EP1988441A1 - Operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a front bezel (10) and has a control element (18), which has a tipping axis (16). The control element (18) has a pliable stored centered element (44) which tilts from a starting position and preloaded to two opposite directions. The control element (18) has a control panel (42) arranged at the operating element (18) and deviates from the central element (44). The control panel is perpendicular to the tipping axis and perpendicular to the front bezel (10). The central element is arranged with a carrier plate (54) and arranged with a rubber mat (50) against the control area (42).

Description

The invention relates to an operating unit for a vehicle component and in particular for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle.

Operating units for a variety of vehicle components are known in principle. In addition to, for example, a radio and a navigation system, e.g. also the heating or air conditioning of a vehicle via an operating unit (also called control unit) operated.

Operating units generally have a front panel, which faces the interior of the vehicle. On the front panel various controls such as knobs, buttons or the like can be arranged. Among other things, it is known to provide front over the front panel protruding controls that are tiltable when located in its installed position control unit about a horizontal tilt axis. This type of controls can be transferred from a neutral or rest position by tapping in opposite directions either in one of two operating positions, from which they automatically return to the rest position after completion of the manual operation. The mechanical bias in the rest position is usually done with the help of springs or the like.

In particular, arranged side by side, tilting forward over the front panel, tilting controls, it is particularly important that they are exactly aligned in the zero position relative to each other and in particular the same.

The object of the invention is to provide an operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle, which has tactile responsive, tiltable tilting controls without the overall structure of the control unit is thereby complicated.

• einer Frontblende,
• mindestens einem Bedienelement, das um eine Kippachse kippbar gelagert ist,
• wobei das Bedienelement mittels eines nachgiebig gelagerten Zentrierelements in eine Ausgangsstellung vorgespannt ist, aus der es durch Kippen um die Kippachse in eine von zwei entgegengesetzte Richtungen in eine von zwei Betätigungsstellungen überführbar ist, und wobei an dem Bedienelement eine Steuerfläche ausgebildet ist, die beim Kippen des Bedienelements mitverschwenkt und an der das Zentrierelement anliegt,
• wobei das Zentrierelement im wesentlichen quer zur Kippachse und im wesentlichen senkrecht zu einer hinter der Frontblende angeordneten Trägerplatte vorgespannt ist und
• wobei das Zentrierelement von einem eindrückbaren, rückstellfähigen Vorsprung einer auf der Trägerplatte angeordneten Elastomer-Matte gegen die Steuerfläche vorgespannt ist.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes an operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle, wherein the operating unit is provided with

• a front panel,
• at least one control element, which is tiltably mounted about a tilting axis,
• wherein the operating element is biased by means of a resiliently mounted centering in an initial position from which it can be converted by tilting about the tilt axis in one of two opposite directions in one of two operating positions, and wherein on the control element, a control surface is formed, which when tilting the Mitverschwenkt operating element and on which rests the centering element,
• wherein the centering element is biased substantially transversely to the tilting axis and substantially perpendicular to a arranged behind the front panel support plate and
• wherein the centering element is biased by a depressible, resilient projection of an elastomer mat arranged on the carrier plate against the control surface.

The operating unit according to the invention is provided with a front panel on which at least one operating element is arranged, which is tiltably mounted about a tilting axis. The operating element is biased by means of a resiliently mounted centering element (eg in the form of a plunger or a (detent) ball or the like) in an initial or inoperative position. From this rest position, it can be tilted by manual operation in two opposite directions and thus transferred to one of two operating positions. For example, such an actuator for Change in the setpoint temperature or change in the blower voltage used in a heating or air conditioning of a vehicle.

On the operating element or a part of the operating element, a control surface is formed, which is mitverschwenkt when tilting the control element and on which the plunger or more generally formulated the centering rests, wherein the centering element is stretched in each of the two operating positions and due to its relaxation (after cancellation the manual action on the control element) then automatically returns the control element back to the initial or rest position. The centering element is biased substantially transversely to the tilting axis and substantially perpendicular to a carrier plate arranged behind the front panel. According to the invention, a pressable, resilient projection is used for biasing the plunger, as it is known from arranged on support plates (eg boards) switching mats of control units. Such a switching mat is conventionally used as a switching element for closing an electric circuit when, for example, a key operation member is depressed. Such safety mats are basically known in the art, but, as previously stated, used for switching purposes and not for the purpose of mechanical bias of locking or centering elements, such as the plunger of the control unit according to the invention. This is rather suggested by the invention, which advantageously adjusts the haptic on the operating element, as it is known from the safety mats and the operation of interacting with these key controls forth. This haptic is determined by a special path-force characteristic, which initially has a force curve rising over the path (until this connection of the projection to the switching mat is deformed), followed by a section in which the force to be applied at the next Pivoting the operating element decreases (namely until the depressed projection of the switching mat rests against the support plate), and then proceed with a rising over the way force curve, which is determined by the compression of the material of the projection of the switching mat.

The advantage of the type of bias of the centering for the control element of the control unit according to the invention is in addition to the simple design (safety mats are common products in control units and have due to their operation depressible, resilient projections, which can be used according to the invention for bias) in the reproducibility of the centering effect to see the automatic reset of the control element in its initial or zero position. But this can be ensured that adjacent to one another tiltable controls in their respective zero position are exactly aligned relative to each other and the same. This is advantageous for an aesthetic optical design of the control unit.

It should be emphasized at this point that the operating unit according to the invention does not necessarily have to have a switching mat serving for electrical switching. According to the invention, it is moreover intended to use a projection which is flexible and resilient as is usual with safety mats, for the purpose of mechanically biasing the ram or the like centering element.

Conveniently, the operating element is provided with an actuating projection protruding beyond the front panel, which can be tilted about the tilting axis and has two actuating outer surfaces facing away from one another. Such an actuator is also referred to as a "balcony rocker button".

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is further provided that the control surface is arranged at the end of the actuator in the direction of the support plate on the tilt axis projecting end of a control arm and concave. In the initial or rest position, the centering is at the lowest point of the concave control surface, against which it is biased by the projection of the elastomer (switching mat). When the operating element is actuated, the control arm pivots and thus presses against the plunger via the areas of the control surface adjoining the lowest point, so that the latter again acts against its bias is moved back. Such a constellation can also be understood as a cam (plunger) and cam follower (control surface). The centering element advantageously has a voltage applied to the control surface rounded surface.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention is further provided that on the support plate, a two-way switch is arranged, which is in operative connection with a protruding from the actuating element switching arm for actuating the two-way switch. The switching arm can mechanically cooperate at its end mechanically with the two-way switch or the two-way switch is formed contactless, so that the movement of the switch facing the end of the switching arm, which mitverschwenkt upon actuation of the control element, for the triggering of the switching functions ensures. The switching arm expediently extends, starting from the actuating projection on the tilting axis of the operating element in the direction of the support plate on which the two-way switch is arranged.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control element or its visible to the operator surface at least in partial areas on a backlight, which serves for example the Auffindbeleuchtung or the function feedback. Conventionally, such backlight systems are provided with at least one light source, from which extends a light shaft in the direction of the backlit surface of the operating element. According to the invention, however, the operating element is tiltable, while the light source is arranged fixedly and immovably on the carrier plate, for example. Therefore, it is proposed in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light channel or light shaft perform in two parts by extending between the support plate and the tilt axis, a first light guide channel and from these to the backlit surface of the control element, a second light guide channel, the two light guide channels at their each other facing ends are immersed and the end of a light guide channel inside or outside of the End of the second light guide channel is moved when the actuator tilts around the tilting axis.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Frontblende eines Steuergeräts für eine Heizungs- oder Klimaanlage eines Fahrzeuges,

Fig. 2

eine Sicht in Richtung der Pfeile II von oben auf einen nach vorne über die Frontblende überstehenden Betätigungsvorsprung eines um eine horizontale Kippachse kippbaren Bedienelements, und zwar bei entfernter Frontblende zur Verdeutlichung der Konstruktion und des Zusammenwirkens des Bedienelements mit hinter der Frontblende auf einer Trägerplatte angeordneten Komponenten,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch die Bedienelementkonstruktion entlang der Linie III-III der Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch die Bedienelementkonstruktion entlang der Linie IV-IV der Fig. 2, und

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch die Bedienelementkonstruktion entlang der Linie V-V der Fig. 2.

The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. In detail, they show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a front panel of a control unit for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle,

Fig. 2

a view in the direction of the arrows II from above on a projecting forward over the front panel operating projection of a tiltable about a horizontal tilting control element, with the front panel removed to illustrate the construction and the interaction of the control element behind the front panel arranged on a support plate components,

Fig. 3

a section through the control element construction along the line III-III of Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a section through the control element construction along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2 , and

Fig. 5

a section through the control element construction along the line VV of Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the front panel 10 of a climate control device 12 for a vehicle. The front panel 10 is equipped with a variety of controls, which in addition to push-button controls 14 also in this embodiment, a plurality of tilting about a horizontal tilt axis 16 in opposite directions controls 18 belong. Furthermore, the front panel 10 has a display surface 20, are displayed on the information about the current operating state and any adjustment variables such as the target temperature.

The structure of the tilt controls 18 show the FIGS. 2 to 5 , which are described in more detail below.

According to Fig. 2 For example, the tilt control element 18 has a cap 22, which is attached to a lower part 24. The lower part 24 is tiltably mounted on arms 26 of a holding member 28 holding the lower part 24 about the tilting axis 16. The cap 22 is provided with two opposite actuating outer surfaces 30,32 (see also Fig. 1 ) Mistake. By depressing the overhead Betätigungsaußenfläche 30, the tilt control element 18 in the direction of arrow 34 of Fig. 1 tilted down, while attacking by the lower actuating outer surface 32, the tilting control element 18 in the direction of arrow 36 of Fig. 1 can be tilted upwards.

From the cap 22 remote from the rear side of the lower part 24 extends a control arm 38, the cap 22 facing away from the free end 40 has a substantially V-shaped concave control surface 42. At this control surface 42 is located on a centering element (in this embodiment) in the form of a plunger 44, which is axially guided in a guide channel 46 of the support member 28. At the plunger 44 is a dome or projection 48 of a silicone mat 50 which is pressed and resiliently connected to the silicone mat 50, as is known in the art. For this purpose, the dome or projection 48 has a film-hinge-like connection 52 on the planar part of the silicone mat 50. The silicone mat 50 in turn rests against a support plate 54, which is, for example, a printed circuit board. The silicone mat 50 may additionally serve to perform electrical switching functions, but this need not necessarily.

Now, if the control element 18 is actuated about the tilting axis 16, the control arm 38 pivots in the opposite direction, whereby one of the lowest point 56 of the control surface 42 outgoing rising surface 58 the plunger 44 against the force of the dome or projection 48 in the direction of Carrier plate 54 moved back. In this case, the actuating element 18 is given a feel, as they cooperate with silicone switching mats Push buttons ago is known. Upon completion of the manual operation of the plunger 44 moves due to the deformed by the deformed, restrained tailed projection 48 biasing force the control element 18 on the respective inclined surface 58 back to the rest or starting position according to Fig. 3 ,

How to use the FIGS. 2 and 4 can recognize, in the holding element 28, a light guide channel 60 is formed, which leads to near the support plate 54 and extends in the opposite direction to the lower part 24. On the support plate 54, a light source, in this case an LED 62 is arranged, whose light is fed into the light guide channel 60. The cap 22 facing the end 64 of the fixed light guide channel 60 is surrounded by an opening 66 of another light guide channel 68 with play. This further light guide channel 68 is part of the lower part 24 and directs the light of the light source 62 into the cap 22, where it backlit a symbolism (not shown) of the cap 22.

Finally, let's look at the FIGS. 2 and 5 still conclusive on a realization possibility of the two switching functions, as they can be exercised by the control element 18, received. For this purpose, the lower part 24 of the operating element 18 is provided with a switching arm 70 which interacts mechanically with the switching element 72 of a arranged on the support plate 54 two-way switch 74. Upon actuation of the operating element 18, ie when tilting the operating element 18 in the two opposite directions Kipprichtungen about the tilting axis 16, the switching element 72 of the two-way switch 74 either up or down (based on the plane of FIG Fig. 5 ) to selectively initiate one of two shifts.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

front panel

12

Air controller

14

Push-button controls

16

horizontal tilt axis

18

tiltable controls

20

display area

22

operating projection

24

lower part

26

holding arms

28

retaining element

30

actuating surface

32

actuating surface

34

Kippbewegungspfeil

36

Kippbewegungspfeil

38

control arm

40

End of the control arm

42

control surface

44

tappet

46

guide channel

48

head Start

50

Sillkonmatte

52

connection

54

support plate

56

lowest point of the control surface

58

inclined surfaces

60

fixed light guide channel

62

light source

64

End of the light guide channel

66

opening

68

Light guide channel

70

shifting

72

switching element

74

Two-way switch

Claims (8)

Operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle, with a front panel (10), - At least one control element (18) which is tiltably mounted about a tilting axis (16), - Wherein the operating element (18) is biased by means of a resiliently mounted centering element (44) in an initial position from which it can be converted by tilting about the tilting axis (16) in one of two opposite directions in one of two operating positions, and wherein the Control element (18) is formed a control surface (42) which pivots when tilting the operating element (18) and against which the centering element (44), - Wherein the centering element (44) is biased substantially transversely to the tilting axis (16) and substantially perpendicular to a behind the front panel (10) arranged carrier plate (54) and - Wherein the centering element (44) by a depressible, resilient projection (48) of an on the support plate (54) arranged elastomeric mat (50) is biased against the control surface (42). Operating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element (18) via the front panel (10) projecting actuating projection (22) which is tiltable about the tilting axis (16) and two opposite actuating surfaces (30,32). Operating unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control surface (42) at the end of one of the actuating element (18) in the direction of the support plate (54) on the tilt axis (16) projecting end of a control arm (38) arranged and concave is. Operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tilting axis (16) extends in alignment with the front panel (10) in its installed position substantially horizontally. Operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the centering element (44) is a plunger having a on the control surface (42) fitting the rounded end. Operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastomer mat (50) is a switching mat made of silicone in particular. Operating unit according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a two-way switch (74) is arranged on the carrier plate (54), with which a switching arm (70) projecting from the actuating element (18) is actuated for actuating the two-way switch (74). Path switch (74) is in operative connection. Operating unit according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a light source (62) for illuminating at least part of the surface of the actuating element (18) lying in or in front of the front panel (10) is arranged on the carrier plate (54) between the carrier plate (54) and the tilting axis (16) a first light guide channel (60) and from this to the backlit surface of the actuating element (18) a second light guide channel (68) extends and that the two light guide channels (60,68) dive into each other Ends, wherein the end of the second light guide channel (68) tilts when tilting the actuating element (18) relative to the end of the first light guide channel (60).

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