Patent Publication Number: US-8994758-B2

Title: Adjusting mechanism for a vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102009057950.8, filed Dec. 11, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field pertains to an adjusting mechanism for a vehicle with an adjusting device that serves for adjusting a desired operating parameter and can assume a plurality of adjusting positions between a minimum value and a maximum value, and with a display area for displaying the currently adjusted position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     DE10062687 A1 discloses an adjusting mechanism for a vehicle that comprises an actuator for changing a current adjustment of at least two assigned functions. The actuator may be realized in the form of a rotary actuator and feature electric, luminous display means as a mark for displaying the current adjustment of a function. The current adjustment can be changed by turning the rotary actuator about a central axis and the display means remain active and the new current position is displayed in relation to an assigned scale. In addition additional display means are successively activated during an adjustment of the rotary actuator or the display means are successively deactivated accordingly during an adjustment in the opposite rotating direction. In order to ascertain the currently adjusted position, the user or vehicle driver needs to compare two scales or determine the number of luminous display means such that the time required for ascertaining the respectively adjusted position is comparatively long. 
     In light of these circumstances, it is at least one objective to provide an adjusting mechanism for a vehicle that allows a simple display or depiction of the adjusted positions of the adjusting device in a vehicle, where the display or depiction is intuitively and easily ascertainable at a glance. In addition, other objectives, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an adjusting mechanism for a vehicle is provided where each region of a display area can assume a first and at least a second display state. The two display states can be distinguished by different, respectively active light emissions that lie in the visible range, and the relative surface area of a first segment of the display area that coherently assumes the first display state and the relative surface area of a second segment of the display area that coherently assumes the second display state are defined by the currently adjusted position of the adjusting mechanism. 
     The term operating parameter should be interpreted broadly and may concern various functions. These functions may consist, for example, of the volume adjustment, the treble adjustment, the bass adjustment, etc., of a radio or music player. The operating parameters may also concern adjustable functions of a heating and/or air-conditioning system such as, for example, the temperature adjustment, the fan speed and the air distribution. Likewise, adjustments of a navigation system or a telephone can also be realized with the inventive adjusting mechanism. It would, in principle, also be possible to utilize the adjusting mechanism in a speed adjusting device, particularly for adjusting a nominal speed (so-called cruise control). 
     The display area may be realized in the form of a light-emitting component such as, e.g., a light-emitting diode arrangement with diode elements that can at least emit different intensities and/or alternatively two different colors in the visible spectrum. This diode arrangement may form at least two respectively coherent surface segments that respectively emit light of a different color. The relative area of the two surface segments can be controlled by means of the control element. In this case, it is preferred that the surface area of the first surface segment and the surface area of the second surface segment jointly form the entire display area. It would also be conceivable to utilize a display area in the form of an LCD display, the individual pixels or surface elements of which can be activated with different brightness and/or in different colors. As can be appreciated, a very simple depiction of functions in a vehicle and therefore the ability to react to the functions is provided in accordance with the embodiments. 
     One embodiment to which the description particularly can refer without thusly restricting scope is the control and display of the interior temperature of a vehicle. In this case, it would be conceivable, e.g., that the first surface segment assumes the color red in order to represent heat and the second surface segment assumes the color blue in order to represent cold. Depending on the area displayed in red and the area displayed in blue, information on the temperature in the vehicle is provided without having to display or read the numerical temperature value. The current adjustment of the respective function can be intuitively and quickly ascertained by the vehicle user or vehicle driver. 
     The depiction of the temperature by means of two segments of the display area that can be distinguished by their active optical emission advantageously provides information on the atmosphere in the vehicle. In addition, the adjusting mechanism provides the user with information on which reserves are still available or to which degree the capacity of the heating and air-conditioning system is already depleted. When using the air-conditioning system at a high outside temperature, for example, the user can quickly ascertain how much additional cooling capacity is still available. 
     In a first embodiment, each region of the display area is composed of discrete display elements. This is particularly advantageous in instances, in which there are only a small number of optional adjusting positions. In this case, the observer is definitively and intuitively informed of the currently adjusted position with simple means. It is preferred, for example, to arrange three display segments adjacent to one another. The central display segment emits light of a certain first intensity regardless of the currently adjusted position. The outer display segments that are adjacently arranged to both sides of the central display segment cover a first surface area with light emission of a first intensity and depending on the currently adjusted position of the adjusting mechanism, a second coherent surface area that is characterized by a light emission of a second intensity, for example a higher intensity. A corresponding arrangement can also be realized by utilizing diode elements that respectively can emit two different emission wavelengths alternatively and therefore be illuminated in correspondingly different colors. 
     According to another embodiment, a region situated between adjacent boundaries of the segments that face one another represents the currently adjusted position. This provides the advantage that a cursory, fleeting observation of the display area makes it possible to ascertain the currently adjusted value of the adjusting mechanism in a particularly accurate fashion. 
     According to another embodiment, the boundaries coincide in a borderline due to the fact that the segments with different display states directly border on one another. Consequently, the currently adjusted position is represented by a dividing line such that the currently adjusted value is advantageously displayed in a very precise fashion. 
     According to another embodiment, an additional display unit that displays possible numerical adjusting values may be arranged along the display area. In a temperature display, for example, the selectable temperature values can thusly be shown on a scale. In this case, the actually adjusted temperature value can be read in a particularly accurate fashion based on the position of the above-mentioned borderline. 
     According to another embodiment, the different, respectively active light emissions that lie in the visible range can be distinguished by a first and a second, different brightness value. This is particularly advantageous in adjusting mechanisms that are used for controlling the intensity of a certain function, such as, for example, the volume or the fan speed. In this case, the area of the display area with the first, higher brightness value indicates, for example, the intensity of the function selected by means of the adjusting mechanism. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the different, respectively active light emissions that lie in the visible range can be distinguished by a first and a second, optically different wavelength, as already mentioned above in connection with discrete display elements such as, e.g., diodes. Due to this measure, a first and a second, different color that can be optically distinguished by the user are realized such that the currently adjusted value is intuitively depicted depending on the scope of application. In the aforementioned example of a temperature adjustment, the first color may be red in order to represent heat and a second color may be blue in order to represent cold. This informs the user with simple means how intensely the heating or air-conditioning system respectively heats or cools the vehicle interior. 
     According to another embodiment, an abrupt reduction of one relative surface area to a predetermined minimum area and an abrupt increase of the second relative surface area to a predetermined maximum area may take place once a predetermined adjusting position is reached. This makes it possible to display special states such as, for example, predetermined values to be adjusted with the aid of the adjusting mechanism. In a temperature control, this makes it possible to indicate that a certain temperature has been exceeded. This can be realized in a particularly impressive fashion by the display abruptly reducing, e.g., a maximum area of blue to a minimum area of blue and simultaneously increasing a minimum area of red to a maximum area of red when a certain temperature is exceeded or the corresponding adjusting position is reached. 
     In another embodiment, the predetermined minimum area corresponds to zero and the predetermined maximum area corresponds to the entire display area. This means that the entire display area assumes a color or a brightness value until a predetermined adjusting position is reached. Once the predetermined adjusting position is reached, the brightness value changes to a different brightness value or the color changes to a different color. In a temperature display, e.g., the exceeding of a predetermined temperature consequently is displayed very clearly. 
     According to another embodiment, the adjusting mechanism features a pointer that moves together with the adjusting mechanism. This pointer is preferably arranged at a certain location of the adjusting mechanism such that it points, for example, to the aforementioned borderline and/or to numerical values of a scale. Consequently, the currently adjusted position can be very easily and quickly ascertained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the mechanism; 
         FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the mechanism; and 
         FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a mechanism in the form of an adjusting mechanism for a heating and air-conditioning system of a vehicle with an adjusting device  1  that is realized in the form of a rotary controller in this case. The mechanism comprises a display area  2 . The position of a pointer  3 , as well as the relative surface area  4  of a first surface segment  5  and the relative surface area  6  of a second surface segment  7 , changes in dependence on the adjusted position of the rotary controller  1 . The surface segments are optically active and coherent surfaces, i.e., they emit light of different intensity and/or different (visible) wavelength  8 ,  9  and therefore differently perceivable color in each of the two possible operating or emitting states. 
     A scale  10  in the form of an inner, stationary segment of a circle that features numerical values, e.g. a temperature scale, is arranged concentric to the rotary controller  1 . When the rotary controller is actuated, it turns about its axis of rotation  11 . In this case, the scale does not rotate together with the rotary controller, but rather remains stationary. The adjusted temperature value  15  of the heating and air-conditioning system can be intuitively and easily ascertained based on the position of the region  12  between the boundaries  13 ,  14  of the surface segments that face one another. To this end—and to accurately read the adjusted position—the region  12  is realized in the form of a borderline  16  in this case, i.e., the segments directly abut one another along the borderline. 
     Another embodiment of the mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 2  is essentially designed like the mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 . Analogous to  FIG. 1 , the display area  2  features two surface segments  5 ,  7  that cover a certain relative surface area  4 ,  6  in dependence on the adjusted position of the rotary controller  1 . In addition to these two surface segments  5 ,  7 , the display area  2  features an intermediate segment  18  that lies between the two aforementioned surface segments  5 ,  7  and can be distinguished from the surface segments  5 ,  7  by its shape, brightness and/or color  17 . The intermediate segment  18  is situated on the rotary controller  1  in the region of the pointer  3  regardless of the adjusted position. Another indication of the currently adjusted position is realized in this fashion. 
     Another embodiment of the mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 3  is essentially designed like the mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 . In contrast to the variation shown in  FIG. 1 , a few of the scale graduation marks  19  arranged in the inner circle of the rotary controller  1  have a different shape, brightness and/or color  20  than the remaining scale graduation marks  21  depending on the position of the rotary controller  1 . Consequently, the currently adjusted position is additionally marked and elucidated and the numerical value of the currently adjusted position can be read or verified in a particularly simple fashion. In this case, the scale graduation marks situated in the region of a pointer  22  of the rotary controller, in particular, have a different shape, brightness and/or color. 
     Another embodiment of the mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 4  is essentially designed like the mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 . In contrast to the variation shown in  FIG. 1 , the scale graduation marks  30  arranged in the inner circle of the rotary controller  1  have a different brightness, shape and/or color  31  depending on the adjusted position of the rotary controller. In contrast to the mechanism shown in  FIG. 3 , the scale graduation marks corresponding to numerical values that are smaller than or equal to the value of the currently adjusted position  32 , in particular, have a different shape, brightness and/or color. 
     Another embodiment of the mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 5  is essentially designed like the mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 . However, this variation is characterized by a very simple design. In this case, the display area  40  features a surface segment  41  of a certain color  42  as illustrated in the left part of  FIG. 5 . When a certain numerical value  43  is exceeded, the entire surface segment  44  changes to a different color  45  as illustrated in the right part of  FIG. 5 . 
     The display area may also assume different brightness values depending on the currently adjusted position. If the temperature values selected, e.g., by means of the adjusting mechanism increase, i.e., when the rotary controller is actuated in the direction  46  the brightness of the respective first color  42  may decrease until a predetermined numerical value  43  is reached. If the predetermined value is exceeded, the display area changes to a second color  45  with a lower brightness value. If the temperature values increase further, i.e., if the rotary controller is actuated in the direction  47 , the brightness of the now displayed color  45  increases. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.