WO2006072340A1 - Actuator unit for a vehicle component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator unit for a vehicle component, comprising a front orifice (10) and at least one actuating key (12-32) which can be movingly arranged inside the front orifice (10), wherein the actuating key (12-32) has an operating surface (40) with a backlit symbol area (34) and a plate is arranged behind the front aperture (10), said plate consisting of a search illuminating light source (44) and a function illuminating light source (46) for each actuating key (12-32), in addition to switching contacts for electrical connection of the function illuminating light source (46) to the actuating key ( 12-32) and for the search illuminating light source (44), wherein the symbol area (34) is associated with the search light function and illumination of the function, and illumination of the function is effected by changing the color and/or intensity of the back light of the symbol area (34) in comparison with the search illuminating function,wherein the search illuminating function and function illuminating function are associated with separate light sources.

Description

 Actuator for a vehicle component

The invention relates to an actuating unit for a vehicle component with a front panel and at least one movable arranged in the front panel control button, the control button has a control surface, and circumferentially in the direction of a motor vehicle pointing away from the control surface side walls, wherein the control surface has a backlit icon field and a board arranged behind the front panel, which has a search illumination light source and a function illumination light source for each control button, and switch contacts for electrically connecting the function illumination light source to the control button and to the search illumination light source.

Such control units are known from the prior art, for. B. DE 197 38 666 Cl known. In this case, the operating unit has a search illumination light source for backlighting a symbol field and a functional light source for a function display element of the operation key. In order to avoid that the light of the search illumination light source already backlit the function display element in the non-activated state, relatively complex Lichtabschattungsmaßnahmen are necessary to ensure a certain light shading both in the depressed and in the extended state of the control button. For this purpose, in the prior art Lichtabschattungsrippen arranged both on the motor vehicle and in the control button itself. Due to the photometric separation of the areas search light / functional light a relatively large space of a control button is required.

Furthermore, for example, from DE 197 04 253 C2 an operating unit for a motor vehicle component is known, in particular for the control unit of a motor vehicle air conditioning, in which case an actuating part is connected in alignment with the symbol field, and this acts on the switching element of the switch. The actuating part is designed as a light guide, wherein the exiting light illuminates the symbol field. The light feed is arranged eccentrically, whereby a uniform backlighting of the symbol fields should be achieved even when centrally arranged symbol fields and centrally arranged operating parts.

In addition, a separate function lighting is provided here, which lights up when the corresponding control button is pressed.

From DE 94 12 474, however, another approach is known in which the buttons are illuminated for lighting and signaling the function itself, the buttons serve as a diffuser or light guide. Because of this fairly large-scale illumination, however, a strong stray light is generated in the cockpit of a motor vehicle, so that distraction of the driver due to the resulting stray light may occur.

DE 198 40 070 C2 describes an operating element for a vehicle component operating unit, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system with a search light function and a separate function display, in which case rotary switches are provided and in the middle of one of the rotary switches a separate function light display is provided. From DE 102 27 130 Al a setting device for setting scaled functions is known. The settings are made by means of a controller whose setting positions are assigned to a backlit scale. For backlighting, each scale element is exactly one individually controllable light-emitting diode, for example. a Power-TopLED, assigned. The setting selected with the actuator is backlit on the scale in contrast to the other settings with a different color or with a higher light intensity by the LED is controlled accordingly.

Finally, DE 195 37 168 A1 shows an actuating element with two switching states and with an illuminable region, which is illuminated according to the switching state with differently colored light, wherein the lighting element is a multicolour diode.

The advantage of the latter two designs, is that a simple design of both the search light function and the functional light are achieved on controls for vehicle components, in addition to a space saving and in particular components for shading and light separation or diffusers or light guides can be omitted.

The object of the invention is to further develop an actuating unit for a vehicle component having the features of the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the functions of functional light display and search light are realized in an effort-optimized manner.

The invention achieves this object by an actuating unit for a vehicle component having the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the search lighting function and the function lighting function are assigned to separate light sources. In this case, the light source for the search lighting function is connected to the switch for actuating in particular the exterior lighting of the motor vehicle, so that in poorer visibility due to, for example, darkness is given an improved visibility of the control buttons of the actuators for vehicle components. In addition to the search light source, a light source for the function lighting function is provided, which is connected via switch contacts with the control button and can be switched by the control button.

The symbol field can be formed in particular by light-transmissive areas of the control surface of the control button. The rest of the control button is opaque. With the provision of two separate light sources, if a color change is to be used for signaling, it may be provided that, on account of the selected colors of the function light illumination function, the function light illumination function generates a signaling color together with the search light illumination function when the light is emitted together. In this case, the signaling color can be selected so that it has an appealing hue, with the other interior light functions, for example, the

Search light lighting function, but also the lighting of the other instruments harmonized.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the activation of the function lighting function di _. e light intensity is increased and so the symbol field in a constant color to the search light illumination function, but brighter appears. In particular, light-emitting diodes are possible as light sources, in particular those light-emitting diodes which can produce two or more colors can be used. Alternatively, however, other bulbs can be used. Light-emitting diodes have advantages in terms of energy consumption, service life, heat radiation, but also in terms of their size.

An increase in the available space, but also the flexibility of the arrangement can be achieved that, if several control buttons are provided, the search light illumination of the plurality of control buttons on a common light source is generated. In this case, a light source for generating the search light function may be provided at any location provided in the motor vehicle, in particular at a less critical location with respect to the space, this light source is coupled with optical fibers, the so coupled in them light in the range of j eweiligen control buttons so decouple that the symbol fields are illuminated. In this way, the number of parts requiring maintenance is reduced.

Finally, it can be advantageously provided that the control button is associated with a button designed as a switch, which cooperates with the switch contacts. In this way it is particularly easy to press by pressing be moved perpendicular to the control surface of the switch. The control button can be designed so that it springs in for switching, then back in their

Originating position to return. Alternatively, however, a switch can also be selected which distinguishes between a first position and a second position with regard to its positional position. Furthermore, rotary switches or toggle switches can be used.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the remaining application documents. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

Showing:

1 shows an operating unit for a vehicle component. Fig. FIG. 2 shows a cross section through an actuating unit in FIG

Area of a control key in highly schematic

Presentation .

Figure 1 shows an actuating unit for a vehicle component with a front panel, which is provided with the reference numeral 10. The front panel 10 comprises several control buttons 12 to 30 and a rotary switch 32. The control buttons 12 to 30 are different functions, such as rear window heater 12, circulating air 14, heat distribution 24, 26, air conditioning 22, etc .. dedicated . By means of a rotary switch 32, the desired temperature can be set in the motor vehicle. At this temperature, the vehicle temperature is then adjusted by means of the proposed air conditioning system.

The control buttons 12 to 30 are cap-shaped and have a control surface and circumferentially in Direction of the motor vehicle facing away from the control surface projecting side walls.

On the control surfaces of the control buttons 12 to 30 symbol fields 34 are provided. The symbol fields 34 are designed so that they can be backlit and so are well perceived by the operator even in the dark. The control buttons 12 -30 are otherwise opaque.

In this case, a so-called "search light function" is provided, in which the symbol fields 34 are automatically backlit when a vehicle lighting is switched on.

The backlighting for the search light function takes place here in a first color, as illustrated, for example, in the symbol field marked with 36. Now, if the control button is pressed by pushing perpendicular to the drawing plane, and elastically returns to its original position after actuation, a switching contact of an associated (not shown) button is actuated, whereby a function light illumination is turned on, so that after pressing the control button 14 the Symbol field 34 appears in a second color 38, so that the operator can immediately recognize that the operation key 14 has been actuated by him. The same applies to the other control buttons 12 to 30. The rotary switch 32 does not include functional lighting, but could in principle also be equipped with such.

Figure 2 now shows the structure of a single control button, the control button has a control surface 40 and side walls 42 which surround the control button on all sides and in the direction of the vehicle in which a corresponding Front panel 10 is installed, point. By the side walls 42 prevents stray light from penetrating from the one control button in the next control button. Associated with each operating key 14 are two light sources 44 and 46, both light sources being designed as LEDs. The light source 44 is the search illumination light source and the light source 46 is the functional illumination light source. Both light sources are provided with switching contacts, wherein the switching contacts of the light source 44 are coupled to the illumination system of a motor vehicle, in which the front panel 10 is installed. The switch contacts of the light source 46, however, are coupled to a switch 14 associated with the control button, so that pressing the arrow 48 in the direction of the switch can be actuated and it comes to a switching on or off the light source 46. The control surface 40 of the control button 14 in this case has a symbol field 50, wherein the symbol field 50 is designed to be translucent.

The search light source 44 emits a yellow light and the operation light source 46 emits a red light.

If now the vehicle light is switched on in a motor vehicle in which the actuating unit is installed, the search light source 44 is also activated via corresponding switch contacts, so that the symbol field 50 can be activated, for example. B. yellow backlit appears. In this way, it is easier for the driver of a vehicle to select the desired button while driving. Now, if a corresponding control button has been selected and the control button is pressed in the direction of arrow 48, whereupon this springs back resiliently, so switching takes place via a button, not shown, via switch contacts with the Function light source 46 is connected and this turns on. The function illumination light source 46 now sends z. B. red light, which is so intense that it outshines the yellow light of the search illumination light source 44. The symbol field 50 then appears backlit red after switching the switch. When the operating button 14 is pressed again, the button is then actuated again and the function lighting light source is deactivated. In addition, contacts are connected to the switch, not shown, which cooperate with the respective function that can be addressed by the switch.

In the above manner can be particularly space-saving - since no spatial separation and shading of the two light sources 44 and 46 against each other is necessary, since both light sources backlight the same symbol - a function display can be ensured. In addition, a corresponding display is an advanced solution in terms of both aesthetics and ergonomics, as the information provided can be more easily detected by an operator.

Claims

claims First operating unit for a vehicle component having a front panel (10) and at least one movable in the front panel (10) arranged control button (12 -32), wherein the control button (12-32) has a control surface (40), and circumferentially in the direction a motor vehicle pointing from the operating surface (40) projecting side walls (42), wherein the control surface (40) has a backlit symbol field (34) and behind the front panel (10) arranged board, the j ede for each control button (12 - 32) a Search light source (44) and a function light source (46) and switch contacts for electrically connecting the functional illumination light source (46) with the control button (12-32) and the search light source (44) and the symbol field (34) of both the search light function and the Function lighting is assigned, characterized in that the search lighting function and the function lighting function separ ate light sources (44, 46) are assigned. 2. Actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching on of the functional lighting by a Color and / or intensity change of the backlighting of the symbol field (34) takes place in comparison to the search illumination function. 3. Actuator according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that one or more light sources (44, 46) are designed as light-emitting diodes. 4. Actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that the light-emitting diode is a multi-color light-emitting diode. 5. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of control buttons (12 -32) are provided, wherein the search light illumination of at least a plurality of control buttons (12 -32) is generated via a common light source. 6. Actuator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one control button (12 -32) is assigned a button designed as a switch, which cooperates with the switch contacts.