The invention relates to an operating device for a vehicle with at least one operating element which is movable relative to a further component of the operating device, and with a sensor arrangement for detecting a position of the at least one operating element relative to the further component. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one hall element, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one flux guide made from a ferromagnetic material. The at least one flux guide is configured to guide a magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet. The invention further relates to a method for operating such an operating device. Document US 2013/179115 A1 describes a system using magnetic field sensors to identify positions of a gear shift lever. Herein, a magnetic field sensor is fixed to a stationary structure, and a ferromagnetic target is fixed to the gear shift lever. The magnetic field sensor comprises a plurality of hall elements and a magnet. When the ferromagnetic target is moved together with the gear shift lever with respect to the magnet field sensor, the ferromagnetic target alters the magnet field generated by the magnet of the sensor, which is arranged proximate to the hall elements within the sensor. This alteration of the magnet’s field is sensed by the hall elements, and the position of the gear shift lever is identified. However, it is rather difficult to identify the position of the gear shift lever correctly and precisely by means of this system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device of the initially mentioned kind which allows for a particularly reliable detection of the position of the operating element relative to the further component, and to indicate a corresponding method.

This object is solved by an operating device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 13. Advantageous configurations with convenient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. According to the invention, the operating device for a vehicle comprises at least one operating element which is movable relative to a further component of the operating device. The operating device further comprises a sensor arrangement for detecting a position of the at least one operating element relative to the further component. Herein, the sensor arrangement comprises at least one hall element, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one flux guide made from a ferromagnetic material. The at least one flux guide is configured to guide a magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet. A distance between the at least one hall element and the at least one permanent magnet is variable by moving the at least one operating element relative to the further component. Herein, a magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the at least one hall element depends on the distance. The hall element can have optionally an analog or digital interface for providing the sensor value or data.

As the distance between the at least one hall element or hall-effect sensor and the at least one permanent magnet depends on the position of the at least one operating element relative to the further component of the operating device, the distance changes, when the position of the at least one operating element relative to the further component of the operating device is changed by moving the operating element. And as the flux guide made from the ferromagnetic material guides at least a part of the magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet, the magnitude of the magnetic flux guided by the flux guide or magnetic flux guide can be readily detected by the at least one hall element or hall-effect sensor. This is due to the fact that the flux guide is made from the ferromagnetic material, i.e. a material which can be magnetized by the permanent magnet but which is different from the material of the permanent magnet.

Therefore, even if the distance between the hall-effect sensor and the permanent magnet is comparatively large, the flux guide increases the magnetic flux density which can be detected by the hall element or hall-effect sensor compared to a situation in which no such ferromagnetic flux guide is present in addition to the permanent magnet. Consequently, the magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet can be readily detected by the at least one hall element. Accordingly, the operating device allows for a particularly reliable detection of the position of the operating element relative to the further component.

In particular, the movement of the at least one operating element relative to the further component corresponds to an operating action of a user or person such as an occupant of the vehicle, who wishes to activate a particular function of the vehicle by moving the at least one operating element. In other words, by moving the at least one operating element the user or occupant preferably signalizes his intention to have the desired function of the vehicle activated. To this end the user or operating person brings the operating element in a certain position relative to the further component of the operating device.

The detection of the position of the operating element relative to the further component is achieved in a particularly simple manner. In addition to this, problems associated with wear and tear when mechanical switches are utilized, can be avoided as the operating device enables a contactless detection of the position of the operating element relative to the further component of the operating device. In particular, problems related to an oxidation process, for example the formation of rust, which can be encountered when a mechanical switch is utilized, are avoided.

Further, the contactless detection of the position of the at least one operating element accounts for a particularly long lifetime of the operating device, and the operating device is particularly cost effective.

This is due to the fact that the magnetic flux which is present at a given location of the flux guide decreases with an increasing distance of this location from the permanent magnet along the flux guide. Therefore, the magnetic flux detected by the hall element can be used to identify the position of the permanent magnet relative to the hall element or hall- effect sensor. And this detection of the position or identification of the position can be realized at particularly low cost and in a multitude of contactless operating devices of the vehicle.

Further, the at least one flux guide increases the precision in detecting the position of the at least one operating element relative to the further, in particular stationary, component of the operating device.

Moreover, it is not necessary to provide permanent magnets having particular and complicated shapes in order to sense the magnetic flux provided by the permanent magnet at different positions of the hall element relative to the permanent magnet.

Rather, a particularly small and simple and therefore particularly low-cost permanent magnet can be utilized in the operating device. This improves the manufacturability and the cost effectiveness of the operating device. Preferably, the at least one hall element is movable by moving the at least one operating element, wherein the at least one permanent magnet and the at least one flux guide are fixed in position relative to the further component. In such a configuration, the decreasing magnetic flux within the flux guide with increasing distance from the permanent magnet along the flux guide can be made use of in a particularly simple manner. Further, the at least one hall element can be readily provided as a particularly small component or part of the operating device. Consequently, such a small and lightweight component or part can be easily moved together with the at least one operating element. This renders the operation of the operating device particularly easy.

The at least one permanent magnet can be in contact with the at least one flux guide.

This enables the magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet to be guided by the flux guide particularly efficiently and with very little loss. This in turn increases the sensitivity of the detection of the position of the at least one operating element by means of the at least one hall element.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one permanent magnet can be movable by moving the at least one operating element. Herein, the at least one hall element and the at least one flux guide are fixed in position relative to the further component. This is in particular advantageous, if the permanent magnet is more robust than the at least one hall element, because in this case, the more delicate part or component, i.e. the hall element, rests stationary while the more robust component, i.e. the permanent magnet, is moved. This can be an advantage in a rough environment like the one within a vehicle in which the operating device is utilized.

Preferably, a first hall element is arranged at a first end region of the flux guide, wherein a second hall element is arranged at a second end region of the flux guide. In such a configuration, a movement of the permanent magnet away from the first hall element and towards the second hall element or away from the second hall element and towards the first hall element can be detected very easily and with high precision. Further, an increase of the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by one of the hall elements goes along with a decrease of the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the other hall element. This is helpful in correctly determining the position of the at least one operating element having the permanent magnet. Therefore, providing two hall elements at opposite end regions of the flux guide helps increasing the performance of the sensor arrangement with respect to the reliable detection of the position of the at least one operating element. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one hall element can be in contact with the at least one flux guide. This also increases the sensitivity of the detection as there is no air gap between the at least one hall element and the at least one flux guide.

The at least one operating element can be configured as a lever which is pivotable about a pivot axis. Herein, the lever has a first free end which is opposite a second free end of the lever with respect to the pivot axis, and the at least one flux guide has a curved form. The curved form is such that a distance of first free end from the at least one flux guide varies less in dependence on the movement of the lever than would be the case for a straight flux guide. If the permanent magnet or the hall element is attached to the first free end of the lever and is moved by pivoting the lever about its pivot axis, the shortest distance between the hall element and the flux guide or the shortest distance between the permanent magnet and the flux guide can be held rather constant. Consequently, the flux guide can well fulfil its function of guiding the magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet such that the magnetic flux can be readily detected by the at least one hall element. Therefore, the position of the lever can be detected very precisely and very reliably.

In particular, the flux guide can have a C-shape or C-form as the curved form. Thus, the shortest distance between the first free end of the lever and the flux guide can be held substantially constant, in particular if the curved form of the flux guide corresponds to a circular arc, i.e. to a section of a circle having the pivot axis as center point.

The lever can be configured as an operating lever mounted on a housing of a steering column module of the vehicle. Herein, the operating lever is movable relative to the housing. In particular at the steering column module of a vehicle a plurality of operating levers can be arranged for activating various functions within the vehicle, if the user or occupant of the vehicle moves a respective operating lever relative to the housing. Therefore, providing the steering column module with the at least one operating lever, the position of which can be detected in a contactless manner, is particularly advantageous. The steering column module can also be referred to as top column module as in its mounting position the module is located at the top portion of a steering column or steering post of the vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, the lever can be configured as an operating lever for a transmission of the vehicle. The transmission can be an automatic transmission or a manual transmission, in particular in a shift-by-wire application. Upon detecting the position of the operating lever or a transmission lever, respective shifting operations of the transmission can be affected. Therefore, configuring the at least one lever as operating lever for the transmission is another particularly suitable application of the operating device.

Alternatively or additionally, the lever can be configured as an operating lever of a window lifter device of the vehicle. In this advantageous configuration, lifting and therefore closing or descending and therefore opening at least one window of the vehicle can be performed in a particularly reliable and simple manner according to the wish expressed by the user in pivoting the operating lever about its pivot axis.

Preferably, the at least one operating element is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation passing through the further component. Herein, the distance between the at least one hall element and the at least one permanent magnet varies in dependence on the rotational movement of the operating element relative to the further component. Such rotating operating elements or rotary switches or rotary knobs are widely used in devices of a vehicle, for example in the form of operating elements arranged at operating levers of a steering column module. Therefore, utilizing the sensor arrangement with such operating elements configured to rotate about their axis of rotation is particularly advantageous.

The concept of utilizing the flux guide made from the ferromagnetic material can be advantageously utilized with these operating elements which are configured to rotate about the respective axis of rotation, in particular if the flux guide has an arc-shaped form. This is due to the fact, that the magnetic flux which is present at different locations of the flux guide can be readily sensed by means of the at least one hall element depending on the turning position of the operating element with respect to the axis of rotation.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one operating element can be configured to be moved translationally with respect to the further component. Herein, the distance between the at least one hall element and the at least one permanent magnet varies by pressing down the at least one operating element or by lifting the at least one operating element. Such operating elements in the form of buttons or switches are widely utilized in vehicles, for example, as steering wheel switches, dashboard switches or instrument panel switches, door panel switches or the like. Therefore, utilizing the contactless position detection based on the hall element which measures the flux density of the magnetic flux guided by the magnetic flux guide is also particularly beneficial in such operating elements which are moved translationally by the user.

Preferably, the operating device comprises at least one spring element configured to move the at least one pressed or lifted operating element back into a starting position.

This assures that any translational movement from the starting position into a working position can be readily detected by means of the at least one hall element. Preferably the spring element is a spring or a rubber mat.

Preferably, the operating device comprises at least one spacer configured to prevent the at least one operating element from contacting the at least one flux guide. This is in particular helpful if the operating element comprises the permanent magnet, as in this case a direct contact between the permanent magnet and the flux guide could make it difficult to move the operating element away from the flux guide, i.e. back into the starting position. Therefore, the at least one spacer improves the handling of the operating device.

Preferably, the operating device comprises a plurality of operating elements configured to be moved translationally with respect to the further component. Herein, the plurality of operating elements are movable independently from each other with respect to the same flux guide. This results in a very compact and space saving arrangement of the operating elements with respect to only one flux guide. Further, different arrangements of the operating elements relative to each other can be easily accounted for.

Preferably, the sensor arrangement is connected to a microcontroller of the operating device, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control at least one functional unit of the vehicle. Such a configuration allows to utilize a signal provided by the at least one hall element for controlling the at least one functional unit of the vehicle. In particular, the microcontroller can be configured to interpret the movement of the at least one operating element by the user or person into a certain position relative to the further component as the user’s or person’s intention to have the desired function or functional unit of the vehicle activated.

If the operating device is configured as a steering column module, controlling the at least one functional unit of the vehicle can comprise activating wipers of the vehicle such as windscreen wipers, activating lamps such as headlamps and/or rear lights of the vehicle, activating a turn indicator or the like. However, by evaluating the signal provided by at least one hall element a variety of other functional units of the vehicle can be controlled according to an operating action of the user or person moving the at least one operating element relative to the further component.

In the method according to the invention for operating an operating device at least one operating element of the operating device is moved relative to a further component of the operating device. Herein, a position of the at least one operating element relative to the further component is detected by a sensor arrangement of the operating device. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one hall element, at least one permanent magnet and at least one flux guide made from a ferromagnetic material. The at least one flux guide is configured to guide a magnetic flux caused by the at least one permanent magnet. In the method, a distance between the at least one hall element and the at least one permanent magnet is varied by moving the at least one operating element relative to the further component. Herein, a magnitude of the magnetic flux is detected by the at least one hall element in dependence on the distance. Consequently, the method allows for a particularly reliable detection of the position of the operating element relative to the further component. Accordingly the method enables to detect the intention of the user or person who wishes to activate a particular function of the vehicle.

The advantages and preferred embodiments described with regard to the operating device according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by separated feature combinations from the explained implementations. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not have all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, implementations and feature combinations are to be considered as disclosed, in particular by the implementations set out above, which extend beyond or deviate from the feature combinations set out in the relations of the claims. Therein show:

Fig. 1 schematically an operating device for a vehicle which is configured as a steering column module with operating levers, wherein a hall sensor arrangement enables to determine a position of operating levers of the steering column module with respect to a housing of the steering column module;

Fig. 2 schematically a permanent magnet attached to a bar made from a ferromagnetic material, wherein a magnetic flux density within the bar decreases with increasing distance from the permanent magnet;

Fig. 3 schematically the hall sensor arrangement utilized with one of the operating levers shown in Fig. 1 , wherein a hall element or hall-effect sensor is attached to a free end of the operating lever and a permanent magnet is attached to a C-shaped flux guide;

Fig. 4 the arrangement according to Fig. 3, wherein the operating lever is moved in a first position, such that the hall-effect sensor is relatively close to the permanent magnet;

Fig. 5 the arrangement according to Fig. 3, wherein the operating lever is moved in a second position, such that the hall-effect sensor is relatively far away from the permanent magnet;

Fig. 6 an alternative hall sensor arrangement utilized with one of the operating levers shown in Fig. 1 , wherein the permanent magnet is attached to the free end of the operating lever, and wherein two hall-effect sensors or hall elements are attached to respective end regions of the C-shaped flux guide;

Fig. 7 schematically the arrangement according to Fig. 6, wherein the permanent magnet attached to the operating lever is close to a first one of the hall elements attached to the C-shaped flux guide; Fig. 8 schematically the arrangement according to Fig. 6, wherein the permanent magnet attached to the operating lever is close to a second one of the hall elements attached to the C-shaped flux guide; Fig. 9 another example of an operating device for a vehicle, wherein the operating element is configured as an operating lever for a transmission of the vehicle;

Fig. 10 schematically an operating device configured as a steering column module similar to the one which is shown in Fig. 1 , wherein the steering column module comprises a plurality of operating levers, and wherein the operating levers comprise rotary switches or rotary operating elements;

Fig. 11 schematically a hall sensor arrangement for an operating element according to Fig. 10, which is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein the hall sensor arrangement has an arc-shaped flux guide;

Fig. 12 different positions of a permanent magnet of the rotary operating element according to Fig. 11 with respect to the arc-shaped flux guide to which the hall-effect sensor or hall element is attached;

Fig. 13 further possible positions of the rotary operating element with respect to the arc shaped flux guide according to Fig. 11 ; Fig. 14 schematically another example of an operating device for a vehicle, wherein the operating device comprises lever elements for opening and closing windows of the vehicle, and further operating elements which can be pushed down or pressed down; Fig. 15 schematically another example of an operating device for a vehicle, wherein the operating device is integrated into a steering wheel of the vehicle and comprises a plurality of buttons that can be pressed down;

Fig. 16 schematically and in a perspective view a hall sensor arrangement that can be utilized with the buttons or switches shown in Fig. 15; Fig. 17 the hall sensor arrangement according to Fig. 16 in a top view;

Fig. 18 the hall sensor arrangement according to Fig. 16 in a first side view;

Fig. 19 the hall sensor arrangement according to Fig. 16 in a second side view which is perpendicular to the first side view;

Fig. 20 schematically the connection of the hall sensor arrangement to a microcontroller of the vehicle; and

Fig. 21 schematically the connection of a plurality of hall elements or hall-effect sensors to the microcontroller within the vehicle. In the figures, same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an operating device for a vehicle, wherein the operating device is configured as a steering column module 10. The steering column module 10 comprises a first operating lever 12 and a second operating lever 14. The operating levers 12, 14 can be moved relative to a further component of the operating device. In the example schematically shown in Fig. 1 the further component is a housing 16 of the steering column module. In its mounting position, the housing 16 is fixed to a top portion of a steering column (not shown) of the vehicle. Therefore, the steering column module 10 can also be referred to as a top column module.

In Fig. 3, the operating lever 12 of the steering column module 10 is schematically shown in a starting position or normal position, which can correspond to the position of this operating lever 12 as shown in Fig. 1 .

In a manner known as such, the operating lever 12 is pivotable about a pivot axis 18 in an upward position (see Fig. 4) and in a downward position (see Fig. 5). The steering column module 10 comprises a hall sensor arrangement 20, wherein components of the hall sensor arrangement 20 are schematically shown in Fig. 3. According to Fig. 3, the hall sensor arrangement 20 comprises a hall element 22 or hall- effect sensor. In a manner known as such, a magnetic flux density can be detected by means of the hall element 22. The hall sensor arrangement 20 also comprises a permanent magnet 24 which can in particular be a neodymium magnet, i.e. a permanent magnet made from an alloy of neodymium (Nd) and other components such as iron (Fe) and boron (B). Such a permanent magnet 24 is particularly strong.

The hall sensor arrangement 20 further comprises a flux guide 26. In the hall sensor arrangement 20 schematically shown in Fig. 3, the flux guide 26 has a curved form and is in particular arc-shaped or has a C-shape. The flux guide 26 is made from a ferromagnetic material such as a ferromagnetic metal. For example the flux guide 26 can be made of or comprise metals such as iron, cobalt, nickel or alloys of these ferromagnetic metals.

With respect to Fig. 2, the basic principle associated with the utilization of the ferromagnetic flux guide 26 shall be illustrated. Flerein, the permanent magnet 24 is attached to a first end region 28 of the flux guide 26. In this first end region 28, the magnitude of the magnetic flux caused by the permanent magnet 24 is higher than at greater distances from the permanent magnet 24 along the flux guide 26. For example, in a second end region 30 of the flux guide 26, which is opposite the first end region 28, the magnetic flux which is present in flux guide 26 is much lower than in the first end region 28 due to the greater distance from the permanent magnet 24.

In a first portion 32 of the flux guide 26, which is adjacent to the first end region 28, the magnetic flux density is reduced compared to the first end region 28 but still higher than in the second end region 30. In a second portion 34 of the flux guide 26, which is adjacent to the second end region 30, the magnetic flux density, i.e. the magnitude of the magnetic flux caused by the permanent magnet 24 is further reduced with respect to the first portion 32. Flowever, in the second portion 34, the magnitude of the magnetic flux is still higher than in the second end region 30 of the bar or flux guide 26. In general, the magnetic flux density within the flux guide 26 made from the ferromagnetic material decreases with increasing distance from the permanent magnet 24.

Even though the regions or portions of the flux guide 26 are represented as being distinct from each other in Fig. 2, there is rather a continuous decrease of the magnitude of the magnetic flux between the portion of the flux guide 26, which is in contact with the permanent magnet 24, and the free end of the flux guide 26.

And even though the flux guide 26 shown in Fig. 3 is not straight as the flux guide 26 shown in Fig. 2, the decrease of the magnetic flux, which is present within the flux guide 26 at different distances from the permanent magnet 24 along the flux guide 26 is basically as outlined with respect to Fig. 2.

Consequently, the magnetic flux caused the permanent magnet 24 is higher in a region of the flux guide 26 which is closer to the permanent magnet 24 than in a region of the flux guide 26 which is further away from the permanent magnet 24. This effect is utilized in order to detect the position of the operating lever 12 with respect to, for example, the housing 16 shown in Fig. 1 , wherein the permanent magnet 24 and the flux guide 26 are arranged within the housing 16 in a stationary manner.

Fig. 4 shows the operating lever 12 which is moved upwards by a user or person about the pivot axis 18 with respect to the central position or starting position of the operating lever 12 shown in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 1 . Consequently, the hall sensor or hall element 22 which is attached to a first free end 36 of the operating lever 12 is relatively close to the permanent magnet 24. Further, the hall element 22 is close to a portion or region of the flux guide 26 in which the magnitude of the magnetic flux is higher than in a portion or region of the flux guide 26 which is further away from the permanent magnet 24 along the flux guide 26. The magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by means of the hall element 22 can therefore be utilized to detect the position of the operating lever 12 with respect to the housing 16 in which the permanent magnet 24 and the flux guide 26 are arranged.

By pivoting the operating lever 12 about the pivot axis 18 such that a second free end 38 of the operating lever 12 is moved upwards as shown in Fig. 4, the user or person, in particular in the form of an occupant of the vehicle, signalizes his intention or wish that a specific action is performed upon the detection of this pivoting movement.

In Fig. 5 the operating lever 12 is shown in a position in which the first free end 36 is moved upwards with respect to the position of the first free end 36 shown in Fig. 3. By pivoting the operating lever 12 about the pivot axis 18 such that the second free end 38 of the operating lever 12 is moved downwards as shown in Fig. 5, the user or person signalizes his intention or wish that another specific action is performed upon the detection of this pivoting movement.

By this pivoting movement of the operating lever 12 about the pivot axis 18 the second free end 38 of the operating lever 12 is moved downwards with respect to the central position of the operating lever 12 shown in Fig. 3. Consequently, the hall element 22 or hall-effect sensor is far away from the permanent magnet 24 and close to an end region 40 of the flux guide 26, wherein this end region 40 is also far away from the permanent magnet 24 along the C-shaped or circular arc-shaped flux guide 26. Therefore, the hall element 22 only detects a very small magnetic flux caused by the permanent magnet 24. This particularly low magnetic flux which is present in the end region 40 of the flux guide 26 is utilized to determine the position of the operating lever 12. The position of the operating lever 12 relative to the further component in form of the housing 16 (see Fig. 1 ) can therefore be detected by evaluating the signal provided by the hall element 22.

Fig. 6 shows a different layout of the elements or components of the hall sensor arrangement 20. Again, the operating lever 12 has the first free end 36 and the second free end 38, and the flux guide 26 is C-shaped as shown in Fig. 3. Flowever, in this configuration of the operating device the permanent magnet 24 is attached to the first free end 36 of the operating lever 12. Therefore, the permanent magnet 24 moves with respect to the flux guide 26 as the operating lever 12 is pivoted about the pivot axis 18 by the user or person.

In the hall sensor arrangement 20 according to Fig. 6 a first hall element 44 is arranged at a first end region of the flux guide 26, and a second hall element 46 is arranged at a second end region of the flux guide 26. This allows for a particularly good performance of the hall sensor arrangement 20 in detecting the position of the permanent magnet 24 with respect to one of the hall elements 44, 46 or hall-effect sensors.

Fig. 7 shows a situation in which the operating lever 12 is pivoted upwards about the pivot axis 18 such that the first free end 36 with the permanent magnet 24 is closer to the first hall element 44 than in the central position of the operating lever 12 shown in Fig. 6. The magnetic flux caused by the permanent magnet 24 in the flux guide 26 has therefore a higher flux density in a region of the flux guide 26 which is proximate to the first hall element 44. On the other hand, the flux density within the flux guide 26 closer to the second hall element 46 is lower than in the situation shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, by utilizing the signals from both hall elements 44, 46, the orientation of the operating lever 12 with respect to the pivot axis 18 and therefore the position of the operating lever 12 relative to the stationary components in form of the flux guide 26 and the hall elements 44, 46 can be readily detected.

The same applies if the operating lever 12 is pivoted about the pivot axis 18 such that the second free end 38 is moved downward with respect to the starting position shown in Fig. 6. This movement of the operating lever 12 is shown in Fig. 8. In this case, the second hall element 46 senses a higher magnitude of the magnetic flux within the flux guide 26 than the first hall element 44.

As can be seen from Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 further operating elements can be arranged on the operating lever 12, in particular in the region of the second free end 38 of the operating lever 12. These further operating elements can be configured as rotary switches or rotary knobs 48, 50. Such rotary knobs 48, 50 can be rotated about an axis of rotation 52 which is indicated in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 6.

The operating device schematically shown in Fig. 9 comprises an operating element which is configured as an operating lever 54 for a transmission of the vehicle. A pivoting movement of the operating lever 54 about a pivot axis (not shown in Fig. 9 for reasons of simplicity) goes along with a movement of an upper part of the operating lever 54 along a guiding track 56 provided in a housing 58, in which the guiding track 56 is arranged. Depending on the position of the operating lever 54 along the guiding track 56 a switching operation within the transmission of the vehicle can be performed. The user or person can pivot the operating lever 54 about the pivot axis in order to indicate or express which gear or which driving mode the user wishes to utilize.

In the example of the operating device shown in Fig. 9, the housing 58 can be the further component which remains stationary relative to the operating lever 54. Therefore, the hall sensor arrangement 20 of the operating device according to Fig. 9 can in particular be configured to detect the position of the operating lever 54 relative to the further component in form of the housing. 58. The hall sensor arrangement 20 utilized in this configuration of the operating device comprising the operating lever 54 is not shown in Fig. 9 for reasons of simplicity.

However, if the operating lever 54 is moved relative to the housing 58, the principles explained with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 8 apply in analogy to the movement of one of the operating levers 12, 14 with respect to the housing 16 shown in Fig. 1 . Consequently, the hall sensor arrangement 20 comprising the flux guide 26 can be stationary and arranged within the housing 58, whereas the operating lever 54 can be moved relative to the stationary flux guide 26 (not shown in Fig. 9) of the hall sensor arrangement 20.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a variant of the steering column module 10 comprising the housing 16 and the operating levers 12, 14. Herein, the steering column module 10 comprises a further operating lever 60 which can pivot about a pivot axis (not shown in Fig. 10) as explained with respect to the operating lever 12 shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 8. Further, exemplary configurations of rotary knobs 48, 50 which are integrated into at least one of the operating levers 12, 14, 60 are indicated in Fig. 10.

In the case of these rotary knobs 48, 50 the further component which remains stationary upon the rotary movement of the respective knob 48, 50 can be the operating lever 12,

14, 60 at which the rotary knob 48, 50 is arranged. The rotary knob 48, 50 can be rotated by the user or person about a respective axis of rotation 52 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. 11) which can coincide with a longitudinal axis of at least a section, in particular of an end section, of the respective operating lever 12, 14, 60.

Fig. 11 schematically shows the working principle for detecting a position of one of the rotary knobs 48, 50 with respect to the axis of rotation 52. If, for example, the rotary knob 50 is rotated about the axis of rotation 52, a ring element 62 of the rotary knob 50 performs a rotational movement, whereas other elements of the hall sensor arrangement 20 remain fixed in position with respect to the axis of rotation 52. In a manner similar to the one explained with reference to Fig. 3, the hall sensor arrangement 20 comprises the permanent magnet 24, the hall element 22 or hall-effect sensor and the flux guide 26. The rotation of the rotary knobs 48, 50 can be at any angle, for example below 360°, exact 360° or more than 360°.

In the configuration exemplarily shown in Fig. 11 , the hall element 22 is attached to the arc-shaped magnetic flux guide 26, whereas the permanent magnet 24 is attached to the ring element 62. In this case the flux guide 26 and the hall element 22 attached to the flux guide 26 remain stationary with respect to the axis of rotation 52, whereas a movement of the ring element 62 about the axis of rotation 52 goes along with a rotational movement of the permanent magnet 24 about the axis of rotation 52. In the situation shown in Fig. 11 , the permanent magnet 24 is in close proximity to the hall element 22. Accordingly, the magnetic flux which is detected by the hall element 22 has a comparatively high magnitude. Alternatively also multiple hall elements 22 can be provided on the flux guide.

The situation corresponding to Fig. 11 is shown in a further view on the left-hand side in Fig. 12. In a representation shown in the center of Fig. 12, the ring element 62 is rotated about the axis of rotation 52 in a direction indicated by an arrow 64. Consequently, the permanent magnet 24 is moved further away from the hall element 22 along the flux guide 26. In the representation shown on the right-hand side in Fig. 12, the ring element 62 is turned further about the axis of rotation 52 such that the permanent magnet 24 is still further away from the hall element 22. In other words, the distance between the hall element 22 and the permanent magnet 24 along the curved flux guide 26 is further increased.

In the representation on the left-hand side in Fig. 13, the ring element 62 is rotated further about the axis of rotation 52 such that the permanent magnet 24 is still further away from the hall element 22 along the arc-shaped flux guide 26. And in the situation shown on the right-hand side in Fig. 13, the magnetic flux in the flux guide 26, which is caused by the permanent magnet 24 and which is sensed by the hall element 22 has a minimum value. This is due to the fact that the permanent magnet 24 is located in vicinity to the free end of the flux guide 26 which is opposite the other end of the flux guide 26 where the hall element 22 is arranged. As the magnitude or amount of the magnetic flux that is detected by the hall element 22 depends on the position of the permanent magnet 24 along the arc-shaped flux guide 26, the position of the ring element 62 about the axis of rotation 52 can be readily detected.

In a variant of the rotary knob 48, 50 having the ring element 62, which is not shown in the figures, the hall element 22 can rotate about the axis of rotation 52 together with the ring element 62, while the permanent magnet 24 can be attached to the stationary flux guide 26. Fig. 14 shows another example of an operating device for a vehicle comprising the hall sensor arrangement 20 (not shown in Fig. 14). Flerein, the operating device is configured as a switch arrangement 66 arranged in a door panel of the vehicle. The switch arrangement 66 comprises a window lifter device 68 with a plurality of operating levers 70, 72, 74, 76 for opening and closing windows of the vehicle. Flerein, the operating levers 70, 72, 74, 76 can be moved relative to a further component in the form of a housing 77 of the switch arrangement 66. The housing 77 remains stationary with respect to the operating lever 70, 72, 74, 76 moved by the user or occupant. By the corresponding movement of the operating lever 70, 72, 74, 76 the user signalizes his intention to have at least one of the windows of the vehicle opened or closed.

The detection of a movement of these operating levers 70, 72, 74, 76 relative to the housing 77 is based on the same principle as explained with respect to the operating lever 12 shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 8. Consequently, the movement of one of the operating levers 70, 72, 74, 76 about a respective pivot axis (not shown) alters the magnitude of the magnetic flux sensed by the hall element 22 of the hall sensor arrangement 20, wherein the permanent magnet 24 can be arranged at the operating lever 70, 72, 74, 76 or at the stationary flux guide 26 (not shown in Fig. 14).

The switch arrangement 66 shown in Fig. 14 further comprises operating elements in form of buttons 78, 80, which can, for example, be pressed down to effect a desired action within the vehicle. Such actions can, for example, comprise locking the doors of the vehicle (button 80) and unlocking the doors of the vehicle (button 78).

Also with such buttons 78, 80 a working principle based on the utilization of the hall sensor arrangement 20 (not shown in Fig. 14) can be applied. In such an operating device comprising the buttons 78, 80, the buttons 78, 80 are pressed down by the user or person relative to the further component in form of the housing 77. In this way the user signalizes his intention that the particular action such as locking the doors or unlocking the doors is performed. This shall be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 15 and Fig. 16.

Fig. 15 shows another switch arrangement 82 or button arrangement that can be integrated into a steering wheel of the vehicle. In the exemplary configuration shown in Fig. 15, the switch arrangement 82 or button arrangement comprises four buttons 84, 86, 88, 90 which can be pushed down or pressed down as described with respect to the buttons 78, 80 of the switch arrangement 66 shown in Fig. 14. The buttons 84, 86, 88, 90 can be pressed down by the user relative to the further component in form of a housing 91 of the switch arrangement 82. The user or person signalizes by this operating movement that he wishes a particular action to be performed.

In Fig. 16 the hall sensor arrangement 20 which can be utilized within the switch arrangement 82 shown in Fig. 15 is shown very schematically and exemplarily. Each one of the buttons 84, 86, 88, 90 or such mechanical switches can comprises a permanent magnet 92, 94, 96, 98. For example, the permanent magnet 92 can be part of the button 86, the permanent magnet 94 can be part of the button 88, the permanent magnet 96 can be part of the button 90, and the permanent magnet 98 can be part of the button 84. The hall sensor arrangement 20 shown in Fig. 16 further comprises the flux guide 26 and at least one hall element 44, 46 or hall-effect sensor.

The hall sensor arrangement 20 exemplarily and schematically shown in Fig. 16 comprises a first hall element 44 and a second hall element 46 which are arranged at the flux guide 26 and fixed in position together with the flux guide 26. In this exemplary hall sensor arrangement 20, the permanent magnets 92, 94, 96, 98 move towards the flux guide 26, when the corresponding button 84, 86, 88, 89 is pressed down by the user. This decrease of a distance between at least one of the permanent magnets 92, 94, 96, 98 and the flux guide 26 has an influence on the magnitude of the magnetic flux detected by the hall elements 44, 46.

The first hall element 44 is arranged at a portion of the flux guide extending from the permanent magnet 96 towards the permanent magnet 98, and the second hall element 46 is arranged at a portion of the flux guide extending from the permanent magnet 92 towards the permanent magnet 94. This arrangement of the hall elements 44, 46 enables a particularly sensitive detection of the position of the permanent magnets 92, 94, 96, 98 relative to the flux guide 26 when the corresponding button 84, 86, 88, 89 is pressed down by the user.

It is also possible to provide only one of the hall elements 44, 46 or more than the two hall elements 44, 46 exemplarily shown in Fig. 16. Further, it is possible to arrange a respective hall element at a respective button 84, 86, 88, 90 and to fix at least one permanent magnet to the flux guide 26. The corresponding working principle has been explained with reference to the situations shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5.

Further, the shape of the flux guide 26 which is represented as having a rectangular form in a top view (see Fig. 17) may vary depending on the application and in particular the arrangement of the different buttons 84, 86, 88, 90 relative to each other. In the arrangement exemplarily shown in Fig. 16 and in Fig. 17, the permanent magnets 92, 94, 96, 98 are arranged in respective corner regions of the rectangular flux guide 26. In other switch arrangements 82, the form of the flux guide 26 can be different, for example curved, ellipsoidal, circular or the like.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 18, the switch arrangement 82 shown in Fig. 15 and having the hall sensor arrangement 20 can comprise respective spring elements 100 configured to move the respective permanent magnet 92, 94, 96, 98 back into a starting position, in which the respective button 84, 86, 88, 90 is not pressed down. In Fig. 18 only one such spring element 100 is exemplary shown, but a respective spring element 100 can be provided for each one of the permanent magnets 92, 94, 96, 98.

Fig. 18 further schematically shows a spacer 102 which is configured to prevent the permanent magnet 92, 94, 96, 98 from contacting the flux guide 26. The spacer 102 which is made from a non-magnetic material prevents that the permanent magnet 92, 94, 96, 98 sticks to the flux guide 26 once the respective button 84, 86, 88, 90 has been pressed down. Although not explicitly shown in the figures, such a spacer 102 can be provided for each one of the buttons 84, 86, 88, 90 to prevent the permanent magnet 92, 94, 96, 98 from getting in contact with the flux guide 26.

Fig. 20 schematically shows how the hall sensor arrangement 20 can be integrated into a communication structure within the vehicle. The hall sensor arrangement 20 comprises at least one of the operating elements described above, for example the operating lever 12 (see Fig. 3 to Fig. 8) and/or at least one of the mechanical switches or buttons such at least one of the rotary knobs 48, 50 (see Fig. 10) and/or at least one of the buttons 84,

86, 88, 90 to be pressed down (see Fig. 15).

According to Fig. 20 the hall sensor arrangement 20 is connected to a microcontroller 104, in particular via a signal conditioner 106 such as an amplifier. The microcontroller 104 can be connected to a control unit of the vehicle, in particular in the form of a body control module 108. The body control module 108 is then connected to at least one application 110 in order to perform the action desired by the user of the vehicle who is operating the corresponding operating element. The microcontroller 104 is preferably configured to interpret the movement of the at least one operating element relative to stationary the further component, which is effected by the user, as the user’s intention to have the desired application 110 or functional unit of the vehicle activated.

Fig. 20 shows an exemplary layout of the communication structure. However, the signal conditioner 106, the microcontroller 104 and the control unit, in particular the body control module 108 schematically shown in Fig. 20 do not need to be separate entities. Rather, at least two of these components or all of these components can be integrated into one module. Fig. 21 shows an arrangement in which the at least one hall element 22, 44, 46 is connected to the microcontroller 104. Respective connection lines 112, 114, 116 can be configured to transport an analogue signal provided by the respective hall element 22, 44, 46. However, it is also possible to utilize connection lines 112, 114, 116 or communication lines which are configured according to a bus protocol such as SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), I2C, 1-Wire or the like. However, also other bus systems can be utilized within the vehicle. For example, the communication lines or connection lines 112, 114, 116 can be based on a vehicle bus protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network) or the like. Fig. 21 further shows the body control module 108 which is connected to the microcontroller 104 and the at least one application 110 which is operated in order to perform the action desired by the user of the operating element, wherein the position of the operating element is detected by means of the hall sensor arrangement 20.