Open switch for vehicle

Abstract

The turn-on switch for a vehicle has a decorative cover assembly, a sensor housing area, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor mounted in the sensor housing area. The decorative cover assembly has an inner surface, an outer surface, an anchoring portion, and a deflecting portion. When contact from a vehicle user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, a micro-deflection occurs. The micro-deflection has a micro-deflection apex, and when contact from the user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, the micro-deflection apex is spaced apart from other surfaces in the sensor housing area. The MEMS sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of the contact force from the user. The force-integrating switch may include tactile feedback and / or backlighting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an open switch for a vehicle, and more particularly, to an open switch having a force sensor integrated with a decorative cover assembly. Background Art

[0002] Force sensing is often used in various vehicle applications. For example, US 8,994,689 to Pandher discloses using a capacitive sensor to control power windows, and US 2009 / 0065267A1 to Sato discloses using an electrostatic capacitance sensor and a strain sensor for an electronic button. However, capacitive sensors often require capacitive contact with the user's body or finger. For example, when the user wears gloves, providing force sensing or detection is a desirable alternative. Additionally, it is desirable to provide certain functions, such as opening and / or closing various vehicle devices including windows, doors, and storage compartments, in a more seamless manner than traditional switches. The switches described herein can more simply integrate force sensing with these various vehicle functions including backlighting and tactile feedback to enhance the vehicle user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An exemplary open switch for a vehicle includes: a decorative cover assembly having an inner surface, an outer surface, an anchoring portion, and a deflecting portion, wherein the deflecting portion is configured to deflect at least partially relative to the anchoring portion upon contact from a user at the inner surface; a sensor housing region positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the decorative cover assembly; and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor mounted in the sensor housing region. When contact from a user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, a micro-deflection occurs. The micro-deflection has a micro-deflection apex, and when contact from a user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, the micro-deflection apex is spaced apart from other surfaces in the sensor housing region. When contact from a user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, the MEMS sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of the contact force from the user.

[0004] In some embodiments, the output signal indicates the position of the micro-deflection.

[0005] In some embodiments, a light-emitting diode (LED) is configured to backlight the decorative cover assembly.

[0006] In some embodiments, a tactile actuator is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user after contact from the user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly.

[0007] In some embodiments, a microcontroller is configured to receive the output signal from the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor, and the microcontroller is connected to a tactile driver that is configured to control the tactile actuator.

[0008] In some embodiments, the decorative cover assembly includes a skin at the inner surface and a substrate at the outer surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the output signal is used to control the opening of a vehicle door.

[0010] In some embodiments, the sensor pad is located between the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor and the outer surface of the decorative cover assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, a second microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is configured to generate a second output signal, and a third MEMS sensor is configured to generate a third output signal, and the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal are used to triangulate the position of the microdeflection.

[0012] In some embodiments, the deflection portion includes at least a portion of the storage hatch, and one or more of the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal are used to control the opening of the storage hatch.

[0013] In some embodiments, the output signal is used to control the opening and / or closing of a vehicle window.

[0014] In some embodiments, the deflection portion of the decorative cover assembly includes an opening segment and a closing segment.

[0015] In some embodiments, the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is mounted on the outer surface at the closing segment.

[0016] In some embodiments, an intermediate inclined segment connects the opening segment and the closing segment such that the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is mounted between the outer surface at the closing segment and the outer surface at the opening segment. The opening segment, the intermediate inclined segment, and the closing segment include three walls of the sensor housing area.

[0017] In some embodiments, the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is preloaded with a baseline load such that contact on the closing segment from a user is configured to generate a force that increases the baseline load, and wherein contact on the opening segment from a user is configured to generate a force that decreases the baseline load.

[0018] It is contemplated that, except in cases of feature incompatibility, any number of the individual features of the above embodiments, as well as any other embodiments described in the drawings or the following description, may be combined in any combination to define the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, in the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of the interior of a vehicle passenger compartment in various embodiments equipped with an open switch;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of an open switch for a storage compartment, such as Figure 1 the storage compartment shown in the vehicle passenger compartment of;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an open switch for a door, such as Figure 1 the door shown in the vehicle passenger compartment of;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an open switch for a window, such as Figure 1 the driver's window shown in the vehicle passenger compartment of; and

[0024] Figure 5 is an example circuit schematic that can be used in conjunction with one or more open switches, such as the open switch for the window shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Embodiments of open switches for various vehicle-based applications are described herein, such as vehicle storage compartments, vehicle doors, and vehicle windows. The open switch integrates microelectromechanical (MEMS) force sensing with a specific decorative cover assembly, backlighting, and / or haptic feedback to provide a more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly switch. In particular, integrating haptic feedback with MEMS force sensing can enhance the user experience by making the operation of a less conventional looking switch more intuitive to the user. For example, the switch can be a hidden button or function activation integrated into a decorative surface of the vehicle. In some embodiments, given the hidden nature of a given switch, haptic feedback can provide tactile feedback to the user such that the user receives confirmation that a specific function (e.g., opening) has been activated. Additionally, unlike typical capacitance-based sensing used in open switches, the switch embodiments described herein can be operated with a gloved hand or other object if desired.

[0026] Figure 1Is a perspective view of various embodiments of open switches 10, 20, 30 in the interior of the passenger compartment 12 of vehicle 14. Open switch 10 is used to operate vehicle storage compartment 16, and in this embodiment, is used to operate glove box door 18. Open switch 20 is used to operate vehicle door 22, or more specifically, the door handle 24 or door electronic release or electronic release device inside passenger compartment 12. Open switch 30 is used to operate one or more windows of vehicle 14, such as driver side window 32 and passenger side window (not shown). Open switches 10, 20, 30 can be implemented in any vehicle-based application where one door, window, panel, etc. opens relative to another part of the vehicle. For example, storage compartment 16 can be a glove box as shown, or can be another storage compartment in the vehicle, as an example, such as a storage compartment within the center console. The switch can be integrated with the compartment itself, such as integrated in the compartment door, or integrated on an adjacent or even remote static surface. Additionally, various features of open switches 10, 20, 30 include application-specific attributes, but many features of one open switch can be applicable to other implementations of open switches.

[0027] Figure 2 Is a schematic cross-sectional view of storage compartment open switch 10 for opening glove box door 18. Switch 10 includes a decorative cover assembly 42 and three MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48. MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 are mounted in sensor housing area 50. As described for other open switches 20, 30, there can be more or fewer MEMS sensors than shown in the figure. The number of MEMS sensors can depend on the specific application. For example, when implementing the switch on a larger panel area such as glove box door 18, it may be desirable to have more MEMS sensors because more MEMS sensors can provide a larger sensing area and / or higher resolution. Additionally, the number of MEMS sensors can depend at least in part on the sensitivity of the sensors and / or the material used for decorative cover assembly 42. For example, a decorative cover assembly 42 made of a plastic material can have a greater deflection than another material such as, as an example, chrome, aluminum, or another metallic material, and thus be more easily contacted by the user.

[0028] Decorative cover assembly 42 includes an inner surface 52, an outer surface 54, one or more anchoring portions 56, 58, and a deflection portion 60. The terms "inner" and "outer" are generally used to orient various vehicle components relative to the user of the switch, when the switch is implemented inside the vehicle, the switch faces the user in the interior passenger compartment 12 (i.e., "inner") or away from the user in the interior passenger compartment 12 (i.e., "outer"). When the switch is implemented outside the vehicle, the inner is used to orient the component closer to the user of the switch (closer to the outside of the vehicle) or farther away from the user of the switch (closer to the interior passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle). Figure 2Shows the sensor housing region 50 positioned adjacent to the outer surface 54 of the trim cover assembly 42. The inner surface 52 of the trim cover assembly 42 faces the interior passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 14, and the inner surface 52 can be referred to as the A-side.

[0029] The deflection portion 60 is schematically marked with a dashed line in Figure 1 and Figure 2 configured to deflect at least partially relative to the anchoring portions 56, 58 when contacted by a user (represented by arrow 62) at the inner surface 52. The size and shape of the deflection portion 60 depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the material used for the trim cover assembly 42 and the position and structure of the anchoring portions 56, 58. In some embodiments, such as when the anchoring portions are located around the outer perimeter of the trim assembly, the deflection portion 60 can constitute the entire trim cover assembly itself (e.g., the deflection portion can include the entire area of the glove box door 18, except for the anchored outer perimeter). The anchoring portions 56, 58 are mounted to or integral with (e.g., co-molded with) another structural component 64 of the vehicle 14, which is only schematically shown in Figure 2 For example, the structural component 64 can be an inner portion of the glove box door 18 such that the open switch 10 including the sensor housing region 50 is entirely located within the glove box door.

[0030] In Figure 2 embodiments, the trim cover assembly 42 includes a multi-layer structure 68, which is composed of multiple layers of different materials that provide various structural, functional, aesthetic, and / or tactile qualities. According to embodiments, the multi-layer structure 68 can include a surface layer 70 and a substrate 72. There can be more layers than Figure 2 shown, or there can be fewer layers. For example, other intermediate layers can be included, such as spacer layers, foam layers, and / or one or more adhesive layers. Additionally, the structure and / or composition of these layers can be different from what is shown and described herein, as the multi-layer structure 68 described below is only an example.

[0031] The surface layer 70 is the outermost layer of the trim cover assembly 42 and includes the visible outer or A-side along the inner surface 52, with the opposite side facing outward toward the substrate 72. The primary function of the surface layer 70 is to provide an aesthetically appealing, resilient, and durable exposed surface for passengers within the vehicle, including desired visual characteristics such as color, shape, and texture. Thus, the surface layer 70 can include design features visible at the A-side or outer surface 52, such as embossed patterns or paint films in desired colors. The surface layer 70 can also at least partially provide the desired tactile characteristics of the trim cover assembly 42, such as a soft-touch or smooth feel, like that of upholstery materials. In some cases, the surface layer 70 is formed from a synthetic material configured to have aesthetic properties that mimic other more expensive materials such as leather. In other embodiments, the surface layer 70 is a natural material, such as leather or wood veneer.

[0032] The base 72 is typically the stiffest layer among the shown layers of the multi-layer assembly 68, thereby providing structural support for one or more overlying layers at the desired locations within the vehicle by being connected to other vehicle structures, such as being connected to the structural member 64 through the anchoring portions 56, 58. As Figure 2 shown, the anchoring portions 56, 58 are integrally formed in the outer surface 54 of the base 72. However, the anchoring portions 56, 58 can be separate components attached to the base 72 or the decorative cover assembly 42. Glass fiber reinforced polypropylene having a thickness of 1.6 mm to 4 mm is an example of a suitable base 72, but various other types of materials and material combinations and / or different thickness ranges can be employed in a similar manner.

[0033] When the user contacts as shown by the arrow 62, the switch 10 generates a micro-deflection 74 (the micro-deflection 74 is schematically shown by a dashed line) in the deflection portion 60. The micro-deflection 74 includes a micro-deflection vertex 76. At the micro-deflection vertex 76, the deflection amplitude is the largest because this is the part where the contact force from the user 62 is the largest or most concentrated in the deflection portion 60. The size and shape of the micro-deflection 74 and the micro-deflection vertex 74 will depend on many factors, including but not limited to the force applied by the user's contact, the mounting structure of the decorative cover assembly 42, and the elasticity of the material used for the decorative cover assembly.

[0034] Unlike more traditional force-sensing switches in vehicles, with the switch of the present invention, sensing and actuation can occur when the micro-deflection vertex is spaced apart from other surfaces in the sensor housing region 50. The other surfaces depend on the structure of the sensor housing region 50 and can include, for example, the PCB, the structural member 64, or portions of the MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48, as will be further described in detail in other embodiments below. Advantageously, in some embodiments, this spacing occurs via an air gap G existing between the micro-deflection vertex 76 and the MEMS sensor having the switch 10. In this particular embodiment of the switch 10, a first air gap G1 is located between the micro-deflection vertex 76 and the first MEMS sensor 44, and a second air gap G2 is located between the micro-deflection vertex 76 and the second MEMS sensor 46. Additionally, although in Figure 2It is not shown specifically because the third MEMS sensor extends back into the page, but the third air gap is located between the micro-deflection vertex 76 and the MEMS sensor 48. Compared with other embodiments without such an air gap, the air gap G between the deflection vertex 76 and the MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 can provide a more robust sensing environment. For example, such a switch layout provides indirect force sensing, which can be a more economical use of sensing resources. Although direct sensing is possible, such as when the micro-deflection is directly in line with the sensor 44, this embodiment allows sensing and actuation when the micro-deflection vertex is spaced apart from other surfaces in the sensor housing region 50. Additionally, the miniature size of the MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 (e.g., between 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm and 2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm) is beneficial in vehicle-based applications where component space may be limited.

[0035] The MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 are configured to generate output signals indicative of the contact force from the user 62. Additionally, particularly with respect to Figure 1 the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the output signals of the MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 also indicate the position of the micro-deflection 74 and / or the micro-deflection vertex 76. The MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 are advantageously discrete force-based sensors or strain gauges capable of indirect force sensing. In one embodiment, the MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48 are force sensors available from NEXTINPUT. The sensors 44, 46, 48 can be mounted to Figure 2 the PCB 78 schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the PCB 78 can include its own microcontroller, as described in more detail below, which triangulates the output signals of the sensors 44, 46, 48. Triangulation of the first output signal from the MEMS sensor 44, the second output signal from the MEMS sensor 46, and the third output signal from the MEMS sensor 48 provides the ability to identify the coordinates of the contact 62 and can provide a better determination of the applied force to the contact 62. In some embodiments, this type of output signal processing can be implemented with more or fewer sensors than Figure 1 specifically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Using the position and force information, activation of functions typically achieved with mechanical buttons is possible. In some implementations, some or all of the processing can be done by another more remote processing device, such as the body control module 80. This will depend on various factors, such as the sensor output signals, which can advantageously be locally processed by the microcontroller at the PCB 78 because certain protocols may only be able to propagate a specific distance.

[0036] Switch 10 is advantageously used in conjunction with a full-panel activation of a function, such as opening storage compartment 16, or more specifically, opening glove box door 18. As will be described in further detail below, in this and other embodiments, haptic feedback and / or backlighting may be integrated to provide a more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly haptic experience.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows an opening switch 20 that can be used to facilitate opening of vehicle door 22. Opening door 22 of vehicle 14 can include fully initiating the opening of door 22 itself, or fully or partially ejecting door handle 24 so that the user can open the door in a more typical manual manner. Opening switch 20 can be implemented within the interior passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle, as is currently being described, or on the exterior of vehicle 14. As previously mentioned, if implemented on the exterior, those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "interior" and "exterior" are in a sense opposite compared to other interior-based embodiments, such that the interior will be closest to the user operating door 22 from the outside, and the exterior will be further away from the user operating door 22 from the outside. Additionally, trim cover assembly 42 may vary depending on whether switch 20 is within the vehicle or on the exterior of the vehicle. For example, an exterior switch 20 may have an aluminum plate or the like for the trim cover assembly 42, while an interior switch 20 may have a multi-layer structure 68 as Figure 2 shown, or simply a single base plastic layer 72. Other materials and configurations are of course possible.

[0038] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, MEMS sensor 44 is connected to PCB 78, and as shown, an air gap G exists between micro-deflection apex 76 of micro-deflection 74 and MEMS sensor 44. Similarly, given the material structure and overall mounting configuration of trim assembly 42, the size and shape of micro-deflection apex 76 will likely be different from that schematically shown in the figure. Nevertheless, micro-deflection apex 76 occurs at the location of the maximum displacement due to the contact force from user 62 within trim cover assembly 42. If the displacement is generally uniform, micro-deflection apex 76 can be considered the point along micro-deflection 74 that is furthest from MEMS sensor 44. In some embodiments, features (such as light boxes 82, 84) that may assist in selectively transmitting light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 86 may be located within and around MEMS sensor 44 and / or micro-deflector 74. However, there is still at least a partial air gap between sensor 44 and micro-deflection apex 76 to facilitate indirect sensing of contact from user 62.

[0039] The MEMS sensor 44 is located between the PCB 78 and the sensor pad 88. The sensor pad 88 is located directly between the sensor 44 and the outer surface 54 of the bezel assembly 42. In this embodiment, the sensor pad 88 is made of a compliant material, such as rubber. It provides a mechanical means for transferring the input force from the user contact 62 at the inner surface 52 to the MEMS sensor 44. Since it is compliant, it can compensate for part-to-part variations to some extent and maintain contact through multiple elements in the system, including the MEMS sensor 44, the sensor pad 88, and the bezel assembly 42, which may include features such as the bezel 90.

[0040] The output from the MEMS sensor 44 can be used to facilitate a number of functions, including but not limited to opening of the door 22, ejection of the handle 24, backlighting from one or more LEDs 86, and / or haptic feedback via the actuator 92. As described above and further detailed below, the MEMS sensor 44 can output a signal to the microcontroller to help facilitate these various functions. In one embodiment, the output signal from the MEMS sensor 44 is used to control the illumination of the LED 86. This can illuminate the back of the bezel assembly 42 to provide a more aesthetically pleasing switch assembly 20. Optionally or additionally, the output signal from the MEMS sensor 44 is used to trigger haptic feedback via the haptic actuator 92. The haptic actuator 92 can facilitate the movement of the structural member 64, which in this embodiment defines the sensor housing area 50 such that the deflected portion 60 of the bezel assembly 42 moves in opposition to the force of contact from the user 62. This can provide haptic feedback to the user that an action (e.g., opening of the door 22 and / or handle 24) is occurring. In some embodiments, there may be no haptic feedback, and the actuator 92 can be used to open the door 22 and / or handle 24. In other embodiments, haptic feedback can be provided by the actuator 92, and the opening of the vehicle door 22 and / or handle 24 can be achieved by another vehicle device or component (e.g., the body control module 80). Other operating scenarios are of course possible.

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the window opening switch 30. In this embodiment, the opening switch 30 includes a decorative cover assembly 42, and the decorative cover assembly 42 includes a chromium base 72. However, other materials and configurations are of course possible. Different from the switches 10, 20, the opening switch 30 is configured to open and / or close the window 32. Depending on the required function, such a configuration can be used in other switch implementations. To facilitate closing of the window, the user can insert a finger into the finger recess 93 and apply an upward force on the switch 30. In this embodiment, the deflected portion 60 of the decorative cover assembly 42 is subdivided into two or more, or advantageously three different portions: a closing section 94, an opening section 96, and an intermediate inclined section 98. Contact 62 from the user occurring on the closing section 94 can trigger the closing of the window 32, while contact 62' from the user occurring on the opening section 96 can trigger the opening of the window 32. Depending on the force applied by the user, the contact of the user at the intermediate inclined section 98 can facilitate opening and / or closing. At the intermediate inclined section 98, the decorative cover assembly 42 can be thinner than at the sections 94, 96 to facilitate deflection. The closing section 94, the opening section 96, and the intermediate inclined section 98 together include three walls and generally define a sensor housing area. Additionally, with this configuration, the closing section 94 is completely located within the finger recess 93.

[0042] Given the structure of the decorative cover assembly 42 and the sections 94, 96, 98, when contact 62 from the user occurs on the closing section 94 to pull the switch 30 upward and close the window 32, a micro-deflection 74 generally occurs across the entire deflected portion 60 and leads to a micro-deflection vertex 76 located on the opposite or closing section 96. When contact 62' from the user occurs on the opening section 96 to push the switch 30 downward and open the window 32, a micro-deflection 74 generally also occurs across the entire deflected portion 60 and leads to the micro-deflection vertex 76 also located on the opening section 96, since this portion of the micro-deflection 74 is displaced along the deflected portion 60 furthest from the sensor 44. This results in similarly positioned air gaps G, G', regardless of whether the user's contact on the switch 30 is on the closing section 94 (contact or force 62) or on the opening section 96 (contact or force 62').

[0043] To accommodate double opening / closing or push / pull functionality, the MEMS sensor 44 of the switch 30 is advantageously preloaded and mounted to the outer surface 54 of the bezel assembly 42 at the closed segment 94. The MEMS sensor 44 is preloaded with a baseline load such that contact from the user 62 on the closed segment 94 is configured to produce a force that increases the baseline load, while contact from the user 62' on the open segment 96 is configured to produce a force that decreases the baseline load. In one particular example, the baseline load is 5N, and contact from the user 62 on the closed segment 94 that increases from 5N to 8N or more will output a signal and / or trigger the opening of the window 32. Continuing with this example, with a baseline load of 5N, contact from the user 62' on the open segment 96 that decreases from 5N to 3N or less will output a signal and / or trigger the closing of the window 32. Advantageously, the percentage decrease from the baseline load to trigger opening is less than the percentage increase from the baseline load to trigger closing, but other operating scenarios and preloading methods are of course possible. In another example, there may be two different thresholds for contact with the closed segment 94 or with the open segment 96. These two different thresholds can be used to facilitate automatic opening and / or closing. Thus, meeting one threshold will trigger a manual opening or closing, and then meeting both thresholds will trigger an automatic opening or closing. This implementation essentially realizes four features as one sensor 44 (manual / automatic opening and manual / automatic closing). Additionally, this sensor integration is also capable of being distinguished from just one sensor 44 for the left or right window; for example, by positioning the sensor such that it has a different signal output signature based on the time of occurrence of the microdeflection vertex 76, which enables the switch system to distinguish whether the user is attempting to open or close the left or right window. Additionally, it should be noted that, in addition to the window switch 30, the preloaded MEMS sensor can be implemented in other switch embodiments.

[0044] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, as in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the output signal from the MEMS sensor 44 can be used to implement a variety of functions, including but not limited to opening the window 32, closing the window 32, backlighting from one or more LEDs located in the LED backlight assembly 100, and / or providing haptic feedback via the actuator 92 and / or the haptic driver 104. Figure 5 Schematically illustrates how the switch 30 of FIG. 4 is configured, but Figure 5 one or more aspects of the schematic can be applied to other switch embodiments, such as switches 10, 20. Additionally, Figure 5 The schematic is merely an example of using the microcontroller 102 to coordinate processing; however, in other implementations, the microcontroller can be replaced with a combination of various other circuit components, such as output drivers, one or more resistors and capacitors, etc.

[0045] In Figure 5In this case, the microcontroller 102 receives the output signal from the MEMS sensor 44 (or in other embodiments, more than one MEMS sensor) via the connector 106 and the discrete touch sensor interface 108. In embodiments having more than one MEMS sensor, such as the switch 10 having MEMS sensors 44, 46, 48, the software program executed by the microcontroller 102 can triangulate the outputs of the sensors 44, 46, 48 to identify the position or coordinates of the contact 62 and the measurement of the force of the contact 62. The microcontroller 102 is capable of communicating with other vehicle components, such as the window 32, via the vehicle connector 110 and the LIN bus 112 and / or the optional CAN bus 114. A power supply 116 can be provided to power the microcontroller 102, or the microcontroller 102 can receive power via a separate vehicle source, such as a vehicle battery. As described above, the signal output from the sensor 44 can be used to control the haptic actuator 92 and / or the LED backlight assembly 100. For the haptic actuator 92, a connector 118 can be used between the haptic driver 104 and the actuator. For the LED backlight assembly 100, an LED driver 120 can be used between the microcontroller 102 and the backlight assembly. If powering the LEDs in multiple different window switches 30 (e.g., one for each window), separate outputs can be used between the LED driver 120 and each LED 86 or each LED backlight assembly 100. As described above, other configurations, circuit components, etc. are also possible and will depend on the desired implementation.

[0046] It should be understood that the above is a description of one or more embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but is defined only by the appended claims. Additionally, the statements included in the above description relate to specific embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention or the definition of the terms used in the claims, unless the terms or phrases are explicitly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, variations, and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0047] As used in this specification and the claims, the terms "for example," "example," "such as," and "and so on," and the verbs "include," "have," "contain," and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a list of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended. This means that the list should not be considered to exclude other, additional components or items. Unless other terms are used in a context that requires a different interpretation, other terms will be interpreted using their broadest reasonable meaning.

Claims

1. An opening switch for a vehicle, comprising: A decorative cover assembly having an inner surface, an outer surface, an anchoring portion, and a deflecting portion, wherein the deflecting portion is configured to deflect at least partially relative to the anchoring portion after being contacted by a user at the inner surface; A sensor housing area positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the decorative cover assembly; and A microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor mounted in the sensor housing area, wherein when the contact from the user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, a micro - deflection occurs, wherein the micro - deflection has a micro - deflection apex, and when the contact from the user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, the micro - deflection apex is spaced apart from other surfaces in the sensor housing area, and wherein when the contact from the user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly, the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of the force of the contact from the user.

2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein The output signal indicates the position of the micro - deflection.

3. The opening switch according to claim 1, wherein A light - emitting diode (LED) is configured to backlight the decorative cover assembly.

4. The opening switch according to claim 1, wherein A tactile actuator is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user after the contact from the user occurs at the deflecting portion in the decorative cover assembly.

5. The opening switch according to claim 4, wherein: A microcontroller is configured to receive the output signal from the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor, and wherein the microcontroller is connected to a tactile driver configured to control the tactile actuator.

6. The open switch according to claim 1, wherein, The decorative cover assembly includes a surface layer at the inner surface and a substrate at the outer surface.

7. The opening switch according to claim 1, wherein The output signal is used to control the opening of the vehicle door.

8. The opening switch according to claim 1, wherein A sensor pad is located between the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor and the outer surface of the decorative cover assembly.

9. The open switch according to claim 1 further includes a second microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor configured to generate a second output signal and a third microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor configured to generate a third output signal, and wherein, The output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal are used to triangulate the position of the micro - deflection.

10. The open switch according to claim 9, wherein, The deflecting portion includes at least a part of a storage hatch, and one or more of the output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal are used to control the opening of the storage hatch.

11. The turn-on switch according to claim 1, wherein, The output signal is used to control the opening and / or closing of the vehicle window.

12. The opening switch according to claim 11, wherein, The deflecting portion of the decorative cover assembly includes an opening segment and a closing segment.

13. The turn-on switch according to claim 12, wherein, The microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is mounted on the outer surface at the closing segment.

14. The opening switch according to claim 13, wherein: An intermediate inclined segment connects the opening segment and the closing segment such that the microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is mounted between the outer surface at the closing segment and the outer surface at the opening segment, and wherein the opening segment, the intermediate inclined segment, and the closing segment include three walls of the sensor housing area.

15. The opening switch according to claim 12, wherein The microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor is pre - loaded with a baseline load such that the contact from the user on the closing segment is configured to generate a force that increases the baseline load, and wherein the contact from the user on the opening segment is configured to generate a force that decreases the baseline load.

Images