Operator control unit for a device

Abstract

The operator control unit (10) for a device is provided with an operator control element (14) which has a touch-sensitive operator control surface (16). The operator control element (14) is, for the purpose of being automatically returned to its inoperative position after being deflected out of said inoperative position, elastically mounted in said inoperative position. The mechanical excitation of the operator control element (14) out of its inoperative position for the purpose of tactile feedback in response to operation of the operator control element (14) is performed by means of an actuator (24). A sensor (26) identifies the movement of the operator control element (14) and/or an acceleration and/or force acting on the operator control element (14). When a movement of the operator control element (14) and/or an acceleration and/or force acting on the operator control element (14) are/is identified without sensing contact with the operator control surface (16), the evaluation and actuation unit (22) actuates the actuator (24) to maintain the inoperative position of the operator control element (14) and/or to move the operator control element (14) back to its inoperative position and/or to stabilize the operator control element (14).

Claims

1. An operating unit for a device for operating a vehicle component comprising a housing, an operating element comprising a touch-sensitive operating surface and a touch sensor system, wherein the operating element is elastically mounted to the housing for the purpose of being automatically returned back to its rest position after being deflected out of said rest position, an actuator for mechanical excitation of the operating element out of its rest position for the purpose of tactile feedback in response to an operation of the operating element and for maintaining the operating element at its rest position when the operating element is not activated, a sensor for detecting a movement of the operating element, an acceleration, force acting on the operating element, or a combination thereof and an evaluation and control unit receiving signals from the sensor and the touch sensor system of the operating element and controlling the actuator for mechanical excitation of the operating element for the purpose of tactile feedback in response to an operation of the operating element and for maintaining the operating element at its rest position when the operating element is not activated, wherein when a movement of the operating element, an acceleration, force acting on the operating element, or a combination thereof is detected by the sensor without sensing a touch on the operating surface, and the evaluation and control unit controls the actuator to maintain the rest position of the operating element, to move the operating element back to its rest position, to stabilize the operating element, or combinations thereof.

2. The operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the operating element is a touchscreen or a touchpad.

3. The operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is arranged outside of the operating element and outside of the movable elements coupled to the operating element.

4. The operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is arranged at the operating element or is coupled to the operating element so as to move together with the operating element.

5. The operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured as an electromagnet with a stator and an anchor movable relative to the stator for mechanical excitation of the operating element, and wherein an operating sensor is configured as a coil sensing a movement of the anchor in the form of an induced coil voltage.

6. The operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises at least one piezoceramic element for the mechanical excitation of the operating element, and wherein the piezoceramic element works as an operating sensor, in case of a movement of the operating element free from a control of the actuator, and senses said movement as a voltage at the piezoceramic element occurring as a result of the piezoelectric effect.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(2) With reference to the exemplary embodiment according to the drawing, operating unit 10 comprises a housing 12 on, at or in which an operating element 14 with an operating surface 16 and a touch sensor system indicated at 18 is arranged. In this exemplary embodiment, operating element 14 is designed as a touchscreen, for example.

(3) As schematically indicated in the drawing, operating element 14 can be elastically mounted in a lateral or vertical manner. If an operating force is applied to operating surface 16 of operating element 14, operating element 14 slightly deflects, which is detected by an operating sensor 20. The touch is sensed by touch sensor system 18. If both signals are present at the input of the evaluation and control unit 22 (and operating sensor 20 optionally senses a significantly large mechanical impact on operating element 14), the evaluation and control unit 22 controls an actuator 24 which is for its parts mechanically coupled to operating element 14 and sets the operating element into oscillation or exerts at least an impulse of movement. This serves for tactile haptic feedback to the user that he/she has operated the operating element 14 in the manner prescribed for executing the desired function.

(4) However, now the elastically suspended operating element 14 also unintentionally mechanically oscillates when being externally excited by forces acting on operating unit 10 from outside. Here, the cause for such an external excitation is a vibration acting on a vehicle during driving, for example.

(5) According to the invention, a further sensor 26 now serves to prevent operating element 14 from moving due to such an external excitation, wherein said sensor is sensitive in the directions in which operating element 14 can be set into oscillation when being externally excited. In the evaluation and control unit 22, the signal of sensor 26 is now evaluated to control the actuator 24 with phase accuracy in order that the actuator excites operating element 14 in an inverse phase relation to the external excitation, such that operating element 14 ideally maintains its rest position. If sensor 26 also senses a valid operation of operating element 14, or if sensor 26 is inversely united with operating sensor 20, the evaluation of touch sensor system 18 is required in addition to the detection of an external excitation. In case of an external excitation, touch sensor system 18 should not sense a touch on operating surface 16 of operating element 14.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(6) 10 operating unit 12 housing 14 operating element 16 operating surface 18 touch sensor system 20 operating sensor 22 control unit 24 actuator 26 sensor