Actuating Device with Cover Element, Vehicle, and Method

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device (10) for triggering a function of a vehicle (1) by a user, having a cover element (11) for a vehicle part (2) of the vehicle (1) with a cover inner side (11.1) and a cover outer side (11.2), an electronics unit (12) having a sensor unit (20) for detecting an actuation action (200) of the user for triggering the function of the vehicle (1), an electronics outer side (12.2), and an electronics inner side (12.1) facing the electronics outer side (12.2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle (1), and to a method (100).

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An actuating device for triggering a function of a vehicle by a user, comprising a planar cover element for a vehicle part of the vehicle with a cover inner side and a cover outer side, an electronics unit having a sensor unit for detecting an actuation action of the user for triggering the function of the vehicle, an electronics outer side and an electronics inner side which is opposite the electronics outer side, wherein the electronics unit is oriented with the electronics outer side towards the cover inner side and is arranged on the cover element in order to detect the actuation action on the cover outer side, wherein a first sleeve section for protecting the electronics inner side is arrested to the cover element, so that the cover element and the first sleeve section form a closed sleeve for protecting the electronics unit.

22. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the first sleeve section has a casting compound or a lid element.

23. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the cover element has an electronics receptacle for receiving the electronics unit.

24. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit has a circuit board with at least one sensor element of the sensor unit for detecting the actuation action.

25. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the sensor unit has a plurality of sensor elements for detecting the actuation action, whereby a direction of the actuation action can be identified.

26. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the sensor elements are arranged in a regular pattern on the circuit board.

27. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit has an information unit by means of which at least the detection of the actuation action can be confirmed to the user on the outer side of the cover or a start of the actuation action can be signaled.

28. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the information unit is an optical information unit and the cover element has at least one light transmitting window area through which an optical signal can be transmitted to the user by the information unit.

29. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the information unit has a plurality of light emitters for emitting an optical signal to the user.

30. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit is enclosed in a frame with which the electronics unit can be positioned on the cover element.

31. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics outer side of the electronics unit is covered with casting compound, so that the casting compound can be conveyed from the electronics inner side to the electronics outer side while the electronics unit is arranged on the cover element.

32. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit has a touch sensor for detecting a pressure on the cover element, as a result of which a further function of the vehicle can be triggered.

33. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit has an identification device for identifying the user.

34. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit comprises a proximity sensor for detecting an approach of a user.

35. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the circuit board has a plurality of conductor layers, the sensor unit being arranged on a first conductor layer and at least the touch sensor or the identification device being arranged on a further conductor layer.

36. The actuating device according to claim 21, wherein the electronics unit has a control unit for evaluating sensor signals from the sensor unit and for actuating the information unit as a function of the sensor signals.

37. A vehicle comprising an actuating device according to claim 21, for triggering a function of the vehicle by a user, comprising a planar cover element of a vehicle part of the vehicle, which has a cover inner side and a cover outer side, an electronics unit having a sensor unit for detecting an actuation action of the user for triggering the function of the vehicle, an electronics outer side and an electronics inner side facing the electronics outer side, wherein the electronics unit is oriented with the electronics outer side towards the cover inner side and is arranged on the cover element in order to detect the actuation action on the cover outer side, wherein a first sleeve section for protecting the electronics inner side is arrested to the cover element, so that the cover element and the first sleeve section form a closed sleeve for protecting the electronics unit.

38. The vehicle according to claim 37, wherein the vehicle part is a door of the vehicle, an opening element being provided for automatically opening the door as a function of the actuation action.

39. A method for manufacturing an actuating device according to claim 21, the method comprising: providing a planar cover element for a vehicle part of a vehicle with a cover inner side and a cover outer side, providing an electronics unit with a sensor unit for detecting an actuation action of the user for triggering the function of the vehicle, arranging the electronics unit on the cover element so that an electronics outer side of the electronics unit is oriented towards the cover inner side of the cover element, attaching a first sleeve section for protecting the electronics inner side to the cover element, so that the cover element and the first sleeve section form a closed sleeve for protecting the electronics unit.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the first sleeve section is formed by a casting compound which is cast with the electronics unit and the cover element.

Description

[0038] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this connection, the features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. It shows schematically:

[0039] FIG. 1 a vehicle according to the invention with an actuating device according to the invention in a first embodiment example

[0040] FIG. 2 a schematic exploded view of the actuating device,

[0041] FIGS. 3-4 different embodiments of the actuating device in sectional view,

[0042] FIG. 5 another schematic exploded view of an actuating device or,

[0043] FIG. 6A schematic representation of the method steps/stages according to the invention,

[0044] FIGS. 7-8 show an electronics unit of the actuating device in a further example,

[0045] FIGS. 9-10 an electronics unit of the actuating device in a further embodiment,

[0046] FIGS. 11-13 Different conductor layers of a circuit board of the electronics unit.

[0047] In the following description of some embodiments of the invention, the identical reference signs are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment with a vehicle part 2, which is designed/configured in particular as a vehicle door in the form of a sliding door. Thereby, the vehicle 1 further comprises an actuating device 10 for triggering a function of the vehicle 1. The actuating device 10 can thereby—as shown by way of example—be arranged on a B-pillar 2.1 and/or on a vehicle part 2, in particular in the form of a door or sliding door, of the vehicle 1. The function may, for example, be an automatic opening and/or closing of the sliding door. In this case, the function is performed in particular as a function of an actuation action 200 of a user. For example, an actuation action 200 in the form of a gesture along an opening direction of the vehicle part 2 can initiate the opening of the vehicle part 2 or an actuation action 200 in the form of a gesture in the opposite direction to the opening direction can initiate the closing of the vehicle part 2.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating device 10 has a planar cover element 11 of the vehicle part 2. The planar configuration of the cover element 11 may extend, for example, along a portion of the body of the vehicle 1 or behind a glass pane of the vehicle part 2. The cover element 11 comprises a cover outer side 11.2 and a cover inner side 11.1. The cover outer side 11.2 preferably forms a surface of the vehicle part 2 visible from outside the vehicle 1 and/or a part of a body surface 1.1. For example, the cover element 11 may be part of a cover in the region of a B-pillar 2.1 of the vehicle 1. An electronics unit 12 is arranged, in particular directly, on the cover element 11 and has an electronics outer side 12.2 and an electronics inner side 12.1. The electronics outer side 12.2 is oriented towards the cover inner side 11.1 of the cover element 11. The cover inner side 11.1 is opposite the cover outer side 11.2. In particular, the cover inner side 11.1 is oriented towards a vehicle inner side of the vehicle 1 and/or a cover inner side 11.1 of the vehicle part 2. However, it is also conceivable that the cover element 11 is part of a cover inner side 11.1 of the vehicle 1. In this case, the electronics inner side 12.1 can be oriented towards an outer side of the vehicle 1, for example.

[0050] Furthermore, the electronics unit 12 has a sensor unit 20 for detecting the actuation action 200 of the user. The sensor unit 20 is preferably arranged on the electronics outer side 12.2 of the electronics unit 12, in particular so that only the cover element 11 is located between the sensor unit 20 and the cover outer side 11.2. Due to the arrangement of the electronics unit 12 on the cover inner side 11.1 of the cover element 11, the electronics outer side 12.2 is protected by the cover element 11. To protect the electronics inner side 12.1, the actuating device 10 further comprises a first sleeve section 31 which is directly or indirectly attached to the fairing element 11, so that the fairing element 11 and the first sleeve section 31 form a closed sleeve 30. Possible embodiments of the sleeve 30 are shown by way of example in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a sleeve 30 in which the first sleeve section 31 is formed by a casting compound 31.1. A circuit board 13 of the electronics unit 12 is also enclosed in a frame 14, by means of which the electronics unit 12 can be handled more easily during assembly and/or can be materially-bonded to the cover element 11. The casting compound 31.1 is thereby form-fittingly to the cover element 11 and preferably completely covers the electronics inner side 12.1. Furthermore, in particular also the electronics outer side 12.2 is at least partially or completely covered with the casting compound 31.1, so that at least the sensor unit 20 is covered by the casting compound 31.1. Preferably, the sensor unit 20, the electronics unit 12 and/or the sleeve 30 is formed at least partially symmetrically with respect to an intermediate level 10.1, whereby the actuating device 10 can be optionally mounted on two opposite vehicle sides.

[0052] Furthermore, the electronics unit 12 has an information unit 40 by means of which the detection of the actuation action 200 can be confirmed to the user on the outer side of the cover 11.2 and/or a start of the actuation action 200 can be signaled. The information unit 40 comprises a plurality of light emitters 42 for emitting a visual signal to the user. The light emitters 42 may in particular be illuminants in the form of LEDs. The light emitters 42 are arranged in a row with respect to each other and separated by separation section 43. By arranging the light emitters 42 in a row, for example, a direction of the actuation action 200 detected by the sensor unit 20 can be indicated to a user by activating the light emitters 42 along the row one after the other. The separation section 43 may be formed by an intermediate element 43.1 arranged between the cover element 11 and the electronics unit 12. In particular, the separation section 43 are opaque and/or opaque, so that light emitted by the light emitters 42 can be guided separately to the cover outer side 11.2 for each light emitter 42. Preferably, the intermediate element 43.1 may further be elastic and biased against the circuit board 13 of the electronics unit 12. As a result, each of the light emitters 42 can be encapsulated, in particular circumferentially, so that when the electronics unit 12 is poured with the casting compound 31.1, the light emitters 42 remain free of casting compound 31.1. Furthermore, the cover element 11 comprises a light-transmitting window area 41 through which an optical signal of the information unit 40 can be transmitted to the user. For example, the window area 41 may comprise a transparent window material 41.1, in particular a transparent plastic. The transparent window material 41.1 may be injection-molded onto an opaque and/or opaque base material of the cover element 11, for example, as a plastic injection-molded component, during a production of the cover element 11.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, the light emitters 42 can also be parts of a display or the like. Furthermore, it is additionally or alternatively conceivable that an acoustic indication or an indication in the form of radio signals can be output to the user by the information unit 40. It is further conceivable that the separation section 43 are formed by the cover element 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the separation section 43 can be formed integrally with the cover element 11. In this case, the separation section 43 preferably extend in a rib-like manner to the circuit board 13.

[0054] FIG. 4 further shows a sleeve 30, in which the first sleeve section 31 is formed by a, in particular rigid, lid element 31.2. The lid element 31.2 can, for example, comprise a hard plastic and be placed on the cover element 11 with the electronics unit 12 during assembly of the actuating device 10. In this case, a seal between the lid element 31.2 and the cover element 11 can advantageously be implemented by a sealing means/element 33, in particular running around the lid element 31.2. The sealing means/element 33 may, for example, comprise a silicone. Furthermore, the sealing means/element 33 can at the same time form a materially-bonded fastening of the lid element 31.2 to the cover element 11.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a further exploded view of the actuating device 10, in which the cover element 11 has an electronics receptacle 15 for a form-fitting reception of the electronics unit 12, in particular with the frame 14. Furthermore, an connection 35 can be provided, by means of which the electronics unit 12 can be connected or is connected to a vehicle electronics system and/or vehicle power supply. For this purpose, the connection 35 may protrude from the sleeve 30. In particular, the connection 35 may be casted with the sealing means/element 33 and/or the casting compound 31.1.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a method 100 for manufacturing the actuating device 10 in schematic representation of the method steps/stages. In this case, providing 101 of the cover element 11 and provision 102 of the electronics unit 12 are provided. When providing 101 the cover element 11, the cover element 11 can, for example, be manufactured in a plastic injection molding process and/or taken from a store. When providing 101 the electronics unit 12, the sensor unit 20 and/or further electrical components can be arranged on the circuit board 13 of the electronics unit 12, in particular by a printing and/or etching process. Subsequently, the electronics unit 12 is arranged 103 on the cover element 11 so that the electronics outer side 12.2 of the electronics unit 12 is oriented towards the cover inner side 11.1 of the cover element 11. In particular, the electronics unit 12 can thereby be form-fittingly and/or force-fittingly fastened in a frame 14, with which the electronics unit 12 is arranged on the cover element 11, in particular on the electronics receptacle 15. Furthermore, the method 100 comprises fastening 104 the first sleeve section 31 to the cover element 11 so that the cover element 11 and the first sleeve section 31 form the closed sleeve 30. For example, the electronics unit 12 may be thereby encapsulated with the cover element 11 when the first sleeve section 31 is formed by the casting compound 31.1 as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing means/element 33 can be applied when fastening 104 the first sleeve section 31, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an electronics unit 12 for the actuating device 10 in a possible embodiment. In this case, a circuit board 13 of the electronics unit 12 is arranged in a frame 14, by means of which fastening to a cover element 11 can be simplified. For this purpose, the frame 14 has latching elements 14.1 into which the circuit board 13 can be clipped. Furthermore, the frame 14 preferably has one or more receiving means/element 14.2 for a casting nozzle for casting compound 31.1, whereby the casting compound 31.1 can be advantageously distributed from an electronics inner side 12.1 over an electronics outer side 12.2. FIG. 7 shows the electronics unit 12 from the inner side of the electronics 12.1 and FIG. 8 shows the electronics unit 12 from the outer side of the electronics 12.2 opposite the inner side of the electronics 12.1. On the electronics outer side 12.2, sensor elements 21 of a sensor unit 20 are arranged in a regular pattern in a matrix-like manner on the circuit board 13. Each of the sensor elements 21 forms a capacitive surface. The sensor unit 20 is thus in particular a capacitive sensor, whereby a contactless actuation action 200 can be detected by the sensor unit 20. Furthermore, due to the matrix-like arrangement of the sensor elements 21, a direction of the actuation action 200 can be identified. For example, when a user brushes past a cover outer side 11.2 of the cover element 11, an electric field in the sensor elements 21 changes sequentially depending on the direction of the actuation action 200. Based on the sequence of detection by the sensor elements 21, the direction of the actuation action 200 can be inferred. For this purpose, the electronics unit 12 preferably has a control unit 25 for evaluating sensor signals from the sensor unit 20. Furthermore, an information unit 40 may be controllable by the control unit 25 in order to indicate to the user, for example, the detection of the actuation action 200 and/or the direction of the actuation action 200. In each case corresponding to the sensor elements 21, shielding elements 21.1 for shielding the sensor elements 21 are arranged in a matrix-like manner on the electronics inner side 12.1. In particular, an opposite shielding element 21.1 is associated with each of the sensor elements 21.

[0058] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an electronics unit 12 for the actuating device 10 in a further possible embodiment. Here, the electronics unit 12 corresponds essentially to the electronics unit 12 of the embodiment example of FIGS. 7 and 8, but the sensor elements 21 of the sensor unit 20 are designed/configured and arranged in a strip-like manner. While in the case of a matrix-like arrangement it may also be possible to detect several directions of an actuation action 200, the direction of the actuation action 200 can be detected along a straight line in the case of the strip-like sensor elements 21. However, the strip-like arrangement of the sensor elements 21 results in a larger capacitive field for the same installation space in each case, which can reduce false detection. On an electronics inner side 12.1, shielding elements 21.1 are arranged in a strip-like manner corresponding to the strip-like design/configuration of the sensor elements 21.

[0059] In addition to the sensor unit 20, the electronics unit 12 preferably comprises a touch sensor 22, an identification means/device 23 and/or a proximity sensor 24, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The identification means/device 23 may in particular comprise a radio element 23.1, in particular in the form of an electric coil, which may be printed as a circumferential conductor track on the circuit board 13. The identification means/device 23 may enable contactless data exchange with an ID transponder of the user. Thus, the identification means/device 23 may preferably comprise an NFC interface, a BLE interface and/or a UWB interface. This enables identification and/or authentication of the user, in particular by vehicle electronics with which the identification means/device 23 can be brought into data communication connection. Depending on the identification of the user by the identification means/device 23, automatic locking and/or unlocking of the vehicle 1 may be provided. The touch sensor 22 may comprise, for example, an LDC sensor by means of which a deformation due to a touch or pressure on the cover element 11 can be detected. Depending on the actuation of the touch sensor 22, a further function of the vehicle 1, such as an automatic opening movement and/or an automatic closing movement of the vehicle part 2 or an emergency stop can be triggered when moving the vehicle part 2. By means of the in particular additional proximity sensor 24, it may be possible, for example, to send an alarm signal to further electronic components as a function of a detection of the approach of the user. Preferably, the touch sensor 22, the identification means/device 23 and/or the proximity sensor 24 are arranged in different conductor layers 13.1, 13.2 on the circuit board 13. Thereby, for example according to FIG. 11, the sensor unit 20 and the identification means/device 23 can be arranged together on a first conductor layer 13.1. The touch sensor 22 and the proximity sensor 24 can furthermore each be arranged on a second conductor layer 13.2 of the circuit board 13. By means of a multilayer design/configuration of the circuit board 13, a compact design/configuration can be achieved, by means of which the circuit board 13 can be arranged advantageously in a small installation space on the cover element 11. By means of the touch sensor 22, the identification means/device 23 and/or the proximity sensor 24, the actuating device 10 can thus provide a convenient operating option for the user with a high degree of automation.

[0060] The foregoing explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments may be freely combined with one another, provided that this is technically expedient, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0061] 1 Vehicle [0062] 1.1 Body surface [0063] 2 Vehicle part [0064] 2.1 B-pillar [0065] 3 Opening element/means [0066] 10 Actuating device [0067] 10.1 Intermediate level [0068] 11 Cover element [0069] 11.1 Cover inner side [0070] 11.2 Cover outer side [0071] 12 Electronics unit [0072] 12.1 Electronics inner side [0073] 12.2 Electronics outer side [0074] 13 Circuit board [0075] 13.1 First conductor layer [0076] 13.2 Second conductor layer [0077] 14 Frame [0078] 14.1 Latching element [0079] 14.2 Receiving means/element [0080] 15 Electronics receptacle [0081] 20 Sensor unit [0082] 21 Sensor element [0083] 21.1 Shielding element [0084] 22 Touch sensor [0085] 23 Identification means/device [0086] 23.1 Radio element [0087] 24 Proximity sensor [0088] 25 Control unit [0089] 30 Sleeve [0090] 31 First sleeve section [0091] 31.1 Casting compound [0092] 31.2 Lid element [0093] 33 Sealing means/element [0094] 35 Connection [0095] 40 Information unit [0096] 41 Window area [0097] 41.1 Window material [0098] 42 Light emitter [0099] 43 Separation section [0100] 43.1 Intermediate element [0101] 100 Method [0102] 101 Provide [0103] 103 Arrange [0104] 104 Fastening [0105] 200 Actuation action