transparent carrier (100) facing away from the first main surface (101).

5. Control element (10) according to claim 1, which further comprises a transparent substrate (120), wherein a first surface (121) of the transparent substrate (120) corresponds to the surface of the control element (10), and the LEDs (110) are arranged between a side of the transparent substrate facing away from the first surface (121) of the transparent substrate (120) and the support (100).

6. Control element (10) according to claim 5, wherein in a first region (123) of the transparent substrate (120) the support (100) is not present and the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations in the first region (123) is arranged on the side of the transparent substrate (120) facing away from the first surface (121) of the transparent substrate (120).

7. Control element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detection device (140) for detecting the user's contact with the surface (107).

8. Control element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations is an excitation device configured to generate an acoustic signal.

9. Control element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations comprises an electrodynamic excitation device (132).

10. Control element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations comprises a piezoelectric element (133, 131).

11. Control element according to claim 10, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements (133, 131) which are embedded in the carrier (100) or on a surface of the carrier (100) are arranged and are located at different positions on the surface (107) of the control element (10).

12. Control element (10) according to claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric elements (133, 131) are configured to detect contact with the surface (107) of the control element (10) by the user.

13. Control element (10) according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a control device (118) which is configured to control the piezoelectric elements (133, 131) individually.

14. Control element (10) according to claim 13, wherein the control device (118) is configured to control the piezoelectric elements (133, 131) in such a way that mechanical vibrations with a predetermined amplitude and phase are generated.

15. Control element (10) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the The control device (118) is set up to control piezoelectric elements (133, 131) in spatial zones (134) where contact has been detected.

16. Control element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations comprises a ferromagnetic film (135) and an electromagnet (136).

17. Control element (10) according to claim 16, wherein the device (130) for generating mechanical vibrations comprises several sections of a ferromagnetic film (135) and several electromagnets (136).

18. Control element (10) according to claim 17, further comprising a control device (118) configured to control the electromagnets (133, 131) individually.

19. Control element (10) according to claim 18, wherein the control device (118) is configured to control the electromagnets (136) such that mechanical vibrations with a predetermined amplitude and phase are generated.

20. Control element (10) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the The control device (118) is set up to control the electromagnets (136) in spatial zones (134) where contact has been detected.

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