• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A control panel (10) for a motor vehicle comprises a support (18); a printed circuit board (14) which is fixed on the support (18); a facade element (12) which is mounted on the support (18) and which covers the printed circuit board (14); the facade element (12) comprising at least one actuatable control key (20) which is integrally formed with a fixed part of the facade element (12) and which extends over a zone of the printed circuit board (14); the control key (20) having a junction end (36) with the fixed part of the facade element (12) and a movable free end (38); the control key (20) comprises at its junction end (36) a first protrusion (44) bearing against the support (18) and / or against the printed circuit board (14), and comprises at its free end ( 38) a bearing zone (23) intended to be touched by an operator to actuate the control key (20); the control key (20) also comprises a second protuberance (46) arranged between the first protuberance (44) and the bearing zone (23), the said second protuberance (46) being of height less than the first protrusion (44) and having at its free end opposite the printed circuit board (14) a bearing surface (54) intended to come into contact with a sensor (50) arranged facing the card printed circuit board (14) when the control key (20) is actuated.
    公开号:FR3066451A1
    申请号:FR1754424
    申请日:2017-05-18
    公开日:2018-11-23
    发明作者:Andrzej POLAK
    申请人:Delphi Technologies Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Motor vehicle control panel
    TECHNICAL AREA
    The present invention relates to a control panel for a motor vehicle and more particularly to the control keys of such a panel.
    TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    The occupants of an automobile are very sensitive to the visual appearance and the touch of the control buttons on a control panel. Generally a control key comprises a cap fixed in guide elements which can move along guide elements in a housing. The outer surface of this cap is usually painted and the graphic symbol is laser engraved. A guide member is made of plastic as a separate part and the cap is mounted to it using clipping characteristics. The assembly is guided in the housing by sliding or rotating bearings. To improve tactile feedback and reduce the risk of a stuck control key, grease is often distributed over the sliding surfaces to reduce slippery friction. When pushed by a user, the control key provides input in the activation direction to a microswitch to create the idle / activated state.
    Control panels equipped with such control keys are generally bulky and complex to manufacture.
    It is therefore important to offer a new solution to these problems.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    A control panel for a motor vehicle comprises a support, a printed circuit board which is fixed on the support, a front element which is mounted on the support and which covers the printed circuit board; the front element comprising at least one actuable control key which has come integrally with a fixed part of the front element and which extends over an area of the printed circuit board; the control button comprising a junction end with the fixed part of the front element and a movable free end. The control key comprises at its junction end a first protuberance bearing against the support and / or against the printed circuit board, and comprises at its free end a support zone intended to be touched by an operator in order to press the control key; the control button also comprises a second protuberance arranged between the first protuberance and the support zone, said second protuberance being of height less than the first protuberance and comprising at its free end facing the printed circuit board a bearing surface intended to come into contact with a sensor arranged opposite to the printed circuit board when the control key is pressed.
    The production of control buttons made of material in the control panel and of a structure of control buttons comparable to a lever arm is a simple and effective solution to allow the manufacture of a control panel of small thickness.
    The printed circuit board may include a cutout forming an elastic tongue on which the sensor is arranged. The support may include a boss arranged in abutment against the printed circuit card and arranged under the sensor. The control button may include an area of reduced thickness between the first protrusion and the second protrusion so as to facilitate flexing of the support area when the control button is pressed. The reduced thickness zone may include a profile of decreasing thickness from the second protuberance to the first protuberance.
    A light source can be arranged on the printed circuit board opposite the support zone and a cavity forming a light guide can be arranged in the thickness of the control button under the support zone so as to be able to illuminate a pictogram arranged on the support area.
    The control key may include a third protrusion arranged under the free end of the control key and having its free end remote from the printed circuit board so as to form a stop against the printed circuit board when the key command is activated.
    An elastic capacitive detection element can be arranged interposed between the support zone of the control key and the printed circuit board, the elastic capacitive detection element being arranged in contact with the control key and electrically connected to the card with a printed circuit so as to detect a touch of the control key by an operator. The sensor may be a force sensor arranged in contact with the bearing surface of the second protuberance. The force sensor can be both a touch sensor and a haptic actuator. The facade element may comprise a plurality of control keys aligned edge to edge consecutively one after the other so that their junction ends are aligned in a straight line with each other and that their free ends are aligned in a straight line between them; and two consecutive control keys can be separated by a recess in the front element extending from their free ends to their joining ends. The facade element may comprise a plurality of control keys aligned edge to edge consecutively one after the other so that their junction ends are aligned in a straight line with each other and that their free ends are aligned in a straight line between them; and two consecutive control keys can be separated by a groove from the front element extending from their free ends to their joining ends.
    An electronic module for a passenger compartment ceiling in a motor vehicle may include the control panel described above. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example and in which: - The figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view in cross section of a control panel according to the invention, two control keys have been shown. - Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of Figure 1. - Figure 3 is a schematic view of an electronic vehicle ceiling module comprising the control panel of Figure 1 equipped with three control keys.
    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
    In order to facilitate the description, and without limitation, an orthogonal coordinate system comprising a longitudinal axis L, a transverse axis T and a vertical axis V is defined. Orientations "bottom", "top", "above", "below", "lower" and "upper" are defined in the vertical direction. "Left", "Right" and "Lateral" orientations are defined according to the transverse direction. "Front" and "rear" orientations are also defined in the longitudinal direction.
    According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a control panel 10 for a motor vehicle comprises a front element 12 accessible to an operator, printed circuit boards 14, 16 and a support 18 on which the printed circuit boards 14, 16 are fixed. Overall, the front element 12 is equipped with control keys 20, 22 under which the printed circuit boards 14, 16 are arranged. One of the control keys 20 in FIG. 1 has been deliberately cut so as to clearly distinguish certain details of the embodiment represented by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
    The control keys 20, 22 of the control panel 10 shown are actuable control keys 20, 22 which have come integrally with a fixed part of the front element 12. Each control key 20, 22 comprises a zone d 'support 23 materialized by the presence of a pictogram 24, 26. The two control keys 20, 22 shown are arranged in a row, that is to say arranged consecutively one next to the other in the transverse direction. Each control key 20, 22 is generally rectangular in shape. Each control key 20, 22 is delimited by its two lateral edges 28, 30, 32, 34 and by its two longitudinal edges.
    According to the invention, the lateral edges 28, 30, 32, 34 of each control key 20, 22 are delimited by a material recess of the front element 12. In other words, the two control keys 20 , 22 are separated from one another by a longitudinal opening delimiting their adjacent lateral edges 30, 32. The other lateral edge 28, 34 of each control button 20, 22 is also delimited by another material recess of the facade element 12 each forming another longitudinal opening.
    One of the longitudinal edges of each control button 20, 22 is in material continuity with the front element 12. The longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 in material continuity with the front element 12 defines one end junction 36, 40 between the control button 20, 22 and the front element 12. The ends of junctions 36, 40 of the two control buttons 20, 22 are identified in Figure 2 by dashed lines. The other longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 is delimited by a transverse opening. In other words, the other longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 is not coupled to the front element 12. The longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 delimited by a transverse opening defines a free end 38, 42 of the control button 20, 22.
    According to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the longitudinal edges of the control keys 20, 22 are aligned with each other in the transverse direction. More particularly, the junction ends 36, 40 are aligned with each other in a rectilinear manner in the transverse direction and the free ends 38, 42 delimited by the transverse opening are also aligned with each other in a rectilinear manner in the transverse direction.
    The pictogram 24, 26 of each control key 20, 22 is arranged sufficiently close to the free end 38, 42 of each control key 20, 22 so that the support zone 23 defined by the pictogram 24, 26 is a zone bordering on the free end 38, 42 of each control key 20, 22. By means of the material recesses of the front element 12 around each control key 20, 22, pressing on the zone pressing 23 of a control key 20, 22 can allow pressing of the control key 20, 22 triggering the activation of a vehicle function.
    Alternatively, the longitudinal opening delimiting the adjacent lateral edges 30, 32 of the two control keys 20, 22 can be replaced by a simple longitudinal groove produced by a reduction in thickness of the facade element 12 between their lateral edges adjacent 30, 32. In other words, two adjacent control keys 20, 22 are interconnected by the groove. In this case, the application of a force on the support zone 23 of one of the two control keys 20, 22 also causes a depression of the other control key 20, 22. The thickness, according to the the vertical axis of each control key 20, 22 is not constant. Each control key 20, 22 has at its junction end 36, 40 a first protuberance 44 bearing against the support 18 and against the printed circuit board 14, 16 arranged under the control key 20, 22. Each control key 20, 22 also includes a second protuberance 46 arranged between the first protuberance 44 and the support zone 23. Each control key 20, 22 further comprises a third protuberance 48 arranged under the free end of the control key 20, 22 forming a stop against the printed circuit board 14, 16 when the control key 20, 22 is pressed.
    The first protrusion 44 extends transversely along the junction end 36, 40 of the control key 20, 22. The first protrusion 44 allows the control key 20, 22 to act as a lever. The first protrusion 44 serves as a fulcrum of the lever formed by the control button 20, 22. The section of the control button 20, 22 between the first protrusion 44 and the free end 38, 40 of the control 20, 22 forms a lever arm.
    According to the embodiment shown, the first protuberance 44 also makes it possible to hold the printed circuit card 14, 16 against the support 18. Alternatively, the first protuberance 44 can come to bear only against the support 18, the card to printed circuit 14, 16 being held on the support 18 by other means such as for example by retaining pins formed integrally with the support and allowing the maintenance of the printed circuit card 14, 16.
    The second protuberance 46 comprises at its free end facing the printed circuit board 14, 16 a bearing surface 54 in contact with a force sensor 50 arranged opposite on the circuit board printed 14, 16. When the control key 20, 22 is not pressed, that is to say when the control key 20, 22 is in a state of rest, the force sensor 50 is not subjected to no stress other than the natural pressing of the control key 20, 22. When the control key 20, 22 is pressed by an operator exerting a driving force on the support zone 23, that is to say -to say when the control key 20, 22 is in an actuated state, the force sensor 50 is requested and can transmit support force information to a processing unit (not shown).
    In order to accentuate the stress on the force sensor 50, the first protuberance 44, that is to say the fulcrum of the control button 20, 22, may be in abutment only against the circuit board printed 14, 16.
    The third protrusion 48 extends transversely along the free end 38, 42 of the control button 20, 22. The third protrusion 48 includes a free end 49 distant from the printed circuit board 14, 16. The distance between the free end 49 of the third protuberance 48 of the control button 20, 22 defines the possible pressing depth of the control button 20, 22. In other words, the height, according to vertical tax, of the third protuberance 48 can be adjusted so as to obtain the desired clearance for the control button 20, 22.
    The three protrusions 44, 46, 48 have come from the material with the control key 20, 22.
    The control key 20, 22 comprises a zone of reduced thickness 51 between the first protuberance 44 and the second protuberance 46 so as to facilitate bending of the support zone 23 when the control key 20, 22 is actuated. More particularly, according to the embodiment shown, the zone of reduced thickness 51 comprises a profile of decreasing thickness from the second protuberance 46 to the first protuberance 44. In other words, the smallest thickness of the key control 20, 22 is located closest to the first protuberance 44 thus making it possible to locate the flexion of the control button 20, 22 when it is activated at the fulcrum. Also, this profile makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the second protuberance 46 of the control key 20, 22 so as to be able to exert as uniformly as possible a pressing force on the force sensor 50 during activation of the control button 20, 22.
    According to FIG. 2, each printed circuit card 14, 16 is arranged under a control key 20, 22. It is however possible to replace the two printed circuit cards 14, 16 represented by a single and single printed circuit card.
    According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the force sensor 50 arranged on each printed circuit board 14, 16 is a piezoelectric type sensor arranged in contact with the bearing surface 54 of the second protuberance 46. The piezoelectric sensor is used as a force sensor combining the properties of touch sensor and haptic actuator. This arrangement, when the control key 20, 22 is in a state of rest, makes it possible to be able to apply an electrical signal to the piezoelectric sensor in order to vibrate the control key 20, 22, in particular to generate a force feedback on the key serving as a perceptible acknowledgment on the control key 20, 22 by an operator following the activation of the key. Other force sensors 50 can be envisaged. Sensors not being in permanent support against the second protuberance 46 and therefore limiting the sensor to a role of triggering the vehicle function but not allowing an acknowledgment by force feedback are conceivable. In this case, simple contact sensors are also possible.
    According to the embodiment shown, each printed circuit board 14, 16 comprises a cutout forming an elastic tongue 56 on which each force sensor 50 is arranged. The elasticity of the tongue 56 makes it possible to limit the pressure exerted by an operator on the force sensor 50 so as to protect it against too great a pressing force deteriorating the force sensor 50. The elasticity of the tongue 56 also makes it possible, depending on the positioning of the force sensor 50 on the tongue 56, to adjust the detection sensitivity of the force sensor 50. It should be noted that the second protuberance 46 extends only above the tongue 56 and not above the part of the printed circuit board 14, 16 excluding the tongue of so as not to come into abutment on the part of the printed circuit board 14, 16 outside the tongue when the control key 20, 22 is activated by an operator.
    Advantageously, in addition to the force sensor 50, each printed circuit board 14, 16 is equipped with a capacitive detection element 52 arranged under the support zone 23 of each control key 20, 22. The detection element capacitive 52 is of deformable elastic type. According to the embodiment, the capacitive detection element 52 is of annular shape extending generally under the support zone 23. It is of course possible to arrange a capacitive detection element of different shape, Γ important is to be able to best cover the support area 23. It may be an elastomer loaded with metallic particles. The capacitive detection element 52 is arranged in contact with the support zone 23 of the control button 20, 22 and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 14, 16. The capacitive detection element 52 can allow a preselection of a function associated with the control key 20, 22 when the control key 20, 22 is touched by an operator. The arrangement of a capacitive detection element 52 under each control key 20, 22 can also prove to be particularly useful when the control keys 20, 22 are arranged aligned in a row and their adjacent lateral edges 30, 32 are delimited by a groove. According to this embodiment, the control keys 20, 22 of the same row are pushed all together when one of the control keys 20, 22 is pressed. In this case, it is possible to arrange a single force sensor 50 under the bearing surface 54 of a single second projection 46 of a single control key 20. The single force sensor 50 detects a press on any of the control keys 20, 22 of the row of control keys 20, 22. The action on the force sensor 50 makes it possible to trigger a vehicle function associated with the support zone 23 activated and detected by the capacitive detection element 52.
    Also, advantageously, each printed circuit board 14, 16 includes a light source 58 provided to illuminate the pictogram 24, 26 of each control key 20, 22. According to the embodiment shown, the light source 58 is arranged in a screw opposite the pictogram 24, 26 to be lit. The light source 58 is therefore surrounded by the capacitive detection element 52.
    In order to concentrate the light beam from the light source 58, a cavity 60 forming a light guide is arranged in the thickness ε of the control button 20, 22 under the support zone 23.
    According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in order to ensure a uniform distribution of the pressure on the sensor during the activation of each control key 20, 22, the support 18 includes a boss 62 on which the printed circuit area 14 rests, 16 on which the force sensor 50 is arranged. More precisely, according to the embodiment shown, the tongue 56 of each printed circuit board 14, 16 rests on a boss 62 of the support 18 below the force sensor 50.
    Overall, a technical effect sought by such an assembly is the obtaining of a very thin control panel 10. The use of flexible plastic and also flexible printed circuit boards 14, 16 allows the use of such a control panel 10 in many electronic control modules for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. It will be noted more particularly the use of such a control panel 10 for electronic vehicle ceiling modules generally intended for lighting the passenger compartment of the vehicle or also for the use of such a control panel 10 for front electronic vehicle control modules such as multimedia device controls or vehicle air conditioning.
    According to FIG. 3, an embodiment of an electronic module 64 for the interior of the vehicle interior is shown. This module is generally intended for lighting the front seats of the vehicle. The electronic ceiling module 64 comprises the control panel 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown supplemented with a third control button 21. The three control buttons 20, 21, 22 provide the lighting functions for the passenger compartment. The electronic ceiling module 64 also includes an area equipped with lighting for the passenger compartment 66 of the vehicle. Briefly, the control panel 10 comprises the three control keys 20, 21, 22 arranged in a row according to the invention. The three control keys 20, 21, 22 consist of a central control key 20 comprising on either side of its lateral edges a first lateral key 21 on the one hand and a second lateral key 22 on the other hand . The free ends 38, 42, 43 of the three control keys 20, 21, 22 are not coupled to the facade element 12 thanks to the rectilinear opening in the transverse direction of the facade element 12. This rectilinear opening is extends longitudinally on either side of the row of control keys 20, 21, 22, thus delimiting the transverse edges 31, 34 of the first lateral key 21 and of the second lateral key 22 not adjacent to the central key 20.
    The lateral edges 28, 30 of the central control key 20, are, according to the desired embodiment, either each separated by a longitudinal opening from the other lateral edges 29, 32 of the first and second lateral control keys 21, 22 thus forming three control keys 20, 21, 22 independent of one another, either each separated by a longitudinal groove from the other lateral edges 29, 32 of the first and second lateral keys 21, 22 thus forming a set of three control keys 20, 21, 22, the depression of one of the control keys 20 causes the depression of the other two 21, 22. In the latter case, the use of capacitive detection elements 52 under each zone support 23 of each control key 20, 21, 22 and the use of a single force sensor 50 arranged to bear against a second protuberance 46 of one of the three keys 20, 21, 22 is conceivable.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [1" id="c-fr-0001]
    TECHNICAL AREA
    The present invention relates to a control panel for a motor vehicle and more particularly to the control keys of such a panel.
    TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    The occupants of an automobile are very sensitive to the visual appearance and the touch of the control buttons on a control panel.
    Generally a control key comprises a cap fixed in guide elements which can move along guide elements in a housing. The outer surface of this cap is usually painted and the graphic symbol is laser engraved. A guide member is made of plastic as a separate part and the cap is mounted to it using clipping characteristics. The assembly is guided in the housing by sliding or rotating bearings. To improve tactile feedback and reduce the risk of a stuck control key, grease is often distributed over the sliding surfaces to reduce slippery friction. When pushed by a user, the control key provides input in the activation direction to a microswitch to create the idle / activated state.
    Control panels equipped with such control keys are generally bulky and complex to manufacture.
    It is therefore important to offer a new solution to these problems.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    A control panel for a motor vehicle comprises a support, a printed circuit board which is fixed on the support, a front element which is mounted on the support and which covers the printed circuit board; the front element comprising at least one actuable control key which has come integrally with a fixed part of the front element and which extends over an area of the printed circuit board; the control button comprising a junction end with the fixed part of the front element and a movable free end. The control key comprises at its junction end a first protuberance bearing against the support and / or against the printed circuit board, and comprises at its free end a support zone intended to be touched by an operator in order to press the control key; the control button also comprises a second protuberance arranged between the first protuberance and the support zone, said second protuberance being of height less than the first protuberance and comprising at its free end facing the printed circuit board a bearing surface intended to come into contact with a sensor arranged opposite to the printed circuit board when the control key is pressed.
    The production of control buttons made of material in the control panel and of a structure of control buttons comparable to a lever arm is a simple and effective solution to allow the manufacture of a control panel of small thickness.
    The printed circuit board may include a cutout forming an elastic tongue on which the sensor is arranged. The support may include a boss arranged in abutment against the printed circuit card and arranged under the sensor. The control button may include an area of reduced thickness between the first protrusion and the second protrusion so as to facilitate flexing of the support area when the control button is pressed. The reduced thickness zone may include a profile of decreasing thickness from the second protuberance to the first protuberance.
    A light source can be arranged on the printed circuit board opposite the support zone and a cavity forming a light guide can be arranged in the thickness of the control button under the support zone so as to be able to illuminate a pictogram arranged on the support area.
    The control key may include a third protrusion arranged under the free end of the control key and having its free end remote from the printed circuit board so as to form a stop against the printed circuit board when the key command is activated.
    An elastic capacitive sensing element can be arranged interposed between the support zone of the control key and the printed circuit board, the elastic capacitive sensing element being arranged in contact with the key.
    3 control and electrically connected to the printed circuit board so as to detect a touch of the control key by an operator. The sensor may be a force sensor arranged in contact with the bearing surface of the second protuberance. The force sensor can be both a touch sensor and a haptic actuator.
    The facade element may comprise a plurality of control keys aligned edge to edge consecutively one after the other so that their junction ends are aligned in a straight line with each other and that their free ends are aligned in a straight line between them; and two consecutive control keys can be separated by a recess in the front element extending from their free ends to their joining ends.
    The facade element may comprise a plurality of control keys aligned edge to edge consecutively one after the other so that their junction ends are aligned in a straight line with each other and that their free ends are aligned in a straight line between them; and two consecutive control keys can be separated by a groove from the front element extending from their free ends to their joining ends.
    An electronic module for a passenger compartment ceiling in a motor vehicle may include the control panel described above.
    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting example and in which:
    - Figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view in cross section of a control panel according to the invention, two control keys have been shown.
    - Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of Figure 1.
    - Figure 3 is a schematic view of an electronic vehicle ceiling module comprising the control panel of Figure 1 equipped with three control keys.
    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
    In order to facilitate the description, and without limitation, an orthogonal coordinate system comprising a longitudinal axis L, a transverse axis T and a vertical axis V is defined. Orientations "bottom", "top", "above", "below", "lower" and "upper" are defined in the vertical direction. "Left", "Right" and "Lateral" orientations are defined according to the transverse direction. "Front" and "rear" orientations are also defined in the longitudinal direction.
    According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a control panel 10 for a motor vehicle comprises a front element 12 accessible to an operator, printed circuit boards 14, 16 and a support 18 on which the printed circuit boards 14, 16 are fixed. Overall, the front element 12 is equipped with control keys 20, 22 under which the printed circuit boards 14, 16 are arranged. One of the control keys 20 in FIG. 1 has been deliberately cut so as to clearly distinguish certain details of the embodiment represented by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
    The control keys 20, 22 of the control panel 10 shown are actuable control keys 20, 22 which have come integrally with a fixed part of the front element 12. Each control key 20, 22 comprises a zone d 'support 23 materialized by the presence of a pictogram 24, 26. The two control keys 20, 22 shown are arranged in a row, that is to say arranged consecutively one next to the other in the transverse direction. Each control key 20, 22 is generally rectangular in shape. Each control key 20, 22 is delimited by its two lateral edges 28, 30, 32, 34 and by its two longitudinal edges.
    According to the invention, the lateral edges 28, 30, 32, 34 of each control key 20, 22 are delimited by a material recess of the front element 12. In other words, the two control keys 20 , 22 are separated from each other by a longitudinal opening delimiting their adjacent lateral edges 30, 32. The other lateral edge 28, 34 of each control key 20, 22 is also delimited by another recess of material the facade element 12 each forming another longitudinal opening.
    One of the longitudinal edges of each control button 20, 22 is in material continuity with the front element 12. The longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 in material continuity with the front element 12 defines one end junction 36, 40 between the control button 20, 22 and the front element 12. The ends of junctions 36, 40 of the two control buttons 20, 22 are identified in Figure 2 by dashed lines. The other longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 is delimited by a transverse opening. In other words, the other longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 is not coupled to the front element 12. The longitudinal edge of each control button 20, 22 delimited by a transverse opening defines a free end 38, 42 of the control button 20, 22.
    According to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the longitudinal edges of the control keys 20, 22 are aligned with each other in the transverse direction. More particularly, the junction ends 36, 40 are aligned with each other in a rectilinear manner in the transverse direction and the free ends 38, 42 delimited by the transverse opening are also aligned with each other in a rectilinear manner in the transverse direction.
    The pictogram 24, 26 of each control key 20, 22 is arranged sufficiently close to the free end 38, 42 of each control key 20, 22 so that the support zone 23 defined by the pictogram 24, 26 is a zone bordering on the free end 38, 42 of each control key 20, 22. By means of the material recesses of the front element 12 around each control key 20, 22, pressing on the zone pressing 23 of a control key 20, 22 can allow pressing of the control key 20, 22 triggering the activation of a vehicle function.
    Alternatively, the longitudinal opening delimiting the adjacent lateral edges 30, 32 of the two control keys 20, 22 can be replaced by a simple longitudinal groove produced by a reduction in thickness of the facade element 12 between their lateral edges adjacent 30, 32. In other words, two adjacent control keys 20, 22 are interconnected by the groove. In this case, the application of a force on the support zone 23 of one of the two control keys 20, 22 also causes a depression of the other control key 20, 22.
    The thickness, along the vertical axis, of each control key 20, 22 is not constant. Each control key 20, 22 has at its junction end 36, 40 a first protuberance 44 bearing against the support 18 and against the printed circuit board 14, 16 arranged under the control key 20, 22. Each control key 20, 22 also includes a second protuberance 46 arranged between the first protuberance 44 and the support zone 23. Each control key 20, 22 further comprises a third protuberance 48 arranged under the free end of the control key 20, 22 forming a stop against the printed circuit board 14, 16 when the control key 20, 22 is pressed.
    The first protrusion 44 extends transversely along the junction end 36, 40 of the control key 20, 22. The first protrusion 44 allows the control key 20, 22 to act as a lever. The first protrusion 44 serves as a fulcrum of the lever formed by the control button 20, 22. The section of the control button 20, 22 between the first protrusion 44 and the free end 38, 40 of the control 20, 22 forms a lever arm.
    According to the embodiment shown, the first protuberance 44 also makes it possible to hold the printed circuit card 14, 16 against the support 18. Alternatively, the first protuberance 44 can come to bear only against the support 18, the card to printed circuit 14, 16 being held on the support 18 by other means such as for example by retaining pins formed integrally with the support and allowing the maintenance of the printed circuit card 14, 16.
    The second protuberance 46 comprises at its free end facing the printed circuit board 14, 16 a bearing surface 54 in contact with a force sensor 50 arranged opposite on the circuit board printed 14, 16. When the control key 20, 22 is not pressed, that is to say when the control key 20, 22 is in a state of rest, the force sensor 50 is not subjected to no stress other than the natural pressing of the control key 20, 22. When the control key 20, 22 is pressed by an operator exerting a driving force on the support zone 23, that is to say -to say when the control key 20, 22 is in an actuated state, the force sensor 50 is requested and can transmit support force information to a processing unit (not shown).
    In order to accentuate the stress on the force sensor 50, the first protuberance 44, that is to say the fulcrum of the control button 20, 22, may be in abutment only against the circuit board printed 14, 16.
    The third protrusion 48 extends transversely along the free end 38, 42 of the control button 20, 22. The third protrusion 48 includes a free end 49 distant from the printed circuit board 14, 16. The distance between the free end 49 of the third protuberance 48 of the control button 20, 22 defines the possible pressing depth of the control button 20, 22. In other words, the height, along the vertical axis, of the third protuberance 48 can be adjusted so as to obtain the desired clearance for the control button 20, 22.
    The three protrusions 44, 46, 48 have come from the material with the control key 20, 22.
    The control key 20, 22 comprises a zone of reduced thickness 51 between the first protuberance 44 and the second protuberance 46 so as to facilitate bending of the support zone 23 when the control key 20, 22 is actuated. More particularly, according to the embodiment shown, the zone of reduced thickness 51 comprises a profile of decreasing thickness from the second protuberance 46 to the first protuberance 44. In other words, the smallest thickness of the key control 20, 22 is located closest to the first protuberance 44 thus making it possible to locate the flexion of the control button 20, 22 when it is activated at the fulcrum. Also, this profile makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the second protuberance 46 of the control key 20, 22 so as to be able to exert as uniformly as possible a pressing force on the force sensor 50 during activation of the control button 20, 22.
    According to FIG. 2, each printed circuit card 14, 16 is arranged under a control key 20, 22. It is however possible to replace the two printed circuit cards 14, 16 represented by a single and single printed circuit card.
    According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the force sensor 50 arranged on each printed circuit board 14, 16 is a piezoelectric type sensor arranged in contact with the bearing surface 54 of the second protuberance 46. The piezoelectric sensor is used as a force sensor combining the properties of touch sensor and haptic actuator. This arrangement, when the control key 20, 22 is in a state of rest, makes it possible to be able to apply an electrical signal to the piezoelectric sensor in order to vibrate the control key 20, 22, in particular to generate a force feedback on the key serving as a perceptible acknowledgment on the control key 20, 22 by an operator following the activation of the key.
    Other force sensors 50 can be envisaged. Sensors not being in permanent support against the second protuberance 46 and therefore limiting the sensor to a role of triggering the vehicle function but not allowing an acknowledgment by force feedback are conceivable. In this case, simple contact sensors are also possible.
    According to the embodiment shown, each printed circuit board 14, 16 comprises a cutout forming an elastic tongue 56 on which each force sensor 50 is arranged. The elasticity of the tongue 56 makes it possible to limit the pressure exerted by an operator on the force sensor 50 so as to protect it against too great a pressing force deteriorating the force sensor 50. The elasticity of the tongue 56 also makes it possible, depending on the positioning of the force sensor 50 on the tongue 56, to adjust the detection sensitivity of the force sensor 50. It should be noted that the second protuberance 46 extends only above the tongue 56 and not above the part of the printed circuit board 14, 16 excluding the tongue of so as not to come up against the
    9 part of the printed circuit board 14, 16 outside the tab when the control key 20, 22 is activated by an operator.
    Advantageously, in addition to the force sensor 50, each printed circuit board 14, 16 is equipped with a capacitive detection element 52 arranged under the support zone 23 of each control key 20, 22. The detection element capacitive 52 is of deformable elastic type. According to the embodiment, the capacitive detection element 52 is of annular shape extending generally under the support zone 23. It is of course possible to arrange a capacitive detection element of different shape, Γ important is to be able to best cover the support area 23. It may be an elastomer loaded with metallic particles. The capacitive detection element 52 is arranged in contact with the support zone 23 of the control button 20, 22 and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 14, 16. The capacitive detection element 52 can allow a preselection of a function associated with the control key 20, 22 when the control key 20, 22 is touched by an operator.
    The arrangement of a capacitive detection element 52 under each control key 20, 22 can also prove to be particularly useful when the control keys 20, 22 are arranged aligned in a row and their adjacent lateral edges 30, 32 are delimited by a groove. According to this embodiment, the control keys 20, 22 of the same row are pushed all together when one of the control keys 20, 22 is pressed. In this case, it is possible to arrange a single force sensor 50 under the bearing surface 54 of a single second projection 46 of a single control key 20. The single force sensor 50 detects a press on any of the control keys 20, 22 of the row of control keys 20, 22. The action on the force sensor 50 makes it possible to trigger a vehicle function associated with the support zone 23 activated and detected by the capacitive detection element 52.
    Also, advantageously, each printed circuit board 14, 16 includes a light source 58 provided to illuminate the pictogram 24, 26 of each control key 20, 22. According to the embodiment shown, the light source 58 is arranged in a screw opposite the pictogram 24, 26 to be lit. The light source 58 is therefore surrounded by the capacitive detection element 52.
    ίο
    In order to concentrate the light beam from the light source 58, a cavity 60 forming a light guide is arranged in the thickness ε of the control button 20, 22 under the support zone 23.
    According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in order to ensure a uniform distribution of the pressure on the sensor during the activation of each control key 20, 22, the support 18 includes a boss 62 on which the printed circuit area 14 rests, 16 on which the force sensor 50 is arranged. More precisely, according to the embodiment shown, the tongue 56 of each printed circuit board 14, 16 rests on a boss 62 of the support 18 below the force sensor 50.
    Overall, a technical effect sought by such an assembly is the obtaining of a very thin control panel 10. The use of flexible plastic and also flexible printed circuit boards 14, 16 allows the use of such a control panel 10 in many electronic control modules for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. It will be noted more particularly the use of such a control panel 10 for electronic vehicle ceiling modules generally intended for lighting the passenger compartment of the vehicle or also for the use of such a control panel 10 for front electronic vehicle control modules such as multimedia device controls or vehicle air conditioning.
    According to FIG. 3, an embodiment of an electronic module 64 for the interior of the vehicle interior is shown. This module is generally intended for lighting the front seats of the vehicle. The electronic ceiling module 64 comprises the control panel 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown supplemented with a third control button 21. The three control buttons 20, 21, 22 provide the lighting functions for the passenger compartment. The electronic ceiling module 64 also includes an area equipped with lighting for the passenger compartment 66 of the vehicle. Briefly, the control panel 10 comprises the three control keys 20, 21, 22 arranged in a row according to the invention. The three control keys 20, 21, 22 consist of a central control key 20 comprising on either side of its lateral edges a first lateral key 21 on the one hand and a second lateral key 22 on the other hand . The free ends 38, 42, 43 of the three control keys 20, 21, 22 are not
    11 coupled to the façade element 12 by virtue of the rectilinear opening in the transverse direction of the façade element 12. This rectilinear opening extends longitudinally on either side of the row of control keys 20, 21, 22, thus delimiting the transverse edges 31, 34 of the first lateral key 21 and of the second lateral key 22 not adjacent to the central key 20.
    The lateral edges 28, 30 of the central control key 20, are, according to the desired embodiment, either each separated by a longitudinal opening from the other lateral edges 29, 32 of the first and second lateral control keys 21, 22 thus forming three control keys 20, 21, 22 independent of each other, or each separated by a longitudinal groove from the other lateral edges 29, 32 of the first and second lateral keys 21, 22 thus forming a set of three control keys 20, 21, 22, the depression of one of the control keys 20 causes the depression of the other two 21, 22. In the latter case, reuse of capacitive detection elements 52 under each zone support 23 of each control key 20, 21, 22 and the use of a single force sensor 50 arranged to bear against a second protuberance 46 of one of the three keys 20, 21, 22 is conceivable.
    1. Control panel (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a support (18);
    a printed circuit board (14) which is fixed on the support (18);
    a facade element (12) which is mounted on the support (18) and which covers the printed circuit board (14); the facade element (12) comprising at least one actuable control key (20) which has come integrally with a fixed part of the facade element (12) and which extends over a zone of the printed circuit board (14); the control button (20) comprising a junction end (36) with the fixed part of the facade element (12) and a movable free end (38);
    characterized in that the control key (20) has at its junction end (36) a first protuberance (44) bearing against the support (18) and / or against the printed circuit board (14), and comprises at its free end (38) a support zone (23) intended to be touched by an operator in order to actuate the control key (20);
    and in that the control button (20) also comprises a second protuberance (46) arranged between the first protuberance (44) and the support zone (23), said second protuberance (46) being of height less than the first protuberance (44) and comprising at its free end facing the printed circuit board (14) a bearing surface (54) intended to come into contact with a sensor (50) arranged opposite screw on the printed circuit board (14) when the control button (20) is pressed.
    [2" id="c-fr-0002]
    2. Control panel (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the printed circuit board (14) comprises a cutout forming an elastic tongue (56) on which the sensor (50) is arranged.
    [3" id="c-fr-0003]
    3. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (18) comprises a boss (62) arranged in abutment against the printed circuit board (14) and arranged under the sensor (50 ).
    [4" id="c-fr-0004]
    4. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control button (20) comprises an area of reduced thickness (51) between the first protuberance (44) and the second protuberance ( 46) so as to facilitate bending of the support zone (23) when the control button (20) is actuated.
    [5" id="c-fr-0005]
    5. Control panel (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the reduced thickness zone (51) comprises a profile of decreasing thickness from the second protuberance (46) to the first protuberance (44).
    [6" id="c-fr-0006]
    6. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a light source (52) is arranged on the printed circuit board (14) opposite the area of support (23) and that a cavity (60) forming a light guide is arranged in the thickness (ε) of the control button (20) under the support area (23) so as to be able to illuminate a pictogram ( 24) arranged on the support zone (23).
    [7" id="c-fr-0007]
    7. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control button (20) comprises a third protuberance (48) arranged under the free end (38) of the control button ( 20) and having its free end remote from the printed circuit board (14) so as to form a stop against the printed circuit board (14) when the control key (20) is pressed.
    [8" id="c-fr-0008]
    8. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elastic capacitive detection element (52) is arranged interposed between the support zone (23) of the control button (20 ) and the printed circuit board (14), the elastic capacitive detection element (52) being arranged in contact with the control button (20) and electrically connected to the printed circuit board (14) so as to detect a touch of the control button (20) by an operator.
    [9" id="c-fr-0009]
    9. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (50) is a force sensor arranged in contact with the bearing surface (54) of the second protuberance (46).
    [10" id="c-fr-0010]
    10. Control panel according to claim 9, characterized in that the force sensor is both a touch sensor and a haptic actuator.
    [11" id="c-fr-0011]
    11. Control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front element comprises a plurality of control keys (20, 22) aligned edge to edge consecutively one after the other of so that their joining ends (36, 40) are aligned in a straight line with each other and that their free ends (38, 42) are aligned in a straight line with each other; and in that two consecutive control keys (20, 22) are separated by a recess of the front element (12) extending from their free ends (38, 42) to their ends of junctions (36, 40) .
    [12" id="c-fr-0012]
    12. Control panel (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the front element (12) comprises a plurality of control keys (20, 22) aligned edge to edge consecutively one one after the other so that their junction ends (36, 40) are aligned in a straight line with one another and their free ends (38, 42) are aligned in a straight line with each other; and in that two consecutive control keys (20, 22) are separated by a groove of the facade element (12) extending from their free ends (38, 42) to their ends of junctions (36, 40) .
    [13" id="c-fr-0013]
    13. Electronic module for the ceiling (64) of a motor vehicle cabin comprising the control panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US11104278B2|2021-08-31|
    FR3066451B1|2019-05-03|
    CN108944661B|2021-06-08|
    EP3404506B1|2020-03-18|
    EP3404506A1|2018-11-21|
    CN108944661A|2018-12-07|
    US20180334107A1|2018-11-22|
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    KR101565047B1|2014-08-12|2015-11-02|현대자동차주식회사|Control board having steering wheel and accelerator pedal integrated structure|
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    法律状态:
    2018-05-25| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2018-11-23| PLSC| Search report ready|Effective date: 20181123 |
    2019-05-27| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2019-12-20| TP| Transmission of property|Owner name: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED, BB Effective date: 20191112 |
    2020-05-22| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2021-05-20| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 5 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    FR1754424A|FR3066451B1|2017-05-18|2017-05-18|CONTROL PANEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLE|
    FR1754424|2017-05-18|FR1754424A| FR3066451B1|2017-05-18|2017-05-18|CONTROL PANEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLE|
    EP18169727.7A| EP3404506B1|2017-05-18|2018-04-27|Control panel for a motor vehicle|
    US15/970,950| US11104278B2|2017-05-18|2018-05-04|Control panel for motor vehicle|
    CN201810454443.6A| CN108944661B|2017-05-18|2018-05-14|Control panel for a motor vehicle|
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