Interface for controlling at least one function of a unit of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a control interface (1) for controlling at least one function of a unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a base, a control key inclined in two orthogonal directions, a gimbals interposed between the control key and the base to define the first and second orthogonal inclined directions, a guide bar carried by the lower face of the control key arranged opposite the base, and a cross-shaped guide matrix aligned in the two orthogonal inclined directions and carried by the base, and arranged opposite the guide bar and cooperating with the free end thereof, so as to prevent the control key from being inclined in a direction other than the two orthogonal inclined directions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The field of the invention is an electrical control interface for a motor vehicle, for example allowing the positioning of the exterior mirrors of a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a motor vehicle, in particular in the case where the same vehicle is used by several drivers in rotation, it is necessary to adjust the position of one or more exterior mirrors appropriately so that the driver can see the road behind the vehicle. A rearview mirror control interface is generally used to remotely adjust the position of the actual mirror of the exterior and / or interior rearview mirrors using an electric motor. An electrical switch integrated into the rearview mirror actuation system is thus operated to close an electromechanical electrical circuit which triggers the electric motor responsible for moving these mirrors.

[0003] The actual mirror of the rearview mirror is generally able to move around two tilting axes, which are mutually perpendicular in most cases. In particular, there can be a first axis of up / down and a second axis of right / left. The same control interface can be used for all adjustments. This control interface can in particular comprise a control key configured to swing in each adjustment direction.

[0004] However, in the case where the control key can swing in several different directions, the control key can accidentally pivot around an unwanted axis or direction, for example a diagonal direction, which does not correspond to either the up / down axis or the right / left axis. Such an event can for example trigger an unwanted command by the user of the interface, or even possibly force the components of the rearview mirror control interface into a mode for which they were not designed. SUMMARY

[0005] The aim of the invention is to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is a control interface for controlling at least one function of a unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a base, a swing control key able to swing in two orthogonal directions, a gimbal interposed between the control key and the base to define the first and second orthogonal swing directions, a guide bar carried by a lower side surface of the control key facing the base, and a cross-shaped guide template aligned with the two orthogonal swing directions and carried by the base and positioned facing the guide bar and cooperating with the free end thereof to prevent the control key from swinging in a direction other than the two orthogonal swing directions.

[0007] Due to the geometry of the components of this control interface, the pivoting of the control key in directions other than the two orthogonal swivel directions is prevented and cannot be performed. The gimbals make it possible to define two separate degrees of freedom of the control key with respect to the base, i.e. the pivoting about two orthogonal swivel axes. When the control key is pivoted, the cross-shaped template serves to guide the guide rod only in these orthogonal swivel directions, thereby enhancing the guidance of said key. By combining the action of the gimbals with the orientation of the arms of the cross of the cross-shaped template, the user of this interface is forced to pivot the control key only in the two orthogonal swivel directions, any pivoting outside these directions being impossible, whether unintentional or intentional.

[0008] The invention can further comprise one or more of the following aspects, alone or in combination:

[0009] - the control key is connected to the gimbals by a first pivoting connection to allow the control key to pivot in a first swivel direction;

[0010] - the base is connected to the gimbals by a second pivoting connection to allow the control key to pivot in a second swivel direction;

[0011] - the first or second pivoting connection is formed by at least one journal and at least one bearing cooperating with each other, one of them being carried by the gimbals and the other being carried by the control key or the base;

[0012] - the control key comprises at least one bearing cooperating with a journal carried by the gimbals to form the first pivoting connection;

[0013] - the at least one bearing takes the form of a holed lug;

[0014] - the base comprises two journals each cooperating with a bearing carried by the gimbals to form the second pivoting connection;

[0015] - the gimbals have a peripheral rim of overall square shape and a central partition, the peripheral rim being connected to the central partition by a reinforcing beam;

[0016] - the guide rod passes through the intersection between the axes of the two pivoting connections;

[0017] - the guide rod has at least one lateral reinforcing rib;

[0018] - the free end of the guide rod has a square shape in cross-sectional plane;

[0019] - the free end of the guide rod passes through the cross-shaped template;

[0020] - the cross-shaped template is formed in one piece with the base;

[0021] - the interface comprises a light guide positioned to face the lower side surface of the control key;

[0022] - the light guide comprises at least one clamping tab configured to be housed in an opening of a retaining wall of the base, so as to fix the light guide to the base;

[0023] - the interface comprises four plungers, the plungers having an end in contact with the lower side surface of the control key;

[0024] - the plungers are able to translate linearly in a direction perpendicular to the two orthogonal rocking directions;

[0025] - the plungers are configured so that, during rocking of the control key, they activate electrical switches carried by the interface; and

[0026] - the control key is the result of a two-shot injection molding process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Further advantages and features of the present application will become more apparent from the following description and drawings, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle interior, in which an electrical control interface for controlling at least one function of a unit of the motor vehicle is installed;

[0029] Figure 2 depicts an exploded perspective schematic view of one embodiment of the control interface of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 3 depicts a top view of a detail of the base of the control interface of Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a detail of the base of Figure 3 ;

[0032] Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of the control key assembled with the gimbal of the control interface of Figure 2 ;

[0033] Figure 6 depicts a perspective view of the gimbal of the control interface of Figure 2 ;

[0034] Figure 7 depicts a perspective view of the lower side surface of the first embodiment of the control key of Figure 5 ;

[0035] Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of a second embodiment of the control key of the control interface of Figure 2 ;

[0036] Figure 9 a control interface of Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the base, gimbal and light guide of

[0037] Figure 10 a perspective view of the light guide of Figure 2 a control interface, and

[0038] Figure 11 a perspective view of the light guide of Figure 2 a control interface.

[0039] In these figures, identical elements have identical references.

[0040] Longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions are denoted by the dihedron (L, V, T) in Figures 2 to 11 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following examples are illustrative. Although described with reference to particular embodiments, the descriptions are not meant to be limiting. Various elements of the embodiments can be combined or interchanged with one another, or dis- cussed in other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0042] In the description, certain elements can be indexed, for example a first element or a second element. In this case, this is merely an index to distinguish and denote similar but not identical elements. This index does not imply that one element is preferred over another element, and this nomenclature can be easily interchanged without departing from the scope of the present specification. This index also does not imply a chronological order.

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic view of an interface 1 for controlling at least one function of a unit of a motor vehicle, such as a movable mirror installed in an external rearview mirror unit of a motor vehicle, is shown. By way of example, the interface 1 is located within reach of a driver or a passenger, for example in a door or a central console of the vehicle interior between the driver and passenger seats, or in a roof console of the vehicle interior. The control interface 1 can of course have any orientation in space. For example, it can be rotated by 180° compared to the orientation shown in the figures, so that it can be installed in a roof console.

[0044] The control interface 1 comprises a base 2( Figure 2 ), a rocking control key 4 that can rock in two orthogonal directions A and B, a gimbal 6 interposed between the control key 4 and the base 2, a guide rod 8 and a cross-shaped guide template 10 that is aligned with the two orthogonal rocking directions A and B( Figure 3 and 4 ) and is supported by the base 2. In Figures 2 to 11 ​In the diagram, the two orthogonal directions A and B correspond to the transverse direction T and the longitudinal direction L, respectively.

[0045] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the cross-shaped template 10 is formed as a single piece with the base 2, for example. In other words, the cross-shaped template 10 is an integral part of the base 2 and forms a one-piece structure with the base 2. The cross-shaped template 10 is specifically in the form of a cross-shaped hole. Therefore, the cross-shaped template 10 is formed by two slots 10A and 10B in the circular end wall 12 fixed to the base 2. The end wall 12 extends in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis V. Slot 10A extends in a first swing direction A, i.e., parallel to the transverse direction T, while slot 10B extends in a second swing direction B, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The two slots 10A and 10B are particularly flow-through in their middle, thus defining the center C of the cross-shaped template, which can coincide with the center of the end wall 12. Slots 10A and 10B can have the same length or different lengths.

[0046] The user of interface 1 cannot see the cross-shaped template 10 because the control key 4 is mounted on the base 2, completely covering the cross-shaped template 10. Figure 2 The control key 4 has a user-visible upper surface 16 of interface 1 and a lower surface 18 facing the base 2 and the cross-shaped template 10. Figure 5 and Figure 7 Therefore, it is not visible to users of interface 1.

[0047] The upper surface 16 and lower surface 18 of the control key 4 have an overall shape, for example, square. According to an embodiment of the control key 4 (not shown), its upper surface 16 and lower surface 18 can be circular or even cross-shaped, with the arms of the cross oriented in orthogonal swing directions A and B.

[0048] According to one embodiment of control key 4 (this embodiment is in...) Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the upper surface 16 may have semi-transparent arrow-shaped markings, such as "<", ">", "▲" and "▼", to indicate the orthogonal directions A and B in which the control key 4 can be rocked. Alternatively, the upper surface 16 may have undulations 20, such as recessed or raised patterns designed to guide the user's finger toward the edge 22 of the control key 4, to provide the user with tactile indication of the rocking directions A and B.

[0049] The guide rod 8 is supported by the lower surface 18 of the control key 4 and is arranged to face the base 2. When the control key is in the stationary position, that is, when there is no interaction between the user and the control interface 1, the guide rod 8 extends specifically in the vertical direction V.

[0050] One end 24 of guide rod 8 Figure 7) for example to the lower side surface 18 of the control key 4. The guide rod 8 further has a free end 26. According to one embodiment of the control key 4, which is particularly shown in Figure 5 and 7 , the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 has a square shape in a cross-sectional plane formed by the longitudinal axis L and the transversal axis T. Thus, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 is a parallelepiped shape and has four rectangular side faces 28. In this particular case, the entire guide rod 8 can be a parallelepiped shape and have four rectangular side faces 28 extending along the entire length of the guide rod 8.

[0051] According to the embodiment of the guide rod 8 shown in Figure 5 and Figure 7 , the guide rod 8 comprises at least one lateral stiffening rib 30 extending over at least a portion of the total length of the guide rod 8. Thus, the guide rod 8 can have two different portions: a first portion close to the lower side surface 16, which is stiffened by the at least one lateral stiffening rib 30, and a second portion corresponding to the free end 26 of the guide rod 8, which is delimited by the four rectangular side faces 28 and the blunt end piece 32.

[0052] The guide rod 8 more particularly comprises one to four lateral stiffening ribs 30, each of which is tilted along its length direction so that its overall shape is triangular. The base of the triangular stiffening rib 30 is for example fixed to the lower side surface 18 of the control key 4. In the particular case where the guide rod 8 comprises four lateral stiffening ribs 30, i.e. one lateral stiffening rib 30 per rectangular side face 28 of the guide rod 8, the built-in end 24 of the guide rod 8 is cross-shaped in a cross-sectional plane formed by the longitudinal axis L and the transversal axis T at the level of the lower side surface 18.

[0053] According to another embodiment of the control key 4’, particularly as shown in Figure 8 , the guide rod 8’ can have a cross shape in a cross-sectional plane tangent to the lower side surface 18. This embodiment particularly makes it possible to dispense with the lateral stiffening ribs 30.

[0054] In the two embodiments of the control keys 4 and 4’ respectively shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the control key 4 or 4’ is the result of a two-shot injection molding process, also called “2K injection molding”. This injection molding process makes it possible to combine two different plastic materials or two different colors when producing the same final product. Thanks to this two-shot injection molding process, the control key 4 or 4’ having different colors or different hardnesses is obtained in a single injection molding process. Thus, the choice of this process proves to be very economical and efficient since it makes it possible to dispense with the assembly steps that can be necessary.

[0055] The control key 4 is mounted so as to be able to pivot relative to the base 2. More particularly, a gimbals 6 Figure 2 ) define first and second orthogonal directions of yaw A and B, which are consistent with the cross-shaped template 10.

[0056] According to Figure 6 one embodiment of the gimbals 6 specifically illustrated in , the gimbals 6 have a peripheral edge 34 which is overall square in shape and a central partition 36, the peripheral edge 34 being connected to the central partition 36 by means of four reinforcing beams 38. More particularly, the peripheral edge 34 has four straight sections 40 which are connected together by rounded corners 42. The central partition 36 is also square in shape and has four straight portions 44 which are connected together such that their ends form right-angled corners 46. The four reinforcing beams 38 extend from the outside of the corners 46 of the central partition 36 up to the inside surface of the rounded corners 42 of the peripheral edge 34. Thus, the reinforcing beams 38 extend in the diagonal direction of the square formed by the peripheral edge 34 and the central partition 36. According to non-illustrated embodiments of the gimbals 6, the peripheral edge 34 and / or the central partition 36 are circular in shape.

[0057] Figure 5 The gimbals 6 are connected on the one hand to the control key 4 Figure 9 and on the other hand to the base 2 . More particularly, the control key 4 is connected to the gimbals 6 by means of a first pivot connection PI to allow the control key 4 to pivot in the first direction of yaw A. Similarly, the base 2 is connected to the gimbals 6 by means of a second pivot connection P2 to allow the control key 4 to pivot in the second direction of yaw B.

[0058] In Figure 5 , the axis of the first pivot connection PI between the control key 4 and the gimbals 6, represented in dotted line, is parallel to the longitudinal direction L, whereas in Figure 9 , the axis of the second pivot connection P2 between the base 2 and the gimbals 6 is parallel to the transverse direction T. The axes of the first and second pivot connections PI and P2 are orthogonal to each other and correspond to the directions of yaw A and B.

[0059] Generally, the first or second pivot connections PI, P2 are formed by at least one journal 50 and at least one bearing 52 which cooperate with each other, one of them being carried by the gimbals 6 and the other by the control key 4 or the base 2. In other words, thanks to the cooperation between the journal 50 and the bearing 52, which are carried by the gimbals 6, the control key 4 and the base 2, these two pivot connections PI and P2 allow the control key 4 to yaw relative to the base 2 in the directions of yaw A and B.

[0060] Thus, according to one embodiment of the control interface 1, which is illustrated in Figure 5As particularly shown in

[0061] Moreover, as shown in Figure 5 and 7 , the hole lugs 54 are each located in particular in the vicinity of two opposite edges 22 of the control key 4. The hole lugs 54 can be positioned symmetrically on the lower side surface 18 of the control key 4, for example on each side of a transverse plane D formed by the vertical axis V and the transverse axis T. Figure 7

[0062] Thus, the two hole lugs 54 carried by the lower side surface 18 of the control key 4 form bearings 52 configured to each respectively accommodate a journal 50 carried by the gimbals 6. This means that the gimbals 6 are provided with two journals 50, for example as shown in Figure 6 These journals 50 are for example cylindrical or hemispherical protrusions carried by the peripheral edge 34 of the gimbals 6.

[0063] More particularly, the two journals 50 are each located in the middle of a straight section 40 of the peripheral edge 34 of the gimbals 6, these straight sections 40 being opposite to each other, that is to say not connected by a single circular fillet 42. According to Figure 6 the embodiment of the gimbals 6 particularly shown in, the journals 50 are carried by the straight sections 40 oriented parallel to the transverse axis T, so that the respective rotation axis R of the cylindrical journals 50 coincides with the longitudinal axis L. Moreover, the two journals 50 are carried by the inner surface of the peripheral edge 34 of the gimbals 6, that is to say the surface facing the central partition 36. However, according to an embodiment not shown, the journals 50 can be carried by the outer surface of the peripheral edge 34 of the gimbals 6.

[0064] Similarly, the base 2 comprises two journals 50 Figure 3 each cooperating with a bearing 52 carried by the gimbals 6 Figure 6 to form a second pivot connection P2 Figure 9 . On the one hand, according to Figure 4The embodiment of the base 2 illustrated, the journal 50 of the base 2 can be likened to a cylindrical or hemispherical protrusion carried by a mounting wall 58 of the base 2. The mounting wall 58 is for example a cylindrical ring which shares the same axis of rotation X with the end wall 12, parallel to the vertical direction V and passing through the center C of the cross-shaped template 10 Figure 3 ). The mounting wall 58 and the end wall 12 are connected to each other by retaining walls 59. In particular, there are four retaining walls 59 positioned around the axis of rotation X and inclined with respect to this axis, so as to form a discontinuous funnel, for example as Figure 4 illustrated. The retaining walls 59 extend in the diagonal direction of the cross-shaped template 10. The journal 50 is in particular carried by the outer surface of the mounting wall 58.

[0065] On the other hand, the gimbals 6 Figure 6 have two bearings 52 in the form of two cylindrical holes 60 opening in two straight sections 40 of the gimbals 6 opposite each other. These straight sections 40 are not the same as the straight sections carrying the journal 50 of the first pivot connection P1. The holes 60 open in the straight sections 40, the openings of which are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis L, so that the transverse axis T can pass through their respective centers.

[0066] The journal 50 and the hole 60 carried by the gimbals 6 are in particular located in the middle of the straight sections 40 carrying them, so that the axes of the first and second pivot connections P1, P2 intersect in the center of the gimbals 6, forming an intersection E as Figure 6 illustrated.

[0067] In a not illustrated embodiment of the gimbals 6, the gimbals 6 comprise only the journal 50, and the base 2 and the control key 4 then carry the bearings 52 configured to cooperate with the journal 50 of the gimbals 6 to form the first and second pivot connections P1, P2.

[0068] According to another not illustrated embodiment of the gimbals 6, the gimbals 6 comprise only the bearings 52, that is to say that each of the four straight sections 40 has a hole 60. The base 2 and the control key 4 then carry the journal 50 configured to cooperate with the bearings 52 of the gimbals 6 to form the first and second pivot connections P1, P2.

[0069] As Figure 11 illustrated, regardless of the chosen configuration for forming the first and second pivot connections P1, P2 using the journal 50 and the bearing 52, the gimbals 6 are mounted on the mounting wall 58 of the base 2 and are covered by the control key 4. In other words, the upper surface 16 of the control key 4 hides the gimbals 6 and the mounting wall 58 from the user of the control interface 1.

[0070] Advantageously, the control key 4 can comprise a side face 62 delimiting the edge 22 of the upper surface 16 and the lower side surface 18 of the control key 4 Figure 5). These side faces 62 are for example positioned such that they form, with the lower side surface 18, a cavity for accommodating the gimbals 6 interposed between the control knob 4 and the base 2, such that the guide rod 8 passes through the intersection E between the axes of the two pivot connections P1 and P2, as shown in Figure 11 .

[0071] Furthermore, the lower side surface 18 of the control knob 4 can comprise four protrusions 64( Figure 7 ) projecting in the direction of the vertical axis V. The protrusions 64 are more particularly located on the axes of the first and second pivot connections P1 and P2, and in particular near the edge 22 of the control knob 4. They are for example formed in one piece with the side faces 62 of the control knob 4. As shown in Figure 7 , the protrusions 64 in the form of holed lugs 54 on the side faces 62 near the bearings 52 have for example a shorter span than the other two protrusions 64.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11 , the control interface 1 comprises a light guide 70 positioned to face the lower side surface 18 of the control knob 4. The light guide 70 is a translucent component that allows light rays to be directed from one and the same light source to one or more different windows. Such a light guide 70 proves to be particularly beneficial in the event of insufficient interior lighting of a motor vehicle.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the light guide 70 shown in Figure 10 , it comprises four kinked branches 72 fixed to a square common substrate 74. The kinked branches 72 each comprise a portion 76 near the common substrate 74 and a straight portion 78. The portion 76 near the common substrate 74 is for example inclined with respect to the bearing surface of the common substrate 74, such that each extends in one of the rocking directions A or B. The straight portion 78 extends parallel to the vertical direction V.

[0074] The end of these straight portions 78 forms a free end 80. In other words, the trapezoidal free end 80 is located to face the lower side surface 18 of the control knob 4, and in particular below the translucent markings in the form of arrows (such as "<", ">", "▲" and "▼") on the upper surface 16 of the control knob 4. This is more particularly evident in Figure 11 . The kinked branches 72 are located in the space formed by the retaining walls 59, the mounting wall 58 and the end wall 12 of the base 2, as shown more particularly in Figure 9 .

[0075] According to an embodiment of the light guide 70 shown in Figure 10 , it comprises a cylindrical bearing ring 84 bearing the junction between the portion 76 near the common substrate 74 and the straight portion 78 of the kinked branches 72. Furthermore, the light guide 70 comprises at least one clamping tab 86 configured to be accommodated in an opening 88( Figure 11) in order to fix the light guide 70 in the base 2. The light guide 70 comprises in particular four clamping tabs 86 in the form of triangular protrusions, which are positioned at regular angular intervals on the outer surface of the support ring 84. The lower side surface of the clamping tabs 86 is thus a support surface, which retains the light guide 70 in the base 2 by contact with the openings 88 in the retaining wall 59.

[0076] According to Figure 2 the embodiment of the interface shown, the control interface 1 comprises an electronic board 90, for example with electrical switches 92. The electrical switches 92 are for example pushbutton switches. The electronic board 90 is covered in particular by a deformable elastic membrane 94.

[0077] The control interface 1 also comprises four plungers 96 located between the control key 4 and the membrane 94. The plungers 96 can translate linearly in a direction perpendicular to the two orthogonal rocking directions A and B, i.e. parallel to the vertical axis V in the case of Figure 2 . The plungers 96 are partly arranged in linear guides 98 of the base 2, which are configured to guide the movement of the plungers 96 along the vertical axis V in the direction of the electronic board 90 and vice versa.

[0078] The plungers 96 are for example T-shaped and have a first end 100 in contact with one of the protrusions 64 of the lower side surface 18 of the control key 4. The plungers 96 also have a second end 102 which is flat and in contact with the membrane 94. The flat second end 102 is more particularly located above one of the electrical switches 92. The electrical switches 92 can be in pairs, then associated in pairs on the electronic board 90. The flat shape of the second end 104 of the plungers 96 thus allows two electrical switches 92 positioned side by side to be covered simultaneously. The plungers 96 are configured so that during rocking of the control key 4, they activate the electrical switches 92 carried by the control interface 1.

[0079] In order to adjust the position of the actual mirror inside the exterior rearview mirror, the user presses with a finger on the upper surface 16 or on one of the edges 22 of the control key 4 on one of the markings "<", ">", " " or " ". As a result, the control key 4 rocks in one of the rocking directions A or B, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 being engaged in one of the two slots 10A or 10B of the cross-shaped template 10. The free end 26 is configured to cooperate with the cross-shaped guide template 10 carried by the base 2 in order to prevent the control key 4 from rocking in a direction other than the two orthogonal rocking directions A and B. To this end, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 can in particular pass through the cross-shaped template 10 Figure 11 ) so that the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 remains inside the cross-shaped template 10 when the control key 4 rocks in one of the rocking directions A or B relative to the base 2.

[0080] The rectangular side 28 of the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 allows a better cooperation with the slots 10A and 10B which delimit the cross-shaped template 10 by means of a complementary shape. In particular, thanks to the planar connection formed between the rectangular side 28 of the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 and the inner surfaces of the slots 10A and 10B, the clearance between these components is more precise than when the guide rod 8 is cylindrical, since the slide connection is more advantageous and practical than a straight connection.

[0081] When the control key 4 is pivoted in a given rocking direction A or B, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 engages in the slot 10A or 10B which extends parallel to the rocking direction A or B, but in the opposite direction.

[0082] Thus, when the user presses the "> " mark, the control key 4 is pivoted in the first rocking direction A, in the positive direction of the transverse axis T. In addition, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 engages in the slot 10A which extends parallel to the transverse axis T, but in the negative direction of this axis.

[0083] When the user presses the "<" mark, the control key 4 is pivoted in the first rocking direction A, in the negative direction of the transverse axis T. In addition, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 engages in the slot 10A which extends parallel to the transverse axis T, but in the positive direction of this axis.

[0084] In these two first scenarios, the control key 4 is pivoted relative to the gimbals 6 about the point E of the first pivot connection PI, the gimbals 6 remaining fixed relative to the base 2.

[0085] When the user presses the " " mark, the control key 4 is pivoted in the second rocking direction B, in the positive direction of the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 engages in the slot 10B which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L, but in the negative direction of this axis.

[0086] When the user presses the " " mark, the control key 4 is pivoted in the second rocking direction B, in the negative direction of the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the free end 26 of the guide rod 8 engages in the slot 10B which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L, but in the positive direction of this axis.

[0087] In these two second scenarios, the assembly formed by the control key 4 and the gimbals 6 is pivoted relative to the base 2 about the point E of the second pivot connection P2.

[0088] The four possible orientations of the rocking are indicated by the arrows in Figure 12 .

[0089] When the user presses the area between the two marks "<", ">", " " or " ", for example the corners of the control key 4, the control key 4 cannot be pivoted in the Figure 13The diagonal direction indicated by the middle arrow is not allowed for pivoting, because the structure of the pivoting connections PI and P2 between the gimbals 6, the control key 4 and the base 2 does not allow such a rocking direction. Furthermore, the slots 10A and 10B of the cross-shaped template 10 do not allow the engagement of the guide rod 8 in the diagonal direction. In other words, the guide rod 8 likewise prevents the pivoting of the control key 4 in a direction other than the rocking directions A or B.

[0090] When the user presses one of the edges 22 of the control key 4 to pivot the key in the selected rocking direction A or B, the protrusion 64 located under the marking indicating the selected direction presses the first end 100 of the plunger 96 in contact therewith, thereby pushing the plunger 96 towards the electronic board 90. The second end 102 of the plunger 96 thus deforms the membrane 94 covering the electronic board 90 carrying the electric switches 92.

[0091] These electric switches 92 more particularly allow the closure of an electromechanical circuit triggering an electric motor whose task is to move the actual mirror inside the exterior rearview mirror. The movement of the plunger 96 towards the electronic board 90 thus creates an electrical connection between the switch contacts (not shown in the figures) of the electric switches 92.

[0092] The switch contacts are for example connected to a controller (not shown in the figures) which controls a device such as an electric motor configured to adjust the position of the actual mirror of the rearview mirror. Depending on the electrical connection, the electric motor controls the positioning by rotating the actual mirror inside the rearview mirror. For example, if the user presses the ">" marking, the actual mirror pivots in the clockwise direction, whereas if the user presses the "<" marking, the actual mirror pivots in the counterclockwise direction.

[0093] The control interface 1 thus provides control over the units of the motor vehicle, for example the mirror of the exterior rearview mirror, by manipulating the control key 4, while preventing this control key 4 from rocking in a direction other than the two orthogonal rocking directions A and B prescribed by the pivoting connections PI and P2 defined by the cross-shaped template 10 and to a large extent by the gimbals 6.

Claims

1. An interface (1) for controlling at least one function of a unit of a motor vehicle, said control interface (1) comprising: - a base (2); - a control key (4) able to oscillate in two orthogonal directions (A, B); the interface being characterized in that it comprises: - a gimbal (6) interposed between the control key (4) and the base (2) to define first and second orthogonal oscillation directions (A, B); - a guide rod (8) carried by a lower side surface (18) of the control key (4) arranged facing the base (2); - a cross-shaped guide template (10) aligned with the two orthogonal oscillation directions (A, B) and carried by the base (2) and positioned facing the guide rod (8) and cooperating with a free end (26) thereof to prevent the control key (4) from oscillating in a direction other than the two orthogonal oscillation directions (A, B), wherein said control key (4) is connected to said gimbal (6) by a first pivotal connection (PI) to allow the control key (4) to pivot in a first oscillation direction (A) and said base is connected to the gimbal by a second pivotal connection (P2) to allow the control key (4) to pivot in a second oscillation direction (B), the axis of the first pivotal connection (PI) and the axis of the second pivotal connection (P2) being mutually orthogonal and corresponding respectively to the first oscillation direction (A) and to the second oscillation direction (B).

2. The control interface of claim 1, wherein, said first or second pivotal connection (PI, P2) is formed by at least one journal (50) and at least one bearing (52) cooperating with each other, one of them being carried by said gimbal (6) and the other being carried by said control key (4) or base (2).

3. The control interface of claim 2, wherein, said control key (4) comprises at least one bearing (52) cooperating with a journal (50) carried by said gimbal (6) to form said first pivotal connection (PI) and at least one bearing (52) takes the form of a holed lug (54).

4. The control interface of claim 2 or 3, wherein, said base (2) comprises two journals (50) each cooperating with a bearing (52) carried by said gimbal (6) to form said second pivotal connection (P2).

5. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, said gimbal (6) has a peripheral edge (34) of overall square shape and a central partition (36), the peripheral edge (34) being connected to the central partition (34) by a reinforcing beam (38).

6. The control interface of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, said guide rod (8) passes through the intersection (E) between the axes of the two pivotal connections (PI, P2).

7. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, said guide rod (8) has at least one lateral reinforcing rib (30).

8. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, the free end (26) of said guide rod (8) has a square shape in a cross-sectional plane.

9. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, the free end (26) of said guide rod (8) passes through said cross-shaped template (10).

10. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, said cross-shaped template (10) is formed in one piece with said base (2).

11. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, it comprises a light guide (70) positioned facing the lower side surface (18) of said control key (4).

12. Control interface according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said light guide (70) comprises at least one snap tab (86) configured to be housed in an opening (88) of a retaining wall (59) of said base (2) so as to fix the light guide (70) to the base (2).

13. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, It comprises four plungers (96) having an end (100) in contact with the lower side surface (18) of the control key (4), which are able to translate linearly in a direction perpendicular to the two orthogonal rocking directions (A, B) and are configured so that, during rocking of the control key (4), they activate the electrical switches (92) carried by the interface (1).

14. The control interface of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The control key (4) is the result of a two-shot injection molding process.

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