TOUCHSHIFTER

Abstract

An operating device for a shift by wire assembly in an automobile may include a touch sensitive display for selecting an operation mode of a transmission of the automobile and a haptic guide element configured to guide a touch gesture of an operator corresponding to the selection of the operation mode. The touch sensitive display may be configured to display an image, the image being a graphical, interactive user-interface object that can be moved with the touch gesture of the operator into a predetermined area of the touch sensitive display for selecting the operation mode. The haptic guide element may include at least one selection path along which the image can be moved.

Claims

1. An operating device for a shift by wire assembly in an automobile, the operating device comprising: a touch sensitive display for selecting an operation mode of a transmission of the automobile; and a haptic guide element configured to guide a touch gesture of an operator corresponding to the selection of the operation mode, wherein the touch sensitive display is configured to display an image, the image being a graphical, interactive user-interface object that can be moved with the touch gesture of the operator into a predetermined area of the touch sensitive display for selecting the operation mode, and wherein the haptic guide element provides includes at least one selection path along which the image can be moved.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one selection path includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is oriented such that the image can be moved along a first direction and the second segment is oriented such that the image can be moved along a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction and not the opposite of the first direction.

3. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensitive display is configured to display the image at a start position and/or move the image to the start position in a passive operating state, and wherein the touch sensitive display is configured to display the image based on the touch gesture of the operator in an active operating state, and wherein the touch sensitive display transitions to the passive operating state after the operation mode of the transmission has been selected.

4. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein the selection path includes a transition area between a first segment and a second segment of the at least one selection path, and wherein when the operator touch gesture moves the image into said transitional area, an operation mode of the transmission is selected corresponding to an interruption in transmission torque.

5. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic guide element includes more than one selection path, and wherein each selection path is geometrically unique from all other selection paths of the haptic guide element.

6. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area for selecting the operation mode of the transmission is displayed on the touch sensitive display.

7. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein a braking selection path is included to increase an engine braking and/or electric motor braking of the automobile, and wherein the engine braking and/or electric motor braking can be incrementally increased in accordance with the distance the image is moved by the touch gesture of the operator.

8. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic guide element is a molded plastic element, and wherein the selection path is formed by an elevated and/or depressed contour of the molded plastic element.

9. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the haptic guide element includes at least two surface textures, the textures by including the surface of the touch sensitive display and/or a molded plastic attachment of the touch sensitive display.

10. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the haptic guide element includes an electrostatic layer for inducing tactile response on the surface of the touch sensitive display.

11. A method, comprising: forming an operating device for a shift by wire assembly in an automobile, the operating device including: a touch sensitive display for selecting an operation mode of a transmission of the automobile; and a haptic guide element configured to guide a touch gesture of an operator corresponding to the selection of the operation mode, wherein the touch sensitive display is configured to display an image, the image being a graphical, interactive user-interface object that can be moved with the touch gesture of the operator into a predetermined area of the touch sensitive display for selecting the operation mode, and wherein the haptic guide element includes at least one selection path along which the image can be moved.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one selection path includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is oriented such that the image can be moved along a first direction and the second segment is oriented such that the image can be moved along a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction and not the opposite of the first direction.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the touch sensitive display is configured to display the image at a start position and/or move the image to the start position in a passive operating state, and wherein the touch sensitive display is configured to display the image based on the touch gesture of the operator in an active operating state, and wherein the touch sensitive display transitions to the passive operating state after the operation mode of the transmission has been selected.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the selection path includes a transition area between a first segment and a second segment of the at least one selection path, and wherein when the operator touch gesture moves the image into said transitional area, an operation mode of the transmission is selected corresponding to an interruption in transmission torque.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the haptic guide element includes more than one selection path, and wherein each selection path is geometrically unique from all other selection paths of the haptic guide element.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined area for selecting the operation mode of the transmission is displayed on the touch sensitive display.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein a braking selection path is included to increase an engine braking and/or electric motor braking of the automobile, and wherein the engine braking and/or electric motor braking can be incrementally increased in accordance with the distance the image is moved by the touch gesture of the operator.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the haptic guide element is a molded plastic element, and wherein the selection path is formed by an elevated and/or depressed contour of the molded plastic element.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein a surface of the haptic guide element includes at least two surface textures, the textures including the surface of the touch sensitive display and/or a molded plastic attachment of the touch sensitive display.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the haptic guide element includes an electrostatic layer for inducing tactile response on the surface of the touch sensitive display.

Description

[0021] Certain embodiments will next be explained in detail with reference to the following figures. They show:

[0022] FIG. 1: a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2ad: a schematic representation of various operation mode selection gestures according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 3a, b: a sectional top view and a sectional side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] FIG. 4: a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, which can be installed, for example, in the center console of an automobile. The embodiment comprises a structural element 23, a hand rest 25, and a touch sensitive display 3. The structural element 23 serves to support the hand rest 25 and touch sensitive display 3, and further serves as a housing for the hand rest 25 and the touch sensitive display 3.

[0027] The hand rest 25 serves to support the hand and/or arm of an operator V of the automobile and is further embodied to produce haptic feedback for signaling the operator V according to touch gestures performed by the operator V and/or the success of an operation mode R, N, D, B selection.

[0028] The touch sensitive display 3 is partially enclosed by the structural element 23 on three sides, which decreases the likelihood that contact with the touch sensitive display 3 will inadvertently be made by the operator V of the automobile or another occupant of the automobile. The touch sensitive display 3 is also partially covered with a haptic guide element 5, which is a molded plastic element. The molded plastic element comprises a depressed portion 21, i.e. contour 21, which permits access to the surface of the touch sensitive display 3 and serves to guide a finger of the operator V along selection paths 11 displayed on the display 3 for selecting operation modes R, N, D, B of the transmission.

[0029] FIG. 2a shows a schematic representation of a touch gesture for selecting an operation mode N in which the torque transmission is interrupted, also known as neutral N, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the neutral operation mode N is selected by the depicted touch gesture when, initially, a reverse operation mode R is engaged. The operation mode R, N, D, B that is initially, i.e. currently, engaged is displayed by the touch sensitive display 3. At the beginning of the touch gesture, the operator V places a finger at the start position 17, designated by the haptic guide element 5, and thereby selects the image 7, i.e. the interactive user-interface object, displayed on the display 3. This is depicted in the first frame I of FIG. 2a. The contact between the finger and the surface of the touch sensitive display 3 is detected by sensors. When the contact is detected, a program stored in the memory of the device 1 can issue instructions to change the appearance of the image 7. The second frame II of FIG. 2a shows the operator V moving the image along the selection path 11 in a first direction, towards an area 9 of the touch sensitive display 3 designated for selecting the operation mode N in which the torque transmission is interrupted. When the touch gesture of the operator V causes the image to reach the area 9 of the touch sensitive display 3 designated for selecting neutral N, the operator can release, i.e. drop, the image 7 by relinquishing contact with the display 3. When the sensors stop detecting the contact with the touch sensitive display 3 a program run by a processor of the device 1 issues instructions to prompt the selection of an operation mode N in the transmission, for example by sending instructions via a communication interface of the device 1 over a data connection to a controller for the transmission. A program run by the processor is at the same time configured to issue instructions to the display 3 to change the appearance of the image 7 and/or the area 9 of the touch sensitive display 3 designated for selecting the neutral operation mode N. Furthermore, if the selection of the operation mode N is successfully carried out by the transmission controller, then instructions are issued to the display 3 to display the newly selected operation mode N. This is displayed in the third frame III of FIG. 2a. Haptic and/or acoustic feedback can also be output to the operator V with the hand rest as displayed in FIG. 1, for example, or the speakers of the automobile, respectively.

[0030] In FIG. 2b a schematic representation of a touch gesture for selecting a reverse operation mode R of the transmission is shown according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the neutral operation mode N is initially engaged. In the first frame I, the operator V selects the image 7 at the start position 17. In the embodiment of the present disclosure shown here, the image 7 reverts back to the start position 17 whenever the operator V relinquishes contact with the touch sensitive display 3.

[0031] In the second frame II of FIG. 2b the operator V moves the image 7 along a selection path 11r for the reverse operation mode R, as indicated by the directional arrow. The selection path 11r for the reverse operation mode R comprises two segments 13, 15. The first segment 13 essentially comprises the selection path 11n for the neutral, i.e. no gear, operation mode N. The second segment 15 of the selection path 11r for selecting the reverse operation mode R is arranged such that the movement of the image 7 in the second segment 15 is in a second direction X2, in particular essentially perpendicular, to the direction of the movement of the image 7 in the first segment 13. The second direction X2 is also not the opposite of the first direction X1. The transitional area 19 between the two segments 13, 15 essentially corresponds to the area 9 of the touch sensitive display 3 that is designated for selecting the neutral operation mode N.

[0032] In the third frame III of FIG. 2b the selection of the reverse operation mode R is displayed, wherein the operator V drops the image 7 in an area designated 9 and displayed on the touch sensitive display 3 for selecting the reverse operation mode R. That is, the operator V lifts his or her finger from the touch sensitive display 3 when the image 7 is positioned in this area 9 of the display 3.

[0033] FIG. 2c shows a schematic representation of a touch gesture for selecting a drive operation mode D of the transmission is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the neutral operation mode N is initially engaged. The three frames I, II, III shown in FIG. 2c correspond to the three frames as described in connection with FIG. 2b. The selection path 11d for selecting the drive operation mode D shares a common first segment 13 with the selection path for selecting the reverse operation mode R and the neutral operation mode N. In contrast to the touch gesture for selecting the reverse operation mode R, the second segment 15 of the selection path 11d for selecting the drive operation mode D is oriented so as to provide a third direction X3 in which an operator V can move the image 7. The third direction X3 differs from the first direction provided by the first segment 13 of the selection path 11n, 11r, 11d, and not opposite to the first direction X1. The third direction X3 is furthermore different from the second direction X2 provided by the second segment 15 of the selection path 11r for selecting the reverse operation mode R.

[0034] FIG. 2d shows a schematic representation of a touch gesture for selecting an operation mode B of the transmission for increasing the braking capacity of the engine and/or electric motor of the automobile, according to an embodiment of the invention. In a first frame I of FIG. 2d, the operator V has contacted the touch sensitive display 3 at the start position 17 and slightly moved the image 7 along the selection path 11b for selecting the braking operation mode B. The touch sensitive display 3 senses the touch gesture of the operator V and immediately a program in the memory of the device 1 issues instructions to increase the engine braking and/or electric motor braking. Instructions are furthermore issued to the display 3 so that the selection of the braking operation mode B is visually displayed.

[0035] In the second frame II of FIG. 2d, the operator V has moved the image 7 further along the selection path 11b in the direction indicated by the directional arrow. The movement of the image 7 and relatedly the point of contact of the operator V on the touch sensitive display 3 is monitored by sensors of the device 1 and serves as basis for issuing instructions to increase the braking function of the engine and/or electric motor incrementally in accordance with the distance along the selection path 11b the image 7 has been moved. The third frame of the FIG. 2d shows the end of the touch gesture, wherein the operator V has moved the image 7 to the end of the selection path 11b and relinquished contact with the surface of the display 3 so that the braking operation mode B is selected. The final selection of the braking operation mode B can be displayed by the display 3 in a unique way B2 so that the operator V of the automobile can visually verify that the braking operation mode B has been visually selected.

[0036] FIG. 3a shows a sectional top view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein selection paths 11 are displayed for selecting various operation modes R, N, D, B. The selection paths 11r, n, d, b are arranged to be unique in that each selection path 11r, n, d, b has either a unique form and/or a unique spatial orientation, with respect to the other selection paths 11r, n, d, b shown. An operator 11r, n, d, b of the automobile can therefore distinguish by touch alone, where within the shift pattern comprising the selection paths 11r, n, d, b contact is being made.

[0037] FIG. 3b shows a sectional side view of the construction of a touch sensitive display 3 having a haptic guide element 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sectional view displays three layers. The first layer corresponds to the haptic guide element 5, which is shown comprising recessed areas 21. These recesses 21 serve as contours 21 that define the selection paths 11r, n, d, b. A second layer shown in FIG. 3b comprises a touch sensitive layer 27 for monitoring pressure applied to the surface of the touch sensitive display 3. Pressure can be applied by an operator's V finger, for example, via the haptic guide element 5, when the finger is passed along a contour 21 defining a selection path 11r, n, d, b. A third layer displayed corresponds to a display 3disp for displaying the image 7 as well as the areas 9 designated for selecting the various operation modes R, N, D, B. The image 7 can be displayed by the display 3disp such that the when contact with the surface of the touch sensitive display 3 is withdrawn, the image 7 is displayed by the display 3disp moving back to the start position 17.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the segments 13, 15 of the selection paths 11r, n, d, b are no longer arranged essentially perpendicular to each other. Instead, the selection paths 11r, 11 d for selecting the reverse and drive operation modes R, D are arranged such that they share a first segment 13, but the second segments 15 of the respective selection paths 11r, 11 d are angled backwards with respect to the first direction X1 provided by the first segment 13, respectively forming acute angles with the first segment 13 originating at the transitional area 19. This orientation of the respective second segments 15 of the selection pathways 11r, 11 d fulfills the requirements that the second direction X2 provided by the second segment 15 be a direction different from the first direction X1, while not being opposite to the first direction X1, and furthermore, each selection pathway 11r, n, d, b has a unique form and/or spatial orientation. The arrangement of the selection pathways 11r, n, d, b displayed in FIG. 4 provides for a more intuitive and comfortable operation of the operating device 1, in particular for operators V using a right hand to perform touch gestures. For operators V of the automobile who use a left hand to perform touch gestures, the shift pattern formed by the selection paths 11r, n, d, b could of course be inverted, i.e. reflected, or arranged in another way.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0039] 1 operating device [0040] 3 touch sensitive display [0041] 5 haptic guide element [0042] 7 image [0043] 9 selection area [0044] 11r,n,d,b selection path for reverse, neutral, drive, braking [0045] 13 first segment of selection path [0046] 15 second segment of selection path [0047] 17 start position [0048] 19 transitional area [0049] 21 contour [0050] 23 structural element [0051] 25 hand rest [0052] 27 touch sensitive layer [0053] R, N, D, B operation modes reverse, neutral, drive, braking [0054] V operator [0055] X1, X2, X3 first, second, third direction