Manual actuation actuator, method for control and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a manual actuation actuator (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator housing (2) and an actuation lever (3), wherein the actuation lever (3) is mounted pivotably in the actuator housing (2), wherein at least one controllable actuator (9) is provided, which exerts a force effect on the actuation lever (3) in order to influence the forces acting on the actuation lever (3) during actuation of the actuation lever (3), so as to influence the actuation haptics of the actuation lever (3).

Description

[0001] Manually operated actuator, method for controlling motor vehicles

[0002] The invention relates to a manual actuation actuator, a method for controlling a manual actuation actuator and a motor vehicle with such a manual actuation actuator.

[0003] State-of-the-art motor vehicles often feature, for example, a gearshift lever for operating a manual transmission or a selector lever for operating an automatic transmission. The gearshift lever is mechanically coupled to the manual transmission to shift gears. Such a vehicle also has a clutch in the drivetrain and a clutch pedal for actuating the clutch.

[0004] In contrast, a vehicle with an automatic transmission has no clutch to be operated by the driver, and therefore no clutch pedal. The gear selector is mechanically coupled to the automatic transmission.

[0005] In modern vehicles, the gearshift lever and selector lever are typically replaced by push buttons, which saves costs and allows for automated, electronically controlled operation of the automatic transmission. However, fully automatic vehicle control is not desired by every driver, as it makes individual driver intervention more difficult or even impossible, although some drivers still prefer this.

[0006] There is a corresponding desire for the remanualization of motor vehicles to enable certain functionalities to be performed manually again, such as manually operating an automatic transmission as a manual gearbox and / or sequentially shifting an automatic transmission. For this, however, it is necessary to use a hand-operated actuator equipped with an operating lever that allows the respective manual operation and / or sequential shifting to be performed, so that it is suitable for shifting both an automatic and a manual transmission, or can emulate them. It is also desirable if the hand-operated actuator can be controlled, for example, depending on the situation or operating conditions, in order to change or adjust the actuation haptics, i.e., the forces acting on the operating lever when actuated.

[0007] The task is to create a hand-operated actuator that can be equipped with a suitable operating lever to perform both manual and sequential gear shifting, with controllable actuation haptics. The task also includes developing an improved method for controlling a hand-operated actuator with controllable actuation haptics. Finally, the task aims to create a motor vehicle with more extensive manual operation capabilities.

[0008] The problem with the manual actuating actuator is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] One embodiment of the invention relates to a hand-operated actuator, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator housing and an actuating lever, wherein the actuating lever is pivotably mounted in the actuator housing, and wherein at least one controllable actuator is provided which exerts a force on the actuating lever in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever during its operation, thereby affecting the actuating haptic feedback of the actuating lever. This allows the actuating haptic feedback to be adjusted and modified as desired, based on the forces exerted by the controllable actuators, to create a suitable operating sensation for the driver.In one embodiment, it is also advantageous to provide several controllable actuators that exert a force on the actuating lever in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever during its operation, thus affecting the actuating feel of the lever. This allows the actuating lever to be influenced differently in different directions and / or in different gates of a shift pattern, so that a different operating sensation can be generated for the driver in each case.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the actuator is a magnetorheological actuator, or incorporates one, or if the actuators are magnetorheological actuators, or incorporate them. Magnetorheological actuators allow a component to be actuated, such as an actuating lever, to be braked or released in its movement, whereby the degree of braking can be controlled, so that the resistance on the actuating lever and the force acting on it can be controlled. This allows the actuation haptics to be controlled efficiently, especially in one or more directions and / or in one or more aisles or across aisles.

[0011] It is also advantageous if a control unit is provided for controlling the at least one actuator or actuators and / or if at least one sensor is provided for monitoring the position and / or setting and / or displacement of the actuating lever and / or the forces acting on the actuating lever, wherein, in particular, sensor signals from the at least one sensor or sensors are available to the control unit and supplied for controlling the at least one actuator or actuators. This allows for fast and reliable control of the actuator or actuators in order to control the desired haptic feedback during manual actuation of the actuating lever.

[0012] In a further embodiment, it is also advantageous if the actuating lever is mounted in the actuator housing so as to be displaceable in a first transverse direction and in a second lateral direction, in particular if the actuating lever is displaceable in at least one or more lanes in the actuator housing in the first transverse direction and is mounted so as to be displaceable transversely to the lane or lanes in the second lateral direction. This allows different actuation modes to be controlled and actuated, for example, for the actuation of a manual transmission with shift gates and a selector lane transverse to the shift gates, or for the actuation of an automatic transmission with sequential actuation of an actuating lever, or otherwise.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the actuating lever is mounted in a bearing so that it can pivot about at least one axis, and if at least one actuator forms the bearing or is part of the bearing. This allows for space-saving control of the actuation and the associated tactile feedback.

[0014] The problem with the method is solved by the features of claim 7.

[0015] One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for controlling a manual actuator, particularly according to the invention, with a pivotably mounted actuating lever, wherein at least one controllable actuator or actuators are provided which are controlled to exert a force on the actuating lever in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever when the actuating lever is actuated, in order to influence the actuating haptic feedback of the actuating lever. This makes the actuating haptic feedback predefinable and controllable, in order to provide the driver or operator with a different actuating sensation in different situations or modes when actuating the actuating lever.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the control of at least one actuator or actuators is carried out differently in different driving modes, resulting in different actuation haptics in different driving modes. This allows for a desired variation. It is also advantageous if the actuation haptics depend on the selected driving mode, the temperature of the transmission or a temperature within the transmission, the transmission speed, the vehicle speed, and / or the actuation state of a clutch pedal.

[0017] The problem relating to the motor vehicle is solved by the features of claim 10.

[0018] One embodiment of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a hand-operated actuator for carrying out a method according to the invention.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in detail using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hand-operated actuator with an operating lever.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a manual actuating actuator 1, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0022] The manual actuating actuator 1 has an actuator housing 2 and an actuating lever 3, which is arranged to be displaceable in the actuator housing 2.

[0023] The actuating lever 3 typically has a first lever arm section 4 and a second lever arm section 5. The actuating lever 3 is pivotably mounted in the actuator housing 2 by means of a bearing 6 such that the first lever arm section 4 projects outwards from the actuator housing 2, typically upwards, and the second lever arm section 5 projects into the actuator housing 2.

[0024] When the actuating lever 3 is repositioned, it can be moved laterally in direction 7 as well as transversely in direction 8 within the actuator housing 2. According to the described embodiment of the manual actuating actuator 1, at least one spring arrangement is provided, or several spring arrangements are provided, which interact with the actuating lever 3. The respective spring arrangement is, for example, articulated to both the actuator housing 2 and the actuating lever 3 in order to transmit a force to the actuating lever 3 in the tensile and / or compressive direction, so that a first stable rest position is provided in the rest position or neutral position. Thus, the actuating lever 3 is mounted with respect to at least one first stable rest position by means of the at least one spring arrangement.

[0025] The tensile direction, for example, is the direction in which the respective spring assembly exerts a tensile force on the actuating lever 3, and the compressive direction is the direction in which the spring assembly exerts a compressive force on the actuating lever 3. With two opposing spring assemblies, the tensile and compressive directions of the respective spring assembly are reversed.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the spring arrangement has at least one spring element which is articulated to both the actuating lever 3 and the actuator housing 2, so that the actuating lever 3 is displaceable against a restoring force of the at least one spring element, in particular the spring arrangement has at least two spring elements which are articulated to both the actuating lever 3 and the actuator housing 2, so that the actuating lever 3 is displaceable against a restoring force of at least one spring element.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the hand-operated actuator 1 has at least one controllable actuator 9 which exerts a force on the actuating lever 3 in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever 3 when the actuating lever 3 is actuated, thereby affecting the actuating haptics of the actuating lever 3. The at least one actuator 9, or the two or more actuators 9 shown, exert a resistance force on the actuating lever 3, against which the actuating lever 3 must be moved. The controlled variation of the resistance force, due to the control of the actuator 9 or actuators 9, allows for modification and modeling of the resistance force and thus of the actuating haptics for the driver or operator.

[0028] It is particularly advantageous if several controllable actuators 9 are provided, see Figure 1, which exert a force on the actuating lever 3 in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever 3, against the resistance forces, when the actuating lever 3 is actuated, in order to influence the actuating haptics of the actuating lever 3.

[0029] It is particularly advantageous if the actuating lever 3 is mounted in the actuator housing 2 so as to be displaceable in a first transverse direction 8 and in a second lateral direction 7, in particular if the actuating lever 3 is mounted in the actuator housing 2 so as to be displaceable in at least one or more aisles in the first transverse direction 8 and so as to be displaceable transversely to the aisle or aisles in the second lateral direction 7.

[0030] The actuator 9 or actuators 9 are preferably configured such that the actuator 9 is or has a magnetorheological actuator, or that the actuators 9 are or have magnetorheological actuators. Such a magnetorheological actuator 9 can brake or release the movement of the actuating lever 3 by means of an electrical control, wherein the degree of braking, i.e., the degree of resistance, is controllable. Alternatively, an actuator can also be an electromechanical actuator or similar.

[0031] A control unit 10 is also provided for controlling the at least one actuator 9 or actuators 9, and / or at least one sensor 11 is provided for monitoring the position and / or setting and / or displacement of the actuating lever 3 and / or the forces acting on the actuating lever 3, wherein, in particular, sensor signals from the at least one sensor 11 are available to the control unit 10 for controlling the at least one actuator 9 or actuators 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors 11 are integrated into the actuators 9. Alternatively, they can also be arranged outside the actuators 9.

[0032] The control unit 10 can include power electronics and / or a current regulator for controlling the actuator 9 or actuators 9.

[0033] In an embodiment with a spring arrangement, the actuator 9 or actuators 9 shown act together on the actuating lever 3 to influence it.

[0034] As Figure 1 also shows, the actuating lever 3 is mounted in a bearing 6 so as to be pivotable about at least one axis, wherein the at least one actuator 9 forms the bearing 6 or is part of the bearing 6.

[0035] The method for controlling a manual actuating actuator 1, in particular a motor vehicle with a pivotably mounted actuating lever 3, provides that at least one controllable actuator 9 is provided or actuators 9 are provided, which is or are controlled in such a way as to exert a force, in particular as a resistance force, on the actuating lever 3, in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever 3 when the actuating lever 3 is actuated, in order to influence the actuating haptics of the actuating lever 3.

[0036] This makes it possible to adjust the actuation feel when operating the actuation lever 3, and thus to specifically set and change it.

[0037] Preferably, the control of at least one actuator 9 or actuators 9 is carried out differently in different driving modes, resulting in different actuation haptics in different driving modes. For example, a driving mode "Sport" and / or a driving mode "Normal" and / or a driving mode "Comfort", etc., can be set, in which the actuation haptics are or can be controlled differently. The actuation haptics in the lateral direction 7 can also be controlled differently from the actuation haptics in the transverse direction 8.

[0038] The actuation haptics can also be controlled differently in a mode for manual operation of a manual transmission and in a mode for sequential shifting of an automatic transmission.

[0039] It is also preferred if the actuation haptics are controlled depending on the selected driving mode, the temperature of the transmission or a temperature in the transmission, the speed in the transmission, the vehicle speed and / or an actuation state of a clutch pedal.

[0040] The motor vehicle preferably also has a clutch pedal by means of which the operation of a clutch can be emulated. Reference symbol list

[0041] Manual actuator, actuator housing, operating lever

[0042] first lever arm area

[0043] second lever arm area

[0044] Storage

[0045] lateral direction

[0046] transverse direction

[0047] actuator

[0048] control unit

[0049] sensor

Claims

Patent claims 1. Manual actuating actuator (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator housing (2) and an actuating lever (3), wherein the actuating lever (3) is pivotably mounted in the actuator housing (2), wherein at least one controllable actuator (9) is provided which exerts a force on the actuating lever (3) in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever (3) when the actuating lever (3) is actuated, in order to influence the actuating haptics of the actuating lever (3).

2. Manual actuating actuator (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that several controllable actuators (9) are provided which exert a force on the actuating lever (3) in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever (3) when the actuating lever (3) is actuated, in order to influence the actuating haptics of the actuating lever (3).

3. Manual actuating actuator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (9) is a magnetorheological actuator or has such an actuator, or that the actuators (9) are magnetorheological actuators or have such an actuator.

4. Manual actuating actuator (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a control unit (10) is provided for controlling the at least one actuator (9) or actuators (9) and / or that at least one sensor (11) is provided for monitoring the position and / or setting and / or displacement of the actuating lever (3) and / or the forces acting on the actuating lever (3), wherein, in particular, sensor signals from the at least one sensor (11) are available to the control unit (10) for controlling the at least one actuator (9) or actuators (9). 5.Manual actuating actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (3) is displaceably mounted in the actuator housing (2) in a first transverse direction (8) and in a second lateral direction (7), in particular the actuating lever (3) is displaceable in the actuator housing (2) in at least one lane or in several lanes in the first transverse direction (8) and is displaceably mounted transversely to the lane or lanes in the second lateral direction (7).

6. Manual actuating actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lever (3) is arranged to pivot about at least one axis in a bearing (6) and the at least one actuator (9) forms the bearing (6) or is part of the bearing (6).

7. Method for controlling a manual actuating actuator (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with an actuating lever (3) arranged in a pivotable manner, wherein at least one controllable actuator (9) or actuators (9) is or are provided, which is or are controlled in such a way as to exert a force on the actuating lever (3) in order to influence the forces acting on the actuating lever (3) when the actuating lever (3) is actuated, in order to influence the actuating haptics of the actuating lever (3).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the control of the at least one actuator (9) or the actuators (9) is carried out differently in different driving modes, so that different actuation haptics result in different driving modes.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the actuation haptics depend on the selected driving mode, the temperature of the transmission or a temperature in the transmission, the rotational speed in the transmission, the vehicle speed and / or an actuation state of a clutch pedal.

10. A motor vehicle with a hand-operated actuator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6 for carrying out a method of claims 7 to 9.

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