Control Element

Abstract

A control element, in particular a mechatronic control element of a motor vehicle, for an electronic component, includes a sensor integrated in the control element. An electronic component having such a control element, and a motor vehicle with such an electronic component, are also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for an electronic component, comprising: a control element for the electronic component; and a sensor integrated in the control element.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element for the electronic component is a mechatronic control element of a motor vehicle.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control element comprises: a core and a handling element, the handling element surrounding the core.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensor has a cap, said cap being integrated in the handling element.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a material of the cap is selected based on a measuring method of the sensor.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the core is stationary and the handling element is movable relative to the stationary core, the sensor being integrated in the core.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the core is stationary and the handling element is movable relative to the stationary core, the sensor being integrated in the core.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the core is movable together with the handling element, the sensor being integrated in a region of an axis of motion.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the core is movable together with the handling element, the sensor being integrated in a region of an axis of motion.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor has an interface for transferring measurements to a motor vehicle air conditioning system of the motor vehicle.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control element is configured as a rotary control.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of: a temperature sensor, an air quality sensor, a humidity sensor, a gesture sensor, a proximity sensor or a brightness sensor.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor is one of: a temperature sensor, an air quality sensor, a humidity sensor, a gesture sensor, a proximity sensor or a brightness sensor.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is an NTC sensor.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is an IR sensor.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the core is rotationally fixed and the sensor, which is integrated in the core, tracks a longitudinal motion.

17. A motor vehicle, comprising: an electronic component; and a control element for the electronic control element, wherein a sensor is integrated in the control element.

18. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control element for the electronic component is a mechatronic control element of a motor vehicle; and the control element comprises: a core and a handling element, the handling element surrounding the core.

19. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the core is stationary and the handling element is movable relative to the stationary core, the sensor being integrated in the core.

20. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the core is movable together with the handling element, the sensor being integrated in a region of an axis of motion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic component having a control element.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of a longitudinal section through the control element shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the following, the control element, the electronic component, the motor vehicle and other features and advantages, which are shown schematically in the drawings, are explained in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an electronic component 12 of a motor vehicle, which vehicle is not shown in any detail.

[0026] The electronic component 12 in this case is configured as an audio control panel and has a control element 14, in particular a mechatronic control element, which is configured as a rotary control. In addition to the control element 14, the electronic component 12 has a plurality of additional function buttons 16 for operating the audio control panel.

[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the control element 14 has a handling element 18, a core 20 and a sensor 22. The handling element 18 can be used to set one or more functions of the audio control panel. For this purpose, the handling element 18 is rotatable about a rotary control axis. The core 20 is stationary relative to the handling element 18. The handling element 18 can therefore be rotated relative to the core. The sensor 22 is arranged, in particular integrated, in the stationary core 20.

[0028] The sensor 22 in this case is configured as a temperature sensor, in particular as an interior temperature sensor for a motor vehicle air conditioning system. The sensor 22 is integrated in the stationary core 20 and also has a cap 24 and an interface 26. The cap 24 serves as a functional and design cap for the control element 14 and is connected to the handling element 18 in a positive-fitting and/or materially bonded manner. Furthermore, the cap 24 protects the sensor 22 against environmental influences, such as dust, dirt or moisture. Via the interface 26, the measurements taken by way of the sensor 22 are transmitted to a control device of the motor vehicle air conditioning system (not shown) to control the interior temperature in the passenger compartment. In the present case the interface 26 has a plurality of plug contacts 28, which are inserted into a plug connection of the electronic component 12, in particular of the audio control panel.

[0029] The sensor 22, configured as a temperature sensor, can be implemented by various physical processes, for example using NTC sensors or IR sensors. The sensor surface, or in other words, the cap 24, must then be designed using a material suitable for the temperature measurement.

[0030] For example, in the case of an NTC sensor the cap 24 is made of brass, and in the case of an IR sensor from an IR-radiation-permeable plastic.

[0031] In the present case, the sensor 22 is integrated in a core 20, which is stationary with respect to the handling element 18 of the control element 14. In an embodiment not shown, the control element 14 can be fitted with a non-stationary core 20, the sensor 22 then being integrated on the rotary control axis. For the transmission of the measurements a suitable contact system must then be selected, such as a slider spring system or an optical signal transmission system.

[0032] The control element 14 in this case is configured as a rotary control of an audio control panel. In addition, the control element 14 can also be configured as a rotary control of an infotainment system. In addition to the integration of the sensor 22 in a rotary control, the sensor 22 can also be integrated in a button.

[0033] The integration of the sensor 22, which in the present case is configured as a temperature sensor, in particular an interior temperature sensor for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, into a control element 14, in particular into a mechatronic control element, avoids a design of the sensor 22 in an exposed situation and achieves a space-efficient integration. In addition, this avoids the use of additional joints, which can detract from the visual appeal. In addition, the geometric installation space is reduced. Finally, the integration of the sensor 22 in a control element 14 offers a functional advantage, since the masking or influencing of the sensor value is avoided.

[0034] Instead of a temperature sensor, another type of sensor such as an air quality sensor, a humidity sensor, a gesture sensor, a proximity sensor or a brightness sensor can also be integrated in the control element 14.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0035] 12 electronic component

[0036] 14 control element

[0037] 16 function button

[0038] 18 handling element

[0039] 20 core

[0040] 22 sensor

[0041] 24 cap

[0042] 26 interface

[0043] 28 plug contact

[0044] 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.