Rotary/push operating device for a human-machine interface

The rotary/push operating device (10) for a human-machine interface, in particular for a vehicle component, such as an air conditioning system, is provided with a rotary/push operating element (12) that can be rotated about a guide shaft (14) in a rotary movement and moved axially along the guide shaft (14). Furthermore, the rotary/push operating device (10) has a rolling bearing unit (30) having an outer bearing ring (32), an inner bearing ring (34) and rolling elements (36,38) arranged therebetween, wherein one of the bearing rings (32, 34) is connected with the rotary/push operating element (12) in a rotationally fixed manner and can be rotated therewith.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing of PCT application PCT/EP2012/069037 to Fust et al., filed Sep. 27, 2012, entitled “Rotary/Push Operating Device for a Human-Machine Interface, ” which claims priority to German patent application number 10 2011 083 524.5 filed on Sep. 27, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a rotary/push operating device for a human-machine interface, in particular for an operating device of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rotary/push operating devices for data input via a so-called human-machine interface in a vehicle and/or for operating units of a vehicle are known in prior art. Normally, a rotary/push operating device is provided with a rotary/push operating element. By rotating the rotary/push operating element letters, signs or functions are selected and acknowledged by pressing said element. After acknowledgement of such an input a task corresponding to the input is performed.

From DE-A-102 61 284 a rotary operating element is known which is adapted to be moved along its rotary axis when a force acts upon said element. This operating element comprises a toothed portion which is in engagement with a gear wheel to transmit the rotation of the operating element to the gear wheel. The rotary axis of the gear wheel is arranged in parallel to and sideways of the rotary axis of the operating element. This measure allows the operating element to be moved along its rotary axis. The toothed portion itself preferably forms a gear wheel such that a full rotation of the operating element is possible.

Further, in prior art, rotary/push operating devices are known where the rotary/push operating element comprises a central key or a plurality of central keys normally secured against rotation which are arranged inside the rotatable rotary element. These keys are adapted to be depressed and serve for data input and/or acknowledgement of data input. However, the rotary operating element itself is not adapted to be depressed. Examples of the above described prior art rotary/push operating devices are disclosed in DE-A-10 2006 018 518, DE 10-A-2004 054 178, DE-A-199 64 131, DE-A-101 37 883, EP-B-0 282 817 and GB-A-2 186 668.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a rotary/push operating device for a human-machine interface, wherein the rotary/push operating device has a simple design insusceptible to faults for moving a rotary/push operating element in two orthogonal directions.

To achieve this object the invention proposes a rotary/push operating device for a human-machine interface, in particular for a vehicle component, such as an air conditioning system, wherein the rotary/push operating device is provided witha rotary/push operating element which is adapted to be rotated in a rotary movement and to be axially moved along the guide shaft,a roller bearing unit having an outer bearing ring, an inner bearing ring and rolling bodies arranged therebetween,wherein one of the bearing rings is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the rotary/push operating element and is adapted be rotated therewith,a rotation sensor for sensing the rotary movement of the operating element,a pressure sensor responding to an axial movement of the rotary/push operating element from a starting position into a depressed position along the guide shaft, anda return element for automatically moving back the rotary/push operating element from the depressed position into the starting position,wherein the return element directly or indirectly acts upon the roller bearing unit, andwherein the other one of the bearing rings (32,34) is adapted to be guided in an axially movable manner along the guide shaft (14) and is secured against rotation at the guide shaft.

Here, it may further be provided fora rotary arresting unit to be arranged between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring or between a first component mechanically coupled with the inner bearing ring and a second component mechanically coupled with the outer bearing ring,wherein the rotary arresting unit includes an arresting template provided with arresting recesses and at least one arresting projection moving into and out of one of the arresting recesses,wherein the arresting template and the at least one arresting projection are adapted to be moved relative to each other, andwherein the arresting template and/or the at least one arresting projection is/are adapted to be elastically moved or deformed.

The rotary/push operating device according to the invention comprises a rotary/push operating element which is supported in a manner rotatable about a rotary axis by means of a rolling bearing unit. Further, the rotary/push operating element is adapted to be axially moved along the guide shaft. The rolling bearing unit comprises an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring. Therebetween rolling bodies are arranged. One of the two bearing rings (typically the outer bearing ring) is connected with the rotary/push operating element such that the outer bearing ring is rotated together with the rotary/push operating element when the latter is rotated. The other bearing ring (typically the inner bearing ring) is guided in an axially movable manner along a fixed guide shaft forming the rotary axis and is secured against rotation at the guide shaft. The rotary movement of the rotary/push operating element is sensed by a rotation sensor (an absolute or relative path sensor, for example). Here, an optical sensor in the form of a light barrier or the like or a mechanical sensor in the form of a rotary potentiometer which meshes with the rotary/push operating element or is in rotary connection therewith, for example, is an appropriate choice. Other configurations of rotation sensors are also conceivable. A pushing movement of the rotary/push operating element is detected with the aid of a pressure sensor which responds to depressing of the rotary/push operating element along the guide shaft from a starting position to a depressed position. Such a pressure sensor in its simplest form can be configured as a (end) switch. The automatic return movement of the rotary/push operating element from the depressed position into the starting position is effected by a return element. According to the invention, this return element directly or indirectly acts upon the rolling bearing unit such that the overall rolling bearing and thus the rotary/push operating element are depressed when a depressing force is centrally exerted on the rotary/push operating element, for example.

Alternatively or additionally to the translatory movability of the rolling bearing unit, the rotary/push operating device according to the invention may comprise a rotary arresting unit which is arranged between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring or between a first component mechanically coupled with the inner bearing ring and a second component mechanically coupled with the outer bearing ring. The rotary arresting unit comprises an arresting template having arresting recesses and at least one arresting projection adapted to be moved into and out of one of the arresting recesses. The arresting template and the at least one arresting projection are adapted to be moved relative to each other. The arresting template and/or the at least one arresting projection are adapted to be elastically moved or deformed.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the return element acts directly or indirectly on the inner bearing ring of the rolling bearing unit. Here, it may be advantageously provided for the return element to comprise a coil spring. In this connection one or a plurality of return elements may directly or indirectly act upon the rolling bearing unit.

Typically, the rotary/push operating element is of an essentially cap-shaped configuration and has a front side and a circumferential side. The rotary/push operating element appropriately comprises at the front side a fixed key body and at the circumferential side a ring element adapted to be rotated about the key body, wherein the key body is directly or indirectly connected with the inner bearing ring, and the ring element is directly or indirectly connected with the outer bearing ring of the rolling bearing unit.

If in a thus configured rotary/push operating element the fixed key body, i. e. the front side of the cap-shaped rotary/push operating element, is depressed, the overall rotary/push operating element moves downwards together with the rotatable ring element. In the same way, the fixed key body moves downwards when a depressing force is exerted on the ring element of the rotary/push operating element, for example.

For mechanical stabilization of the rotary/push operating element the rolling bearing unit appropriately comprises two rows of rolling bodies axially spaced apart from each other along the guide shaft.

The concept according to the invention allows a rotary/push operating device requiring a minimum installation space to be realized. The device can be realized with a rolling bearing made of a plastic material, namely plastic inner and outer bearing rings. In such a design either the rotary haptics production (e. g. the arresting) or the translatory guiding or both may be integrated. Thus in the case of rotary operating devices with small diameters all the desired mechanical functions can be realized, wherein, at the same time, sufficient space remains for arranging a fixed push button in the center of the rotary/push operating device, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1schematically shows the setup of a rotary/push operating device10. This operating device10comprises a rotary/push operating element12which is rotatably supported about a guide shaft (rotary axis)14defined by a hollow shaft. The guide shaft14extends upwards from a carrier plate16which normally is a circuit board. A front panel18of a housing20of the rotary/push operating device10is arranged in spaced relationship to the carrier plate16and surrounds the rotary/push operating element12.

In the front panel18a generally round cavity22is formed through which the rotary/push operating element12extends upwards.

The rotary/push operating element12comprises a cap-shaped upper operating part24adapted to be manually gripped and including a central fixedly arranged key body26and a rotatable ring element28surrounding said key body26and being provided with a knurled outer (gripping) face, for example. The key body26can only be depressed together with the ring element28and is secured against rotation, i. e. does not rotate together with the ring element28. Thus the key body26can be used as a fixed symbol-type or touch-type or the like data input field which does not co-rotate.

In this exemplary embodiment, the rotary/push operating element12further comprises a rolling bearing unit30including an outer bearing ring32, an inner bearing ring34and two groups of rolling bodies36,38arranged therebetween.

The ring element28of the operating part24is fixedly connected with the outer bearing ring32such that the latter is rotated when the ring element28is rotated. The inner bearing ring34is secured against rotation and arranged in an axially guided manner at the guide shaft14.

Below the rotatable outer bearing ring32a circular rotating assembly40is located which cooperates with a light barrier as a rotation sensor42. The circular rotating assembly40is rotated when the ring element28is rotated, and the light barrier, i. e. the rotation sensor42, detects the amount of rotary movement. The circular rotating assembly40may additionally provide a light guide function for optical indication at the ring element28. Further the circular rotating assembly40may be provided with a toothing to actuate a rotary potentiometer as a rotation sensor and/or a three-way sensor (instead of a light barrier), for example. The rotary movement of the rotary/push operating element12can alternatively be sensed by a Hall sensor, for example.

As can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, inside the area of the inner bearing ring34, which axially protrudes beyond the guide shaft14, an insert sleeve44expanded in upward direction and providing a reflector function, for example, is inserted. This insert sleeve44carries the fixed key body26. The insert sleeve44is supported via two (e. g. for reasons of symmetry) return springs46opposite the carrier plate16. At the carrier plate16a pressure sensor50is located in the area occupied by the insert sleeve44, said pressure sensor50being configured as a limit switch and actuated by a projection48formed at the insert sleeve44in this exemplary embodiment.

When the rotary/push operating element12is depressed the springs46are compressed and the pressure sensor50is actuated. Once the depressing force is removed, the return springs46move the rotary/push operating element12back into the position shown inFIG. 1.

It should be mentioned here that other positions for the pressure sensor, the return springs and the pressure sensor are also feasible. For example, the return springs46could directly engage with the inner bearing ring34. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the return springs46engage with an element rigidly connected with the inner bearing ring34, namely the insert sleeve44.

In particular, as can be seen inFIG. 2, a rotary arresting unit52comprising an arresting template54with alternatingly successively arranged (arresting) recesses56and raised portions58and, e. g. for reasons of symmetry, two spring-elastic arresting projections60is located between the inner bearing ring34and the circular rotating assembly40connected with the outer bearing ring32. In this exemplary embodiment, the arresting template54is formed on the outside62of the inner bearing ring34(or a component arranged thereon) facing the circular rotating assembly40, while the arresting projections60are retained at the circular rotating assembly40. The arresting projections60may further be directly retained at the outer bearing ring32. The two arresting projections60are formed by (metal) spring clips64.

On the basis ofFIGS. 3 and 4the “entrainer concept” during a pushing actuation of the rotary/push operating element realized according to the invention is explained, which is indicated by the arrows2ato2fand3ato3f, respectively. According toFIG. 3, the depressing force is exerted on the key body26(see arrow2a). By depressing the key body26the insert sleeve44is also depressed (see arrow2b), namely against the force of the return springs46. The insert sleeve44has connected therewith the inner bearing ring34through which its outer bearing ring32is also moved downwards via the rolling bodies36,38of the rolling bearing unit30(see arrows2c,2dand2e). The outer bearing ring32, in turn, has rigidly connected therewith the ring element28of the rotary/push operating element12which is therefore moved downwards together with the key body26(see arrow2f).

FIG. 4shows the entrainer concept where the depressing force is exerted on the ring element28of the rotary/push operating element12(see arrow3a). When the ring element28is depressed, the outer bearing ring32is depressed (see arrow3b). Via the rolling bodies36,38the outer bearing ring32entrains the inner bearing ring34(see arrow3c). Thus this inner bearing ring34is also moved downwards (see arrow3d). The inner bearing ring34has rigidly connected therewith the insert sleeve44which is also moved downwards (see arrow3e) thus compressing the return springs46. The insert sleeve44has rigidly connected therewith the key body26such that the latter is finally moved downward together with the ring element28(see arrow3f).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10Operating device12Rotary/push operating element14Guide shaft of the rotary/push operating element16Carrier plate in the housing18Front panel of the housing20Housing22Cavity in the front panel24Operating part of the rotary/push operating element26Key body of the operating part28Ring element of the operating part extending about the latter's key body30Rolling bearing unit32Outer bearing ring of the rolling bearing unit34Inner bearing ring of the rolling bearing unit36Rolling body38Rolling body40Circular rotating assembly42Rotation sensor44Insert sleeve46Return spring48Projection in the insert sleeve50Pressure sensor52Rotary arresting unit54Arresting template of the rotary arresting unit56Arresting recesses of the arresting template58Raised portions of the arresting template60Arresting projections62Outside of the inner bearing ring64(Metal) spring clip of the arresting projections