阅读说明：本技术 车辆的旋转控制装置 (Vehicle rotation control device ) 是由 莱纳尔·彼得日克 亨德里克·洛特 于 2018-05-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于车辆的旋转控制装置(1)，旋转控制装置包括用户接口表面(3)特别是旋钮，所述用户接口表面被实施为绕所述装置(1)的转动轴线(7)相对于所述装置(1)的外壳(5)转动，旋转控制装置还包括：传感器单元(9)，其用于监测所述用户接口表面(3)关于所述外壳(5)的定向和/或转动；处理单元(11)；以及通信接口(13)，其用于根据来自所述处理单元(11)的输出(Op)发送控制信号(Ts)，所述输出(Op)由所述处理单元(11)基于来自所述传感器单元(9)的传感器数据(Ds)生成。(The invention relates to a rotary control device (1) for a vehicle, comprising a user interface surface (3), in particular a knob, which is embodied to be turned relative to a housing (5) of the device (1) about a turning axis (7) of the device (1), the rotary control device further comprising: a sensor unit (9) for monitoring the orientation and/or rotation of the user interface surface (3) with respect to the housing (5); a processing unit (11); and a communication interface (13) for sending a control signal (Ts) in dependence of an output (Op) from the processing unit (11), the output (Op) being generated by the processing unit (11) based on sensor data (Ds) from the sensor unit (9).)

1. A rotating control device for a vehicle, the rotating control device comprising a user interface surface that is implemented to rotate relative to a housing of the device about an axis of rotation of the device,

the rotation control device further includes:

a sensor unit for monitoring the orientation and/or rotation of the user interface surface relative to the housing;

a processing unit; and

a communication interface for transmitting a control signal in accordance with an output from the processing unit, the output being generated by the processing unit based on sensor data from the sensor unit,

wherein the rotational control apparatus further comprises a magnetorheological actuator,

wherein the magneto-rheological actuator comprises a rotating element mechanically connected to the user interface surface and adapted to interact with magneto-rheological fluid of the magneto-rheological actuator, and

wherein the magnetorheological actuator comprises an assembly for generating and/or manipulating a property of a magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid such that the magnetorheological actuator is for adjusting a torque transfer between the user interface surface and the housing,

characterized in that said assembly is implemented to generate and/or manipulate the nature of said magnetic field according to IO manipulation signals output from said processing unit, when said user interface surface is in an orientation for selecting a driving operation mode and according to status signals received by said device indicating that a driving unit of said vehicle is respectively in an active or inactive state.

2. A rotary control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is embodied to send a control signal to deactivate or activate the drive unit if: while the IO manipulation signal is being output to adjust the torque transfer, the user interface surface rotates a predetermined amount about the rotational axis to achieve an IO orientation.

3. The rotating control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing unit is implemented to output the IO manipulation signal for causing the component to manipulate the property of the magnetic field so as to form a braking force gradient along a turning path from an orientation of the user interface surface for selecting a driving operation mode to an IO orientation, and

the braking force ramp from the orientation for selecting the drive mode of operation to the IO orientation is different than a braking force ramp formed along a rotational path of the user interface surface between the orientation for selecting a drive mode of operation and a different orientation for selecting a different mode of operation of the vehicle.

4. The rotating control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the IO orientation can only be reached by rotation of the user interface surface in a direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation which the user interface surface has to be rotated in order to reach an orientation for selecting a different operating mode when the user interface surface is in an orientation for selecting a driving operating mode of the vehicle.

5. The rotation control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit is embodied to output a manipulation signal such that a braking force gradient formed along the turning path from the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode of the vehicle to the IO orientation corresponds to a braking force gradient defined by a mechanical system that needs to be turned for igniting or shutting off an engine in a motor vehicle.

6. The rotating control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit is implemented to output IO manipulation signals such that the braking force ramp formed along the turning path from the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode to the IO orientation comprises: a first branch path in which the braking force continues to increase; a second branch path in which the braking force is continuously reduced; and a third partial path, in which the braking force is continuously increased to a value which is greater than the value reached in the first partial path.

7. The rotating control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a torque sensor, and

the apparatus is implemented to send the control signal to deactivate or activate a drive unit of the vehicle only when an operator applies a predetermined amount of torque to the user interface surface while in the IO orientation.

8. The rotating control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the user interface surface is in the ignition orientation and a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the user interface surface, the processing unit is embodied to output a manipulation signal such that an ignition brake force gradient is formed along a restart spin path which extends in the same spin direction beyond the spin path from the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode to the IO orientation, and

the processing unit is implemented to output an IO manipulation signal for manipulating the component such that the component manipulates a magnetic field acting on a fluid to fluctuate, thereby simulating vibrotactile feedback along the restart rotational path to a user applying torque to the user interface surface upon fluctuation.

9. The rotating control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating element comprises a chamber containing the magnetorheological fluid, and

a static element is provided, which is fixedly arranged with respect to the housing and at least partly arranged in the chamber, such that the torque transmission between the inner surface of the chamber of the rotating element and the static element depends on the nature of the magnetic field.

10. The rotating control device according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rotating element is implemented to rotate within a chamber of the actuator containing the magnetorheological fluid, the chamber being fixedly arranged with respect to the housing such that the torque transmission between the rotating element and the inner surface of the chamber depends on the nature of the magnetic field.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a rotary control device for a vehicle, comprising a user interface surface which is embodied to rotate relative to a housing of the device about an axis of rotation of the device, and further comprising: a sensor unit for monitoring the orientation and/or rotation of a user interface surface with respect to the housing; a processing unit; and a communication interface for sending control signals in accordance with outputs from the processing unit, the outputs being generated by the processing unit based on sensor data from the sensor unit, wherein the rotary control device further comprises a magneto-rheological actuator, wherein the magneto-rheological actuator comprises a turning element mechanically connected to the user interface surface and for interacting with a magneto-rheological fluid of the magneto-rheological actuator, and wherein the magneto-rheological actuator comprises a component for generating and/or manipulating a property of a magnetic field acting on the magneto-rheological fluid, such that the magneto-rheological actuator is used for adjusting a torque transfer between the user interface surface and the housing.

Background

A haptic interface for control is known, for example, from european patent publication EP2065614a1, wherein an assembly for manipulating the properties of a magnetic field is disclosed for adjusting the torque transmission between a rotating element and the housing of the haptic interface.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to introduce an improved rotation control device.

The object of the invention is achieved by a rotation control device as defined by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims and the description define advantageous embodiments of the system.

This object is therefore achieved by a rotary control device for a vehicle, comprising a user interface surface which is embodied to rotate relative to a housing of the device about an axis of rotation of the device, and further comprising: a sensor unit for monitoring the orientation and/or rotation of a user interface surface with respect to the housing; a processing unit; and a communication interface for sending control signals in accordance with outputs from the processing unit, said outputs being generated by the processing unit based on sensor data from the sensor unit, wherein the rotary control device further comprises a magneto-rheological actuator, wherein the magneto-rheological actuator comprises a rotary element mechanically connected to the user interface surface and adapted to interact with magneto-rheological fluid of the magneto-rheological actuator, and wherein the magneto-rheological actuator comprises a component for generating and/or manipulating properties of a magnetic field acting on the magneto-rheological fluid, such that the magneto-rheological actuator is adapted to adjust the torque transmission between the user interface surface and the housing, wherein the component is implemented when the user interface surface is in an orientation for selecting a driving operation mode and in accordance with a status signal received by the device indicating that the drive unit of the vehicle is in an active or inactive state, respectively, the properties of the magnetic field are generated and/or manipulated in dependence of the IO manipulation signals output from the processing unit.

In the sense of the present invention, the position of the user interface surface refers to the placement of the user interface surface in a plane spatially displaced from the housing of the device by a specified distance. In the sense of the present invention, the orientation of the user interface surface refers to the initial setting of the reference housing relative to the user interface surface, the user interface surface specifying a rotational displacement of a degree of rotation about the rotational axis of the device.

The magnetorheological fluid defines the behavior of the rotating control device. To do so, the voltage supplied to the assembly is varied to induce an ambient magnetic field, thereby changing the viscosity of the fluid. Depending on the magnetic field, in particular on the properties of the magnetic field, such as the strength and/or direction, the MRF can be varied between liquid and solid state, which can be controlled very precisely. In the fluid state, the MRF transmits little or no torque between the rotating element and the housing. However, as the viscosity increases and the fluid approaches a solid state, shear forces within the fluid and between the fluid and the rotating element and between the fluid and the housing or between components fixedly attached to the housing increase. This results in an increased torque transfer between the user interface surface housings.

The device can be used to select the operating mode of the vehicle, for example: a forward range operating mode in which torque is transmitted from a drive unit of the vehicle so as to propel the vehicle in a forward direction; a reverse operating mode in which torque is transmitted from a drive unit of the vehicle to propel the vehicle in a reverse direction; a neutral operating mode in which no torque is transmitted from the drive unit of the vehicle; a parking operation mode in which a torque transfer unit attached to a drive unit of a vehicle is mechanically blocked; or another mode of operation.

When the position and/or orientation of the user interface surface remains constant in the absence of a force applied to the device from an external source, then that position and/or orientation of the user interface surface can be referred to as a stable position. On the other hand, when the user interface surface is not held in a particular position or orientation, for example due to a force being applied internally by a mechanism of the device, then that position and/or orientation can be referred to as unstable.

A safety-relevant function of the vehicle in the sense of the invention can be, for example, the selection of an operating mode of the vehicle, the steering, acceleration or braking of the vehicle. The non-safety function of the vehicle can be, for example, a navigation or control multimedia interface.

In the sense of the present invention, the communication path can be, for example, a hard wire for transmitting data, such as a data bus and/or a wireless data transmission channel. In many modern street vehicles, a CAN data bus is the preferred type of communication path.

In the sense of the present invention, the user interface surface or knob can comprise an outer surface of a ring-shaped and/or half-shell structure, which is accessible to the operator, i.e. the user, of the vehicle. The user interface surface can also include a formation located below an outer surface of the user interface surface.

In an embodiment of the control device, the device is implemented to send the control signal to deactivate or activate the drive unit in a situation in which the user interface surface is rotated a predetermined amount about the rotational axis to reach the IO orientation while the IO manipulation signal is output to regulate the torque transfer.

In an embodiment of the control device, the processing unit is implemented to output an IO manipulation signal for causing the component to manipulate a property of the magnetic field such that a braking force gradient is formed along a rotational path from an orientation of the user interface surface for selecting the driving operation mode to the IO orientation, and wherein the braking force gradient from the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode to the IO orientation is different from the braking force gradient formed along the rotational path of the user interface surface between the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode and the different orientation for selecting the different operation mode of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the control device, the IO orientation can only be achieved by rotating the user interface surface in a rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction in which the user interface surface has to be rotated to an orientation for selecting a different operating mode when the user interface surface is in an orientation for selecting a driving operating mode of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the control device, the processing unit is implemented to output the steering signal such that a braking force gradient formed along a rotation path from the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode of the vehicle to the IO orientation corresponds to a braking force gradient defined by a mechanical system that needs to be rotated to ignite or shut off an engine in the motor vehicle.

In an embodiment of the control device, the processing unit is implemented to output the IO manipulation signal such that a braking force gradient formed along a rotation path from the orientation for selecting the driving operation mode to the IO orientation comprises: a first branch path in which the braking force continues to increase; a second branch path in which the braking force is continuously reduced; and a third partial path, in which the braking force is continuously increased to a value that is greater than the value reached in the first partial path.

In an embodiment of the control device, the device comprises a torque sensor, and wherein the device is implemented to send the control signal to deactivate or activate the drive unit of the vehicle only when the operator applies a predetermined amount of torque to the user interface surface while in the IO orientation.

In an embodiment of the control device, the processing unit is implemented to output the manipulation signal such that a spark braking force gradient is formed along a restart rotational path extending in the same rotational direction beyond a rotational path from an orientation for selecting the drive operation mode to an IO orientation when the user interface surface is in the ignition orientation and a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the user interface surface, and wherein the processing unit is implemented to output the IO manipulation signal for manipulating the assembly such that the assembly manipulates a magnetic field acting on the fluid to fluctuate, thereby simulating a vibratory haptic feedback along the restart rotational path for a user applying torque to the user interface surface when fluctuating.

In an embodiment of the control device, the rotating element comprises a chamber containing the magnetorheological fluid, and wherein a static element is provided, which is fixedly arranged with respect to the housing and at least partly arranged in the chamber, such that the torque transmission between the inner surface of the chamber of the rotating element and the static element depends on the properties of the magnetic field.

In an embodiment of the control device, the rotating element is implemented for rotation within a chamber of the actuator containing the magnetorheological fluid, said chamber being fixedly arranged with respect to the housing, such that the torque transfer between the rotating element and the inner surface of the chamber depends on the nature of the magnetic field.

Drawings

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the following drawings. The figures show:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a rotational control apparatus of the present invention; and is

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operation mode selection sequence of an embodiment of the rotation control apparatus of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a rotating control device 1 of the invention having a user interface surface 3, which user interface surface 3 can be moved and turned by a user or operator of a vehicle. The user interface surface is rotatable about the axis of rotation 7 of the device 1 to various orientations, for example for selecting an operating mode of the vehicle. Further, the user interface surface 3 is movable by a user or operator of the vehicle between a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3.

The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 5, the housing 5 at least partially enclosing a processing unit 11 mounted on a substrate 15, the substrate 15 being a printed circuit board. The processing unit 11 is connected to a communication interface 13. Via the communication interface 13, signals such as the control signal Ts can be transmitted and received. The processing unit 11 is further connected to a sensor unit 9, the sensor unit 9 being used to monitor the rotation and/or orientation of the user interface surface relative to the housing 5. The sensor unit 9 sends sensor data Ds to the processing unit 11, based on which the processing unit 11 can generate control signals to send via the communication interface 13.

The device also comprises an assembly 17 for generating and correcting a magnetic field in a chamber 19 of the housing 5. The chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid 21, also known as MRF. The rotating element 23 is partially located within the chamber. The rotating element 23 is mechanically connected to the user interface surface 3 and rotates with the rotation of the interface 3.

It can be said that the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid 21 changes in correspondence with changes in the properties of the magnetic field, such as field strength and direction, caused by the assembly 17. Thus, in a corresponding manner, the fluid transfers more or less torque between the user interface surface 3 and the housing 5 of the device 1. This is due to the variation in shear forces within the fluid and between the fluid and the chamber walls. Since the housing 5 of the device is typically fixedly mounted in the vehicle, the assembly can be considered to accommodate a braking force acting on the user interface surface 3. These systems, which include the MRF 21 in the chamber 19, the rotating element 23 and the assembly 17 for manipulating the magnetic field within the chamber 19, are generally referred to as MRF actuators. The processing unit 11 is implemented to output manipulation signals for controlling the components 17. For example, the component 17 can be driven by a circuit on the substrate 15, which feeds a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) current or voltage to the component 17 in accordance with the manipulation signal from the processing unit 11.

The device further comprises a servo actuator 25, which servo actuator 25 is engaged with the turning element 23 and can thus apply a torque to the user interface surface 3.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an operation mode selection sequence of an embodiment of the rotation control device of the present invention. The user interface surface 3 is rotatable about a rotation axis 7 in order to achieve an orientation for selecting various operating modes of the vehicle. When the forward operation mode D is selected, or, relatedly, when the orientation of the user interface surface is such that a control signal is sent from the device for selecting such an operation mode, then an additional selectable orientation is provided to the operator of the vehicle, for example in order to deactivate the drive unit of the vehicle. Many modern street vehicle drive units include engines that operate on fossil fuels. It may therefore be advantageous to deactivate such an engine when the vehicle is stationary, for example at a stop light.

Depending on whether the drive unit is activated or deactivated, the operator can turn the user interface to the IO orientation in order to deactivate or activate the drive unit, respectively. At the same time, the processing unit 11 of the device 1 is able to output IO manipulation signals such that the MRF actuator of the device provides a braking force along the rotational path of the user interface surface 3. The MRF actuator can, for example, manipulate the magnetic field such that the braking force is removed at intervals and increased again to a predetermined value at intervals. This manipulation of the magnetic field causes the user interface surface to gradually move at intervals, which can be interpreted by the operator as a vibration.

Other modes of operation, such as sport, comfort and environmental protection, can also be selected by rotating the user interface surface to a corresponding orientation.

Reference numerals

1 rotation control device

3 user interface surface

5 outer cover

7 axis of rotation

9 sensor unit

11 processing unit

13 communication interface

15 base plate/PCB

17 Assembly for generating/manipulating a magnetic field

19 chamber

21 magnetorheological fluid

23 rotating element

25 servo actuator

X1 first direction

Second direction of X2

P1 first position

P2 second position

P3 third position