DE102017218148B4 - Input device with a spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface and a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Input device (1) for a motor vehicle (2), the input device (1) being set up to determine a feature of a user input (9) recorded on a spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface (3) and at least one control signal (18) as a function of to output the at least one feature, the feature of the user input (9) comprising a displacement depth (14) of a contact point (15) of the touch-sensitive surface (3) at which the touch-sensitive surface (3) is pressed due to the user input (9), and - to distinguish at least three depth levels in the displacement depth (14), characterized in that - the touch-sensitive surface (3) is formed on a steering column switch (21) rigidly mounted on a steering wheel (19) or a steering column (20) and - the The touch-sensitive surface (3) is set up to display a respective control function (7) by means of pixel-based graphic elements (6), with di e input device (1) is set up to display the respective pixel-based graphic element (6) of the respective control function (7) only if the control function (7) is enabled.

Description

The invention relates to an input device for a motor vehicle with a spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface and a motor vehicle.

User inputs for controlling functions of a motor vehicle are made to a large extent via classic mechanical input devices. This includes buttons, switches and levers, among other things. The disadvantage of said input devices is the fact that they require complex mechanics, for which a corresponding space must be provided. Steering column switches, for example, require adequate space to enable the individual switch positions to be set. The space required by classic operating elements is also increased by adding further control functions, because this usually requires an expansion of the input device.

By using spatially resolving, touch-sensitive surfaces, it is possible to provide input devices which require less space and can thus be designed and used more flexibly. In addition, input devices with touch-sensitive surfaces can be set up in such a way that the possible user inputs and possibly displayed graphic elements can be flexibly adapted as a function of activated control functions.

In the DE 10 2012 013 537 A1 describes a method for transferring a graphic object. A graphic object is transmitted between two operating and display elements, one of the two operating and display elements being arranged on a steering column switch and another of the two operating and display elements being arranged on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

In the DE 10 2012 004 636 A1 an operating device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle are described. The operating device comprises an elongated actuating lever, in particular a steering column switch, on which a sensor arrangement, comprising at least one touch and / or proximity-sensitive sensor element, is arranged.

the DE 103 25 123 A1 describes a steering column switch for a motor vehicle, which has a multifunctional operating device arranged on the front side of the steering column switch.

the US 2015/0097795 A1 describes systems and methods for locking an input area linked to a recognized touch position in a force-based touch interface. In one embodiment, a steering interface is disclosed that includes a force-based touch interface.

In the US 8 954 848 B2 describes a deformable panel and a display for tactile control. A system with a display for presenting a user interface that includes an appearance of vehicle control features is disclosed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which can replace mechanical operating elements.

The invention relates to an input device for a motor vehicle, the input device being set up to determine a feature of a user input captured on a spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface and to output a control signal as a function of the feature. In this case, the at least one feature of the user input includes a displacement depth of a contact point of the touch-sensitive surface at which the surface is depressed as a result of the user input. The input device is set up to distinguish at least three depth levels in the displacement depth.

In other words, the input device comprises a surface which is set up to detect a location of an input made by a user, i.e. a location of the point of contact. In this case, the input device is set up to distinguish from one another at least three levels of a shift depth that has taken place at the location of the user input. The input device outputs a control signal as a function of at least this one feature of the user input.

This results in the advantage that a mechanical input device which has at least three input positions can be replaced by the input device.

Said input device can for example be designed as a smooth surface in a motor vehicle interior, on the back of which a pattern of capacitive sensor elements is arranged, wherein a respective sensor element can comprise two electrode surfaces separated from one another by an electrically insulating, elastic layer. The capacitive sensor elements can be connected to a control unit which can read out a current electrical capacitance of a respective sensor element. By means of a user input made as a touch on the spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface, the Surface can be shifted in depth at the point of contact. As a result, the two electrode surfaces of the respective sensor elements can be brought closer in a region of the contact point, as a result of which their electrical capacitance can change. The change in the respective electrical capacitances of the sensor elements can be called up or recorded by the control unit, which can then output a control signal as a function of a feature of the user input, which can be, for example, the displacement depth of the contact point. The input device can distinguish at least three depth levels from one another. The at least three depth levels can include a zero position, a fully depressed position and an intermediate position. More than three depth levels can also be provided, for example four, five or six depth levels. There can also be an analog or continuous depth level detection. The threshold values and the number of depth levels can be defined by means of one or more analog-to-digital converters.

The touch-sensitive surface is formed on a steering column switch that is rigidly mounted on a steering wheel or a steering column. In other words, the touch-sensitive surface is arranged on a steering column switch, the steering column switch being mounted on a steering wheel or a steering column in such a way that it cannot be tilted. This has the advantage that a mechanical bearing mechanism of a steering column switch is not required. It is thus possible that a user input does not take place by means of a movement of a steering column switch into a predetermined position, but rather by means of a predetermined user input on the touch-sensitive surface. It can be the case that an actuation of the pushbutton attached to the front of a steering column switch is simulated by means of a user input configured as a tap on a touch-sensitive surface. It can also be that an actuation of a knurled wheel on a steering column switch is simulated by means of a swiping and / or sliding and / or rotating gesture as a user input on a round or cylindrical touch-sensitive surface.

The touch-sensitive surface is set up to display a respective control function by means of pixel-based graphic elements, the input device being set up to display the respective pixel-based graphic element of the respective control function only when the respective control function is enabled. In other words, pixel-based representations are represented by the touch-sensitive surface, the pixel-based representations being assigned to a respective activated control function. A control function that can be enabled can be a control function which is enabled as a function of an operating state of the motor vehicle and / or which can be enabled as a “function on demand” temporarily or permanently after a key has been entered. The further development results in the advantage that a user can use the representations to recognize which control function he can select. It is thus possible for graphic elements relating to a parking process to be displayed on the touch-sensitive surface when a parking assistant is enabled and / or active, and graphic elements relating to a speed when a cruise control is enabled and / or active.

A further development of the invention provides that the touch-sensitive surface is designed as a capacitive surface. In other words, the touch-sensitive surface is set up to detect a touch by detecting changes in an electrical capacitance. This has the advantage that the sensors of the touch-sensitive surface are arranged in a protected manner behind the surface. It is possible, for example, for sensors to be arranged behind a glass or plastic layer which comprise at least two electrode surfaces, these being separated from one another by an elastic, electrically insulating intermediate layer. Thus, a distance between the electrode surfaces can change in response to a user input.

A further development of the invention provides that the input device is set up to detect at least one further feature of the user input, the control signal being dependent on the total of at least two features of the user input. In other words, the input device outputs a control signal which is influenced by the states of the at least two features of the user input. This has the advantage that the combination of the feature states enables a larger number of user inputs. For example, it is possible for the input device to be set up to output a control signal, the content of which is dependent on the displacement depth and the duration of a user input. One possible feature is the location of the point of contact or a wiping speed.

A further development of the invention provides that the at least one further feature of the user input comprises a lateral wiping movement on the touch-sensitive surface. In other words, the input device is set up to detect a change in the location of the touch point on the touch-sensitive surface of the user input. This gives the advantage that it it is possible to imitate user input of a slider.

A further development of the invention provides that the input device is set up to output a respective control signal relating to a windshield wiper function and / or a high beam function. In other words, it is possible to control a windshield wiper and / or a high beam by means of the input device. This has the advantage that complex mechanical control devices can be replaced on a steering column switch. So it is possible that instead of a slide control for setting a windshield wiper frequency, an elongated touch-sensitive surface is arranged on a steering column switch. In this case it may be that the windshield wiper frequency can be adjusted over a length of a lateral movement. The control of a high beam can be adjusted, for example, via the displacement depth of the touched point. Provision can be made for the high beam to light up briefly at a first depth level, whereas at a second depth level, the high beam is activated continuously, causing it to remain lit until a second user input is made on the intended touch-sensitive surface. Furthermore, it is possible to set distance settings of a longitudinal control on a steering column switch of a cruise control lever by means of predetermined user inputs.

A further development of the invention provides that the touch-sensitive surface is designed as a seat positioning switch that is rigidly mounted on a vehicle seat. In other words, the touch-sensitive surface is located on an element which is attached to the side of a vehicle seat. This results in the advantage that several mechanical switches of a conventional seat positioning switch that are coupled to one another can be replaced by a touch-sensitive surface. It is thus possible that no mechanical switches are attached to a vehicle seat for different motors or mountings of the seat that are independent of one another, but only the touch-sensitive surface Feature or a combination of features of a user input can be controlled. For example, a combination of features can include a direction of a swiping gesture that addresses the motor to be controlled, and a shift depth, the speed of the change in position.

A further development of the invention provides that the touch-sensitive surface is formed on a steering wheel rim or a steering wheel spoke. In other words, the touch-sensitive surface is arranged on a steering wheel. This has the advantage that no additional control element has to be arranged on the steering wheel for respective user inputs, which means that the area of the steering wheel can be kept free. It is possible, for example, for a touch-sensitive surface to be arranged on the steering wheel rim instead of a steering column switch in order to set the frequency of a windshield wiper, for example.

The invention also comprises a motor vehicle with at least one input device according to one of the preceding claims.

The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention which have features as they have already been described in connection with the further developments of the input device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Eingabevorrichtung;
• 2 ein erfindungsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeug.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. This shows:

• 1 an input device according to the invention;
• 2 a motor vehicle according to the invention.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also to be regarded as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than the one shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

1 shows an input device according to the invention 1 . The input device 1 can for a motor vehicle 2 according to 2 be provided.

1 shows how the input device 1 a spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface 3 can provide, which can be composed of several layers. An outer layer 4th can for example consist of glass or a flexible plastic. Under the outer layer 4th can be a presentation layer 5 be arranged, which for example as a grid of light emitting diodes can be formed. Said plastic can in this case be transparent. By means of the grid it may be possible to create pixel-based graphic elements 6th to show which of a respective control function 7th or their current status can be assigned. It can be provided that respective pixel-based graphic elements 6th a respective control function 7th are only shown if the respective control function 7th is unlocked. Under the presentation layer 5 can be a sensor layer 8th be arranged, which can be set up, a spatially resolving detection of a user input 9 on the outer layer 4th to enable. This can be done, for example, by means of a capacitance measurement. Capacitive sensor elements 10 , which each have two electrode surfaces 11 include and by means of an elastic, insulating layer 12th are separated from each other, be arranged as a grid or network. The sensor elements 10 can be set up a distance 13th of the two electrode surfaces 11 of the respective sensor element 10 to be determined by measuring an electrical capacitance. In this case, by means of the sensor elements 10 at least three levels of displacement depth 14th can be distinguished. The sensor layer 8th can do this with a control unit 16 be connected, which by means of the distances 13th of the electrode surfaces 11 the sensor elements 10 , a location and a displacement depth 14th a point of contact 15th the user input 9 on the touch-sensitive surface 3 can capture. The control unit 16 can be a microcontroller or a microprocessor. The presentation layer 5 can with the control unit 16 connected to the presentation layer 5 can control in such a way that a predetermined pixel-based graphic element 6th on the touch-sensitive surface 3 is pictured. By means of logging or temporal observation of the electrical capacities of the respective sensor elements 10 , the control unit can 16 a lateral movement 17th , in particular a lateral swiping motion of the user input 9 , on the touch-sensitive surface 3 capture. The displacement depth 14th and the lateral movement 17th each represent a feature of the user input 9 The control unit 16 can be set up to control signals 18th to be generated as a function of at least one feature. The control unit 16 can also be set up to control signals 18th depending on two characteristics of a user input 9 to generate, with a first feature being the displacement depth, for example 14th the user input 9 and for the second feature, lateral movement 17th the point of contact 15th can act.

2 illustrates how a motor vehicle according to the invention 2 several input devices according to the invention 1 may include. Their touch-sensitive surfaces 3 can, for example, be rigidly attached to a steering wheel 19th or a steering column 20th mounted steering column switch 21 be trained. With a rigid mounting of a steering column switch 21 can mean that a respective steering column switch 21 cannot be tilted by a user. Instead, it can be that a position of a respective steering column switch 21 , which in the prior art is a feature of user input 9 can represent by a displacement depth 14th a point of contact 15th on a touch-sensitive surface 3 , which on the respective steering column switch 21 can be arranged, substituted or used. It can be advantageous in this embodiment that mechanical detection devices are located on the mounting of the respective steering column switch 21 are not necessary. It can be, for example, that control signals 18th relating to a windshield wiper function 22nd and / or a high beam function 23 by means of an input device according to the invention 1 can be generated. So it can be provided that a user input 9 at which a predetermined displacement depth of a contact point 15th is exceeded over a predetermined period of time, to a permanent activation of a high beam function 23 by means of a predetermined control signal 18th leads, whereas user input 9 , which is the predetermined displacement depth of the contact point 15th and / or falls below a predetermined period of time to a control signal 18th leads, which causes a temporary activation of the high beam, which is also known as headlight flasher. It is also possible, for example, that depending on the features of a user input 9 a control signal 18th concerning a windshield wiper function 22nd is issued. For example, depending on a distance, a swiping gesture 17th a control signal 18th relating to a frequency of a wiper can be output. It can also be provided that a touch-sensitive surface 3 on a rigid on a vehicle seat 24 mounted seat position switch 25th is trained. Depending on a direction of lateral movement 17th it can be provided that either a position of the vehicle seat 24 or an angle of a backrest can be adjusted.

It can be provided that on touch-sensitive surfaces 3 pixel-based graphic elements 6th can be displayed, which are only shown if an assigned control function 7th is unlocked. So it is possible that pixel-based graphic elements 6th , relating to a distance setting of a longitudinal control system are only displayed if the longitudinal control system is enabled and / or activated.

Overall, the examples show how mechanical control elements can be replaced by the invention.

Claims (6)

Input device (1) for a motor vehicle (2), the input device (1) being set up to determine a feature of a user input (9) recorded on a spatially resolving touch-sensitive surface (3) and at least one control signal (18) as a function of to output the at least one feature, the feature of the user input (9) comprising a displacement depth (14) of a contact point (15) of the touch-sensitive surface (3) at which the touch-sensitive surface (3) is pressed due to the user input (9), and - to distinguish at least three depth levels in the displacement depth (14), characterized in that - the touch-sensitive surface (3) is formed on a steering column switch (21) rigidly mounted on a steering wheel (19) or a steering column (20) and - the The touch-sensitive surface (3) is set up to display a respective control function (7) by means of pixel-based graphic elements (6), whereby The input device (1) is set up to display the respective pixel-based graphic element (6) of the respective control function (7) only if the control function (7) is enabled. Input device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one touch-sensitive surface (3) is designed as a capacitive surface. Input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input device (1) is set up to detect at least one further feature of the user input (9), the control signal (18) being dependent on the total of at least two features of the User input (9). Input device (1) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the at least one further feature of the user input (9) comprises a lateral swiping movement (17) on the touch-sensitive surface (3). Input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input device (1) is set up to output a respective control signal (18) relating to a windshield wiper function (22) and / or a high beam function (23). Motor vehicle (2) with at least one input device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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