Operating device, vehicle and method for operating a vehicle

An operating device includes a first operating element with which a user can select one or numerous main functions of a vehicle and that can rotate about an axis of rotation and has at least one predefined fixed rotational position. A second operating element with which a user can adjust subfunctions of the main function can rotate about the axis of rotation and also comprises an actuator unit that comprises a magnetorheological medium configured to exert a retaining force on the second operating element based on a viscosity of the magnetorheological medium. The actuator unit is configured to set the viscosity on the basis of the main function selected with the first operating element, and on the basis of a rotational position of the second operating element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2020/084854, filed on Dec. 7, 2020, and published as WO 2021/116007 A1 on Jun. 17, 2021, which claims priority from German Application No. DE 10 2019 219 437.0, filed on Dec. 12, 2019, the entirety of which are each hereby fully incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to an operating device for a vehicle, a vehicle, and a method for operating a vehicle.

Operating elements that can be turned and pressed in order navigate in a function menu may be used for operating vehicle functions.

With this background, the present invention results in an improved operating device for a vehicle, an improved vehicle, and an improved method for operating a vehicle according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims and the following description.

Various embodiments of an operating device can be obtained for operating a vehicle, or to control vehicle functions, in particular with both variable and static haptics. Such an operating device can be obtained for an intuitive operation of vehicle functions by combining a first rotating actuator with a mechanical notching, and a second rotating actuator with a variable haptics on the same axis of rotation. The second rotating actuator can comprise a magnetorheological medium for this. In this manner, a haptic operating element with both a variable as well as a static haptics can be obtained, for example, with which it is possible to intuitively operate numerous different vehicle functions, in particular driving functions, comfort functions, infotainment functions, etc. in the vehicle. In particular, numerous vehicle functions can advantageously be operated with a compact and intuitive operating unit according to these embodiments.

An operating device for a vehicle comprises a first operating element with which a user can select a main vehicle function, which can rotate about an axis of rotation, and which has at least one predefined fixed rotational position, a second operating element with which a user can make adjustments to subfunctions of the main functions selected with the first operating element, which can rotate about the same axis of rotation, and an actuator unit comprising a magnetorheological medium, which is coupled to the second operating element and is configured to exert a retaining force on the second operating element on the basis of a viscosity of the magnetorheological medium, in which the actuator unit is configured to set the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium based on the main function that has been selected with the first operating element, and based on a rotational position of the second operating element.

The vehicle can be a motorized cycle such as a motorcycle or scooter, or some other land vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. The operating device can be used to operate driving functions such as gear shifting, accelerating, braking, and lighting functions, etc., as well as comfort functions and infotainment functions. The first operating element and second operating element can rotate about the same axis. The retaining force based on the main function selected with the first operating element and based on the rotational position of the second operating element can represent a notching, a course of the retaining force as a function of the rotational position, and/or an arrangement of notchings or fixed rotational positions of the second operating element, depending on the main function that has been selected. The first operating element can have a static feel with at least one mechanical notching that defines the at least one fixed rotational position. The second operating element can have a variable feel that has notching positions for fixed rotational positions obtained by means of the actuator unit on the basis of the selected main function. The operating elements can form sleeves, swivels, rotating actuators, etc. Depending on the strength of the retaining force, the second operating element may be fixed in position, easily moved, or only moved with difficulty from the perspective of the user, and nearly any intermediate level of mobility can be adjusted to with an appropriate setting of the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium. As a result, an actuation force necessary for moving the second operating element can be adjusted to an operating functionality currently provided by the operating device, or to the subfunctions of the respective main function selected with the first operating element. The magnetorheological medium can be a medium that comprises particles that can be magnetically polarized. This can be a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) in particular, such as that already used for various vehicle applications. Alternatively, it can be a magnetorheological elastomer. The actuator unit can be configured to set the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium on the basis of a value for a magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological medium. A greater viscosity relates to a greater retaining force. The value for the retaining force can be adjusted by adjusting the viscosity. A change in viscosity can therefore result in a change in the retaining force.

According to one embodiment, the first operating element can have a fixed rotational position for each main function. This embodiment has the advantage that it enables a reliable selection of the main functions. Alternatively, the first operating element can be rotated in at least one direction from a single fixed rotational position in order to switch between the various main functions that can be selected. In this case, the main functions can be selected by “toggling” or switching between them. The first operating element can be automatically returned to the fixed rotational position after each time it is rotated. Each rotation can result in a switching to a main function. In this manner, a first operating element can be obtained that has a particularly simple construction.

The first operating element can also have an indicator element that points to the selected main function. The indicator element can form a projection extending outward from the circumference of the first operating element. This makes it easy for a user to quickly and accurately see which main function is selected.

Symbols representing the main functions can be placed on the operating device encircling the first operating element. These symbols can be printed thereon. They can also be illuminated. These symbols can also be displayed on a screen. A symbol can indicate the main function it represents in a graphical or alphanumerical manner. A symbol can be displayed using at least one display or at least one screen, for example. Such an embodiment has the advantage that, depending on the desired embodiment of the operating device, symbols can be used for the main functions that are easy to read.

The operating device can also have a display unit for displaying the subfunctions of the main functions selected with the first operating element. This embodiment has the advantage of an intuitive actuation of the operating device, without using another display device on the vehicle. Alternatively, the operating device can be connected for signal transfer to a display on the vehicle in order to display the subfunctions of the main functions that are selected with the first operating element.

The display unit can be fixed in place within the circumference of the second operating element such that it does not rotate conjointly therewith. This embodiment has the advantage that the complete operating device can be structurally compact. Alternatively, the display unit360can be integrated in the second operating element230. The display unit can also be located outside the operating element. This results in a particularly cost-effective operating device.

The operating device can also contain a detection element that is configured to detect a rotational position of the first operating element and a rotational position of the second operating element.

This detection element can generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle based on the detected rotational position of the first operating element and the detected rotational position of the second operating element. This embodiment has the advantage that the operation of the vehicle can be intuitively and reliably controlled with the operating device.

The actuator unit can also be configured to set the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium on the basis of the detected rotational position of the first operating element. As a result, a feel of the second operating element can be adjusted to the subfunctions for the selected main function. This feel can therefore be adjusted with regard to numerous subfunctions and/or with regard to at least one other property of the subfunction.

The detection element can also be configured to output the detected rotational position of the first operating element to a display unit in the operating device, or to provide this detected rotational position for output thereto, in order to display the subfunctions of the main function selected with the first operating element. This display unit can be configured to display the subfunctions of the selected main function on the basis of the detected rotational position of the first operating element. As a result, the relevant subfunctions can be reliably displayed to the user.

According to one embodiment, the first operating element and second operating element can be concentric and have different radii. This embodiment has the advantage that a compact construction along the axis of rotation can be obtained that can be easily operated. Alternatively, the first operating element and second operating element can be offset coaxially to one another along the axis of rotation. This results in a compact lateral construction of the operating device in relation to the axis of rotation. The surface of the first and/or second operating elements that the user comes in contact with can also be ribbed. This embodiment has the advantage that the first and/or second operating elements can be reliably rotated, without slipping.

A vehicle can have an embodiment of the operating device described above. The operating device can be deployed or used in the vehicle to control vehicle functions in order to operate the vehicle.

A method for operating such a vehicle comprises the following steps:detecting a rotational position of the first operating element in the operating device;adjusting a viscosity of the magnetorheological medium in the actuator unit in the operating device on the basis of the detected rotational position of the first operating element;detecting a rotational position of the second operating element in the operating device; anddetermining a control signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle on the basis of the detected rotational position of the first operating element and the detected rotational position of the second operating element.

The steps of the method can be implemented in a component that can be part of the operating device or part of a control unit for the vehicle. Such a component can be an electrical device that processes electrical signals and outputs control signals on the basis thereof. The component can have one or more interfaces for this, which can be in the form of hardware or software. Hardware interfaces can be part of an integrated circuit, for example, in which the functions of the device are implemented. The interfaces can also be separate, integrated circuits or at least be composed of discrete components. Software interfaces can be software modules on a microcontroller that can also contain other software modules.

A computer program is also advantageous, which contains program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, hard disk, or optical memory and used for executing the method according to any of the embodiments described above when the program is executed on a computer or a device.

In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the elements having similar functions shown in the various figures, without repetition of the descriptions of these elements.

FIG.1shows a vehicle100that has an operating device110according to an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle100is a motor vehicle, e.g. a two-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, passenger automobile, or commercial vehicle. The vehicle100contains the operating device110. Operation of the vehicle100via vehicle functions can be controlled by a user, in particular an operator of the vehicle, operating the operating device110. This operating device110is connected for signal transfer to at least one vehicle component102,104,106. Each of these vehicle components102,104,106can be assigned its own main function for operating the vehicle100, e.g. a transmission or gear selection or drive position selection, lighting control, assistance function, etc. The operating device110is configured to generate a control signal115in response to actuation by a user, which is then output to at least one vehicle component102,104,106.

Only three vehicle components102,104,106are shown in this exemplary embodiment. The vehicle100can have at least one other vehicle component. By way of example, the first vehicle component102can be a component for controlling a transmission. In this case, the first vehicle component102can be controlled with the control signal115when the user actuates the operating device110appropriately, in order to select a gear or driving stage in the vehicle's100transmission. The second vehicle component104can be a component for controlling the vehicle lighting. The second vehicle function104can be controlled with the control signal115when the user actuates the operating device110appropriately, in order to control the functions of the lighting system. The third vehicle component106can be an assistance component. When the operating device110is actuated appropriately by the user, the third vehicle component106can be controlled using the control signal115in order to control or regulate assistance functions in the vehicle100.

FIG.2shows an operating device110according to an exemplary embodiment. This operating device110is illustrated schematically. The operating device110corresponds, or is similar, to the operating device inFIG.1. In other words, the operating device110is shown in greater detail inFIG.2.

The operating device110has a first operating element220, a second operating element230, and an actuator unit240with a magnetorheological medium242. The operating device110also has a detection element250. The first operating element220and second operating element230can be actuated by a user.

The first operating element220is designed so that the user can select one of numerous main functions for the vehicle. This first operating element220can rotate about an axis of rotation212. The first operating element220has at least one predefined fixed rotational position. The user can rotate the first operating element220in order to select a main function for the vehicle. The first operating element220is in the form of a rotational ring, rotating actuator, sleeve, etc.

The second operating element230is used by the user to adjust subfunctions of the main function selected with the first operating element220. The second operating element230can also rotate about the axis of rotation212. The second operating element230and the first operating element220can therefore rotate about the same axis of rotation212. In other words, the axis of rotation212is the same axis of rotation212for the first operating element220and the second operating element230. The second operating element230can be rotated by the user to adjust the subfunctions of the selected main function.

The actuator unit240is coupled to the second operating element230. The actuator unit240contains the magnetorheological medium242. The actuator unit240is configured to exert a retaining force on the second operating element230based on a viscosity of the magnetorheological medium. The actuator unit240is configured to set the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium242on the basis of the main function selected with the first operating element220and on the basis of a rotational position of the second operating element230.

In other words, the actuator unit240is configured to subject the second operating element230to a force curve or a notching, or an arrangement of fixed rotational positions via the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium242that can be adjusted on the basis of the selected main function. As a result, the force curve, notching positions, or arrangement of fixed rotational positions for the second operating element230can be set in a variable manner by the actuator240, based on the selected main function.

The illustration of the operating device110inFIG.2also shows a detection element250. The detection element250is configured to detect a rotational position of the first operating element220and a rotational position of the second operating element230. The detection element250detects the rotational positions by means of an inductive, capacitive, and/or magnetic measurement. In this exemplary embodiment, the detection element250is also configured to generate a control signal115for the operation of the vehicle on the basis of the detected rotational positions of the first operating element220and the second operating element230. The control signal115corresponds, or is similar, to the control signal generated inFIG.1. The actuator unit240is also configured in this exemplary embodiment to set the viscosity of the magnetorheological medium242on the basis of the rotational position of the first operating element220detected with the detection element250.

The first operating element220and second operating element230in this exemplary embodiment are concentric in relation to the axis of rotation212and have different radii. The first operating element220has a greater radius than the second operating element230. The second operating element230is therefore at least partially within the circumference of the first operating element220. In another exemplary embodiment, the first operating element220and second operating element230are offset coaxially along the axis of rotation212.

FIG.3shows an operating device110according to an exemplary embodiment. The operating device110corresponds, or is similar, to the operating device inFIG.2. The illustration of the operating device110inFIG.3shows the first operating element220, the second operating element230, an indicator element322, a display unit360, numerous symbols371,372,373,374,375,376, and377representing the main functions, and numerous symbols380representing the subfunctions.

The indicator element322is on the first operating element220. This indicator element322is formed by a projection, or pointer, on the first operating element220. The indicator element322points to the main function that has been selected. The operating element220has a fixed rotational position for each of the main functions in this case. In this exemplary embodiment, the first operating element220has at least seven fixed rotational positions, by way of example. These correspond to seven main functions.

A first symbol371represents a first main function, e.g. a trailer assist. The second symbol372represent a second main function, e.g. a parking assist. The third symbol373represents a third main function, e.g. lighting, or lighting control. The fourth symbol374represents a fourth main function, e.g. gear selection, or the driving stage selection for a transmission. The fifth symbol375represents a fifth main function, e.g. an assistance function for an adaptive cruise control. The sixth symbol376represents a sixth main function, e.g. activation of vehicle components for various presets, e.g. ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, etc. The seventh symbol377represents a seventh main function, e.g. a recuperation function.

The symbols371,372,373,374,375,376, and377representing the main functions are arranged around the first operating element220in this exemplary embodiment. These symbols371,372,373,374,375,376, and377are printed, and/or illuminated, and/or displayed on a display. The fourth main function is selected inFIG.3, which is the gear selection or driving stage selection for a transmission in this case. The indicator element322is therefore pointing to the fourth symbol374. The fourth symbol374can also be optically highlighted by an illumination, coloration, or some other means.

The display unit360displays the subfunctions of the main function selected with the first operating element220. The display unit360is fixed in place within the first operating element220and second operating element230such that it does not rotate conjointly therewith within the circumference of the second operating element230. The display unit360is configured to display further symbols380, which represent the subfunctions of the main functions that are selected. In other words, the display unit360presents a visualization of each main function, or the subfunctions belonging to the selected main function.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the display unit360is integrated in the second operating element230. The display unit360can also be touch-sensitive. In another exemplary embodiment, the display unit360, or a display element similar to display unit360can be located outside the operating elements220and230in the vehicle.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the first operating element220can be rotated in at least one direction from a single fixed rotational position, in order to switch between the various main functions. In this case, the operating element220does not need the indicator element322. The selected main function can be merely highlighted optically, or displayed in this case.

FIG.4shows an operating device110according to an exemplary embodiment. The operating device110is the operating device shown inFIG.3. The illustration inFIG.4corresponds to that inFIG.3with the exception that a different main function has been selected. The third main function, i.e. the lighting, or lighting control, has been selected inFIG.4. The indicator element322therefore points to the third symbol373.

Specifically in reference toFIG.3andFIG.4, the functioning of the operating device110shall be explained in brief below, in a summarizing and alternative manner. A main menu or main function is selected using the first operating element220of the rotating actuator, or operating device110, which is in the form of an outer sleeve. The indicator element322on the first operating element220points to a respective, selected main function when it is rotated. The first operating element220has a tangible feel, with fixed and stationary notching positions, or rotational positions. In one exemplary embodiment, each main function has a fixed notching. The main functions are indicated by illuminated symbols371,372,373,374,375,376, and377surrounding the rotating actuator, or operating elements220and230. When a main function has been selected, the respective subfunctions for the main function can be adjusted by rotating the inner MRF rotating actuator, or second operating element230. The feel can be adjusted in a variable manner for each main function by the MRF actuator, or the actuator unit240. The adjustment in the menu can be indicated in the display unit360, which remains stationary inside the second operating element230.

In another exemplary embodiment, the symbols371,372,373,374,375,376, and377for the main functions can also be shown on a display, the first operating element220can also have a single fixed position, such that it can be rotated to the left or right of the fixed position in order to toggle between the various main functions, and an external display can be used instead of the display unit360.

FIG.5shows a flow chart for a method500for operating a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle inFIG.1, or a similar vehicle, can be operated by executing the method500. The method500can be executed with the operating device from any of the figures described above, or a similar operating device.

The method500has a first detecting step510for, an adjusting step520, a second detecting step530, and a determining step540. In the first detecting step510, a rotational position of the first operating element in the operating device is detected. The first detecting step510can be executed by the detection unit in the operating device. The viscosity of the magnetorheological medium in the actuator unit in the operating device is subsequently adjusted in the adjusting step520on the basis of the rotational position of the first operating element detected in the first detecting step510. The adjusting step520can be executed by the actuator unit in the operating device. A rotational position of the second operating element in the operating device is subsequently detected in the second detecting step530. The second detecting step530can also be executed by the detection unit in the operating device. A control signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle is then determined in the determining step540on the basis of the rotational position of the first operating element detected in the first detecting step510and on the basis of the rotational position of the second operating element detected in the second detecting step530. The determining step540can be executed by the detection element or some other element in the operating device.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS