DE102016105434B9 - Control and display element for a motor vehicle and method for operating a control and display element of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Control and display element (20) for a motor vehicle, with at least one organic light-emitting diode (22) for displaying a currently set parameter value of a control device of the motor vehicle, for setting a new parameter value of the control device and for displaying the newly set parameter value, the organic light-emitting diode (22 ) has a plurality of adjacent light segments (24), which can be operated independently of one another and which are each representative of a parameter value of the control device, and an electronic circuit (30) which is electrically coupled to the light segments (24) and which is set up to do so, depending on the to control the currently set parameter value of at least one of the light segments (40), which is representative of the currently set parameter value, so that it lights up, to detect a touch (42) of at least one of the light segments (24), depending on the detected touch (42) to determine the new parameter value that the touched light segment (44) represents, to provide the determined parameter value to the control device, and to control the touched light segment (44) so that it lights up, the electronic circuit (30) being set up to simultaneously touch (42 ) to recognize two or more of the light segments (24), depending on the detected touches (42), to determine the new parameter value that the touched light segments (44) represent, to provide the determined parameter value to the control device and to control the touched light segments (44), that they shine.

Description

The invention relates to an operating and display element for a motor vehicle and a method for operating an operating and display element of a motor vehicle.

Modern motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars and trucks, are equipped with a variety of different controls and displays in the cockpit. The controls have, for example, shift levers, push buttons or sliding buttons. The display elements have, for example, individual LEDs, digital indicators, displays or pointers. The controls should generally be intuitive to use. The display elements serve to display various settings and/or states of the motor vehicle to an occupant of the motor vehicle, for example the driver. There are also controls and display elements, for example touch displays, in which controls and display elements are integrated into a common device. There are also various country-specific requirements that require individual programming of the operating and/or display elements, which varies from country to country.

The control elements basically serve to control various vehicle functions of the motor vehicle using appropriate control devices. The operating elements are used to inform the control unit of a request from the operator, for example the driver of the motor vehicle, in particular in the form of a parameter value. In response to receiving the corresponding parameter value, the control unit controls one or more control elements in order to implement the driver's request. Such vehicle functions are, for example, a windshield wiper function, a switching function, an air conditioning function, a lighting function, a driving dynamics function and/or a comfort function of the motor vehicle. For example, the windshield wiper function is implemented with a windshield wiper system which, in addition to the windshield wiper and the actuating elements for moving the windshield wipers, has a corresponding control device, for example using a shift lever as a control element in the cockpit, the desired windshield wiper speed can be set as a parameter value by the driver and the control device depends on The parameter value can control the control elements so that the windshield wipers move at the desired speed. Further vehicle functions, control devices, control elements and parameter values are explained below in connection with the invention.

Control elements in the vehicle cockpit are sometimes equipped with a feedback function, for example an optical one. This means that an operator of the control element receives feedback at the moment of actuation of the control element, in other words feedback, that the operation of the control element has been recognized. For example, a switch button may have an LED that lights up when the switch button is pressed. In this case it is also referred to as direct feedback, since the feedback element, namely the LED, is arranged in the control element itself. With an indirect feedback function, the operator receives the feedback at a location other than where the control element is located. For example, the operator can press a button on the center console, for example a switch of a Tipp-Tronic gearshift, and receives optical feedback from the combination element behind the steering wheel as to which gear was selected due to the operation of the switch.

Illuminated controls are usually implemented using light bulbs or LEDs. Furthermore, organic light-emitting diodes, so-called OLEDs, are increasingly being used in motor vehicles, for example as interior lighting or as design elements in the interior of the corresponding motor vehicle.

An OLED basically has an anode and a cathode and an organic functional layer system in between. The organic functional layer system can have one or more emitter layers in which electromagnetic radiation is generated, a charge carrier pair generation layer structure consisting of two or more charge generating layers (“charge generating layer”, CGL) for charge carrier pair generation, and one or more Electron blocking layers, also referred to as hole transport layers (HTL), and one or more hole blocking layers, also referred to as electron transport layers (ETL), to direct current flow. Furthermore, segmented OLEDs are known which have individual lighting segments that can be controlled independently of one another.

The publication DE 10 2014 008 040 A1 relates to a motor vehicle input/output device and method.

The publication DE 10 2014 011 118 A1 discloses a method for operating a lighting function of motor vehicle headlights and a motor vehicle with a display device and a control element for operating the lighting function of the motor vehicle headlights.

The publication DE 10 2011 006 448 A1 addresses steering wheel sensors.

The publication DE 10 2014 218 504 A1 concerns a vehicle with freely positionable haptic controls.

One object of the invention is to provide an operating and display element for a motor vehicle which enables a particularly intuitive, simple, cost-effective and/or safe control of a vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide a method for operating an operating and display element for a motor vehicle, which enables particularly intuitive, simple, cost-effective and/or safe control of a vehicle function of the motor vehicle.

An object of the invention is achieved by an operating and display element for a motor vehicle, with: at least one organic light-emitting diode for displaying a currently set parameter value of a control device of the motor vehicle, for setting a new parameter value of the control device and for displaying the newly set parameter value, whereby the organic light-emitting diode has a plurality of adjacent light-emitting segments which can be operated independently of one another and which are each representative of a parameter value of the control device; and an electronic circuit that is electrically coupled to the lighting segments and which is set up to control at least one of the lighting segments, which is representative of the set parameter value, depending on the currently set parameter value, so that it lights up, a touch of at least one of the lighting segments to detect, depending on the detected touch, to determine the new parameter value that the touched light segment represents, to provide the determined parameter value to the control device and to control the touched light segment so that it lights up. In addition, the electronic circuit is set up to detect simultaneous touches of two or more of the light segments, to determine, depending on the detected touches, the new parameter value that the touched light segments represent, to provide the determined parameter value to the control device and to control the touched light segments in such a way that they to shine.

The control and display element is therefore used to set the parameter value and to display the currently set parameter value. In particular, the individual light segments serve as a touch sensor and as a light signal generator. The operator thus receives direct feedback that the control and display element has been actuated and in particular which light segment has been actuated. This type of operation and display is particularly intuitive and simple, meaning that the operator, for example the driver of the motor vehicle, is distracted very little by the traffic, which is why the operation is also particularly safe.

Using the control and display element, the operator can communicate a request to the control unit in the form of the parameter value. The control unit can then control one, two or more control elements of a vehicle function of the motor vehicle depending on the request, in particular depending on the parameter value, so that the operator's request is implemented. Clearly speaking, the control and display element thus serves in an intuitive, simple, safe and/or cost-effective manner so that the operator can use the vehicle function as desired and/or the vehicle function implements the operator's wish.

The control and display element is arranged in an interior, for example a cockpit, of a motor vehicle or is suitable for arrangement in the interior of the motor vehicle. Touching one of the light segments causes a change in the capacity of an electrode of the corresponding light segment, which is detected by the electronic circuit. The adjacent light segments, for example arranged very close to one another on a substrate, can be read independently of one another with regard to contact and can be controlled independently of one another in such a way that they light up independently of one another. As an alternative to the one OLED with the plurality of light segments, several adjacent OLEDs can also be arranged, with each OLED then taking on the function of a corresponding light segment. The light segments can all be the same or different sizes. The OLED or the lighting segments can be flexible, so that a control element with a curved surface can be realized. A brightness of a glowing light segment can optionally be individually adjusted, for example to increase the contrast and/or to identify an area in which the currently set parameter value lies. The contrast can be adjusted, for example, depending on the brightness of an area surrounding the control element, for example by measuring the photocurrent of the OLED as a result of incident light. This can happen on a separate sensor surface or in phases when the OLED is switched off. In this case, the OLED not only serves as Control and display element, but also as a light sensor. Compared to the use of conventional OLED touch displays, touch-sensitive OLED light-emitting diodes are cheaper and can be used with less effort.

The luminous segments are preferably arranged relative to one another in such a way that their positions are representative of a size of the corresponding parameter value. For example, the lowest light segment represents the smallest adjustable parameter value, the top light segment represents the largest adjustable parameter value and the light segments in between represent parameter values that increase in size from bottom to top. Alternatively, for example, the lighting segment closest to the operator, for example the driver, can represent the smallest adjustable parameter value, the lighting segment furthest away from the driver can represent the largest adjustable parameter value and the lighting segments in between represent parameter values that increase in size from near to far. Such an arrangement of the light segments makes the operation of the control and display element particularly intuitive.

The electronic circuit is set up to detect a simultaneous touch of two or more of the light segments, depending on the detected touch, in particular the multiple touch, to determine the new parameter value that the touched light segments represent, to provide the determined parameter value to the control unit and the touched light segments to control them so that they light up. If, for example, a first of the light-emitting segments is representative of a first parameter value and a second of the light-emitting segments, which is directly adjacent to the first light-emitting segment, is representative of a second parameter value, then it can be indicated, for example, by simultaneously touching the first and second light-emitting segments that a Parameter value should be set, which lies between the first and the second parameter value in terms of its size. This makes it possible to enter a number of parameter values for a given number of light segments that is greater than the number of light segments. In particular, for n light segments, 2n-1 parameter values can be set, where n is a natural number.

According to a further development, the light-emitting segments are designed and arranged such that the organic light-emitting diode has an elongated shape with at least one long side and at least one short side, with the light-emitting segments extending transversely to the long side. This can contribute to the fact that with a given length of the organic light-emitting diodes, a relatively large number of light-emitting segments can be arranged and a corresponding number of parameter values can be transferred using the organic light-emitting diode.

According to a further development, the light segments emit light of different colors, so that a color gradient can be displayed using the organic light-emitting diode. This can contribute to particularly intuitive operability of the control and display element. For example, the color gradient can be representative of an increase in the parameter value. For example, the luminous segment that is representative of the smallest adjustable parameter value can emit green light and the luminous segment that is representative of the largest adjustable parameter value can emit red light. The light segments in between can then glow greenish starting from the green and reddish towards the red light and in between in suitable other colors. If the vehicle function is, for example, cruise control, the green light can signal that driving at the corresponding speed is slow and therefore relatively safe, and the red light can signal that driving at the corresponding speed is very fast and therefore relatively dangerous is.

According to a further development, the parameter value is a gear of a transmission of the motor vehicle and the control unit is a transmission control of the motor vehicle. In this context, the vehicle function can be the circuit, for example a semi-automatic or fully automatic circuit of the motor vehicle. For example, each light segment is representative of one of the transmission gears. For example, the lowest or the light segment closest to the driver is representative of the lowest gear of the transmission and the top or the light segment furthest from the driver is representative of the highest gear of the motor vehicle's transmission. This contributes to particularly intuitive adjustability of the gear. In this context, the control and display element can be arranged, for example, on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle or a center console of the motor vehicle.

According to a further development, the parameter value is a speed and the vehicle function is a speed control of the motor vehicle. For example, each light segment is representative of a given speed. For example, the lowest or the light segment closest to the driver is representative of the lowest adjustable speed and the top or the one furthest from the driver is representative Light segment is representative of the highest adjustable speed. This contributes to particularly intuitive speed adjustability.

According to a further development, the speed is a windshield wiper speed and the control device is a windshield wiper control of the motor vehicle. The vehicle function is then a windshield wiper function and the control unit is part of the windshield wiper system. The actuating elements that the control unit controls and which are parts of the windshield wiper system are servomotors that are mechanically coupled to the individual windshield wipers. According to another development, the speed is a vehicle speed and the control device is an engine control or a cruise control of the motor vehicle. The vehicle function is then a speed control of the motor vehicle. The actuating element that is controlled by the speed control can be, for example, a throttle valve of the motor vehicle. In this context, the control and display element can be arranged, for example, on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle or a center console of the motor vehicle.

According to a further development, the parameter value is a lighting value and the control device is a lighting control of the motor vehicle. In this case, the vehicle function is a lighting function and the control and display element enables particularly intuitive operation of the lighting function.

According to a further development, the parameter value is a brightness and the control device is an interior lighting control of the motor vehicle. For example, each light segment is representative of a given brightness. For example, the lowest or the light segment closest to the driver is representative of the weakest adjustable brightness and the top or the light segment furthest from the driver is representative of the strongest adjustable brightness. This contributes to particularly intuitive brightness adjustability. According to another development, the parameter value is a beam angle of a low beam of a headlight of the motor vehicle and the control device is a light control of the headlight. Clearly speaking, a height of the low beam can be adjusted by means of the light control, so that depending on the load of the motor vehicle, the low beam can be adjusted so that, on the one hand, there is sufficient illumination of the road and, on the other hand, oncoming traffic is not dazzled. For example, each light segment is representative of a predetermined height of the low beam. For example, the lowest or the light segment closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable height and the top or the light segment furthest from the driver is representative of the largest adjustable height of the low beam. This contributes to particularly intuitive adjustability of the height of the low beam.

According to a further development, the parameter value is a desired storage state of energy to be stored in the motor vehicle and the control device is a storage state control of the motor vehicle, which signals when the desired storage state is reached. For example, for time and/or financial reasons, it may be desirable that energy is not stored in the motor vehicle up to the maximum possible upper limit, but is stopped beforehand. The energy can be electrical energy or energy that is stored in a liquid energy source, for example liquid gas, liquid hydrogen, gasoline or diesel.

According to a further development, the storage state is a battery charge state of a battery of the motor vehicle. For example, each light segment is representative of a given state of charge of the battery. For example, the lowest light segment or the light segment closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable state of charge and the top light segment or the light segment furthest away from the driver is representative of the largest adjustable state of charge of the battery. This contributes to particularly intuitive adjustability of the charging status. According to another development, the storage state is a fuel level in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. For example, each light segment is representative of a predetermined fuel level in the fuel tank. For example, the lowest or the light segment closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable level and the top or the light segment furthest from the driver is representative of the largest adjustable level of fuel in the fuel tank.

According to a further development, the organic light-emitting diode is arranged on a charging or filling device of the motor vehicle. For example, the organic light-emitting diode is arranged on an inside of a fuel tank flap or power plug flap of the motor vehicle. The operator can then intuitively adjust how full the fuel tank is when inserting the fuel gun into the tank or when inserting the power plug into the corresponding connection of the motor vehicle on the tank flap or the power plug flap should be charged or how far the battery should be charged. This setting can be made, for example, depending on how much money and/or how much time the operator has for the filling or loading process.

According to a further development, the parameter value is a comfort value and the control device is a comfort control of the motor vehicle. For example, the comfort value is a climate value in an interior of the motor vehicle and the control device is an air conditioning system of the vehicle. The climate value can be, for example, a temperature or the strength of a fan. Alternatively, the comfort value is representative of the driving behavior of the motor vehicle and the control unit controls the vehicle behavior. For example, the comfort value is representative of driving dynamics and/or the hardness of a shock absorber of the motor vehicle and the control unit is a chassis control system of the motor vehicle. For example, the comfort value is representative of an acceleration behavior and/or a response behavior of the motor vehicle and the control unit is an engine control system of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the comfort value is representative of a switching behavior of an automatic transmission of the motor vehicle and the control unit is a transmission control of the motor vehicle.

An object of the invention is achieved by a method for operating the operating and display element of a motor vehicle, for example the operating and display element explained above. In the method, depending on the currently set parameter value, at least one of the light segments, which is representative of the set parameter value, is controlled so that it lights up, a touch of at least one of the light segments is detected, depending on the detected touch the new parameter value is determined, which the touched light segment represents, the determined parameter value is provided to the control unit and the touched light segment is controlled so that it lights up.

In addition, a simultaneous touch of two or more of the light segments is detected, depending on the detected touch, the new parameter value that the touched light segments represent is determined, the determined parameter value is provided to the control device and the touched light segments are controlled so that they light up.

The developments and advantages of the control and display element explained above can easily be transferred to the method for operating the control and display element. Therefore, in this context, the further training and advantages will not be presented again and reference is made to the previous explanations.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Bedien- und Anzeigeelements;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung zum Erläutern einer Funktion eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Bedien- und Anzeigeelements;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung zum Erläutern einer Funktion eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Bedien- und Anzeigeelements;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer organischen Leuchtdiode;
• 5 ein Lenkrad eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 6 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Bedien- und Anzeigeelements.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an operating and display element;
• 2 a schematic representation to explain a function of an exemplary embodiment of an operating and display element;
• 3 a schematic representation to explain a function of an exemplary embodiment of an operating and display element;
• 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an organic light-emitting diode;
• 5 a steering wheel of a motor vehicle;
• 6 a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an operating and display element.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Because components of embodiments may be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is for illustrative purposes and is not in any way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with one another unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate.

An optoelectronic assembly can have one, two or more organic light-emitting diodes. The organic light-emitting diode can also be referred to as an organic light emitting diode (OLED). Optionally can an optoelectronic assembly also has one, two or more electronic components. An electronic component can, for example, have an active and/or a passive component. An active electronic component can, for example, have a computing, control and/or regulating unit and/or a transistor. A passive electronic component can, for example, have a capacitor, a resistor, a diode or a coil.

1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an operating and display element 20. The operating and display element 20 is used to operate a vehicle function of a motor vehicle and to display a state of the vehicle function. The control and display element 20 is arranged in a motor vehicle. For example, the control and display element 20 is arranged in a cockpit of the motor vehicle, for example on a center console or on a steering wheel of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can be, for example, a passenger car or a truck. The motor vehicle can have two or more of the control and display elements 20, in particular for operating corresponding multiple vehicle functions and for displaying the corresponding states of the vehicle functions.

The control and display element 20 has an organic light-emitting diode 22 and an electronic circuit 30.

The light-emitting diode 22 has a plurality of light-emitting segments 24, for example six light-emitting segments 24. Alternatively, the light-emitting diode can have fewer or more light-emitting segments 24. The light segments 24 are arranged adjacent to one another and can be controlled independently of one another. In other words, the light segments 24 can be controlled independently of one another so that they light up. As an alternative to the organic light-emitting diode 22 with the light-emitting segments 24, the control and display element 20 can have a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes 22 which are arranged adjacent to one another and can be controlled independently of one another.

The organic light-emitting diode 22 has a long side 26 and a short side 28, which is shorter than the long side 26. The light segments 24 are arranged transversely to the long side 26 of the organic light-emitting diode 22. The light segments 24 can emit light of the same color or light of different colors. For example, all light segments 24 can emit light of the same color. Alternatively, each of the light segments 24 can emit light of different colors. Alternatively, each of the luminous segments 24 may only emit light of a single color and the different luminous segments 24 may emit light of different colors accordingly.

Each of the light segments 24 is representative of a parameter value. In other words, each of the light segments 24 is assigned a parameter value. For example, an assignment rule in which exactly one parameter value is assigned to each of the light segments 24 can be stored on a memory element (not shown) of the electronic circuit 30. Optionally, a combination of two light segments 24 can each be assigned a further parameter value. For example, one of the lighting segments 24 can be assigned a first parameter value and the adjacent lighting segment 24 can be assigned a different parameter value and the combination of the two lighting segments 24 can be assigned a further parameter value, which lies between the first parameter value and the second parameter value in terms of its size .

If the light segments 24 emit light of different colors, a color gradient can be displayed using the organic light-emitting diode 22. For example, the color gradient can be representative of an increase in the parameter value. For example, the luminous segment that is representative of the smallest adjustable parameter value can emit green light and the luminous segment that is representative of the largest adjustable parameter value can emit red light. The light segments in between can then glow greenish starting from the green and reddish towards the red light and in between in suitable other colors.

The different light segments 24 are used to set different parameter values. For example, this is in 1 lowest light segment 24 representative of the smallest adjustable parameter value and the in 1 The top light segment 24 is representative of the largest adjustable parameter value. In this case, the light segments 24 between them can represent parameter values that increase in size from bottom to top.

The electronic circuit 30 has the memory and optionally one, two or more further memories and an integrated circuit, for example a microchip and/or processor. The electronic circuit 30 is, on the one hand, with the organic light-emitting diode 22 and in particular with the light-emitting segments 24 and, on the other hand, with a driving control unit (not shown). electrically coupled to the vehicle's vehicle function.

The electronic circuit 30 is designed to control the light segments 24 independently of one another so that they light up. Which of the light segments 24 is currently controlled so that it lights up depends on a current state of a vehicle function of the motor vehicle, the current state of the vehicle function being represented by the currently set parameter value.

The electronic circuit 30 is also designed to detect a touch of one or more of the light segments 24 and, depending on the detected touch, to control the corresponding light segment 24 so that it lights up, to determine the parameter value for which the corresponding light segment 24 is representative or . the corresponding light segment 24 is assigned, and to provide the parameter value to the control unit.

Furthermore, the electronic circuit 30 can optionally be designed to adjust the brightness of the lighting segments 24 in lighting mode. For example, the electronic circuit 30 can be coupled to a light sensor, which detects a brightness of an ambient light of the control and display element 20, and adjust the brightness of the luminous light segment 24 so that there is sufficient contrast to the ambient light.

The vehicle function can be, for example, the gearshift, for example a semi-automatic or fully automatic gearshift of the motor vehicle and the parameter value can be, for example, a gear of a transmission of the motor vehicle and the control unit can be a transmission control of the motor vehicle. If necessary, each of the light segments 24 is representative of one of the gears of the transmission. For example, the lowest or the light segment 24 closest to the driver is representative of the lowest gear of the transmission and the top or the light segment 24 furthest from the driver is representative of the highest gear of the motor vehicle transmission.

The vehicle function can, for example, be a speed function, the parameter value can be a speed and the control device can be a speed control of the motor vehicle.

For example, each of the light segments 24 is representative of a given speed. For example, the lowest or the light segment 24 closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable speed and the top or the light segment 24 furthest from the driver is representative of the highest adjustable speed.

The vehicle function can be a windshield wiper function, the control unit can be part of the windshield wiper system, the speed can be a windshield wiper speed and the control unit can be a windshield wiper control of the motor vehicle. The actuating elements that the control unit controls and which are parts of the windshield wiper system are then servomotors that are mechanically coupled to the individual windshield wipers.

Furthermore, the vehicle function can be a speed control of the motor vehicle, the speed can be a vehicle speed, the control device can be an engine control or a cruise control of the motor vehicle. The actuating element that is controlled by the speed control can then be a throttle valve of the motor vehicle. If light of different colors can be emitted by means of the light segments 24 and/or a color gradient of the light can be displayed and the vehicle function is, for example, a cruise control, then, for example, green light can signal that driving at the corresponding speed is slow and therefore relatively harmless, and the red light can signal that driving at the corresponding speed is very fast and therefore relatively dangerous.

The vehicle function can be a lighting function, the parameter value can be a lighting value and the control device can be a lighting control of the motor vehicle.

If necessary, the parameter value can be a brightness of an interior of the motor vehicle and the control device can be an interior lighting control of the motor vehicle. For example, each of the light segments 24 is representative of a given brightness. For example, the lowest or the light segment 24 closest to the driver is representative of the weakest adjustable brightness and the top or the light segment 24 furthest from the driver is representative of the strongest adjustable brightness. This contributes to particularly intuitive brightness adjustability. Furthermore, the parameter value can be a beam angle of a low beam of a headlight of the motor vehicle and the control device can be a light control of the headlight. Clearly speaking, a height of the low beam can be adjusted using the light control, so that the low beam can be adjusted depending on the load of the motor vehicle Light can be adjusted in such a way that, on the one hand, the road is adequately illuminated and, on the other hand, oncoming traffic is not dazzled. For example, each of the lighting segments 24 is representative of a predetermined height of the low beam. For example, the lowest or the light segment 24 closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable height and the top or the light segment 24 furthest from the driver is representative of the largest adjustable height of the low beam. This contributes to particularly intuitive adjustability of the height of the low beam.

The parameter value can be a desired storage state of energy to be stored in the motor vehicle and the control device can be a storage state control of the motor vehicle that signals when the desired storage state is reached. The energy can be electrical energy or energy stored in a liquid energy carrier, for example liquid gas, liquid hydrogen, gasoline or diesel.

For example, the storage state can be a battery charge state of a battery of the motor vehicle. For example, each of the light segments 24 is representative of a given state of charge of the battery. For example, the lowest or the light segment 24 closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable state of charge and the top or the light segment 24 furthest from the driver is representative of the largest adjustable state of charge of the battery. This contributes to particularly intuitive adjustability of the charging status.

Furthermore, the storage state can be a fuel level in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. For example, each of the light segments 24 is representative of a predetermined level of fuel in the fuel tank. For example, the lowest or the light segment 24 closest to the driver is representative of the smallest adjustable level and the top or the light segment 24 furthest from the driver is representative of the largest adjustable level of fuel in the fuel tank.

In this context, the organic light-emitting diode can be arranged on a charging or filling device of the motor vehicle. For example, the organic light-emitting diode 22 is arranged on an inside of a fuel tank flap or power plug flap of the motor vehicle. When inserting the fuel gun into the tank or when inserting the power plug into the corresponding connection of the motor vehicle on the fuel tank flap or the power plug flap, the operator can then intuitively set how far the fuel tank should be filled or how far by pressing one of the light segments 24 the battery should be charged.

The parameter value can be a comfort value and the control device can be a comfort control of the motor vehicle. For example, the comfort value is a climate value in an interior of the motor vehicle and the control device is an air conditioning system of the vehicle. The air conditioning system can be a fully automatic air conditioning system or just a fan to warm or cool the interior. Furthermore, the comfort value can be representative of a temperature of a vehicle seat and the control device can be part of a seat heater.

Furthermore, the comfort value can be representative of driving behavior of the motor vehicle and the control unit can control the vehicle behavior. For example, the comfort value is representative of driving dynamics and/or the hardness of a shock absorber of the motor vehicle and the control unit is a chassis control system of the motor vehicle. For example, the comfort value is representative of an acceleration behavior and/or a response behavior of the motor vehicle and the control unit is an engine control system of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the comfort value is representative of a switching behavior of an automatic transmission of the motor vehicle and the control unit is a transmission control of the motor vehicle.

The following is based on the 2 and 3 a function of the control and display element 20 is described.

2 shows a schematic representation to explain a function of an exemplary embodiment of an operating and display element 20, for example the operating and display element 20 explained above. 2 shows in particular a state of the organic light-emitting diode 22 in which a currently active light-emitting segment 40 of the light-emitting segments 24 lights up. The currently active light segment 40 signals to the operator, for example a driver or passenger of the motor vehicle, that the corresponding parameter value is currently set and/or the vehicle function is in the corresponding state. In particular, the electronic circuit 30 controls the currently active light segment 40 depending on the currently set parameter value so that it lights up.

3 shows a schematic representation to explain a function of an exemplary embodiment of a control and display element for example, the previous one with reference to 2 explained control and display element 20. 3 shows in particular a state of the organic light-emitting diode 22 in which another of the light-emitting segments 24 is touched by means of a touch 42 and the touched light-emitting segment 44 lights up. In particular, the electronic circuit 30 detects the touch 42 due to a change in capacitance of one of the electrodes of the touched light segment 44 and controls the touched light segment 44 so that it lights up. Furthermore, the electronic circuit 30 determines the parameter value that is assigned to the touched light segment 44 depending on the touched light segment 44. The electronic circuit 30 then provides the determined parameter value to the corresponding control device. This means that the electronic circuit 30 either sends the determined parameter value to the control device or the control device retrieves the determined parameter value from the electronic circuit 30.

As a result, the control unit controls one, two or more control elements that are assigned to the corresponding vehicle function in such a way that the operator's request specified by touch 42 is implemented by the vehicle function.

4 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an organic light-emitting diode 22, which can correspond to the organic light-emitting diode 22 explained above in terms of its basic functionality. The organic light-emitting diode 22 is part of the control and display element 20. The organic light-emitting diode 22 has a curved, in 4 shape that tapers upwards. The size of the organic light-emitting diode 22 can, for example, be designed such that the entire organic light-emitting diode 22 can be operated from the very bottom to the very top by a swiping movement of a finger, for example a thumb, for example without moving the corresponding hand.

5 shows a steering wheel 50 of a motor vehicle, for example the motor vehicle explained above. The control and display element 20, in particular the organic light-emitting diode 22, is arranged on the steering wheel 50. The electronic circuit 30 can be arranged in the steering wheel 50 or outside the steering wheel 50.

6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an operating and display element, for example the operating and display element 20 explained above.

In a step S2, depending on a currently set parameter value of a control device of a motor vehicle, a light segment, for example one of the light segments 24 explained above, of an organic light-emitting diode, for example the organic light-emitting diode 22 explained above, is controlled in this way, for example by means of the electronic light segment explained above Circuit 30 that it lights up. The currently set parameter value can be transferred to the electronic circuit 30, for example by the control device, or the electronic circuit 30 can retrieve the currently set parameter value from the control device or, if the currently set parameter value was entered using the control and display element 20, this can, for example be stored in a storage element of the electronic circuit 30.

In a step S4, a touch 42 of one of the luminous segments 24 is detected, for example by monitoring a capacity of at least one of the electrodes of the corresponding luminous segment 24. For example, the touch 42 detects when a deviation from a predetermined capacitance value is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

In a step S6, the touched light segment 44 is controlled, for example by means of the electronic circuit 30, so that it lights up.

In a step S8, a new parameter value is determined depending on the touched light segment 44, which is representative of the touched light segment 44. In other words, it is determined which parameter value is assigned to the touched light segment 44.

In a step S10, the new parameter value is transferred to the control device. For example, the new parameter value is sent to the control device or the parameter value is retrieved from the control device. As a result, the control unit controls a vehicle function, for example one or more control elements of the vehicle function, such that a driver's request, which was expressed by means of touch 42, is implemented by the vehicle function.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments specified. For example, as an alternative to the organic light-emitting diode 22 with the plurality of light-emitting segments 24, a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes can be arranged, which can each be segmented or not segmented and which are arranged adjacent to one another, so that the plurality of organic light-emitting diodes the 22 take over the function of the several light segments 24. Furthermore, two or more vehicle functions can be used with corresponding operating and display elements. Furthermore, one, two or more of the control and display elements can basically have the function explained above, but can be designed differently in terms of their shape and/or design.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

20

Control and display element

22

organic light-emitting diode

24

Light segment

26

long page

28

short page

30

electronic circuit

40

currently activated light segment

42

contact

44

touched light segment

50

steering wheel

S2 to S4

steps

Claims (13)

Control and display element (20) for a motor vehicle, with at least one organic light-emitting diode (22) for displaying a currently set parameter value of a control unit of the motor vehicle, for setting a new parameter value of the control unit and for displaying the newly set parameter value, the organic light-emitting diode (22) having a plurality of adjacent light segments (24), which can be operated independently of one another and are each representative of a parameter value of the control unit, and an electronic circuit (30) which is electrically coupled to the light segments (24) and which is set up to Depending on the currently set parameter value, at least one of the light segments (40), which is representative of the currently set parameter value, is controlled so that it lights up, to detect a touch (42) of at least one of the light segments (24), depending on the detected touch (42), to determine the new parameter value that the touched light segment (44) represents, to provide the determined parameter value to the control device, and to control the touched light segment (44) in such a way that that it lights up, the electronic circuit (30) being set up to to detect simultaneous touches (42) of two or more of the light segments (24), depending on the detected touches (42), to determine the new parameter value that the touched light segments (44) represent, to provide the determined parameter value to the control device and to control the touched light segments (44) so that they light up. Control and display element (20). Claim 1 , in which the light-emitting segments (24) are designed and arranged such that the organic light-emitting diode (22) has an elongated shape with at least one long side (26) and at least one short side (28), the light-emitting segments (24) being transverse extend to the long side (26). Control and display element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the light segments (24) emit light of different colors, so that a color gradient can be displayed by means of the organic light-emitting diode (22). Method for operating an operating and display element (20) of a motor vehicle, the operating and display element (20) having at least one organic light-emitting diode (22) for displaying a currently set parameter value of a control device of the motor vehicle, for setting a new parameter value of the control device and for Displaying the newly set parameter value, the organic light-emitting diode (22) having a plurality of adjacent light segments (24) which can be operated independently of one another and which are each representative of a parameter value of the control device, the operating and display element further comprising an electronic circuit (30). which is electrically coupled to the light segments (24) and which, in the method, depending on the currently set parameter value, at least one of the light segments (40), which is representative of the currently set parameter value, is controlled so that it lights up, a touch ( 42) recognizes at least one of the light segments (24), depending on the detected touch (42), determines the new parameter value that the touched light segment (44) represents, provides the determined parameter value to the control device, and controls the touched light segment (44), that it lights up, with simultaneous touches (42) of two or more rer of the light segments (24) are recognized, depending on the detected touches (42), the new parameter value is determined, which the touched light segments (44) represent, the determined parameter value is provided to the control device and the touched light segments (44) are controlled in this way, that they shine. Procedure according to Claim 4 , in which the parameter value is a gear of a transmission of the motor vehicle and the control unit is a transmission control of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to one of the Claims 4 until 5 , in which the parameter value is a speed and the vehicle function is a speed control of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 6 , in which the speed is a windshield wiper speed and the control device is a windshield wiper system of the motor vehicle or the speed is a vehicle speed and the control device is an engine control or a cruise control of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 4 , in which the parameter value is a lighting value and the control device is a lighting control of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 8 , in which the parameter value is a brightness and the control device is an interior lighting control of the motor vehicle or the parameter value is a beam angle of a low beam of a headlight of the motor vehicle and the control device is a light control of the headlight. Procedure according to Claim 4 , in which the parameter value is a desired storage state of energy to be stored in the motor vehicle and the control device is a storage state control of the motor vehicle, which signals that the desired storage state has been reached. Procedure according to Claim 10 , in which the storage state is a battery charge state of a battery of the motor vehicle or the storage state is a fuel level in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to one of the Claims 10 or 11 , in which the organic light-emitting diode (22) is arranged on a charging or filling device of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 4 , in which the parameter value is a comfort value and the control device is a comfort control of the motor vehicle.

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