Described herein is an operator control device for actuating functional units of a motor vehicle. The operator control device has at least one operator control element which can be moved by an operator. The operator control device further includes an actuator by which operation of the operator control element can be communicated to the operator. The actuator includes a coil element and an armature which can move relative to the coil element. Also described herein is a method for actuating functional units of a motor vehicle.
German Patent Application No. 10 2011 117 120 A relates to an operator control panel for a motor vehicle. The operator control panel has operating areas on which an operator control force can be exerted by a finger of a human hand. A strain gauge is provided in order to determine the operator control force. If operation of an operating area is established, haptic feedback is communicated to an operator by current being applied to a solenoid including a coil and an armature which is arranged therein in a movable manner. Then, the armature strikes an element, the movement of the element being transmitted to the operating area by using a tappet. This is perceived by the finger of the operator as haptic feedback for operation of the operating area.
One disadvantage of this can be considered to be that the provision of a strain gauge for detecting the operator control force is complicated, costly and susceptible to faults.
Furthermore, German Patent Application No. 102 43 600 A1 describes an electrical switch which can be used in motor vehicles. If operation of the switch by using a switching device is detected, current is applied to a coil winding and an armature which is guided in a linear manner in the coil winding is made to execute an oscillating movement, the armature striking the switch in the event of the oscillating movement. This is perceived by an operator as vibration of the switch.
German Patent Application No. 10 2009 042 777 A1 describes an electromagnetic actuator for operating a switch or a valve, for example in order to set a through-flow rate through the valve. Here, the electromagnetic actuator includes a coil and an armature which can be moved by supplying current to the coil and to which a tappet is connected. A measuring apparatus for determining an armature position includes a current sensor and a magnetic field sensor.