Operator Control Device for Controlling Functions of a Motor Vehicle and Method for Operating Same

Abstract

An operating device for controlling functions of a motor vehicle, includes an operator control element which can be displaced from a rest position beyond a first actuating position into a second actuating position. The operating device has a control unit which is designed to actuate, in accordance with a function which is assigned to the operator control element, a display device for displaying information associated with the function if the operating element is positioned in the first actuating position. The control unit is configured to trigger the function if the operator control element is positioned in the second actuating position. The operating device is configured to output a tactilely perceptible feedback in at least one of the positions of the operator control element.

Claims

1. An operator control device for controlling functions of a motor vehicle, comprising: an operator control element which is movable out of a position of rest, beyond a first activation position and into a second activation position; and a control unit which is configured to actuate, in accordance with a function to which the operator control element is assigned, a display device to display information associated with the function, if the operator control element is arranged in the first activation position, and to trigger the function if the operator control element is arranged in the second activation position, wherein the operator control device is configured to output feedback, which is perceptible in a tactile fashion, in at least one of the first and second activation positions of the operator control element.

2. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein in the first activation position, an activation portion of the operator control element comes to rest against a stop step, as a result of which the feedback perceptible in a tactile fashion is generated.

3. The operator control device according to claim 2, wherein in the second activation position, an activation portion of the operator control element comes to rest against an end stop, as a result of which the feedback perceptible in a tactile fashion is generated.

4. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate a first actuator, which acts on the operator control element, to output the feedback perceptible in a tactile fashion.

5. The operator control device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate a second actuator, which acts on a component which is different from the operator control device, to output the feedback perceptible in a tactile fashion.

6. The operator control device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the actuators to output the feedback in at least one of the positions of the operator control element.

7. The operator control device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the actuators to output the feedback in at least one of the positions of the operator control element.

8. The operator control device according to claim 1, wherein the operator control device is protected at least in certain areas against a penetration of moisture.

9. A method of operating an operator control device that controls functions of a motor vehicle, the operator control device having an operator control element movable out of a rest position, beyond a first activation position, and into a second activation position, and having a control unit configured to actuate a display device in accordance with a function to which the operator control element is assigned, the method comprising the acts of: in accordance with a function to which the operator control element is assigned, actuating the display device via the control unit to display information associated with the function if the operator control element is arranged in the first activation position; in accordance with the function to which the operator control element is assigned, triggering the function via the control unit if the operator control element is arranged in the second activation position; and outputting, via the operator control device, feedback perceptible in a tactile fashion in at least one of the first and second activation positions of the operator control element.

10. The method of operating the operator control device according to claim 9, wherein another function is allocated to the operator control element by the control unit if the operator control element is held for a predefined minimum time period in the second activation position, and during said time period an element which represents the other function is marked visually by way of the display device.

11. The method for operating an operator control device according to claim 10, wherein an actuator for outputting the feedback perceptible in a tactile fashion is actuated by the control unit as soon as the allocation of the other function to the operator control element occurs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic block circuit diagram of an operator control device for controlling functions of a motor vehicle.

[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B show an operator control element of the operator control device which is arranged in the first activation position (FIG. 2A) and in the second activation position (FIG. 2B).

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates steps of a method for operating the operator control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block circuit diagram of an operator control device 1 for controlling functions of a motor vehicle which is embodied as a motorbike. A motorbike is a single-track motor vehicle astride which a user sits, similarly to a bicycle. Since a motorbike, which can also be referred to as a motorcycle, does not have a passenger cell, the user and operator control elements of the motorbike are not insulated from the environment. Moreover, when riding the motorbike, the user is, of course, exposed to influences of the weather, in addition to the airstream, for which reason the user of the motorcycle is usually protected by use of special protective clothing, which can include a pair of gloves. Furthermore, the direct physical contact between the rider of the motorbike and the motorbike leads to a situation in which vibrations of the motorbike are transmitted directly to the rider. Correspondingly, particular requirements are made of operator control devices of motorbikes, which will be described in more detail below.

[0028] Correspondingly, FIG. 1 illustrates the operator control device 1 which has a control unit 2 and an operator control element 3 which is connected thereto. The operator control element 3 can assume three positions. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the operator control element 3 is arranged in the position of rest. This means that an activation portion 4 of the operator control element 3 is not activated and is in the home position. If the operator control portion 4 is activated, that is to say for example pressed by the driver, the operator control element 3 can be moved into a first activation position. If an activation operation ends at this point, the operator control element is configured to return automatically to the activation position. For example the operator control element can have a spring element which can be tensioned by moving the operator control portion 4 within the operator control element 3, but this is not explained in more detail. Accordingly, the operator control portion 4 can be moved, in particular, automatically into the position of rest by relaxing the spring element.

[0029] The operator control element 3 is connected in a wireless and/or wire-bound fashion to the control unit 2. In addition, the operator control device 1 is connected to a display device 5, wherein this connection can also be implemented in a wireless and/or wire-bound fashion. In particular, the display device 5 can be connected to the control unit 2 of the operator control device 1. Moreover, the operator control device 1 can have at least one actuator 6 which can be connected to the control unit 2. Alternatively or additionally, the operator control device 1 can be connected to at least one external actuator 7, for example the external actuator 7 can be connected to the control unit 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the operator control device 1 is connected to the motorbike. This means that the operator control device 1 is connected at least to part of the vehicle electronics 8 of the motorbike, that is to say to part of the motorbike, as a result of which the operator control device 1 is able to control, in particular, secondary vehicle functions of the motorbike via the control unit 2. In particular, the operator control device 1 is configured to control a secondary vehicle function, in particular to trigger it, via the control unit 2 in accordance with an activation position of the operator control element 3.

[0031] As already described, the display device 5 is connected to the operator control device 1 in such a way that information can be output on the display device 5 by way of the control unit 2. If the operator control element 3 is deflected from the position of rest and moved into the first activation position, it is possible, in accordance therewith, to output information which is associated with a vehicle function on the display device 5. In particular, this information can be associated with the vehicle function which is currently allocated to the operator control element 3. For example, the calling up of the on-board computer can be allocated to the operator control element 3. This means that if the user of the motorbike arranges the operator control element 3 in the first activation position, for example the information that the operator control element 3 is linked to the function of the on-board computer is output on the display device 5 via the control unit 2. If the operator control element 3 is arranged beyond the first activation position into the second activation position, the function which is currently allocated to the operator control element 3 is triggered. In order to pick up the above example again, the on-board computer can be called up, for example, when the operator control element 3 is activated into the second activation position.

[0032] The operator control device 1 is also configured to output feedback, which can be perceived in a tactile fashion, to the user of the motorbike, for example, via the operator control element 3 itself and/or via one or more actuators 6 or via one or more actuators 7, if the operator control element 3 is arranged in the first activation position and/or in the second activation position. This means that under adverse conditions the user of the motorbike, in particular the rider, can himself sense whether he has arranged the operator control element 3 in the first activation position and/or in the second activation position. In particular, as a result, the rider of the motorbike is able to sense through the protective clothing the activation position in which the operator control element 3 is currently arranged. Therefore, when the rider of the motorbike activates the operator control element 3 it is already clear to him whether information is output on the display device 5 or whether the function which is associated with the operator control element 3 is triggered. In other words, the rider of the motorbike can decide in a precisely targeted fashion whether he wishes to obtain only information relating to the corresponding function or whether he would ultimately like to trigger this function.

[0033] FIGS. 2A and 2B each show a schematic illustration of a principle of the operator control element 3 of the operator control device 1, which operator control element 3 is arranged in the first activation position (FIG. 2A) and in the second activation position (FIG. 2B). Starting from the position of rest of the operator control element 3 as shown in FIG. 1, the operator control portion 4 of the operator control element 3 can be deflected by a first activation force 9, for example counter to a spring element (not illustrated in more detail). In order then to generate feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion, the operator control element 3 can have a stop step 10 which can be overcome in a reversible fashion. For example, the stop step 10 can be embodied by at least one spring-elastic element against which the operator control portion 4 of the operator control element 3 impacts as soon as the latter has been moved into the first activation position. This impacting of the operator control portion 4 on the stop step forms the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion by the user of the motorbike, which feedback indicates to said user that the operator control element 3 is arranged in the first activation position.

[0034] If, starting from the first activation position as shown in FIG. 2A, a second activation force 11 is applied to the activation portion 4 of the operator control element 3, said activation portion 4 can be moved into the second activation position by virtue of the fact that the stop step 10, i.e. the elastic spring element, can, for example, be overridden. If the stop step 10 is overridden, when there is maximum deflection the operator control portion 4 bears on an end stop 12 which can be formed, for example, by a base of the operator control element 3. It is clear to the rider of the motorbike at the latest when the operator control portion 4 strikes against the end stop 12, that is to say against the base of the operator control element 3, that the operator control element is arranged in the second activation position. In addition, the feedback which can be perceived in a perceptible fashion by the user of the motorbike can also be brought about by virtue of the fact that in comparison a larger force is necessary to override the stop step 10 than to activate the operator control element into the first activation position.

[0035] Referring again to FIG. 1, it is illustrated there that the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion can also be generated by way of the actuator 6. The actuator 6 can be in mechanical contact with the operator control element 3, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 by a dashed line. This means that the control unit 2 can be configured to investigate an activation of the operator control element 3 to determine whether it is arranged in the first activation position or in the second activation position. Depending on the result, the control unit 2 can actuate the actuator 6 so that it conducts feedback, which can be perceived in a tactile fashion, for example vibration, to the user of the motorbike via the operator control element 3. In particular, the control unit 2 can be configured to actuate the actuator 6 in such a way that first feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion is output if the operator control element 3 is arranged in the first activation position, and that second feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion is output to the operator control element 3 via the actuator 6 if the operator control element 3 is arranged in the second activation position. In this context, the first feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion and the second feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion are different from one another.

[0036] In addition, it is illustrated in FIG. 1 that the operator control device 1 and, in particular, the control unit 2 can be configured to be able to output the feedback, which is described above, and can be perceived in a tactile fashion, alternatively or additionally via the actuator 7. In this context, the actuator 7 can be in mechanical contact with a component of the motorbike which is different from the operator control device. For example, the actuator 7 can be in mechanical contact with a steering element of the motorbike, with a pedal arrangement of the motorbike or with a seat surface of the motorbike, etc. Accordingly, the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion can correspondingly be sensed by the driver of the motorcycle, for example at the steering element, at the pedal arrangement and/or on the seat surface, as soon as the operator control element 3 is arranged in the first activation position or in the second activation position.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows steps of a method for operating the operator control device which is described above. In a first step S1, the operator control element 3 is deflected into the first activation position. As a result, the control unit 2 causes the display device 5 to output the information which is associated with the function. In a second step S2, the operator control element 3 is deflected into the second activation position, for example by way of the second activation force 11, so that the vehicle function which is linked to the operator control element 3 is triggered by the control unit 2. In this context, the first activation force can be lower than the second activation force.

[0038] At the same time as the first step S1 and/or at the same time as the second step S2, feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion is output by the control unit 2 in that the control unit 2 actuates the actuator 6 and/or the actuator 7. The actuator 6 is mechanically connected to the operator control element 3 so that the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion is output via the operator control element 3. The actuator 7 is mechanically connected to a part of the motorbike which is different from the operator control device, so that the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion is output at this location. For example, the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion can be output at a steering element, at a pedal arrangement and/or on a seat surface, etc., of the motorbike.

[0039] If it is detected, for example, by the control unit 2 that the operator control element 3 is held for a predefined minimum time in the second activation position, the control unit 2 allocates a different function to the operator control element. In particular, the control unit 2 allocates to the operator control element 3 the function which is currently marked visually by means of the display device but is not triggered. In other words, the rider of the motorbike navigates, by means of a control element (not described in more detail) and using the display device 5, to the corresponding entry which triggers the function which the user of the motorbike would like to apply to the operator control element 3 according to their desires. If the operator control element 3 is then activated beyond the first activation position into the second activation position and held there for the predefined minimum period, the control unit 2 links the entry which is currently marked on the display device, that is to say for example triggering of a function, to the operator control element 3. Again, in other words, the operator control element 3 can be programmed by a user of the motorbike, in particular the rider. That is to say the user therefore allocates to the operator control element 3 a function which is desired by him, so that simple activation of this operator control element 3 triggers the allocated function, or a corresponding function is output on the display device 5.

[0040] If the allocation of another function as described above to the operator control element 3 has been concluded, the actuator 6 and/or the actuator 7 can be actuated by way of the control unit, so that feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion is generated in order to signal to the user of the motorbike that the allocation of the other function to the operator control element 3 was successful. In particular, the feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion can be, as confirmation of the association of the other function with the operator control element, further feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion and is different from the previously described feedback which can be perceived in a tactile fashion.

[0041] The preceding description also applies to an operator control device which is used in a multi-track motor vehicle, that is to say for example in a passenger car, a utility vehicle, etc.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0042] 1 Operator control device [0043] 2 Control unit [0044] 3 Operator control element [0045] 4 Activation portion [0046] 5 Display device [0047] 6 Actuator included in the operator control device 1 [0048] 7 Actuator which is external to the operator control device 1 [0049] 8 Vehicle electronics [0050] 9 Stop step [0051] 10 Spring-elastic element [0052] 11 Second activation force [0053] 12 End stop [0054] S1 First method step [0055] S2 Second method step

[0056] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.