# US 10,503,260 B2 · Operating unit for vehicle

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- Number: US 10,503,260 B2
- Document ID: US10503260B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/759,910
- Filed: 2016-09-12
- Published: 2019-02-14
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-15
- Assignees: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
- Applicants: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
- Inventors: Harri Pankratz; Bastian Bandlow; Matthias Stallein; Lars Heeper
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10503260B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user}
- G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015)
- H01F 7/1638: {Armatures not entering the winding}
- B60W 2050/146: {Display means}
- G05G 1/02: Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons
- H01F 2007/1684: {Armature position measurement using coils}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00)
- H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT

## Abstract

The operating unit for a vehicle is provided with a housing with a front face and an operating element which is arranged on the front face of the housing and has an operating surface. The operating element is mounted in a spring-elastic manner. Furthermore, at least one sensor is provided for detecting an actuation movement of the operating element. The operating unit additionally has at least one actuator for the feedback movement of the operating element in the case of an actuation movement of the operating element detected by the sensor as well as an analysis and control unit which is connected to the at least one sensor and to the actuator. The actuator is designed as an armature-type electromagnet with a first stator which has a first excitation coil, and an armature as a drive element. Furthermore, the armature is provided with a measuring coil to which a measuring voltage is applied when the magnetic flux generated by the first excitation coil flows through the armature. The first excitation coil and the measuring coil are connected to the analysis and control unit, and with the analysis and control unit it is possible to apply open-loop and/or closed-loop control to the force with which the armature of the actuator can move towards the first stator and/or the displacement movement of the armature out of its rest position and the return movement of the armature back into its rest position are adapted to be controlled and/or regulated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular an infotainment system for operating various vehicle components, having
a housing having a front face,
an operating element arranged on said front face of said housing, which comprises an operating surface, wherein said operating element is spring-elastically mounted,
at least one sensor for detecting an actuation movement of said operating element, at least one actuator for a feedback movement of said operating element in the case of an actuation movement of said operating element detected by said sensor, and
an analysis and control unit which is connected to said at least one sensor and said actuator, wherein
said actuator is configured as an armature-type electromagnet having a first stator comprising a first excitation coil, and an armature as a drive element,
said armature is provided with a measuring coil Which surrounds a middle portion of said armature and to which a measuring voltage is applied when a magnetic flux generated by said first excitation coil flows through said armature,
said first excitation coil and said measuring coil are connected to said analysis and control unit, wherein by means of said analysis and control unit a force is adapted to be controlled or regulated with the aid of which said armature of said actuator is adapted to be moved into a direction towards or away from said first stator, where movement into the direction includes displacement movement of said armature out of its rest position as well as return movement of said armature into its rest position, and
said actuator is arranged such that the first direction into which said actuator is adapted to be moved is tilted with respect to the operating surface of said operating element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The operating unit according to claim 1, wherein the armature-type electromagnet further comprises a second stator having a second excitation coil, wherein the first and second stators are arranged on both sides of the armature, and wherein said second excitation coil is also connected to the analysis and control unit, wherein by means of said analysis and control unit a respective force is adapted to be controlled or regulated with the aid of which said armature is adapted to be moved into a respective direction towards or away from the first stator and away from or towards the second stator, where movement into the respective direction includes the displacement movement of said armature out of its rest position as well as the return movement of said armature into its rest position.

### Claim 3

An operating unit for a vehicle component, in particular an infotainment system for operating various vehicle components, having
a housing having a front face,
an operating element arranged on said front face of said housing, which comprises an operating surface, wherein said operating element is spring-elastically mounted,
at least one sensor for detecting an actuation movement of said operating element, at least one actuator for a feedback movement of said operating element in the case of an actuation movement of said operating element detected by said sensor, and
an analysis and control unit which is connected to said at least one sensor and said actuator, wherein
said actuator is configured as an armature-type electromagnet having a first stator comprising a first excitation coil, and an armature as a drive element,
said armature is provided with a measuring coil to which a measuring voltage is applied when a magnetic flux generated by said first excitation coil flows through said armature,
said first excitation coil and said measuring coil are connected to said analysis and control unit, wherein by means of said analysis and control unit a force is adapted to be controlled or regulated with the aid of which said armature of said actuator is adapted to be moved into a first direction towards or away from said first stator, where movement into the first direction includes displacement movement of said armature out of its rest position as well as return movement of said armature into its rest position, and
said actuator is arranged such that the first direction into which said actuator is adapted to be moved is tilted with respect to the operating surface of said operating element.