Operator control apparatus and method for operating an operator control apparatus with improved approach sensing

摘要

The invention relates to an operator control apparatus and to a method for operating an operator control apparatus which comprises at least one operator control element for capturing user inputs and an approach recognition device which is designed to sense an approach by an actuating element, in particular a body part, of a user to the operator control element before the at least one operator control element is touched, wherein the approach recognition device comprises a reflection light barrier, which has at least one lamp (22a-22d) for emitting electromagnetic detection radiation (35) in front of the at least one operator control element into a physically limited detection area (4) which does not cover an entire volume in front of the at least one operator control element, and a reception element (28) for detecting a detection radiation (35) component which is scattered and/or reflected at the actuating element of the user during an approach to the at least one operator control element, wherein the approach recognition device is designed to recognize an approach from intensity of the received detection radiation.

主权项

1. An operator control apparatus comprising
at least one operator control element for capturing user inputs; an approach detection device configured to sense an approach by an activation element, comprising a body part of a user, to the operator control element before the at least one operator control element is touched, wherein the approach detection device comprises a reflection light barrier comprising at least one lighting means for emitting electromagnetic detection radiation in front of the at least one operator control element into a spatially limited detection region which does not comprise an entire volume in front of the at least one operator control element; and a receiver element for detecting a portion of the detection radiation which is scattered and/or reflected at the activation element of the user when the at least one operator control element is approached, wherein the approach detection device is configured to detect an approach on the basis of the intensity of the received detection radiation, wherein the at least one lighting means is coupled to an optical device which deflects the emission of the detection radiation into a fan-shaped spatial region.