DISPLAY AND OPERATING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE COMPONENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a display and operating device (10) for at least one vehicle component, in particular a radio, a CD and/or DVD player or similar audio and/or video player, a navigation device, an infotainment device, a heating, ventilating or aid condition control unit, or a human-machine interface, which is provided with a mechanical control element (18) for setting an operational parameter of at least one first vehicle component and a touch screen (12) for outputting information, and control keys (14) and/or other operational parameters for the first vehicle component and/or at least one second vehicle component. The touch screen (12) comprises a recess (16) and the mechanical operating element (18) is arranged in the recess (16) of the touch screen (12).

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A display and operating device for at least one vehicle component which is in particular a radio, a CD and/or DVD player or similar audio and/or video player, a navigation device, an infotainment device, a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning control unit or a human-machine interface, having a rotary operating element for setting an operational parameter of at least one first vehicle component, and a touch screen for outputting information, for displaying control keys and/or for inputting further operational parameters for said first vehicle component and for at least one second vehicle component, wherein said touch screen comprises a recess, and said mechanical operating element is arranged in said recess of said touch screen.

12. The display and operating device according to claim 11, wherein the touch screen annularly extends around the recess.

13. The display and operating device according to claim 11, wherein the recess of the touch screen is configured as an edge recess.

14. The display and operating device according to claim 12, wherein the recess of the touch screen is configured as an edge recess.

15. The display and operating device according to claim 11, wherein the touch screen is designed for outputting a mechanical, acoustical or optical feedback upon a tactile input.

16. The display and operating device according to claim 12, wherein the touch screen is designed for outputting a mechanical, acoustical or optical feedback upon a tactile input.

17. The display and operating device according to claim 13, wherein the touch screen is designed for outputting a mechanical, acoustical or optical feedback upon a tactile input.

18. The display and operating device according to claim 11, wherein the touch screen comprise a closed surface.

19. The display and operating device according to claim 13, wherein the touch screen comprise a closed surface.

20. The display and operating device according to claim 14, wherein the touch screen comprise a closed surface.

21. A center console for a vehicle having the display and operating device according to claim 11.

22. The center console according to claim 21, wherein the touch screen annularly extends around the recess.

23. The center console according to claim 21, wherein the recess of the touch screen is configured as an edge recess.

24. The center console according to claim 21, wherein the touch screen is designed for outputting a mechanical, acoustical or optical feedback upon a tactile input.

25. The center console according to claim 21, wherein the touch screen comprise a closed surface.

26. A vehicle having the display and operating device according to claim 11.

27. The vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the touch screen annularly extends around the recess.

28. A vehicle having the center console according to claim 21.

29. The vehicle according to claim 28, wherein the touch screen annularly extends around the recess.

30. The vehicle according to claim 28, wherein the recess of the touch screen is configured as an edge recess.

Description

[0021] Hereunder the invention is explained in greater detail on the basis of two exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings in which

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the display and operating device, and

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a display and operating device.

[0024] In FIG. 1 a display and operating device 10 is shown which comprises a touch screen 12 having plurality of control key fields, hereinafter referred to as control keys 14. The touch screen 12 further includes a centrally arranged recess 16 in which a mechanical operating element 18 is arranged. In this exemplary embodiment, the mechanical operating element 18 is configured as a gear selector lever 20. Such a display and operating device 10 may typically be provided in a vehicle center console such that the driver mechanically selects the gear and further components of the vehicle by means of the various control keys 14. Which vehicle components are adjusted to which extent via the display and operating device can be programmed at will such that the display and operating device 10 can be manufactured independent of the vehicle equipment. Depending on said vehicle equipment it may be determined by adaptation of the display and operating device software which vehicle components can be controlled to which extent and which operational parameters are to be captured by the display and operating device 10. Further, by adaptation of the software thus the number of the displayed control keys 14 as well as the size of these control keys 14 can be adjusted at will. Further, one or more of the virtual control keys 14 can be replaced in a simple manner by display areas which do not receive any input by the user but can only output information regarding one or a plurality of vehicle components and/or general operational information, such as the current vehicle speed, the fuel consumption or the vehicle interior temperature, for example.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 a display and operating device 10 is illustrated, wherein the recess 16 of the touch screen 12 is configured as an edge recess and the mechanical operating element 18 is configured in the form of a rotary/press operating element 22. Due to the fact that the recess 16 is configured as an edge recess a larger display and operating area of the touch screen 12 is available to the user, said area being located in his immediate vicinity. Thus there exist no control keys 14 arranged behind the mechanical operating element 18, as seen from the viewpoint of the driver, for example, which control keys might be difficult to access by the driver. In many exemplary applications the touch screen 12 which is U-shaped in this exemplary embodiment offers the user an easier input of the operational parameters and is also easier to read since the mechanical operating element 18 does not obstruct the view to the active area of the touch screen 12. Further, in the display and operating device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 the mechanical operating element 18 is configured s as a rotary/press operating element 22 which is suitable for operating audio players and navigation devices. In this exemplary embodiment, the active area of the touch screen 12 is divided into numerous areas each of which may serve as a control key 14 or may be reprogrammed at will to serve as display areas.

[0026] In both exemplary embodiments it is shown that between the control keys 14 and 14, respectively, illustrated by the touch screen 12 and 12, respectively, no interspaces exist such that the display and operating devices 10 and 10, respectively, of the exemplary embodiments are protected against entering of liquid or food.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0027] 10, 10 Display and operating device

[0028] 12, 12 Touch screen

[0029] 14, 14 Control keys

[0030] 16, 16 Recess

[0031] 18, 18 Mechanical operating element

[0032] 20 Gear selector lever

[0033] 22 Rotary/press operating element