DE102022133194A1 - Actuating arrangement for a steering handle, which has haptic actuators operable via a switching element, steering handle and method for operating an actuating arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating arrangement (10) for a steering handle of a motor vehicle, with a first and a second operating element (14, 16), a first detection device (20) for detecting an actuation of the first operating element (14) by a user of the steering handle and a second detection device (28) for detecting an actuation of the second operating element (16). The respective operating element (14, 16) has a respective actuator (26, 34) for outputting haptic feedback to the user. A control device (38) of the actuating arrangement (10) has a driver module (36) for operating the actuators (26, 34) and a switching element (40). The switching element (40) is designed to output electrical energy intended for the first actuator (26) and provided by the driver module (36) to the first actuator (26) via a first transmission path (42) and to output electrical energy intended for the second actuator (34) and provided by the driver module (36) to the second actuator (34) via a second transmission path (44).

Description

The invention relates to an actuating arrangement for a steering handle of a motor vehicle. The actuating arrangement comprises at least a first operating element and a second operating element, a first detection device for detecting an actuation of the first operating element by a user of the steering handle and a second detection device for detecting an actuation of the second operating element by the user. The first operating element has a first actuator for outputting haptic feedback to the user, and the second operating element has a second actuator for outputting haptic feedback to the user. A control device of the actuating arrangement has at least one driver module for operating the actuators.

The US 2019/0291769 A1 describes a device for operating a steering wheel with touch sensors, which are designed to detect a gesture of a user of the steering wheel. A control unit comprises a control module, which outputs a control command to a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit is designed to output tactile feedback to the user.

Furthermore, the US 2018/0136727 A1 a haptic feedback system in which a vibration of the entire steering wheel is generated as haptic feedback.

The object of the present invention is to provide an actuating arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset, which has a particularly low-complexity construction, as well as to provide a steering handle with such an actuating arrangement and a corresponding method for operating an actuating arrangement.

This object is achieved by an actuating arrangement having the features of patent claim 1, by a steering handle having the features of patent claim 10 and by a method having the features of patent claim 11.

Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims and in the following description.

The actuating arrangement according to the invention for a steering handle such as a steering wheel of a motor vehicle comprises at least a first operating element and a second operating element as well as a first detection device for detecting an actuation of the first operating element by a user of the steering handle and a second detection device for detecting an actuation of the second operating element by the user of the steering handle. The first operating element has a first actuator for outputting haptic feedback to the user, and the second operating element has a second actuator for outputting haptic feedback to the user. A control device of the actuating arrangement has at least one driver module for operating the actuators. The control device also has a switching element. The switching element is designed to output electrical energy intended for the first actuator and provided by the driver module to the first actuator via a first transmission path. The switching element is further designed to output electrical energy intended for the second actuator and provided by the driver module to the second actuator via a second transmission path.

This is based on the knowledge that it is particularly easy to provide the switching element in order to be able to operate the first actuator and the second actuator using one and the same driver module. To operate the respective actuator, the respective actuator is supplied with electrical energy via the respective transmission path. During operation, the driver module preferably draws the electrical energy from an electrical energy source to which the driver module can be connected for this purpose.

The design of the actuating arrangement in which the switching element is provided is more advantageous, in particular more cost-effective, than another possible design of the actuating arrangement in which the control device has two driver modules. In this further design, a first transmission path can lead from the first driver module to the first actuator, via which the first actuator can be supplied with electrical energy. Furthermore, a second transmission path can lead from the second driver module to the second actuator, via which the second actuator can be supplied with electrical energy.

Compared to the structure of such an actuating arrangement with the control device having the two driver modules, the actuating arrangement having only one driver module and the switching element is significantly simpler and less complex. In particular, the switching element is much more cost-effective than the respective driver module.

Since the same driver module is used in the present case to operate both the first actuator and the second actuator, a particularly low-complexity, in particular cost-effective, structure is achieved in the actuating arrangement having the switching element.

Furthermore, the integration of the driver module into the control device is advantageous compared to a variant in which a respective driver module is integrated into the respective operating element. This is because the integration of the driver module into the control device reduces the installation space required for the respective operating element compared to the variant of the actuation arrangement in which the respective operating element has a respective driver module.

The integration of respective driver modules into the respective control elements can also lead to an undesirably high electrical current being required when operating both actuators in order to supply the two actuators with electrical energy. This could cause problems with regard to the voltage supply of the actuation arrangement.

Such problems can be avoided in the present case because the driver module is integrated into the control device, by means of which the output of electrical energy to the actuators, which can preferably be carried out via the driver module, can be specified. In this way, it is possible in particular to prevent electrical currents of undesirable high intensity from occurring when the actuators are supplied with electrical energy. Furthermore, the management of the electrical energy can be simplified.

Since both the first actuator and the second actuator can be operated using the electrical energy provided by or on the driver module, two driver modules do not need to be provided to operate or activate the actuators. Accordingly, the effort, in particular the cost, that would be incurred if a respective driver module or a driver module assigned to each of the actuators were provided is eliminated.

Furthermore, the switching element advantageously enables electrical energy to be output to more than two actuators in order to operate the respective actuator. For this purpose, the actuating arrangement only needs to be provided with at least one further transmission path, which leads to the at least one further actuator. Accordingly, the switching element can be used together with just one driver module in an advantageous manner, particularly when the actuating arrangement according to one embodiment has more than two operating elements with actuators assigned to the respective operating element.

In particular, if the actuation arrangement has more operating elements than the first operating element and the second operating element with respective actuators, the operation of the actuators can be implemented very cost-effectively. This is because the same driver module is able to supply more than two actuators with electrical energy by supplying the actuators with the electrical energy intended for the respective actuator using the switching element and which is transmitted to the respective actuator via a respective transmission path.

Because the driver module designed to operate the actuators is integrated into the control device, the time delay until the haptic feedback is output is particularly short. This is because there is no need to control a driver module integrated into the respective control element from the control device via a gateway. Such signal transmission via a gateway is therefore not necessary because the driver module is part of the control device. As a result, the driver module can be controlled particularly quickly.

In particular, no communication path needs to be provided between a first circuit board associated with the control device and at least one second circuit board of the control element having a respective driver module. This is advantageous.

Preferably, the switching element is designed to output the electrical energy to the actuators one after the other as a result of detecting a simultaneous actuation of the operating elements. It is then advantageously sufficient to use a driver module that is less powerful in terms of supplying the actuators with electrical energy. This is particularly advantageous in view of the associated reduced costs.

Furthermore, with such a design of the switching element, in which the switching element uses the transmission paths one after the other, one can take advantage of the fact that the duration of the haptic feedback can be kept comparatively short, while still allowing good detection of the haptic feedback. message is given to the user of the steering handle.

In particular, a duration of the haptic feedback can be shorter than a time offset that is noticeable or perceptible to the user between the output of the haptic feedback by the first actuator and the subsequent output of the haptic feedback by the second actuator. For example, such a time offset can be less than about 100 milliseconds or even less than about 50 milliseconds. Then the time offset is usually not noticeable to the user.

Accordingly, haptic feedback whose duration is less than a time span of, for example, about 50 milliseconds, can be output one after the other without the user being able to determine that there is any time offset at all between the output of the haptic feedback by the first actuator and the output of the haptic feedback by the second actuator.

The user will not notice the time offset between successive haptic feedback signals in particular if the time duration during which the respective haptic feedback is output is less than about 20 milliseconds per actuator and is, for example, about ten milliseconds per actuator.

Even if the user operates both control elements at the same time and this results in the actuator of the respective control element providing haptic feedback for such a short period of time, it appears to the user as if the haptic feedback is taking place simultaneously. In fact, however, the actuators can be supplied with electrical energy one after the other.

Accordingly, such an operating mode of the switching element can be used to output haptic feedback to the user at the same time using the actuators. Such output of haptic feedback, which appears to the user at the same time, can be provided in particular in order to convey a warning to the user in this way. This is advantageous, in particular with regard to increasing driving safety when using the actuating arrangement for or in the steering handle of the motor vehicle.

Additionally or alternatively, the switching element can be designed to output the electrical energy to the actuators at the same time as a result of detecting a simultaneous actuation of the operating elements. This makes it particularly reliable to ensure that the haptic feedback associated with the operation of the actuators is actually output to the user at the same time and not just perceived. This applies even if the duration of the output of the haptic feedback by the respective actuator is longer than, for example, around ten milliseconds or longer than around 20 milliseconds.

A warning message can be issued to the user very easily and reliably by the actuators of at least two control elements simultaneously issuing the haptic feedback. Such a warning is particularly advantageous in terms of increased driving safety when the actuating arrangement is used in the steering handle of the motor vehicle.

If the first transmission path and the second transmission path are used simultaneously to supply the actuators with electrical energy by means of the switching element, it is advantageous if the driver module is designed to be sufficiently powerful in order to provide the electrical energy for the respective actuator at the same time. Accordingly, such a design of the switching element can be provided in particular if the driver module has a correspondingly high performance.

Preferably, the driver module is designed to output the electrical energy according to at least one pattern that corresponds to a haptic feedback that can be output by the respective actuator. For example, the actuator can indicate different functions using different patterns, in particular vibration patterns, by the actuator outputting the haptic feedback corresponding to the respective pattern. For example, the user can be informed that as a result of the actuation of the respective control element, the associated function has been or will be carried out as desired.

Accordingly, it is advantageous if the driver module is designed to output the electrical energy according to the at least one pattern, for example by applying a PWM signal (PWM = pulse width modulation) to the actuator, i.e. the electrical energy is supplied to the actuator in a manner corresponding to the respective pattern and modulated in the pulse width

Preferably, the control device comprises a microcontroller, by means of which the output of the electrical electrical energy to the actuators can be specified. The microcontroller can therefore determine very easily and reliably when the respective actuator should be supplied with electrical energy via the driver module. In particular, the microcontroller can use this method to ensure that electrical currents present in the actuating arrangement do not exceed certain current strengths that can be specified, for example, when designing the actuating arrangement. This makes it easy and reliable to avoid undesirable functional impairments or damage to the actuating arrangement or components of the actuating arrangement.

The microcontroller preferably has a memory device in which the at least one pattern is stored. This is particularly advantageous compared to an operating arrangement in which respective patterns are stored in the respective operating elements. This is because, for example, when updating or otherwise changing the at least one pattern, two memory devices do not need to be overwritten. Rather, it is sufficient to update the memory device of the microcontroller or to make similar changes to the at least one pattern in another way. In particular, double storage of patterns in different memory devices can be advantageously avoided in this way.

Furthermore, updating the patterns stored in the memory device is particularly simple and requires little effort. This is because the memory device of the microcontroller can be accessed very quickly in order to overwrite and/or update and/or supplement the pattern stored in the memory device or the like. This is particularly true if such a change to the at least one pattern stored in the memory device is made by wireless data transmission. A change by means of wireless data transmission can be made particularly quickly and easily if the patterns are stored in the memory device of the microcontroller.

Furthermore, in such a change or update process, no data transfer from the microcontroller to a storage device of the respective control element needs to be carried out. Since data transfer to a storage device of the respective control element would be associated with a corresponding time requirement, the provision of the storage device in the microcontroller of the control device is advantageous, in particular with regard to a change or update that can be carried out quickly and with little effort.

Preferably, the memory device of the microcontroller is designed for direct memory access. Such direct memory access (DMA) is particularly advantageous in order to avoid a blockage or a delay in computing operations of a computing device of the microcontroller when the microcontroller transmits the at least one pattern to the driver module. Accordingly, the microcontroller can continue to carry out computing operations or calculations unhindered without this being impaired due to the transmission of the at least one pattern to the driver module. If the memory device is designed for direct memory access, the at least one pattern can therefore be transmitted to the driver module without the computing device of the microcontroller being blocked. This is advantageous.

Additionally or alternatively, the microcontroller can be connected to the driver module via a control line, wherein the at least one pattern can be transmitted to the driver module via the control line. In this way, it is very easy and inexpensive to prevent a computing device of the microcontroller from being blocked or otherwise impaired in its working capacity or working speed due to the transmission of the at least one pattern to the driver module.

The storage device and/or the control line advantageously only need to be provided once, since only a transmission or transmission of the at least one pattern to the one driver module needs to be accomplished. This is advantageous, in particular in comparison to a constellation in which respective control lines to respective driver modules are present, or in which the operating elements have respective storage devices for the patterns. The one-time provision of the storage device and/or the control line is therefore beneficial to the low-complexity construction of the actuating arrangement.

The microcontroller is preferably designed to communicate with at least one vehicle-side device of the motor vehicle. This allows, for example, a haptic feedback to be output via the actuators, which confirms that a function of the vehicle-side device selected using the respective control element is activated or will be activated. In this way, the user of the steering handle can receive feedback on the operation of the control element by the user.

Preferably, the microcontroller and the driver module are arranged on a common circuit board of the control device. This enables very rapid signal transmission from the microcontroller to the driver module, which is advantageous. Furthermore, due to the associated, comparatively small distance between the microcontroller and the driver module, there is very little influence from electromagnetic interference fields. In addition, the generation of electromagnetic interference by the control device during operation of the actuating arrangement can be largely avoided.

In addition, there is no need for communication from one circuit board to another circuit board in order to transmit control commands from the microcontroller to the driver module. This is particularly advantageous in view of the fact that the transmission of control commands or signals between the components arranged on the common circuit board in the form of the microcontroller and the driver module takes place particularly quickly.

Preferably, the respective detection device for detecting the actuation of the respective control element has a touch-sensitive sensor element. This makes it possible to determine very reliably whether the user has actuated the respective control element or not.

Additionally or alternatively, the respective detection device for detecting the actuation of the respective control element can have a force sensor. This makes it particularly easy to distinguish a touch of the respective control element that can be interpreted as an actual actuation of the control element from a more unintentional touch of the control element.

For example, the detection device can detect an actuation of the operating element if the force applied when the operating element is actuated exceeds at least a predetermined threshold value. This is advantageous with regard to very reliable detection of the actuation of the respective operating element.

In particular, the detection device of the respective operating element can have the touch-sensitive sensor element and the force sensor. In this way, it is advantageous to detect, on the one hand, whether the respective operating element has been touched and, on the other hand, whether the touch is to be considered an intentional actuation.

The steering handle according to the invention for a motor vehicle has an actuating arrangement according to the invention. Accordingly, the structure of the actuating arrangement and the steering handle is particularly low-complexity.

The steering handle can be designed in particular as a steering wheel for the motor vehicle, in which the respective operating elements can be arranged, for example, in the area of the spokes of the steering wheel and/or on a steering wheel rim. The operating elements are thus particularly easy to reach for the user of the steering wheel.

In the method according to the invention for operating an actuating arrangement of a steering handle for a motor vehicle, the actuating arrangement has at least a first operating element and a second operating element. A first detection device detects an actuation of the first operating element by a user of the steering handle, and a second detection device detects an actuation of the second operating element by the user. The first operating element has a first actuator, which outputs haptic feedback to the user, and the second operating element has a second actuator, which outputs haptic feedback to the user. A control device of the actuating arrangement has at least one driver module, which causes the actuators to operate. The control device has a switching element, which outputs electrical energy intended for the first actuator and provided by the driver module to the first actuator via a first transmission path. The switching element outputs electrical energy intended for the second actuator and provided by the driver module to the second actuator via a second transmission path. Due to the provision of the switching element, a particularly low-effort operation of the actuating arrangement is possible.

The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the actuating arrangement according to the invention apply analogously to the steering handle according to the invention and the method according to the invention and vice versa.

The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed which do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features, in particular through the embodiments set out above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the references to the claims are to be regarded as disclosed.

• 1 schematisch eine Betätigungsanordnung für eine Lenkhandhabe eines Kraftfahrzeugs, bei welcher ein Schaltelement vorgesehen ist, über welches sich jeweilige Aktuatoren zweier Bedienelemente der Betätigungsanordnung mit elektrischer Energie beaufschlagen lassen, wobei die Aktuatoren zum Ausgeben einer jeweiligen haptischen Rückmeldung an einen Nutzer der Lenkhandhabe ausgebildet sind;
• 2 schematisch eine als Lenkrad ausgebildete Lenkhandhabe, welche die Betätigungsanordnung mit den beiden Bedienelementen aufweist; und
• 3 schematisch eine weitere Betätigungsanordnung mit der Möglichkeit der Beaufschlagung der beiden Aktuatoren mit elektrischer Energie, wobei die Steuerungseinrichtung zwei Treibermodule aufweist, und wobei jeweils eines der Treibermodule einem der beiden Aktuatoren zugeordnet ist.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. They show:

• 1 schematically shows an actuating arrangement for a steering handle of a motor vehicle, in which a switching element is provided, via which respective actuators of two operating elements of the actuating arrangement can be supplied with electrical energy, wherein the actuators are designed to output a respective haptic feedback to a user of the steering handle;
• 2 schematically a steering handle designed as a steering wheel, which has the operating arrangement with the two operating elements; and
• 3 schematically shows a further actuating arrangement with the possibility of supplying the two actuators with electrical energy, wherein the control device has two driver modules, and wherein one of the driver modules is assigned to one of the two actuators.

In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference symbols.

In 1 is schematically an actuating arrangement 10 for a steering handle such as a 2 shown steering wheel 12 of a motor vehicle. The operating arrangement 10 comprises a first operating element 14 and a second operating element 16. The operating elements 14, 16 can be arranged, for example, in the area of the respective spokes 18 of the steering wheel 12 (see 2 ). The operating elements 14, 16 can be designed in particular in the manner of rocker switches and/or in the manner of a respective slider or slide control or the like. By actuating the operating elements 14, 16 by a user of the motor vehicle or the steering wheel 12, respective functions can preferably be activated in the motor vehicle.

For example, the activation of such functions can include making settings on a multimedia system and/or a telephony device and/or an air conditioning device and/or a navigation system and/or a driver assistance system or similar device of the motor vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that by operating the control elements 14, 16, information relating to the motor vehicle can be called up and/or other devices of the motor vehicle such as lighting devices or the like can be operated.

The first operating element 14 has a first detection device 20, which is designed to detect an actuation of the first operating element 14. The first detection device 20 can, for example, have a touch-sensitive sensor element 22, for example in the form of a touch foil or the like, and a force sensor 24. If the first detection device 20 detects that the first operating element 14 has been actuated by the user of the steering wheel 12, a haptic feedback can be output for this actuation of the first operating element 14 by means of a first actuator 26.

For example, the first actuator 26, which is associated with the first control element 14, can cause the first control element 14 to vibrate in order to confirm that a selected function of the motor vehicle is activated or will be activated by actuating the first control element 14. This gives the user of the steering wheel 12 or the motor vehicle an indication that the first control element 14 was actuated correctly.

In an analogous manner, the second operating element 16 has a second detection device 28, which preferably also has a touch-sensitive sensor element 30 and a force sensor 32. An actuation of the second operating element 16 can accordingly be detected by means of the second detection device 28. The second operating element 16 has a second actuator 34, by means of which a haptic feedback can be issued to the user of the steering wheel 12 or of the motor vehicle, which confirms the correct actuation of the second operating element 16.

In the present case, a driver module 36 is provided for operating the actuators 26, 34. The driver module 36 is part of a control device 38 of the actuating arrangement 10. The control device 38 can in particular be designed as a steering wheel electronics device.

During operation of the actuating arrangement 10, the driver module 36 ensures that the respective actuator 26, 34 is supplied with electrical energy so that the respective actuator 26, 34 can output the respective haptic feedback to the user.

The actuating arrangement 10 comprises according to 1 a switching element 40. The switching element 40 is designed to output electrical energy intended for the first actuator 26 and provided by the driver module 36 to the first actuator 26 via a first transmission path 42. The transmission path 42 can accordingly be designed as a line or the like that carries current during operation.

Furthermore, the switching element 40 is designed to output electrical energy intended for the second actuator 34 and provided by the driver module 36 to the second actuator 34 via a second transmission path 44. The second transmission path 44 can also be designed in the manner of a line of the actuating arrangement 10 that carries current during operation.

The provision of the switching element 40 ensures a particularly low-effort and cost-effective construction of the actuating arrangement 10. This is because two driver modules 46, 48 do not need to be provided, as is the case according to 3 would also be possible in principle.

At the 3 In the variant of the actuating arrangement 10 shown, the control device 38, for example in the form of the steering wheel electronics device, has a first driver module 46 which is designed to supply the first actuator 26 with electrical energy. Furthermore, the control device 38 has a second driver module 48 which is designed to supply the second actuator 34 with electrical energy.

As can be seen from a comparison of 1 and 3 is immediately and easily apparent, is the case in 1 shown actuating arrangement 10, only the one common driver module 36 is provided and not the two driver modules 46, 48. In other words, one of the two driver modules 46, 48 is according to 3 in the actuating arrangement 10 according to 1 replaced by the switching element 40. This is advantageous because the switching element 40 is significantly simpler and less expensive than one of the driver modules 36, 46, 48. Accordingly, the 1 The actuating arrangement 10 shown is particularly inexpensive and simple in construction.

The switching element 40 can be operated in such a way that the first transmission path 42 and the second transmission path 44 are used simultaneously to supply electrical energy to the respective actuator 26, 34. The driver module 36, which is connected to an input side of the switching element 40 via a connecting line 50, can thus operate the two actuators 26, 34 simultaneously by supplying electrical energy to the two actuators 26, 34 simultaneously.

Additionally or alternatively, it is possible for the switching element 40 to be designed to output the electrical energy provided by the driver module 36 to the two actuators 26, 34 one after the other. For example, consider the case where the user of the steering wheel 12, in particular in the form of a driver of the motor vehicle, actuates the first control element 14 and the second control element 16 at the same time, for example by exerting pressure on the respective control elements 14, 16. A microcontroller 52 of the control device 38 can then cause the first actuator 26 and then the second actuator 34 to be operated, or first the second actuator 34 and then the first actuator 26.

In particular, if the respective operating time of the actuators 26, 34 is comparatively short, for example when the haptic feedback is output as a short vibration pulse, the user cannot even determine that the two actuators 26, 34 output the respective haptic feedback at different times. For the user, when the two control elements 14, 16 are operated at the same time, it feels more as if both control elements 14, 16 are also outputting the haptic feedback at the same time or simultaneously via the respective actuators 26, 34.

This is particularly the case if the time delay between the output of the two haptic feedback signals is less than approximately 100 milliseconds or even less than approximately 50 milliseconds. Although in such a case the actuators 26, 34 are supplied with the energy provided by the driver module 36 one after the other via the switching element 40, the user feels that the haptic feedback signals are output simultaneously. The latter applies in particular if the output of the haptic feedback signals also takes place over a comparatively short period of time, for example for around ten milliseconds.

However, it can also be provided that the switching element 40 uses the two transmission paths 42, 44 simultaneously, i.e. simultaneously via the first transmission path 42 the first actuator 26 is supplied with electrical energy and the second actuator 34 via the second transmission path 44. This is particularly advantageous if the driver module 36 is designed to be sufficiently powerful in order to simultaneously provide the electrical energy for the first actuator 26 and the second actuator 34.

In the 3 The variant of the actuating arrangement 10 shown has the advantage that the two driver modules 46, 48 are integrated into the control device 38 and not a respective driver module in one of the operating elements 14, 16. The integration of the driver module 36 into the control device 38 is also advantageous in the actuating arrangement 10 according to 1 realized. The 1 However, the variant of the actuating arrangement 10 shown is different from the variant according to 3 Additionally, it is particularly cost-effective.

Preferably, the microcontroller 52 of the control device 38 has a memory device 54, which can be designed in particular for direct memory access. Preferably, at least one pattern is stored in the memory device 54, which corresponds to a haptic feedback that can be output by the respective actuator 26, 34. In this way, it can be ensured in particular that respective functions that can be controlled by means of the operating elements 14, 16 correspond to a respective pattern of the haptic feedback that the respective actuator 26, 34 outputs.

If the patterns are stored in the memory device 54 of the microcontroller 52, it is particularly easy to change the patterns, for example to update them or the like. This is because the memory device 54 of the microcontroller 52 only needs to be accessed. This is advantageous compared to an actuation arrangement (not shown) in which the respective operating elements 14, 16 have respective memory devices in which the respective patterns are stored. This is because the patterns advantageously do not need to be changed both in the 1 as well as in the 3 shown variant only needs to be held once in the actuating arrangement 10.

If the memory device 54 is designed for direct memory access, the working capacity of a computing device (not shown in detail here) of the microcontroller 52 is not impaired by the fact that the respective pattern is output to the driver module 36. A design of the memory device 54 for direct memory access is therefore advantageous.

Additionally or alternatively, the microcontroller 52 can be 1 shown control line 56 can be connected to the driver module 36, wherein the at least one pattern can be transmitted to the driver module 36 via the control line 56. Such a configuration also advantageously results in the computing power or processing speed of the computing device of the microcontroller 52 not being impaired by the fact that the at least one pattern is transmitted or made available to the driver module 36.

Out of 1 It is also apparent that the microcontroller 52 and the driver module 36 are preferably arranged on a common circuit board 68 of the control device 38. As a result, for communication between the microcontroller 52 and the driver module 36, no devices need to be provided, such as would be required for communication between a first circuit board and a second circuit board or between one another.

According to 1 the first operating element 14 has a communication interface 58. In an analogous manner, the second operating element 16 is equipped with a communication interface 60. The control device 38 also has a first communication interface 62, via which communication with the operating elements 14, 16 can take place. Corresponding data lines 64, via which the aforementioned communication interfaces 58, 60, 62 are connected to one another, are in 1 indicated schematically.

Furthermore, the control device 38 preferably has a second communication interface 66, which enables communication with at least one vehicle-side device of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail here). Control commands can be transmitted in particular to the microcontroller 52 via the second communication interface 66. Additionally or alternatively, the microcontroller 52 can transmit data via the second communication interface 66, preferably to the at least one vehicle-side device (not shown).

The microcontroller 52 is preferably informed via the respective detection device 20, 28 whether the respective operating element 14, 16 has been actuated. If this is the case, the microcontroller can trigger the control of the respective actuator 26, 34 by the microcontroller 52 issuing a corresponding control command to the driver module 36. In this case, the driver module 36 can preferably be informed by the microcontroller 52 of the pattern according to which the electrical energy is to be output in order to to cause the haptic feedback of the respective actuator 26, 34.

Since the microcontroller 52 can control such processes, it can be very easily ensured that no undesirably high currents occur during operation of the actuating arrangement 10.

At the 3 In the variant of the actuating arrangement 10 shown, respective communication connections are preferably provided for controlling the two driver modules 46, 48 via the microcontroller 52, which for reasons of clarity are shown in 3 are not shown in detail.

However, this highlights the advantages of 1 shown variant of the actuating arrangement 10, in which the microcontroller 52 only needs to communicate with the one or only driver module 36.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely to provide the reader with better information. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 20190291769 A1 [0002]
• US 20180136727 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Actuating arrangement (10) for a steering handle (12) of a motor vehicle, with at least a first operating element (14) and a second operating element (16), a first detection device (20) for detecting an actuation of the first operating element (14) by a user of the steering handle (12) and a second detection device (28) for detecting an actuation of the second operating element (16) by the user, wherein the first operating element (14) has a first actuator (26) for outputting haptic feedback to the user, and the second operating element (16) has a second actuator (34) for outputting haptic feedback to the user, and wherein a control device (38) of the actuating arrangement (10) has at least one driver module (36) for operating the actuators (26, 34), characterized in that the control device (38) has a switching element (40) which is designed to determine certain values for the first actuator (26) and to output electrical energy provided by the driver module (36) to the first actuator (26) via a first transmission path (42) and to output electrical energy intended for the second actuator (34) and provided by the driver module (36) to the second actuator (34) via a second transmission path (44). Actuating arrangement (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the switching element (40) is designed to output the electrical energy to the actuators (26, 34) one after the other as a result of detecting a simultaneous actuation of the operating elements (14, 16). Actuating arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching element (40) is designed to output the electrical energy simultaneously to the actuators (26, 34) as a result of detecting a simultaneous actuation of the operating elements (14, 16). Actuating arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver module (36) is designed to output the electrical energy according to at least one pattern which corresponds to a haptic feedback that can be output by the respective actuator (26, 34). Actuating arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (38) has a microcontroller (52) by means of which the output of the electrical energy to the actuators (26, 34) effected via the driver module (36) can be predetermined. Actuating arrangement (10) according to Claim 4 and 5 , characterized in that the microcontroller (52) has a memory device (54), in particular designed for direct memory access, in which the at least one pattern is stored. Actuating arrangement (10) according to Claim 4 and 5 or after Claim 6 , characterized in that the microcontroller (52) is connected to the driver module (36) via a control line (56), wherein the at least one pattern can be transmitted to the driver module (36) via the control line (56). Actuating arrangement (10) according to one of the Claims 5 until 7 , characterized in that the microcontroller (52), which is designed in particular for communication with at least one vehicle-side device of the motor vehicle, and the driver module (36) are arranged on a common circuit board (68) of the control device (38). Actuating arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective detection device (20, 28) for detecting the actuation of the respective operating element (14, 16) has a touch-sensitive sensor element (22, 30) and/or a force sensor (24, 32). Steering handle (12) for a motor vehicle, with an actuating arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for operating an actuating arrangement (10) of a steering handle (12) for a motor vehicle, wherein the actuating arrangement (10) has at least a first operating element (14) and a second operating element (16), wherein a first detection device (20) detects an actuation of the first operating element (14) by a user of the steering handle (12) and a second detection device (28) detects an actuation of the second operating element (16) by the user, wherein the first operating element (14) has a first actuator (26) which outputs haptic feedback to the user, and the second operating element (16) has a second actuator (34) which outputs haptic feedback to the user, and wherein a control device (38) of the actuating arrangement (10) has at least one driver module (36) which causes the actuators (26, 34) to be operated, characterized in that the control device device (38) has a switching element (40) which outputs electrical energy intended for the first actuator (26) and provided by the driver module (36) to the first actuator (26) via a first transmission path (42), and which outputs electrical energy intended for the second actuator (34) and provided by the driver module (36) to the second actuator (34) via a second transmission path (44).

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