Abstract
A rotary knob having (inter alia, adjustable) a coupling electrode and capacitive coupling devices for placing on a touch screen is provided. Depending on the position of the rotary knob or of the coupling electrode, contact of a corresponding partial region of the touchscreen is detected. The rotary knob is designed detect and ignore disturbing influences such as drops of water.
Claims
1. An input device, comprising: a capacitive detection device, which has a detection surface while forming an array of array electrodes associated with the detection surface; an electronic evaluation unit, which is electrically connected to the array electrodes, in order to form, by means of the array of array electrodes, an associated array of electrical measuring fields for spatially resolving detection of a capacitive influence on the detection surface; a handling means, which, providing a first degree of freedom of movement, is disposed on the detection surface by means of a supporting means so as to be movable along an adjustment path, in order to perform an operating input by means of a movement, e.g. with the handling means being touched by an operator; a coupling electrode at least partially moved along with the handling means; and several coupling devices made of a conductive material, which are distributed along the adjustment path), disposed on the detection surface and are each electrically insulated, which are in each case arranged and configured in such a way that several adjacent measuring fields are respectively capacitively coupled to an associated one coupling device of the several coupling devices, wherein the measuring fields associated with one coupling device in each case define exactly one, preferably contiguous, partial region of the detection surface; and wherein several positions of the handling means are provided along the adjustment path thereof, in which the coupling electrode, depending on the position, is arranged most closely adjacent to at least one of the coupling devices, in order to, depending on the position, electrically contact this coupling device or at least be capacitively coupled to it; and wherein the electronic evaluation unit is configured for detecting a position-dependent influence on the measuring fields caused by the capacitive coupling in order to obtain and output a positional information of the handling means.
2. The input device according to the claim 1, wherein the arrangement and position of the array electrodes is described by a regular, preferably right-angled, imaginary grid structure, and the position of the measuring fields is defined by junction points of the grid structure.
3. The input device according claim 1, wherein the handling means, providing a second degree of freedom of movement, can be displaced in relation to the detection surface (in a restoring manner from a rest position into an end position, e.g. is supported in a tiltable and/or shiftable manner, wherein the end position is in each case selected such that, in the end position, the coupling electrode electrically contacts several coupling devices or is capacitively coupled with several coupling devices, so that several measuring fields are capacitively influenced, which are associated with several partial regions and which collectively define a preferably contiguous multi-region of the detection surface; and wherein the electronic evaluation unit is configured for detecting the capacitive influence on the measuring fields associated with the multi-region caused by the displacement into the end position, in order to further obtain and output a displacement information of the handling means.
4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the coupling devices associated with a multi-region are situated most closely adjacent to each other.
5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the handling means can be displaced into several different direction-specific end positions relative to the detection surface, and one direction-specific multi-region is provided for each direction-specific end position, and the electronic evaluation unit is configured to detect the capacitive influence on the measuring fields associated with the direction-specific multi-regions caused by the displacement into the respective direction-specific end position, in order to obtain and output a direction-specific displacement information of the handling means.
6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling electrode consists at least partially of a ball bearing.
7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the handling means, by means of the supporting means, is mounted on the detection surface in a manner movable about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the detection surface, and the adjustment path (S) described by the arrangement of the coupling devices defines a substantially circular inner region of the detection surface.
8. The input device according to claim 7, wherein at least one, preferably several, measuring fields situated outside all partial regions and all multi-regions are provided in the inner region.
9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the several coupling devices are distributed about the axis of rotation.
10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the several coupling devices are attached to the supporting means.
11. The input device according to claim 10, wherein the several coupling devices are connected positively, non-positively and/or by substance-to-substance connection to the supporting means.
12. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means form a ring of plastic in which the several coupling devices are accommodated.
13. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the ring forms a latching contour for cooperation with at least one latching lug formed on the handling means.
14. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive detection device is a touchpad or a touchscreen.
15. Use of the input device according claim 1 in a motor vehicle.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of an embodiment of the input device 1 according to an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the supporting means 7 and the coupling devices 6a to 6c connected therewith of the input device according to a first embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the supporting means 7 and the coupling devices 6a to 6c connected therewith of the input device according a second embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the supporting means 7 and the coupling devices 6a to 6c connected therewith of the input device according a third embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the supporting means 7 and the associated handling means 3 of the input device according to a fourth embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 6 shows another perspective view of the supporting means 7 and the associated handling means 3 of the input device according to the fourth embodiment.
[0040] FIGS. 7 to 11 each show a schematic representation of one associated detection device 2 according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] FIG. 1 shows an input device 1 according to an embodiment, with a touchscreen functioning as a capacitive detection device 2. The detection device 2 defines a detection surface 10 facing towards the operator B, on which a handling means 3 is disposed so as to be mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation D, by means of the supporting means, which are not shown in FIG. 1 for better clarity, thus forming a so-called rotary adjuster. The capacitive detection device 2 has array electrodes X1 to X3 that extend parallel to each other, and array electrode Y1 to Y3 extending perpendicularly thereto. The array electrode grid is not depicted in full and to scale in the Figures and is only supposed to serve for schematic illustration of the general structure. The intersection points of the electrodes X1 to X3 with the electrodes Y1 to Y3 form an array of imaginary junction points K11 to K33. For reasons of clarity, only the junction point K13 defined by the intersection point of the array electrodes X1 and Y3 is labeled in the drawing. The numbering of the other junction points is analogous therewith.
[0042] An electronic evaluation unit 14 is electrically connected to the array electrodes X1 to X3 and Y1 to Y3, which, for generating an associated measuring field, applies a potential in each case to some of the electrodes, e.g. to the electrodes X1 to X3, selectively and in a sequence in time, in order to detect a touch by the operator B or, depending on the position of the respective junction points relative to the handling means 3, a position of the handling means 3, based on the influence on these measuring fields. In order to influence the respective measuring fields, the handling means 3 has on the side thereof facing towards the detection surface 10 a coupling electrode 4, which in the present embodiment is disposed in an electrically insulated manner with respect to the operator B while they are touching the handling means 3. Several positions are provided, in particularly ones that are uniformly distributed across the rotary adjustment range of the handling means 3, of which one possible position is shown in FIG. 1.
[0043] For improved capacitive coupling between the coupling electrode 4 and the measuring fields located at the junction points K11 to K33, several rod-shaped coupling devices 6a to 6c made from a conductive material, metal, a metallic conductive material or a metallic alloy are provided, depending on the position of the handling means 3, of which only three are shown in FIG. 1 for better clarity. In actual fact, more than three coupling devices, e.g. between 10 and 50, preferably 32 coupling devices 6a to 6c are provided, which are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation D on the detection surface 10. Given a corresponding position of the handling means 3, the coupling devices 6a to 6c serve for providing capacitive couplings between the coupling electrode 4 and the junction points K11 to K33 associated with the respective coupling device 6a to 6c, so that the respective measuring fields are influences in the area of the junction points K11 to K33, which can be detected by the evaluation unit 14 and serves for the position detection of the evaluation unit 14, so that the latter is capable of outputting a positional information.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the supporting means 7, wherein the coupling devices 6a to 6c are positively accommodated in the material of the supporting means 7 by overmolding the coupling devices 6a to 6c with the material of the supporting means 7. The supporting means 7 form a ring of thermoplastic material in which the rod-shaped coupling devices 6a to 6c are accommodated. The ring has a flange 15 which serves for the arrangement and attachment, e.g. the positive connection, to the detection surface 10 shown in FIG. 1. The rod-shaped coupling devices 6a to 6c each form a bottom end face 11 respectively facing towards one of the array electrodes 5a to 5c shown in FIG. 1, and a top end face 12 facing towards the coupling electrode 4 shown in FIG. 1. Both end faces 11, 12 are each parallel to the detection surface 10 shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The supporting means 7 configured as a ring have on their outer circumference a latching contour 9 cooperating with a latching lug, which is attached to the handling means 3 shown in FIG. 1 or formed by the handling means 3 and not shown in detail, in order to generate a haptically perceptible latching feel for the operator B when the handling means 3 is adjusted.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the supporting means 7, in which the coupling devices 6a to 6c are also positively accommodated by overmolding. Also in this case, the supporting means 7 form a ring of thermoplastic material in which the coupling devices 6a to 6c are accommodated. Again, the ring has a flange 15 which serves for the arrangement and attachment, e.g. the positive connection, to the detection surface 10 shown in FIG. 1. The coupling devices 6a to 6c each form a bottom rectangular end face 11 respectively facing towards one of the array electrodes 5a to 5c shown in FIG. 1. It also forms a top rectangular end face 12 facing towards the coupling electrode 4 shown in FIG. 1. While the bottom end face 11 is in each case parallel to the detection surface 10 shown in FIG. 1, the top end face 12 facing towards the coupling electrode 4 is orthogonal to both. The supporting means 7 configured as a ring also have on their outer circumference a latching contour 9 cooperating with a latching lug, which is attached to the handling means 3 shown in FIG. 1 or formed by the handling means 3 and not shown in detail, in order to generate a haptically perceptible latching feel for the operator B when the handling means 3 is adjusted.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the supporting means 7 based on the first embodiment. In this case, the coupling devices 6a to 6c are again positively accommodated in the supporting means 7 by overmolding. Also in this case, the supporting means 7 form a ring of thermoplastic material in which the coupling devices 6a to 6c are accommodated. Again, the ring has a flange 15 which serves for the arrangement and attachment, e.g. the positive connection, to the detection surface 10 shown in FIG. 1. The coupling devices 6a to 6c each form a bottom rectangular coupling surface 11 respectively facing towards one of the array electrodes 5a to 5c shown in FIG. 1, and a top rectangular end face 12, also referred to as decoupling surface or contact surface, which faces towards the coupling electrode 4 shown in FIG. 1. While the bottom end face 11 is in each case parallel to the detection surface 10 shown in FIG. 1, the top end face 12 facing towards the coupling electrode 4 is orthogonal to both. The supporting means 7 configured as a ring also have on their outer circumference a latching contour 9 cooperating with a latching lug, which is attached to the handling means 3 shown in FIG. 1 and formed by the handling means 3 and not shown in detail, in order to generate a haptically perceptible latching feel for the operator B when the handling means 3 is adjusted. In contrast to the first embodiment, a lateral recess 13 extending through the flange 15 is formed in the supporting means 7, which serves for draining a fluid that could otherwise possibly and undesirably collect in the interior of the ring.
[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the supporting means 7 and the handling means 3 of a fourth embodiment of the input device according to an embodiment. The latter has a conductive metal sheet 18 configured as a stamped bent part. Via a ball bearing 17, which is associated with the supporting means 7 and is electrically connected to the conductive metal sheet 18, the handling means 3 is rotatably supported on the detection surface 10 associated with the detection device not shown. Together, the metal sheet 18 and the ball bearing 17 form the coupling electrode 4. The supporting means 7 have a latching contour 9 into which a latching lug 16 formed on the handling means 3 engages in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation D in order to generate a latching feel. The coupling devices 6a, 6b, 6c, which are in each case electrically contacted, depending on the position, by the coupling electrode 4 are configured as a plated layer applied to an inner circumferential surface of the supporting means 7 configured as a ring, and respectively define a contact surface 12 facing towards the coupling electrode 4. The handling means 3 is mounted, by means of a mechanism not shown herein, so as to be tiltable relative to the detection surface 10 in a restoring manner from a rest position into an end position. In the end positions, the ball bearing 17 comes very close to several of the decoupling surfaces or contact surface 12 or touches them, whereby a second capacitive coupling or an electrical contact is produced between the coupling electrode 4 and several coupling devices 6a to 6c, and thus to several measuring fields, which are not shown in detail herein, of a multi-region not shown herein.
[0048] FIGS. 7 to 11 show a schematic representation of a detection device 2 according to an embodiment with a detection surface 100 and, in each case, one grid of array electrodes X0 to X8 extending parallel to each other and array electrodes Y0 to Y8 electrically insulated from and crossing the latter. These are the electrodes of a capacitive detection device 2 with a projected capacitive technology, in particular with a mutual-capacitance structure. In this structure, measuring fields, and thus measuring capacitances, are generated at the intersection points between, in each case, two electrically insulated intersecting electrode structures. Here, the intersection points are referred to as junction points K00 to K88 and are arranged in a right-angled grid. For reasons of clarity, only the junction point K17 defined by the intersection point of the array electrodes X1 and Y7 is labeled in the FIGS. 7 to 11. The numbering of the other junction points is analogous therewith.
[0049] An electronic evaluation unit 14, which is not shown here, is electrically connected to the array electrodes, preferably connected therewith in an electrically conductive manner, is capable of measuring the influence on the capacitive measuring field of each individual junction point. If the respective measuring field is influenced by the external approach of an object, the electrical measuring capacitance measured by the evaluation unit at the respective junction point is altered and detected, and can be associated with a location on the detection surface due to the electrode structure with a pattern of rows and columns and the arrangement of the intersection points.
[0050] The Figures also show an axis of rotation D orthogonal to the detection surface, about which a handling means 3, which is not shown here, is mounted on the detection surface so as to be rotatable along an adjustment path S described by the arrangement of the coupling devices. The adjustment path S thus encloses a circular inner region 110 of the detection surface 100. The part of the detection surface 100 situated outside the adjustment path S is the outer region 120. Small lines crossing the adjustment path S at right angles symbolize coupling devices 6a to 6C disposed on the detection surface 100. Via the coupling devices, there are capacitive couplings between several junction points K00 to K88 and the coupling electrode 4, depending on the position of the coupling electrode 4. In the process, the entirety of the junction points K00 to K88, which are capacitively coupled with the coupling electrode 4 at any one of the possible positions of the coupling electrode 4, is situated within a partial region of the detection surface 100, the so-called influencing region 130. In other words, all junction points K00 to K88 that can be capacitively influenced by the coupling electrode 4 are situated within the influencing region 130.
[0051] There are junction points K00 to K88 that are not situated in the influencing region 130 both within the inner region 110 and in the outer region 120. These junction points K00 to K88 may be used for the detection of further functional capabilities of the input device 1, such as the recognition of a touch by the user or the like.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows, in particular, the partial regions 140, 150 and 160 respectively associated with the coupling devices 6a, 6b and 6c. In this case, the coupling device 6a is surrounded by the four junction points K64, K65, K74 and K75. In case of a position in which the coupling electrode 4, which not shown here, is most closely adjacent to the coupling device 6a, capacitive couplings occur between these junction points K64, K65, K74 and K75 and the coupling electrode 4, which are detected by the evaluation unit 14. This also applies analogously for the partial regions 150 and 160 associated with the coupling devices 6b and 6c. Depending on the partial region 140, 150, 160 in which the evaluation unit detects capacitive couplings, the evaluation unit 14 can obtain and output a positional and/or movement information of the handling means 3.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows, in particular, the multi-region 170 associated with the coupling devices 6a, 6b and 6c. In this case, the multi-region is composed of the three partial regions 140, 150 and 160 and thus constitutes their set union. In a position, e.g. a tilted position, of the handling means 3, in which the coupling electrode is most closely adjacent to the three coupling devices 6a, 6b and 6c, all junction points K00 to K88 situated within this multi-region are capacitively influenced. This is detected by means of the evaluation unit 14, which can obtain from this information a direction-specifici.e. bottom righttilt information.
[0054] FIGS. 10 and 11 show situations in which a capacitive influence due to water is present. In FIG. 10, a drop of water, which is not shown, lies within a small region 170 in the inner region 110 of the detection surface 100. Capacitive couplings between the drop of water and the junction points occur only within this region. This applies analogously for a drop of water situated, as is shown in FIG. 11, in a small region 180 within the outer region 120 of the detection surface. Accordingly, only junction points in parts of the partial regions 140, 150, 160 and of the multi-region 170 are capacitively influenced in both situations. This can be detected by the evaluation unit 14. The detection results can be in that case be used further by the evaluation unit, in order to detect an interfering influence on the input device.
