WO2014102468A1

WO2014102468A1 - Control device having a key

Info

Publication number: WO2014102468A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/000362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Djamel Lekmine; Stéphane BONBARD
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2012-12-27
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Also published as: FR3000440B1; EP2958767A1; FR3000440A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device having a key, which includes at least one control key, and which is to be inserted onto a control panel, wherein said at least one key includes: a movable element which is to move between a rest position and a control position, and which includes an inner portion to be located behind the panel and an outer portion which the user is to push and which projects from the control panel through an opening of said control panel; and a control means actuated by the movable element, wherein the inner portion of the movable element includes a mounting which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the panel and which is connected to a plate by a pivotable end that is distal relative to the outer portion.

Description

TOUCH CONTROL DEVICE

The present invention relates to a touch control device and in particular a touch control device intended to be installed in a motor vehicle.

Indeed, in the case of motor vehicles, the control buttons and the function associated with these keys must be easily identified by the users of the vehicle. Thus, it is known in the state of the art to use translational keys, also called "push" in English, large in size so as to affix a pictogram on the key.

However, these keys are often unsightly and do not allow to have a plurality of adjacent or contiguous keys because of the size of the mechanical guidance necessary for their proper operation.

In addition, in the automotive field, it is often necessary to illuminate the buttons or control buttons so as on the one hand to allow users to locate them regardless of the light conditions. In addition, it may also be important for the user to know if the function associated with a key is activated or not.

Thus, the lighting devices used tend to further increase the size of the control keys and to move them away from each other because of their size.

The present invention therefore aims to overcome at least partially the difficulties associated with the use of small size control keys and arranged adjacent to each other.

Thus, the present invention relates to a key control device comprising at least one control key and intended to be inserted on a control panel in which said at least one key comprises:

a movable element intended to evolve between a rest position and a control position, said movable element comprises an internal part intended to be located behind the frontage and an outer portion on which the user comes to support and which protrudes out of the control panel through an orifice of said control panel,

a control means actuated by the movable element,

wherein the inner portion of the movable member comprises a support which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the facade and which is connected to a plate by a pivoting end distal to the outer portion.

The connection at the end of the support which is distal from the outer part allows remote mechanical guidance. According to another aspect of the present invention, the connection between the pivot end and the plate is made by a hinge connection which guides the movable element in a pivoting movement between its rest position and its control position.

The hinge connection makes it possible to reduce the stresses on the support. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the hinge connection is made by at least one concave groove at the platen and at least one convex element formed in the pivot end of the support and intended to be received in the, at least a concave groove of the plate.

The use of grooves and convex elements facilitates mounting on the plate.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, said at least one control key comprises an elastic return means of the mobile element in the rest position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the connection between the inner part of the movable element and the plate is formed by a recess connection, the pivoting movement of the movable element between its rest position and its position of control being obtained by bending the inner portion of the movable member.

The embedding connection and the flexibility of the support make it possible to dispense with an elastic return means and to have a simple form for the support.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the outer surface of the movable member has an elongated shape. The width of the elongate shape is for example less than one centimeter. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, said at least one control key also comprises: a function indicator located on the outer part of the movable element and,

a backlighting means of the function indicator,

the portion of the movable member facing the function indicator comprising a light guide which guides the light of the backlight means to the function indicator.

In another aspect of the present invention, the inner portion of the movable member comprises

a first portion which is made of material with the external part and forms the light guide,

a second portion which forms a support for the light guide.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the carrier is made of material with the light guide. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the light guide is made of polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, said at least one control key also comprises a pictogram indicating the control function associated with the control key, said pictogram being located on the control panel in an area adjacent to the external part of the control panel. the moving element.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one control key also comprises means for backlighting the pictogram and in which the inner part of the movable element comprises a transparent or translucent zone opposite the pictogram to allow the backlighting of the pictogram.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the transparent or translucent zone of the movable element is formed by an opening in the support of the movable element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the transparent or translucent portion of the movable member comprises a lens that focuses the light from the backlighting means of the pictogram on the pictogram.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the outer portion is less partially painted or chromed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control means is an electrical contactor on which comes to support the movable element during its pivoting movement, said electric switch also serving as elastic return means of the movable element in the position of rest.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the controller comprises a plurality of aligned and contiguously arranged control keys.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which will now be made, with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent indicative but not limiting, a possible embodiment. On these drawings:

- Figure 1 shows a side view and in section of a key according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a side view and in section of a key according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the movable elements of a plurality of control keys and their plate.

In these figures, the same reference numbers correspond to elements having the same function.

The present invention relates to a control device 1 comprising at least one key. The control device 1 is intended to be inserted on a control panel 5, in particular a control panel 5 of a motor vehicle. FIG. 1 represents a section and side view of a key 3 of such a control device 1.

The key 3 is inserted in the control panel 5 and comprises an element 7 movable between a rest position and a control position. The movable element 7 has an inner portion 9 located behind the facade 5 and an outer portion 11 which protrudes out of the control facade 5 through an orifice 13 of said facade 5.

The outer part 11 corresponds to the part on which the user presses to activate or deactivate the command associated with the key 3. The outer part 11 comprises, at its end, a function indicator 39 which is lit by a backlighting means. 25 when the function associated with the control key 3 is activated. The backlighting means 25 is for example made by a light emitting diode.

According to another embodiment, this function indicator 39 may serve as a locator for locating the control key 3 so that its illumination is then independent of the activation state of the function associated with the control key 3. Activation of the backlighting means 25 may then be related to the activation of the vehicle lights or be performed as soon as the user starts the engine of the vehicle or be linked to a dedicated command.

According to a further embodiment, the function indicator 39 may be illuminated with a first color when the function associated with the control key 3 is inactive and with a second color when the function associated with the control key 3 is active. . In this case, the backlight means 25 will comprise two light emitting diodes having distinct colors.

In addition, the outer portion 11 and the inner portion 9 of the movable member 7 facing the function indicator form a light guide 27 which transmits the light from the backlighting means 25 located behind the control key 3 and opposite the function indicator 39 to said function indicator 39. The light guide 27 is for example made of polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate.

The inner part 9 of the mobile element 7 also comprises a support 29 which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the front wall 5 and which is connected to a plate 31 at a pivoting end 30 distal to the light guide. (27) and the outer portion 11 of the movable member 7. The connection between the movable member 7 and the plate 31 is offset relative to the outer portion 11 of the movable member 7 which is supported by the user.

According to a first pivot connection embodiment shown in FIG.

1, the connection between the pivoting end 30 of the support 29 and the plate 31 is formed by a hinge connection 33 which pivotally guides the movable member 7 between its position of rest and its control position. The support 29 is for example made of plastic material and supports the light guide 27. The assembly between the light guide 27 and the support 29 is, for example, made by interlocking the light guide 27 in an orifice of the support 29 However, the assembly can also be achieved by clamping the support 29 around the light guide 27, by gluing, clipping, overmolding or by double injection molding. Both materials are injected one after the other in the same mold thus obtaining a single piece made with two different materials.

According to a second embodiment of the pivot connection shown in Figure 2, the connection between the pivot end 30 of the support 29 and the plate 31 is formed by a mounting connection 34 in which the pivot end 30 is embedded in a groove 36 formed in the plate 31. In this case, the pivoting of the movable member 7 is formed by the bending of the support 29. In addition, it should be noted that the embedding can be oriented differently, the support 29 may for example comprise an advance that extends perpendicularly to the axis of the support and which fits into a horizontal slot of the plate 31. The recess connection 34 allows the maintenance of the movable member 7 when pivoting under the effect of the support of the user and provides the spring effect of the elastic return in the rest position when the user releases its support.

On the other hand, the surface of the outer portion 11 is painted or chromed except for the function indicator 39 so that the light from the backlighting means 25 leaves the light guide at the function indicator 39.

To achieve function indicator 39, a mask may be used when applying paint or chrome or laser scraping may be performed after applying paint or chrome to remove paint or chrome at the level of of the function indicator 39. Other methods of the state of the art for obtaining the function indicator 39 may also be used.

The control key 3 also comprises a control means 15 actuated by the movable element 7 and in particular by the displacement of the movable element 7 between its rest position and its control position. The control means 15 is for example made by an electrical contactor on which the movable member 7 comes to press in the control position. The control means 15 may be placed near the end of the movable member 7 opposed to the hinge connection 33 as shown in Figure 1, however, other locations may also be considered.

The control means 15 can also be realized by an optical detector, an ultrasonic detector, a Hall effect detector or any other device of the state of the art for detecting the passage of the mobile element 7 from its position of rest at its command position. The activation signal can be created during the passage of the movable member 7 in the control position or when returning to the rest position, that is to say when the user releases the control key 3. The key of command 3 also includes a pictogram 17 located in an area adjacent to the outer portion 11 for the user to associate the pictogram 17 with the control key 3. In the case of Figure 1, the pictogram 17 is on the front in a portion adjacent to the outer portion 11, that is to say above this outer portion 11. In addition, so that the user can easily recognize the pictogram 17 regardless of the light conditions, a means of The backlight 19 of the pictogram 17 is also placed behind the facade 5 and opposite the pictogram 17.

However, since the backlighting means 19 is behind the support 29 of the mobile element 7, a transparent or translucent portion 21 is formed in the support 29 opposite the pictogram for passing the light coming from the backlighting means 19 towards the pictogram 17. This transparent or translucent portion 21 is for example made by an opening 22 in the support 29 opposite the pictogram 17. The activation of the backlighting means 19 of the pictogram 17 is for example performed at the start of the lights when the vehicle is started or when a dedicated command is activated.

On the other hand, if the outer part 11 does not include a function indicator 39, the pictogram 17 can also fulfill this function. In this case, the backlighting means 19 of the pictogram 17 comprises a first and a second light-emitting diode of different colors, the first being lit only when the function associated with the control of the pictogram 17 is activated, the second being off when the first is on.

In the case where the pivot connection between the support 29 and the plate 31 is a hinge connection, the control key 3 also comprises a resilient return means (not shown) of the movable member to its rest position such as a torsion spring located at the hinge connection 33 or a compression spring at the level of the end of the support 29 opposite the hinge 33 and placed between the movable element 7 and the plate 31. However, in the case where the control means 15 is made by an electrical contactor, said electric switch can also be used of elastic return means. It is obvious that in the case where the pivot connection between the support 29 and the plate 31 is a mounting connection, the support of the user causes the bending of the support and it is the support 29 itself that plays the role of elastic return means returning to its rest position when the user releases the outer portion 11 of the control key 3.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the mobile element 7 in which the support 29 is made of material with the light guide 27 so that the mobile element 7 is made in one piece which can be made of polycarbonate or in polymethylmethacrylate. In this case, the whole of the mobile element 7 is transparent or translucent and in particular the portion 21. However, in order to improve the illumination of the pictogram 17, the portion 21 of the mobile element 7 facing the pictogram 17 can form a lens 23 which makes it possible to focus the light coming from the backlighting means 19 towards the pictogram 17.

In addition, it should be noted that the embodiment of the movable element 7 made of a single piece shown in FIG. 2 can be combined with the embodiment of the pivot link in the form of a hinge connection presented. in Figure 1 and conversely the embodiment of the movable element shown in Figure 1 can be combined with the embodiment of the embedding type connection shown in Figure 2.

FIG. 3 represents an exemplary embodiment of a control device 1 comprising five control keys 3 arranged contiguously. The plate 31 is formed by a wafer which is supplied with electrical energy and on which is fixed on the one hand the active elements which must be powered such as the backlighting means 19 and 25 of the pictogram 17 and the function indicator 39 and the control means 15 and on the other hand the passive elements such as the movable element 7 at the hinge connection 33. The facade 5 can also be fixed, for example by clipping or by gluing, on the plate 31 or alternatively, the plate 31 can be fixed on the front 5 which then supports the assembly consisting of the control keys 3 and the plate 31.

The hinge connection 33 can be made by an axial rod, such as for example a metal rod which is introduced into aligned orifices of the movable element 7 and the plate 31. However, in order to reduce the material costs and facilitate the mounting of the control keys 3, the hinge connection 33 is made by a combination between one or more grooves 35 of concave shape at the plate 31 and one or more convex elements 37 formed in the support 29 at the end The convex elements 37 being complementary to the concave grooves 35. The concave grooves 35 and the convex elements 37 have for example a semi-circle shape with substantially identical diameters, the diameter of the concave groove 35 being slightly greater to that of the convex element 37. The convex elements 37 are placed on the face opposite to the control facade 5, that is to say the fac e opposite the plate 31 on which are positioned the grooves 35. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the movable member 7 comprises two convex elements 37 positioned laterally on one side and the other of the movable member 7. However, an embodiment comprising a single convex member 37 over a portion or over the entire width of the movable member 7 is also possible. Thus, the convex elements 37 come to rest and fit into the concave portions 35 to guide the movable member 7 in rotation or pivoting. Furthermore, the movable member 7 is held in position against the plate 31 at the hinge connection 33 due to the presence of the facade 5 which prevents the displacement of the movable member 7 in translation to prevent the detachment of the mobile part 7 of the plate 31 at the hinge connection 33 while leaving enough freedom for the pivotal movement along the axis of rotation of the hinge connection 33.

Furthermore, the resilient return means can be made by a plate 41 of the movable element 7 which will be flexibly constrained against the plate 31 during the support of the user on the outer part 11 and which will cause the return to the rest position of the movable member 7 when the user will release his support.

The structure of the control keys 3 shown in FIG. 3 thus makes it possible to easily mount the mobile element 7 on the plate 31 comprising the backlighting means 19 and 25, which makes it possible to reduce the labor required for mounting of the control device 1.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the width of the surface of the outer portion 11 of the movable member 7 is reduced, that is to say less than one centimeter for example. However, the outer portion li has an elongate shape so that the length of the surface of the outer portion 11 is larger, for example two centimeters or more. Thus, the user can press a control key 3 without the risk of unintentional support on another control key 3 contiguous or adjacent.

The use of a pivot connection thus makes it possible to dispense with a guide pin and makes it possible to deport the mechanical guidance of the control keys 3 so that the control keys 3 have a reduced size and can be arranged in a contiguous manner. relative to each other as shown in Figure 3.

In operation, the user detects the function associated with each control key 3 with the pictogram 17 located near the control key 3, for example just above, said pictogram 17 being illuminated especially in night driving.

When the user wants to activate a function, he just press the outer part 11 of the corresponding control key 3. The support on the outer portion 11 causes the pivoting of the movable member 7 to the control position and actuates the control means 15. The control means 15 then sends a signal on the one hand to the implementing member the function associated with the control key 3 such as the defrosting system of the rear window and secondly to the backlight means 25 which is then activated. The function indicator 39 is then illuminated so that the user knows that the defrosting is activated.

When the user releases the outer portion 11, the flexibility of the support or the elastic return means causes the return of the movable member 7 in the rest position.

If the user presses the outer part 11 of the control key 3 again, the defrost is deactivated as is the backlighting means 25, the function indicator 39 is then extinguished.

Thus, when the mounting on the facade 5 is achieved, there is obtained a facade 5 of which only the outer portions 11 which have a reduced size project. The parts external 11 of the various control keys 3 being very close to each other, their alignment provides a visually almost continuous and therefore harmonious and aesthetic. Furthermore, the pictograms 17 representing the functions associated with each control key 3 are positioned in an area adjacent to the outer part 11 of each of the control keys 3, which enables the user to immediately know the function associated with the keys of control 3. Finally, the backlighting of the function indicator 39 and the pictogram 17 allows the user to know respectively the activation status of the functions associated with the pictograms 17 and to locate the control keys 3 associated with the various functions when they are in use. 'night driving.

Claims

1. A control device (1) with a key (3) comprising at least one control key (3) and intended to be inserted on a control panel (5) in which the at least one key (3) comprises:

a movable element (7) intended to evolve between a rest position and a control position, said movable element comprising an inner part (9) intended to be situated behind the facade (5) and an outer part (11) on which comes to support the user and which protrudes out of the control panel (5) through an orifice (13) of said control panel (5),

control means (15) actuated by the movable element (7),

characterized in that

the inner part (9) of the movable element (7) comprises a support (29) which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the front and which is connected to a plate (31) by a pivoting end (30) distal to the outer portion (11).

2. Control device according to claim 1 wherein the connection between the pivot end (30) and the plate (31) is formed by a hinge connection (33) which guides the movable member (7) in a movement of pivoting between its rest position and its control position.

3. Control device (1) according to claim 2 wherein the hinge connection (33) is formed by at least one concave groove (35) at the plate (31) and at least one convex element (37) arranged in the pivoting end of the support (29) and intended to be received in the at least one concave groove (35) of the plate (31).

4. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one control key (3) comprises a resilient return means of the movable member (7) in the rest position.

5. Control device according to claim 1 wherein the connection between the inner portion (9) of the movable member (7) and the plate (31) is formed by a recess connection (34), the pivoting movement of the movable element between its rest position and its control position being obtained by bending the inner part of the movable element (7).

6. Control device according to one of the preceding claims wherein the outer surface (11) of the movable member (7) has an elongate shape.

7. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one control key (3) also comprises:

a function indicator (39) located on the outer part (11) of the movable element (7) and,

- backlighting means (25) of the function indicator (39),

the portion of the movable member (7) facing the function indicator (39) comprising a light guide (27) which guides the light of the backlighting means (25) towards the function indicator (39).

8. Control device (1) according to claim 7 wherein the inner portion (9) of the movable member (7) comprises

a first portion which is made of material with the outer portion (11) and forms the light guide (27)

- a second portion which forms a support (29) of the light guide (27).

9. Control device (1) according to claim 8 wherein the support (29) is made of material with the light guide (27).

10. Control device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the light guide (27) is made of polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

11. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one control key (3) also comprises a pictogram (17) indicating the control function associated with the control key (3), said pictogram (17) being located on the control panel (5) in an area adjacent to the outer portion (11) of the movable member (7).

12. Control device (1) according to claim 11 wherein the at least one control key (3) also comprises a backlighting means (19) of the pictogram (17) and wherein the inner portion (9) of the movable member (7) comprises a transparent or translucent zone (21) facing the pictogram (17) to allow the backlighting of the pictogram (17).

13. Control device (1) according to claim 12, in which the transparent or translucent zone (21) of the movable element (7) is formed by an opening (22) in the support (29) of the movable element. (7).

The control device (1) according to claim 12 wherein the transparent or translucent portion (21) of the movable member (7) comprises a lens (23) which focuses light from the backlighting means (19) of the pictogram (17) on the pictogram (17).

15. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 15 wherein the outer portion (11) is at least partially painted or chromed.

16. Control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the control means (15) is an electric switch on which is pressed the movable member (7) during its pivoting movement, said electrical switch serving

> 0 also elastic return means of the movable member (7) in the rest position.

17. Control device according to one of the preceding claims wherein the control device (1) comprises a plurality of control keys (3) aligned and arranged contiguously.

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