Operator control device

• US 9,195,307 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2012
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Lange, Werner, Zoller, Ingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lu, William
• Application Number:
  US14/233,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20140139476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 5/003 Printed circuit coils
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0205 Magnetic circuits with PM in general
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 33/02 with armatures moved one way by energisation of a single coil system and returned by mechanical force, e.g. by springs
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/00 Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with generators H02K7/00, e.g. H02K7/06

Abstract

An operator control device has an operator control element with haptic feedback. The operator element includes one or more sensors and can be activated by an operator by an inputting element. The operating control device includes first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components. The components are arranged in parallel and configured to move relative to each other. The first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component is configured to form the operator control element. The first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component includes at least one flat coil that is arranged on a printed circuit board and is arranged between the ferromagnetic components. The first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components are configured to move with respect to each other when said at least one flat coil is energized, and the printed circuit board bearing the flat coil is permanently arranged on a face of said second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component.

Claims

1. An operator control device having an operator control element with haptic feedback, wherein the operator element has one or more sensors and can be activated by an operator by an inputting element, the operator control device comprising:

a first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component and a second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component arranged in parallel to face each other and configured to move relative to each other, the second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component having at least one ferromagnetic coil former that extends at a right angle to a plane of said first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components;

a printed circuit board arranged between said first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components with its plane parallel to said first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components, the printed circuit board having cutouts;

at least one first flat coil printed on a first surface of the printed circuit board that faces the first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component; and

at least one second flat coil printed on a second surface of the printed circuit board that faces the second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component,

wherein each at least one ferromagnetic coil former projects through a cutout of the printed circuit board, each ferromagnetic coil former being surrounded by a pair of coils comprising one first flat coil and one second flat coil,

wherein said first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component is configured for one of forming the operator control element and transmitting its movement at least partially to the operator control element,

wherein said first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components are configured to move with respect to each other when at least one of said first and second flat coils is energized, and

wherein said printed circuit board is permanently arranged on a face of said second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component facing said first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component.

2. The operator control device of claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board is arranged on said second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component using a bonding layer.

3. The operator control element of claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board is applied to said second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component using a film technology.

4. The operator control device of claim 1, wherein said second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component is arranged in a non-movable configuration.

5. The operator control device of claim 1, wherein said first ferromagnetic two-dimensional component and said second ferromagnetic two-dimensional component can be moved away from each other by a spring element to a maximum spacing when said at least one flat coils is not energized.

6. The operator control device of claim 5, wherein said maximum spacing of said first and second ferromagnetic two-dimensional components is determined by stops.

7. The operator control device of claim 1, wherein the operator control element includes a display.

8. The operator control device of claim 7, wherein said display is an electro-optical display.