(19)
(11)EP 3 670 234 A1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43)Date of publication:
24.06.2020 Bulletin 2020/26

(21)Application number: 18214103.6

(22)Date of filing:  19.12.2018
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B60K 35/00(2006.01)
G06F 3/0488(2013.01)
H03K 17/96(2006.01)
B60K 37/06(2006.01)
G06F 3/041(2006.01)
(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(71)Applicants:
  • AUDI AG
    85045 Ingolstadt (DE)
  • LG Electronics Inc.
    Youngdungpo-gu Seoul 150-721 (KR)

(72)Inventors:
  • WALL, Christian
    85122 Hitzhofen (DE)
  • HUFNAGEL, Anna
    81667 München (DE)
  • KANG, Seung mo
    Seocho-gu Seoul (KR)
  • PARK, Sungjun
    Seocho-gu Seoul (KR)
  • OH, Jiwon
    Gangseo-gu Seoul (KR)

(74)Representative: Hofstetter, Schurack & Partner 
Patent- und Rechtsanwaltskanzlei PartG mbB Balanstrasse 57
81541 München
81541 München (DE)

  


(54)ARRANGEMENT OF AN OPERATING UNIT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE


(57) The invention relates to an arrangement of an operating unit (1) in a motor vehicle comprising a touch-sensitive operating panel (2). The operating unit (1) is located below an elastic cover (3). At least the operating panel (2) is designed such that it can be folded up from an at least approximately horizontal position.




Description


[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement of an operating unit in a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In modern motor vehicles, operating units with an operating panel, which is provided with an operating surface, e. g. a display, are being installed more frequently. The operating unit is usually designed with a touch-sensitive display via touch control. However, this requires accessibility of the display. Especially, in the piloted or automatic driving mode, when the driver assumes a comfort seat position, the accessibility of the operating panel is therefore not always easily guaranteed. For this reason, remote operating elements are provided as an alternative.

[0003] However, the disadvantage thereof is that these operating elements require a permanent space, do not always look attractive and furthermore cause extra costs.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of an operating unit in a motor vehicle, in which the operating panel can also be operated by the driver in a piloted driving mode if necessary.

[0005] According to the invention this object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, at least the operating panel of the operating unit can be mechanically brought into different height positions. For example, it can be folded down in the initial state and arranged flat in the vehicle. In this position, it is basically also operable. However, if, due to his seating position, the driver does not have sufficient visibility onto the control panel of the flat lying control panel of the control unit or it should not or only poorly be accessible, it can be folded up into an operating position such that it is visible and accessible to him for operating the operating area of the operating panel. The operating unit is arranged under a cover, for example a fabric-like material. For this purpose, the cover or the fabric-like material according to the invention is designed translucent or such that light can be guided through it. In this way, the operation panel arranged under the cover can be operated in a visible manner.

[0007] A very advantageous positioning of the operating unit may be in a center console located between the front seats.

[0008] If necessary, the operating unit can also be designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, if this is advantageous for an easier operation.

[0009] In the following, an embodiment of the invention is described in principle with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In the figures:

Figure 1 shows an operating unit in a use position.

Figure 2 shows a control unit in a second embodiment in the use position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an operating unit in the folded-up position.

Figures 4 - 6 are a schematic diagram of the control unit in three positions with a conveyor belt as a closed system.



[0011] According to Figure 1, an operating unit 1 is provided in a known manner with a touch-sensitive operating panel 2, e. g. a display. The operating unit 1 with the display as the operating panel 2 is, for example, arranged in a center console 5 (see figures 4 - 6) between the front seats of the motor vehicle. The center console 5 has at least in the area of the operating unit 1 a cover 3 made of a translucent material or a material through which light can be guided, e. g. a fabric-like material, for which purpose also a plastic material can be used.

[0012] In a basic position (see figure 4), the operating panel 2 is in an at least approximately horizontal position. In the position shown in figure 1, the operating panel 2 is shown folded up from the horizontal position in the direction of the arrow. The positioning of the operating panel 2 in the folded-up position can be adjusted at any angle if necessary.

[0013] In order to enable the folded-up position of the operating panel 2, a cover should be used which is very elastic and does not form wrinkles.

[0014] Figure 2 shows an embodiment, in which the operating panel 2 is formed to allow an up-folding thereof centrally between the flat parts of the operating unit 1.

[0015] Figure 3 shows in a perspective view the operating unit 1 with the operating panel 2 folded up therefrom.

[0016] Even if the driver is in a comfort seating position, the operating surface of the operating panel 2 can thus be operated in a simple manner. In this case, it is generally also provided with an illuminating means, wherein the cover 3 should be designed to be translucent at least in the area of the control fields. The illuminating means for the operating panel 2 can for example also be provided by LED backlight.

[0017] In this way, the arrangement of the operating unit 1 in the center console 5 is ergonomically positioned, and it is not visible in the unused state due to the overlying cover 3. If necessary, the operating unit 1 can also be moved in the center console in the longitudinal direction against the direction of travel such that it can more easily be reached by the driver being in a comfort seating position.

[0018] Figures 4 to 6 show an embodiment as a closed system. There, the operating unit 1 is designed as a conveyor belt 4 or integrated into a conveyor belt 4. The conveyor belt 4 is arranged in the center console 5.

[0019] Figure 4 shows the operating unit 1 in the rest position or in the position with the operating panel 2 lying flat.

[0020] Figure 5 shows the operating panel 2 in the folded-up position, and figure 6 shows the position of the operating panel 2 having a displaced position facing the driver in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For this purpose, the conveyor belt 4 is actuated in accordance with the direction of the arrow.

[0021] The operating unit 1 can also be activated, for example, only after starting the vehicle. This means that in the non-activated situation it is invisible under the cover 3. Only after activation, the operating panel 2 of the operating unit 1 becomes visible under the transparent cover 3. Instead of a display with a correspondingly large operating surface, the operating panel 2 may be provided with only one or more simple LEDs, which are activated by the touch of a person accordingly, by means of which other units in the vehicle can then be controlled or activated.


Claims

1. Arrangement of an operating unit (1) in a motor vehicle comprising a touch-sensitive operating panel (2),
characterized in that
the operating unit (1) is located below an elastic cover (3), at least the operating panel (2) being designed such that it can be folded up from an at least approximately horizontal position.
 
2. Arrangement according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the cover (3) is formed translucent in such a way that at least the operating areas of the operating panel (2) are visible.
 
3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the cover (3) consists of a fabric-like material.
 
4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the operating unit (1) is arranged in a center console (5) located between the front seats of the motor vehicle.
 
5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
the operating unit (1) is additionally designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
 
6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
the operating unit (1) is designed as a conveyor belt (4) or integrated into a conveyor belt (4) with an operating unit (2) being integrated in the conveyor belt (4).
 
7. Arrangement according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the operating unit (1) is arranged as a closed system in a center console (5) of the motor vehicle.
 




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